Vibrotactile stimulator system for detecting and interrupting apnea in infants
First Claim
1. A vibrotactile stimulator system for detecting and interrupting apnea in infants comprising(1) a multi-sensing monitor for sensing a plurality of physiological functions including means for detecting the respiratory rate of the infant and signal output means for reporting signals from said detecting means;
- (2) a vibrotactile sensory stimulator including a cutaneous vibrator for engaging a peripheral sensory area on the infant, said vibrator being cyclically operable at a frequency above about 150 Hz to stimulate the infant and interrupt the apneic episode; and
(3) a control interface between the multi-sensing monitor and the stimulator for comparing the reported signals from the monitor for each physiological function with a preprogrammed standard to determine variations from the standard, said interface including means for integrating the variations for different functions and assessing a combination of said variations to indicate an apneic condition in the infant and means for triggering a timing means for delaying the transmission of a stimulator actuation until the apneic condition has persisted for a selected period, said interface including intervention output means for signaling actuation of the vibrotactile stimulator.
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Abstract
A vibrotactile stimulator system for detecting and interrupting apnea in premature neonates comprises a multi-sensing monitor for detecting the respiration and other physiological characteristics of the neonate, a vibrotactile sensory stimulator in contact with an extremity of the neonate and a computer interface functionally positioned between the monitor and the vibrotactile stimulator. The interface provides a comparison of the monitored data to preprogrammed individualized standards to determine variations from the standard and provides an intervention output signal to the vibrator. The stimulator includes a cutaneous vibrator engaging a peripheral sensory area of the neonate and being operable at a frequency up to about 400 Hz, but optimally about 260 Hz, to stimulate the neonate and interrupt an apneic episode. The system can include time-delayed, backup, audible and/or visual alarms as well as a graphic display with a pre-apneic printout and cribside or remote manual actuation capability.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A vibrotactile stimulator system for detecting and interrupting apnea in infants comprising
(1) a multi-sensing monitor for sensing a plurality of physiological functions including means for detecting the respiratory rate of the infant and signal output means for reporting signals from said detecting means; -
(2) a vibrotactile sensory stimulator including a cutaneous vibrator for engaging a peripheral sensory area on the infant, said vibrator being cyclically operable at a frequency above about 150 Hz to stimulate the infant and interrupt the apneic episode; and (3) a control interface between the multi-sensing monitor and the stimulator for comparing the reported signals from the monitor for each physiological function with a preprogrammed standard to determine variations from the standard, said interface including means for integrating the variations for different functions and assessing a combination of said variations to indicate an apneic condition in the infant and means for triggering a timing means for delaying the transmission of a stimulator actuation until the apneic condition has persisted for a selected period, said interface including intervention output means for signaling actuation of the vibrotactile stimulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for the detection and vibrotactile interruption of apnea in infants comprising the steps of
(1) monitoring at least the heart rate and respiratory rate functions of the infant; -
(2) applying to the infant a vibrotactile sensory stimulator including a cutaneous vibrator for engaging a peripheral sensory area on the infant, said vibrator being operable at a frequency above about 150 Hz to stimulate the infant and interrupt the apneic episode; (3) providing a control interface between the monitor and the stimulator for comparing signals from the monitor with a preprogrammed standard to determine variations from the standard, the interface including an intervention decisions mode for integrating the variations for different functions and assessing a combination of said variations to indicate an apneic condition in the infant and delaying transmission of a stimulator activation signal by actuation of a timer until the apneic condition has persisted for a selected period; and (4) actuating the cutaneous vibrator in response to the detection of an apneic condition to stimulate the infant and interrupt the apneic condition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A multi-sensing system for detecting apnea in infants while obviating false apneic signals comprising
(1) a multi-sensing monitor for sensing a plurality of physiological functions including means for detecting the respiratory rate of the infant and signal output means for reporting signals from said detecting means; -
(2) intervention output means for signaling an apneic condition; and (3) a control interface between the multi-sensing monitor and the intervention output means for comparing the reported signals from the monitor for each physiological function with a preprogrammed standard to determine variations from the standard, said interface including means for integrating the variations for different functions and assessing a combination of said variations to indicate an apneic condition in the infant and means for triggering a timing means for delaying the transmission of an intervention actuation until the apneic period has persisted for a selected period, said interface including means for activating said intervention output means. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification