Optical monitor for sudden infant death syndrome
First Claim
1. A sudden infant death syndrome monitoring system, comprising:
- a light source which produces radiant energy;
an optical device that creates and projects a matrix of images; and
an imaging device that detects movement of said images so as to monitor sudden infant death syndrome.
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Abstract
The present invention provides devices and/or methods of monitoring extremely small movements associated with infant breathing and heart rate, therefore monitoring sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Provided is a system for monitoring movement of an infant, comprising: a light source which produces radiant energy; an optical device; and an imaging device. Further provided is a method of monitoring movement of an infant, comprising the steps of: producing radiant energy by a light source; coupling said radiant energy into an optical device so as to create a matrix of images; projecting said images into a field of interest; and detecting movement of said infant using an imaging device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sudden infant death syndrome monitoring system, comprising:
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a light source which produces radiant energy;
an optical device that creates and projects a matrix of images; and
an imaging device that detects movement of said images so as to monitor sudden infant death syndrome. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
a means for continually monitoring said signals.
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3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:
software capable of analyzing data.
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4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:
a means for transmitting a signal to a receiver when an apnea event is detected.
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5. The system of claim 4, wherein said receiver is selected from the group consisting of an alarm, a computer and a telephone line.
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6. The system of claim 1, wherein said radiant energy is selected from the group consisting of visible or near-infrared.
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7. The system of claim 1, wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a superluminescent infrared-light-emitting diode, a diode laser and an incandescent bulb.
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8. The system of claim 1, wherein said optical device is selected from the group consisting of a passive or active optical device.
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9. The system of claim 1, wherein said optical device is a diffractive optic.
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10. The system of claim 1, wherein said imaging device is a charge-coupled device.
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11. The system of claim 1, wherein said light source is a superluminescent infrared-light-emitting diode and said imaging device is a sensitive photo-detector.
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12. The system of clam 1, further comprising a sensitive acoustic sensor.
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13. A method of monitoring movement of an infant, comprising the steps of:
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producing radiant energy by a light source;
coupling said radiant energy into an optical device so as to create a matrix of images;
projecting said images into a field of interest; and
detecting movement of said infant using an imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. The method of clam 13, wherein said field is a crib.
Specification