Device and method for producing measuring data relating to the movements of the abdominal wall

• US 6,926,679 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Friendly Sensors AG
• Original Assignee: Friendly Sensors AG
• Inventors: Friedrichs, Arnd
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/276,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 600/304, 600/551, 600587-593, 600/437, 600/438, 600/459
• US Class Current: 600/588
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/02 Foetus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing measuring data relating to the movements of the abdominal wall of a person, comprising at least one first pair of sensor units which are configured for detachably fixing to the skin on an abdominal area of a person, a first distance apart; and a measuring device which is connected to said first pair of sensor units and which is configured for picking up signals of the sensor units that can be evaluated electrically and for producing a first distance signal corresponding to the first distance and to changes thereto. An evaluating unit is connected downstream of said measuring device. This evaluating unit is configured for evaluating pulsed and/or waved changes in the first distance signal, in such a way that non-periodical or periodical signal changes lasting at least 10 seconds, preferably more than 30 seconds, are detected, distinguished from periodical changes caused by human breathing by their frequency, amplitude or signal form, and output in the form of a display signal which can be displayed electronically or evaluated further.

Claims

1. A device for generating measurement data relating to movements of the abdominal wall of a person, comprising:

at least one first pair of sensor units which are configured for detachable fixing to the skin on an abdominal area of a person, spaced apart by a first distance (L1),

a measuring device connected to the first pair of sensor units and configured for detecting signals of the sensor units which can be electronically evaluated, and for generating a first distance signal corresponding to the first distance (L1) and changes thereto;

an evaluation unit connected to an output of the measuring device, where the evaluation unit evaluates pulsed and/or waveform changes in the first distance signal by;

(1) identifying non-periodic or periodic changes lasting at least 10 seconds;

(2) distinguishing the changes lasting at least 10 seconds from periodic changes caused by human breathing by identifying whether the signal has a form that is symmetrical with respect to a signal/time diagram of the first distance signal, and

(3) outputting an output signal which can be displayed or evaluated further.

2. A device according to claim 1, including at least one second pair of sensor units configured for detachable fixing to the skin on the abdominal area of the person and spaced apart by a second distance (L2), a first line corresponding to the first distance (L1) and connecting the first pair of sensor units being arranged at a predetermined angle to a second line corresponding to the second distance and connecting the second pair of sensor units.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is greater than 0°

.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is a right-angle.

5. A device according to claim 2, wherein the first and second pairs of sensor units are provided to be so attachable that the first line and the second line cross on the abdominal area (11).

6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation unit is configured for summation or subtraction of the first distance signal with respect to a second distance signal output by the second pair of sensor units.

7. A device according to claim 2, including means for detecting a spatial and temporal expansion of a movement of the abdominal wall from an evaluation of the first distance signal and at least one second distance signal output by the at least one second pair of sensor units.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is configured for additional generation of a breathing display signal which is generated as a reaction to changes of the first distance signal determined by human breathing detected according to frequency, amplitude and/or signal form.

9. A device according to claim 1, including analysis and storage means associated with the evaluation unit and configured for electronic storage of the display signal and for detecting a time interval between successive display signals.

10. A device according to claim 9, including an alarm unit associated with the analysis and storage means which is configured for comparing the detected time interval with a predetermined, preset time value and for outputting an alarm signal if a predefined number of successive detected time intervals falls below the preset time value.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring device and the evaluation unit are components of a portable, battery-operated unit which is connectable, by means of a wireless data connection, for transmission of the display signal and/or further signals to a stationary base unit.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit is additionally configured for detection of a characteristic change in the first and/or second distance signal caused by a foetal child movement in the abdomen of the person and manifested by a characteristic movement of the abdominal wall.

13. A device according to claim 1, including means for the automated dispensing of a medication, for intravenous introduction of the medication into a vessel of the person, the introduction means being connected to the evaluation unit and being so configured that administering of a medication can be triggered as a reaction to the case when successive signal changes fall below a predetermined, preset time interval.