Device for monitoring the condition of a human being

• US 8,106,781 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johannes De Klerk Pietersen
• Original Assignee: Johannes De Klerk Pietersen
• Inventors: Pietersen, Johannes De Klerk
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/856,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20110034820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/517, 340/539.12, 340/575, 340/573.7, 340/626, 340/665, 340/604, 340/407.1, 600/301, 600/529, 600/533, 600/534
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads

Abstract

A device for continuously monitoring one or more indicators relating to the health or comfort of a person 12 includes one or more sensing means for measuring a value of one or more desired indicators and a communicating means 13 communicating an alarm signal when the measured value is above or below a predetermined value or range of values range, wherein the device 10 is adapted to be attached to an item of clothing 14 of the person 12.

Claims

1. A health monitoring device for monitoring one or more parameters associated with a body of a person, the health monitoring device comprising:

a housing; and

a clip having a first end integral with and cantilevered to the housing and a second end remote from the first end, the clip being substantially parallel to the housing to define a slot with the housing for receiving a portion of a garment therein, whereby the health monitoring device is capable of being secured to the garment, the clip comprising a pressure sensing arrangement to convert abdominal pressure exerted on the clip due to breathing into a signal, where the housing comprises a circuit to activate an alarm based on the signal.

2. The health monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensing arrangement comprises a piezoelectric element that generates the signal, wherein the signal is a fluctuating electronic potential corresponding to the abdominal pressure exerted on the clip, the signal is measured by the circuit, wherein the circuit activates the alarm when the signal is abnormal.

3. The health monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensing arrangement comprises an outer flexible membrane, the outer flexible membrane is capable of transmitting the abdominal pressure exerted on the clip to piezoelectric element.

4. The health monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the outer flexible membrane is made of a polyester or polycarbon.

5. The health monitoring device of claim 1, further comprises a stimulating device coupled to the circuit and located in the housing, wherein the circuit activates the stimulating device when the signal is abnormal.

6. The health monitoring device of claim 5, the stimulating device comprises an offset weight and a motor, the motor being capable of energizing the offset weight to cause vibration when the circuit activates the stimulating device.

7. The health monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a first temperature sensor incorporated in the clip for sensing and measuring body temperature, wherein the temperature sensor is coupled to the circuit, and wherein the circuit activates the alarm when the body temperature is abnormal.

8. The health monitoring device of claim 7, further comprising a second temperature sensor attached to the housing, the second temperature sensor measures a second temperature parameter, wherein the body temperature and the second temperature parameter are compared continuously to calculate a rate of heat loss, wherein the circuit activates the alarm when the rate of heat loss is abnormal.

9. The health monitoring device of claim 1, further comprising a first humidity sensor incorporated in the clip for sensing and measuring body humidity, wherein the humidity sensor is coupled to the circuit, and wherein the circuit activates the alarm when the body humidity is abnormal.

10. The health monitoring device of claim 9, further comprising a second humidity sensor attached to the housing member, the second humidity sensor measures a second humidity parameter, wherein the body humidity and the second humidity parameter are compared continuously to calculate a humidity level between the skin of the person and the garment, wherein the circuit activates the alarm when the humidity level is abnormal.

11. The health monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an opening for permitting a sound produced by the alarm to escape.

12. The health monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a suitable non-toxic, hypoallergenic, synthetic plastics material.

13. A health monitoring device for monitoring one or more parameters associated with a body of a person, the health monitoring device comprising:

a housing; and

a clip integral with the housing, wherein the health monitoring device is capable of being secured to a garment worn by the person, the clip comprising a pressure sensing arrangement to convert abdominal pressure exerted on the clip due to breathing into a signal, where the housing comprises a circuit to activate an alarm based on the signal.

14. The health monitoring device of claim 13, wherein the pressure sensing arrangement comprises a piezoelectric element that generates the signal, wherein the signal is a fluctuating electronic potential corresponding to the abdominal pressure exerted on the clip, the signal is measured by the circuit, wherein the circuit activates the alarm when the signal is abnormal.

15. The health monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the pressure sensing arrangement comprises an outer flexible membrane, the outer flexible membrane is capable of transmitting the abdominal pressure exerted on the clip to piezoelectric element.

16. The health monitoring device of claim 15, wherein the outer flexible membrane is made of a polyester or polycarbon.

17. The health monitoring device of claim 13, further comprises a stimulating device coupled to the circuit and located in the housing, wherein the circuit activates the stimulating device when the signal is abnormal.

18. The health monitoring device of claim 17, the stimulating device comprises an offset weight and a motor, the motor being capable of energizing the offset weight to cause vibration when the circuit activates the stimulating device.