ELECTRONIC MEDICAL WARNING DEVICE

• US 3,866,204 A
• Filed: 07/19/1973
• Issued: 02/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James H. Barkley
• Original Assignee: James H. Barkley
• Inventors: Barkley, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Habecker, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US05/380,768
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 340/279,221 179/1.1C
• US Class Current: 340/530
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/94 with alarm means

Abstract

An improvement over the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,634,885 consisting of the incorporation into the control circuitry of time delay means serving to delay activation of the message playback means for a predetermined time after the attitude switch has become closed due to collapse or seizure of the wearer of the device. Included in the improved control system is a manually operable switch permitting the wearer or user of the device to bypass the delay circuit and thereby instantly activate the device in the event that he senses that a blackout or loss of ability to personally communicate is imminent.

Claims

1. A warning device to be attached to a person prone to incapacitating mediCal conditions or prostrating seizures comprising a warning signal annunciator which when activated repeatedly emits a recorded verbal message to inform bystanders of the nature of such person'"'"''"'"'s condition or seizure and how he is to be treated prior to the arrival of medical aid, a power supply for the annunciator, and control means to connect the power supply with the annunciator, said control means comprising sensing means operable to sense the existence of a supine or nonerect position of the wearer of the device and to transmit a signal only during the time the wearer is in such position, a switch operable upon closure to connect the power supply to the annunciator despite a subsequent change in the wearer'"'"''"'"'s position from supine to a normal one, and time delay means to receive said signal and in response to the receipt of said signal for a predetermined period of time to close said switch.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a manual switch connected in parallel to said first-mentioned switch and operable upon being closed to connect the power supply to the annunciator in bypassed relation to said control means.

3. A warning device to be attached to a person prone to incapacitating medical conditions or prostrating seizures comprising a warning signal annunciator which when activated repeatedly broadcasts a prerecorded message to inform bystanders of the nature of such person'"'"''"'"'s condition or seizure and how he is to be treated prior to the arrival of medical aid, a power supply therefor, attitude-sensing means, switch means to connect the power supply to the annunciator, and time delay means operable in response to the sensing of an attitude by said sensing means for a predetermined period of time to operate the switch means.