GB2522662A - A monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby monitoring system includes at least a sensor in use embedded in infant bedclothes, in collaboration with a remote alert device. Preferably the sensor is a thermometer, but may also include a heart-rate monitor or movement register, a microphone or other information supplying sensor.

Description

A MONITORING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a monitoring system, more particularly a system for measuring at least one factor of an infant's health.

Background

Cot, crib death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is an increasing concern to many parents.

The cause of SIDS is unknown. Although studies have identified risk factors for SIDS, such as pulling infants to bed on their stomachs, there has been little understanding of the syndrome's biologica.l cause or potential causes.

Elevated or reduced temperature of the infant is often thought to have a bearing.

Accordingly many parents or carers are very concemed that the temperature of the room is correct by use of an in room thermometer and an appropriate quantity of bedclothes is used on the infant.

Additionally and in consequence therefore many parents or carers tend towards use of fitted sheets, blankets or sleeping bags which provide easier to regulate temperature variables as the infant is not able to remove these.

However even a combination of these two methods or devices is sufficiently precise* for some situations. To be sure of an infant's temperature it may be necessary to take a temperature reading, and preferably from a vein or axiliary artery.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed towards resolving this problem or similar.

International patent application WO 2010 123 364 (SCHULTING) discloses a method for monitoring an infant (1; 51) lying in a bed, the method comprising: continuously or periodically measuring a temperature in a confined layer of air (67, 68) that is shielded from the infant (1; 51) by at least one first thermally insulating layer (8; 65) and shielded from the environment by at least one second thermally insulating layer (3; 53, 58), said second thermally insulating layer (3; 53, 58) insulating a portion of the infant (1; 51) and the first thermally insulating layer (8; 65) from the environment, and generating a warning signal in response to the measured temperature exceeding a threshold temperature, the threshold temperature being lower than 36 deg.C.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 466 902 (EBEJER) discloses baby clothing comprising a thermochromic material which changes colour if a baby wearing the clothing get too hot and which thereby provides a visual indication that the baby is too hot, and the baby clothing being such that the thermochromic material extends all over the baby clothing, and the baby clothing fits at least over the baby's body, arms and legs so that illnesses causing localised heating on the baby's body, arms and legs are able to be detected.

Canadian patent application CN 201 047 778 (YONG) discloses a human body temperature alarm, which belongs to the electronic-typed daily necessaries, and aims at automatically detect the body temperature dropping of the Infant or the disabled people who has no self-care ability when the bedding slides off so as to notify the family or the nursing personnel to cover the bedding. The alarm comprises a temperature-sensing probe and a cotton-cloth belt as well as a temperature controller that is connected with the temperature-sensing probe and a buzzer that is connected with the temperature controller. The utility model can be applied to the fields such as the hospital, the kindergarten, the family nursing, etc. International patent application WO 03 082 111 (SULLIVAN et al) discloses an apparatus for passively monitoring physiology of a patient, the apparatus comprising: at least two sensors, each comprising a piezoelectric film, for sensing physiological signals from the patient and environmental signals from an environment around the patient; a converter communicating with the at least two sensors for converting the physiological and environmental signals into digital signals; a processor communicating with the converter for isolating physiological digital signals from the digital signals by comparing the digital signals between the at least two sensors to provide physiological data; and a monitor communicating with the processor for displaying the physiological data in real-time.

International patent application WO 200 282 976 (NGUYEN) discloses an infant sleeping blanket/garment for use with medical devices comprising: a garment, adapted to enclose at least the upper torso of an infant, said garment having a top, said top having an opening adapted to surround the neck of the infant, and a shoulder region on each of the two sides of said neck opening, said shoulder region adapted to surround the shoulders of the infant enclosed within said garment, a bottom, a back, and a front, said front comprising: partable right and left panels, said right left panels being releasably joinable by securing means for securing said right and left panels in a joined position, means for providing access to the infant's upper torso region for installing, maintaining and removing medical devices without having to remove said garment, and means for directing and constraining tubes and cords of medical devices within the length, top to bottom, of said garment and from said garment; and wherein said means for directing and constraining tubes and cords of medical devices within the length of said garment and from said garment comprises: an openable monitor cable sheath affixed within at least one of said right and left front panels of said garment, said monitor cable sheath further comprising: a monitor cable sheath flap affixed by a first edge inside said at least one of said right and left front panels of said garment, substantially parallel to and spaced from said securing means for releasably joining said right and left front panels of said garment, a first fastening device element affixed along a second edge of said monitor cable sheath flap, said second edge being substantially parallel said first edge, and a secànd fastening device element adapted to mate with said first fastener device element affixed inside said at least one of said right and left front panels of said garment proximate said securing means, the area between said front panel of said garment, said monitor cable sheath flap, said line of affixing of said monitor cable sheath flap to said front panel of said garment, and said first and said second fastener device elements forming a linear sheath for directing and constraining the tubes and cords of medical devices within the confines of said sheath and from said bottom of said garment.

Granted UnIted States patent US 6 377 177 (BROUSSARID) discloses a baby blanket and baby monitoring system comprising: a blanket having a weight sensor positioned in an interior of said blanket adapted for measuring a weight of an object resting on said blanket; a control unit having a housing and a base microcontroller positioned in said housing, said weight sensor being operationally coupled to said base microcontroller; said control unit including a keyboard, said keyboard being operationally coupled to said base microcontroller for inputting desired parameter weight values for determining said pre-selected range of weight values; said control unit including a main audio alarm, said main audio alarm being operationally coupled to said base microcontroller; and wherein said base microcontroller activates said main audio alarm upon said weight sensor sensing a weight outside of said pre-selected range of weight values; a plurality of straps coupled to said housing of said control unit, each strap having a first end coupled to said housing, each strap having a first portion of a hook and loop fastener coupled to a distal end of said strap; said housing having at least one second portion of said hook and loop fastener coupled to an exterior surface of said housing, said second portion of said hook and loop fastener being complimentary to said first portion of said hook and loop fastener whereby said distal ends of said straps are selectively engageable to said housing such that said control unit is adapted for coupling to a structure.

However in contrast the present invention provides a solution that is failsafe, unobtrusive and easy to fit, maintain and read in a variety of locations.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a monitoring system including at least a sensor in use embedded in infant bedclothes, in collaboration with a remote alert device.

Preferably the sensor is a thermometer, but may also include a heart-rate monitor or movement register, a microphone or other information supplying sensor.

Ideally the thermometer is contained within an Infant sleeping bag, so as to measure the temperature of the bag interior, and consequently the local temperature of the infant, ideally so as to measure the infant's axillary temperature..

Ideally the device and thermometer are provided with short wave radio capability in order to facilitate their communication. Other wireless systems such as Bluetooth (Trade Mark) may be operable in addition or in the alternative.

The device is ideally provided with an alert mechanism such as a loudspeaker andlor audible alert provision and/or visual alert provision.

Yet further embodiments may include transmission capabilities over radio wave frequencies or other wireless capability.

Preferably the sensor measures an infant's axillary temperature which provides the most reliable core temperature reading achievable from an external reading.

This means that a parent or carer can effectively and uniquely monitor even small changes in an infant's temperature through using the system. This provides greater information for control and monitoring of the infant's health or environment.

The system therefore in use in the preferred embodiment provides an ability to measure an infant's core body temperature accurately, routinely and reliably. It is envisaged that further sensors are included such as a temperature sensor on the device also.

The device may additionally be provided with a memory storage facility wherein data may be stored about the environment and/or data obtained from the sensor(s).

Accordingly, additionally or furthermore the device ideally includes processing means such as to analyse and compare the data received or stored.

In preferred embodiments this includes a timer or timing facility, such as for example allowing the device to periodically check the sensor data, or according to a predefined time pattern.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of bedclothes for use in a system according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows three views of a sensor for use in bedclothes for a system according to the present invention; And Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a remote alert device for use in a system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured embodiment of the bag () is 100 % cotton outer lining with 100% cotton jersey inner. Other thickness such as 0.1, 1 and 2.5 togs may be available for different nursery temperatures and climates. Different patterning and shaping is preferably available.

The pictured embodiment allows the infant's arms and shoulders to be free, having over shoulder straps (10) that prevent an infant from escaping the bedclothes, but still thereby permifting freedom of movement.

Further embodiments may have parts designed to cover the infants, shoulders, arms andlor hands, particularly in order to prevent scratching by an infant with eczema.

A full length front zip (11) allows the bag (1) to be opened easily by a carer or parent, although further embodiments may include buttons, press studs or hook and loop fastening as well as different positioning and other means to reduce the fastening's impact or discomfort. The pictured embodiment has a twin popper zipper protector (12).

The embodiment of the sensor as shown in Figures 2 Is envisaged to be located in use on the bag's side, close to an armpit of the infant in the bag (as shown in Figure 1). Figure 2A shows a side view of the sensor 2, Figure 2B shows a view from below, Figure 2C shows an exploded view.

There is additionally a probe (21) which probe may be envisaged to contact the infant or measure the temperature in this zone.

There is additionally provided an elasticated section or band 13 between the sensor 2 and the infant's underarm (not shown).

The sensor includes a light emitting diode (LED) (22) to indicate overheating, and an LED (23) indicate functioning, a printed circuit board (24) and electrical components including radio frequency transmitter (25), a temperature probe (21), a battery cell holder (26) preferably for 3 Volt coin cells, and a removable battery cover (27).

This sensor may be sewn into the infant sleeping bag material at least in part.

Ideally the sensor 2 may be removed from the bag I at least in part. In the alternative or in addition at least part of the sensor may be displaced such as to access the battery cover 27.

Means for the sensor's attachment to the bag I may also or alternatively include pop studs, click fit, hook and loop or other fastening means.

The pictured remote device 3 is envisaged to be placed in use near to a parent or carer and contains a radio frequency receiver, converting the electrical signal into audio and visual output via a loudspeaker 31 and warning LED 32.

The warning LED (32) may flash or change colour to indicate temperature changes.

The LED (32) will typically light green but will change to red where there may be a problem. Additionally LEDs are provided for on/off (33) and low battery status alert (34).

Ideally a pivoting stand 35 may be extended and pivoted around into a hook to allow the device 3 to be placed on a fiat surface or hung from something else. This pictured stand (35) is shown unextended.

Further embodiments may include electrical plug devices, which receive power from a mains electricity supply and additionally are conveniently located in a socket in use.

Yet further embodiments may include software available on mobile telephones, or other portable device such as a key fob device.