WO2022195319A1

WO2022195319A1 - A monitoring device for newborn to monitor vital signs and the surrounding environment by receiving information from the foot sole

Info

Publication number: WO2022195319A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052103
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amir Hossein CHERAGHI
Original assignee: Cheraghi Amir Hossein
Priority date: 2021-03-14
Filing date: 2021-03-14
Publication date: 2022-09-22

Abstract

This device monitors all vital signs of the baby and important factors of environment and baby (heart rate based on the exact number of beats and beats interval, heart and atrial and arrhythmia problems, blood oxygen and body temperature, light, sound and humidity, the ambient temperature and the amount of sleep based on the baby's age and reminds the time of medications and dosage, announces sound and light alerts on the device and application) and in case of abnormalities on the hub and mobile application, alerts parents. The main advantage of this device is monitoring all the items mentioned in several small sections. Also, the baby's vital signs receiving device receives the information without disturbing the baby, and the battery is easily replaced so that the user can easily keep this product active next to the baby's body.

Description

A MONITORING DEVICE FOR NEWBORN TO MONITOR VITAL SIGNS AND THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT BY RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM THE FOOT SOLE

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field of this invention relates to electronic equipment used to care for children in the hospital or at home.

Background Art

[0002] In the past, doctors used to give parents difficult instructions to take care of their babies. Parents had to constantly monitor their baby's breathing and body temperature during sleep, which was a difficult task. Later, devices were built to measure only the heart rate and blood oxygen levels, and others, with a swaddling structure and closure around the baby, calculated the baby's activity and sleep.

[0003] The patent is registered in China with the number 201610735650 titled Baby boots capable of monitoring health, which reveals a boot in which temperature and pressure sensors are installed. The heart rate sensor is mounted on the end of the boot. This boot has a control box in which a microcontroller, micro-battery, accelerator, gyroscope, Bluetooth kit, speaker are embedded.

[0004] As is clear from the name and image of this invention, a boot is covered on the baby's foot with a box protruding from one side, which can be annoying for the child to be with all the time, and on the other hand, because in the early months of the baby's life, the bones of the foot have not yet formed and are cartilaginous. Also, in order to charge the battery of this boot, it must be removed from the child's foot, and there is no solution for this issue.

Technical Problem

[0005] Nowadays, because of urban lifestyle and the number of environmental pollutants, including air pollution and harmful waves, etc., people encounter various issues. This type of lifestyle has led to preterm birth and premature infant deaths. [0006] According to the latest research from Osong Public Health & Research Perspectives, premature birth and internal infections due to birth defects are the second leading cause of death in infants in the first month of birth. It is also possible for these defects to remain with the baby until the first twelve months of life and cause the newborn to die.

[0007] Other causes of premature infant death include sudden infant death syndrome since 2015, SIDS has been identified as the third leading cause of infant mortality under the age of 12 months after birth, and the infant mortality rate has been high enough to lead us to the invention of a small device and the use of safety equipment to protect the lives of infants against the dangers of these defects and environmental risk factors, and by monitoring all vital and behavioral symptoms of the newborn and monitoring environmental factors to help it grow in greater safety and comfort manner.

[0008] The main issue is the lack of a comprehensive device with easy function to monitor the condition of infants (check heart rate based on the number of beats per minute and beats interval, identify heart and atrial problems and arrhythmias, check blood oxygen and body temperature, light, sound and humidity, ambient temperature and sleep rate based on the month of birth and reminder of the time of medication and dosage, sound and light alerts on the device and application).

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated solution for closely monitoring vital symptoms and helping to improve neonatal growth in a completely safe manner. It is an alarming device that constantly monitors all the vital signs of the newborn, controls the amount of light and sound during the baby's sleep, and informs the parents and ensures the appropriate temperature and humidity around the baby, in other words, we intend to reduce the infant mortality rate due to heart failure, cardiovascular problems, and brain underdevelopment in the early months of the baby's life and ensure the safety of the baby's growth environment in the early twenty-four months.

[0010] Preterm births are one of the leading causes of infant mortality due to insufficient fetal growth in the mother's womb and the development of undetectable internal defects. Mortality due to sudden infant death syndrome occurs without any physical characteristics and in sleep, and it is not possible to diagnose it after autopsy. This syndrome, the most important cause of which is the lack of growth and development of the brain, causes the child's brain not to command the lungs in sleep, and with the inactivity of the lungs, blood oxygen levels fall and the heart stops moving and the baby dies. Also, the lack of development of the baby's immune system due to premature birth causes internal infections, which can be prevented only by continuous monitoring of the baby's body temperature and timely care.

Solution to Problem

[0011] In order to solve the mentioned issues, a device has been designed that has 3 components, each of which will be introduced in the detailed description of drawings.

[0012] 1- Device for receiving vital signs of the baby

[0013] 2- Indicator of the vital and behavioral states of the baby

[0014] 3- Hub

[0015] This invention is a small and alarming device that in addition to monitoring all vital signs of the baby (checking the heart rate based on the exact number of beats and the distance of the beats from each other, identifying heart and atrial problems and arrhythmias, checking blood oxygen and body temperature, the amount of light, sound and humidity, ambient temperature and the amount of sleep based on the month of birth and reminders of the time of medications and dosage, the announcement of sound and light warnings on the device and application), it examines the surrounding environment.

[0016] If the baby is asleep, this device checks the ambient light and sound, and if the sound is higher than the decibel and the light is higher than the specified lux, reminds sleep status of the newborn and loud sounds to parents on the mobile application. The software of this system informs the parents about the sleeping condition of the baby by examining the amount of sleep at the age of the baby, and in case of lack of sleep, provides solutions to improve the sleeping position of the baby in the application and provides a more relaxed environment for the baby it checks the humidity and air around the baby and warns parents about excessive dryness or high humidity that causes shortness of breath. [0017] It is possible to connect the baby care device with smart homes to automatically control environmental factors such as light and temperature. (For example, if the baby sleeps less than fourteen hours a day in the fourth month, the device recognize insomnia and help the baby sleep better by controlling the amount of ambient light)

[0018] It is possible to access the neonatal doctor in the application (Doctors Panel) so that the neonatal physician can view vital signs and issue an electronic prescription anytime and anywhere.

[0019] This device also allows reminding the timing and dosage of baby medications. Given the fact that the devices available in the market, only each of them has the ability to check one or two items, and also none of the available devices can detect cardiac afib, atrial problems and body temperature, and the temperature around the baby and the amount of light and cannot measure humidity.

[0020] Available products cannot be accessed and monitored remotely by a specialist doctor, all of which are embedded in this patent and are explained as follows: This device is a very accurate sensor with a different function to measure heart rate, blood oxygen level, body temperature and ambient temperature, humidity, light and sound are designed, the software used in this hardware has special features that allow the device to change all the sensors based on the profile information and age of newborn age based on the month of birth.

[0021] Also, given the use of this type of sensor, the amount of battery consumption has been very high, and we have been able to reduce the amount of battery consumption several times with some kind of programming. The written program to reduce battery consumption works like this: When the sensors report the baby's vital signs in a safe place, the measurement interval reaches 30 seconds, but when the baby's vital signs approach the danger points, this process of signs reporting is performed every second to alert and notify in the first time), completing the user profile has a very high impact on obtaining the type of reporting sensors and alarms. [0022] For example: If the baby sleeps less than fourteen hours in the fourth month, the operation and alerts of the light and sound sensors will change in order to calm the baby's surroundings.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0023] 1- Providing a fully automatic device for monitoring the baby's health and access to the doctor and family for accurate remote monitoring.

[0024] 2- Very small dimensions and lightweight of this device make care much easier and more accurate.

[0025] 3- Monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen and body temperature, ambient temperature, amount of light, sound, humidity around the baby and the amount of sleep of the baby according to age based on the month of birth.

[0026] 4- Ability to identify heart, atrial and arrhythmia problems in the shortest possible time and announce it.

[0027] 5- Using some kind of programming in the software of this device has caused the battery life to be multiplied.

[0028] 6- The ability to report and observe all the vital signs of the baby from the beginning of the user's use.

[0029] 7- Keeping the history of all prescriptions and electronic copies issued by the doctor.

[0030] 8- Ability to grant monitoring access to all vital signs of the baby in the application to the family.

[0031] 9- Ability to grant supervisory and care access, issuing prescriptions and prescribing drugs by the neonatal doctor in the panel of doctors.

[0032] 10 - Ability to connect to smart home devices to fully control the amount of light, sound, temperature and humidity without parental intervention.

[0033] 11- Reminding the time of taking the baby medications and the desired dose according to the doctor's prescription.

[0034] 12- The possibility of hearing the baby's voice on the smartphone. [0035] 13- The device for receiving vital information about the baby has a detachable battery and allows the user to have 24/7 care by changing the battery.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0036] Figure 1 : Schematics of the components of the device and the installation of parts of the device to receive information in baby socks

[0037] Figure 2: Explosive map of the baby vital signs receiving device

[0038] Figure 3: Different facial expressions indicating the baby's vital and behavioral states

[0039] Figure 4 and 5: Tables of 3D algorithm information used on the server

Description of Embodiments

[0040] 1- Device for receiving vital signs of the newborn

[0041] This part of the device must be connected to a part of the baby's body in order to get vital signs. In order to connect easily and without disturbance, receiving the baby's vital signs consists of two pieces (1a, 1b) which are connected to each other by the force of absorption of two magnets in each of the parts. One piece of the device (1b) is placed inside the baby sock, in the sole of the foot, and the other piece (1a) outside the sock is connected to each other by a magnet, and with the help of positive and negative poles of the magnets, the two pieces are connected in the proper direction.

[0042] Given that the battery is installed in the outer part of the device (1a), it allows the user to easily replace this part with a similar part that has already been charged, without disturbing the baby. Another advantage of this two-piece is that in order to charge the battery, the device is not completely detached from the baby's body, and after a quick replacement of the second part, the monitoring operation is performed continuously, and also after the useful life has passed.

The battery does not need to replace the entire sensor, and only by replacing the battery is the user given the same efficiency as the first day.

[0043] Inside the frame (101 ), the inner part of the device (1 b), a flexible board (102) is designed to affect the weight and dimensions of the device. This board is responsible for receiving the vital signs of the body and the vital behaviors of the baby. This task is performed by three sensors of (103) heart rate and blood oxygen level and body temperature. The programming of this hardware is designed to integrate all sensor reports in an encrypted file and send them to the hub (3) using Bluetooth.

[0044] The inner parts of the device (1b) are fixed in place by a lid (104). On the outer side of this lid, there are two protrusions (105) that connect the battery (107) in the outer part and the board (102) in the inner part. The battery is protected by two caps (106, 108).

[0045] As mentioned, there are two magnets in each part of the baby signs receiving device. In each part, a magnet is installed in the direction of the negative pole and one in the direction of the positive pole, and in the other part, the opposite poles. With this method, the user can connect these two pieces to each other only in one direction. Now we set the correct direction of connecting the battery to the board with the direction of the magnets so that the user can only connect the battery in the correct direction to the board.

[0046] This board includes the following sections:

[0047] 1- (Main Board) This board is flexible and is responsible for connecting between all parts.

[0048] 2- A blood oxygen level sensor or (pulse oximeter) is used to check the level of blood oxygen saturation.

[0049] 3- A heart rate sensor is used to receive the vital signs of the baby's heart.

[0050] 4- Body temperature sensor, this sensor detects and measures the baby's body temperature from the skin with an accuracy of 0.5 C.

[0051] 5 - Bluetooth (Bluetooth), the Bluetooth module in this device is Bluetooth 5 and is responsible for transferring information and sending it to the hub.

[0052] 6- (Booster Bluetooth) this module has been seen in this circuit to strengthen the Bluetooth range and reduce battery consumption.

[0053] 7- (RAM) This memory is used to store information in a limited and temporary way when disconnecting between two devices. [0054] 8 - The microprocessor is the central processor of this circuit, which is responsible for maintaining basic information and managing the performance of sensors.

[0055] 9- (power) This part of the circuit is designed to supply power and adjust the required voltages of the components.

[0056] 10- (Battery) The battery of this circuit is lithium and provides the input power of the circuit.

[0057] 2- Indicator of the vital and behavioral states of the newborn

[0058] Indicator of the baby's vital and behavioral states (2) inform the user about the baby's current condition and on the other hand, the baby may need to do something special. This video notification is done by a bug (fig 3) that exists in the small monitor of this section. These shapes have different views depending on different situations, which can be seen in (fig 3). Situations include normal, sleep deprivation, sleepiness, high humidity, extreme heat or cold, alarm, excessive noise, and intense light. This information is received from the hub (3) of the device and is displayed by the indicator of the vital and behavioral states of the baby.

[0059] This board includes the following parts:

[0060] 1- (Main Board) which is the main board that is responsible for connecting between components and sensors.

[0061] 2- (Microprocessor): is the central processor of the circuit that is responsible for maintaining the basic information and managing the performance of the sensors. The information stored in this section is bootable according to the programming used in the hardware and its firmware is automatically is updated from the hub.

[0062] 3- (power) This part of the circuit is designed to supply power and adjust the required voltages of board components.

[0063] 4 - (RAM) This memory is used to store information in a limited and temporary way when disconnected between two devices. [0064] 5 - (Bluetooth), the Bluetooth module in this device is Bluetooth 5 is responsible for sending and receiving information from the hub.

[0065] 6- (Booster Bluetooth) this module has been seen in this circuit to strengthen the Bluetooth range and reduce battery consumption.

[0066] 7 - (Ambient temperature sensor): Ambient temperature module: This sensor is responsible for measuring the ambient temperature of the baby with an accuracy of 0.5 C.

[0067] 8- (Ambient humidity sensor) the ambient humidity module is responsible for measuring the amount of humidity around the baby.

[0068] 9 - Photoelectric sensor: This sensor is responsible for measuring the light around the baby.

[0069] 10 - (LCD): This module is used in the detachable part of the hub to display the condition of the baby and the surrounding environment.

[0070] 11 - (Microphone): The microphone is used to receive the sound around the baby and measure its volume and transfer the baby's voice to the parents' cell phone.

[0071] 12- (Battery) The lithium battery used in this section is to supply the required power to the sensors when the status display is not connected to the hub source.

[0072] 3- Hub:

[0073] The device hub is the core of the invention and is responsible for receiving reports from the device receiving vital information of the baby and indicating the vital and behavioral states of the baby and examining the vital condition and environment around the baby. Information is collected and reviewed in this kernel, and if the slightest problem of audio and optical alarms is identified on the device and information alarms are sent to applications.

[0074] This board includes the following parts:

[0075] 1- (Main Board) which is the mainboard and is responsible for connecting between components and sensors. [0076] 2-Microprocessor: The CPU is the circuit that is responsible for maintaining the basic information and managing the performance of sensors. The information stored in this section is bootable according to the programming used in the hardware and its firmware is automatically updated from sever.

[0077] 3- (Power) This part of the circuit is responsible for supplying electricity and adjusting the required voltages of the parts and charging the detachable battery (1a) and charging the indicator of vital and behavioral states of the baby (2).

[0078] 4 - (RAM) This memory is used to store information in a limited and temporary way when disconnected between two devices.

[0079] 5 - (Bluetooth), Bluetooth module number 1 in this device is of Bluetooth type 5 is responsible for transmitting information and sending and receiving information from the device receiving vital information of the baby.

[0080] 6 - (Bluetooth), Bluetooth module No. 2 in this device is Bluetooth 5 is responsible for sending and receiving information from the vital and behavioral indicators of the baby in which light, sound, temperature and humidity sensors are installed. Also, the information displayed on the LCD and firmware updates is sent to the monitor through this module.

[0081] 7- (Bluetooth Booster) This module has been seen in this circuit to strengthen the Bluetooth range and reduce battery consumption.

[0082] 8- (wifi) Wi-Fi module in this device in order to establish communication between the hub and the server and send and receive information, also the task of sending information and controlling the smart home is done by this module.

[0083] 9_ (3G) This module helps to send information to the server when the WIFI is disconnected. Also, if the rescue is not done in a certain time, the device uses this module to make voice calls to selected people and play the recorded message.

[0084] 10 - (LED) This module is used to specify the different status of the device:

[0085] White: Normal status

[0086] Green: Full battery charge [0087] Yellow: Bluetooth device disconnection to receive vital signs from the baby and the hub

[0088] Red: Observing abnormal and acute vital signs in the baby

[0089] 11 - (Speaker) This module is used to play device sound, sleep music and alarms in case of emergency.

Examples

[0090] This device is designed and programmed in such a way that it can be used by any user with any age class and any amount of basic information. As soon as the hub part is connected to the city power supply, the battery of the device receives vital baby information and after full charge, the LED of the device turns green, the Bluetooth connection of the device receiving the baby's vital signs and the hub is automatic and in case of disconnection, the two devices search each other every ten seconds to connect, the user receives the baby's vital information device inside the sock and the soles of the baby's feet, and attaches a magnetic battery to the sock, and then reports every 30 seconds if it receives normal symptoms, and reports if the baby's vital signs approach the danger threshold. All the vital signs of the baby is sent to the hub from the baby's vital information receiving device and in the hub, after being encrypted, it is sent to the server via WiFi or 3G internet.

[0091] Applications connected to the server, if they have access, can see all the vital signs and the amount of activity and sleep of the baby and can report. Heart and atrial problems and AFIB are detected on the server using artificial intelligence. Using artificial intelligence, we convert all vital signs and baby profile information into three-dimensional algorithms and match them with pre-algorithms.

Dangerous designed to be accurately identified, when the battery charge falls below 20% in the application connected to the device, the user receives a recharge reminder message and the user must remove only the battery connected to the baby's foot sensor and put it on the hub for charging. When the device detects sleep deprivation according to the baby's age, the app provides the user with instructions to improve the baby's sleep, and then automatically the light and sound sensors operate more sensitively to the sound and react less to light.

Industrial Applicability

[0092] This device is used in assistive devices for caring for infants, especially preterm infants who need special care, as well as in hospitals and infant care departments. Also, there is the possibility of full monitoring and access to parents in order to monitor vital signs at home and know the current condition of their children in the hospital, storing the vital signs of these infants and their treatment process from the very beginning medical record to improve this process by other doctors after discharge. The baby has access to doctors in the medical panel.

[0093] It makes it possible for the baby to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible, and the treating physician in the panel of doctors remotely monitors the baby's vital signs, and in the same panel prescribes for the baby electronically.

Claims

[Claim 1] A device for monitoring the vital signs of the infant and his/her surroundings by receiving information from the sole of the foot comprising: a. Device for receiving vital signs of the baby b. Indicator of the vital and behavioral states of the baby c. Hub

[Claim 2] According to claim 1 , the baby vital signs information receiving device consists of two parts, one inside the baby sock and the other outside of it, connected to each other by several magnets and receiving vital information from the sole of the baby's foot.

[Claim 3] According to claim 2, the outer part of the baby vital signs receiving device contains a battery which, if needed to be charged and replaced, reconnects with the opposite poles of the magnets in both parts in the correct direction of the electric current to the inner part.