Motion and sound monitor and stimulator
US5684460A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/168
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A movement monitor and stimulator may prevent death in human infants from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent medical studies indicate a SIDS victim's breathing may be resuscitated by immediate stimulation. The sound and/or movement monitor and stimulator may have a base member configured as a fluid-filled sensing pad for supporting an infant and a transducer for detecting movement or acoustic activity (e.g., heart beat, breathing, voice and motion sounds). A stimulator may move the base member to stimulate movement in the object when output from the transducer corresponds to no sound and/or movement from the object, or indicates a dangerous change in monitored condition, such as the decrease in metabolic rate indicative of the onset of sleep. The stimulator may also be applied in a more gentle fashion to soothe and quiet an infant that has been awakened unexpectedly. The transducer may be a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid interior of the sensing pad. Alternatively, a piezoelectric sheet operatively connected to a surface of the sensing pad may detect movement and movement cessation. An alarm may provide an audible and/or visual indication to third…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.