Abstract:
Physiological monitoring of a baby is carried out from a fabric patch (2) that is attached by fibre hook-and-eye fastening to the baby's conventional, stretchable vest (1). The laminated patch (2), which bridges the baby's thoracic and abdominal regions, includes a concealed substrate (4) that carries piezo-electric film strips (10, 11) which sense, in those regions respectively, elastic deflections of the vest (1) caused by the baby's respiratory and heart functions. Signals from the strips (10, 11), together with a body-temperature signal from a thermistor (17, Figure 4), are processed and transmitted via an inductive-loop antenna (19) of the patch (2), to a remote unit (21, Figure 5) for further, more detailed processing to derive representation inter alia of thoracic-abdominal synchrony/asynchrony. The result is stored and monitored against stored clinical-data for display and alarm operation; the stored data is accessed by a data logger (31, Figure 5) for detailed analysis. Patch-attachment can be under a flap (43, Figure 6) bridging an opening (44) in the vest (41), or may be internally, rather than externally, of the vest.
Abstract:
A monitor system for monitoring the heartbeat, in particular of a baby, without being attached to the living being, comprising a transducer (40, 80) responsive the the heartbeat to generate an electrical signal, the system further comprising a filter (226) for filtering the electrical signal and processing circuitry (236) to process the filtered signal. An oscillating element generates, in response to a heartbeat signal, a sinusoidal signal of decaying amplitude. The oscillating element comprises an active band-pass filter (230), which passes a selected range of frequencies centred on a frequency of between 10 Hz and 15 Hz. The processing circuitry (236) is arranged to activate an alarm if the heartbeat ceases.
Abstract:
Device for measuring the respiration of a person is provided with a strap (1), which can be applied so that it fits around the upper body of the person, and a detector for measuring the variation in the circumference of the upper body caused by respiration. The detector supplies a measurement signal corresponding to this variation to a processing circuit which controls a display device (13) for displaying this variation. The strap (1) is made of an elastic material and can be fitted around the upper body under a desired pre-tension. The detector comprises an elongated element (4) made of non-stretchable material, preferably a cord, which at least virtually extends over the entire length of the strap (1) and is supported by the strap (1). One end of the cord (4) is rigidly coupled to the strap (1) and the other end actuates a transducer (6), which transforms the movement of the element (4) relative to the strap (1) into the measurement signal, which is supplied to the processing circuit.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for reducing the frequency and duration of apneic events in a subject are provided. The methods involve detecting the frequency and/or duration of apneic events and delivering a stimulus to the subject to reduce the frequency and/or duration of the apneic events. The methods and apparatus are useful for reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome.
Abstract:
A device including at least one supporting member (1) engageable by one portion of the human or animal body. Said member is provided with at least one unit (2) for measuring changes in the forces resulting from the internal mass movements of the body, and said unit is connected to a signal processing system (3).
Abstract:
A sensor for mechanical forces generated by the animal or human body, in particular an apnoea sensor, comprises an electrical measurement transducer (3) and a shield (4) arranged in a flexible capsule (5) compatible with the skin with connecting lines (6, 7, 8) for the measurement transducer (3) and the shield (4).
Abstract:
A conductance sensor uses an auto-tuning oscillator to drive a coil inducing eddy currents in a substance to be measured. The auto-tuning oscillator precisely controls the amplitude of oscillations to eliminate amplitude-dependent effects. The coil may be used to sense the presence of a conducting fluid in a nonconducting pipe or the proximity of a metallic object to the coil. The coil may be used in a cardiac or respiratory monitor having a fixed loop conductor. Monitoring changes in the conductivity of a subject provides a measure of cardiac or respiratory motion.
Abstract:
A device for measuring the repiratory capacity of a baby comprises a transmitter (10) allocated to the person which comprises an r.f. oscillator (11) generating a carrier signal, in the frequency-determining branch (12) of which there is a sensor capacitor (13) which is arranged on the person's body in such a way that its capacitance changes depending on the respiratory capacity and the transmitter transmits a carrier signal frequency-modulated in accordance with said capacity. The signal is received via an aerial by a receiver and further processed therein in such a way as to provide a preferably low-frequency signal characteristic of the person's respiratory capacity. Here, the transmitter (10) also amplitude-modulates the r.f. signal in accordance with the persons respiratory capacity. The received signal is mixed in the receiver with a further r.f. signal, the frequency of which is higher thatn that of the carrier signal, thus improving interference immunity. The reception aerial is a wide-band type with a tuned oscillation circuit so that it cannot be adversely detuned by different people.
Abstract:
A system and method for transducing, recording, and displaying information relating to cardiac and respiratory functions of an infant. The system and method allows immediate detection of apnea events and of bradycardia associated therewith, as well as presentation of historical charts of such events.