ES2366089B1 - DEVICES FOR MEASURING AND CONTROLLING VITAL CONSTANTS IN BABIES AND DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF CHILDHOOD. - Google Patents

Abstract

Devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the first years of childhood (1), which they detect through an emitting device (2) and by means of a temperature sensor (3) next to an accelerometer (4) , the rise or fall of temperature, and the absence and presence of breathing, as well as a monitoring of all movements made by the baby, or children in general, all of this, designed in order to offer the user a system of alert that informs and warns in cases of vital importance that could cause sudden death in babies, in addition to providing a whole series of benefits and functions of monitoring and control of the baby, during the first years of life. # Linking the entire emitting device (2) with its integrated sensors, to a receiving device (7), wirelessly by means of radiofrequency transmitters / receivers (5), with microcontrollers (6) among other components that include each of the devices, and also with the possibility of detecting the heart rate from another sensor that is also linked to the receiving device (7), so that when any anomaly is detected, it can be shown by informing on the screen (9) and with the luminous and audible witnesses (15), and even via SMS to one or several mobile phones.

Description

Devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in babies and during the early years of childhood. Object of the invention

The patent object of the description refers in this case to the novel design and creation of a specific system that, through various devices to measure the temperature and control the movements made by babies, is conceived in order to offer versatility and functionality in its use, and mainly, in order to guarantee real assistance in the form of a warning that alerts and informs the user, in cases prior to a so-called “sudden death”, to be avoided by applying the invention that it may occur, at least, in terms of providing warning and warning information to contribute to the disappearance of a cause of death that occurs in the first months of life, and also, for being a system applicable during the first years of life, as an advanced surveillance device with various features, all of this, using sensors or sensors that emit your data in a wireless way ptores, and designed in all cases under the important premise or requirement implied by the sector to which they are intended. Field of the Invention

The scope of the invention is that which covers the entire industry dedicated to the production or marketing of all types of pediatric or childcare products in general, together with the industry or sector for the field of children's furniture, with a generalized character, without forgetting, on the other hand, those sectors dedicated to the production and commercialization, or the design of electronic components, processors and circuit boards, as well as the sector framed in the production and distribution or sale of all types of sensors, sensors or transmitters, transmitters and receivers, and even the sector that deals with products that are used as the means to enforce the basic communication rules: transmitter or sender, message, medium and receiver, whether the Cable communication as wirelessly. Background of the invention

On the part of the applicant, it is currently unknown the existence of an invention that is presented with the characteristics described in the patent's own memory, its use being completely new.

At present, radio frequency articles that are used to be able to listen to the baby are known while the user of the listening device, which also takes care of the baby, remains in another room of the house for example.

In addition, the use of technology and video elements or components is currently used or possible to directly monitor the baby with a monitor and camera.

On the other hand, and as previously mentioned in the field of pediatrics, sensors and probes or devices are used for the control and diagnosis of the baby itself, in pathology treatments or even for the total or partial monitoring of their constants vital in a mode of hospital medical care, and where appropriate, surgical.

Without knowing so far, any kind of system and devices that in their particular use, either in the home or in the home and in any external place allow, with high precision, to detect the absence of movement and temperature variations or even the variations of cardiac pulsations, which alert those who are in the care of the baby, during its first months when, occasionally, the slightest or worrisome indication of such sudden death may occur, there being the possibility of communicating by text message to the mobile phone of the interested, so you do not miss a second after the warning or alert of the device, which will be responsible for alerting and informing.

And no device is known that at the same time and together with the control and alert functions mentioned above, solve aspects related to surveillance and constant information of parameters such as the movement and movement of the baby or the child, respectively, as well as the record of the immediate temperature degree or even the display of the number of beats per minute, all this always from a screen receiving the processed data and by means of light or acoustic signals and with symbols or graphic indicators of the total performance. Description of the invention

These devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the first years of childhood, to which this description is properly referred, correspond in this case to the novel design of a given system, concretely con fi gured from a device. which will normally take the form of a clamp, to be held by attachment to the baby's diaper, for example, although it does not exclusively have to be an object as a clamp, since the sensors and components of which this device is used to to capture and at the same time emit to a receiver, they are of remarkably small dimensions, and can be integrated in other object forms, such as in certain suction cups, and in objects adherent to the fabric, so that they allow to be adhesive, and even, through the use of materials such as velcro or similar, but it is convenient to emphasize the preferences for an object that is based on the grip for clamping, by evit make any contact directly with the skin for the collection or measurement and control of the parameters established in the operation and the benefits offered by this system of constant alert and surveillance, to notify immediately, when these parameters are not within normal and to save the baby's life by acting more quickly, as appropriate in these possible cases of urgency.

The clamp has integrated sensors that detect breathing and movement, with the use of an electronic accelerometer of high sensitivity and precision capable of measuring positions in the three axes or real dimensions, and if it is more convenient, gyros can be used that comply the same functions of capturing parameters related to breathing and movement.

It is also incorporated into the same clamp, taken as an emitting device with sensors, a temperature probe that records the real value at every moment with an accuracy of several decimals, and that serves to indicate, or if necessary alert for example by signal luminous or acoustic, when the temperature is outside normal limits, when the tenths or degrees on the thermometer are rising or falling, it is constantly taking temperature data through the described probe.

Both the accelerometer and the probe are linked to a radiofrequency transmitter / receiver that acts as a link between the device or the emitting clamp and a receiving device, in addition to controlling both sensors through a computer microcontroller, whose function is to process in a coordinated manner the data before the radiofrequency transmitter / receiver sends them to the receiving device, as well as the sensor control itself for optimal operation of the device.

The invention contemplates, in addition to resolving the function of notifying the user, in cases that present indications of a possible sudden death before happening and showing the information and warning signals, another functional characteristic, consisting in the detection of coronary anomalies such as the case of heart pathologies called bradycardia,

or rhythms of pulsations per minute considerably lower than pulsations of the normal rhythm of the heart, which, although they are also shown or can be shown in people of any age, are cause of surveillance during the first months of life since, their repeated presence, and Without some kind of alert, such as the devices that characterize the entire invention, it could mean the death of the baby.

To solve this function, the emitting clamp device may include, together with the described sensors

or in another place of the device, an emitting LED and a receiving LED, both infrared, that make it possible to capture the pulsations, without direct contact with the skin, so that, linked to the microcontroller and the radio frequency transmitter / receiver, manage to emit the records of the pulsations to the receiving device, so that it can show them on the screen, or alert with light and acoustic signals, when the rhythm indicates very low pulsations that could cause the so-called bradycardia.

With the possible alternative of implanting or placing the heart beat detectors, in a device different and independent from the emitting clamp device, since if the pickup by means of infrared emitting and receiving LEDs is not efficient even if it implies the advantage of not remain in contact with the skin, sensors located at specific points of the body should be used, therefore, these devices, independent or linked to the emitting clamp device, for the recording of the pulsations could take the form of a bracelet for example, or of ring for the finger, with the sensors or sensors of heart rate existing in the market to achieve the viability of this contribution that contemplates the present novelty as part of the system of devices.

On the other hand, the receiving device has a formal configuration as a housing with a screen or monitor and several warning lights, even audible for the alert in case of alarm due to the momentary failure of one or more of the vital signs controlled by the system .

Internally, the housing that formally originates the receiving device incorporates in the same way as the emitting device, a radio frequency transmitter / receiver whose characteristics are identical, or fully compatible, to those of the transmitter / receiver of the emitting clamp device, including as a link of both transmitters / receivers, a buzzer to the receiving device, and also, a microcontroller of the functions and data processing so that they are shown on the screen or so that the witnesses and where appropriate, keypads on and off or introducing functions and data, execute

or act efficiently coordinated.

Also highlighting, and included as internal components in the receiving device, the installation of a GSM / GPRS module, with which there is the possibility of sending data, voice or SMS, to one or several mobile phones in cases of alert for serious anomalies in breathing, in movement, in temperature or in the baby's heart rate, in order to promptly notify the user.

And, both the emitting device and the receiver, work through the use of one or several batteries capable of adequately offering all the benefits for a considerable period of time, since among the characteristic advantages of the invention is that of the wireless installation, which allows the use of these devices at a certain distance between them, either in outdoor outdoor spaces or in different rooms of the home.

Hence, the device intended for reception is designed so that it can be housed, hanging in the cribs, or so that it can be transportable and even pocket, with the possibility of being integrated in a removable way to the cradle itself, with due accommodation in any part of it, or in cases that are considered more convenient, as an inseparable object of this furniture intended for children. Description of the drawings

To complement this description that is being made and in order to contribute to a more detailed understanding of the characteristics offered by the novelty, they are attached to this specification and as an integral part of it a series of linear drawings that will represent the following reasons illustrative:

Figure number 1.- Represents the fi gurative display of a baby with the emitting device attached to the diaper, appreciating on the other hand, the housing next to other elements of the device that receives the data transmitted wirelessly from the sending device, with the sensors of collection.

Figure number 2.- Shows, through perspective views, two examples of location or accommodation respectively of the receiving device, the device integrated on one side of the cradle being observed on the top and on the bottom, the receiving device itself Hanging therein, and even if it is not represented, a smaller device with identical characteristics can also be made for easy transport, since it can be pocket-sized.

Figure number 3.- Provides information of the invention, regarding the possible sensor that captures the heart rate through the infrared emitting and receiving LED, displayed as an example in the drawing.

Figure number 4.- Offers, from a schematic view, the display of the components that make up the internal part of the emitting device.

Figure number 5.- Shows, from a schematic view similar to the previous one, the internal components that will make up in this case and specifically the data and signal receiving device. Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of Figure 1, the devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the first years of childhood (1) are set up from an emitting device (2) that formally adopts the aspect of an object with clamping mechanism or spring as a clamp, and that internally, consists of a temperature probe (3), with which a continuous monitoring of the baby's temperature is achieved, and together with the probe (3), an accelerometer (4) with sufficient precision to detect breathing as well as the movement of the baby in the x, y, z, spatial directions is incorporated in the emitting device (2), also installing a transmitter in the emitting device (2) / radio frequency receiver (5) and a microcontroller (6) for processing and executing the various functions.

The receiving device (7), consists properly of a housing (8) that will include a screen (9) of digits for the visualization or introduction of data and symbols for the representation of the movement, depending on the three axes or real directions detected by the accelerometer (4), from the emitting device (2), and for the representation of other functions such as those that are exercised when pressing buttons (10) with letters and digits.

This housing (8) described, of varying dimensions and shapes, also houses inside a microcontroller (6) and a radio frequency transmitter / receiver (5) linked in this case to a buzzer (11), in addition to a GSM / module GPRS (12) that connects, like the other components, to an integrated circuit board or board (13), just as it happens with sensors and components of the emitting device (2) to allow efficient transmission and reception, using batteries (14) that provide the necessary energy in each of the devices.

And externally, said housing (8), will have a series of luminous and audible witnesses (15) by means of which the relevant warning notices will be indicated for the user, in cases of absence of breathing or movement and in sudden ascents or descents of temperature as well as when an imminent bradycardia is detected, being able to, by pre-programming the system, even sending through a GSM / GPRS module (12), messages to several mobile phones, as a warning and emergency means.

The application of this invention starts from the moment when the emitting device (2) is held, for example in the diaper (16) of the baby, and once activated, both the sending device (2) and the receiver (7), The continuous operation of all the sensors always begins, being during the first year of the baby approximately, the temporary space in which the so-called sudden death could be detected, and therefore in these first months the luminous (15) or audible witnesses will be used with the purpose of alerting in cases of serious anomalies.

And, when the baby exceeds this much more critical period of time, the light and sound signals (15) are used to indicate user-programmable warning signals, in addition, on the screen (9), the data referring to temperature, with the possibility of being able to visualize also the representation of the movement made by the baby, and during its first years of life.

Without forgetting on the other hand, as an application of the invention, the design and use of a sensor for detecting the heart rate, composed of an infrared emitting LED (17) and a receiving LED (18), which can be located interchangeably, either together in the sending device (2) or independently in another device that transmits directly to the receiving device (7).

So, globally, it is possible to offer parents or people in the care of babies a system whose devices that integrate it, are able to anticipate and give a certain margin of time, important, in cases of urgency to avoid the possible death of the baby, together with a series of benefits and advantages that allow monitoring and locating the movements of the baby or children in general, as well as detecting the absence and presence of breathing and heart rate, with constant and precise monitoring of the temperature, all this being the receiving device (7) interchangeably near the emitting device (2) or a considerable distance, since both devices communicate wirelessly and serve for outdoor spaces and for interior spaces.

The elements used in the realization of the devices to measure and control the vital signs in babies and during the first years of childhood (1) will be all those described in the present invention, being able to vary or modify the dimensions of any element that compose it, by virtue of possible variations that are presented to the market.

The terms in which the present patent specification is described will always be taken in a broad and non-limiting manner.

Claims (4)

one.

Devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the first years of childhood (1), which are characterized by being configured by a system composed of emitting device (2) and receiving device (7), so that The emitting device (2) is presented through an object with a mechanism or clamping spring that originates a kind of clamp, held directly in the diaper (16) for example, in which a temperature probe (3) is installed internally and an accelerometer (4), which are connected to an integrated circuit board (13), where a radiofrequency transmitter / receiver (5) and a microcontroller (6) are also connected.

2.

Devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the first years of childhood (1), according to previous claim, which are characterized by con fi guring the receiving device (7), from a housing (8) that internally, it will have an integrated circuit board (13) in which a radio frequency transmitter / receiver (5) connected to a buzzer (11) is connected, in addition to a microcontroller (6), as well as a module

GSM / GPRS (12), and that, externally, will include a screen (9) for displaying data and symbols with which the child's movement on the x, y, z, real axes is represented, also including in the housing ( 8) externally, a series of luminous and audible witnesses (15), together with keypads (10) that allow entering letters and digits on the display screen (9). 3. Devices for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the first years of childhood (1), according to previous claims, which are characterized by incorporating a sensor to detect the heart rate, through an emitting LED (17) and a receiver LED (18), both infrared, which can be linked to the sending device (2) and installed on the same object in the form of a clamp, or independently in another device, which also communicates wirelessly with the receiving device (7), and also, by the incorporation of one or several batteries (14) for each device, which provide the necessary energy both from the operation of the emitting device (2) and from the receiving device (7), as well as that of the device or heart rate sensor itself. SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201000441 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 30.03.2010 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: G08B21 / 04 (2006.01) A61B5 / 00 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

X

US 2003163287 A1 (VOCK CURTIS A et al.) 28.08.2003, 1-3

paragraphs 7-19,36,37,45,61-73,193-196,200,203,212,219-222,266,270,344,345,348,349;

Figures 1,2E, 6-7B, 16,55,56.

X

US 2008094226 A1 (O'SHEA MICHAEL D et al.) 04.04.2008, 1-3

paragraphs 24-39,49-63; figures.

X

WO 2007 074345 A1 (CRADLE SAFE LTD et al.) 05.07.2007, one

page 9, line 25 - page 16, line 31; page 21, line 22 - page 22, line 3; Figure 1.

TO

2.3

TO

US 5738104 A (LO THOMAS YING-CHING et al.) 14.04.1998, 3

column 1, lines 9-21.

TO

WO 2009133434 A2 (PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY et al.) 12.11.2009, 3

page 1, lines 13-29.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 06.30.2011

Examiner M. Lloris Meseguer Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201000441 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) G08B, A61B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201000441 Date of Completion of Written Opinion: 06.30.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 3 1, 2 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-3 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201000441 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2003163287 A1 (VOCK CURTIS A et al.) 28.08.2003

D02

US 2008094226 A1 (O'SHEA MICHAEL D et al.) 04/24/2008

D03

WO 2007 074345 A1 (CRADLE SAFE LTD et al.) 05.07.2007

D04

US 5738104 A (LO THOMAS YING-CHING et al.) 04/14/1998

D05

WO 2009133434 A2 (PHILIPS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY et al.) 12.11.2009

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement Of all the documents recovered from the state of the art, document D01 is considered to be the closest to the request being analyzed. The claims of the application are then compared with document D01. Claim 1 Document D01 describes a device for measuring and controlling vital signs in infants and during the early years of childhood (see Figures 1, 55 and 56), which comprises an emitting device (10, 870) and receiving device ( 24, 878), in such a way that the emitting device (10, 870) is presented through an object with clamping mechanism or spring that originates a kind of clamp (see paragraphs 11 and 212), in which it is installed internally a temperature probe and an accelerometer (see paragraphs 36, 345 and 349), which are connected to an integrated circuit board (see paragraphs 8, 63 and 200), where a radiofrequency transmitter / receiver (16) is also connected and a processor (14). Following the analysis of document D01, the features described in independent claim 1 are disclosed by said document, so claim 1 does not meet the requirement of novelty according to article 6.1 LP. Claim 2 Document D01 indicates that the receiving device (24, 878) can be part of a mobile telephone (see paragraphs 195 and 266), comprising a housing that, internally, will have an integrated circuit board in which a radio frequency transmitter / receiver (26) linked to a buzzer (see paragraph 348), in addition to a microcontroller, as well as a GSM / GPRS module, and which, externally, will include a display of data and symbols with which it is represented the child's movement on the x, y, z, real axes (see paragraphs 37, 266, 270 and 344), also including externally in the housing, a series of luminous and audible witnesses (see paragraph 348), next to some keypads that allow you to enter letters and digits on the display screen (see paragraph 270). Therefore, it can be concluded that, in view of the state of the known art, claim 2 does not meet the novelty requirement according to article 6.1 LP. Claim 3 Document D01 indicates that the device may comprise a sensor, linked to the emitting device, to detect the heart rate (see paragraph 203), with both the sending device and the receiving device incorporating batteries (see paragraphs 193 and 195) to provide the energy necessary for its operation. The invention defined in claim 3 differs from document D01 in that it indicates that the heart rate is detected through a sending LED and a receiving LED, both infrared. However, this difference is not considered to confer any element of inventive significance with respect to the known state of the art, as, for example, documents D04 and D05 illustrate, thus not fulfilling the requirement of inventive activity according to article 8.1 LP. State of the Art Report Page 4/4