FR2888108A1 - Baby changing table has integrated weighing scale, heater, lamp and external data links - Google Patents

Abstract

A baby changing table has in integrated weighing scale (4) in the mat (3) area for weighing the child on a resistance heated mat, with isolated low voltage power supply and lamp (91) and external data links.

Description

EQUIPPED TECHNICAL CHANGING TABLE STRUCTURE

  COMPOSABLE PARTICULARLY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF

  NEONATOLOGY, OBSTETRICS AND PEDIATRICS

Patent description

  FIELD OF APPLICATION The present invention relates to a technical changing table structure equipped and composable particularly for the department of neonatology, obstetrics and pediatrics.

  The invention finds its particular application even if not exclusive in the hospital field, to facilitate the ordinary and extraordinary benefits that the medical and paramedical personnel must perform towards infants and children of the early and early childhood.

  In principle, the changing table itself, both for domestic use and for hospital use, consists of a support plane, essentially rectangular, sometimes having curved edges of protection, on which is housed a simple mattress where the newborn is placed. The dimensions and in particular the height of the support plane must normally consider the need for easy intervention on the part of the personnel in charge, and in principle we can say that these tables are almost standardized. For support of the support plane, it is generally used a piece of furniture that can be equipped with drawers, or simply shelves, closed or up-to-date, either of the static type with feet, or as a piece of furniture mounted on small swivel wheels. There are no significant structural differences to distinguish the changing table for domestic use, essential accessory for the young mother, compared to the changing table for hospital use, if not in the material used, with regard to in particular, more or less quality materials having an aesthetic purpose for the domestic changing table, while the materials intended for the changing table for hospital use are aimed at the search for hygienic characteristics.

STATE OF THE ART

  For example, on the website www.snellhabitat.com of the company SNELL habitat spa, Padua, some possible combinations of changing tables among the most common currently present in the hospital environment are illustrated. A first type, called changing table trolley is composed of a structure obtained in chromed steel, with removable frame and support in rectangular section varnished. The frame supports a support plane, provided with edges in correspondence with three sides, inside which is introduced the mattress. A second typology, particularly indicated for neonatology or conventionally nursery consists of a changing table structure. It is essentially a furniture, composable, provided on the upper part of a support plane comprising a mattress, and which incorporates in the adjacent area a bathtub for bathing newborns. Said structure also provides accessories, such as the small extractable shower, and the germicidal lamp and thermostatic. The furniture is provided with drawers whose front are lined plastic and whose corners and corners are blunt. The handles are semi-recessed. As for the worktop, it is made of postformable laminate, with rounded front corner and posterior lifts without corners or cracks.

  Patent GB2346550 (Quinn et al.) Discloses a changing table trolley, provided with a stop device, with a unit for depositing material and an upper support plane. The carriage moving handle is integrated into the carriage structure, which is entirely made of plastic.

  Other devices for monitoring newborns are also known. Patent GB2406240 (Leitch) suggests a transmission unit which comprises means for detecting sounds in a room, means for detecting the climate of the environment, means for storing telephone numbers, means for the call and a remote receiver. Means for detecting the orientation, the temperature of the child and the possible presence of smoke in the room can be provided. The transmission unit will be connected to a network by means of a PSTN connection or mobile phone.

  Patent GB2261290 (Magill) proposes a smart plate, which can be combined with the clothing of the newborn, which consists of a laminated structure inside which there is provided an electronic card provided with means for detecting body temperature of the newborn, detected by a thermostatory device, and thoracic-abdominal synchronous / asynchronous detection means. The results are stored and monitored in a clinical screen with alarm and detailed analysis.

  GB2236190 (Koch) discloses a device for controlling the temperature of a neonate and an incubator monitoring system.

  JP56093018 (Takayoshi) discloses a weighing device for facilitating the reading and detection of weight data of a neonate, which data will be processed by a computer with a fixed indication and processed only when the detected data is superior to that established. In more detail, provision is made, in correspondence with the support plan, of a load cell for newborns, in accordance with the ROM programs via a CPU by the processing of a conversion unit and a selector of data, which - 4 data are archived in a RAM. At the same time, the situation regarding keys, tare, and a minimum weight (500g) are archived in a second RAM from a situation entry by a data selector.

  Patent JP2031116 (Toshio) proposes a device for detecting the weight of a newborn baby, by means of a load cell. The recorded data are recorded only after placing the newborn and predisposed the device for reading with the relative ID code.

  The patent US5446934 (Frazier) proposes an incubator provided with interactive means for communicating information to a remote unit, information acquired by means of sensor devices which detect the vital functions, the temperature, on the neonate, placed inside it. etc. ; Said incubator is further provided with equipment, such as for example one or more monitors, allowing the assistant to view information concerning the diet, the time of change or the time and manner of drug delivery.

DISADVANTAGES

  The solutions described, and in particular the changing tables of the chapter relating to the state of the art, have some disadvantages.

  In particular, these are structures that generally do not allow for the autonomous acquisition of newborn weight data. In other words, the attendant is forced to move frequently the newborn from the changing table to the scale and vice versa, so weigh it and then report on the respective medical record the data found. Obviously, this is not easy because it requires the timekeeper and a good level of attention in the data entry. Added to this is the fact that it is not always possible to handle the newborn, often sleepy and easily irritable. On the other hand, it must be considered that moving from one place to another is subject to objective risks, which are proportionate to the frequency, even if maximum attention is paid.

  There may be other problems in relation to the movement of a large number of children and routine data entry procedures such as temperature and weight referred to each. It is noted that in a nursery the number of newborns can sometimes be considerable, and therefore a high percentage of errors can be made in the acquisition and registration of data relating to each child, with the risk of attribute to one the data of another.

  It has also been noted in advance that the heating of the conventional changing table is produced most of the time by means of radiation, effected by means of thermostatic lamps united to a frame engaged to the structure of the changing table. The heating effect is in principle effective, however one benefits from the function of heating only in correspondence with the visible surface of the exposed body of the newborn, without also obtaining a heating effect in correspondence with the part of support of this- mattress and which remains exposed to the function of thermostatic lamps. In addition, if they are not enclosed within the changing table when it is enclosed, such as that which is articulated closed traditional incubator, said thermostatic lamps dissipate a lot of energy, and eliminate the function as the heat tends to disperse rapidly in the immediately surrounding area.

  The view of the proprietor of this patent is that the solutions proposed are not yet fully optimized and do not allow obtaining excellent results in terms of rational satisfaction of the most usual requirements on the part of the users.

  Because of these disadvantages, the need arises for companies in the field to individualize more effective solutions.

  Another object of the present invention is also to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

  This and other objects are achieved by the present invention according to the features detailed in the appended claims, solving the problems set forth by means of an equipped and composable technical changing table structure particularly for the department of neonatology, obstetrics and pediatrics comprising a equipped support base and with supporting function of the plane of the changing table, where are provided: - A plan of the changing table with a mattress that incorporates means to record the weight of the body placed on it and means for allowing the heating of said mattress; - A column constituting the support for housing at least one lighting lamp, and the logic unit with keyboard and user interface screen; A logic unit which, by means of sensor means and / or manual reading and / or manual insertion means, acquires the data relating to the identity of the newborn and the user, to the body weight , at the temperature and the size of the newborn, to possibly transfer said data to a PC and process them to establish a medical file.

GOALS

  In this way, because of the remarkable creative contribution whose effect constitutes an immediate technical progress, several advantages are gained.

  A first aim has been to look for an extremely functional and versatile changing table structure, able to offer excellent services integrated into a single structure. More particularly, it was to give a changing table structure the ability to automatically record at least the weight data of the newborn, and transfer said data to a processing unit of said data. Having the load cell, inserted in the plane of the changing table, under the air mattress, the newborn is not moved from the mattress, remaining in an inclined condition, without necessarily being handled.

  A second goal was to allow certain attribution of the parameters relating to the newborn subject to control, with the recognition of the operator assigned to the statement.

  A third goal has been to provide more comfort to the mattress placed on the changing table for the fact that it incorporates a more uniform heating function, and performed on the support surface so as to maintain the temperature of the part of the body of the newborn not exposed to the action of thermostatic lamps.

  A fourth aim has been to enable the management of data thus recorded by the sensor means and / or manual reading means and / or manual input, in a logical unit which presents the medical file of each newborn under monitoring with the parameters. Significant health and growth status of the newborn, particularly weight, body temperature, and height.

  Finally, said changing table structure is provided with a very valuable technological content.

  These and other advantages will appear in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with the aid of the appended schematic drawings, the details of which should not be considered limiting but only in the following respects.

as examples.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWINGS

  Figure 1 shows a side-front view of the structure of the technical changing table object of the present invention.

  Figure 2 shows a side view of an alternative to the structure of the changing table technique of Figure 1 and includes a basin for bathing the newborn Figure 3 shows a partial view of the mattress, in a open condition, the resistance being visible.

  Finally, Figure 4 is a diagram of the links of the functional control unit of the structure of the technical changing table.

  EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that an equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure intended particularly for the department of neonatology, obstetrics and pediatrics, is composed of a set of elements, structural and complementary, and in particular.

  Base 1 Generally a composition of modules Plan of the changing table 2 The plan of the changing table integrates the platform of the weighing device 4. The platform of the weighing device 4 corresponds to the mattress zone 3.

  Mattress 7 The mattress 7 is separable from the control, and is supported on the plane of the changing table 2.

  Columns 9 The columns 9 support a cross member 90 on which is fixed at least one lamp 91 for lighting the work area. A second lamp, for environmental lighting, can be installed optionally, on the upper part of the crossbar. 10 15 35 - 9 -

  Control unit 10 The front panel of the control unit 10 constitutes the interface of the operator. In correspondence with the lower part is the connector 82 of the mattress 7.

  More particularly, it is expected that the support base 1 with support function of the plane of the changing table 2 can be of the type up to date, closed by conventional doors or provided with drawers. This may be of the fixed or mobile type, in the latter case, there is provided in correspondence with the four corners, respective small pivoting wheels, type with mechanical stop. With regard to the plane of the changing table 2, it comprises: - the mattress zone 3; - The platform of the scale device 4, integrated in the mattress zone 3 of the changing table structure 1; - and in a second variant (see Figure 2) next to said first, also of the type obtained in a single block, the bath zone, provided with mixing valve 5 and basin 6.

  The mattress 7, which must be housed in correspondence with the mattress zone 3, defined by a protective edge at least along the three sides, results in a padding 70 and a covering 71. In correspondence with the internal part and intermediate of the mattress 7 the heating element 8 is incorporated and in this case consists of a flexible support member 80 which integrates the resistor 81 distributed uniformly so as to come into contact with a surface at least corresponding to that of normal support of the body of the child who insists on the mattress 7. The heating element 8 through the relative connector 82 is connected to the low voltage supply network.

  In correspondence with the plane of the changing table 2 on the top of the support base 1 and the posterior side, two perpendicular columns 9 are provided, respectively right and left, which support - a cross 90. At least one of the two columns 9 is able to constitute the upright support of the crossbar 90, which crosses supports along the lower side at least one lighting lamp 91. In a solution, the lighting lamps 91 are two, respectively one that works as a common lamp for introducing the brightness of the surrounding medium, possibly supported by a brightness sensor and / or manually operable. A second lamp, always housed along the crossbar 90, consists of a lamp which detects the presence of the user, interacting with a presence sensor, and is optionally timed with the prevailing function of illuminating the surface of the plane. of the changing table 2.

  With regard to the column 9, it is also able to receive the control unit 10 which contains the electrical equipment for the supply of the loads (lamp, heating element) and the logical unit of control of all functions.

  The front panel of the control unit 10 comprises a keyboard 11 and the screen 12, and is the interface to the operator.

  The changing table is designed to accommodate a newborn or small child, providing a convenient, comfortable and hygienic support for cleaning, washing and changing.

  The installation of innovative functionality allows you to automatically record and record significant parameters for assessing the child's state of health and correct growth (weight, body temperature, height). The recorded data, marked with the date and time of acquisition as well as with the identification data of the operator and the child, can be transferred to a PC (Personal Computer / Personal Computer) and processed by specific software to produce a medical file.

  The innovative features of the control unit 10, installed by means of suitable electronic circuits and resident-specific software (proprietary firmware), are: a) traceability.

  (b) measurement and recording of significant data for the assessment of the child's state of health and growth.

c) heating the mattress.

  Traceability This term means the possibility of keeping track of all the operations performed, associating with each measurement operation (weight, body temperature, size). - identity of the operator; identity of the newborn; - date and time of operations.

  To achieve these results, the electronic equipment is provided with the following features: Legend. ID = identification.

  Identification and authentication of the operator For this operation, the system includes a smart card reader / transponder reader / barcode reader, depending on the medium chosen by the user.

  Identification of the newborn / child For this operation, the system comprises a transponder reader / a barcode reader, depending on the medium chosen by the user.

  Date and time combination For this operation, the system is equipped with an appropriate clock-calendar circuit.

  Measurement and recording of significant data for the assessment of the health and growth status of the child. Weight

  The innovative aspect is constituted by the integration of the weighing system into the structure of the changing table. Indeed, the support area of the newborn on the plane of the changing table 2 coincides with the platform of the scale device 4, made with specific system to one / two load cells.

  Body temperature Body temperature is acquired automatically by an electronic thermometer, regardless of the physical principle used (infrared or contact radiation capture).

  Size Acquisition obtained by electronic system based on optical principle or magnetic or electric.

  Heating of the mattress The heating of the mattress 7 is carried out using a resistor 8 obtained by depositing on a flexible support 80, placed in the padding of the mattress itself. Two temperature transducers, applied to suitable points of the flexible support 80, provide the control unit 10 with the temperature signals for control thereof and to prevent danger in case of failure.

  The temperature control is managed by proprietary algorithm.

  Description of the block diagram relating to the control unit 10 illustrated in Figure 4: POWER SUPPLY 100 - Network input.

  - Galvanic isolation of the network by toroidal transformer with two separate secondary for: - Output 24 V-, 50 = 60 Hz, for feeding the heating body of the mattress.

  - 12 V- output, 50 = 60 Hz, continuously converted from the AC / DC converter. The DC voltage is distributed to the various electronic circuits and sub-systems for their power supply.

  The lamp is supplied directly by the network via the bipolar switch.

  MAIN TABLE CPU 101 It represents the core of the system and allows the management and control of all functions. The main functions are: - Identification and authentication of the operator; Identification of the child; - Calendar management; - Establishment of the temperature of the mattress and continuous control of it; - Automatic shutdown of the load in case of anomaly, accompanied by acoustic / visual signaling; - Management of all functions supported by the system and established by the menu.

  It includes the flash-type internal solid state memory for storing data (operator / child ID, date and time, weight, body temperature, height).

  HEATING 102 Heating element 8 composed of the resistor 81 placed on a flexible support 80. On the support are inserted two transducers for the continuous control of the temperature and for the intervention in case of anomaly.

  HEATING CONTROL 103 Electronic element which, under the control of the CPU, guarantees the continuous monitoring of the temperature and the safety of operation (proprietary algorithm). BALANCE SYSTEM 104 System integrated in the apparatus, which comprises: - scale tray, consisting of a movable portion 4 of the changing table plan 3; - Load cell with electronic signal conditioning element; - Electronic element for the signal processing and display on the screen 12 of the weight; - Firmware for periodic calibration of the scale device.

  SMART CARD / TRANSPONDER / BAR CODE READER 105 Device for reading the identity of the operator. Identifies and authenticates the operator. The ID keeps track of all the operations performed by each operator. TRANSPONDER / BARCODE READER 106 Device for reading the identity of the child. the ID identifies the child. This device makes it possible to keep track of all the data (weight, body temperature, height) associated with each child. Note. According to the law, for the identification of the newborn and the mother is used a bracelet provided with transponder / bar code, which memorizes the same ID, assigned to the two subjects.

  USB / RS 107 USB serial port / asynchronous RS 232 serial port for PC connection. Automatic selection and recognition of the type, according to the equipment of the PC.

  RS 232 / SPI 108 RS 232 asynchronous serial port / smart module SPI extender for connection to several external devices. Following a commercial evaluation, for the changing table are provided two versions of Basic Version and Complete Version.

  Basic version. This version provides for the automatic acquisition of body weight only. Benefits: - Automatic acquisition and storage of data from the scale device 4 platform via RS 232 (108a); - Data transmission to the computer via USB / RS 232 (108b).

  In this version, the data relating to the body temperature and to the size are introduced by means of the keyboard 11.

  Full version. Extended version, for the use of an external device number equal to or greater than three. In addition to the connection to the computer, which occurs via USB / RS 232, the Smart Expander SPI module allows the connection of the following: Device of the scale. Function Acquisition and memorization of the weight of the balance; - Electronic thermometer. Function Acquisition and storage of body temperature from the electronic thermometer; - Measurer of the size. Function Acquisition and storage of the value of the size since the size meter.

  LOUDSPEAKER 109 Speaker for acoustic reproduction of status messages, guide (guided menu), environment music, and fault indications.

  KEYBOARD 110 The keyboard 11 consists of: - Five single-function keys, whose meaning is explained by the expression that corresponds to the relative key menu, screen, start, stop, delete (MENU, DISPLAY, START, STOP, OF THE) ; - Eleven numeric keys (ten digits + decimal point), for the introduction of data; Two cursor keys, which allow movement on the selected input within the current menu; - A confirmation key, Enter; - A key for lighting the worktop lighting lamp (service lamp).

  On the panel are three LEDs for the following 30 signals: - LEDs with green light to indicate the heating status of the mattress ON = heating ON (on); off = heating OFF.

  - Yellow LED to indicate an anomaly in progress. 35 This is turned off in normal condition. It is lit to indicate the presence of an anomaly - look at the message - 16 - on the screen and / or pay attention to acoustic signaling - LEDs to green to indicate lit lamp DISPLAY 111 With the signaling LED, this screen constitutes the visual interface of the operator. This is a 20x4 backlit alphanumeric LCD 12 display for viewing current data and messages. Character height: 6 mm, white on blue background.

- 17 -

Claims (8)

  A specially equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure for the department of neonatology, obstetrics and pediatrics comprising a support base (1) equipped and with support function of a changing table (2), characterized in that the plane of the changing table (2) includes in correspondence with the mattress area (3) means (4) for raising the body weight of the child placed on the mattress (7), which means (4) communicate with a control unit (10).   2. equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the mattress (7) is heated by means of a resistor (8).   3. equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the means (4) for detecting the body weight of the child consist of a plate of a balance device, consisting of a mobile changing table planar part (3) which integrates at least one load cell connected to the control unit (10).   4. technical, equipped and sectionable changing table structure according to claim 1, characterized in that a control unit (10) is provided for: a) Traceability.   b) Measurement and recording of significant data for assessment of health status and growth of the child.   c) Heating the mattress 5. Technical changing table structure, equipped and composable according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit 10 is constituted as follows: POWER SUPPLY (100) - Input network.   - Galvanic separation of the network by means of the - 18 toroidal transformer with two separate secondary for: - Output 24 V-, 50 = 60 Hz, for the supply of the heating body of the mattress.   - 12 V- output, 50 = 60 Hz, continuously converted from the AC / DC converter. The DC voltage is distributed to the various electronic circuits and sub-systems for their power supply.   - The lamp is powered directly by the network by means of bipolar switch.   CPU MAIN TABLE (101) Allows management and control of functions, including: - Operator identification and authentication; 15 - Identification of the child; - Calendar management; - Establishment of the temperature of the mattress and continuous control thereof; - Automatic shutdown of the load in case of anomaly, accompanied by acoustic / visual signals; - Management of all functions supported by the system and established by menu; with flash-type internal memory for data storage (operator / child ID, date and time, weight, body temperature, size) HEATING (102) Heating element (8) consisting of resistor (81) ) placed on flexible support (80), with two transducers for the continuous control of the temperature and for the intervention in the event of anomalies inserted in the support; HEATING CONTROL (103) Electronic element which, under the control of the CPU, guarantees the continuous monitoring of the temperature and the safety of operation; BALANCE SYSTEM (104) - 19 - System integrated into the apparatus, comprising: - scale tray, consisting of a movable part (4) of the changing table plan (3); Charging cell with electronic signal conditioning element; - Electronic element for signal processing and visualization on the screen (12) of the weight; - Firmware for periodic calibration of the scale device; CARD / TRANSPONDER / BAR CODE READER (105) Device for reading the identity of the operator. Identifies and authenticates the operator, the ID keeps track of all operations performed by each operator; TRANSPONDER / BARCODE READER (106) Device for reading the identity of the child. the ID identifies the child and this device allows to keep track of all the data (weight, body temperature, size) associated with each USB / RS (107), Serial port USB / RS 232 asynchronous serial port for connection to the PC . Automatic selection and recognition of the type, according to the equipment of the PC; RS 232 / SPI (108) RS 232 asynchronous serial port / intelligent SPI module Extender for connection to several external devices; SPEAKER (109) Speaker for acoustic reproduction of status messages, guide (guided menu), environment music, and fault indications.   KEYBOARD (110) The keyboard (11) consists of: - Five single-function keys, the meaning of which is explained by the expression that corresponds to the relative key menu, screen, start, stop, delete (MENU, DISPLAY, START, STOP, DEL); - Eleven numeric keys (ten digits + decimal point), - 20 - for the input of data; - Two cursor keys, which allow movement on the selected input within the current menu; - A confirmation key, Enter; - A key for lighting the worktop lighting lamp (service lamp); On the panel are three LEDs for the following signals: - LED green light to indicate the heating status of the mattress Lit = heating ON (on); off = heating OFF; - LED with yellow light to indicate an anomaly in progress, extinguished in normal condition, lit to indicate the presence of an anomaly - look at the message on the screen and / or pay attention to acoustic signaling; - LEDs with green light to indicate lit lamp; SCREEN (111) With the signaling LED, this screen is the visual interface of the operator. This is a backlit alphanumeric LCD 12 screen for viewing current data and messages, white on a blue background.   6. equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure according to the set of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the RS 232 / SPI unit 108 constituted by the RS 232 asynchronous serial port / intelligent module SPI Extender for connection to several external devices are provided in two versions Respectively basic version and full version: Basic version This version provides automatic acquisition of body weight only; Benefits: - Automatic acquisition and storage of data from the weighing device platform 4 via RS 232 (108a); - 21 - - Data transmission to the computer via USB / RS 232 (108b); In this version, body temperature and height data are entered by means of the keyboard (11); Full version. Extended version, for the use of an external device number equal to or greater than three; In addition to the connection to the computer, which occurs 10 via USB / RS 232, the SPI Extender intelligent module allows the connection of the following: - Device of the scale. Function Acquisition and storage of the balance weight; - Electronic thermometer. Function Acquisition and storage of body temperature from the electronic thermometer; - Measurer of the size. Function Acquisition and storage of the value of the size since size measurer.   7. equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the mattress (7), housed in correspondence with the mattress area (3), is constituted by a padding (70) and a covering (71), which incorporates the heating element (8) constituted by a flexible support member (80) which integrates the resistor (81) distributed uniformly so as to come into contact with a surface at least corresponding to that of normal support of the body of the child laying on the mattress (7), said heating element (8) via a relative connector (82) being connected to the supply network.   8. equipped and sectionable technical changing table structure according to claim 1, characterized in that in correspondence with the plane of the changing table (2) on the top of the support base (1) and on the side posterior, two perpendicular columns (9) are provided, respectively right and left, which support a crossbar (90), at least one of the two columns (9) is adapted to constitute the support mounting of the crossbar ( 90), which cross supports along the lower side at least one lighting lamp (91), one of which operates as a common lamp for introducing the brightness of the surrounding medium, optionally supported by a brightness sensor and / or manually operable, and a second lamp always housed along the crossbar (90) constituted by a lamp which detects the presence of the operator, interacting with a presence sensor, possibly timed with the most important function to illuminate the surface of the plane of the changing table (2).