GB2528866A

GB2528866A - Seizure alert cane

Info

Publication number: GB2528866A
Application number: GB1413617.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jennifer Gristock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-31
Filing date: 2014-07-31
Publication date: 2016-02-10
Also published as: GB201413617D0

Abstract

A walking cane comprising a wireless interface to alert a named contact and bystanders that the bearer is in need of help. The wireless interface preferably uses wifi, Bluetooth or a haptic interface and alerts the named contact via a SMS or phone call or by connection with another smart device such as a neuro-headset. Instructions for bystanders are preferably contained in an engraving, a paper note or a Q code. The cane is preferably coloured white and purple.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1413617.0 RTN4 Date:23 February 2015 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: WiFi Bluetooth Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo SEIZURE ALERT CANE: WHITE/PURPLE CANE FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY RELATED APPLICA11ONS [000 1] None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] II is commonplace to see the white cane used as a navigation device by people who are permanenily visuaUy or hearing impaired. The purpose of the cane is three-fold, First, the user gains information about possible obstructions in their path. Second, the white color of the cane alerts feflow pedestrians and motorists to the presence of a user who may not be able to see or hear as much as is normafly assumed and signals that drivers and bystanders might need to modify their movements and actions appropriat&y. Third, the white color of the cane also ci-prevents people nearby from reacting aggressively, impatiently or otherwise inappropriately when the cane user does something unexpected. r

r [0003] People living with epUepsy can also lose their sight, hearing and mobility -during grand mal, temporal lobe arid/or other seizures. In addition to the problem of the seizure itself, the temporary loss of sight, hearing, speech, mobility and/or consciousness can cause social problems too. People who have the common but commonly-unrecognised seizure type called temporal lobe seizures, for example, may suddenly stop and stand motionless in the middle of the pavement or road, wfth onlookers mistakenly beheving that they are drunk, obstinate or drugged. In such situations, verbal abuse is common.

[0004] Even when amongst friends and family, people who suffer from unrecognisable seizure types may find conversations difficult, because when their hearing, sight and cognitive processes are affected by a seizure, those around them cannot see the seizure and so do not modify or pause the conversation appropriately.

[0005] People who suffer grand mal seizures often find that members of the public push things into their mouths (which can cause teeth to break) or break their ribs (through inappropriate thoracic massage, given under the mistaken impression that the person with epilepsy is suffering from cardiac arrest) [See Gourzoulidou and D Konstandtinou 20041.

[0006] The hostile or inappropriate responses to seizures contributes substantially to the psychosocial burden of epilepsy. Concern about the hostile reactions of others if a seizure occurs in public can lead to anxiety, withdrawal and isolation [Baker 20021.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The Seizure Alert Cane is a white/purple cane, similar to those used by the visually and hearing impaired, but for use by people who have epilepsy. The coloured band around the bottom is purple, signifying epilepsy.

[0008] The disclosed device and its new use is helpful to people with epilepsy in many different daily situations for three reasons. First, the the similarity to the blind person's cane will alert motorists and pedestrians to the presence of a user who may not be able to see, do or hear as much as is normally assumed and signals ___ that drivers and bystanders might need to modify their movements and actions i:iii appropriately. Second, when the user has a seizure and behaves unexpectedly, the ___ device also signals that the person has a disability of some kind, which prevents people nearby from reacting aggressively, impatiently or treating the person with the seizure as if they were being obstinate or are drunk. Third, during conversations users can touch the cane during a seizure aura, signaling the onset of cognitive disruption to all people nearby, giving friends, family and other people the chance to modify or pause the conversation appropriately, or offer assistance if needed.

[0009] In general the invention features a cane system, with or without an electronic communications unit involving wifi and bluetooth and haptic interlace to alert named emergency contacts -via a SMS or phone call, or connection with another smart device such as a neuro-headset -that the person having a seizure needs help, as a mobility and conversation aid to people with epilepsy. Its main function is to prevent the people around the person with epilepsy from behaving inappropriately during seizures. Through engraving, a simple paper note or a Q code, the cane can also contain instructions for bystanders about what not to do when the person has a seizure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

100101 The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating what is a very simple invention.

[0011] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A Cane system for use by people with epilepsy, with or without electronic communications system/haptic interlace via Bluetooth and/or Wifi.