WO2005001581A1

WO2005001581A1 - Watch for medical personnel

Info

Publication number: WO2005001581A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/001626
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Michel Baroche
Original assignee: Jean-Michel Baroche
Priority date: 2003-05-28
Filing date: 2003-05-28
Publication date: 2005-01-06
Also published as: AU2003254541A1; EP1654598A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch for medical personnel. The inventive watch comprises a watch module and an additional module (3) which is at least partially replaceable and which is mounted on the first module. The invention also comprises means which enable the aforementioned two modules to occupy a first relative position in which the first module covers the second (3) and a second relative position in which the two modules are offset in relation to one another. Moreover, the additional module (3) comprises a medical care assistance module (M) comprising an interface (G) which is in contact with the watch wearer's skin.

Description

WATCH FOR MEDICAL PERSONS

The present invention relates to a watch for medical persons designed to add to the conventional functions of a usual watch, a medical assistance function.

In general, it is known that many solutions have already been proposed for adding, to the specific function of a watch, one or more additional functions.

Usually, each of these additional functions involves the creation of a watch case specific to this function.

By the patent application FR No. 00 17142, filed December 26, 2000, the Applicant has already proposed a modular watch comprising at least:

a first module specific to the watch function, which comprises all the means making it possible to perform all the usual functions of time measurement and related functions, and

an additional interchangeable module that can be mounted removably on the first module,

means enabling the two modules to take at least two relative positions, namely: a first position in which the first module covers the additional module giving the assembly the appearance of a conventional watch; a second position in which the two modules are angularly offset and / or in translation relative to one another; to the other, especially to allow the use of the function of the additional module.

The invention more particularly relates to the application of a watch of the type described in the aforementioned patent application to the assistance to the medicalization.

For this purpose, it starts from the observation that a wristwatch is usually worn permanently by its owner. It occupies a particularly privileged location, easily accessible, and visible while not causing any discomfort. It is in permanent contact with the skin and surrounds a region of the body, the wrist, in which veins, arteries and nerves pass.

In addition, the watch provides hourly data that can be used both for the periodic control and the recording of information relating to the state of health of its owner as for the administration of drugs.

Given these two types of consideration (presence and location of the watch on the body of its wearer / intrinsic function of the watch), the invention proposes to incorporate a medicalization assistance module into the watch, this module comprising means for detecting information and / or storing products, an interface coming into contact with the skin of the wearer of the watch, as well as means capable of transferring said information and / or said product between the skin and the assistance module. Advantageously, the aforesaid transfer will be made in relation to the time data provided by the watch. This can then be equipped with means for triggering automatically or semi-automatically the transfer at predetermined times possibly programmed on the watch.

Similarly, the aforesaid module may be equipped with means for performing a transfer of material based on the information transferred from the skin to the assistance module. This information may consist of data relating to temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.

This assistance module may include a reserve of medicinal products and means for delivering predetermined doses of these products. The interface may include an applicator for applying to the skin the doses of products thus prepared. The transfer of doses to the applicator may be triggered either by a mechanical action performed by the wearer of the watch (for example a pressure) or automatically by the watch itself.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 respectively show, in exploded perspective and in axial section, a modular watch comprising a removable module for administering topically predetermined doses of drug products;

Figure 3 is an axial section of a variant of the watch shown in Figures 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is an axial section of a variant of the watch similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but including a removable electronic module enabling the temperature, the pulse pulsations and the arterial pressure to be recorded;

FIG. 5 is a schematic axial section illustrating the principle of another variant of the watch shown in FIG. 1.

In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the modular watch comprises a body made in two parts 1, 2 hinged to one another.

The first part 1 consists of a base 3 of annular shape comprising, in two diametrically opposed locations, fixing devices 4, 5 of a conventional wristwatch 6. At the level of the fixing device, the base 3 comprises two protuberances 7, 8 constituting a hinge yoke which extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the base 3. At the fixing device 4, the base also comprises two parallel protuberances 9, 10 which are each equipped with a retractable lug 11 against the action of elastic means.

The second part 2 of the body comprises a circular flat-bottomed watch 12 completely autonomous. This watch 12 comprises, in two diametrically opposed locations, two protuberances, namely:

- An extension 13 provided with pins which engage in corresponding holes of the protuberances 7, 8 so as to ensure the articulation of the watch 12 on the base 3, - an extension 14 similar to the extension 13 provided with two cavities coaxial 15, intended to engage between the two protuberances 9, 10 by retracting the lugs 11, the locking of the two parts then being ensured by the engagement of the lugs 11 in the cavities 15. The cavities 15 are shaped so that the unlocking of the two parts can be ensured by exerting a tilting force on the extension 14 to return the lugs 11 to the retracted state.

The annular base 3 defines a cylindrical space E open in the bottom and intended to receive a removable module M of corresponding cylindrical shape.

The blocking of this removable module M in the base 3 can be ensured, on the one hand, by means of an elastic ring partially engaging in a circular groove formed in the cylindrical wall of the module. This ring is intended to engage in a corresponding groove provided in the inner cylindrical surface of the base. The shapes of the rod and grooves are provided so as to allow extraction of the removable module M by simply pressing on the bottom of the module. Thanks to these provisions, the removable module is locked axially in the base while being able to pivot freely about its axis.

In this example, the module M consists of a cylindrical outer shape housing which has a central cylindrical sleeve stage 16 delimiting with the cylindrical wall 17 of the housing an annular volume divided into several compartments Ci to C ₈ through radial partitions 18.

Each of these compartments C, C ₈ contains a dose of liquid drug products to administer to the wearer of the watch.

The lower face of the module M is coated with a packing G of porous material which constitutes an applicator of the product contained in the compartments Cj to C ₈ . The module M is designed to engage in the cylindrical space such that the gasket G comes slightly protruding from the underside of the annular base 3. A slight recess of the cylindrical surface of the 3, associated with a complementary form of the cylindrical surface of the module M, keeps the module in this position.

The bottom of the watch 2 is equipped, in its central part, with a perforation device, here a tongue L intended to engage, when folding the watch on the base, in the orifice O delimited by the sleeve 16 and to perforate, at the end of travel, the staging E of the cylindrical central sleeve so as to release the liquid content of a corresponding compartment Ci to C ₈ at the location where the perforation was performed.

Once this liquid is released, it is absorbed by the filling G which is permanently in contact with the skin. The product is therefore administered to the wearer of the watch intradermally.

To administer a new dose, it is necessary to open the watch, rotate the module so as to present the next compartment (not used) in the axis of the perforator and then close the watch.

Advantageously, the perforator can be retracted so as not to risk accidentally perforate a compartment. For this purpose, the tongue L can be articulated on the bottom of the watch so as to take an erased position, folded against the bottom and a projecting position relative to the bottom, adapted to perform the perforation.

Similarly, the gasket G may comprise a partitioning similar to that of the module M so that the administration of successive doses is effected through different areas of the lining and therefore the skin. The position of this partitioning has been schematically indicated in broken lines in the base of Figure 1, it being understood that it is made at the underside of the module M.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

Thus, the second part 2 of the modular watch may comprise, as shown in Figure 3, an annular armature AA hinged to the base 3 in a similar manner to that previously described and having a substantially cylindrical central dowel evue EC.

Inside this recess is mounted axially sliding with spring return a watch case B having a coaxial cylindrical lateral surface substantially complementary to that of the recess EC. This watch case B which behaves like a pusher is also rotatably mounted on itself inside the recess EC

The bottom of the watch case is equipped with a perforation device of the type previously described.

Thanks to these provisions, to administer a dose it is no longer necessary to open the watch: simply rotate the case of the watch B to bring the perforator to the right of a full compartment of the module M, then press the housing B to slide it inside the annular armature AA and obtain the perforation of the compartment.

Advantageously, the case of the watch B may include luminous indexes IL to indicate the angular position it must occupy to be able to obtain the perforation of a full compartment. The illuminated index IL which indicates the angular position may, for example, be illuminated during the period during which the patient is to administer a dose of medication.

Moreover, the removable module could comprise, as represented in FIG. 4, a temperature detector T and a pressure detector P disposed in orifices of the lower face of the module M ', these two detectors being intended to come into contact with the skin of the wearer of the watch. The module M 'may then contain a microcontroller M connected to the sensors T, P and a display A disposed at the upper face of the module M. Thus, the microcontroller will then be programmed to display the information detected by the sensors. T, P on display A.

To read this information, it will be necessary to discover the upper face of the module by moving the watch relative to its support. In this example, this displacement is obtained by rotating the body of the watch relative to the support 3, about an axis 20 parallel to the axis of the support 3 and that of the watch.

Of course, the different functions performed by the watch and by those of the removable module M can be combined.

Thus, the watch may be designed to cause the administration of a product contained in the module M at a date, a time, or even a predetermined periodicity. Similarly, this product may be administered following the occurrence of a predetermined situation revealed by the information provided by the sensors T, P equipping the module M.

By way of example, the product administered may consist of corticosteroids, in particular for the treatment of asthma, nitroglycerin for persons suffering from angina pectoris, antibiotics for patients prone to infections. It may consist of an anti-tobacco or an anti-allergic product.

Similarly, the product administered may consist of insulin. In this case, the removable module M, the watch and / or the bracelet may include means for detecting the glycemic rate of the wearer of the watch and to trigger an alarm to signal the occurrence of a blood glucose level abnormal and possibly cause the administration of a dose of insulin contained in the additional module.

In a similar way, the module according to the invention may comprise means for transmitting an alarm signal, for example a sound signal, in the case where the parameters detected by the detectors T, P reveal an abnormal situation.

Similarly, it may include means for applying a stimulus, for example a slight electrical pulse (or radiation for example laser) to trigger a physiological function, in the case where the aforesaid parameters reveal a predetermined situation.

The supply of the watch and / or the removable module in electrical energy can be provided by means of batteries or batteries housed in the modular watch, in the interchangeable module and / or in the wristband of the watch. Optionally, this electrical energy may be provided by a photoelectric cell and / or a thermoelectric converter using the temperature difference between the temperature of the base (which is substantially equal to the temperature of the body of the wearer of the watch) and the part shows that substantially corresponds to the ambient temperature, thermal insulation means then being provided between these two parts.

Similarly, the watch and / or the removable module may include transmitting and / or receiving means for exchanging information with detection and / or processing circuits carried by the user of the watch.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the base 30 of the watch, of rectangular section, is connected to the watch module 31 by means of a connecting piece 32, in the form of a frame, articulating with the level of its transverse edges 32 ', 32 ", on the one hand, to a transverse edge 31' of the display module 31 and, on the other hand, to a transverse edge 30 'of the base 30 located opposite the edge 31 'of the module shows 31.

The two longitudinal edges of the base comprise two parallel flanges 33 which protrude and between which the display module 31 can engage in the closed position of the watch. Ratching means are provided on these flanges 33 to ensure a disconnectable attachment of the display module 31 on the base 30 in this closed position, the connecting piece 32 then being arranged between the display module 31 and the base 30.

In this case, the bracelet 34, which consists of a continuous band, is fixed by its ends on the transverse edge 31 "of the display module 31 located opposite the edge 31 'and on the transverse edge 30" of the base 30 opposite the edge 30 '.

This set can take two positions, namely: on the one hand, the previously mentioned closed position in which the bracelet 34 and the watch form a reduced-size loop (corresponding to the dimensions of the wrist) and, on the other hand, a position deployed in which the bracelet 34 and the watch form a large loop in which can pass the hand to have the entire bracelet / watch around the wrist. In a manner analogous to the examples described above, the base 30 delimits a space, here parallelepipedic, open in the bottom and intended to receive a removable module 35 of parallelepiped shape for assistance in medicalization.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a curative or preventive application. It could also be used for contraceptive use, a particularly advantageous application because of the periodicity of the treatment.

Claims

claims

1. watch for medical persons comprising two modules, namely: a first module (2) specific to the watch function which comprises all the means to ensure all the usual functions necessary for the measurement of time and its ancillary functions, and a second additional module (3), at least partly interchangeable, coming to be mounted on the first module, means being provided to allow the two modules to take at least two relative positions, namely: a first position in which the first module (2) covers the second module (3) giving the assembly the appearance of a conventional watch, - a second position in which the two modules (2, 3) are offset angularly and / or in translation l one with respect to the other, in particular with a view to enabling full use of the function of the additional module, characterized in that the additional module comprises a medical assistance module (M), this module comprising means for detecting and / or storing products and an interface (G, T, P) coming into contact with the wearer's skin and comprising means capable of transferring information and / or or material between the skin and the assistance module (M).

2. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid transfer is performed in relation to the time data provided by the first module (2).

3. Watch according to claim 2, characterized in that the first module (2) comprises means for triggering automatically or semi-automatically transfer at predetermined times possibly programmed on the watch.

4. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assistance module (M) is equipped with means for triggering automatically or semi-automatically transfer of material according to the information transferred from the skin, to of the assistance module (M).

5. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforesaid assistance module (M) comprises a reserve of medicinal products and means for delivering predetermined doses of these products.

6. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforesaid interface comprises an applicator (G) for applying to the skin the aforesaid doses of product.

7. Watch according to claim 6, characterized in that the aforesaid applicator is partitioned so that the administration of successive doses is effected through different areas of the lining and therefore the skin.

8. Watch according to claim 6, characterized in that the transfer of doses to the applicator (G) is triggered either by a mechanical action on the watch, or automatically by the watch itself.

9. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second module comprises an annular base (3) provided with fastening means of the bracelet (6) of the watch and on which is articulated the first module, and in that that the base (3) defines a cylindrical open space in the bottom and intended to receive the aforesaid assistance module (4).

10. Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that the assistance module comprises a housing, of cylindrical outer shape, which has a central cylindrical sleeve stage (16) defining with the cylindrical wall of the container, an annular volume divided into several compartments (Ci to C ₈ ) through radial partitions (18), each of these compartments (C] to C ₈ ) containing a dose of liquid product to administer to the wearer of the watch, in that the underside of the module of (M) is coated with a lining (G) of porous material which constitutes an applicator of the product contained in the compartments (C 1 to C ₈ ), and in that the bottom of the first module is equipped in its central part with a perforation device (L) capable of perforating a compartment (Cj-C ₈ ) when folding the first module on the base (3).

11. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting an alarm signal in the case where the parameters detected by the said detection means (T, P) reveal a abnormal situation.

12. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for applying a stimulus to trigger a physiological function in the case where the parameters detected by the said detection means reveal a predetermined situation.

13. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforesaid first module (2) comprises an annular armature (AA) articulated on the base (3), and comprising a central recess (EC) to the inside which is mounted axially sliding, with spring return a watch case (B) whose lower face is equipped with a perforating device.

14. Watch according to claim 13, characterized in that the watch case (B) is pivotally mounted around itself in the aforesaid recess (EC).

15. Watch according to claim 14, characterized in that the watch case (B) comprises luminous indexes (IL) to indicate the angular position it must occupy to be able to obtain the perforation of a full compartment of the module assistance (M).

16. Watch according to claim 15, characterized in that the luminous index (IL) indicating the angular position that must take the housing (B) is lit during the period during which the patient must administer the dose of medication.

17. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply of the watch and / or the removable module (M) is provided by means of batteries or batteries housed in the modular watch, in the module of assistance (M) and / or in the bracelet (6) of the watch.

18. Watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical energy for powering the watch and / or the assistance module (4) is produced by a photocell and / or a thermoelectric converter. .

19. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (30) of the watch is connected to a watch module (31) via a frame-shaped connecting piece whose two opposite edges s' articulate respectively on an edge (31 ') of the module shows and on an edge of the base located opposite the edge (31 ') of said module shows (31), and in that the bracelet of the watch (34) which consists of a continuous band is fixed by its ends on opposite edges (31 ", 30") of the watch module and the base.

20. Watch according to claim 19, characterized in that the base comprises two parallel longitudinal edges (33) extended by two edges between which the module shows can engage in the closed position of the watch, latching means being provided on the flanges (33) to ensure a disconnectable attachment of the display module on the base.

21. Watch according to one of claims 19 and 20, characterized in that the base (30) defines an open space in the bottom for receiving a removable module for medicalization assistance.