CA2169642C - Breathing monitor articles of wearing apparel - Google Patents
Breathing monitor articles of wearing apparel Download PDFInfo
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- CA2169642C CA2169642C CA002169642A CA2169642A CA2169642C CA 2169642 C CA2169642 C CA 2169642C CA 002169642 A CA002169642 A CA 002169642A CA 2169642 A CA2169642 A CA 2169642A CA 2169642 C CA2169642 C CA 2169642C
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- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 102
- 210000000779 thoracic wall Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 42
- 210000000038 chest Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 208000008784 apnea Diseases 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 10
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 abstract description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 208000034972 Sudden Infant Death Diseases 0.000 abstract description 4
- 206010042440 Sudden infant death syndrome Diseases 0.000 abstract description 4
- 210000001015 abdomen Anatomy 0.000 abstract description 3
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- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- 206010003497 Asphyxia Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010003591 Ataxia Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000003174 Brain Neoplasms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 206010006322 Breath holding Diseases 0.000 description 1
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- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 208000024760 breath-holding Spells Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000003169 central nervous system Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000016252 change in skin color Diseases 0.000 description 1
- NEHMKBQYUWJMIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloromethane Chemical compound ClC NEHMKBQYUWJMIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/103—Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
- A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb
- A61B5/113—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb occurring during breathing
- A61B5/1135—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb occurring during breathing by monitoring thoracic expansion
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Physiology (AREA)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
- Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
Abstract
This invention is a breathing monitor article of wearing apparel, adapted for child users in order to monitor breathing conditions of a child user. The apparatus and the method of the invention are particularly adaptable for infant child users in order to prevent conditions such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and similar conditions arising from apnea. The article of wearing apparel (A) comprises a shirt or like garment (18) adapted to extend around the chest and/or abdomen portion of the child user and which contains a pocket (37) having a monitor (40) therein. An elastic belt (41) extends about the chest and/or abdomen of the user and particularly, in the region of the user's lungs. A strain gauge (48) is secured to the elastic belt (41) and detects breathing movement through the expansion and contraction of the chest wall.
The monitor (40) is electronically operated and constructed so as to generate an alarm signal if there is a cessation of breathing for a minimum predetermined time period. The shirt, or like garment (18), is also constructed so that when it is secured to the child user, it automatically energizes the monitor (40), thereby eliminating the necessity of an attendant to the child from turning the monitor (40) on or off.
The monitor (40) is electronically operated and constructed so as to generate an alarm signal if there is a cessation of breathing for a minimum predetermined time period. The shirt, or like garment (18), is also constructed so that when it is secured to the child user, it automatically energizes the monitor (40), thereby eliminating the necessity of an attendant to the child from turning the monitor (40) on or off.
Description
'CVO 95/05119 _ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/n9004 i BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
6 ~ Field of the Invention.
7 This invention relates in general to certain new and 8 useful improvements in breathing monitor articles of 9 wearing apparel and more particularly, to an article of wearing apparel which is constructed so as to detect and 11 generate an alarm signal when there is a cessation of 12 breathing of the child user for a minimum pre-determined 13 time period.
~ Brief Description of the Prior Art.
16 Detection of breathing patterns of children, and 17 particularly infant children, has proved to be a more 18 difficult task then one would initially envision. There 19 has been a long-felt need for an apparatus and a method to monitor infant child breathing conditions in order to 21 ensure that the child does not lapse into a non-breathing 22 state.
23 The syndrome of sudden infant ~ death ("SIDS' ) , is one 24 which is moderately rare, although not uncommon. In the sudden infant death syndrome, oftentimes for some 26 inexplicable reason, the child stops breathing and since 27 there is usually utter silence, a parent, or other 28 attendant to the child, does not recognize the cessation of 29 breathing until long after the death of the infant child.
The same situation exists when an infant child becomes 31 entangled in clothing, blankets or the like and is unable 32 to extricate himself or herself. Here, again, suffocation '' 33 usually occurs, silently 34 resulting in the death of the infant child.
Conditions of periodic cessation of breathing are not 36 uncommon, particularly during the first few days of life.
37 Furthermore, periodic breathing occurs more frequently 38 during periods of active sleep. There has been a need for ~2G~~4~ 2 1 some apparatus and method to detect improper breathing 2 patterns, particularly when accompanied by reduced heart 3 rate and/or color change. Some of these causes may be due 4 to immature nerve cells, obstructions in the child, chest wall defects or combinations of these causes. In any 6 event, either cessation of breathing or decreased , 7 respiratory activity can result either in death or serious 8 or permanent injury to a child, and particularly an infant 9 child.
The control of breathing (often referred to as il "ventilation") in infants is determined by the sensitivity 12 of various chemical and physical receptors in the human 13 body to gas and pressures in the body. Sensitivity to 14 oxygen and carbon dioxide in newborn children may be reduced if they do not attain a certain level of grown 16 maturity during gestation and in the first year of their 17 life. Thus, in many cases, these newborn children may 18 experience breathing cessation for ten to fifteen seconds, 19 followed by the condition of apnea for five to ten seconds without a change in skin color or heart rate. As a result, 21 it may be difficult to detect breathing cessation in small 22 children.
23 Other causes of apnea in infancy include 24 gastroesophageal reflex, pharyngeal incoordination, convulsion, heart disease, infection, CNS abnormality, 26 accidental smothering and breath-holding spells. In each 27 of these cases, external conditions are not immediately 28 apparent and thus, an attendant or parent of the child may 29 not recognize cessation of breathing.
The only effective breathing monitors for infant 31 children are presently located in hospital environments.
32 For example, in one monitor apparatus, a scope is used with 33 leads placed on the child~s chest and where the scope is 34 connected to an overhead panel. Iri this way, an electrical signal, representative of a breathing pattern, may be 36 displayed. A beeper, or other alarm device, may be 37 connected to the scope for audibly generating a signal 38 of heart rate and/or apnea representing an emergency WO 95/05119 _ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/09004 - 1 condition. If the frequency on the scope is beyond a 2 certain range which would constitute a normal breathing - 3 range, then an alarm will be generated.
" 4 One of the problems with this type of equipment is that this equipment obviously is not portable and can only 6 be used by highly trained personnel. Moreover, it is not 7 adapted for home-use environment and is also exceedingly 8 expensive. As a result, this type of equipment is not 9 effective in detecting conditions of apnea, or to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in other than 11 a hospital or clinical environment.
12 In some cases, where an infant child is recognized as 13 having a high risk of sudden breathing cessation, a device 14 which utilizes sonar waves, is attached to the infant s crib and effectively listens for breath sounds. An elastic 16 sheet coupled with an electrode has been used to monitor 17 breathing activity of a child. Unfortunately, this type of 18 device requires a jacket tightly disposed about the chest-19 wall of the infant child. As a result, it is very uncomfortable and ironically, even militates against the 21 condition it is attempting to monitor in that it actually 22 restricts breathing.
23 The aforesaid device has also been provided with a 24 shock-type treatment, such that a mild electric shock is applied to the infant child if breathing does not occur for 26 a predetermined period of time. However, this device also 27 has severe drawbacks in that the shock, itself, is 28 distressing to the infant child user and can cause skin 29 burns to the infant child, not to mention the psychological damage which could be created.
31 There are several infant intercom systems which are 32 commercially available for home use. These intercom 33 systems are generally designed to determine whether a child 34 in another room, or in an environment which is not immediately adjacent to a parent or caretaker, is in a 36 distressed condition, such as crying, etc. However, unless 37 the volume and sensitivity is increased substantially, 38 breathing is not detected. There is also some belief WO 95/05119 PCT/L1S94/09(104 ~1~~~4~
1 presently that electro- magnetic fields produced by these -2 intercom systems can cause brain cancer in infants and 3 others who are in close contact with these systems for .
4 prolonged periods of time. Furthermore, when the volume is ' increased substantially, or if sensitivity is otherwise 6 increased, a hissing noise will result, thereby interfering 7 with a determination of whether or not a breathing pattern 8 is normal. Notwithstanding, after a short time, the 9 breathing pattern becomes background noise and the caretaker or parent is not immediately aware of any lapse 11 in breathing. Even more so, the adult or other caretaker 12 would be required to literally carry a receiver in order to 13 monitor the infant s condition.
The present invention provides an article of wearing apparel for use by a child user and which is capable of detecting cessation of breathing in the child user for a minimum predetermined time period.
6 ~ Field of the Invention.
7 This invention relates in general to certain new and 8 useful improvements in breathing monitor articles of 9 wearing apparel and more particularly, to an article of wearing apparel which is constructed so as to detect and 11 generate an alarm signal when there is a cessation of 12 breathing of the child user for a minimum pre-determined 13 time period.
~ Brief Description of the Prior Art.
16 Detection of breathing patterns of children, and 17 particularly infant children, has proved to be a more 18 difficult task then one would initially envision. There 19 has been a long-felt need for an apparatus and a method to monitor infant child breathing conditions in order to 21 ensure that the child does not lapse into a non-breathing 22 state.
23 The syndrome of sudden infant ~ death ("SIDS' ) , is one 24 which is moderately rare, although not uncommon. In the sudden infant death syndrome, oftentimes for some 26 inexplicable reason, the child stops breathing and since 27 there is usually utter silence, a parent, or other 28 attendant to the child, does not recognize the cessation of 29 breathing until long after the death of the infant child.
The same situation exists when an infant child becomes 31 entangled in clothing, blankets or the like and is unable 32 to extricate himself or herself. Here, again, suffocation '' 33 usually occurs, silently 34 resulting in the death of the infant child.
Conditions of periodic cessation of breathing are not 36 uncommon, particularly during the first few days of life.
37 Furthermore, periodic breathing occurs more frequently 38 during periods of active sleep. There has been a need for ~2G~~4~ 2 1 some apparatus and method to detect improper breathing 2 patterns, particularly when accompanied by reduced heart 3 rate and/or color change. Some of these causes may be due 4 to immature nerve cells, obstructions in the child, chest wall defects or combinations of these causes. In any 6 event, either cessation of breathing or decreased , 7 respiratory activity can result either in death or serious 8 or permanent injury to a child, and particularly an infant 9 child.
The control of breathing (often referred to as il "ventilation") in infants is determined by the sensitivity 12 of various chemical and physical receptors in the human 13 body to gas and pressures in the body. Sensitivity to 14 oxygen and carbon dioxide in newborn children may be reduced if they do not attain a certain level of grown 16 maturity during gestation and in the first year of their 17 life. Thus, in many cases, these newborn children may 18 experience breathing cessation for ten to fifteen seconds, 19 followed by the condition of apnea for five to ten seconds without a change in skin color or heart rate. As a result, 21 it may be difficult to detect breathing cessation in small 22 children.
23 Other causes of apnea in infancy include 24 gastroesophageal reflex, pharyngeal incoordination, convulsion, heart disease, infection, CNS abnormality, 26 accidental smothering and breath-holding spells. In each 27 of these cases, external conditions are not immediately 28 apparent and thus, an attendant or parent of the child may 29 not recognize cessation of breathing.
The only effective breathing monitors for infant 31 children are presently located in hospital environments.
32 For example, in one monitor apparatus, a scope is used with 33 leads placed on the child~s chest and where the scope is 34 connected to an overhead panel. Iri this way, an electrical signal, representative of a breathing pattern, may be 36 displayed. A beeper, or other alarm device, may be 37 connected to the scope for audibly generating a signal 38 of heart rate and/or apnea representing an emergency WO 95/05119 _ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/09004 - 1 condition. If the frequency on the scope is beyond a 2 certain range which would constitute a normal breathing - 3 range, then an alarm will be generated.
" 4 One of the problems with this type of equipment is that this equipment obviously is not portable and can only 6 be used by highly trained personnel. Moreover, it is not 7 adapted for home-use environment and is also exceedingly 8 expensive. As a result, this type of equipment is not 9 effective in detecting conditions of apnea, or to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in other than 11 a hospital or clinical environment.
12 In some cases, where an infant child is recognized as 13 having a high risk of sudden breathing cessation, a device 14 which utilizes sonar waves, is attached to the infant s crib and effectively listens for breath sounds. An elastic 16 sheet coupled with an electrode has been used to monitor 17 breathing activity of a child. Unfortunately, this type of 18 device requires a jacket tightly disposed about the chest-19 wall of the infant child. As a result, it is very uncomfortable and ironically, even militates against the 21 condition it is attempting to monitor in that it actually 22 restricts breathing.
23 The aforesaid device has also been provided with a 24 shock-type treatment, such that a mild electric shock is applied to the infant child if breathing does not occur for 26 a predetermined period of time. However, this device also 27 has severe drawbacks in that the shock, itself, is 28 distressing to the infant child user and can cause skin 29 burns to the infant child, not to mention the psychological damage which could be created.
31 There are several infant intercom systems which are 32 commercially available for home use. These intercom 33 systems are generally designed to determine whether a child 34 in another room, or in an environment which is not immediately adjacent to a parent or caretaker, is in a 36 distressed condition, such as crying, etc. However, unless 37 the volume and sensitivity is increased substantially, 38 breathing is not detected. There is also some belief WO 95/05119 PCT/L1S94/09(104 ~1~~~4~
1 presently that electro- magnetic fields produced by these -2 intercom systems can cause brain cancer in infants and 3 others who are in close contact with these systems for .
4 prolonged periods of time. Furthermore, when the volume is ' increased substantially, or if sensitivity is otherwise 6 increased, a hissing noise will result, thereby interfering 7 with a determination of whether or not a breathing pattern 8 is normal. Notwithstanding, after a short time, the 9 breathing pattern becomes background noise and the caretaker or parent is not immediately aware of any lapse 11 in breathing. Even more so, the adult or other caretaker 12 would be required to literally carry a receiver in order to 13 monitor the infant s condition.
The present invention provides an article of wearing apparel for use by a child user and which is capable of detecting cessation of breathing in the child user for a minimum predetermined time period.
5 The present invention also provides an article of wearing apparel of the type stated which is capable of generating an alarm signal when breathing cessation occurs for a minimum predetermined time period.
The present invention provides a child breathing monitor system which involves the use of an article of wearing apparel and which does not inhibit freedom of movement of the child user, or the attendants of the child users In addition, the present invention provides an article of wearing apparel of the type stated which provides for generation of an alarm upon cessation of breathing for a predetermined time period, and which does not require a confined use in a particular environment such as a hospital or the like.
The present invention also provides an article of wearing apparel capable of detecting breathing cessation of the type stated and which can be constructed at a relatively low cost and which is virtually extremely user friendly in that essentially little or no manual operations are required by an adult in order to enable operation of the article of wearing apparel.
The present invention also provides a method of monitoring the breathing condition of a child user by merely positioning an article of wearing apparel about an child users.
With the above and other features in mind, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction. arrangement and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An article of wearing apparel which has the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a child user for a predetermined minimum time period and which generates an alarm signal if breathing cessation occurs for that minimum tine period.
In this case, the article of wearing apparel is designed for use about the cheat and/or abdomen region of a child, although it is not so limited. Any article which has a portion extending about a portion of the middle or upper torso of the child user can be employed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising: (a) a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an interior pocket and an exterior pocket; (b) a belt associated with said garment to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, said belt extending into said interior pocket and terminating in said interior pocket; (c) a gauge associated with said belt for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in response thereto, and (d) timing means connected to receive the signal from said gauge for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to provide monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and said exterior pocket of said garment holding a monitor that includes said timing means and an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit.
The article of wearing apparel which is capable monitoring breathing conditions is highly effective for use with infant child users, particularly newborns.
However, in many cases, this device can be used with children and adults of many years, and particularly with children and elderly who experience breathing conditions resulting from some physiological disorder. However and while the apparatus and method of the present invention are not so limited they are highly effective in enabling the monitoring of any breathing cessation for a period of time which could result in serious injury if not death, of a child user.
The article of wearing apparel of the present invention comprises a chest-encircling garment to extend around the chest-wall of the child user. A belt is associated with this garment and the belt is not necessarily adapted for use around the waist of the child user. Rather, the belt is adapted for disposition around a portion of the chest-wall of the child user and encircles a portion of that chest-wall.
A gauge means as, for example, a strain gauge is associated with the belt and is capable of detecting chest-wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in connection tberewith, The artic 1 a of wearing apparel comprises a monitor which includes a timing means and an alarm signal generating means. The timing means is connected to receive the signals from the gauge means and determines if there is a minimum time period elapse between chest-wall expansion, that is, a lack of breathing for a period which would exceed a minimum predetermined tine period.
The alarm signal generating means generates an alarm signal if the time period between the chest-wall expansions exceeds this predetermined time limit and thereby enables a monitoring condition.
The article of wearing apparel is more fully characterized in that the chest-encircling garment as, for example, a shirt, extends fully around the upper torso of the child user. Further, the elastic belt should extend fully around, or at least around a substantial portion of the middle or upper torso of the child user.
The shirt or a similar garment, has a pocket on the external surface which holds a monitor and this monitor includes the timing means and the signal generating means, as aforesaid. Further, one end of this belt preferably extends into and terminates into the pocket on the interior of the shirt. The belt, for this purpose, is preferable an elastic belt. In this way, if the strain gauge, or similar gauge means, is mounted on the surface of the belt, the belt will operate as type of amplifier to amplify the actual chest wall expansion and contraction.
The article of wearing apparel is preferably constructed so that the monitor is located close to the armpit of the child user and is essentially located under the armpit of the child user. In this way, it has been found that the monitor is relatively unobtrusive and does not interfere with normal movement of the child user.
The present invention can also be considered to be an assembly of a type which is used for monitoring the condition of apnea in a child user, but which also relies upon the use of an article of wearing apparel and a monitor associated with that article of wearing apparel. The monitor operates in the manner as previously described and the article of wearing apparel may be any article, as also previously described, The monitor used in this assembly is also effective in that it is programmed to cause generation of a warning signal from the assembly if it is not put in a condition of proper use when disposed on the child user. Furthermore, the monitor is designed to generate a signal indicative of proper disposition on a child user when the article has been properly located on a child user. Finally, a warning signal may he g generated if the assembly becomes inoperative while being worn by a child user. In this way, the device of the present invention is quite sate for use.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea in a child user and particularly an infant child user, said assembly comprising: (a) a shirt-like article of wearing apparel for wearing engagement by the child user, said shirt-like article including an exterior pocket and an interior pocket;
(b) an elastic belt connected to said article of wearing apparel, said elastic belt being stretchable in response to a chest wall expansion of the child user during a breathing cycle of the child user, said elastic belt extending into said interior pocket; (c) a strain gauge on said elastic belt and generating an electric signal in response to said chest wall expansion of the child user in a breathing cycle, said strain gauge being disposed in close proximity to said interior pocket; and (d) monitor means connected to said strain gauge for receiving the electrical signal and causing generation of an alarm signal if there is a breathing cessation for a period which could cause injury to the child user, said monitor means being located in said exterior pocket of said shirt-like article.
The present invention also provides an article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an exterior pocket, a sensor for monitoring breathing of the user, and a monitor disposed in said exterior pocket and connected to the sensor, the monitor including timing means connected to receive the signal from said sensor for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to thereby enable monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and an alarm signal generating means for generating an alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit, characterized in that said article further comprises: a belt associated with said garment adapted to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, the belt extending into an interior pocket of said garment and terminating in said interior pocket, said sensor comprising a strain gauge associated with said belt and disposed in said interior pocket of said garment for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction, and sensing the thoracic wall of the user, and generating a signal in response thereto, and said alarm signal generating means being disposed in said exterior pocket of said garment.
The device of the present invention my be fully adjustable to conform to the size of the child user, It may also he made with fashionable detail and appliques, as desired, Further, all of the electronic components are hidden within a pocket in the shirt and therefore, does not detract from the aesthetic quality which may be built into the article of wearing apparel.
The detection system of the invention has a power-on automatic clearing mechanism. It also is provided with a ready-check monitoring operation. A
flash indicator signals a continuous steady state operation so that a user knows that the system is operating properly. The system is effective in counting motion frequency so that an alarm may be triggered if the frequency falls below a certain frequency period.
The monitor of the invention is essentially fail-proof in that excessive pressure on the motion sensor activates a warning indicator. Furthermore, if the belt which 1 S holds the gauge should become loosened, a warning signal is also generated. The device is battery operated, but requires very little current in operation.
Consequently, the batteries have a relatively long life span when used in the device. The device may also include an internal low power switch and prevent monitor setting and operation and thereby alert the caretaker that batteries may need replacement. The device of the present invention may also be provided with other types of fail-safe alert arrangements.
This invention possesses many other advantages and has other features and advantages which will become more clearly apparent from a consideration of the forms in which it may be embodied. The following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrate a practical embodiment of the invention, although it is to be understood that this detailed description and the accompanying drawings are set forth only for purposes of illustrating the general principles of the invention and are not to be taken in a limiting sense.
WO 95/05119 1 1 - ~ ~ 4 '~ PCT/US94/~9004 1 $RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 Having thus described the invention in general terms, 3 reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings 4 (six sheets) in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a shirt 6 constituting an article of wearing apparel constructed in 7 accordance with and embodying the present invention;
The present invention provides a child breathing monitor system which involves the use of an article of wearing apparel and which does not inhibit freedom of movement of the child user, or the attendants of the child users In addition, the present invention provides an article of wearing apparel of the type stated which provides for generation of an alarm upon cessation of breathing for a predetermined time period, and which does not require a confined use in a particular environment such as a hospital or the like.
The present invention also provides an article of wearing apparel capable of detecting breathing cessation of the type stated and which can be constructed at a relatively low cost and which is virtually extremely user friendly in that essentially little or no manual operations are required by an adult in order to enable operation of the article of wearing apparel.
The present invention also provides a method of monitoring the breathing condition of a child user by merely positioning an article of wearing apparel about an child users.
With the above and other features in mind, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction. arrangement and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An article of wearing apparel which has the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a child user for a predetermined minimum time period and which generates an alarm signal if breathing cessation occurs for that minimum tine period.
In this case, the article of wearing apparel is designed for use about the cheat and/or abdomen region of a child, although it is not so limited. Any article which has a portion extending about a portion of the middle or upper torso of the child user can be employed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising: (a) a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an interior pocket and an exterior pocket; (b) a belt associated with said garment to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, said belt extending into said interior pocket and terminating in said interior pocket; (c) a gauge associated with said belt for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in response thereto, and (d) timing means connected to receive the signal from said gauge for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to provide monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and said exterior pocket of said garment holding a monitor that includes said timing means and an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit.
The article of wearing apparel which is capable monitoring breathing conditions is highly effective for use with infant child users, particularly newborns.
However, in many cases, this device can be used with children and adults of many years, and particularly with children and elderly who experience breathing conditions resulting from some physiological disorder. However and while the apparatus and method of the present invention are not so limited they are highly effective in enabling the monitoring of any breathing cessation for a period of time which could result in serious injury if not death, of a child user.
The article of wearing apparel of the present invention comprises a chest-encircling garment to extend around the chest-wall of the child user. A belt is associated with this garment and the belt is not necessarily adapted for use around the waist of the child user. Rather, the belt is adapted for disposition around a portion of the chest-wall of the child user and encircles a portion of that chest-wall.
A gauge means as, for example, a strain gauge is associated with the belt and is capable of detecting chest-wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in connection tberewith, The artic 1 a of wearing apparel comprises a monitor which includes a timing means and an alarm signal generating means. The timing means is connected to receive the signals from the gauge means and determines if there is a minimum time period elapse between chest-wall expansion, that is, a lack of breathing for a period which would exceed a minimum predetermined tine period.
The alarm signal generating means generates an alarm signal if the time period between the chest-wall expansions exceeds this predetermined time limit and thereby enables a monitoring condition.
The article of wearing apparel is more fully characterized in that the chest-encircling garment as, for example, a shirt, extends fully around the upper torso of the child user. Further, the elastic belt should extend fully around, or at least around a substantial portion of the middle or upper torso of the child user.
The shirt or a similar garment, has a pocket on the external surface which holds a monitor and this monitor includes the timing means and the signal generating means, as aforesaid. Further, one end of this belt preferably extends into and terminates into the pocket on the interior of the shirt. The belt, for this purpose, is preferable an elastic belt. In this way, if the strain gauge, or similar gauge means, is mounted on the surface of the belt, the belt will operate as type of amplifier to amplify the actual chest wall expansion and contraction.
The article of wearing apparel is preferably constructed so that the monitor is located close to the armpit of the child user and is essentially located under the armpit of the child user. In this way, it has been found that the monitor is relatively unobtrusive and does not interfere with normal movement of the child user.
The present invention can also be considered to be an assembly of a type which is used for monitoring the condition of apnea in a child user, but which also relies upon the use of an article of wearing apparel and a monitor associated with that article of wearing apparel. The monitor operates in the manner as previously described and the article of wearing apparel may be any article, as also previously described, The monitor used in this assembly is also effective in that it is programmed to cause generation of a warning signal from the assembly if it is not put in a condition of proper use when disposed on the child user. Furthermore, the monitor is designed to generate a signal indicative of proper disposition on a child user when the article has been properly located on a child user. Finally, a warning signal may he g generated if the assembly becomes inoperative while being worn by a child user. In this way, the device of the present invention is quite sate for use.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea in a child user and particularly an infant child user, said assembly comprising: (a) a shirt-like article of wearing apparel for wearing engagement by the child user, said shirt-like article including an exterior pocket and an interior pocket;
(b) an elastic belt connected to said article of wearing apparel, said elastic belt being stretchable in response to a chest wall expansion of the child user during a breathing cycle of the child user, said elastic belt extending into said interior pocket; (c) a strain gauge on said elastic belt and generating an electric signal in response to said chest wall expansion of the child user in a breathing cycle, said strain gauge being disposed in close proximity to said interior pocket; and (d) monitor means connected to said strain gauge for receiving the electrical signal and causing generation of an alarm signal if there is a breathing cessation for a period which could cause injury to the child user, said monitor means being located in said exterior pocket of said shirt-like article.
The present invention also provides an article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an exterior pocket, a sensor for monitoring breathing of the user, and a monitor disposed in said exterior pocket and connected to the sensor, the monitor including timing means connected to receive the signal from said sensor for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to thereby enable monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and an alarm signal generating means for generating an alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit, characterized in that said article further comprises: a belt associated with said garment adapted to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, the belt extending into an interior pocket of said garment and terminating in said interior pocket, said sensor comprising a strain gauge associated with said belt and disposed in said interior pocket of said garment for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction, and sensing the thoracic wall of the user, and generating a signal in response thereto, and said alarm signal generating means being disposed in said exterior pocket of said garment.
The device of the present invention my be fully adjustable to conform to the size of the child user, It may also he made with fashionable detail and appliques, as desired, Further, all of the electronic components are hidden within a pocket in the shirt and therefore, does not detract from the aesthetic quality which may be built into the article of wearing apparel.
The detection system of the invention has a power-on automatic clearing mechanism. It also is provided with a ready-check monitoring operation. A
flash indicator signals a continuous steady state operation so that a user knows that the system is operating properly. The system is effective in counting motion frequency so that an alarm may be triggered if the frequency falls below a certain frequency period.
The monitor of the invention is essentially fail-proof in that excessive pressure on the motion sensor activates a warning indicator. Furthermore, if the belt which 1 S holds the gauge should become loosened, a warning signal is also generated. The device is battery operated, but requires very little current in operation.
Consequently, the batteries have a relatively long life span when used in the device. The device may also include an internal low power switch and prevent monitor setting and operation and thereby alert the caretaker that batteries may need replacement. The device of the present invention may also be provided with other types of fail-safe alert arrangements.
This invention possesses many other advantages and has other features and advantages which will become more clearly apparent from a consideration of the forms in which it may be embodied. The following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrate a practical embodiment of the invention, although it is to be understood that this detailed description and the accompanying drawings are set forth only for purposes of illustrating the general principles of the invention and are not to be taken in a limiting sense.
WO 95/05119 1 1 - ~ ~ 4 '~ PCT/US94/~9004 1 $RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
2 Having thus described the invention in general terms, 3 reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings 4 (six sheets) in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a shirt 6 constituting an article of wearing apparel constructed in 7 accordance with and embodying the present invention;
8 Figure 2 is an elevational view showing a portion of 9 a slightly modified form of shirt compared to that of Figure 1;
11 Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 12 3-3 of Figure 1;
13 Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along 14 line 4-4 of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an interior view of the shirt of Figure 1 16 showing a portion of an inner pocket folded back to 17 disclose a snap construction used in the device;
18 Figure 6 is a plan view of components in the monitor 19 used with the article of wearing apparel of the present invention;
21 Figure 7 is somewhat of a schematic plan view showing 22 the arrangement of the components forming part of the 23 monitor and a connection to components on the article of 24 wearing apparel.
Figure 8 is an exploded portion of the belt used with 26 the article of wearing apparel;
27 Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of 28 the sensor used on the belt of Figure 8;
29 Figure 10 is schematic view showing the major components and a system diagram forming part of the 31 electrical circuity of the present invention; and 32 Figure 11 is a more detailed circuit schematic view of 33 the circuit forming part of the system of the present 34 invention.
PCTIUS94/090(14 WO 95/05119 ,~ 2 1 ~FTp,ILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 Referring now in more detail and by reference 3 characters to the drawings which illustrate a preferred 4 embodiment of the invention, A designates an article of , wearing apparel in the form of a shirt 18 adapted to be 6 worn about the upper and.or middle torso of a child user, , 7 and particularly an infant child user. In this case, the 8 shirt comprises a torso-encircling portion 20 terminating 9 in an inner flap 22 and an overlying outer flap 24. The torso-covering portion 20 is provided with an upper neck 11 receiving region 26 and terminates in a pair of sleeve 12 sections 28, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2.
13 The shirt-like article A may be in the form of a 14 typical undershirt, as shown in Figure 1. However, it should be understood that this article A can be constructed 16 in a form of a decorative outer shirt arrangement, as shown 17 in Figure 2, such that it will operate as a monitor and 18 also function as an outer wearing garment. Thus, and in 19 this respect, like reference numerals, as used in Figure 2, designate similar components in the shirt-like article of 21 Figure 1. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the 22 illustration of the shirt-like article in Figure 2 is only 23 representative of a large number of garments which could be 24 used in the present invention.
The shirt-like article A is also provided with a 26 plurality of snap fasteners 30 for securing the overlying 27 outer flap 24 to the inner flap 22, as shown in Figure 1.
28 However, other forms of releasible fasteners could be 29 provided, although the fasteners must be connected to and cooperate with the monitor as hereinafter described in more 31 detail.
32 The shirt 18 is formed of a fabric layer 34. Located 33 on the interior portion of the fabric layer 34 is an inner 34 pocket forming closure panel 35, thereby forming an interior pocket 36, as shwon in Figures 5. Located on the 36 exterior of the shirt A~is a monitor-receiving pocket 37 37 formed by an outer pocket-receiving lining 38 and a closure 38 flap 39. Disposed within the monitor-receiving pocket 37 WO 95/051;(9 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/09(104 1 is a breathing condition monitor 40 which constitutes one 2 of integral portions of the system of the present 3 invention. This monitor 40 is hereinafter described in 4 more detail. The monitor-receiving pocket 37 and the breathing condition monitor 40 is essentially located in a 6 position where it would be close to or under the armpit of 7 the child user. It has been found in connection with the 8 present invention that in this position, the breathing 9 condition monitor 40 presents the least obtrusive appearance and is also the most comfortable position of 11 disposition on the child user.
12 It is also possible to provide an additional exterior 13 pocket for containing components other than the monitor 14 40. In this case, a pair of pockets is formed on the shirt itself with the inner pocket effectively being in 16 communication with the exterior pocket. Both the exterior 17 pocket 37 and the interior pocket 36 is of substantially 18 similar construction.
19 An elastic belt 41 which forms part of the article of wearing apparel is also adapted to extend around an 21 exterior portion of the shirt 18 in the manner as best 22 illustrated in both Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The 23 elastic belt 41 may be conventionally formed of any elastic 24 material, that is, one capable of stretching and contracting. The elastic belt 41 has an end 42 for manual 26 grasping in order to release and tighten the elastic belt 27 41. Further, the elastic belt 41 may be provided with 28 fiber-fastening attachment strips, such as the "Velcro 29 strips" 44 on its underside in order to enable releasible attachment. The actual operation of the Velcro, or other 31 fiber-fastening attachment strips, is not illustrated in 32 any detail herein, inasmuch as this is essentially of ' 33 conventional construction.
34 Mounted on the elastic belt 41 is a sensor assembly 46, as best illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. By 36 further reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it 37 can be observed that the elastic belt 41 is worn in 38 a position where it is located essentially immediately 1 beneath the monitor-receiving pocket 37, or at least in the 2 vicinity of the monitor-receiving pocket 37. In either 3 case, the elastic belt 41 is preferably located in the 4 middle or upper torso portion of the child user. In this , way, breathing expansion and contraction of a chest of the 6 child user during a breathing cycle will cause an optimum , 7 concomitant expansion and retraction of the elastic belt 8 41. In this way, the elastic belt 41 serves as a type of 9 mechanical force amplifier for the sensor assembly 46.
l0 In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sensor il assembly 46 is comprised of a fabric or leather pad 47 with 12 one or more strain gauge sensors 48 mounted thereon, as 13 also best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings.
14 Further, any type of~sensor which is capable of detecting expansion and contraction of chest movement may be employed 16 for this purpose. The details of mounting the pad 47 are 17 hereinafter described in more detail.
18 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 19 terminal end 42 of the elastic belt can be machine stitched to the shirt itself. In like manner, the shirt may be 21 provided with additional snap 54, as shown in Figure 5.
22 These additional snap fasteners 54 could, if desired, be 23 located within the monitor-receiving pocket 37. Located 24 behind the monitor-receiving pocket 37, or within the inner pocket is a snap conductor bus 82 (Figure 7) which allows 26 current flow to a sensor and monitor arrangement, when 27 snapped or mated with a like fastener. This snap connector 28 bus 82 is more fully hereinafter described in more detail.
29 In any event, when both panels of the shirt are snapped together, and particularly when the elastic belt 41 and 31 monitor 40 is in the electrical circuit, an electrical 32 connection will be created to the breathing condition 33 monitor 40 in accordance with the circuit arrangement, also ' 34 as hereinafter described in more detail. In like manner, the snap fasteners 30, on the overlying flap 24 are 36 similarly connected to the electrical circuitry forming 37 part of the article of wearing apparel A. By reference to 38 Figure 2, it can be seen that the snap fasteners 30 can be PCT/US94/(19004 _ 1 connected to the similar snap fasteners 54.
2 The mechanism for fixing the pad 47, containing the _ 3 strain gauge sensors 48, to the belt 41 is more fully 4 illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. The pad 47 itself is provided with a pair of openings 50, as best illustrated 6 in Figures 7 and 9 of the drawings. This pad 47 overlies 7 the material forming the belt 41, as also illustrated in 8 Figure 9. The openings 50 are used for securing the pad 9 47, containing the strain gauges 48, to the belt 41 by means of lines of stitching, as illustrated in Figure 9.
11 In this case, it can be observed that most of the lines of 12 stitching 64 are generally perpendicular to a horizontal 13 center line passing through the openings 50 and 14 particularly with respect to an edge of the openings 50.
These lines of stitching 64 are effective to permit a 16 required limited degree of movement of the pad as the belt 17 41 is stretched. The remaining lines of stitching 65 are 18 somewhat angularly located with respect to the 19 circumference of the opening 50, as also illustrated. This provides a degree of rigidity against complete stretching 21 and also enables the requisite amount of stretching of the 22 pad, if required with the belt. In this way, there is no 23 interference with amplification of the signals to the 24 strain gauges.
Some of the components forming part of the breathing 26 condition monitor 40 are more fully illustrated, at least 27 in schematic form, in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. In 28 this case, and referring to Figure 7, it can be seen that 29 the breathing condition monitor 40 comprises an outer 3o housing 60 which includes the electronic components forming 31 part of this breathing condition monitor 40'. In particular 32 the breathing condition monitor 40 is operated by a pair of 33 batteries 62, such as conventional disc-type batteries.
34 The breathing condition monitor 40 is also provided with a socket at one end which is adapted for connection to 36 a mating socket connected to the sensor assembly 46, as 37 also best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings.
38 In this way, signals which are generated at the strain gauges 48 will be transmitted to the breathing condition monitor 40 through the bus 82. These signals are amplified by an A6 amplifier 68 . The amplified signals from the A6 amplifier 68 are then introduced into a timing circuit which may be a conventional rudimentary type of timer for merely determining whether or not expansion and contraction signals, resulting from chest expansion and contraction, occurred within a predetermined tine interval. If the signals generated by the strain gauge 48 did occur within that predetermined time interval, then a condition of normal breathing would be indicated. However, if the signals from the strain gauge 48 did not occur within the predetermined time interval, that would be an indication of an abnormal breathing pattern.
The timing circuit 70 may also include a comparator circuit 72, or may otherwise operate in conjunction with a comparator circut 72, so as to enable comparison of strain gauge signals with timing signals.
In accordance with the above construction, a fairly simple and expensive detection circuit can be employed. If the signals generated at the strain gauge 48 did not occur within a predetermined time period, as established by the timing signals, then an alarm can be generated, as hereinafter described. Any conventional form of the timing circuit 70 may be used for this puzpose, as for example, a crystal oscillator or the like.
In a more preferred embodiment, the timing circuit 70 and the comparator circuit 72 form part of a microprocessor 73. Otherwise, the timing circuit 70 can actually be replaced by integrated circuit processor which would operate with a separate comparator 72 as in a more preferred embodiment of the invention. The integrated circuit microprocessor 73 could be capable of performing not only the timing functions and the comparison function, but to also initiate other signals, as hereinafter described. Thus, and in this respect, the microprocessor 73 would then constitute a so-called "smart" processor.
By reference to both Figures 6 and 10, it can be seen WO 95/05119 _ ~ ~ 2 PCTlUS94/09004 . 1 that the breathing condition monitor 40 also comprises a 2 conventional buzzer 74 which is connected to the . 3 microprocessor 73 and is energized to generate a warning 4 signal if an abnormal breathing pattern is detected. The breathing condition monitor 40 also comprises one or more 6 light-emitting diodes 75 to indicate operation of the 7 apparatus. In this case, a plurality of light-emitting 8 diodes 75 could be employed, so as to indicate the state of 9 the apparatus and any type of condition which might arise.
In addition, the breathing condition monitor 40 also 11 comprises a monitor switch 76 which can operate as a type 12 of reset switch. In this way, the user of the apparatus 13 can turn the breathing condition monitor 40 at will by use 14 of the monitor switch 76. In connection with the present invention, it is not necessary to use a manually "on/off'°
16 operable monitor switch. For this purpose, the processor 17 73 could be programmed so as to operate upon connection of 18 the various snap fasteners, as for example, the snap 19 fasteners 30 in mating engagement with the corresponding snap fasteners 54.
21 Figure 6 illustrates a schematic type of arrangement 22 of the various components in the breathing condition 23 monitor 40. In this case, it can be observed that the snap 24 or Velcro fasteners 30 are connected to the breathing condition monitor 40, as shown. Furthermore, the breathing 26 condition monitor 40 may be provided with various connector 27 pins 80, as shown in Figure 6, for electrical connection to 28 various other snap fasteners and the like. Also referring 29 to Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that the various snap or 3o Velcro fasteners 30 are connected to the breathing 31 condition monitor 40 by means of the strap-type conductors 32 82 which may be mounted within or on the actual fabric ' 33 material forming part of the shirt 18 or other article of 34 wearing apparel.
' 35 The breathing condition monitor itself may be provided 36 with attachment strips which are releasibly attached to the 37 garment itself. For this purpose, fiber-fastening strips 38 of the type offered under the mark Velcro may be employed.
Further, snaps may also be employed for securing the breathing condition monitor to the garment itself. Figure 6 shows the use of a pair of snaps 81 which may be on the monitor itself and cooperate with similar snaps 83 on the shirt. In like manner, Velcro straps 200 may also be employed for this purpose.
Figure 10 illustrates in electrical schematic form the overall arrangement of the various components forming part of the breathing condition monitor 40. In this case, Figure 10 illustrates a sensor network 84 which actually comprises the sensory mechanism assembly 46. The sensory network 84 may also comprise other sensors which may form part of the apparatus, as for example, temperature sensors or the like.
In the embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10, the sensor network 84 receives the positive and negative power inputs 85 and 86 from a battery source of power.
In like manner, the sensor network 84 also receives positive and negative strain gauge signals 87 and 88, respectively. The signals from the sensor network 84 are amplified by the operational amplifier 68, as previously described, and then introduced into the microprocessor 73. In this case, the microprocessor 73 comprises the individual comparator 72 and an individual timing network 70, as previously described.
The outputs from this circuit include the monitor switch 76, the light emitting diodes 75 and the buzzer 74.
Figures 11 of the drawings, illustrates in more detail some of the electronic components which form part of the actual circuit arrangement of Figure 10. As indicated previously, the sensor, comprising at least the network sensor assembly 46 actually receives signals from the strain gauge sensors 48 in sensory-receiving contact with the thoracic wall of the child user and transmits these signals to the operational amplifier 68. The operational amplifier 68 thereupon amplifies the sensed signals and switches the microprocessor 73, sometimes referred to as the central processing unit and which is actually comprised of several of the components in Figure 11.
This begins ., - 1 signal processing by activating an A-latch 90 and a B-latch 2 92, as well as an arithmetic multiplexes 98.
- 3 The central processing unit includes several of the 4 components and may include essentially all of the components of Figure 11, with the exception of the 6 operational amplifier 68 and the sensor network 84, the 7 indicator lights, e.g. the light-emitting diodes 75, and 8 the buzzer 74, as hereinafter described. In particular, 9 the microprocessor will include a register 96 such as a ~
shift register and which has outputs directed to the A-11 latch 90 and the B-latch 92. The microprocessor 73 may also 12 be considered to constitute or otherwise include a 13 computer.
14 The A-latch 90 receives information from the shift register 96, seguentially, and passes this information to 16 the arithmetic multiplexes 98, on command from a main clock 17 generator, or clocking circuit 100. The B-latch 92 also 18 receives information from the shift register 96, and 19 sequentially passes this information to a memory address register 102 on a proper-time basis, in accordance with a 21 signal from the clock generator 100.
22 The clock generator 100 may be any conventional form 23 of clocking circuit, as, for example, a crystal oscillator-24 type clock circuit. In this respect, relatively simple components may be used since precise time control in the 26 operation of the various components is not critical.
27 By further reference to Figure 11, it can be seen that 28 the arithmetic multiplexes 98 has a pair of data input and 29 one data output. In operation, an N-bit control. selects one of the inputs from the A-latch 90 or from a main buffer 31 register 104 and transmits this input to one limb, such as 32 the left-hand limb, of an arithmetic logic unit 106. The 33 arithmetic logic unit 106 receives information from the B-34 Latch 92, as shown, .at its right leg ,and from a microinstruction register 108 and particularly,' an 36 arithmetic logic field 110 of the microinstruction register 37 108. This, in effect, determines the function of the 38 arithmetic logic unit 106 which is to be performed, such as WO 95/05119 ~ 2 o PCTIUS94/09004 1 addition, multiplication, etc. The arithmetic logic unit 2 106 also has two control inputs which can set the 3 arithmetic logic unit 106 to a positive or a negative state 4 and an input from the microinstruction register 108 which sets the arithmetic logic unit 106 to a zero state.
6 A shifter 112, Which is effectively a 16-bit 7 arithmetic circuit, receives parallel data from the 8 arithmetic logic unit 106 on an input line 113 and which 9 actually constitutes a plurality of individual input lines 113. The shifter 112 will effectively shift one data bit 11 to the right or left, depending upon the signal frog an SH
12 field of the microinstruction register 108. Then the data 13 therefrom is transmitted to and stored in the memory buffer 14 register 104.
The~xnemory address register 102 drives the addresses 16 from the B-latch 92 to the comparator 72 for analysis. The 17 memory buffer register 104 drives the data received from 18 the shifter 112 to the comparator 72 and to the arithmetic 19 multiplexer 98.
The circuit includes a C-latch 117 which switches on 21 the appropriate indicator when information from the 22 thoracic wall of the child user and the breathing condition 23 monitoring system 40 is interrupted. In other words, when 24 information at the processing unit'(hereinafter described) does not compare with incoming data, the C-latch 117 is 26 initiated.
27 The circuit further comprises a D-latch 118 which is, 28 in effect, a combination circuit that receives information 29 from the RD and WR fields of the microinstruction register 108, as shown, in order stabilize the operational amplifier 31 68.
32 The shift register 96 is a logic circuit which 33 functions as a type of storage unit, as aforesaid. This ' 34 shift register 96 will enable the recording of a 16-bit word from any of the appropriate decoders, including an A- ' 36 decoder 120, a B-decoder 122, and a C-decoder 124 at the 37 appropriate time, based on signals from the sensor network 38 84. At the appropriate subcycle, the shift register 96 1 will thereupon be clocked to transmit information to the 2 memory address register 102 through the B-latch 92.
3 Turning again to the main clock circuit 100, this 4 clocking circuit 100 actually functions as a type of computer system drive. The clocking circuit 100 emits 6 periodic sequences of pulses which define the cycles of 7 operation. During each cycle, execution of an instruction 8 from the microinstruction register 108 can occur. The 9 clocking circuit 100 has four outputs, and one of which is a primary output and the other three which are derived from 11 the primary output.
12 There are several timing subcycles in the operation of 13 the breathing condition monitor 40. In the first subcycle, 14 that is, subcycle 1, information is loaded into the microinstruction register 108 to be executed. In the 16 second subcycle, informtaion stored in register 96 is gated 17 onto the A-latch 90 and the B-latch 92. In the third 18 subcycle, inputs to the circuit are stabilized and 19 transmitted to the arithmetic logic unit 106 and the shifter 112 producing a stable output which may also be 21 loaded into the memory address register 102. In the fourth 22 subcycle, the output of the shifter 112 is stabilized and 23 loaded into the main buffer register 104.
24 The circuit may include sequential control logic, if desired, having outputs which determine the operation of 26 the microinstruction register 108. This logic may actually 27 form part of and be included within the microinstruction 28 register 108. During the fourth subcycle, as previously 29 described, the arithmetic logic unit 106 output signals are received at the shifter.112. Further, an output from the 31 microinstruction register 108 controls a sequential 32 multiplexer 126 having a primary function to route 33 information and, in this case, to route information to the 34 microprogram controller 130. The latter controller 130 is, in turn, controlled by the ADDR field of the 36 microinstruction register 108. In like manner, the 37 microprocessor control unit 128 causes an information 38 transfer directly to the microinstruction register 108.
WO 95/05119 ~ ~ 2 2 PCT/US94/09004 1 To the extent that the components of Figure 11 are , 2 discrete logic components, the circuit could also include 3 a separate microprocessor, counter 130 designated as "MPC"
4 in Figure 11. The microprocessor counter 130 could, if desired, be incorporated one or more of the other 6 components in Figure 11.
7 The microinstruction~register 108 is effectively a 8 memory and main control register which enables driving of 9 data to control the other components, as heretofore described. The microinstruction register 108 actually 11 includes thirteen fields which correspond to components of 12 the circuit, or various bus lines. Certain of these fields 13 are hereinafter described.
14 The microinstruction register 108 includes an AMUX
field, which outputs information on a data output bus line 16 of the microinstruction register 108 controls the 17 arithmetic multiplexer 98. A condition field (COND) 18 constitutes a data output of the microinstruction register 19 108 which determines whether or not the next microinstruction is derived from the MPC + 1 field or the 21 ADDR field. An arithmetic logic field (ALU ffield) 22 constitutes a data output of the microinstruction register 23 108 which controls the arithmetic logic unit 106. The 24 shift field (SH field) constitutes a data output of the microinstruction register 108 which controls the shifter 26 112. The main address register field (MAR field) is a data 27 output of the microinstruction register 108 which controls 28 the memory address register 102. In like manner, the main 29 buffer register 104 field (MBR field) is a data output of the microinstruction register 108 which controls the main 31 buffer register 104. The microinstruction register 108 32 also includes an RD field which constitutes an output 33 controlling the D-latch 118 and the main buffer register 34 104. A WR field of the microinstruction register 108 also controls the D-latch 118 and the main buffer register 104.
36 An ENA field constitutes a data output of the 37 microinstruction register 108 which controls the A-decoder 38 120. A C-decoder field (C field) constitutes a data output WO 95/05119 2 3 _ ~, ~ ~, PCT/US94/09004 i :..
1 bus line of the microinstruction register 108 which 2 controls the C-decoder 124. A B-decoder (B field) 3 constitutes an output of the microinstruction register 108 4 which controls the B-decoder 122. An A-decoder field (A
field) constitutes a data output of the microinstruction 6 register 108 which controls the A-decoder 120. An ADDR
7 field of the microinstruction register 108 constitutes an 8 output which sends address messages to the arithmetic 9 multiplexes 130.
The microprocessor counter 130 actually operates in 11 conjunction with the microprocessor control unit 128 to 12 literally control the microinstruction register 108 and the 13 particular function, which is to be next executed. An 14 incrementing circuit 132 is also provided for preparing for the loading of the next sequential instruction and 16 transmits such information to the sequential multiplexes 17 126. In effect, the microprocessor control unit 128 may 18 also operate as a type of memory for holding the 19 microinstructions for the central processing unit.
The sequential multiplexes 126 is actually a 21 combination circuit that has dual data inputs received from 22 the increment unit 132 and the microinstruction register 23 108 ADDR field. This increment circuit unit 132 is 24 controlled by the logic circuit which governs the dual input passing through and routes it to the microprocessor 26 control unit 128.
27 The A-decoder 120 effectively constitutes a 28 combination circuit which has input lines and output lines.
29 The input lines carry information from the microinstruction register 108, and particularly the A field and the ENA
31 field of the microinstruction register 108. If the binary 32 number on the input line is 1, then the output line will be 33 1, and all other output lines will be 0.
34 The B-decoder 122 is also a circuit which has n input lines and to 2n output lines. The input lines receive 36 information from the MIRB field. If the binary number on 37 the input is 1, then the corresponding output line will be 38 1 and all other output lines will be 0. The C-decoder 124 WO 95105119 ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ 4'~ 2 4 PCT/LTS94109004 1 is a circuit which also has n input lines and 2n output 2 lines. The input lines receive information from the MIRC
3 field. If the binary number on a particular input line is 4 1, the number on the corresponding output line will be 1, and all other output lines will be 0.
6 As indicated previously, the comparator 72 receives 7 information from the memory address register 102 and the 8 main buffer register 104. This comparator 72 compares bits 9 from these registers and when conditions, such as A equal B, A less than B, or A greater than B, do not compare at 11 the appropriate time, C-latch 117 will operate for 12 initiating the actuation of one of the indicator lights or 13 audible alarm.
14 The circuit also includes a clear switch 140 which operates to reset the clocking circuit, the latches, the 16 registers and the control units to their initial operating 17 state. The buzzer 74 is activated by the C-latch 117 and 18 the lights 74 are also activated by the C-latch 117.
19 The breathing condition monitor article is quite simple and almost fail-proof in providing automatic 21 monitoring of breathing conditions. Essentially all that 22 is required is to effectively dress the child user. The 23 device is quite reliable and operates on a very low 24 frequency basis. Moreover, it is designed so that it is fairly simple to use, thereby requiring minimal parental or 26 adult education to use.
27 The device effectively has a built-in motion detecting 28 sensor. The elastic belt 41 may be fully adjustable and 29 may even be provided with a tension check signal, if desired. Furthermore, the electronic conductors are 31 essentially all flat cable and therefore, capable of being 32 easily hidden in the garment and out of the way of the 33 infant user. Moreover, by simple removal of the breathing 34 condition monitor 40, the entire shirt 18 can be washed and dried.
36 The shirt 18 is constructed so that when the snap 37 fasteners 30 and 54 are initially snapped together, there 38 is an automatic clearing of the components in the monitor.
PCTlUS94/09004 1 Further, there is a ready check monitoring system. An 2 alert condition signal is generated until a tension signal, 3 representing the connection of the elastic belt 41 is 4 received at the breathing condition monitor 40. The 5 processor of the monitor thereupon~initiates a system check 6 and will cause the generation of a signal which may be in 7 the form of an audible signal that identifies to the 8 caretaker that the monitor is correctly operating. This 9 signal may be made by the sound generator, or any of the l0 light-emitting diodes.
11 The monitoring system operates on a continuous steady-12 state basis. It is effective for decoding infant motion 13 activity. In effect, the breathing condition monitor 40 14 counts the motion frequency and is capable of generating a 15 low-motion rate trigger 16 sound generator.
17 As indicated previously, the entire system is 18 essentially fail-proof. If excess pressure should be 19 applied to the sensor assembly 46, the clear switch forming 20 part of the monitor will activate a warning indicator, such 21 as the buzzer or other sound generator 74. In like manner, 22 a loosened belt will also cause activation of the sound 23 generator 74. Further if the battery power is low, 24 operation is precluded. This type of device which 25 precludes actuation on low battery conditions is known in 26 the art.
27 The device is also highly effective in that it is 28 comfortable to a child user, such as an infant. Further, 29 it presents little or no possibility of injury to the child. It is essentially 100% reliable in detecting 31 breathing conditions. If the child should happen to lie on 32 the breathing condition monitor 40, this would not 33 interfere with the operation of the apparatus. The 34 breathing condition monitor 40 is provided with a manually operable clear switch such as the monitor switch 76, and 36 this may be pressed to off-set transient spikes. If 37 respiratory motion should cease for about 15 to 30 seconds, 38 the sound generator 74 will be energized and will remain on WO 95/05119 ~ ~ PCT/US94/09004 1 until the breathing condition monitor 40 is actually reset 2 by the caretaker. Again, if excessive pressure is applied 3 to the breathing condition monitor 40, the sound generator .
4 74 will be activated.
Therefore, it can be seen that the device of the 6 present invention is highly effective and achieves all of 7 the objectives which have been previously described.
8 Thus, there has been illustrated and described a 9 unique and novel breathing monitor article of wearing apparel which is capable of detecting abnormal breathing 11 conditions and sending out an advisory signal in response 12 thereto. The present invention thereby fulfills all of the 13 objects and advantages which have been sought therefor. It 14 should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications will become 16 apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this 17 specification and the accompanying drawings. Therefore, 18 any and all such changes, modifications, variations and 19 other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered 21 by the invention.
11 Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 12 3-3 of Figure 1;
13 Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along 14 line 4-4 of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an interior view of the shirt of Figure 1 16 showing a portion of an inner pocket folded back to 17 disclose a snap construction used in the device;
18 Figure 6 is a plan view of components in the monitor 19 used with the article of wearing apparel of the present invention;
21 Figure 7 is somewhat of a schematic plan view showing 22 the arrangement of the components forming part of the 23 monitor and a connection to components on the article of 24 wearing apparel.
Figure 8 is an exploded portion of the belt used with 26 the article of wearing apparel;
27 Figure 9 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of 28 the sensor used on the belt of Figure 8;
29 Figure 10 is schematic view showing the major components and a system diagram forming part of the 31 electrical circuity of the present invention; and 32 Figure 11 is a more detailed circuit schematic view of 33 the circuit forming part of the system of the present 34 invention.
PCTIUS94/090(14 WO 95/05119 ,~ 2 1 ~FTp,ILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 Referring now in more detail and by reference 3 characters to the drawings which illustrate a preferred 4 embodiment of the invention, A designates an article of , wearing apparel in the form of a shirt 18 adapted to be 6 worn about the upper and.or middle torso of a child user, , 7 and particularly an infant child user. In this case, the 8 shirt comprises a torso-encircling portion 20 terminating 9 in an inner flap 22 and an overlying outer flap 24. The torso-covering portion 20 is provided with an upper neck 11 receiving region 26 and terminates in a pair of sleeve 12 sections 28, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2.
13 The shirt-like article A may be in the form of a 14 typical undershirt, as shown in Figure 1. However, it should be understood that this article A can be constructed 16 in a form of a decorative outer shirt arrangement, as shown 17 in Figure 2, such that it will operate as a monitor and 18 also function as an outer wearing garment. Thus, and in 19 this respect, like reference numerals, as used in Figure 2, designate similar components in the shirt-like article of 21 Figure 1. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the 22 illustration of the shirt-like article in Figure 2 is only 23 representative of a large number of garments which could be 24 used in the present invention.
The shirt-like article A is also provided with a 26 plurality of snap fasteners 30 for securing the overlying 27 outer flap 24 to the inner flap 22, as shown in Figure 1.
28 However, other forms of releasible fasteners could be 29 provided, although the fasteners must be connected to and cooperate with the monitor as hereinafter described in more 31 detail.
32 The shirt 18 is formed of a fabric layer 34. Located 33 on the interior portion of the fabric layer 34 is an inner 34 pocket forming closure panel 35, thereby forming an interior pocket 36, as shwon in Figures 5. Located on the 36 exterior of the shirt A~is a monitor-receiving pocket 37 37 formed by an outer pocket-receiving lining 38 and a closure 38 flap 39. Disposed within the monitor-receiving pocket 37 WO 95/051;(9 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/09(104 1 is a breathing condition monitor 40 which constitutes one 2 of integral portions of the system of the present 3 invention. This monitor 40 is hereinafter described in 4 more detail. The monitor-receiving pocket 37 and the breathing condition monitor 40 is essentially located in a 6 position where it would be close to or under the armpit of 7 the child user. It has been found in connection with the 8 present invention that in this position, the breathing 9 condition monitor 40 presents the least obtrusive appearance and is also the most comfortable position of 11 disposition on the child user.
12 It is also possible to provide an additional exterior 13 pocket for containing components other than the monitor 14 40. In this case, a pair of pockets is formed on the shirt itself with the inner pocket effectively being in 16 communication with the exterior pocket. Both the exterior 17 pocket 37 and the interior pocket 36 is of substantially 18 similar construction.
19 An elastic belt 41 which forms part of the article of wearing apparel is also adapted to extend around an 21 exterior portion of the shirt 18 in the manner as best 22 illustrated in both Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The 23 elastic belt 41 may be conventionally formed of any elastic 24 material, that is, one capable of stretching and contracting. The elastic belt 41 has an end 42 for manual 26 grasping in order to release and tighten the elastic belt 27 41. Further, the elastic belt 41 may be provided with 28 fiber-fastening attachment strips, such as the "Velcro 29 strips" 44 on its underside in order to enable releasible attachment. The actual operation of the Velcro, or other 31 fiber-fastening attachment strips, is not illustrated in 32 any detail herein, inasmuch as this is essentially of ' 33 conventional construction.
34 Mounted on the elastic belt 41 is a sensor assembly 46, as best illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings. By 36 further reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it 37 can be observed that the elastic belt 41 is worn in 38 a position where it is located essentially immediately 1 beneath the monitor-receiving pocket 37, or at least in the 2 vicinity of the monitor-receiving pocket 37. In either 3 case, the elastic belt 41 is preferably located in the 4 middle or upper torso portion of the child user. In this , way, breathing expansion and contraction of a chest of the 6 child user during a breathing cycle will cause an optimum , 7 concomitant expansion and retraction of the elastic belt 8 41. In this way, the elastic belt 41 serves as a type of 9 mechanical force amplifier for the sensor assembly 46.
l0 In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sensor il assembly 46 is comprised of a fabric or leather pad 47 with 12 one or more strain gauge sensors 48 mounted thereon, as 13 also best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings.
14 Further, any type of~sensor which is capable of detecting expansion and contraction of chest movement may be employed 16 for this purpose. The details of mounting the pad 47 are 17 hereinafter described in more detail.
18 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 19 terminal end 42 of the elastic belt can be machine stitched to the shirt itself. In like manner, the shirt may be 21 provided with additional snap 54, as shown in Figure 5.
22 These additional snap fasteners 54 could, if desired, be 23 located within the monitor-receiving pocket 37. Located 24 behind the monitor-receiving pocket 37, or within the inner pocket is a snap conductor bus 82 (Figure 7) which allows 26 current flow to a sensor and monitor arrangement, when 27 snapped or mated with a like fastener. This snap connector 28 bus 82 is more fully hereinafter described in more detail.
29 In any event, when both panels of the shirt are snapped together, and particularly when the elastic belt 41 and 31 monitor 40 is in the electrical circuit, an electrical 32 connection will be created to the breathing condition 33 monitor 40 in accordance with the circuit arrangement, also ' 34 as hereinafter described in more detail. In like manner, the snap fasteners 30, on the overlying flap 24 are 36 similarly connected to the electrical circuitry forming 37 part of the article of wearing apparel A. By reference to 38 Figure 2, it can be seen that the snap fasteners 30 can be PCT/US94/(19004 _ 1 connected to the similar snap fasteners 54.
2 The mechanism for fixing the pad 47, containing the _ 3 strain gauge sensors 48, to the belt 41 is more fully 4 illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. The pad 47 itself is provided with a pair of openings 50, as best illustrated 6 in Figures 7 and 9 of the drawings. This pad 47 overlies 7 the material forming the belt 41, as also illustrated in 8 Figure 9. The openings 50 are used for securing the pad 9 47, containing the strain gauges 48, to the belt 41 by means of lines of stitching, as illustrated in Figure 9.
11 In this case, it can be observed that most of the lines of 12 stitching 64 are generally perpendicular to a horizontal 13 center line passing through the openings 50 and 14 particularly with respect to an edge of the openings 50.
These lines of stitching 64 are effective to permit a 16 required limited degree of movement of the pad as the belt 17 41 is stretched. The remaining lines of stitching 65 are 18 somewhat angularly located with respect to the 19 circumference of the opening 50, as also illustrated. This provides a degree of rigidity against complete stretching 21 and also enables the requisite amount of stretching of the 22 pad, if required with the belt. In this way, there is no 23 interference with amplification of the signals to the 24 strain gauges.
Some of the components forming part of the breathing 26 condition monitor 40 are more fully illustrated, at least 27 in schematic form, in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. In 28 this case, and referring to Figure 7, it can be seen that 29 the breathing condition monitor 40 comprises an outer 3o housing 60 which includes the electronic components forming 31 part of this breathing condition monitor 40'. In particular 32 the breathing condition monitor 40 is operated by a pair of 33 batteries 62, such as conventional disc-type batteries.
34 The breathing condition monitor 40 is also provided with a socket at one end which is adapted for connection to 36 a mating socket connected to the sensor assembly 46, as 37 also best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings.
38 In this way, signals which are generated at the strain gauges 48 will be transmitted to the breathing condition monitor 40 through the bus 82. These signals are amplified by an A6 amplifier 68 . The amplified signals from the A6 amplifier 68 are then introduced into a timing circuit which may be a conventional rudimentary type of timer for merely determining whether or not expansion and contraction signals, resulting from chest expansion and contraction, occurred within a predetermined tine interval. If the signals generated by the strain gauge 48 did occur within that predetermined time interval, then a condition of normal breathing would be indicated. However, if the signals from the strain gauge 48 did not occur within the predetermined time interval, that would be an indication of an abnormal breathing pattern.
The timing circuit 70 may also include a comparator circuit 72, or may otherwise operate in conjunction with a comparator circut 72, so as to enable comparison of strain gauge signals with timing signals.
In accordance with the above construction, a fairly simple and expensive detection circuit can be employed. If the signals generated at the strain gauge 48 did not occur within a predetermined time period, as established by the timing signals, then an alarm can be generated, as hereinafter described. Any conventional form of the timing circuit 70 may be used for this puzpose, as for example, a crystal oscillator or the like.
In a more preferred embodiment, the timing circuit 70 and the comparator circuit 72 form part of a microprocessor 73. Otherwise, the timing circuit 70 can actually be replaced by integrated circuit processor which would operate with a separate comparator 72 as in a more preferred embodiment of the invention. The integrated circuit microprocessor 73 could be capable of performing not only the timing functions and the comparison function, but to also initiate other signals, as hereinafter described. Thus, and in this respect, the microprocessor 73 would then constitute a so-called "smart" processor.
By reference to both Figures 6 and 10, it can be seen WO 95/05119 _ ~ ~ 2 PCTlUS94/09004 . 1 that the breathing condition monitor 40 also comprises a 2 conventional buzzer 74 which is connected to the . 3 microprocessor 73 and is energized to generate a warning 4 signal if an abnormal breathing pattern is detected. The breathing condition monitor 40 also comprises one or more 6 light-emitting diodes 75 to indicate operation of the 7 apparatus. In this case, a plurality of light-emitting 8 diodes 75 could be employed, so as to indicate the state of 9 the apparatus and any type of condition which might arise.
In addition, the breathing condition monitor 40 also 11 comprises a monitor switch 76 which can operate as a type 12 of reset switch. In this way, the user of the apparatus 13 can turn the breathing condition monitor 40 at will by use 14 of the monitor switch 76. In connection with the present invention, it is not necessary to use a manually "on/off'°
16 operable monitor switch. For this purpose, the processor 17 73 could be programmed so as to operate upon connection of 18 the various snap fasteners, as for example, the snap 19 fasteners 30 in mating engagement with the corresponding snap fasteners 54.
21 Figure 6 illustrates a schematic type of arrangement 22 of the various components in the breathing condition 23 monitor 40. In this case, it can be observed that the snap 24 or Velcro fasteners 30 are connected to the breathing condition monitor 40, as shown. Furthermore, the breathing 26 condition monitor 40 may be provided with various connector 27 pins 80, as shown in Figure 6, for electrical connection to 28 various other snap fasteners and the like. Also referring 29 to Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that the various snap or 3o Velcro fasteners 30 are connected to the breathing 31 condition monitor 40 by means of the strap-type conductors 32 82 which may be mounted within or on the actual fabric ' 33 material forming part of the shirt 18 or other article of 34 wearing apparel.
' 35 The breathing condition monitor itself may be provided 36 with attachment strips which are releasibly attached to the 37 garment itself. For this purpose, fiber-fastening strips 38 of the type offered under the mark Velcro may be employed.
Further, snaps may also be employed for securing the breathing condition monitor to the garment itself. Figure 6 shows the use of a pair of snaps 81 which may be on the monitor itself and cooperate with similar snaps 83 on the shirt. In like manner, Velcro straps 200 may also be employed for this purpose.
Figure 10 illustrates in electrical schematic form the overall arrangement of the various components forming part of the breathing condition monitor 40. In this case, Figure 10 illustrates a sensor network 84 which actually comprises the sensory mechanism assembly 46. The sensory network 84 may also comprise other sensors which may form part of the apparatus, as for example, temperature sensors or the like.
In the embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10, the sensor network 84 receives the positive and negative power inputs 85 and 86 from a battery source of power.
In like manner, the sensor network 84 also receives positive and negative strain gauge signals 87 and 88, respectively. The signals from the sensor network 84 are amplified by the operational amplifier 68, as previously described, and then introduced into the microprocessor 73. In this case, the microprocessor 73 comprises the individual comparator 72 and an individual timing network 70, as previously described.
The outputs from this circuit include the monitor switch 76, the light emitting diodes 75 and the buzzer 74.
Figures 11 of the drawings, illustrates in more detail some of the electronic components which form part of the actual circuit arrangement of Figure 10. As indicated previously, the sensor, comprising at least the network sensor assembly 46 actually receives signals from the strain gauge sensors 48 in sensory-receiving contact with the thoracic wall of the child user and transmits these signals to the operational amplifier 68. The operational amplifier 68 thereupon amplifies the sensed signals and switches the microprocessor 73, sometimes referred to as the central processing unit and which is actually comprised of several of the components in Figure 11.
This begins ., - 1 signal processing by activating an A-latch 90 and a B-latch 2 92, as well as an arithmetic multiplexes 98.
- 3 The central processing unit includes several of the 4 components and may include essentially all of the components of Figure 11, with the exception of the 6 operational amplifier 68 and the sensor network 84, the 7 indicator lights, e.g. the light-emitting diodes 75, and 8 the buzzer 74, as hereinafter described. In particular, 9 the microprocessor will include a register 96 such as a ~
shift register and which has outputs directed to the A-11 latch 90 and the B-latch 92. The microprocessor 73 may also 12 be considered to constitute or otherwise include a 13 computer.
14 The A-latch 90 receives information from the shift register 96, seguentially, and passes this information to 16 the arithmetic multiplexes 98, on command from a main clock 17 generator, or clocking circuit 100. The B-latch 92 also 18 receives information from the shift register 96, and 19 sequentially passes this information to a memory address register 102 on a proper-time basis, in accordance with a 21 signal from the clock generator 100.
22 The clock generator 100 may be any conventional form 23 of clocking circuit, as, for example, a crystal oscillator-24 type clock circuit. In this respect, relatively simple components may be used since precise time control in the 26 operation of the various components is not critical.
27 By further reference to Figure 11, it can be seen that 28 the arithmetic multiplexes 98 has a pair of data input and 29 one data output. In operation, an N-bit control. selects one of the inputs from the A-latch 90 or from a main buffer 31 register 104 and transmits this input to one limb, such as 32 the left-hand limb, of an arithmetic logic unit 106. The 33 arithmetic logic unit 106 receives information from the B-34 Latch 92, as shown, .at its right leg ,and from a microinstruction register 108 and particularly,' an 36 arithmetic logic field 110 of the microinstruction register 37 108. This, in effect, determines the function of the 38 arithmetic logic unit 106 which is to be performed, such as WO 95/05119 ~ 2 o PCTIUS94/09004 1 addition, multiplication, etc. The arithmetic logic unit 2 106 also has two control inputs which can set the 3 arithmetic logic unit 106 to a positive or a negative state 4 and an input from the microinstruction register 108 which sets the arithmetic logic unit 106 to a zero state.
6 A shifter 112, Which is effectively a 16-bit 7 arithmetic circuit, receives parallel data from the 8 arithmetic logic unit 106 on an input line 113 and which 9 actually constitutes a plurality of individual input lines 113. The shifter 112 will effectively shift one data bit 11 to the right or left, depending upon the signal frog an SH
12 field of the microinstruction register 108. Then the data 13 therefrom is transmitted to and stored in the memory buffer 14 register 104.
The~xnemory address register 102 drives the addresses 16 from the B-latch 92 to the comparator 72 for analysis. The 17 memory buffer register 104 drives the data received from 18 the shifter 112 to the comparator 72 and to the arithmetic 19 multiplexer 98.
The circuit includes a C-latch 117 which switches on 21 the appropriate indicator when information from the 22 thoracic wall of the child user and the breathing condition 23 monitoring system 40 is interrupted. In other words, when 24 information at the processing unit'(hereinafter described) does not compare with incoming data, the C-latch 117 is 26 initiated.
27 The circuit further comprises a D-latch 118 which is, 28 in effect, a combination circuit that receives information 29 from the RD and WR fields of the microinstruction register 108, as shown, in order stabilize the operational amplifier 31 68.
32 The shift register 96 is a logic circuit which 33 functions as a type of storage unit, as aforesaid. This ' 34 shift register 96 will enable the recording of a 16-bit word from any of the appropriate decoders, including an A- ' 36 decoder 120, a B-decoder 122, and a C-decoder 124 at the 37 appropriate time, based on signals from the sensor network 38 84. At the appropriate subcycle, the shift register 96 1 will thereupon be clocked to transmit information to the 2 memory address register 102 through the B-latch 92.
3 Turning again to the main clock circuit 100, this 4 clocking circuit 100 actually functions as a type of computer system drive. The clocking circuit 100 emits 6 periodic sequences of pulses which define the cycles of 7 operation. During each cycle, execution of an instruction 8 from the microinstruction register 108 can occur. The 9 clocking circuit 100 has four outputs, and one of which is a primary output and the other three which are derived from 11 the primary output.
12 There are several timing subcycles in the operation of 13 the breathing condition monitor 40. In the first subcycle, 14 that is, subcycle 1, information is loaded into the microinstruction register 108 to be executed. In the 16 second subcycle, informtaion stored in register 96 is gated 17 onto the A-latch 90 and the B-latch 92. In the third 18 subcycle, inputs to the circuit are stabilized and 19 transmitted to the arithmetic logic unit 106 and the shifter 112 producing a stable output which may also be 21 loaded into the memory address register 102. In the fourth 22 subcycle, the output of the shifter 112 is stabilized and 23 loaded into the main buffer register 104.
24 The circuit may include sequential control logic, if desired, having outputs which determine the operation of 26 the microinstruction register 108. This logic may actually 27 form part of and be included within the microinstruction 28 register 108. During the fourth subcycle, as previously 29 described, the arithmetic logic unit 106 output signals are received at the shifter.112. Further, an output from the 31 microinstruction register 108 controls a sequential 32 multiplexer 126 having a primary function to route 33 information and, in this case, to route information to the 34 microprogram controller 130. The latter controller 130 is, in turn, controlled by the ADDR field of the 36 microinstruction register 108. In like manner, the 37 microprocessor control unit 128 causes an information 38 transfer directly to the microinstruction register 108.
WO 95/05119 ~ ~ 2 2 PCT/US94/09004 1 To the extent that the components of Figure 11 are , 2 discrete logic components, the circuit could also include 3 a separate microprocessor, counter 130 designated as "MPC"
4 in Figure 11. The microprocessor counter 130 could, if desired, be incorporated one or more of the other 6 components in Figure 11.
7 The microinstruction~register 108 is effectively a 8 memory and main control register which enables driving of 9 data to control the other components, as heretofore described. The microinstruction register 108 actually 11 includes thirteen fields which correspond to components of 12 the circuit, or various bus lines. Certain of these fields 13 are hereinafter described.
14 The microinstruction register 108 includes an AMUX
field, which outputs information on a data output bus line 16 of the microinstruction register 108 controls the 17 arithmetic multiplexer 98. A condition field (COND) 18 constitutes a data output of the microinstruction register 19 108 which determines whether or not the next microinstruction is derived from the MPC + 1 field or the 21 ADDR field. An arithmetic logic field (ALU ffield) 22 constitutes a data output of the microinstruction register 23 108 which controls the arithmetic logic unit 106. The 24 shift field (SH field) constitutes a data output of the microinstruction register 108 which controls the shifter 26 112. The main address register field (MAR field) is a data 27 output of the microinstruction register 108 which controls 28 the memory address register 102. In like manner, the main 29 buffer register 104 field (MBR field) is a data output of the microinstruction register 108 which controls the main 31 buffer register 104. The microinstruction register 108 32 also includes an RD field which constitutes an output 33 controlling the D-latch 118 and the main buffer register 34 104. A WR field of the microinstruction register 108 also controls the D-latch 118 and the main buffer register 104.
36 An ENA field constitutes a data output of the 37 microinstruction register 108 which controls the A-decoder 38 120. A C-decoder field (C field) constitutes a data output WO 95/05119 2 3 _ ~, ~ ~, PCT/US94/09004 i :..
1 bus line of the microinstruction register 108 which 2 controls the C-decoder 124. A B-decoder (B field) 3 constitutes an output of the microinstruction register 108 4 which controls the B-decoder 122. An A-decoder field (A
field) constitutes a data output of the microinstruction 6 register 108 which controls the A-decoder 120. An ADDR
7 field of the microinstruction register 108 constitutes an 8 output which sends address messages to the arithmetic 9 multiplexes 130.
The microprocessor counter 130 actually operates in 11 conjunction with the microprocessor control unit 128 to 12 literally control the microinstruction register 108 and the 13 particular function, which is to be next executed. An 14 incrementing circuit 132 is also provided for preparing for the loading of the next sequential instruction and 16 transmits such information to the sequential multiplexes 17 126. In effect, the microprocessor control unit 128 may 18 also operate as a type of memory for holding the 19 microinstructions for the central processing unit.
The sequential multiplexes 126 is actually a 21 combination circuit that has dual data inputs received from 22 the increment unit 132 and the microinstruction register 23 108 ADDR field. This increment circuit unit 132 is 24 controlled by the logic circuit which governs the dual input passing through and routes it to the microprocessor 26 control unit 128.
27 The A-decoder 120 effectively constitutes a 28 combination circuit which has input lines and output lines.
29 The input lines carry information from the microinstruction register 108, and particularly the A field and the ENA
31 field of the microinstruction register 108. If the binary 32 number on the input line is 1, then the output line will be 33 1, and all other output lines will be 0.
34 The B-decoder 122 is also a circuit which has n input lines and to 2n output lines. The input lines receive 36 information from the MIRB field. If the binary number on 37 the input is 1, then the corresponding output line will be 38 1 and all other output lines will be 0. The C-decoder 124 WO 95105119 ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ 4'~ 2 4 PCT/LTS94109004 1 is a circuit which also has n input lines and 2n output 2 lines. The input lines receive information from the MIRC
3 field. If the binary number on a particular input line is 4 1, the number on the corresponding output line will be 1, and all other output lines will be 0.
6 As indicated previously, the comparator 72 receives 7 information from the memory address register 102 and the 8 main buffer register 104. This comparator 72 compares bits 9 from these registers and when conditions, such as A equal B, A less than B, or A greater than B, do not compare at 11 the appropriate time, C-latch 117 will operate for 12 initiating the actuation of one of the indicator lights or 13 audible alarm.
14 The circuit also includes a clear switch 140 which operates to reset the clocking circuit, the latches, the 16 registers and the control units to their initial operating 17 state. The buzzer 74 is activated by the C-latch 117 and 18 the lights 74 are also activated by the C-latch 117.
19 The breathing condition monitor article is quite simple and almost fail-proof in providing automatic 21 monitoring of breathing conditions. Essentially all that 22 is required is to effectively dress the child user. The 23 device is quite reliable and operates on a very low 24 frequency basis. Moreover, it is designed so that it is fairly simple to use, thereby requiring minimal parental or 26 adult education to use.
27 The device effectively has a built-in motion detecting 28 sensor. The elastic belt 41 may be fully adjustable and 29 may even be provided with a tension check signal, if desired. Furthermore, the electronic conductors are 31 essentially all flat cable and therefore, capable of being 32 easily hidden in the garment and out of the way of the 33 infant user. Moreover, by simple removal of the breathing 34 condition monitor 40, the entire shirt 18 can be washed and dried.
36 The shirt 18 is constructed so that when the snap 37 fasteners 30 and 54 are initially snapped together, there 38 is an automatic clearing of the components in the monitor.
PCTlUS94/09004 1 Further, there is a ready check monitoring system. An 2 alert condition signal is generated until a tension signal, 3 representing the connection of the elastic belt 41 is 4 received at the breathing condition monitor 40. The 5 processor of the monitor thereupon~initiates a system check 6 and will cause the generation of a signal which may be in 7 the form of an audible signal that identifies to the 8 caretaker that the monitor is correctly operating. This 9 signal may be made by the sound generator, or any of the l0 light-emitting diodes.
11 The monitoring system operates on a continuous steady-12 state basis. It is effective for decoding infant motion 13 activity. In effect, the breathing condition monitor 40 14 counts the motion frequency and is capable of generating a 15 low-motion rate trigger 16 sound generator.
17 As indicated previously, the entire system is 18 essentially fail-proof. If excess pressure should be 19 applied to the sensor assembly 46, the clear switch forming 20 part of the monitor will activate a warning indicator, such 21 as the buzzer or other sound generator 74. In like manner, 22 a loosened belt will also cause activation of the sound 23 generator 74. Further if the battery power is low, 24 operation is precluded. This type of device which 25 precludes actuation on low battery conditions is known in 26 the art.
27 The device is also highly effective in that it is 28 comfortable to a child user, such as an infant. Further, 29 it presents little or no possibility of injury to the child. It is essentially 100% reliable in detecting 31 breathing conditions. If the child should happen to lie on 32 the breathing condition monitor 40, this would not 33 interfere with the operation of the apparatus. The 34 breathing condition monitor 40 is provided with a manually operable clear switch such as the monitor switch 76, and 36 this may be pressed to off-set transient spikes. If 37 respiratory motion should cease for about 15 to 30 seconds, 38 the sound generator 74 will be energized and will remain on WO 95/05119 ~ ~ PCT/US94/09004 1 until the breathing condition monitor 40 is actually reset 2 by the caretaker. Again, if excessive pressure is applied 3 to the breathing condition monitor 40, the sound generator .
4 74 will be activated.
Therefore, it can be seen that the device of the 6 present invention is highly effective and achieves all of 7 the objectives which have been previously described.
8 Thus, there has been illustrated and described a 9 unique and novel breathing monitor article of wearing apparel which is capable of detecting abnormal breathing 11 conditions and sending out an advisory signal in response 12 thereto. The present invention thereby fulfills all of the 13 objects and advantages which have been sought therefor. It 14 should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications will become 16 apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this 17 specification and the accompanying drawings. Therefore, 18 any and all such changes, modifications, variations and 19 other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered 21 by the invention.
Claims (24)
1. An article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising:
(a) a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an interior pocket and an exterior pocket;
(b) a belt associated with said garment to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, said belt extending into said interior pocket and terminating in said interior pocket;
(c) a gauge associated with said belt for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in response thereto, and (d) timing means connected to receive the signal from said gauge for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to provide monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and said exterior pocket of said garment holding a monitor that includes said timing means and an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit.
(a) a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an interior pocket and an exterior pocket;
(b) a belt associated with said garment to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, said belt extending into said interior pocket and terminating in said interior pocket;
(c) a gauge associated with said belt for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in response thereto, and (d) timing means connected to receive the signal from said gauge for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to provide monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and said exterior pocket of said garment holding a monitor that includes said timing means and an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit.
2. The article of wearing apparel of claim 1 wherein the chest encircling garment is extendable fully around the middle or upper torso of the user and the belt is elastic and extendable fully around the middle or upper torso of the user.
3. The article of wearing apparel of claim 1, wherein said belt is an elastic belt and said gauge is mounted on said elastic belt and is located in a region of said interior pocket.
4. The article of wearing apparel of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said monitor is locatable on the garment near the user's armpit.
5. The article of wearing apparel of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said gauge is a strain gauge.
6. The article of wearing apparel of claim 1, wherein said belt is an elastic belt
7. The article of wearing apparel of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said chest encircling garment comprises fastening means for securing the article about the chest of the user and said fastening means is connected to said monitor to generate an audible signal that the article is in condition for operation when the fastening means is fastened.
8. An assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea in a child user and particularly an infant child user, said assembly comprising:
(a) a shirt-like article of wearing apparel for wearing engagement by the child user, said shirt-like article including an exterior pocket and an interior pocket;
(b) an elastic belt connected to said article of wearing apparel, said elastic belt being stretchable in response to a chest wall expansion of the child user during a breathing cycle of the child user, said elastic belt extending into said interior pocket;
(c) a strain gauge on said elastic belt and generating an electric signal in response to said chest wall expansion of the child user in a breathing cycle, said strain gauge being disposed in close proximity to said interior pocket; and (d) monitor means connected to said strain gauge for receiving the electrical signal and causing generation of an alarm signal if there is a breathing cessation for a period which could cause injury to the child user, said monitor means being located in said exterior pocket of said shirt-like article.
(a) a shirt-like article of wearing apparel for wearing engagement by the child user, said shirt-like article including an exterior pocket and an interior pocket;
(b) an elastic belt connected to said article of wearing apparel, said elastic belt being stretchable in response to a chest wall expansion of the child user during a breathing cycle of the child user, said elastic belt extending into said interior pocket;
(c) a strain gauge on said elastic belt and generating an electric signal in response to said chest wall expansion of the child user in a breathing cycle, said strain gauge being disposed in close proximity to said interior pocket; and (d) monitor means connected to said strain gauge for receiving the electrical signal and causing generation of an alarm signal if there is a breathing cessation for a period which could cause injury to the child user, said monitor means being located in said exterior pocket of said shirt-like article.
9. The assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea of claim 8 wherein said monitor means comprises a timing means for determining the occurrence of breathing cycles in a predetermined time period.
10. The assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea of claim 9, wherein an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal is located in said monitor means and is connected to said timing means and causes generation of the alarm signal.
11. The assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea of claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein said monitor means causes generation of a warning signal if the assembly is not in a proper condition of use when the article of wearing apparel is first disposed on the child user.
12. The assembly for monitoring conditions of apnea of claim 11 wherein said monitor means generates said warning signal if the assembly should become inoperative while being worn by the child user.
13. An article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising:
(a) a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having a pocket and fastening means for securing the article about the chest of the user, said fastening means being connectable to a monitor to generate an audible signal that the article is in condition for operation when the fastening means is fastened;
(b) a belt associated with said garment to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user;
(c) a gauge associated with said belt for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in response thereto; and (d) timing means connected to receive the signal from said gauge for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to thereby enable monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and said pocket of said garment holding said monitor that includes said timing means and an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit.
(a) a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having a pocket and fastening means for securing the article about the chest of the user, said fastening means being connectable to a monitor to generate an audible signal that the article is in condition for operation when the fastening means is fastened;
(b) a belt associated with said garment to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user;
(c) a gauge associated with said belt for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction and generating a signal in response thereto; and (d) timing means connected to receive the signal from said gauge for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to thereby enable monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and said pocket of said garment holding said monitor that includes said timing means and an alarm signal generating means for generating the alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit.
14. The article of wearing apparel of claim 13, wherein the chest encircling garment is extendable fully around the middle or upper torso of the user and the belt is elastic and extendable fully around the middle or upper torso of the user.
15. The article of wearing apparel of claim 13 or 14, wherein the pocket is an interior pocket and said belt extends into said pocket and terminates in said pocket.
16. The article of wearing apparel of claim 15, wherein said belt is an elastic belt and said gauge is mounted on said elastic belt and is located in a region of said interior pocket.
17. The article of wearing apparel of claim 15, wherein said belt is an elastic belt.
18. The article of wearing apparel of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein said monitor is locatable on the garment near the user's armpit.
19. The article of wearing apparel of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein said gauge is a strain gauge.
20. An article of wearing apparel having the capability of detecting cessation of breathing in a user for a predetermined minimum period of time and generating an alarm signal, said article comprising a chest encircling garment extendable around the chest wall of the user, said garment having an exterior pocket, a sensor for monitoring breathing of the user, and a monitor disposed in said exterior pocket and connected to the sensor, the monitor including timing means connected to receive the signal from said sensor for determining if a time period between chest wall expansions exceeds a predetermined time limit to thereby enable monitoring of the breathing condition of the user, and an alarm signal generating means for generating an alarm signal when said time period between chest wall expansions exceeds said predetermined time limit, characterized in that said article further comprises:
a belt associated with said garment adapted to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, the belt extending into an interior pocket of said garment and terminating in said interior pocket, said sensor comprising a strain gauge associated with said belt and disposed in said interior pocket of said garment for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction, and sensing the thoracic wall of the user, and generating a signal in response thereto, and said alarm signal generating means being disposed in said exterior pocket of said garment.
a belt associated with said garment adapted to encircle a portion of the chest wall of the user, the belt extending into an interior pocket of said garment and terminating in said interior pocket, said sensor comprising a strain gauge associated with said belt and disposed in said interior pocket of said garment for detecting chest wall expansion and contraction, and sensing the thoracic wall of the user, and generating a signal in response thereto, and said alarm signal generating means being disposed in said exterior pocket of said garment.
21. The article of wearing apparel of claim 20, wherein the belt is elastic and extendable fully around the middle or upper torso of the user.
22. The article of wearing apparel of claim 20 or 21, wherein said sensor is mounted on said belt and is disposed in said interior pocket.
23. The article of wearing apparel of claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein when said garment is worn by the user, said pockets are located adjacent to the armpit of the user.
24. The article of wearing apparel of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said interior pocket is in communication with said exterior pocket.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US106,602 | 1993-08-16 | ||
| US08/106,602 US5454376A (en) | 1993-08-16 | 1993-08-16 | Breathing monitor articles of wearing apparel |
| PCT/US1994/009004 WO1995005119A2 (en) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-08-11 | Breathing monitor articles of wearing apparel |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2169642A1 CA2169642A1 (en) | 1995-02-23 |
| CA2169642C true CA2169642C (en) | 2006-06-20 |
Family
ID=37392216
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169642A Expired - Fee Related CA2169642C (en) | 1993-08-16 | 1994-08-11 | Breathing monitor articles of wearing apparel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2169642C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112006688A (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2020-12-01 | 韩朋飞 | Intelligent reminding type apnea detection device |
-
1994
- 1994-08-11 CA CA002169642A patent/CA2169642C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2169642A1 (en) | 1995-02-23 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |