SIDS detection apparatus and methods
OwnerJohannes Buschmanninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transilluminated optical fiber is placed adjacent to an infant's respiratory moving parts using an elastic fabric. Use is made of the effect that moving the fiber causes a modulation of the intensity of the transmitted light to monitor the infant's breathing pattern to avoid S(udden) I(nfant) D(eath) S(yndrome).
Claims19
A method of monitoring the respiration of an infant comprising the steps of:
- placing optical fiber means adjacent to the respiratory parts of the infant to be monitored;
- transmitting light from a light source through the fiber means onto a photoelectric converter;
- monitoring changes in the intensity of the transmitted light as a function of the movement of the fiber means in response to the movement of respiratory parts of the infant;
- comparing changes in the intensity of transmitted light through movement of the fiber means corresponding to the infant's respiratory effects, with a predetermined threshold, indicating whether or not the infant is breathing;
- comparing the time elapsed since the last respiratory effect with a given maximum tolerable respiratory arrest time;
- and
- giving an alarm if the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined tolerable respiratory arrest time.
A method for monitoring the movement caused by the normal respiration of an infant and for triggering an alarm in response to the prolonged stoppage of such movement comprising the steps of:
- placing an optical fiber means in a sinusoidal manner adjacent to the body of the infant to be monitored;
- establishing a tight contact of a garment containing the optical fiber by making use of an elastic fabric;
- transilluminating the fiber means with a light having a wavelength of between about 0.1 and 5 .mu.m;
- monitoring the change of transmission of the fiber means with an evaluating electronic unit as a function of the movement of the fiber means as caused by the movement of the infant's respiratory part;
- and
- triggering an alarm upon the prolonged stoppage of the movement of the infant and the fiber means.
Apparatus for monitoring the respiration of an infant comprising, in combination:
- optical fiber means located adjacent to the body of the infant to be monitored;
- means to transilluminate the fiber means;
- and
- means to monitor the transillumination as a function of the movement of the infant and of the fiber means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.