US 6,047,201 AGranted

Infant blood oxygen monitor and SIDS warning device

OwnerWilliam H. Jackson, IIIinventor

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Abstract

A device to help a caregiver monitor an infant to discover the onset of a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome event and to intervene to prevent the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome event. A foot and ankle wrap containing rechargeable batteries and a radio transmitter is connected to a toe cap containing a pulse oximeter by adjustable cords. Blood oxygen and pulse readouts from the pulse oximeter are transmitted to a monitor kept by the caregiver. Visible readouts of the blood oxygen and pulse are shown on the monitor for continuous view by the caregiver. The monitor sounds an alarm if the infant's blood oxygen drops to a dangerous level for predetermined period. The time delay prevents false alarms, therefore, provides a greater degree of alertness to the caregiver using the device. When not in use the device is recharged on a stand.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A portable adjustable cordless device to alert caregivers of the onset of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occurring in an infant comprising:

(a) an extremity mounted apparatus wherein:
said apparatus has means for adjustably fitting around an extremity of the infant;
said apparatus has self-contained means for determining blood oxygen levels;
said apparatus has self-contained cordless means for transmitting said blood oxygen levels determined by said self-contained means for determining blood oxygen;
said apparatus has first means for powering said self-contained determining means and said self-contained transmitting means and;
said apparatus is constructed of a first portion that is, at least in part, made of stretchy elasticized material and of a second portion designed to fit over the toe of the infant, said second portion equipped with said self-contained means for determining blood oxygen levels in the infant;
(b) a monitor to be kept with a caregiver wherein:
said monitor has means for receiving transmissions of blood oxygen determinations from said cordless transmission means in said apparatus, said blood oxygen determination being made by said self-contained determining means in said apparatus;
said monitor has means for processing blood oxygen determinations,
said monitor has means for sounding an audible alarm if blood oxygen determinations fall below a predetermined level and;
said monitor has a second means for powering said receiving means, said processing means, and said sounding means;
whereby a caregiver may fit said extremity mounted apparatus to an extremity of an infant, placing an infant so fitted with said extremity mounted apparatus into a bed or other resting position, then leaving infant unattended, but keeping said monitor with a caregiver so that a caregiver may listen for said audible alarm and so be alerted to the onset of a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome event.

9 more elements

A portable adjustable cordless device to alert caregivers of the onset of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occurring in an infant comprising:

a pulse oximeter mounted in an adjustable elastic toe cap;
an adjustable elastic foot wrap adapted for fitting around an ankle and an arch of a foot, said foot wrap housing a low powered radio transmitter and a first set of rechargeable batteries;
adjustable conductive wiring for said pulse oximeter, said batteries and said radio transmitter whereby pulse reading and blood oxygen reading obtained by said pulse oximeter are transmitted by said radio transmitter;
a monitoring unit housing a radio receiver, a controller unit, a readout, a sound alarm, and a second set of rechargeable batteries for powering said receiver, said controller unit, said readout and said sound alarm whereby said receiver receives pulse reading and blood oxygen readings transmitted by said radio transmitter, said controller sends said pulse readings and said blood oxygen readings to said readout and sounds said sound alarm if said blood oxygen readings are below a predetermined amount.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/054,033Filed 2 Apr 1998
Granted: 4 Apr 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A61B 5/14552
For measuring blood gases: details of sensors specially adapted therefor
A61B 5/0002
Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons: remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals…
A61B 5/6829
Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part: foot or ankle
A61B 5/02416
Measuring pulse rate or heart rate: using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation