Educational doll for children with chronic illness

Abstract

An interactive toy serving as a surrogate by emulating chronic condition characteristics of a child and providing responses and output to educate user about the chronic condition. The toy may include a microprocessor and memory, and a plurality of sensors that receive information representative of a treatment for the chronic condition and output systems that simulate reaction to the treatment of the chronic condition. The toy may include a plurality of replica food articles that interact with the sensors and the output systems. The toy may further include a plurality of replica or real medical devices that interact with the sensors to simulate reaction to treatment via the output systems.

Claims

1. An interactive children's toy serving as a surrogate by emulating medical condition characteristics of a child and providing responses and output to educate users about the medical condition, comprising: a microprocessor and a memory; a plurality of sensors electrically connected to the microprocessor; a plurality of output systems connected to the microprocessor; a replica device representing a medical device monitoring the child, wherein the medical device is configured to collect health status data of the child, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to: receive information from the plurality of sensors that is representative of a treatment for the medical condition, send signals to the output systems consistent with a reaction to the treatment for the medical condition characteristics of the child; receive health status data of the child from the medical device monitoring the child and being represented by the replica device; and synchronize health status data of the replica device with the health status data received from the medical device.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to provide feedback through the output systems that evolves based upon a series of signals received by the sensors over a period of time.

3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors include at least one of: color sensors, image sensors, proximity switches, light sensors, heat sensors, audio sensors, tactile sensors, magnetic sensors, movement sensors, and radio frequency sensors.

4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the output systems include at least one of: an audio speaker, a light source, and a motor capable of moving or vibrating the toy or an extremity of the toy.

5. The toy of claim 4, wherein the audio speaker produces at least one sound selected from the group consisting of: coughing sounds, wheezing sounds, speech, heart sounds, bowel sounds, breathing, lung sounds, moaning or groaning sounds, and crying sounds.

6. The toy of claim 4, wherein the light source is heart-shaped, generates heat, and repeatedly turns on then off at a set frequency.

7. The toy of claim 1, wherein the medical condition includes at least one of: asthma, allergies, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, sickle cell anemia, AIDS, epilepsy, spina bifida, pulmonary hypertension, sleep apnea, liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congenital heart problems, ADHD, autism, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, obesity, depression, anxiety, and stress.

8. The toy of claim 1, further comprising real or replica medical devices that interact with at least one of the sensors.

9. The toy of claim 8, wherein the medical devices include at least one of: metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, nebulizers, analgesic inhalers, syringes, stethoscopes, gastric feeding tubes, insulin pumps, glucose monitoring systems, heart rate monitors, pulse oximeters, pedometers, galvanic skin response measurement systems, gaze tracking systems, and electroencephalogram monitoring systems.

10. The toy of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of patches disposed on a surface of the toy and at least one of the sensors being located beneath the patches to detect interaction with the medical devices, wherein the patches are coded with symbols to educate regarding injection site rotation.

11. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a book containing text relating to the medical condition, wherein the text of the book is stored in the memory and further wherein the microprocessor is programmed to audibly speak the stored text through the audio speaker.

12. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of replica food articles that interact with at least one of the sensors; programming for the microprocessor that receives signals from the sensors relating to the replica food articles that senses at least one of the color, weight, size, shape, composition and type of the replica food article.

13. The toy of claim 1, further comprising an external data storage component communicatively coupled to the toy to store treatment compliance data.

14. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a detachable updateable core comprising a microcontroller, a plurality of batteries, and a plurality of updateable core sensors and a pedometer.

15. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a communications interface for connection to a personal computer, mobile device, or medical device, such that data is transferable between the toy and the personal computer, mobile device, or medical device.

16. The toy of claim 15, wherein the personal computer, mobile device, or medical device further comprises: a data collection system; a toy interaction tracking system; and a medical professional communication system allowing information about the child to be sent to the medical professional.

17. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communications interface to a second toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first toy detects the proximity of the second toy and wirelessly transfers and receives data from the second toy.

18. The toy of claim 1, wherein the replica medical device is a digital replica of a medical device.

19. The toy of claim 18, wherein the digital replica of the medical device is stored on a computing device, and the surrogate is a digital character stored on the computing device.

20. The toy of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors is wirelessly connected to the microprocessor.

21. The toy of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor receives the health status data from the medical device wirelessly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The following drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention that is described in more detail below.

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of the toy corresponding to one embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front partial cut-away view of the toy corresponding to one embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of accessories that may be used with embodiments of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of replica food articles used with embodiments of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of a replica food article being inserted into the mouth of the toy;

(7) FIG. 6A is a side view of an injection site on the toy;

(8) FIG. 6B is a side view of an injection site not connected to the toy;

(9) FIG. 6C is a top view of an injection site connected to the toy;

(10) FIG. 7A is a front view of the food identification sensor;

(11) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the food identification sensor;

(12) FIG. 8 is a front view of the screen detached from the toy;

(13) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of removable storage media interfacing with a computer;

(14) FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the toy directly interfacing with a computer system; and

(15) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the toy wirelessly communicating with an individual wearing a remote communication module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(16) An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the toy 10 may have a slotted mouth opening 15, and proximity sensors 20 or switches 22 located on the arms 25, hands 30, legs 27 and eyes 35. The proximity sensors 20 in the arms 25 may be injection sites, and they are activated by a replica injection pen 110. The proximity sensors 20 in the hands 30 may represent sites that are triggered when touched, or activated with a replica lancet, to read the blood glucose level or internal state of the toy 10. Similarly, proximity sensors 20 may be located on the legs 27 of the toy 10. Embodiments of the toy 10 may be plush or hard bodied. Embodiments of the toy 10 may resemble a person or animal having a head, torso, arms, and legs, but may also embody other objects as well.

(17) Embodiments of the toy 10 may include a proximity activated color sensor 45 located within a slotted mouth opening 15, as well as a motion sensor 70 attached to the internal surface of the toy. Such a proximity activated color sensor 45 can be used to sense and distinguish different types of replica or real food objects. For example, sensing a yellow color can determine the presence of a banana. Other replica food items may have a specific color that is sensed by the color sensor 45. Other types of sensors or imaging devices may be used as well. These sensors may be connected via internal wires or wirelessly to a microprocessor 50, an audio speaker 60, actuators and screen 55 connected to the internal microprocessor 50, whereupon activation of the microprocessor 50, the toy 10 produces a programmed response. For example, one actuator may be an LED that produces a glowing nose of the toy, which may glow in different color to indicate various internal states of the toy.

(18) Referring to FIG. 3, the toy may include and interact with one or more replicas of medical devices including a glucometer 100, an injection pen 110, a flow control meter 106, an insulin pen 107, and insulin pump 108, a CGM meter 109, or an inhalor 105. Referring to FIG. 3, the toy may further include and interact with an instruction manual or story book 120, and FIG. 4 shows objects representing replica food items including bread 130, bananas 132, candy bars 134, and juiceboxes 136.

(19) An embodiment may include one or more medical devices or replicas thereof with exemplary devices shown in FIG. 3. Instruction on use of these medical devices may be represented on a screen 55 (FIG. 1) located on the torso of the toy 10 and connected to the internal microprocessor 50. Buttons or proximity switches 22 may be disposed on or within the body of the toy 10 in a plurality of locations to provide user interaction with the toy 10. A method performed by the toy can provide through the form of text displayed on the screen 55, audio commands played through the audio speaker 60, and in an accompanying instruction manual or story book 120 on how to effectively and properly interact with the toy 10.

(20) Patches 40 (FIG. 1) may be disposed at a plurality of locations along the external surface of the toy 10, with proximity sensors 20 located beneath the patches 40. Additionally, a replica of an injection pen 110 may be used which activates the proximity sensors 20, sending a signal to the microprocessor 50 which in response produces a pre-programmed response. Text on the screen 55, audio commands, as well as digital media tools may help educate users about proper injection site rotation.

(21) Additionally, patches may feature a lighting element 42 and a switch 22 enabling them to display as different colors and function as buttons. This can be used as a method for education, and also as a game that children can play. The system may display a pattern of colors using the patches, and the child will then be asked to repeat the pattern by either touching the patches or using the included injection pen. The patches may also be marked with symbols aiding the differentiation between the patches and therefore aid injection site rotation.

(22) The toy 10 may be programmed to perform a method for educating about diet management, comprising either an included book, an interactive e-book, a computer application, or a mobile application. The instructions may be displayed on the screen 55, and associated audible commands are emitted from the system. Through this method, information can be provided, for example, about how certain foods can contribute to well-being and how certain foods can induce symptomatic responses due to a chronic illness.

(23) In one embodiment the toy may include a slot 15 located on the external surface which represents a mouth. A plurality of replica food articles (FIG. 4), each of a different color, may be inserted into the slot 15, a proximity switch 20 (FIG. 1) will be activated sending a signal to the microprocessor 50 to initiate the color sensing routine. Using red, green and blue illumination 140 (FIG. 7) and a light sensor 142, the replica food article color is then detected and a pre-programmed response is initiated by the microprocessor, which may yield an audio response as well as a visual response utilizing the screen and colored light. Other means of food identification and differentiation are possible within the system including, olfactory, visual, audio, tactile, radio frequency (Bluetooth, NFC, RFID), haptic, or any other methods apparent to one skilled in the art.

(24) This same mechanism of identification could also be used to educate children about oral medications such as the correct dosage of an inhaler or pill by having inhalers of different colors representing different doses, and different color pills representing different medications.

(25) The system will produce a programmed response corresponding to symptoms of the chronic illness, as well as exhibit behavior indicative of the response using one or more actuators 22, light, and/or a vibrational motor 62 located within the toy.

(26) The system will produce written text, programmed responses, audio feedback, touch (vibration motor, haptic feedback, etc. . . . ) and color recognition as tools for teaching children about chronic illnesses. The combination systematically creates a positive feedback mechanism that relays the critical points of the illness to the child.

(27) Disposed within the internal surface of the toy 10 may be one or more motion sensors 70 to measure movement, position or motion. The motion sensor 70 is used to trigger audio/visual responses when the toy is being used. The motion sensor 70 is also used to track exercise and its effect on the system's chronic illness. Such motion sensors can be any of a variety of available sensors, using piezo-electric or other sensing approaches.

(28) The toy can connect with existing medical equipment to add functionality as illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 9 and 10, which may include data collecting, compliance tracking and/or providing information to medical professionals about the child with a chronic illness. For example, a child with diabetes may be able to sync his or her Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device with the toy to update the glucose level information in the system. Using accompanying software, the child will be able to digitally log his or her own compliance for future records and usage.

(29) A suite of software 40 (FIG. 9) may be provided to interface with the toy to transfer responses and stored information to a computer via a port 37, or potentially wireless means, located in the toy. The software is interactive and the toy's responses can be monitored and medical professionals and family members can track the toy's and child's health status. The toy may include software programmed to perform a game where children can learn more about chronic illnesses and their treatments. The software may further include links to websites where children may have easy access to health information, and facilitate real time online discussions with a medical professional so that children may ask questions. This functionality may also allow children to interact with other children with chronic illnesses who are using the toy, facilitating social bonding between the children. Social bonding may also be increased by allowing systems associated with two or more different children to interact. When two toys are located within a preset range, proximity sensors 20 (FIG. 2) may send a signal to activate the microprocessor 50 to trigger a pre-programmed response using the screen 55, actuators 22, and speaker 60 to produce an audio and visual response. In this way, the toy may increase interaction among children suffering from chronic diseases.

(30) In the case of a child diagnosed with asthma, the toy may be equipped at least with an inhaler 105 and a expiratory flow meter 106. The inhaler and flow meter may be used to manage the symptoms displayed by the toy. The toy may be programmed to facilitate the child exercising with the toy, thus inducing asthmatic symptoms that may be cared for with the inhaler. The flow meter may function to periodically measure the lung function of the system. Data about the child's inhaler compliance could be logged by the toy and later uploaded to a computer for use by doctors, parents, and the affected children. Alternatively, such data may be transmitted wirelessly, by WiFi or Bluetooth protocols, for example, on a real-time basis.

(31) In the case of a child diagnosed with diabetes, the toy 10 may be equipped with and interact with, among other things, an insulin pen 107, insulin pump 108, CGM device 109 and accompanying replica food articles. A child may care for the toy by feeding it a well balanced diet and injecting insulin as needed, using the insulin pen 21 and pump 20. The CGM device 109 may be used as an educational tool for how food and insulin affect blood sugar within the body.

(32) Existing diabetes management tools may be further designed to communicate with and interface with the toy. For instance, the CGM device could be configured to communicate via wireless connection to the toy, updating the glucose level of the toy according to the actual glucose level of the child.

(33) In another embodiment, the toy may be provided for children with diabetes that serves as a docking station, via wired or wireless means, for their existing medical devices. Children may be able to dock their blood glucose meter into the toy to sync data and unlock special games as well as additional content.

(34) The system or systems described herein may be implemented on any form of computer or computers and the components may be implemented as dedicated applications or in client-server architectures, including a web-based architecture, and can include functional programs, codes, and code segments. Any of the computers may comprise a processor, a memory for storing program data and executing it, a permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communications port for handling communications with external devices, and user interface devices, including a display, keyboard, mouse, etc. When software modules are involved, these software modules may be stored as program instructions or computer readable codes executable on the processor on a computer-readable media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. This media is readable by the computer, stored in the memory, and executed by the processor.

(35) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated as incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

(36) For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by this specific language, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

(37) The embodiments herein may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components that perform the specified functions. For example, the described embodiments may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elements of the described embodiments are implemented using software programming or software elements the invention may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, or the like, with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Functional aspects may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the embodiments of the invention could employ any number of conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like. The words mechanism and element are used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physical embodiments, but can include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc.

(38) The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, control systems, software development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as essential or critical.

(39) The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms mounted, connected, supported, and coupled and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, connected and coupled are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Expressions such as at least one of, when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

(40) The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) should be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Finally, the steps of all methods described herein are performable in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.