DEVICE TO PREVENT APNEA EPISODES IN INFANTS

Abstract

Device (1) for preventing apnea episodes in infants, which simulates a breathing pattern suitable for synchronizing the infant's breathing and which is provided as a tactile direct stimulus, arranged in contact with the infant's back while sleeping; it comprises a breathing pattern generator means (2) that emits air pulses that reach the infant through transmitter means comprising a flexible conduit (3) that transports the air to an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4).

Claims

1. Device (1) for preventing apnea episodes in infants, preferably newborns, that simulates a breathing pattern suitable for synchronizing the infant's breathing and that is provided as a tactile direct stimulus arranged in contact with the infant's back while sleeping, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a simulated breathing pattern generator means (2) that emits air pulses that reach the infant through transmitter means (3) of the stimulus comprising an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4) and contact with its body is ensured thanks to an adaptive means (5) that surrounds its torso.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern generating means (2) comprises an inflation means such as an air pump and a deflation means such as a pneumatic control valve, which supplies air and extracts it from time to time.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern generating means (2) comprises an inflation means such as a mechanical or electromagnetic device, such as a motor, coupled to an inner diaphragm.

4. Device (1) according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern generating means (2) is user programmable and generates air pulses according to a specific repetitive regime simulating different breathing rates for each patient.

5. Device (1), according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern generating means (2) comprises a central microcontroller that commands the operation of the components and provides the different simulated breathing frequencies.

6. Device (1) according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the microcontroller of the breathing pattern generating means (2) is associated with a safety means with pressure sensors that prevents over-inflation of the chamber (4).

7. Device (1), according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the microcontroller of the breathing pattern generating means (2) is associated with an audible or visual warning means in case of malfunction.

8. Device (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern generating means (2) may also comprise a group of backup batteries ensuring the operation of the system in case of interruption of the power supply energizing the device.

9. Device (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern generating means (2) also comprises a housing (21) which houses the components and is formed by a rigid body having an upper wall (22), a lower wall (23) and perimeter walls (24) forming an inner cavity.

10. Device (1), according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the housing (21) comprises at least one nozzle (25) for air outlet/inlet connection.

11. Device (1), according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the housing (21) comprises at least one interface panel (26) for programming by the user.

12. Device (1), according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the housing (21) is made of noise insulating walls.

13. Device (1), according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the housing (21) comprises positioning means in the infant's environment allowing it to be fixed to a support or arranged on a surface.

14. Device (1) according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED in that the positioning means comprise a flexible band (27) attached to the housing (21) having an adjustable fixing means (28).

15. Device (1) according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED in that the adjustable fastening means (28) is a sliding clasp.

16. Device (1), according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED in that the adjustable fastening means (28) is a contact clasp.

17. Device (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the breathing pattern transmitting means (2) comprises an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4) that is attached to the infant and a flexible conduit (3) that conveys air from the pump to the chamber (4).

18. Device (1), according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED in that the chamber (4) is formed by two waterproof sheets, an upper (41) and a lower (42) one joined at their perimeter edge (43) which retain an unjoined area (44) where a coupling nozzle (45) is arranged.

19. Device (1) according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED in that the upper sheet (41) and the lower sheet (42) are flexible.

20. Device (1), according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED in that the upper sheet (41) is flexible and the lower sheet (42) is rigid.

21. Device (1), according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED in that the flexible sheet (41, 42) is made of elastomeric material.

22. Device (1), according to claim 21, CHARACTERIZED in that the elastomeric material is silicone, latex or rubber.

23. Device (1), according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED in that the flexible conduit (3) is a hose extending from the housing connection nipple (25) to the coupling nipple (45) of the inflatable chamber (4).

24. Device (1) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the adapting means (5) to the body comprises a container of the inflatable chamber with means for positioning on an article of clothing and means for arranging the flexible conduit (3).

25. Device (1) according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED in that the flexible chamber container (4) is a pocket (51) formed by at least one top cover (55) with a side opening (56) for passage of the flexible conduit (3) to the outside.

26. Device (1) according to claim 25, CHARACTERIZED in that the pocket (51) is integrated in a wearable garment on the user's torso.

27. Device (1), according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED in that the piece of garment (52) has openings (54) for the passage of the arms of the wearer and a side opening (53) for the passage of the flexible conduit (3) to the outside of said piece of garment.

28. Device (1), according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED in that the piece of garment (52) is a girdle (57) adjustable at the perimeter of the user's torso.

29. Device (1), according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED in that the flexible chamber container is a pocket (51) formed by two flexible and soft covers (55), parallel, joined incompletely at their perimeter leaving an access opening (56) for introducing the inflatable chamber (4), and comprising removable adhesion means (58) on one of its covers allowing to fix it to a piece of garment (52).

30. Device (1) according to claim 29, CHARACTERIZED in that the removable adhesion means (58) of the pocket (51) comprise a contact adhesive patch disposed on the outer surface of one of the covers (55) of the pocket (51).

31. Device (1) according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED in that the pocket (51) is attached on the outside of the piece of garment (52), in the back area.

32. Device (1), according to claim 24, CHARACTERIZED in that the pocket (51) is attached to the inside of the piece of garment (52), in the back area.

33. Device (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it can be arranged as a unit for individual use, especially in home use or alternatively, it can be arranged as a whole for hospital use, wherein the breathing pattern generation means (2′) has a pump of greater capacity, such as to supply three or four devices (1′) at a time, which may be arranged in a larger housing (21′) in close proximity to units (A) housing the infants, and provide each unit (A) with the means of inflating a chamber (40′) for each unit, wherein each unit also has a piece of garment (52′) that receives the chamber (4′) which is attached to the pump by its own flexible conduit (3′).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0050] For the implementation of the foregoing and related objects, the invention may be carried out in the manner illustrated in the drawings attached; however, the drawings are only illustrative and they do not limit the scope of the invention. Variations are contemplated as part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

[0051] Thus, a detailed description of the invention will be carried out together with the figures which form an integral part of this presentation, wherein:

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a side view showing the device in use.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the air pulse generating means.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a side view showing the device in use attached to a cradle.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the inflatable chamber.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the inflatable chamber.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the assembly of the breathing pattern generating means and the piece of garment.

[0059] FIG. 8 shows an elevation view of a piece of garment forming part of the device according to one embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows an elevation view of a piece of garment forming part of the device according to a second embodiment.

[0061] FIG. 10 shows an elevation view of a piece of garment forming part of the device according to a third embodiment.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows an elevation view of a piece of garment forming part of the device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0063] FIG. 12 shows an elevation view of the stimulus transmitting means comprising an inflatable/deflatable chamber and a conduit, according to an alternative embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of the device according to an individual embodiment.

[0065] FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of the device according to a multiple modality.

[0066] FIG. 15 shows a plan view of a unit forming part of the multiple modality of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] The present invention relates to a device for preventing apnea episodes in infants, preferably newborns, which simulates a breathing pattern suitable for synchronizing the infant's breathing and which is provided as a direct tactile stimulus arranged in contact with the infant's back while sleeping.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device (1) comprises a simulated breathing pattern generating means (2) that emits pulses of air reaching the infant through stimulus transmitting mean's (3) comprising an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4) and is secured in contact with its body by an adaptive means (5) surrounding its torso.

[0069] The simulated breathing pattern generating means (2) comprises an inflation means such as an air pump and a deflation means such as a pneumatic control valve (not illustrated), which supplies air and extracts it from time to time.

[0070] This breathing pattern generator means (2) can be programmed by the user and generates air pulses according to a specific repetitive regime that simulates different breathing rates for each patient. To this effect, it comprises a central microcontroller (not illustrated) that commands the operation of the components and provides the different simulated breathing rates; it is associated with a safety means with pressure sensors that prevents over-inflation of the chamber, an audible or visual warning means in case of malfunction and a group of backup batteries that ensure the operation of the system in case of interruption of the power supply that energizes the device.

[0071] As best seen in FIG. 2, the breathing pattern generating means also comprises a housing (21) which houses the components and is formed by a rigid body having a top wall (22), a bottom wall (23) and perimeter walls (24) forming an interior cavity for the components. The housing (21) comprises at least one nozzle (25) for air outlet/inlet connection and has an interface panel (26) for user programming. The housing (21) is made with noise insulating walls.

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the housing comprises positioning means in the infant's environment allowing it to be attached to a support or arranged on a surface comprising a flexible band (27) attached to the housing (21) having an adjustable attachment means (28) which is a contact clasp.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 4, the simulated breathing pattern transmitting means comprises an inflatable/deflatable chamber (4) that is attached to the infant and a flexible conduit (3) that conveys air from the pump to the chamber.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, the chamber (4) is formed by two watertight sheets (41, 42), an upper and a lower one joined at their perimeter edge (43) and retaining a non-joined area (44) where a coupling nozzle (45) is arranged.

[0075] In an alternative embodiment, schematized in FIG. 6, the upper sheet (41) and the lower sheet (42) are flexible, but in another alternative embodiment the upper sheet (41) is flexible and the lower sheet (42) is rigid.

[0076] As seen in FIG. 7, the flexible conduit (3) is a hose extending from the connection nipple (25) of the housing (21) to the coupling nipple (45) of the chamber (4).

[0077] Referring to FIG. 8, the adapting means (5) to the infant's body comprises a pocket-shaped container (51) for housing the chamber (4) which is positioned in a piece of garment (52), wherein the latter has openings (54) for the passage of the user's arms and a side opening (53) for the passage of the flexible hose to the outside of said garment.

[0078] According to the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the pocket (51) is formed by at least one upper cover (55) with a side opening (56) for inserting the chamber and allowing the passage of the flexible conduit to the outside. The pocket (51) is attached to the outside of the garment (52), in the back area.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, seen in FIG. 10, the pocket (51) is integrated into a piece of garment (52) wearable on the wearer's torso that closes at the front, the pocket being in the back area, and in an alternative embodiment, best illustrated in FIG. 11, the piece of garment is a girdle (57) adjustable around the perimeter of the torso of the wearer where the pocket (51) is arranged.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment schematized in FIG. 12, the pocket (51) may be independent of the piece of garment, and be formed by two flexible and soft covers (55), parallel each other, joined incompletely at its perimeter leaving an opening (56) of access to introduce the chamber (4), and comprising removable adhesion means (58) consisting of a contact adhesive patch, located on one of its covers (55) that allow to fix it in a removable manner to a piece of garment (52).

[0081] In use, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the device (1) can be arranged in a unitary manner for individual use, especially in home use or alternatively, as seen in FIG. 14, the device (1′) may be arranged as a whole for hospital use, wherein the breathing pattern generation means (2′) has a larger capacity pump, such as to supply three or four devices at a time, which may be arranged in a larger housing (21′) in close proximity to units (A) where the infants are located, and providing each unit (A) with the inflation means of a chamber (40′) for each unit, wherein each unit also has a piece of garment (52′) that receives the chamber (4′) which is attached to the pump by its own flexible conduit (3′), as schematized in FIG. 15.