Ultra wideband (UWB) baby monitors for detection of infant cardiopulmonary distress

Abstract

Ultra wideband patient monitoring systems, and particularly baby monitoring systems, adapted to prevent reflective loss between the antenna and the patient's body. The devices, systems and methods described herein may be used to efficiently couple UWB energy to a patient for patient monitoring. In particular, described herein are impedance transformer pads, mats and the like, upon which a patient may comfortably lie while being monitored via one or more UWB sensors (e.g., antenna); the impedance transformer pads help match the impedance and prevent reflective loss of UWB energy. Also described herein are bassinets, including NICU bassinets and baby monitors.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 196,139, filed Aug. 2, 2011, titled “Ultra Wideband (UWB) Baby Monitors For Detection Of Infant Cardiopulmonary Distress,” Publication No. US-2012-0059268-A1, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 369,843, titled “Non-Contact Baby Monitor for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit With Application to Home Monitoring for Detection of Cardiopulmonary Distress” filed on Aug. 2, 2010, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0002]All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.FIELD[0003]Described herein are non-contact baby monitors for monitoring an infant. In...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Described herein are non-contact monitoring UWB systems, which may also be referred to as UWB radar systems or UWB radar monitoring systems. In particular, described herein are UWB monitoring systems that provide impedance matching between the emitter (and / or receiver) antenna and the patient such that the emitted UWB energy is efficiently transmitted and received. In some variations the system may include an impedance transformer, configured as a pad or other reclining surface that matches the impedance (e.g., dielectric) of the antenna to that of the patient. The impedance transformer may thereby reduce the reflection of UWB energy between the antenna and the patient, preventing energy loss and allowing more efficient operation. In some variations, the system includes a dedicated bassinet in which the UWB components have been integrated; integration may allow optimization of the positioning of the UWB antenna. Also described herein are systems configured to be used with existing cribs or basinets for monitoring (including at-home monitoring).

[0009]For example, described herein are impedance transformer pads for use with an ultra wideband (UWB) monitoring system to minimize reflective loss of the UWB energy. The impedance transformer pads may include: a soft or resilient recumbent surface formed at least in part from an impedance transformer region having a thickness of between about 0.4 cm and 7 cm, wherein the impedance transformer region has at least one layer having a dielectric constant of between about 5 and about 20; and a UWB antenna abutting the impedance transformer region; wherein the UWB antenna is configured to transmit and receive UWB signals through the impedance transformer region to monitor the patient resting on the pad.

[0022]Also described herein are methods of monitoring an infant using an ultra wideband (UWB) radar system including an impedance transformer pad, the method comprising: placing the infant atop the impedance transformer pad; and emitting a UWB signal from a UWB antenna, wherein the signal passes from the antenna, through an impedance transformer region of the impedance transformer pad and into the infant, further wherein the impedance transformer region has at least one layer having a dielectric constant of between about 5 and about 20, wherein the impedance transformer pad reduces the impedance miss-match between the antenna and the infant to reduce reflective loss of energy from the signal.

[0030]Also described herein are bassinets configured for ultra wideband (UWB) monitoring of an infant. For example, the bassinet may include: a temperature-regulated bassinet enclosure having walls and a lower surface; and at least one UWB antenna integrated into the bassinet and configured to emit UWB energy into an infant within the bassinet from the lower surface of the bassinet; wherein the lower surface of the bassinet impedance matches to minimize reflective loss of UWB energy between the UWB antenna and the infant.

Problems solved by technology

Impedance transformer regions may include multiple layers (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.); virtually any number of layers may be included, however, this may increase the cost and complexity of the devices.

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