A wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber grating

Abstract

This invention discloses a wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber Bragg gratings, comprising a wearable infant garment and an infant posture correction device disposed on the garment. The infant garment includes an inner fabric, an outer fabric, and an optical fiber channel. The infant posture correction device includes a light source module, a curvature sensing module, a temperature sensing module, a data processing module, an alarm module, and a power supply module. The curvature sensing module and the temperature sensing module detect curvature and temperature through grating sensors embedded in the optical fiber channel. The bending direction and angle of the infant's neck, elbow, and knee joints are calculated based on the wavelength drift of the grating sensors. When the infant's head is in the same deflection direction for a long time or when the infant's body temperature or posture is abnormal, the alarm module issues an alarm. This invention utilizes the highly flexible optical fiber as a sensor, resulting in high wearing comfort and measurement accuracy, and enabling multi-parameter and multi-functional monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention proposes a wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber Bragg gratings, belonging to the field of fiber optic sensing technology. Background Technology

[0002] With changes in modern family structures and the popularization of eugenic concepts, the sleep safety and physical development of infants and young children have become a focus of public health. During their growth, infants and young children face many health risks caused by improper posture management, including postural plagiocephaly and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Postural plagiocephaly refers to facial asymmetry caused by maintaining a single head orientation for an extended period, which can even affect the development of vision and hearing.

[0003] Monitoring an infant's posture can obtain information about their body curvature, as well as multiple physiological parameters such as respiratory rate and temperature, helping to correct the infant's head shape and issuing alarms when the infant's respiratory rate or body temperature is abnormal. Based on this, the infant posture correction system can prevent postural plagiocephaly, detect the infant's physical condition, and help shape a good facial appearance.

[0004] Existing infant posture correction systems primarily rely on head support devices. CN104856520A discloses a height-adjustable, adjustable infant head-shaping anti-flat head machine, which uses an electro-hydraulic worktable to control the reciprocating swing of an arc-shaped headrest to change the infant's sleeping position. CN121265339A discloses a newborn head-shaping device, which uses a helmet connected to a ventilation fan to cover and press the infant's head to achieve head shape correction. CN110096148A discloses a flexible sleeping posture correction reminder device, which monitors the infant's sleeping position using a sleeping cap containing a flexible piezoresistive sensor and provides suggestions for adjusting the sleeping position. However, these devices have limited functionality, poor wearing comfort, and prolonged use can affect the infant's sleep. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber Bragg gratings, which monitors the wearer's body curvature, respiratory rate, and temperature information, and issues an alarm when the wearer's head is in the same deflection direction for a long time, and when the wearer's respiratory rate, body temperature, and joint curvature are abnormal.

[0006] This invention comprises a wearable baby garment and a baby posture correction device mounted on the garment. The baby posture correction device includes a light source module, a curvature sensing module, a temperature sensing module, a data processing module, an alarm module, and a power supply module. The light source module, curvature sensing module, temperature sensing module, and data processing module are connected and transmit optical signals via single-mode optical fiber. The power supply module supplies power to the light source module, data processing module, and alarm module via wires. The data processing module and alarm module transmit data through a data interface.

[0007] The curvature sensing module includes grating sensors for detecting infant neck curvature, grating sensors for detecting infant elbow curvature, grating sensors for detecting infant respiratory rate, and grating sensors for detecting infant knee curvature. There are two grating sensors for detecting infant neck curvature, located on both sides of the neck; two grating sensors for detecting infant elbow curvature, located at the two elbow joints; two grating sensors for detecting infant respiratory rate, located on both sides of the chest; and two grating sensors for detecting infant knee curvature, located at the two knee joints. These grating sensors are connected in series on a single optical fiber.

[0008] The temperature sensing module uses a grating sensor for infant body temperature detection, located under the armpit, and is connected in series with the grating sensor of the curvature sensing module on an optical fiber. It is encapsulated in a rigid microtube so that it does not undergo strain and is only affected by temperature.

[0009] The baby garment includes an inner fabric, an outer fabric, and an optical fiber channel. The optical fiber channel is located between the inner and outer fabrics. A curvature sensing module, a temperature sensing module, and the single-mode optical fiber connecting them are sequentially embedded in the optical fiber channel at predetermined positions. During the embedding process, ultraviolet curing adhesive is used to fix each grating sensor in the optical fiber channel at the predetermined position, keeping the grating sensor and the baby garment relatively stationary. The single-mode optical fibers embedded in the optical fiber channel are distributed in an S-shape or serpentine shape.

[0010] No. The grating reflection wavelength of the grating sensor The relationship with temperature and strain is expressed as follows:

[0011] in, This is the grating wavelength shift. For the change in temperature, The coefficient of thermal expansion is... Thermo-optic coefficient, Let be the elastic coefficients, and all coefficients be known quantities, while the bending curvature and strain are... They are inversely proportional.

[0012] The data processing module demodulates the wavelength shift of each grating sensor. Based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting infant neck curvature The direction and angle of the infant's neck deflection were calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's respiratory rate. The infant's respiratory rate was calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's elbow flexion. The bending angles of the infant's two elbows were calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's knee flexion. The bending angles of the infant's two knee joints were calculated.

[0013] The alarm module monitors the direction, angle, and duration of the baby's head rotation. It issues an alarm when the baby's head remains in the same rotation direction for an extended period, thus helping to correct the baby's head shape. It also monitors the baby's respiratory rate, body temperature, elbow flexion angle, and knee flexion angle, issuing an alarm when these values ​​are abnormal.

[0014] Preferably, the alarm module issues an alarm when the cumulative time the infant's head is in the same deflection direction exceeds 60%.

[0015] Preferably, the alarm module issues an alarm when the infant's armpit temperature exceeds 37.5°C.

[0016] Preferably, the baby garment uses a tight-fitting ribbed weave in the grating sensor area and a relaxed plain weave in other areas.

[0017] Preferably, the initial reflection wavelength of the grating sensor in the curvature sensing module is... The wavelength of the grating is the wavelength reflected when the infant is lying flat on their back with their limbs relaxed.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: the grating sensor is small in size and flexible, and when implanted into the optical fiber channel between the inner and outer fabrics, it does not affect the wearer's movement and provides high wearing comfort; the system can simultaneously monitor the wearer's neck flexion, elbow flexion, knee flexion, respiratory rate, temperature and other body parameters, realizing multi-parameter and multi-functional monitoring; the optical fiber is implanted into the optical fiber channel to enhance its protection, and the grating sensor is fixed in position by ultraviolet curing adhesive, keeping the grating sensor and the baby garment relatively stationary, so that the sensor has high measurement accuracy and stability, while the remaining optical fibers are freely distributed in the optical fiber channel and are not easily broken by force. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1This is a structural diagram of the wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber Bragg grating described in this invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the grating sensor described in this invention on the human body. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, and to make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] See Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber Bragg gratings of the present invention. The wearable infant posture correction system based on fiber Bragg gratings may include a wearable infant garment 1 and an infant posture correction device 2 disposed on the garment. The infant posture correction device 2 includes a light source module 21, a curvature sensing module 22, a temperature sensing module 23, a data processing module 24, an alarm module 25, and a power supply module 26. The light source module 21, curvature sensing module 22, temperature sensing module 23, and data processing module 24 are connected via single-mode optical fiber and transmit optical signals. The power supply module 26 supplies power to the light source module 21, data processing module 24, and alarm module 25 via wires. The data processing module 24 and alarm module 25 transmit data through a data interface.

[0023] The wearable baby onesie 1 is suitable for infants' daily sleep and limited activities. The neckline, cuffs, and ankles are made of highly elastic, soft ribbed fabric to ensure a close fit between the grating sensor and the wearer's neck, wrists, ankles, and other sensing areas, maintaining a constant relative position. It includes an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an optical fiber channel, located between the inner and outer fabric layers. During the garment weaving process, a quilting process is used to create a hollow channel, i.e., the optical fiber channel, between the inner and outer fabric layers. Quilting involves simultaneously sewing the inner and outer fabric layers together with two or more long needles at fixed intervals, forming a parallel channel of a certain width. The optical fiber is always confined within the optical fiber channel, neither directly contacting the wearer's skin nor exposed, allowing it to bend freely with the wearer's movements without affecting the garment's comfort. The single-mode optical fiber embedded in the optical fiber channel is distributed in an S-shape or serpentine pattern, making it less prone to breakage under tension during significant wearer movements. The fiber optic channel avoids bony prominences and selects areas with thicker subcutaneous fat to provide cushioning. The wearable baby garment 1 uses a tight-fitting ribbed fabric in the grating sensor area to increase pre-tension, while other areas use a relaxed plain weave fabric to reduce noise signals generated by natural movements in other areas.

[0024] The light source module 21 is a broadband light source with a wavelength range of 1450nm~1650nm. The optical fiber connecting the light source module 21 is accessed from the side of the waist of the wearable baby suit 1 through an optical fiber circulator, and the third end of the circulator is connected to the data processing module 24. The access end is a magnetic optical fiber coupler, which will automatically detach in the event of accidental pulling to prevent external optical fibers from becoming entangled with the wearer.

[0025] See Figure 2 The curvature sensing module 22 includes grating sensors for detecting infant neck flexion, elbow flexion, respiratory rate, and knee flexion. Two grating sensors are used for detecting neck flexion, located on both sides of the neck, designated FBG1 (left) and FBG2 (right). Two grating sensors are used for detecting elbow flexion, located on the two elbow joints, designated FBG3 (left) and FBG4 (right). Two grating sensors are used for detecting respiratory rate, located on both sides of the chest, designated FBG5 (left) and FBG6 (right). Two grating sensors are used for detecting knee flexion, located on the two knee joints, designated FBG7 (left) and FBG8 (right). These grating sensors are connected in series on a single optical fiber. The grating sensors used in the curvature sensing module 22 have different center wavelengths. When these grating sensors are subjected to strain, the center wavelengths will drift, and the drift amount... The magnitude of the strain is related to the magnitude of the strain.

[0026] The temperature sensing module 23 employs a grating sensor for infant body temperature detection, located under the armpit, denoted as FBG9. It is connected in series with the grating sensor of the curvature sensing module on an optical fiber and encapsulated in a rigid microtube to prevent strain and ensure it is only affected by temperature. The center wavelength of FBG9 differs from other grating sensors; when the temperature changes, the center wavelength of FBG9 shifts. The amount of this shift is... The size is related to the temperature.

[0027] No. The grating reflection wavelength of the grating sensor The relationship with temperature and strain is expressed as follows:

[0028] in, This is the grating wavelength shift. For the change in temperature, The coefficient of thermal expansion is... Thermo-optic coefficient, Let be the elastic coefficients, and all coefficients be known quantities, while the bending curvature and strain are... They are inversely proportional. The initial reflection wavelength of the grating sensor... The grating reflection wavelength is set when the infant is lying flat on their back with limbs relaxed. As the wearer grows and their body circumference changes, the initial reflection wavelength should be adjusted weekly. Perform calibration.

[0029] The data processing module 24 demodulates the wavelength shift of each grating sensor. The direction and angle of the wearer's neck deflection are calculated based on the wavelength shifts of FBG1 and FBG2: when the wearer's neck does not bend, the wavelength shifts of FBG1 and FBG2 are... and Both are 0. When the wearer's neck bends to the left, FBG1 is compressed and FBG2 is stretched. and The signs are opposite, through the... and The difference can eliminate the influence of temperature on the two grating sensors and sense the direction and amplitude of the wearer's neck flexion. The flexion direction and angle of the wearer's elbow joint are calculated based on the wavelength shifts of FBG3 and FBG4: when the wearer's elbow joint is not flexed, the wavelength shifts of FBG3 and FBG4 are... and Both are 0. When the wearer's elbow joint is bent, FBG3 and FBG4 will stretch or compress. and The size is related to the bending angle, and can be determined through calibration. and The elbow flexion angle was obtained. The wearer's respiratory rate was calculated based on the wavelength shift of FBG5 and FBG6: when the wearer inhales, FBG5 and FBG6 are stretched. and When the wearer exhales, FBG5 and FBG6 are compressed, resulting in a positive value. and It is a negative value, therefore it can be obtained. and The alternation cycle of symbols is used to calculate the wearer's breathing rate. When the wearer makes a large turning movement, FBG5 and FBG6 are subjected to greater stretching. and The values ​​are positive and relatively large. The bending direction and angle of the wearer's knee joint are calculated based on the wavelength shift of FBG7 and FBG8: when the wearer's knee joint is not bent, the wavelength shift of FBG7 and FBG8 is... and Both are 0; when the wearer's knee is bent, FBG7 and FBG8 will stretch or compress. and The size is related to the bending angle, and can be determined through calibration. and The knee flexion angle is obtained. This is based on the wavelength shift of FBG9. The wearer's underarm temperature was calculated.

[0030] The alarm module 25 monitors the direction, angle, and duration of the baby's head turning through the data processing module 24. When the cumulative time the baby's head spends in the same turning direction exceeds 60%, an alarm is issued to help correct the baby's head shape. The alarm module 25 also monitors the baby's respiratory rate, axillary temperature, elbow flexion angle, and knee flexion angle. When these values ​​are abnormal (e.g., when the axillary temperature exceeds 37.5°C), an alarm is issued.

[0031] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the present invention embeds a grating sensor into a wearable baby garment to monitor the baby's neck flexion, elbow flexion, knee flexion, respiratory rate, temperature, and other physical parameters. The grating sensor is small and flexible; embedding it in the optical fiber channel between the inner and outer fabric layers does not affect the wearer's movement and provides high wearing comfort. Embedding the optical fiber in the optical fiber channel provides good resistance to external forces and avoids injury to the wearer. The grating sensor is fixed in position by UV-curing adhesive, maintaining relative stillness between the grating sensor and the baby garment, giving the sensor high measurement accuracy and stability. The remaining optical fibers are freely distributed within the optical fiber channel, making them less prone to breakage under stress.

Claims

1. A fiber grating based wearable infant postural correction system, characterized in that: The device comprises a wearable baby suit and a baby posture correction device mounted on the suit. The baby posture correction device includes a light source module, a curvature sensing module, a temperature sensing module, a data processing module, an alarm module, and a power supply module. The light source module, curvature sensing module, temperature sensing module, and data processing module are connected via single-mode optical fiber to transmit optical signals. The power supply module supplies power to the light source module, data processing module, and alarm module via wires. The data processing module and alarm module transmit data through a data interface. The curvature sensing module includes grating sensors for detecting infant neck curvature, grating sensors for detecting infant elbow curvature, grating sensors for detecting infant respiratory rate, and grating sensors for detecting infant knee curvature. There are two grating sensors for detecting infant neck curvature, located on both sides of the neck; two grating sensors for detecting infant elbow curvature, located at the two elbow joints; two grating sensors for detecting infant respiratory rate, located on both sides of the chest; and two grating sensors for detecting infant knee curvature, located at the two knee joints. These grating sensors are connected in series on a single optical fiber. The temperature sensing module uses a grating sensor for infant body temperature detection, located under the armpit, and is connected in series with the grating sensor of the curvature sensing module on an optical fiber. It is encapsulated in a rigid microtube so that it does not undergo strain and is only affected by temperature. The baby garment includes an inner fabric, an outer fabric, and an optical fiber channel. The optical fiber channel is located between the inner and outer fabrics. The curvature sensing module, the temperature sensing module, and the single-mode optical fiber connecting them are sequentially embedded in the optical fiber channel at predetermined positions. During the embedding process, ultraviolet curing adhesive is used to fix each grating sensor in the optical fiber channel at the predetermined position, keeping the grating sensor and the baby garment relatively stationary. The single-mode optical fiber embedded in the optical fiber channel is distributed in an S-shape or serpentine shape. No. The grating reflection wavelength of the grating sensor With temperature, strain The relationship is represented as:

2. Among them, This is the grating wavelength shift. For the change in temperature, The coefficient of thermal expansion is Thermo-optic coefficient, Here, is the elastic coefficient, and all coefficients are known quantities. The bending curvature is inversely proportional to the strain. The data processing module demodulates the wavelength shift of each grating sensor. The direction and angle of the infant's neck deflection are calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's neck flexion; the infant's respiratory rate is calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's respiratory rate; the bending angles of the infant's two elbow joints are calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's elbow joint flexion; and the bending angles of the infant's two knee joints are calculated based on the wavelength drift of two grating sensors used for detecting the infant's knee joint flexion. The alarm module monitors the direction, angle, and duration of the baby's head rotation. It issues an alarm when the baby's head remains in the same rotation direction for an extended period, thus helping to correct the baby's head shape. It also monitors the baby's respiratory rate, body temperature, elbow flexion angle, and knee flexion angle, issuing an alarm when these values ​​are abnormal.

3. The wearable infant posture monitoring and correction system based on fiber Bragg grating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alarm module will sound an alarm when the cumulative time the baby's head is in the same direction of deflection exceeds 60%.

4. The wearable infant posture monitoring and correction system based on fiber Bragg grating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alarm module will sound an alarm when the infant's armpit temperature exceeds 37.5°C.

5. A wearable infant posture monitoring and correction system based on fiber Bragg gratings according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baby garment uses a tight ribbed weave in the grating sensor area and a loose plain weave in other areas.

6. The wearable infant posture monitoring and correction system based on fiber Bragg grating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The initial reflection wavelength of the grating sensor in the curvature sensing module The wavelength of the grating is the wavelength reflected when the infant is lying flat on their back with their limbs relaxed.

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