Wearable baby monitoring system

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a wearable baby monitoring system. A wearable baby monitoring system is characterized by comprising: a baby monitoring unit including: monitoring hardware; a housing surrounding the monitoring hardware, the housing including: a first housing portion; and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are rigidly connected to each other by a first connection; a stack comprising: a first layer joined to an outer surface of the first housing portion; and a second layer joined to an outer surface of the second housing portion, the outer surface of the second housing portion including a bottom wall of the second housing portion, such that the first housing portion and the second housing portion are at least partially sandwiched within the stack to provide a second connection, wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined together around the perimeter of the housing, advantageously increasing security using embodiments of this disclosure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an infant monitoring system, and more specifically, an infant monitoring system with a wearable monitoring unit. Background Technology

[0002] New parents often face a dilemma when trying to get their babies to sleep. On the one hand, they themselves need enough rest to recover, which means they don't have the time or energy to constantly check on their baby's sleep performance. On the other hand, they worry about how well their baby is sleeping, such as the length of sleep, or they worry about medical issues, such as the possibility of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

[0003] Monitoring of infants' sleep and / or vital signs is becoming increasingly common. For example, systems have been developed to monitor infants' heart rate, blood oxygenation, or respiratory rate during sleep. These systems can be used for non-medical purposes, but providing consistent, balanced, comfortable, and reliable monitoring results has proven challenging.

[0004] There is a need for a consistent, comfortable, and reliable monitoring system that not only helps parents monitor their babies, such as sleep patterns or other health indicators, but also provides them with reassurance, allowing them to experience peace of mind.

[0005] The baby monitoring unit includes hardware sensing components, which are typically encapsulated in a package to enable consumer access. This package usually consists of two housing portions that are secured to each other after the electronic sensing components are placed inside.

[0006] For wearable sensor components for infants, it is important that the methods of securing the different housing components are not separate. An infant could swallow or choke on small parts of the housing, or it could come into contact with hazardous electronic components such as batteries.

[0007] To reduce the risk of accidental disassembly, mitigation measures are needed. Specifically, a design for the housing is required that minimizes the risk of disassembling parts of the housing to expose the internal components.

[0008] U.S. patent application publication number US2020 / 0305893A1 describes a self-heating belly band for wrapping an infant. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a wearable baby monitoring system that at least partially addresses the aforementioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure provides a wearable infant monitoring system, comprising: an infant monitoring unit including: monitoring hardware; a housing surrounding the monitoring hardware, the housing including: a first housing portion; and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are rigidly connected to each other by a first connection; a laminate including: a first layer joined to an outer surface of the first housing portion; and a second layer joined to an outer surface of the second housing portion, the outer surface of the second housing portion including a bottom wall of the second housing portion, such that the first housing portion and the second housing portion are at least partially sandwiched within the laminate to provide a second connection, wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined together around the perimeter of the housing.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, the laminate is flexible, such that the second connection is flexible.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments, the monitoring hardware includes one or both of a PPG sensor and an accelerometer.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments, the system also includes a device that enables the infant monitoring unit to be worn by the infant.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments, the device includes a mesh with openings ( we b) The outer casing protrudes through the opening, wherein the laminate is releasably attached to the mesh.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments, the device includes a foot strap.

[0016] According to one or more embodiments, the first housing portion includes a top portion, and the second housing portion includes a base portion, wherein the base portion is for skin-contact mounting.

[0017] According to one or more embodiments, a sidewall extends around the top portion, and the first layer is bonded to the sidewall.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, the second layer has an interrogation window.

[0019] According to one or more embodiments, the first housing portion and the second housing portion are joined together.

[0020] According to one or more embodiments, the first housing portion and the second housing portion additionally include a mechanical interlock.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments, the first layer and / or the second layer comprises a fabric layer.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments, the laminate further includes a third layer bonded to the second layer, such that the second layer and the third layer are bonded to the second housing portion.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments, the laminate further includes a fourth layer between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

[0024] The embodiments of this disclosure advantageously increase security.

[0025] These and other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To better understand this disclosure, and to more clearly illustrate how to implement it, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 A wearable baby monitoring system was shown;

[0028] Figure 2 The monitoring unit is shown in a side view.

[0029] Figure 3 An example of the different parts of the monitoring unit is shown in a exploded diagram.

[0030] Figure 4 Another example of different parts of the monitoring unit 10 shown in the exploded view is illustrated; and

[0031] Figure 5 It shows the corresponding Figure 2 A simplified cross-section of the monitoring unit as an example. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatuses, systems, and methods, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatuses, systems, and methods of this disclosure will become more readily understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used in all the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0034] This disclosure provides a wearable infant monitoring system including an infant monitoring unit. The infant monitoring unit includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion rigidly connected to each other, and a laminate having at least a first layer engaged to the outer surface of the first housing portion and a second layer engaged to the outer surface of the second housing portion. In this manner, the first and second housing portions are sandwiched within the laminate and rigidly coupled together. This provides two connection systems to increase the security of the housing. For example, an apparatus is provided to enable the infant monitoring unit to be worn by an infant.

[0035] Figure 1 A wearable infant monitoring system is shown, including an infant monitoring unit 10 and a device 50 that enables the infant monitoring unit 10 to be worn by an infant.

[0036] Device 50 includes a strap system, and in the example shown, it is used to wrap around an infant's foot. Device 50 includes a net 52 with an opening 54. The net has a first strap 56 with Velcro™ panels 58 (on the opposite side shown). The first strap wraps around the ankle and then connects to a Velcro panel 59 (which will be located at the top of the foot). A second strap 60 has another Velcro panel 62 (on the opposite side shown). The second strap 60 wraps around the foot and then connects to a Velcro panel 64 on the strap 66.

[0037] Of course, other releasable fasteners can also be used. Therefore, the device has a strap that connects to the foot by wrapping around it and around the ankle. The opening 54 is positioned at the top of the foot, for example, above a vein.

[0038] The monitoring unit includes a housing 12 for accommodating the monitoring hardware. The housing 12 stands upright from the laminate 14 (preferably a flexible laminate). The monitoring unit is positioned below the device 50 against the infant's skin, and the housing 12 protrudes through an opening 54. Thus, the device 50 holds the monitoring unit 10 to the skin by pressing down on the laminate 14. The monitoring unit also has a Velcro patch 16 for attaching to the underside of the device 50.

[0039] In another example, the device used to press against the baby's skin can be an integral part of the monitoring unit.

[0040] Figure 2 The monitoring unit is shown in a side view.

[0041] The housing 12 includes a first housing portion 20 and a second housing portion 22. The first housing portion includes a top portion, and the second housing portion includes a base portion for skin-mounting. In other designs, the housing may be split in a plane not parallel to the base.

[0042] When connected, they define a chamber for monitoring hardware. This monitoring hardware includes, for example, one or both of a PPG sensor and an accelerometer. Therefore, infant monitoring can monitor one or more of the following: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep versus wakefulness, and sleep stages. Any required monitoring sensors can be housed within the housing.

[0043] The first housing portion and the second housing portion are rigidly connected to each other via a first connection.

[0044] The flexible laminate 14 includes a first layer 26 bonded to the outer surface of the first housing portion 20. A second layer 28 of the flexible laminate is bonded to the outer surface of the second housing portion 22, such that the first and second housing portions are at least partially sandwiched within the flexible laminate to provide a second flexible connection. The second layer 28 is bonded to the bottom wall 23 of the second housing portion 22.

[0045] The first and second layers 26, 28 are joined together around the perimeter of the shell. They include fabric layers to provide flexibility and comfort.

[0046] Therefore, two connections are used to provide secure enclosure. First, the first and second housing portions 20, 22 are rigidly connected to each other. This can be achieved by gluing, by mechanical coupling (such as snap-fit), by fasteners such as screws, or by a combination of these. Second, the housing portions are sandwiched within a laminate 14 that provides additional flexible connections. In this way, the risk of accidental disassembly is mitigated by having two securing devices for the housing portions.

[0047] The first connection can be directly between the first and second housing portions 20, 22, without a flexible laminate layer (such as...). Figure 2 (As shown). This makes it easier to ensure the monitoring unit is waterproof, since the flexible layers of the laminate are typically porous. However, there may be non-porous layers bonded between housing portions 20, 22, for example, to help provide a strong bond.

[0048] Figure 3 An example of different parts of the monitoring unit 10 is shown in an exploded view.

[0049] The first housing portion 20 and the second housing portion 22 are rigidly connected to each other by a first connection shown as an adhesive layer 24.

[0050] The first layer 26 of the flexible laminate is bonded to the outer surface of the first housing portion 20 via an adhesive layer 30. The first layer 26 may cover the first housing portion 20, but in the example shown, the first housing portion 20 protrudes through the laminate (as well as...). Figure 2 (As shown). The first layer 26 is bonded by an adhesive layer 30 surrounding the upright sidewall 32 of the first housing portion.

[0051] The second layer 28 is bonded to the bottom wall of the second housing portion 22 via an adhesive layer 34. The second layer 28 has, for example, an interrogation window 36, which is used by hardware to perform monitoring functions, such as optical monitoring functions.

[0052] The first shell portion 20 has a mushroom head shape, which allows it to be pushed through openings in the first layer and the adhesive layer, simplifying assembly. The first layer is glued to the sidewalls 32 surrounding the stem of the mushroom head shape.

[0053] Figure 4 Another example of different parts of the monitoring unit 10 is shown in an exploded view.

[0054] and Figure 3 The same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0055] A third layer 40 is added, which is bonded to the second layer 28, such that the second and third layers 28 and 40 are bonded to the second housing portion (with) by adhesive layers 34 and 42. Figure 3 In contrast, an additional adhesive layer 42 is provided. The third layer 40, for example, enables a more uniform skin contact surface. It includes another fabric layer, such that the laminate has a top fabric layer 26, a middle fabric layer 40, and a bottom fabric layer 28.

[0056] A fourth layer 44 is added between the first and second housing portions 20, 22. This fourth layer is, for example, a non-porous layer such as a thin plastic film, which is bonded by adhesive layers 24, 46 (and...). Figure 3 In contrast, an additional adhesive layer 46) is provided and bonded between the housing portions. This plastic film serves, for example, as a substrate, on which the layers of the laminate are bonded, outside the area where the first and second housing portions are directly joined.

[0057] Figure 5 It shows the corresponding Figure 2 A simplified cross-section of the monitoring unit as an example.

[0058] The layers between the shell sections have openings so that they do not encroach on the shell cavity. The layers beneath the second shell section also have openings that serve as interrogation windows.

[0059] According to an example, and according to one aspect of this disclosure, a wearable baby monitoring system is provided, comprising:

[0060] The infant monitoring unit includes:

[0061] Monitoring hardware;

[0062] A housing, surrounding the monitoring hardware, the housing comprising:

[0063] The first shell portion; and

[0064] The second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are rigidly connected to each other by a first connection;

[0065] Laminated components, including:

[0066] A first layer is joined to the outer surface of the first housing portion; and a second layer is joined to the outer surface of the second housing portion, such that the first housing portion and the second housing portion are at least partially sandwiched within the laminate to provide a second connection, wherein the first and second layers are joined together around the perimeter of the housing; and

[0067] The device enables the infant monitoring unit to be worn by the infant.

[0068] The system has a monitoring unit worn by the infant via an accessory such as a strap. The monitoring unit houses hardware to be kept sealed. To provide secure encapsulation, two connection methods are used; first and second housing portions are rigidly connected to each other, and they are also sandwiched within a laminate providing additional, preferably flexible, connections. The laminate partially covers the additional exposed outer surfaces of the housing. In this way, the risk of accidental disassembly is mitigated by having two securing devices for the housing portions. The first connection joins the first rigid portion (first housing portion) to the second rigid portion (second housing portion), resulting in a very rigid but brittle joint. The second connection joins the first and second housing portions to the laminate, preferably resulting in a flexible and non-brittle joint.

[0069] The first connection can be directly between the first and second housing portions, without any layers of laminate. This makes it easier to ensure the monitoring unit is waterproof. A non-porous layer can exist between them, or it can exist within the laminated structure.

[0070] Monitoring hardware includes, for example, one or both of a PPG sensor and an accelerometer. Therefore, infant monitoring can monitor one or more of the following: heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen level, sleep versus wakefulness, and sleep stages.

[0071] The device, for example, includes a web with an opening through which a housing projectes, wherein a laminate is releasably attached to the web. Thus, the device is in the form of a strap for attaching to an infant, and holds the monitoring unit against the infant by pressing the web downwards against the laminate extending around the housing.

[0072] The device may include, for example, a foot strap.

[0073] The first housing portion includes, for example, a top portion, and the second housing portion includes a base portion, wherein the base portion is used for skin mounting.

[0074] The sidewalls extend, for example, around the top portion, and the first layer is joined to the sidewalls. Thus, the laminate is attached to the bottom portion (e.g., attached to the underside of the bottom) and around the sidewalls of the top. The laminate may cover the top portion, or it may expose the top surface of the top portion, thus protruding through an opening in the laminate.

[0075] The base portion, for example, has a bottom wall, and a second layer is bonded to the bottom wall. The second layer, for example, has an interrogation window, which the hardware uses to perform monitoring functions, such as optical monitoring functions, such as optical PPG.

[0076] The first and second housing portions are joined together, for example. This is one option for a rigid connection. The first and second housing portions may also include mechanical interlocking. They can be snap-fitted together, for example, by additional engagement. Alternatively (or additionally), the rigid connection can use screws or other fasteners.

[0077] The first and second layers consist of fabric layers.

[0078] The laminate may also include a third layer bonded to the second layer, such that the second and third layers are bonded to the second housing portion. The third layer, for example, can achieve a more uniform skin contact surface.

[0079] The laminate may also include a fourth layer between the first and second housing portions. This fourth layer is, for example, a non-porous layer, such as a thin plastic film bonded between them. For instance, a plastic film is used as a substrate, and the layers of the laminate are bonded to the substrate outside the area where the first and second housing portions are directly joined.

[0080] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed disclosure. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0081] The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.

[0082] If the term “suitable” is used in the claims or description, it should be noted that the term “suitable” is intended to be equivalent to the term “configured as.” If the term “arranged” is used in the claims or description, it should be noted that the term “arranged” is intended to be equivalent to the term “system,” and vice versa.

[0083] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A wearable infant monitoring system, characterized in that, include: The infant monitoring unit includes: Monitoring hardware; A housing, surrounding the monitoring hardware, the housing comprising: The first shell portion; and The second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are rigidly connected to each other by a first connection; Laminated components, including: The first layer is bonded to the outer surface of the first housing portion; and The second layer is joined to the outer surface of the second housing portion, the outer surface of which includes the bottom wall of the second housing portion, such that the first housing portion and the second housing portion are at least partially sandwiched within the stack to provide a second connection, wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined together around the perimeter of the housing.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laminate is flexible, which makes the second connection flexible as well.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The monitoring hardware includes one or both of a PPG sensor and an accelerometer.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, It also includes a device that enables the infant monitoring unit to be worn by the infant.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The device includes a mesh with an opening through which the housing protrudes, wherein the laminate is releasably attached to the mesh.

6. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The device includes a foot strap.

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first housing portion includes a top portion, and the second housing portion includes a base portion, wherein the base portion is for skin contact installation.

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sidewalls extend around the top portion, and the first layer is bonded to the sidewalls.

9. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second layer has an inquiry window.

10. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first housing portion and the second housing portion are joined together.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first housing portion and the second housing portion additionally include a mechanical interlock.

12. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first layer and / or the second layer includes a fabric layer.

13. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The laminate also includes a third layer that is bonded to the second layer, such that the second layer and the third layer are bonded to the second housing portion.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that, The laminated component further includes a fourth layer between the first housing portion and the second housing portion.

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