Apparatus and methods for infant monitoring
Inventors
Pareddy, Pratyusha • Sanker P. R., Manoj
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11389094-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to infant monitoring equipment, and particularly relates to apparatuses and methods for non-invasive monitoring and tracking of infants' vital health parameters, and for raising alerts on prediction or detection of one or more predefined health conditions. The invention provides apparatuses, methods and computer program products for non-invasive monitoring of blood analytes in a subject, and in particular embodiments, in infants.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for responding to an apnea condition identified in an infant through non-invasive monitoring of blood analytes. Sensing is performed by receiving electromagnetic waves that have been emitted from illumination sources and that have passed through or are reflected off the infant's skin and tissue prior to being received at one or more photodetectors. Based on the received electromagnetic waves, a processor determines multiple analyte-related values including a peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) value, a carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO) value, a methaemoglobin (HbMe) value, and a fourth value representing a total hemoglobin level.
SpO2, HbCO, and HbMe are determined using ratios of reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from different spectrum wavelengths. In particular, the SpO2 determination is based on a ratio between infrared spectrum wavelengths and red spectrum wavelengths, the HbCO determination is based on a ratio between green spectrum wavelengths and at least one of red and infrared spectrum wavelengths, and the HbMe determination is based on a ratio between orange spectrum wavelengths and at least one of red and infrared spectrum wavelengths. The total hemoglobin level is determined based on the first, second and third values.
The processor further determines heart rate and respiration rate based on the electromagnetic waves received at the photodetector(s). Detection of an apnea condition is based at least on the first value, the heart rate and the respiration rate, and an alarm threshold for such detection is determined based on the fourth value. In response to detection of an apnea condition, the apparatus generates haptic feedback via a haptic feedback generator configured to stimulate the infant for restoring breathing, where stimulation is achieved by haptic feedback sensed by the infant.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are an apparatus claim and a method claim. Each claim includes the same core inventive features: non-invasive photodetector-based detection of apnea using wavelength-specific reflectance or absorbance ratios to compute SpO2, HbCO, HbMe, and total hemoglobin, together with heart rate and respiration rate, an alarm threshold based on total hemoglobin, and haptic feedback stimulation for restoring breathing. The independent claims thus cover four analyte-derived values plus physiologic rates and a stimulation/alarm response.
Non-invasive apnea sensing via wavelength reflectance or absorbance
A sensing apparatus receives electromagnetic waves emitted from one or more illumination sources and passed through or reflected off the infant's skin and tissue prior to being received at photodetectors, and a processor determines analyte-related values based on the electromagnetic waves received at the photodetector(s).
SpO2 derived from infrared-to-red reflectance or absorbance ratio
The processor determines a first value comprising a peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) value based on a ratio of reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from infrared spectrum wavelengths to reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from red spectrum wavelengths.
HbCO derived from green-to-red-or-infrared reflectance or absorbance ratio
The processor determines a second value comprising a carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO) value based on a ratio of reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from green spectrum wavelengths to reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from at least one of red and infrared spectrum wavelengths.
HbMe derived from orange-to-red-or-infrared reflectance or absorbance ratio
The processor determines a third value comprising a methaemoglobin (HbMe) value based on a ratio of reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from orange spectrum wavelengths to reflectance or absorbance readings obtained from at least one of red and infrared spectrum wavelengths.
Total hemoglobin computed from SpO2, HbCO, and HbMe values
A fourth value representing a total hemoglobin level is determined based on the first, second and third values.
Apnea detection based on SpO2, heart rate, respiration rate, and alarm threshold based on total hemoglobin
The processor detects an apnea condition based at least on the first value, the heart rate and the respiration rate, and an alarm threshold for such detection is determined based on the fourth value.
Haptic feedback stimulation to restore breathing after apnea detection
A haptic feedback generator generates haptic feedback sensed by the infant to stimulate the infant for restoring breathing in response to detection of an apnea condition.
Across both independent claims, apnea is detected using non-invasive photodetector measurements processed into SpO2, HbCO, HbMe, and total hemoglobin via wavelength-specific reflectance or absorbance ratios, together with heart rate and respiration rate, where the alarm threshold is determined based on total hemoglobin and haptic feedback is generated to stimulate the infant to restore breathing.
Stated Advantages
Reduced false alarms.
Adaptive sampling modes based on distress/abnormal state and battery.
Scheduling or pulsing frequency differences by analyte stability.
Alarm threshold adjustment using total hemoglobin.
Wireless clinical or home monitoring.
Stimulation via haptic feedback when apnea/distress is detected.
Documented Applications
Wireless clinical and home monitoring of infants for apnea conditions using non-invasive photoplethysmography-based blood analyte estimation.
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