Abstract:
A method and system that allows healthcare providers, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other persons to monitor disabled, elderly or other high-risk individuals to prevent or reduce falls and/or mitigate the impact of a fall by delivering automated notification of “at risk” behavior and falls by such an individual being monitored where assistance is required. The monitored individual is virtually represented as a blob object of at least a specific size by a computerized monitoring system and such system detects and alerts when the blob object enters or crosses into a virtually defined or designated blob detection zone and remains in the zone for at least a predetermined period of time.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/623,349, filed Feb. 16, 2015, which application is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to patient monitoring systems and particularly to a system and method for monitoring patients in a manner which prevents or reduces patient falls. 
     BACKGROUND 
     According to recent studies, falls are a leading cause of death among people over the age of 65 years and 10% of the fatal falls for patients over 65 years of age occur in a hospital setting. For the general population, studies estimate that patient falls occur in 1.9 to 3% of all acute care hospitalizations. Of these hospital-based falls, approximately 30% will result in a serious injury with the cost to care for these injuries estimated to reach $54.9 billion per year by 2020. Current technologies that exist to assist in the prevention of falls are limited in their capabilities. These include pressure pads on the bed that trigger an alert when no pressure is detected on the pad, pressure pads on the floor and light beams that create a perimeter with alarms going off upon interruption of the beam. The pressure pads are ineffective as they do not prevent, the fall but rather alert after the fact when it is too late. Additionally they are prone to false positive alerts. The light beams are also prone to false alerts when the patient or visitor simply reaches through it or the caregiver breaks the beam while delivering medication, food, drink or conducting a procedure on the patient. The present disclosure is directed to addressing these above-described shortcomings with current technology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Generally disclosed is a novel method and system that allows healthcare providers, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other persons to monitor disabled, elderly or other high-risk individuals and utilize the described technology to prevent or reduce falls and/or mitigate the impact of a fall by delivering automated notification of “at risk” behavior and/or falls by such an individual being monitored, especially falls and/or behavior where assistance is required, using a virtual blob detection system. 
     With skeletal tracking (which is not the detection method used with the current disclosure) there can be factors affecting the cameras/image-video quality which effect the ability of the detection/monitoring system to detect a skeleton. Such factors, especially in a hospital, include, but are not limited to, sheets/blankets covering a patient, trays positioned over the bed hiding the patient and the patient blending into the bed and not having a skeleton recognized. The present disclosure&#39;s use of a virtual blob detection system addresses or at least reduces the issues of where a skeleton cannot be recognized. Virtual blob detection relies on a 3D object detection which doesn&#39;t matter how much of the person is viewable by the camera or if other objects are blocking the view of the camera. Even in poor lighting conditions the virtual blob detection system can still capture and/or recognize movement as the system can use an IR Depth Map to do the blob detection which doesn&#39;t rely on lighting conditions. 
     The following non-limiting, definitions are provided as aid in understanding the disclosed novel method and system: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 3D Camera,  
                 An electronic device that contains one or more cameras  
               
               
                 Motion and 
                 capable of identifying individual objects, people and  
               
               
                 Sound  
                 motion regardless of lighting conditions as well as one or  
               
               
                 Sensor  
                 more microphones to detect audio. The cameras can util- 
               
               
                   
                 ize technologies including but not limited to color RGB,  
               
               
                   
                 CMOS sensors, infrared projectors and RF-modulated  
               
               
                   
                 light. They may also contain microprocessors and image  
               
               
                   
                 sensors to detect and process information both sent out  
               
               
                   
                 and received by the various cameras. 
               
               
                   
                 The electronic device calculates if there has been a  
               
               
                   
                 change in location of the person or object of interest over 
               
               
                   
                 a period of time. As a non-limiting example, an object  
               
               
                   
                 can be at time T1 located at coordinates (x1, y1 , z1) in a  
               
               
                   
                 picture frame taken by the camera. At time T2 the object  
               
               
                   
                 is captured by the picture frame taken by the camera at  
               
               
                   
                 coordinates (x2, y2, z2). Based on this information,  
               
               
                   
                 motion, speed and direction can be derived utilizing the  
               
               
                   
                 elapsed time and comparing the two 3D coordinates over  
               
               
                   
                 the elapsed time. As opposed to conventional motion  
               
               
                   
                 sensors, which use captured motion to control a camera,  
               
               
                   
                 the 3D Motion and Sound Sensor used with the method  
               
               
                   
                 and system, uses the camera in order to compute the  
               
               
                   
                 motion as well as the size of the object. The  
               
               
                   
                 camera/sensors are preferably continuously on at all  
               
               
                   
                 times during while the monitoring is occurring, regard-  
               
               
                   
                 less of whether the person or object of interest is moving  
               
               
                   
                 or not. The object size (minimum and/or maximum)  
               
               
                   
                 can be configured through the software within, running,  
               
               
                   
                 operating and/or controlling the Computerized Virtual  
               
               
                   
                 Blob Detection Monitoring System  
               
               
                   
                 The camera preferably views the entire bed or a large  
               
               
                   
                 portion of the bed or other area that the patient is at  
               
               
                   
                 (i.e. chair, couch, etc.) simply by its placement in a  
               
               
                   
                 resting manner sufficient for the monitored area to be  
               
               
                   
                 visible to the camera. Thus, the camera does not require  
               
               
                   
                 any triggering event to cause the camera to begin  
               
               
                   
                 recording video and/or 3D depth data or transmitting  
               
               
                   
                 video and/or 3D depth data to the other components of  
               
               
                   
                 the system for analysis. As the video camera is recording  
               
               
                   
                 or otherwise transmitting video and/or 3D depth data  
               
               
                   
                 to the other system components at all times during  
               
               
                   
                 monitoring, the electronic device is able to immediately  
               
               
                   
                 track, capture and/or record the monitored individual&#39;s  
               
               
                   
                 (represented as a large object(s) - blob(s)) movements  
               
               
                   
                 at all times within the room or monitored area and will  
               
               
                   
                 be able to provide information as to whether and when  
               
               
                   
                 the individual begins to move or begins to get up to  
               
               
                   
                 move. 
               
               
                   
                 Preferably the 3D Motion and Sound Sensor records,  
               
               
                   
                 captures and/or streams video and/or 3D depth data. As  
               
               
                   
                 video is technically made up of individual picture frames  
               
               
                   
                 (i.e. 30 frames per second of video), the above reference  
               
               
                   
                 to picture frames is referring to frames of video. Whether  
               
               
                   
                 used with skeletal tracking or the current virtual blob 
               
               
                   
                 detection, depth sensitivity comes into play with both as  
               
               
                   
                 a valuable feature in order to minimize false alarms, as  
               
               
                   
                 objects behind and in front of the patient can be effec- 
               
               
                   
                 tively ignored. The preferred use of depth as a factor also  
               
               
                   
                 differentiates the current monitoring system from  
               
               
                   
                 motion/object detection systems that rely on 2D images. 
               
               
                   
                 The 3D Motion and Sound Sensor is located within the  
               
               
                   
                 room of the patient being monitored and potentially just  
               
               
                   
                 outside of the patient&#39;s room. It is connected to the com- 
               
               
                   
                 puterized communication and computerized monitoring  
               
               
                   
                 systems via a data connection (TCP/IP or comparable  
               
               
                   
                 technology). 
               
               
                 Computerized  
                 A computer system specifically designed and pro- 
               
               
                 Virtual  
                 grammed to create virtual blob detection zones around a  
               
               
                 Blob Detection 
                 specific object such as, but not limited to, a hospital bed  
               
               
                 Monitoring  
                 and which monitors activity based on information re- 
               
               
                 System 
                 ceived from the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensor.  
               
               
                   
                 The computerized monitoring system will preferably be  
               
               
                   
                 located within the patient&#39;s room and can be connected to  
               
               
                   
                 the centralized monitoring station at the facility but can  
               
               
                   
                 also be located at any physical location so long as a data  
               
               
                   
                 connection (TCP/IP or comparable technology) exists  
               
               
                   
                 between the computerized monitoring system, the com- 
               
               
                   
                 puterized communication system, centralized monitoring  
               
               
                   
                 station and 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensor. 
               
               
                 Computerized 
                 A computer system specifically designed and programmed  
               
               
                 Communication  
                 to facilitate communication between the monitored patient  
               
               
                 System 
                 and computerized monitoring system in the event an  
               
               
                   
                 object, meeting the preprogrammed or preconfigures size  
               
               
                   
                 for a triggering object, enters the virtual blob detection  
               
               
                   
                 zone. This system may include but is not limited to  
               
               
                   
                 amplified speakers, microphones, lights, monitors,  
               
               
                   
                 computer terminals, mobile phones and or other tech-  
               
               
                   
                 nologies to allow for the electronic communication to  
               
               
                   
                 take place. The computerized communication system  
               
               
                   
                 will preferably be located within the patients room being  
               
               
                   
                 monitored but certain components of the system are  
               
               
                   
                 mobile by their nature (i.e. mobile phones, pagers,  
               
               
                   
                 computers) and can also be located at any location so  
               
               
                   
                 long as a data connection (TCP/IP or comparable tech- 
               
               
                   
                 nology) exists between the computerized monitoring  
               
               
                   
                 system, the computerized communication system,  
               
               
                   
                 centralized monitoring station and 3D Camera, Motion  
               
               
                   
                 and Sound sensor. 
               
               
                 System Data- 
                 A computer database that stores records of all alerts gen- 
               
               
                 base 
                 erated, notifications, confirmation requests, responses,  
               
               
                   
                 and reconfirmation requests and any other desired infor- 
               
               
                   
                 mation concerning a triggering event or lack of triggering  
               
               
                   
                 events. 
               
               
                 Centralized  
                 A computer display connected to the centralized mon- 
               
               
                 Monitoring  
                 itoring station, showing video and audio of all patient  
               
               
                 Primary Display 
                 rooms connected to the centralized monitoring station, 
               
               
                 Centralized  
                 A computer display connected to the centralized mon- 
               
               
                 Monitoring 
                 itoring station, showing video and audio of any patient  
               
               
                 Alert Display 
                 room where an object is deemed to have entered a virtual  
               
               
                   
                 blob detection zone preferably at the moment such  
               
               
                   
                 determination is made. 
               
               
                 Caregiver 
                 A relative, friend, individual, company or facility whose  
               
               
                   
                 purpose is to provide assistance in daily living activities  
               
               
                   
                 for individuals who are disabled, elderly or otherwise in 
               
               
                   
                 needs of assistance. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a virtual blob detection zone configuration, monitoring and alerting system and method in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the centralizing monitoring and alerting system in accordance with the disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 3  though  15  illustrate various screen shots for configuring the system for operation including defining bed zone, virtual blob detection zone(s) and alert types; and 
         FIG. 16  is a non-limiting example of a centralized video monitoring system that can be used with the system and method shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram for the virtual blob detection zone configuration, monitoring and alerting system and method of the disclosed system and method. Specifically,  FIG. 1  shows the workflow for monitoring an individual&#39;s status through the use of one or more 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors. 
     At step F 1   a , one or more 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound sensors can be installed in the patient&#39;s or individual&#39;s room. At step F 1   b , the one or more 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors can be configured to recognize the area being monitored using 3-Dimensional areas as defined by x, y, and z coordinates in relation to the 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound Sensor. Based on the data sent/captured by the 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound Sensor(s), the computerized virtual blob detection monitoring system is programmed to recognize any 3D object within the configured area. The patient&#39;s body is recognized and tracked as one or more blobs. Virtual blob detection zones can also be calibrated at this time. At step F 1   c , data from the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors can be continuously sent to a Computerized Virtual Blob Detection Monitoring System preferably at all times while the system is being used for monitoring. At step F 1   d , a continuous video feed can be sent to the Central Monitoring Primary Display preferably at all times while the system is being used for monitoring. 
     At step F 1   e , if the computerized virtual blob detection monitoring system does not detect that the patient or any part of the patient (i.e. presented as a blob object(s)) has crossed into the designated virtual blob detection zone, it will continue monitoring. As a non-limiting example, if both hands of the patient enter the blob detection zone, the system may display and/or track as two different blobs or possibly as a single blob depending on how close the hands are to each other. If the computerized virtual blob detection monitoring system detects that the patient or any part of the patient has crossed into the designated virtual blob detection zone, it will then proceed to step F 1   f  to determine how large the portion of the patient&#39;s body that entered the blob detection zone is. If the size of the patient&#39;s body that entered the blob detection zone is less than the configured minimum size, it ill continue to monitor. Configuration is preferably through the detection system&#39;s programmed software and similar to how the zones, trip wires, etc. are configured. However, if the size of the patient&#39;s body that is within the blob detection zone is above the minimum predetermined or preprogrammed threshold for the object size, it can then proceed to step F 1   g . At step F 1   g , the system determines bow long the patient&#39;s body has remained within the blob detection zone. If the patient&#39;s body has not remained in the detection zone for greater then a configured amount of time, preferably no alert is generated and the system continues to monitor (though the system can also be programmed to issue/generate an alert based solely on the system detecting a large enough blob within the detection zone for any period of time and such is also considered within the scope of the disclosure). However, if at step F 1   g , the patient&#39;s body has remained within the blob detection zone for greater then the minimum configured time period, the monitoring system will alert the computerized communication system. A record can also be entered in a database to record the incident. If other individuals such as a caregiver are also detected within the patient&#39;s/monitored room at the time the virtual blob detection zone threshold is crossed, the system can be designed or programmed such that no alert is generated and it will continue to monitor the data being sent from the 3D camera, motion and sound sensor. In this situation, generating an alarm/alert could result in a false alarm, given that there are other individual(s) with the patient, and such person(s) may be responsible for monitoring the patient and/or (even if not responsible) can assist the patient who is falling. The person in the room will be in a better position to assist the patient as compared to the individual located at the central monitoring station. It is also within the scope of the disclosure to send alarm/alerts even if other individual(s) are in the room with the patient, as those individuals may not be the person responsible, may be elderly, may have a physical handicap preventing them from stopping, a patient from falling, etc. 
     At step F 1   h  the computerized communication system preferably can first issue a verbal warning to the patient that they have entered the virtual blob detection zone. This verbal warning can be a pre-recorded message, including, but not limited to, a pre-recorded message from any caregiver, and will advise the patient to exit the virtual blob detection zone and return to their previous position. At step F 1   i , should the patient fail to exit the virtual blob detection zone and return to their previous position in a timely manner, an alert can be generated on the Central Monitoring Alert Display System (see  FIG. 2 ). The system database can also be updated to reflect actions taken. The system can be designed to provide visual and/or audio alerts. 
     At step F 1   j , the computerized communication system can notify caregivers or other designated persons that the individual requires assistance. Notification of caregivers can be made through phone call, text messaging, speakerphone systems, pagers, email, or other electronic means of communication if so desired and configured. At step F 1   k , if the patient exits the virtual blob detection zone, the system database can be updated to reflect such. Additionally, the system will continue to monitor the patient and store all data in the system database. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram for centralized monitoring and alerting and shows the workflow for centralized monitoring, and alerting of the central monitoring regarding whether an individual has entered a virtual blob detection zone through the use of 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors. At step F 2   a , one or more 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors are installed in and/or just outside an individual&#39;s room, home, hospital room, or other place of temporary or permanent residence and connected to the computerized monitoring and communication systems as described in  FIG. 1 . The video, audio and alert data can be sent to a centralized monitoring station where the data is aggregated. Preferably, the centralized monitoring station receives data at all times from the sensors to allow the various individuals to be constantly monitored at the centralized station regardless of whether or not an individual has entered a virtual blob detection zone. 
     At step F 2   b , all video, audio and alert feeds received by the centralized monitoring station can be displayed on the centralized monitoring primary display. Alternatively, multiple centralized monitoring primary displays can be utilized based on the quantity of rooms to be monitored at a given time. At step F 2   c , when the centralized monitoring system receives an alert from any of the computerized, monitoring and communication systems indicating that an individual in any of the monitored rooms or other locations has fallen or otherwise entered into a detection zone, the video, audio and alert information for the specific room/individual is displayed on the Centralized Monitoring Alert Display. Should the centralized monitoring station receive alerts from more then one of the computerized monitoring and communication systems indicating that an individual in a monitored room or location has entered a virtual blob detection zone; the centralized monitoring alert display will display the video, audio and alerting information from all such instances at the same time. If no alert is received by the centralized monitoring station, preferably nothing is displayed on the Centralized Monitoring Alert Display. At step F 2   d , an electronic record of any alerts received by the Centralized Monitoring Station can be stored in an electronic database, which is in communication with the Centralized Monitoring Station. 
       FIGS. 3 through 15  illustrate several set up screen shots for configuring the bed zone, virtual blob detection zones and alert types. In  FIG. 3 , the bed zone and virtual blob detection zones can be configured for a given or specific 3D Camera, Motion and Sound Sensor. To begin configuration, the user can hover over the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound Sensor video window with the cursor, right-click, select plugin and then select configure plug-in. A window will popup showing the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound Sensors&#39; feed. The user selects the icon for the type of zone or rail they wish to draw, which as a non-limiting example and illustrative purposes, can be a bed zone and virtual blob detection zone(s) (See  FIG. 4 ). 
     As non-limiting examples, the icons that appear on the screen for selection can include the following symbols shown in  FIG. 5 . In this non-limiting example, in no particular order, some of the icons include, Bed Zone, Auto Bed Zone (Select Patient), Auto Bed Zone (Auto-select), Saved Zones, Virtual Blob Detection Zone and Clear All. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6 , to place a zone, the user clicks on the screen where he or she would like to start the zone. Then, the cursor is moved to the corner point for zone and clicked again. The user continues to select additional points until the zone is drawn to the user&#39;s satisfaction. Preferably, the user clicks on the round end point of the beginning of the zone to complete the zone (See  FIG. 6 ). When the zone has been completed, the zone can appear and a depth range box (i.e. square, rectangle, etc. disposed over the patient on the screen) can be provided on the screen, such as, but not limited to, in the middle of the screen or zone (see  FIG. 8 ), though any location on the screen is considered within the scope of the invention. Placing a virtual rail is done with a similar process wherein the user clicks on the screen where he or she would like to start the rail. Then the cursor is moved to the end point for the rail and the user clicks on the screen again to place the rail. As seen in  FIG. 8 , upon completion the zone and or rail(s) appear and has a depth range box preferably in the middle. 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the user can adjust the depth range for any given zone or rail. By preferably double clicking on the depth range box or by other conventional selection methods an Edit Depth window can appear. The user can enter in the depth ranges (preferably in millimeters (mm) though not considered limiting). Additionally, the user can enter in minimum and maximum 3D object sizes (preferably in square root pixels though not considering limiting) to detect entering the Virtual Blob Detection Zones. The user can click Save button or icon when done to store the entered values. 
     If there are any other types of zones or rails to draw for the particular sensor, the above steps are repeated to place the next zone or rail and the depth setting can be adjusted for each if necessary. Additionally, all zones and rails can be cleared by clicking on or otherwise selecting the Clear All icon in the toolbar. On all of the zones/rails are configured, you can close the window to finish or you have the option to save the zone/rail configuration for later use. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , to access the main settings window, the user can click or otherwise select the Settings menu and the select Main Settings from the drop-down list. As one non-limiting alternative, the user can click on the Gear icon (           ) or other designated icon in the toolbar to access the main settings window.
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , for one non-limiting way to configure a new Alert, the user can select the Alerts tabs and then click on or otherwise select the Add button, which can result in the Configure Alert box appearing on the screen (See  FIG. 11 ). As seen in  FIG. 11 , under the Event field, the user can then select the event from the drop down list that they wish the user wishes to send an alert on. 
     As seen in  FIG. 12 , once the Event type is selected, under the Action field, the user can select the Action he or she wishes to have the system perform when the selected Event is detected. Once the Event and Action have be selected the OK button (See  FIG. 13 ) is can be selected to save the selected entries. 
     For certain Actions an additional field may need to be completed to finish the Action. If the field is required, it can appear below the Action dropdown (See  FIG. 14 ). If no further fields are required, the Configure Alert box can display N/A (See  FIG. 13 ) or just be blank. As mentioned above, once all settings are selected, the user clicks or otherwise selects the OK button, which causes the new Alert to be listed in the Alerts tab window. To edit an existing Alert, the user first clicks on or otherwise selects the Alert and then selects the Edit button (See  FIG. 15 ). To delete an Alert, first highlight it can then click, on the Delete button (See  FIG. 15 ). 
     To add more Alerts, the user clicks or selects the Add button and repeats the above described steps. Once finished, the user clicks on or otherwise selects the bottom corner OK button to save and close the window. 
       FIG. 16  shows a non-limiting example of a centralized video monitoring system that can be used with the system and method. The window highlighted in red is a non-limiting example of an alert that can be generated when the patient fails to return to within the perimeter of the virtual safety rails. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, for operation the disclosed system and method can use the following components: 
     1. One or more 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound Sensors 
     2. A Computerized Virtual Blob Detection Monitoring System 
     3. A Computerized Communication System 
     4. A Centralized Monitoring Primary Display 
     5. A Centralized Monitoring Alert Display; and 
     6. Database 
     The various components can be in electrical and/or wireless communication with each other. 
     Located remote is defined to mean that the centralized monitoring station, centralized monitoring primary display and/or centralized monitoring alert display is not physically located within the monitored rooms. However, the location can be on the same premises at a different location (i.e. nurse station for the premises, hospital, etc.) or a different location (i.e. monitoring station, etc.). 
     The automatic detection of an individual entering a prescribed virtual blob detection zone will provide significant administrative and clinical benefits to caregivers and individuals alike, including the following non-limiting public benefits:
     1. Automation of determination of perimeter violation and automated notification of caregivers and/or other designated entities and/or individuals.   2. Ability to alert patients, caregivers and other individuals in time to prevent a monitored patient from getting out of bed   3. Reduction in response time for monitored individuals who have fallen and require assistance.   4. Increased survival rate for monitored individuals who have experienced a fall   5. Reduction in costs for hospitalization and medical care related, to complications from a fall   6. Ability to distinguish multiple individuals and prevent fake positives   7. Ability to distinguish direction of motion of prevent false positives   8. Ability to provide video feed of a monitored patient under all lighting conditions to the central video monitoring system   9. Audio and gesture based recognition to allow multiple forms of communication with patient.   

     Any computer/server/electronic database system (collectively “Computer System”) capable of being programmed with the specific steps of the present invention can be used and is considered within the scope of the disclosure. Once programmed such Computer System can preferably be considered a special purpose computer limited to the use of two or more of the above particularly described combination of steps (programmed instructions) performing two or more of the above particularly described combination of functions. 
     All components of the present disclosure system and their locations, electronic communication methods between the system components, electronic storage mechanisms, etc, discussed above or shown in the drawings, if any, are merely by way of example and are not considered limiting and other component(s) and their locations, electronic communication methods, electronic storage mechanisms, etc. currently known and/or later developed can also be chosen and used and all are considered within the scope of the disclosure. 
     Unless feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) described in the specification or shown in the drawings for a claim element, claim step or claim term specifically appear in the claim with the claim element, claim step or claim term, then the inventor does not consider such feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) to be included for the claim element, claim step or claim term in the claim when and if the claim element, claim step or claim term is interpreted or construed. Similarly, with respect to any “means for” elements in the claims, the inventor considers such language to require only the minimal amount of features, components, steps, or parts from the specification to achieve the function of the “means for” language and not all of the features, components, steps or parts describe in the specification that are related to the function of the “means for” language. 
     While the disclosure has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the disclosure, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the disclosure.