Patent Publication Number: US-9835496-B2

Title: Fever alert system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nonprovisional utility application of the provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/809,509 filed in the United States Patent Office on Apr. 8, 2013 and claims the priority thereof and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a fever alert system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a wearable apparatus, a remote fever alert system and method of using same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Infants and young children often spike high fevers when ill. These high fevers often are accompanied by febrile seizures and other complications. High fevers also can indicate a serious illness such as encephalitis and meningitis. 
     Modern medical thinking is that a sustained moderately elevated temperature that by itself does not cause discomfort actually helps the body fight infection. However, a spiking fever, that is a rapid rise in body temperature or a sustained high temperature is dangerous, requiring immediate attention as well as extremely uncomfortable for the patient. 
     Febrile seizures run in families. When a child has a history of febrile seizures or there is a family history of febrile seizures, parents and caregivers are in for sleepless nights when the child is sick, monitoring the child and staying close by. 
     Caregivers who provide care for the incapacitated, such as the elderly or those who cannot communicate, must also stay close by when the patient becomes ill with an accompanying fever. 
     While some temperature monitors may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter. 
     In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a method of monitoring a sick patient, especially a sick child for a change in body temperature that requires immediate attention. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure provides a method of remotely monitoring the body temperature of a sick patient through a wireless sensing device coupled to an apparatus with an alarm. 
     Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that allows a caregiver to remotely maintain vigilance over a sick child. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a bracelet in wireless communication with a body temperature sensing device, the bracelet showing the body temperature in a display and through a plurality of lights each having a unique temperature setpoint. 
     A further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus the allows a caregiver to sleep while maintaining vigilance over a sick child. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a bracelet selectively worn while sleeping, the bracelet in wireless communication with a body temperature sensing device, the bracelet providing an alarm and a plurality of vibrations when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention. 
     The present disclosure describes an apparatus, a system and a method for monitoring and alerting a user caring for a patient when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention. The apparatus is a bracelet worn by the user. The system includes the bracelet in wireless communication with a temperature sensing device placed on the patient. The bracelet has a display operative for displaying the body temperature, an audible alarm that sounds and a vibrator that vibrates when the temperature exceeds a setpoint, and a plurality of lights, each with a unique setpoint, a light activated when the temperature exceeds the setpoint. The user attaches the temperature sensing device to the patient such as a young child, and dons the bracelet. The user can then sleep, selectively observing the display and lights upon waking with confidence that the system is monitoring the patient&#39;s temperature and selectively alerting the user when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention. 
     The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of an example embodiment of a body temperature monitoring device for placing in an ear of a patient. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of the body temperature monitoring device in place on the ear of a patient, the patient shown in outline. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a bracelet operative for monitoring body temperature of a patient and alerting a user of a change that requires immediate attention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bracelet worn on a wrist of the user. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a monitor operative for observing body temperature of the patient and alerting the user of a change that requires attention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a system operative for monitoring body temperature of the patient. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the system in use, the user wearing the bracelet and the patient wearing the temperature sensing device. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing the steps of a method in the system. 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a body temperature monitoring device for locking on an ear of a patient in a locked position. 
         FIG. 9B , similar to  FIG. 9A , is a perspective view of another example embodiment of a body temperature monitoring device for locking on an ear of a patient in an open position. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an apparatus in a system for monitoring and alerting a user caring for a patient when a change in the patient&#39;s body temperature requires immediate attention. The apparatus is a bracelet  10  worn by the user. The user wears the bracelet  10 , allowing the user is not be present with the patient, the user still continuously vigilant and capable of observing any changes in the patient&#39;s body temperature that indicate the patient requires immediate attention. 
     The bracelet  10  is comfortably worn by the user, allowing the user to sleep in a separate room from the patient and carry on activities of daily living in the vicinity of the patient. The system allows the user to remotely observe the temperature of the patient without disturbing the patient. As a non-limiting example, a parent confidently sleeps in a separate room when the child is ill, knowing that the bracelet  10  sends an alert if the child&#39;s temperature exceeds a setpoint or rapidly rises, the alert prompting the parent to immediately attend and observe firsthand, monitoring the child for seizures and other serious complications. The parent can observe the child&#39;s temperature through the bracelet  10  without entering the child&#39;s room and disturbing the child. 
     It is understood that this discussion often refers to a parent and a child to illustrate the utility of the disclosed embodiments, but that this is not a limitation and the disclosure is applicable to any caretaker and patient. 
     In one embodiment, the bracelet  10  has an internal transceiver  14  operative for wirelessly receiving a signal from a body temperature sensing device. The body temperature sensing device is described hereinbelow. The signal communicates the temperature detected by the sensing device to the transceiver  14  in the bracelet  10  when the device in place on a patient. 
     The bracelet  10  has an alarm with a speaker  24  in communication with the transceiver  14 . The alarm is associated with a unique setpoint, the alarm sounding when the temperature is greater than the unique setpoint, the sounding of the alarm indicating that the patient has an elevated body temperature requiring immediate attention. 
     In a further embodiment, the bracelet  10  has an exterior with an interior surface  12  and an outer surface  10 E. On the outer surface  10 E is a display  20  in communication with the transceiver  14 . The display  20  is operative for displaying the temperature detected by the temperature sensing device. 
     In another embodiment, the bracelet  10  has a plurality of lights  22  on the outer surface  10 E. The lights  22  are in communication with the transceiver  14 . Each light  22  is associated with a unique setpoint, each light selectively shining when the temperature is greater than its unique setpoint operative for communicating the body temperature. In one embodiment, the lights are different colors. As a non-limiting example, a green light  22  has a setpoint of “normal” or non-febrile temperature. “Normal temperature” is defined by the placement of the temperature sensing device, placement in the ear having a different “normal” temperature than placement in the axilla. A yellow light  22  has a set point of a slightly elevated temperature and a red light  22  has a set point of an elevated temperature that requires attention as further non-limiting example embodiments. 
     In a further example embodiment, as a further non-limiting demonstration, a yellow light  22  has a setpoint of a slightly elevated temperature, an orange light  22  has a set point of slightly more elevated temperature and a red light  22  has set point of an elevated temperature that requires immediate attention. As it is understood by those of ordinary skill, the colors, setpoints and exact number of lights are not limitations and can vary within the inventive concept. 
     In one embodiment, the bracelet  10  has an internal controller inside, the controller coupled to the transceiver  14 ; the controller is not visible in the drawing. The controller is operative for wirelessly receiving the signal from the body temperature sensing device. 
     In one example embodiment the bracelet  10  includes a soft silicone strap, preferable for wearing during the day, although when the silicone strap is worn is not a limitation. In a further example embodiment, the bracelet  10  includes a cloth strap with a hook and loop closure operative for easy size adjustment, the cloth strap preferable for wearing when sleeping, but when the cloth strap is worn is not a limitation. 
     The controller is in communication with the alarm  24 , the alarm associated with a unique setpoint in the controller, the controller selectively sounding the alarm, providing an audible alert when the temperature is greater than the unique setpoint, the sounding of the alarm alerting the user, indicating that the patient has a body temperature requiring immediate attention. 
     In one example embodiment, the alarm sounds coordinate with the setpoints of the lights  22 . In a further example embodiment, a different setpoints, the frequency of the alarm varies, producing different pitches, the higher the frequency, the higher the temperature. In yet another example embodiment, the frequency of the sounding of the alarm increase with the increasing temperature. As a non-limiting example, when the yellow light  22  illuminates indicating a slightly elevated temperature, the alarm sounds twelve times a minute. When the orange light  22  illuminates, the alarm sounds every second and when the red light  22  illuminates, the alarm is constant. Alternatively, the alarm is a rapid staccato. 
     The controller in the bracelet  10  monitors change in temperature at preset intervals, calculates a derivative indicating a rate of change and sounding the alarm when the derivative exceeds a preset limit indicating a rapid spike in temperature requiring immediate attention. 
     In a further embodiment, the controller is in communication with the display  20 , the controller directing the display  20  to show the temperature detected by the temperature sensing device. The controller is in communication with the lights  22 , each light  22  associated with a unique setpoint in the controller, the controller selectively activating each light  22  when the detected temperature is greater than its unique setpoint. 
     The bracelet  10  has a switch  26  for selectively illuminating the display  20 . The display  20  is not illuminated without selecting the switch  26  so that the user wearing the bracelet  10  when sleeping is not disturbed by the illuminating display  20 , nor is any other person in the vicinity of the parent, who may also be trying to sleep. 
     The bracelet  10  has a soft key button  28 , the soft key button  28  operative for selecting the unique setpoints through the display  20 . In another embodiment, the soft key button  28  is operative for resetting the controller, changing the unique setpoints in the controller through the display  20 . The soft key button  28  selectively deactivates all alerts. 
     In one embodiment, the bracelet  10  has an internal vibrator, the vibrator associated with a unique setpoint, the vibrator vibrating when the temperature is greater than the unique setpoint, the vibrator vibrating the bracelet  10  operative for alerting a user. 
     In a further embodiment, the bracelet  10  has an interior conductive surface  12 , the conductive surface in direct contact with a user&#39;s skin when the bracelet  10  is worn. The conductive surface  12  is coupled to the controller, the controller selectively transmitting an electric current to the conductive surface when the temperature is greater than the unique setpoint in the controller, the conductive surface mildly shocking the skin operative for alerting the user.  FIG. 4  shows the bracelet  10  on a wrist  100  of the user in contact with a user&#39;s skin. It is understood that the present disclosure discusses a plurality of sensory signals indicating elevated temperatures that includes visual, aural and contact signals such as vibration and mild shock and that those of ordinary skill understand that other forms of sensory signals are possible within the inventive concept. 
       FIG. 1  demonstrates an example embodiment of a body temperature sensing device  40  in the system. The device has a probe  42  that inserts into an outer ear canal of the patient and measures the body temperature. In the drawing, the probe is bulbous in shape as a non-limiting example and it is understood the probe is not limited to one particular shape, but can also be, as a non-limiting example, conical or frustoconical. The device  40  has a transmitter  44  and an auricle clip  46  for attaching  40  the device to an outer ear auricle.  FIG. 2  shows the device  40  attaching to the auricle  102  of the patient  104 . 
       FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  show another example of a locking auricle clip  48 . The clip  48  is a two part locking clip that includes a cam  47  and a child-resistant release  45  forming a child-resistant lock on the clip  48 , maintaining the body temperature sensing device in place on the outer ear canal when a sick child or delirious adult patient tries to remove it. To release the clip, the user pushes the child-resistant release, releasing the cam  47 , the locking auricle clip  48  opening for easy removal. 
     It is understood by those of ordinary skill that other example embodiments of the temperature sensing device, such as, for example, but not limited to an axillary sensor, a rectal sensor and an oral sensor, are possible within the inventive concept and such example embodiments are not to be construed as limitations. 
       FIG. 6  shows the system for monitoring and alerting the user caring for the patient when the change in body temperature requires immediate attention. 
     In this example embodiment, the body temperature sensing device  40  is an aural sensor operative for wirelessly transmitting a signal communicating a body temperature when in place on the patient&#39;s auricle. 
     The system includes the bracelet  10  worn by a user described hereinabove, the bracelet  10  operative for wirelessly receiving the signal from the body temperature sensing device  40 . The bracelet  10  is operative for alerting the user, indicating that the patient has a body temperature requiring immediate attention. 
     In a further example embodiment, the system further comprises a monitor  50  having a transceiver  14  operative for wirelessly receiving a signal from the controller in the bracelet  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the monitor  50  has a display  20  in communication with the bracelet  10  through the bracelet controller, the bracelet controller directing the display  20  to show the temperature detected by the temperature sensing device  40 . 
     The monitor  50  further has lights  22  in communication with the bracelet controller, each light associated with a unique setpoint in the controller. The lights  22  replicate the lights  22  on the bracelet  10 , the lights  22  operating as explained hereinabove. 
     The monitor  50  further has the alarm  24  in communication with the bracelet controller, the alarm replicating the alarm on the bracelet  10 , the alarm sounding, alerting the user, indicating that the patient has a body temperature requiring immediate attention. 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of an example embodiment of the system in use. The user  110 , who is the caregiver sleeps in a first room  90 , the patient  104  sleeping in a second room  80  with a wall  92  separating the rooms  80 ,  90 . It is understood that more than one wall or no wall can separate the user and the patient, the drawing presented as a non-limiting example. The user  110  is wearing the bracelet  10  on the wrist  100 . 
     The patient  104  sleeps with the temperature sensing device  40  in place. In one example embodiment, the device  40  is place in the ear on the patient&#39;s head  102 . In a further example embodiment, the temperature sensing device  40 A is on an arm band placed on a patient&#39;s upper arm, the device having a probe in place engaging an axilla. It is understood that the system requires only one device and the two examples embodiments in the drawing are for illustrative purposes, showing alternative devices. 
       FIG. 7  further demonstrates a method for alerting the user  110  caring for the patient  104  when a change in body temperature requires immediate attention. 
     The method comprises the user  110  attaching the body temperature sensing device  40 ,  40 A to the patient  104 , the device  40  operative for wirelessly communicating the body temperature of the patient  104 . 
     The user  110  dons the bracelet  10 , the bracelet having a controller operative for wirelessly receiving the signal from the device  40 . 
     The user  110  observes the body temperature of the patient by looking at the display  20  and the lights on the bracelet  10 , the operation of which is explained hereinabove and illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The user  110  determines which lights  22  are activated, the activated lights  22  indicating the temperature is greater than the setpoint of the activated lights  22 . 
     The user  110  selectively receives the alert indicating that the patient  104  has body temperature requiring immediate attention by hearing the sounding of the alarm  24  on the bracelet  10  alerting the user. In a further example embodiment, the user  110  receives a shock. In another example embodiment, the user  110  feels vibrations. 
     As described hereinabove, the bracelet  10  further comprises a soft key button  28  operative for changing the unique setpoints in the controller through the display  20  and the method further comprises the user  110  setting the setpoints in the controller with the soft key button  28 . 
     As further described hereinabove, the bracelet  10  has a display switch  26  for selectively illuminating the display  20  and the method further comprises the user  110  selectively illuminating the display  20  with the switch  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a example embodiment of a method for providing the bracelet  10  comprises, coupling a transceiver  14  to the interior  12  of the bracelet  10 . In another example embodiment, the controller is coupled to the interior  12  of the bracelet  10 . 
     The method further comprises coupling the alarm to the bracelet, the alarm having a speaker  24  on the exterior outer surface  10 E of the bracelet, the alarm in communication with the transceiver  14 . In a further example embodiment, the alarm is in communication with the controller  14 . 
     In one example embodiment, the method further comprises coupling the lights  22  to the bracelet  10  on the exterior outer surface  10 E, the lights  22  in communication with the transceiver  14 . In a further example embodiment, the lights  22  are in communication with the controller. 
     In a further example embodiment, the method further comprises coupling the display  20  to the outer surface  10 E of the bracelet, the display  20  in communication with the transceiver  14 . In a further example embodiment, the display  20  is in communication with the controller 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an example embodiment of a method of bracelet operation, bracelet having the controller, is described. The controller receives a body temperature signal from the temperature sensing device  114 . 
     In one embodiment, the controller directs the display to show the body temperature  116 . In a further embodiment, the controller determines if the temperature is above the setpoint of each light  118 . If the temperature is above the setpoint of the light, the controller activates the light  120 . 
     The controller determines if the temperature s above the setpoint of the alarm  122 . If the temperature is above the setpoint of the alarm, in one embodiment, the controller sounds the alarm, in another embodiment, the activates the vibrator, in a further embodiment, sends a shock to the conductive surface  124 . 
       FIG. 6  demonstrates a method for facilitating a system for alerting the user when a change in the patient&#39;s body temperature requires immediate attention. The method comprises providing the body temperature sensing device  40  operative for wirelessly transmitting a signal communicating a body temperature of a patient and providing the bracelet  10  operative for wirelessly receiving the signal from the body temperature sensing device, the bracelet providing an alert when the temperature is greater than the unique setpoint, as described hereinabove. 
     In a further embodiment, the method further comprises providing the monitor  50  in wireless communication with the bracelet  10 , the monitor  50  replicating the alarm sounded by the bracelet  10 . 
     The disclosed embodiments may individually and/or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. Also, a number of steps may be required before, after, and/or concurrently with the following embodiments. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or software application product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a software application product embodied in one or more readable media having readable program code embodied thereon. 
     It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected. 
     It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a wearable apparatus, a remote fever alert system and method of using same. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.