Abstract:
A remote monitoring system, a kit and an associated method are presented for use in providing a convenient way to alert health care workers that a diaper is in need of being changed. The remote monitoring system includes a remotely placed monitor station in communications with a diaper device. The diaper device has many of the standard diaper components such as having an absorbent pad and absorbent composition interposed between the inner and outer panels. The diaper device also has electronic components that are configured to detect an increase in conductivity across opposing detector electrodes which can then be used to indicate, via an EMF signal, that the diaper device is wet. The electronic components of the remotely placed monitor station are then configured to receive the EMF signal and to configured to alert the health care workers that the diaper device is in need of being changed. The kit includes the electronic components configured to convert a regular diaper into a smart diaper in communications with the monitor station. The method includes the steps of acquiring, activating, allowing, inserting, obtaining, receiving, removing, soiling, transmitting, and wearing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to hygienic accessories, more particularly to a remote monitoring system, kit and method of using same for indicating a need to change a diaper device when the diaper device is soiled. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Disposable diapers have contributed significantly towards enhancing and maintaining a healthy hygienic environment for the person wearing such a device. This is primarily because the absorbent fabrics, fibers and materials now found in many commercially available disposable diapers are very effective in sequestering waste products away from the epidermis of the wearer. By sequestering the waste away from the epidermis, the conditions for inducing “diaper rash” have been significantly reduced and thus disposable diapers can enhance the hygiene of the person wearing the device. 
         [0003]    Although disposable diapers can contribute significantly towards improving the overall health and hygiene of the wearer, it is still prudent and reasonably sound medical advise to remove a disposable diaper once it has been soiled. Because of the remarkable success in absorbing waste products by these commercially available disposable diapers, a potential problem may arise in that the health care worker may become lackadaisical with regards to ignoring a duty of diligently inspecting for soiled conditions within a timely manner of the soiling event. Paradoxically, the success of disposable diapers in being efficient absorbers of waste seems to have given rise to a new need to assure that health care workers remain diligent with regards to replacing disposable diapers when the disposable diapers are soiled. 
         [0004]    While disposable diaper devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned disposable diapers do not describe a remote monitoring system, a kit and an associated method are presented for use in providing a convenient way to alert health care workers that a diaper is in need of being changed. The remote monitoring system includes a remotely placed monitor station in communications with a diaper device. The diaper device has many of the standard diaper components such as having an absorbent pad and absorbent composition interposed between the inner and outer panels. The diaper device also has electronic components that are configured to detect an increase in conductivity across opposing detector electrodes which can then be used to indicate, via an EMF signal, that the diaper device is wet. The electronic components of the remotely placed monitor station are then configured to receive the EMF and to alert the health care workers that the diaper device is in need of being changed. Nor do the aforementioned disposable diapers describe a kit having the electronic components configured to convert a regular diaper into a smart diaper in communications with the monitor station. Further none of the aforementioned disposable diaper devices disclose a method having the steps of acquiring, activating, allowing, inserting, obtaining, receiving, removing, soiling, transmitting, and wearing. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved remote monitoring system having a remotely placed monitor station in communications with a diaper device, in which the diaper device has many of the standard diaper components such as having an absorbent pad and absorbent composition interposed between the inner and outer panels. Further, the diaper device also has electronic components that are configured to detect an increase in conductivity across opposing detector electrodes which can then be used to indicate, via an EMF signal, that the diaper device is wet. The electronic components of the remotely placed monitor station are then configured to receive the EMF and to alert the health care workers that the diaper device is in need of being changed. In this respect, the remote monitoring system, the kit and associated method of using embodiments of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides a remote monitoring system, a kit and an associated method of using forof providing a convenient means for alerting health care workers that a diaper is in need of being changed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present system, kit and assocaited method of using, according to the principles of the present invention, overcomes a number of the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a novel remote monitoring system, kit and associated method for use in providing a convenient way to alert health care workers that a diaper is in need of being changed. The remote monitoring system includes a remotely placed monitor station in communications with a diaper device. The diaper device has many of the standard diaper components such as having an absorbent pad and absorbent composition interposed between the inner and outer panels. The diaper device also has electronic components that are configured to detect an increase in conductivity across opposing detector electrodes which can then be used to indicate, via an EMF signal, that the diaper device is wet. The electronic components of the remotely placed monitor station are then configured to receive the EMF and to alert the health care workers that the diaper device is in need of being changed. The kit includes the electronic components which can be used to convert a regular commercially available disposable diaper into the smart diaper device of the remote monitoring system. The method includes the steps of acquiring, activating, allowing, inserting, obtaining, receiving, removing, soiling, transmitting, and wearing. 
         [0007]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known type diaper devices, systems, kits, and methods now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved remote monitoring system, kit and associated method for use in providing a convenient way to alert health care workers that a diaper is in need of being changed. The remote monitoring system, kit and associated method will be described subsequently in great detail, is to provide a new and improved remote monitoring system, kit and associated method which are not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0008]    To attain this, the present invention of the remote monitoring system essentially comprises a remote monitor station in communications with a diaper device. The diaper device has many of the standard diaper components such as having an absorbent pad and absorbent composition interposed between the inner and outer panels. The diaper device also has electronic components that are configured to detect an increase in conductivity across opposing detector electrodes which can then be used to indicate, via an EMF signal, that the diaper device is wet. The electronic components of the remotely placed monitor station are then configured to receive the EMF and to alert the health care workers that the diaper device is in need of being changed. 
         [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution of the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0010]    The invention may also include an optional adhesive tab, an optional elastic member, an optional thermocouple, and optional fragrant agent, and an optional software packet. 
         [0011]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompany drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0012]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a new and improved remote monitoring system, kit and associated method that exhibits many of the advantages of the prior diaper devices, kits and associated methods while minimizing a number of their respective disadvantages. 
         [0014]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a new and improved remote monitoring system and associated kit that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
         [0015]    An even further aspect of the present invention is to provide a new and improved remote monitoring system and associated kit that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making the remote monitoring system and associated kit economically available to the buying public. 
         [0016]    Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system and associated kit which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thererof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
         [0017]    Even still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring system having a remotely placed monitor station in communications with a diaper device. The diaper device has many of the standard diaper components such as having an absorbent pad and absorbent composition interposed between the inner and outer panels. The diaper device also has electronic components that are configured to detect an increase in conductivity across opposing detector electrodes which can then be used to indicate, via an EMF signal, that the diaper device is wet. The electronic components of the remotely placed monitor station are then configured to receive the EMF and to alert the health care workers that the diaper device is in need of being changed. 
         [0018]    Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a kit includes electronic components configured to convert a regular diaper into a smart diaper for communications with the monitor station. 
         [0019]    Lastly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of using comprising the steps of acquiring, activating, allowing, inserting, obtaining, receiving, removing, soiling, transmitting, and wearing. 
         [0020]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0021]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and description matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote monitoring system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a close up perspective view of a diaper device of the remote monitoring system of present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a regular disposable diaper with a kit of the present invention embedded (not shown) within the regular disposable diaper; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of a regular disposable diaper with a kit of the present invention embedded (shown) within the regular disposable diaper; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are top and side views, respectively, of a kit of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a monitor station of the remote monitoring system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 to 6  thereof, One embodiment of a remote monitoring system  10  for use in indicating a need to change a diaper device  12  when soiled comprises: the diaper device  12  and a monitor station  30 . The diaper device  12  comprises: an inner panel  14 , an outer panel  1 , an absorbent pad  18 , an absorbent composition  20 , at least one pair of detector electrodes  22 , a detector circuit  24 , a transmitter  26 , and a power supply  28 . The monitor station  30  comprises an antenna  32 , a receiver circuit  34 , and a beacon  36 . The inner panel  14  is configured to be liquid pervious. The outer panel  16  is attached to the inner panel  14  in which the outer panel  16  is configured to be substantially liquid impervious. The absorbent pad  18  is interposed between the inner and outer panels ( 14  and  16 , respectively) in which the absorbent pad  18  in fluid communications with the inner panel  14 . The absorbent composition  20  is distributed throughout and onto the pad  18 . The detector electrodes  22  are interposed between the inner and outer panels ( 14  and  16 , respectively). The detector circuit  24  is operatively coupled to the detector electrodes  22 . The transmitter  26  is operatively coupled to the detector circuit  24 , in which the transmitter  26  is configured to transmit an EMF signal. The power supply  28  is coupled to the detector electrodes  22 , to the circuit and to the transmitter  26 . The antenna  32  of the monitor station  30  is configured to be responsive to the transmitted EMF signal. The receiver circuit  34  of the monitor station  30  is operatively coupled to the antenna  32 . The beacon  36  of the monitor station  30  is operatively coupled to the receiver circuit  34 . 
         [0031]    The detector electrodes  22  of the remote monitoring system  10  may be positioned anywhere along the diaper device  12 . One preferred embodiment is that the detector electrodes  22  are attached to the outer panel  16 . Another preferred embodiment is that the detector electrodes  22  are attached to the absorbent pad  18 . 
         [0032]    The detector circuit  24  of the remote monitoring system  10  may be positioned anywhere along the diaper device  12 . One preferred embodiment is that the detector circuit  24  is attached to the outer panel  16 . Another preferred embodiment is that the detector circuit  24  is attached to the absorbent pad  18 . 
         [0033]    The power supply  28  of the remote monitoring system  10  may be positioned anywhere along the diaper device  12 . One preferred embodiment is that the power supply  28  is attached to the outer panel  16 . Another preferred embodiment is that the power supply  28  is attached to the absorbent pad  18 . The power supply  28  may be any commercially available supply  28  such as those selected from the group consisting of a battery and a high capacity capacitor. When the power supply  28  is in the form of a battery it may be selected from the group consisting of a zinc-carbon battery, zinc-chloride battery, an alkaline/manganese battery, a silver-oxide battery, a lithium battery, a mercury battery, and a water-activated battery. Furthermore, when the power supply  28  is in the form of a water-activated battery the anode may be selected from a magnesium anode, and a magnesium-zinc alloy, and the cathode maybe selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, cuprous chloride, cuprous bromide, cuprous iodide, and cuprous thiocyanate, copper sulfate, and manganese dioxide. 
         [0034]    The transmitter  26  of the remote monitoring system  10  maybe positioned anywhere along the diaper device  12 . One preferred embodiment is that the transmitter  26  is attached to the absorbent pad  18 . Another preferred embodiment is that the transmitter  26  is attached to the outer panel  16 . 
         [0035]    The beacon  36  of the remote monitoring system  10  may be any commercially available beacon  36  such as those selected from the group consisting of an computer monitor beacon  36 , electromagnetic speaker beacon  36 , a piezoelectric speaker beacon  36 , a light emitting diode beacon  36 , a liquid crystal diode beacon  36 , and an incandescent lamp beacon  36 . 
         [0036]    The absorbent pad  18  of the diaper device  12  of the system  10  may be made of any commercially available material such as those materials selected from the group consisting of fluffed cellulose fibers, textile fibers, web of polymeric fibers, wood pulp fibers, polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, cellulose sponge, and hydrophilic synthetic sponge. 
         [0037]    The outer panel  16  of the diaper device  12  of the system  10  may be made of any commercially available material such as those selected from the group consisting of polypropylene polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyurethane, polyolefin blends, co-polyesters, block copolymers and admixtures thereof. 
         [0038]    The absorbent composition  20  of the diaper device  12  of the system  10  may be made of any commercially available material such as those superabsorbent polymers selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate polymers, starch graft copolymers, cellulose graft copolymers, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose derivatives, and admixtures thereof. 
         [0039]    An optional software packet  38  may be added to the system  10  in which the optional of software packet  38  is configured to drive the antenna  32 , the receiver circuit  34  and the beacon  36  when the receiver circuit  34  is operatively interfaced to a personal computer  40 . 
         [0040]    An optional networking  42  of interconnected detector electrodes  22  of the system  10  may be added in which each detector electrode  22  in the networking  42  is operatively coupled to the circuit. 
         [0041]    An optional adhesive tab  44  may be added to the system  10  in which the at least one adhesive tab  44  is attached to the outer panel  16 . 
         [0042]    An optional elastic member  46  may be added to the system  10  in which the elastic member  46  is bonded under tension to the outer panel  16 . 
         [0043]    An optional thermocouple  48  may be added to the system  10  in which the thermocouple  48  maybe interposed between the inner and outer panels ( 14  and  16 , respectively) wherein the thermocouple  48  operatively coupled to the circuit. 
         [0044]    An optional fragrant agent  50  may be added to the system  10  in which the fragrant agent  50  may be interposed between the inner and outer panels ( 14  and  16 , respectively). The optional fragrant agent  50  may be selected from the group consisting of apple essence, balsam essence, benzoin resin, blueberry essence, cassia oil, cedar oil, cinnamon essence, clove oil, coriander essence, eucalyptus essence, fresh peach essence, jasmine essence, labdanum resin, lavender essence, lemon essence, lemon oil, musk essence, nutmeg essence, olibanum resinoid, orange oil, patchouli essence, Peru balsam, pine oil, raspberry essence, rose extract sandalwood oil, spearmint essence, styrax, vanilla essence, wintergreen essence, 4-acetyl-6-tert-butyl-1,1-dimethylindane, 5-acetyl-3-isopropyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethylindane, 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindane, 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyltetralin, 7-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,1,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalene, ambroxane, amylcinnamaldehyde, anisaldehyde, benzophenone, benzyl acetate, benzyl salicylate, caryophyllene alcohol, cedrol, cedryl acetate, condensation products of hydroxycitronellal and methyl anthranilate, condensation products of hydroxycitronellal and indole, condensation products of phenylacetaldehyde and indole, coumarin, cyclopentadecanolide, γ-decalactone, 2-(1,1-dimethylethyl)cyclo-hexanol acetate, dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1b]furan, 1-dodecanal, 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol, ethylvanillin, formyltricyclodecane, geraniol, heliotropin, hexylcinnamaldehyde, 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde, 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 16-hydroxy-9-hexadecenoic acid lactone, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-γ-2-benzopyran, hydroxyphenylbutanone, α-ionone, β-ionone, γ-ionone, isohexenylcyclohexylcarboxaldehyde, α-isomethylionone, linalyl acetate, 2-methyl-2-(isopropylphenyl)propionaldehyde, 2-methyl-2-(para-isopropylphenyl)propionaldehyde, 2-methyl-3-(para-tert-butylphenyl)propionaldehydc, 2-methyl-3-(tert-butylphenyl)propionaldehyde, methyl1,6,10-trimethyl-2,5,9-cyclododecatrien-1-yl ketone, methylcedrylone, methyl dihydrojasmonate, methyl β-naphthyl ketone, methyl γ-naphthyl ketone, γ-naphthol methyl ether, nerol, para-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, tricyclodecenyl acetate, 5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)-3-methylpentan-2-ol, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionates, phenylethyl alcohol, terpineol, linalool, and 10-undecen-1-al. 
         [0045]    One preferred embodiment of a kit  52  for use in converting a regular disposable diaper  54  into a smart diaper device  12  for use in communication with a remote monitor station  30 , said kit  52  comprising: at least one pair of detector electrodes  22 , a detector circuit  24 , a transmitter  26 , and a power supply  28 . The detector circuit  24  is configured to be operatively coupled to the detector electrodes  22  of the kit  52 . The transmitter  26  of the kit  52  is configured to be operatively coupled to the detector circuit  24  of the kit  52  in which the transmitter  26  is also configured to transmit an EMF signal. The power supply  28  of the kit  52  is configured to be coupled to the detector electrodes  22  of the kit  52 . 
         [0046]    An optional monitor station  30  may be added to the kit  52  in which the monitor station  30  comprises an antenna  32 , a receiver circuit  34 , and a beacon  36 . The antenna  32  of the optional monitor station  30  is configured to be responsive to the transmitted EMF signal. The receiver circuit  34  of the optional monitor station  30  of the kit  52  is configured to be operatively coupled to the antenna  32 . The beacon  36  of the optional monitor station  30  of the kit  52  is configured to be operatively coupled to the receiver circuit  34 . 
         [0047]    An optional software packet  38  may be added to the optional monitor station  30  of the kit  52  in which the software packet is configured to drive the antenna  32 , the receiver circuit  34  and the beacon  36  when the receiver circuit  34  is operatively interfaced to a personal computer  40 . 
         [0048]    An optional thermocouple  48  may be added to the kit  52  in which the thermocouple  48  is configured to be operatively coupled to the detector circuit  24 . 
         [0049]    One preferred embodiment of a method of using a kit  52  to convert a regular disposable diaper  54  into a smart diaper device  12  for use in communications with a remote monitor station  30  comprises the steps of acquiring, activating, allowing, inserting, obtaining, receiving, removing, soiling, transmitting, and wearing. The obtaining step comprises obtaining the kit  52  comprising: at least one pair of detector electrodes  22 ; a detector circuit  24  operatively coupled to the detector electrodes  22 ; a transmitter  26  operatively coupled to the detector circuit  24 , the transmitter  26  configured to transmit an EMF signal; a thermocouple  48  operatively coupled to the detector circuit  24 ; a power supply coupled to the detector electrodes  22 , the detector circuit  24 , the thermocouple  48  and the transmitter  26 ; and the monitor station  30  comprising: an antenna  32  configured to be responsive to the transmitted EMF signal; a receiver circuit  34  operatively coupled to the antenna  32 ; and a beacon  36  operatively coupled to the receiver circuit  34 . The acquiring step comprises acquiring an unsoiled regular disposable diaper  54 . The inserting step comprises inserting the detector electrodes  22 , the detector circuit  24 , the transmitter  26 , the thermocouple  48  and the power supply  28  of the kit  52  into the acquired regular disposable diaper  54 , wherein the steps of inserting results in converting the regular disposable diaper  54  into a smart diaper device  12 . The wearing step comprises wearing the smart diaper device  12 . The soiling step comprises soiling the smart diaper device  12 . The allowing step comprises allowing the detector circuit  24  of the kit  52  to sense an increase in conductivity between the detector electrodes  22  of the kit  52  when the smart diaper device  12  is soiled. The transmitting step comprises transmitting the EMF signal from the transmitter  26  of the kit  52  when the detector circuit  24  of the kit  52  senses the increase in conductivity between the detector electrodes  22  of the kit  52 . The receiving step comprises receiving the transmitted EMF signal with the antenna  32  coupled to the receiver circuit  34  of the monitor station  30 . The activating step comprises activating the beacon  36  of the monitor station  30  in response to receiving the transmitted EMF signal. The removing step comprises removing the soiled smart diaper device  12  in response to the activated beacon  36 . 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  which depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the remote monitoring system  10  showing a diaper device  12  and a monitor station  30 . The diaper device  12  is shown having an inner panel  14 , an outer panel  16 , a networking  42  of detector electrodes  22  interposed between the inner and outer panels ( 14  and  16 , respectively), a detector circuit  24 , a transmitter  26 ; and a power supply  28 . The monitor station  30  is shown having an antenna  32 , a receiver circuit  34 , and a beacon  36 . 
         [0051]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  which depicts a close up perspective view of a part of the diaper device  12  of the remote monitoring system  10  showing the networking  42  of detector electrodes  22 . 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a regular disposable diaper  54  is depicted having a kit  52  (not shown) of the present invention embedded into the regular disposable diaper  54 . The disposable diaper  54  is shown having an inner panel  14 , an outer panel  16 , a plurality of elastic members  46  and a plurality of adhesive tabs  44 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a cross sectional view of a regular disposable diaper with a kit  52  embedded into the regular disposable diaper  54  is depicted. The regular disposable diaper is depicted having an inner panel  14 , an outer panel  16 , an absorbent pad  18 , an absorbent composition  20  distributed onto the pad  18 ; two elastic members  46  and a fragrant agent  50 . The kit  52  is shown embedded within the pad  18  of the regular disposable diaper. The kit  52  is also shown to have a detector electrodes  22 , a detector circuit  24 , a transmitter  26 , a power supply  28 , and a thermocouple  48 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  which depict respective top and side views of a kit  52  in which the kit  52  is shown having a detector electrodes  22 , a detector circuit  24 , a transmitter  26 , a power supply  28 , and a thermocouple  48 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  which depicts a perspective view of a monitor station  30  of the present invention. The monitor station  30  is shown having a an antenna  32  and a receiver circuit  34  configured to be operatively coupled to a personal computer  40  so that the beacon  36  (i.e., the personal computer  40  monitor) can be conveniently viewed by health care workers at a remote work area. Also shown is a software packet  38  which is configured to drive the antenna  32 , receiver circuit  34  and beacon  36  when the receiver circuit  34  is operatively interfaced to the personal computer  40 . 
         [0056]    As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0057]    While a preferred embodiment of the remote monitoring system, kit and method has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0058]    Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” or the term “includes” or variations, thereof, or the term “having” or variations, thereof will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or integers. In this regard, in construing the claim scope, an embodiment where one or more features is added to any of the claims is to be regarded as within the scope of the invention given that the essential features of the invention as claimed are included in such an embodiment. 
         [0059]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modification which fall within its spirit and scope. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features. 
         [0060]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.