Patent ID: 12186091

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.2shows a block diagram of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment of the invention. The baby bottle device100comprises a milk bottle or fluid container110, a teat120, optionally a cap121, an adapter130arranged between the bottle110and the teat120, a first movement sensor140or a second movement sensor150. Optionally a movement analyzer200is provided as part of the baby bottle device to analyze the movement data. The movement analyzer200can also be provided in or at an external device.

A housing151(e.g. in form of a sleeve) can be attached to the baby bottle, e.g. to the fluid container or to the adapter130.

The movement sensor140/150is used to detect the movements of the bottle in particular during the feeding of a baby. The data of the movement sensor140/150can be used by the movement analyzer200to detect whether the baby is drinking or not (for example, in order to prevent excessive air intake). Furthermore, the movement data can be used to detect whether or not the teat being used is the correct one (e.g. by analyzed the flow rate to determine whether it is too high or too low). Moreover, based on the movement data, it can be detected during a feed whether the baby is satisfied or is getting tired. Alternatively, based on the movement data it can be detected if the baby is gulping for example at the start of the feed, typically as it is very hungry. Furthermore, the movement data can be analyzed also over time to obtain objective information on the sucking-swallowing-breathing behavior of the baby.

The movement sensor140/150can be removably attached to baby bottle device or can be integrated into the baby bottle device. Preferably, the movement sensor140/150is removably attached to the baby bottle such that it can be used with different bottles, for example if one bottle needs to be cleaned.

The housing151can comprise the movement sensor and can for example be implemented as a sleeve which can be attached to the bottom or a side of the milk container110. Alternatively, the sensor140can be attached to the bottle with an elastic strap. The sensor140,150may also be integrated with or attached to the adapter130.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the movement data from the movement sensor140,150can be further analyzed in a mobile device, a backend-server or a cloud-based system. Accordingly, the baby bottle device100can optionally comprise a transmitter160for transmitting the detected and/or analyzed movement data. The transmitter160can be transmitting via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, 4G, 5G, etc. It can be arranged in or attached to the bottle110, the adapter130or the sensor140or150. Preferably, the transmitter160is arranged in or at the housing151.

The movement sensor140,150may detect the motion and an angle of the bottle110during the feeding. The sensor140,150may comprise an inertial measurement unit IMU170which may comprise a single or multiple axis accelerometer171and/or a single or multiple axis gyroscope172. Alternatively, one accelerometer171may be used in order to obtain the movement data. The inertial measurement unit170can be arranged in or at the housing151.

According to an aspect of the invention, the data from the inertial measurement unit170during the feed can be analyzed by the movement analyzer200to detect whether such data can be used for a suck-swallow-breathe SSB analysis. Based on these data, parameters related to the suck-swallow-breathe rhythm can be determined by the analyzer200. These parameters may include a burst duration, a pause duration, a burst-pause duration ratio, a number of sucks per burst, a sucking frequency, a sucking magnitude and/or drinking interruptions.

The determined suck-swallow-breathe parameters may be undergoing a post processing in a post-processer300for a more detailed analysis. This more detailed analysis may be used for the insight and guidance for parents and doctors regarding the drinking behavior of the baby. The detected or calculated parameters of the suck-swallow-breathe procedure may be compared with threshold values by the analyzer200or to determine whether the detected or measured parameters are within the acceptable range. Furthermore, the determined parameters of the suck-swallow-breathe may be analyzed post-processer300in view of trends within a feed or between feeds. Based on these parameters, it may be determined whether the baby is satisfied, has drunk enough, is tired, is gulping or an impropriate teat has been used.

The movement data could for instance be used in a teat replacement service. Here, parents can be informed on when to replace the teat, and receive advice by what kind of teat (e.g., to lower or increase the flow rate) should be used. The flow rate is not measured directly, but characteristics of the burst-pause cycle may indirectly indicate if the flow rate is too high or too low. For instance, the continuous presence of very long burst periods throughout feedings in young infants may indicate that the flow rate is too high. Optionally, a feedback (optical or audio feedback) can be given to the parents or doctors in order to improve the feeding efficiency of the baby.

Optionally, the housing151can comprise a movement sensor150, the transmitter160and/or the inertial movement unit. Moreover, the movement analyzer200can be arranged in or at the housing151.

FIG.3shows various graphs depicting the detectable movements of a baby bottle. With the movement sensor140,150, the movement of the bottle110in the x, y, z direction can be detected over time T. Furthermore, the rotation round the x axis, y axis and z axis can be detected, in particular by means of the gyroscope.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the movement sensor140,150may be implemented as a sleeve150comprising an accelerometer171and a gyroscope172. These two sensors171,172may be operated at a sampling frequency which is sufficiently high to capture the sucking frequency which is around 1-2 Hz. For example, the sampling frequency can be between 10 and 50 Hz or higher.

InFIG.3, the raw signals of the angle A, the accelerometer171and the gyroscope172are depicted. If the bottle100is vertically arranged, then the angle is 0° and if the bottle100is horizontally arranged, then the angle is 90°. Accordingly, based on the detected angle A of the bottle100, the start and end of a feeding of the baby can be detected. Furthermore, interruptions of the feeding process may also be detected by analyzing the angle of the bottle.

FIG.4shows a graph depicting accelerometer and gyroscope signals171a,172aduring the use of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG.4depicts the accelerometer signals171aand the gyroscope signals172aof a bottle during use over an angle of the bottle. As can be seen, the signal has regular patterns. From the data of the accelerometer171and the gyroscope172, it is clear that periods of increased motion and reduced motion alternate. These alternate motion periods relate to a burst/pause cycle with short periods of drinking and breaks in between. It should be noted that the suck-swallow-breathe motion occurs during the burst periods. High frequency fluctuations in the signals can relate to a sucking behavior of the baby.

FIG.5shows a graph depicting a power spectral density P of the accelerometer and gyroscope signals171,172over frequency F(Hz) according to an embodiment of the invention. As can be seen inFIG.5, two dominant frequency ranges between 0-0.5 Hz related to the burst-pause cycle and a frequency range between 1 and 2 Hz related to the sucking is present in the power spectral signal. From the analysis of the accelerometer signal and the gyroscope signal, it becomes clear that the sucking frequency is more pronounced in the gyroscope signal. Thus, the angular movements appear to be more pronounced than the linear movements during the sucking.

FIG.6shows different graphs depicting a moving average of spectral densities P according to an embodiment of the invention. InFIG.6, a moving average of spectral densities P of all these components171x,171y,171zof the accelerometer171of all three components172x,172y,172zgyroscope signal are depicted. As can be seen, the sucking frequency can be noticed in the z-component171zof the accelerometer signal171corresponding to the linear motion along the longitudinal axis of the bottle during sucking. On the other hand, the magnitude of the signal is lower.

FIG.7shows a graph depicting a raw gyroscope magnitude, a low-pass filtered gyroscope magnitude, a gyroscope magnitude with burst-pause periods and durations of extracted burst and pause durations according to an aspect of the invention. According to an embodiment of the invention, bursts and pauses can be extracted based on the magnitude of the gyroscope signal. In order to perform this analysis, a low-pass-filtering of the gyroscope magnitude as well as an application of a threshold can be performed. Alternatively, the bursts10and pauses20can be analyzed based on clustering. If the bursts10and pauses20have been analyzed, they can be used to calculate the duration thereof. The determined duration of the bursts10and pauses20can be further examined to determine whether they are in the expected range or whether certain trends can be observed.

FIG.8shows a graph depicting gyroscope histograms30of low pass filtered gyroscope signals according to an aspect of the invention. InFIG.8, histograms30of feeds are depicted (the densities of the gyroscope signal is depicted over the gyroscope signal (deg/s)) where two modes are visible regarding two pauses20and bursts10. According to an embodiment of the invention, a threshold is selected to separate bursts from pauses. A value and the minimal density between the peaks correspond to a preferred threshold to separate the burst from the pause modes. The two lower graphs inFIG.8depict certain samples, where it is not possible to discern between burst and pause modes.

The method based on a constant threshold requires that all movement data from a feed is collected, before histograms can be made. Only then a threshold to separate burst from pause can be determined. For some applications it is, however, useful to detect drinking in behavior real-time, such that immediate feedback can be given to parents. One method is to use exponential filtering/smoothing to real-time estimate a threshold and determine if the baby is drinking or not. For example, two exponential filters could be applied, one with a low forgetting factor to heavily smooth the accelerometer/gyroscope magnitude signal. This filter can be seen as smooth moving average which is being used as the threshold. The second exponential filter has a higher forgetting factor and smooths the data to remove the high frequencies and noise, but the burst-pause dynamics are preserved. This signal in combination with the variable threshold can be used to determine if the baby is drinking.

According to an aspect of the invention, these signals from the gyroscope and the accelerometer171,172may be further analyzed e.g. by the analyzer regarding time series signals like a number of sucks, sucking frequency, a sucking strength and a regularity of suck-to-suck intervals. According to an embodiment of the invention, a post analysis or post-processing of the drinking parameters can be used to provide personalized insight for parents and doctors. The analysis of the gyroscope and accelerometer data can provide parents valuable information to understand the drinking behavior of the child. For example, the detected signals may be analyzed to determine whether the baby is satisfied and has drunk enough during the feeding. Alternatively, it can be determined whether the baby is tired, is gulping or if an inappropriate teat has been used.

FIG.9shows a graph depicting a sample of a feed with a sudden increase in pauses according to an aspect of the invention.FIG.9shows the duration of bursts over time T (sec) of the gyroscope signals as well as the changes in magnitude40of the gyroscope signal over time T. As can be seen fromFIG.9, the duration D of the bursts and pauses is substantially stable during the first 700 seconds. After this point, the baby may start to take longer pauses and to drink at a slower rate. Accordingly, the baby may have drunk sufficient, is distracted or is tired. Optionally, this information may be outputted by the baby bottle device to the parents optionally via an external electronic device.

FIG.10shows a graph depicting examples of feeding of a baby according to an aspect of the invention. Here, two drinking periods and in particular the durations D of the burst are depicted over time T. FromFIG.10, it is clear that the baby starts with long drinking periods (for example because it is hungry). Thereafter, the drinking periods are getting shorter and the break periods are getting longer. Accordingly, the baby may be becoming tired and exhausted.

FIG.11shows a graph depicting a drinking behavior of a baby. InFIG.11, a bottle movement M over time T (sec) is depicted. The drinking behavior50includes drinking periods51interrupted by non-drinking periods52. The non-drinking periods52can be due to a pausing period52or a period52bduring which the baby is playing with the teat. In the drinking period51, the infant is performing the suck-swallow-breathe sequence51a. A burst-pause cycle51bincludes a burst period and a pause period. Accordingly, a drinking period51comprises several burst-pause-cycles51bwhich include a number of suck-swallow-breathe sequences.

Accordingly, with the above described baby bottle device, it is possible to analyze the parameters relating to the suck-swallow-breathe behavior. A drinking burst consists of a plurality of suck-swallow-breathe events. A burst-pause-cycle consists of a number of drinking bursts and a number of pauses in between the drinking bursts.

During a drinking period, the baby performs the required steps to extract milk from the bottle. Such drinking period also includes the short pauses between drinking bursts. The period between two drinking periods is the non-drinking period52during which the baby is not performing the steps to extract milk from the bottle. Such non-drinking periods are different from the pauses in a burst-pause cycle5bas a period is substantially longer than during the pauses in the burst-pause cycle. The non-drinking period52can be because of several reasons like pausing52aof the baby or that the baby is playing with the teat. The detection of the non-drinking period52can be performed based on the detected drinking parameters. In particular, the length of drinking interruptions can be compared to a threshold value to determine the drinking period51or the non-drinking period52.

If the baby bottle device has detected a period52bduring which the baby is playing with the teat, the baby bottle device may analyze the movement data in greater detail. Furthermore, the baby bottle device may output a notification that the baby is playing with the teat.

The period52bduring which the baby is playing with the teat can be determined by analyzing the movement signal. This movement signal will have a smaller amplitude than during the burst-pause cycle. Furthermore, the movement signal during the period52bduring which the baby is playing with the teat may have similar properties as during the sucking period.

Other variations of the disclosed embodiment can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and in the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.

A single unit or device may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measurements cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium such as an optical storage medium or a solid state medium, supplied together with or as a part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via the internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.