WO2002082991A1 - Medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients - Google Patents

Medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002082991A1
WO2002082991A1 PCT/EP2002/003737 EP0203737W WO02082991A1 WO 2002082991 A1 WO2002082991 A1 WO 2002082991A1 EP 0203737 W EP0203737 W EP 0203737W WO 02082991 A1 WO02082991 A1 WO 02082991A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensing
measurement unit
unit comprises
emission
patient
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2002/003737
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lamberto Piron
Mauro Dam
Roberto Furlan
Original Assignee
Khymeia S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Khymeia S.R.L. filed Critical Khymeia S.R.L.
Publication of WO2002082991A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002082991A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/24—Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
    • A61B5/316—Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
    • A61B5/369—Electroencephalography [EEG]
    • A61B5/377—Electroencephalography [EEG] using evoked responses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
    • A61N1/36—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for stimulation
    • A61N1/36014—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes
    • A61N1/36025—External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes for treating a mental or cerebral condition

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients.
  • stimulations are currently entrusted to individuals (health workers, relatives of the patient, et cetera) who administer them empirically, partially and randomly.
  • An important parameter in the effectiveness of the stimulation is its constant administration over time, in a multimodal manner, allowing adequate sensing of the reactions of the patient so as to be able to calibrate the type of stimulation and optionally manage the steps of the patient's arousal.
  • many disorders require an extremely high level of hygiene of the environment in which the patient is placed, and therefore for example sensorial stimulation, even just of the auditory kind, on the part of human beings is unfeasible.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients that is capable of managing a programmed and/or controlled constant administration of cognitive-sensory stimulations to the comatose patient and of sensing his reactions to these stimulations in order to calibrate alternative stimulation strategies and manage the steps of arousal.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus which, once programmed, can operate entirely autonomously even for long periods of time and in environments that are perfectly aseptic or in any case normally reserved for various reasons, including hygiene-related reasons, only to medical and/or paramedic personnel.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that is particularly flexible in relation to the various kinds of disorder of the patient and is optionally able to act selectively in response to given reactions of the patient being treated.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be managed precisely and in real time by optional operators performing monitoring and whose output, in terms of measurement and sensing, allows to give a general and exhaustive picture of the physiological conditions of the patient and of his reactions to stimulations of the cognitive, sensorial, sensory and motor type.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can also be controlled remotely by operators, for example by means of a local area network, a telephone line and a modem, et cetera.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that can optionally be transported to different sites and appropriately folded in compact form during transport.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that allows personnel, relatives of the patient, volunteers, by means of microphones, video cameras, loudspeakers and viewers, to connect from a location that is not the patient's location in order to attempt a merely visual and auditory interaction, complying with the organizational requirements of the hospital and with adequate protection of the patient from contact with external agents.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that can be manufactured with known technologies and equipment.
  • a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients characterized in that it comprises, in connection with information processing and control means, a unit for emitting sensory and sensorial stimuli toward the patient which cooperates with a unit for sensing and measuring the reactions of the patient as a consequence of said stimuli and for emitting in feedback the stimuli for which a reaction is sensed.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is another schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is another schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the detail of Figure 4 during application
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 during operation;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in the configuration for transport. Ways to carrying out the Invention
  • a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
  • the apparatus 10 and its components are shown schematically in different manners for the sake of clarity and in order to highlight particular aspects thereof, but the reference numeral of an individual component is assigned identically and univocally independently of the appearance of the schematic representation adopted in a particular figure.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises, in connection with information processing and control means designated by the reference numeral 11, a unit 12 for emitting auditory stimuli, which is programmable and is suitable to emit signals toward the patient according to preset positions, and a unit 13 for sensing and measuring, in feedback to the audio emission, the reactions of the patient, who is designated by the reference numeral 14 in the figures.
  • the emission unit 12 emits, in this case, stimuli of the auditory type, but can advantageously comprise components, not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity, for emitting stimuli of the gustative, olfactory, tactile, thermal, algesiogenic, vibratory, motor types, such as for example sounds, videos, static images or images that move randomly or in a programmed fashion, screens with uniform or patterned coloring, dynamic images of the fractal type, odors, fragrances, vibrations of various amplitudes, heat or cold.
  • stimuli of the auditory type but can advantageously comprise components, not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity, for emitting stimuli of the gustative, olfactory, tactile, thermal, algesiogenic, vibratory, motor types, such as for example sounds, videos, static images or images that move randomly or in a programmed fashion, screens with uniform or patterned coloring, dynamic images of the fractal type, odors, fragrances, vibrations of various amplitudes, heat or cold.
  • the audio emission unit 12 comprises four audio emission devices with multiple sources (positional audio) which are typically constituted by audio speakers, designated by the reference numeral
  • the speakers 15 can be arranged so as to surround the patient 14 in order to ensure, also in relation to the environment in which the patient is placed, the best possible administration of sound.
  • the unit 12 also comprises a low-frequency sound wave emission device 16 of a per se known type.
  • the apparatus 10 also comprises a video emission unit, generally designated by the reference numeral 17, which in this case comprises a TFT flat screen 18.
  • the visual output can consist of photographs, videos, graphic effects obtained by means of software programs, stroboscopic effects, fractal images, light-immersion effects, et cetera.
  • the sensing and measurement unit 13 is constituted, in this case, by a coordinated set of medical devices, which are per se known and are listed hereafter. More specifically, the unit 13 consists, in this case, of an electroencephalogram (EKG) sensing device 19, a device 20 for measuring evoked visual, auditory and electrical potentials, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensing device 21, a surface and deep electromyograph (EMG) sensing device 22, an EDA or EDC skin conductance (electrodermal activity) sensing device 23, an eye motion (EOG) sensing device 24, a body temperature sensing device 25, a respiration sensing device 26, and finally an arterial pressure sensing device, a blood gas analysis sensing device, and a heart rate sensing device, which are not shown in the figure for the sake of simplicity.
  • EKG electroencephalogram
  • EMG electrocardiogram
  • EOG eye motion
  • the apparatus 10 also has a television camera 27, which is associated with
  • All of the above listed devices are connected to a signal amplification unit 28, which is in turn connected to a signal digitizing unit 29 to allow acquisition on the part of the processing means 11.
  • the apparatus 10 also comprises a device, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is particularly suitable to allow sensing of the position of the head of the patient 14, in cooperation with the monitor 18, and to allow the patient, once aroused, to emit voice signals in relation to the stimuli.
  • a device generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is particularly suitable to allow sensing of the position of the head of the patient 14, in cooperation with the monitor 18, and to allow the patient, once aroused, to emit voice signals in relation to the stimuli.
  • the device comprises, on a supporting structure 31 to be fixed to the forehead of the patient, a nosepiece 32, earpieces 33, an appendage with a microphone 34 with a bite- or breath-operated control switch, and a forehead-mounted infrared pointing/sensing device 35 which cooperates with per se known sensors applied to the monitor 18 and not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.
  • the unit 11 is constituted by an electronic information processor, such as a personal computer or equivalent device, generally designated by the reference numeral 36, which is provided with audio and video interfacing cards, designated by the reference numerals 37 and 38 respectively, and with mass storage units capable of acquiring and recording digitally the data supplied by the sensing devices, so that assigned operators can, over time, formulate any corrections and analyze the behavior of the patient subjected to cognitive and sensory stimulations.
  • an electronic information processor such as a personal computer or equivalent device, generally designated by the reference numeral 36, which is provided with audio and video interfacing cards, designated by the reference numerals 37 and 38 respectively, and with mass storage units capable of acquiring and recording digitally the data supplied by the sensing devices, so that assigned operators can, over time, formulate any corrections and analyze the behavior of the patient subjected to cognitive and sensory stimulations.
  • the information processor 36 devices and interfaces typically modems or network cards of various kinds, including wireless ones based on radio waves or infrared rays et cetera, for remote connection to
  • the embodiment described above is advantageously accommodated in a container 39 which can be folded into a compact form during transport so as to become a suitcase 40 with wheels for easier sliding.
  • the container 39 once opened, ensures the ergonomic availabihty of all the output and input devices for the operator in a rather limited space, so that the apparatus 10 can also be applied in situations in which the patient is confined in small spaces.
  • the apparatus effectively achieves all the actions of sensory and sensorial stimuli (auditory, visual, gustative, olfactory, tactile, thermal, algesiogenic, vibratory, motor stimuli, such as for example sounds, videos, static images or images with random or programmed motion, screens with a uniform or patterned coloring, dynamic images of the fractal type, odors, fragrances, vibrations of various amplitudes, heat or cold) of the patient, ensuring sensing of the main physiological parameters of said patient so that the operator or operators can follow and manage, even in real time, the effectiveness of the administration treatments, optionally calibrating the administrations of said stimuli if positive reactions on the part of the user are detected.
  • sensory and sensorial stimuli auditory, visual, gustative, olfactory, tactile, thermal, algesiogenic, vibratory, motor stimuli, such as for example sounds, videos, static images or images with random or programmed motion, screens with a uniform or patterned coloring, dynamic images of the fractal type, odors, fragrances, vibrations of
  • the apparatus according to the invention achieves a precise and localized monitoring of the status of the patient which is suitable to ensure that the patient is in optimum conditions and receives adequate multimodal stimulation in order to increase the probabilities of arousal from the coma and/or of accelerating said arousal.
  • the apparatus according to the invention can work effectively even in a fully automatic manner over time, so as to ensure constancy of the stimulations and the possibility to continue the treatment without excessive personnel costs even for rather long periods of time.
  • the technical details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
  • the materials and the dimensions may be any according to requirements.

Abstract

A medical apparatus (10) particulary for comatose patients, comprising, in connection with information processing and control means (11), a unit (12) for emitting sensory and sensorial stimuli toward the patient which cooperates with a unit (13) for sensing and measuring the reactions of the patient as a consequence of the stimuli and for emitting in feedback the stimuli for which a reaction is sensed.

Description

MEDICAL APPARATUS PARTICULARLY FOR COMATOSE
PATIENTS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients.
Background Art
It is known that methods aimed at stimulating comatose patients from the cognitive and/or sensory standpoint have long been studied and analyzed. It is hypothesized that recovery of consciousness from a coma due to various causes can be facilitated by stimulations of a sensory, sensorial, motor and vibratory type applied to the patient.
These stimulations are currently entrusted to individuals (health workers, relatives of the patient, et cetera) who administer them empirically, partially and randomly. An important parameter in the effectiveness of the stimulation is its constant administration over time, in a multimodal manner, allowing adequate sensing of the reactions of the patient so as to be able to calibrate the type of stimulation and optionally manage the steps of the patient's arousal. Moreover, many disorders require an extremely high level of hygiene of the environment in which the patient is placed, and therefore for example sensorial stimulation, even just of the auditory kind, on the part of human beings is unfeasible.
Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients that is capable of managing a programmed and/or controlled constant administration of cognitive-sensory stimulations to the comatose patient and of sensing his reactions to these stimulations in order to calibrate alternative stimulation strategies and manage the steps of arousal. Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus which, once programmed, can operate entirely autonomously even for long periods of time and in environments that are perfectly aseptic or in any case normally reserved for various reasons, including hygiene-related reasons, only to medical and/or paramedic personnel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that is particularly flexible in relation to the various kinds of disorder of the patient and is optionally able to act selectively in response to given reactions of the patient being treated. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be managed precisely and in real time by optional operators performing monitoring and whose output, in terms of measurement and sensing, allows to give a general and exhaustive picture of the physiological conditions of the patient and of his reactions to stimulations of the cognitive, sensorial, sensory and motor type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can also be controlled remotely by operators, for example by means of a local area network, a telephone line and a modem, et cetera.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that can optionally be transported to different sites and appropriately folded in compact form during transport.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that allows personnel, relatives of the patient, volunteers, by means of microphones, video cameras, loudspeakers and viewers, to connect from a location that is not the patient's location in order to attempt a merely visual and auditory interaction, complying with the organizational requirements of the hospital and with adequate protection of the patient from contact with external agents.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical apparatus that can be manufactured with known technologies and equipment. This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients, characterized in that it comprises, in connection with information processing and control means, a unit for emitting sensory and sensorial stimuli toward the patient which cooperates with a unit for sensing and measuring the reactions of the patient as a consequence of said stimuli and for emitting in feedback the stimuli for which a reaction is sensed. Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 2 is another schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is another schematic view of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the detail of Figure 4 during application;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 during operation; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in the configuration for transport. Ways to carrying out the Invention
With reference to Figures 1 to 7, a medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. In the figures, the apparatus 10 and its components are shown schematically in different manners for the sake of clarity and in order to highlight particular aspects thereof, but the reference numeral of an individual component is assigned identically and univocally independently of the appearance of the schematic representation adopted in a particular figure. The apparatus 10 comprises, in connection with information processing and control means designated by the reference numeral 11, a unit 12 for emitting auditory stimuli, which is programmable and is suitable to emit signals toward the patient according to preset positions, and a unit 13 for sensing and measuring, in feedback to the audio emission, the reactions of the patient, who is designated by the reference numeral 14 in the figures.
The emission unit 12 emits, in this case, stimuli of the auditory type, but can advantageously comprise components, not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity, for emitting stimuli of the gustative, olfactory, tactile, thermal, algesiogenic, vibratory, motor types, such as for example sounds, videos, static images or images that move randomly or in a programmed fashion, screens with uniform or patterned coloring, dynamic images of the fractal type, odors, fragrances, vibrations of various amplitudes, heat or cold.
In particular, in this case the audio emission unit 12 comprises four audio emission devices with multiple sources (positional audio) which are typically constituted by audio speakers, designated by the reference numeral
15 in the figures, which are connected to an amplifier, not shown, which is of a per se known type.
The speakers 15 can be arranged so as to surround the patient 14 in order to ensure, also in relation to the environment in which the patient is placed, the best possible administration of sound.
In this embodiment, the unit 12 also comprises a low-frequency sound wave emission device 16 of a per se known type.
The apparatus 10 also comprises a video emission unit, generally designated by the reference numeral 17, which in this case comprises a TFT flat screen 18.
In other cases, however, it is possible to provide visual outputs produced by means of conventional projection devices.
By way of example, the visual output can consist of photographs, videos, graphic effects obtained by means of software programs, stroboscopic effects, fractal images, light-immersion effects, et cetera.
The sensing and measurement unit 13 is constituted, in this case, by a coordinated set of medical devices, which are per se known and are listed hereafter. More specifically, the unit 13 consists, in this case, of an electroencephalogram (EKG) sensing device 19, a device 20 for measuring evoked visual, auditory and electrical potentials, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensing device 21, a surface and deep electromyograph (EMG) sensing device 22, an EDA or EDC skin conductance (electrodermal activity) sensing device 23, an eye motion (EOG) sensing device 24, a body temperature sensing device 25, a respiration sensing device 26, and finally an arterial pressure sensing device, a blood gas analysis sensing device, and a heart rate sensing device, which are not shown in the figure for the sake of simplicity. In particular, in this embodiment, the apparatus 10 also has a television camera 27, which is associated with position sensors 27a of a per se known type for sensing the position of the face and/or body of the patient 14.
All of the above listed devices are connected to a signal amplification unit 28, which is in turn connected to a signal digitizing unit 29 to allow acquisition on the part of the processing means 11.
The apparatus 10 also comprises a device, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is particularly suitable to allow sensing of the position of the head of the patient 14, in cooperation with the monitor 18, and to allow the patient, once aroused, to emit voice signals in relation to the stimuli.
In particular, the device comprises, on a supporting structure 31 to be fixed to the forehead of the patient, a nosepiece 32, earpieces 33, an appendage with a microphone 34 with a bite- or breath-operated control switch, and a forehead-mounted infrared pointing/sensing device 35 which cooperates with per se known sensors applied to the monitor 18 and not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.
In this embodiment, the unit 11 is constituted by an electronic information processor, such as a personal computer or equivalent device, generally designated by the reference numeral 36, which is provided with audio and video interfacing cards, designated by the reference numerals 37 and 38 respectively, and with mass storage units capable of acquiring and recording digitally the data supplied by the sensing devices, so that assigned operators can, over time, formulate any corrections and analyze the behavior of the patient subjected to cognitive and sensory stimulations. In more complete configurations, or in configurations dedicated to particular operating conditions, it is possible to associate with the information processor 36 devices and interfaces, typically modems or network cards of various kinds, including wireless ones based on radio waves or infrared rays et cetera, for remote connection to intranets and to the Internet.
With particular reference to Figures 6 and 1, the embodiment described above is advantageously accommodated in a container 39 which can be folded into a compact form during transport so as to become a suitcase 40 with wheels for easier sliding. The container 39, once opened, ensures the ergonomic availabihty of all the output and input devices for the operator in a rather limited space, so that the apparatus 10 can also be applied in situations in which the patient is confined in small spaces.
In practice it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.
In particular, it should be noted that the apparatus according to the invention effectively achieves all the actions of sensory and sensorial stimuli (auditory, visual, gustative, olfactory, tactile, thermal, algesiogenic, vibratory, motor stimuli, such as for example sounds, videos, static images or images with random or programmed motion, screens with a uniform or patterned coloring, dynamic images of the fractal type, odors, fragrances, vibrations of various amplitudes, heat or cold) of the patient, ensuring sensing of the main physiological parameters of said patient so that the operator or operators can follow and manage, even in real time, the effectiveness of the administration treatments, optionally calibrating the administrations of said stimuli if positive reactions on the part of the user are detected.
It should also be noted that the apparatus according to the invention achieves a precise and localized monitoring of the status of the patient which is suitable to ensure that the patient is in optimum conditions and receives adequate multimodal stimulation in order to increase the probabilities of arousal from the coma and/or of accelerating said arousal.
It should also be noted that the apparatus according to the invention can work effectively even in a fully automatic manner over time, so as to ensure constancy of the stimulations and the possibility to continue the treatment without excessive personnel costs even for rather long periods of time.
Attention is also called to the flexibility of application of the apparatus according to the invention, which can also be configured as a compact kit suitable to ensure its applicability even in situations where the patient is confined in rather small spaces.
The present invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
The technical details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. The materials and the dimensions may be any according to requirements.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2001A000088 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients, characterized in that it comprises, in connection with information processing and control means, a unit for emitting sensory and sensorial stimuli toward the patient which cooperates with a unit for sensing and measuring the reactions of the patient as a consequence of said stimuli and for emitting in feedback the stimuli for which a reaction is sensed.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said emission unit, in the case of audio emission, comprises audio emission devices with at least four audio sources.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said audio emission devices are constituted by four audio emission speakers.
4. The apparatus according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said audio emission unit comprises a low-frequency sound wave emission device.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one odor emission device.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one tactile stimulation device.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for stimulation by means of vibrations.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for stimulation by heat emission.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for stimulation by emission of cold.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for stimulation by emission of substances having a gustative flavor.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for motor stimuli.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for administering stimuli for pain-receptive terminations.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one video emission device.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that said video emission device comprises devices suitable to reproduce photographs, videos and/or graphical effects obtained by a software program and/or stroboscopic effects and/or fractal images and/or light inversion effects.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one video camera.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one sensor for sensing the position of the head and/or of other body segments of the patient.
17. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises one or more eye motion sensors.
18. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one electroencephalogram (EEG) sensing device.
19. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one electrocardiogram (ECG) sensing device.
20. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one surface and deep electromyograph (EMG) sensing device.
21. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one skin conductance (EDA or
EDC) sensing device.
22. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device suitable to sense eye motion (EOG).
23. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device suitable to sense body temperature.
24. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device suitable to sense respiration.
25. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device suitable to sense arterial pressure.
26. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device suitable to sense the heart rate.
27. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device for video imaging of the face of the patient and/or of the entire body.
28. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensing and measurement unit comprises at least one device suitable for blood gas analysis sensing.
29. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said devices that compose said sensing and measurement unit are connected to a signal amplification unit, which is in turn connected to a signal digitizing unit that allows acquisition by the processing means.
30. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for sensing the position of the head of the patient, in cooperation with at least one monitor, and for emitting voice signals in relation to said stimuli.
31. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that said device comprises, on a supporting structure to be fixed to the head of the patient, earpieces, a microphone with a bite-operated and/or breath-operated switch, and an infrared forehead-mounted pointing/sensing device that cooperates with sensors applied to said monitor.
32. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said information processing and control means comprise a digital electronic information processor, which is provided with mass storage devices suitable to acquire the sensings of said measurement and control devices, and cards for interfacing with said devices.
33. The apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that said digital information processor comprises one or more remote connection devices for remote management.
34. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured as a container which is suitable to form, when folded in compact form, a suitcase with wheels for easier carrying.
PCT/EP2002/003737 2001-04-10 2002-04-04 Medical apparatus particularly for comatose patients WO2002082991A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT2001PD000088A ITPD20010088A1 (en) 2001-04-10 2001-04-10 MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY FOR PATIENTS IN THE STATE OF COMA.
ITPD2001A000088 2001-04-10

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WO2002082991A1 true WO2002082991A1 (en) 2002-10-24

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4195626A (en) * 1977-03-29 1980-04-01 Schweizer Helgi Jon Device for the production and application of body stimuli structures
US5571150A (en) * 1994-12-19 1996-11-05 Cyberonics, Inc. Treatment of patients in coma by nerve stimulation
US5611350A (en) * 1996-02-08 1997-03-18 John; Michael S. Method and apparatus for facilitating recovery of patients in deep coma
WO2000064348A1 (en) * 1999-04-24 2000-11-02 Sound Alert Technology Plc A device and a method for production of an artificial sensory stimulus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4195626A (en) * 1977-03-29 1980-04-01 Schweizer Helgi Jon Device for the production and application of body stimuli structures
US5571150A (en) * 1994-12-19 1996-11-05 Cyberonics, Inc. Treatment of patients in coma by nerve stimulation
US5611350A (en) * 1996-02-08 1997-03-18 John; Michael S. Method and apparatus for facilitating recovery of patients in deep coma
WO2000064348A1 (en) * 1999-04-24 2000-11-02 Sound Alert Technology Plc A device and a method for production of an artificial sensory stimulus

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