WO2009073396A1

WO2009073396A1 - Warming therapy device including camera and phototherapy devices

Info

Publication number: WO2009073396A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/084288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert J. Chilton, Iii.; Kanti Patel
Original assignee: Draeger Medical Systems Inc.
Priority date: 2007-12-04
Filing date: 2008-11-21
Publication date: 2009-06-11

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing patient access in a warming therapy device (e.g., incubator, warmer, etc.) is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one phototherapy light device disposed so as to provide phototherapy to an infant patient disposed within the wanning therapy device, and at least one camera disposed to permit viewing of the infant patient during the phototherapy treatment. In another exemplary embodiment, the apparatus also includes at least one examination light in addition to the phototherapy light device, for assisting with examinations of the infant patient.

Description

WARMING THERAPY DEVICE INCLUDING CAMERA AND PHOTOTHERAPY

DEVICES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS |0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No.

61/005,358, filed December 4, 2007, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[00021 The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for providing medical treatments to a patient disposed in a warming therapy device (e.g., incubator, warmer, etc.). More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing phototherapy treatment to a patient and monitoring the patient's progress through a camera device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Infant care units, such as warming therapy devices (e.g., incubators, warmers, etc.) that includes various systems for controlling the temperature and humidity to facilitate the development of a premature infant, are known. Such devices conventionally include an infant support surface for supporting an infant, as well as means of protecting the infant, such as a hood or canopy which covers the infant support surface. [0004J It is typical in such devices to provide access to the infant. For example, side panels may be provided with access openings through which caregivers gain access to the infant. Such devices may also include hoods that have access doors to provide further access to the infant. It is also known for the hoods of such devices to be movable away from the infant support surface, and for the side panels of such units to be movable away from the infant support surface to provide still further access to the infant.

(0005) It is also known to perform various medical procedures on infants disposed on or within wanning therapy devices. One such medical procedure is the irradiating of the infant with phototherapy lights. Infants born with jaundice often have high levels of bilirubin in their blood, and often require such phototherapy treatment to reduce these levels prior to the patients being discharged from the hospital. Phototherapy treatment is often applied while the infant is disposed within the hood of a warming therapy device. In some cases, the hood is covered with a blanket or other means which increases the effectiveness of the phototherapy treatment (by containing the light within the hood), and also protects the caregiver from the phototherapy treatment. It is known that subjecting adult caregivers to phototherapy treatment for extended periods can cause dizziness and nausea. [0006| However, surrounding the hood of the warming therapy device with a blanket, shielding or covering makes it difficult to monitor the status of the patient (i.e., the doctor or nurse cannot see the infant through the hood, shielding or covering in most cases). The covering prevents the caregiver from seeing the infant patient directly. Thus, in order to monitor the patient, the caregiver must continually lift up the covering, exposing him or herself to the phototherapy treatment lights, and reducing the effectiveness of the procedure.

[0007| It would be beneficial to be able to provide phototherapy treatment to an infant patient in a warming therapy device with maximum effectiveness, and without substantial adverse effects on the caregiver. Accordingly, there is presently a need for a warming therapy device which includes both phototherapy devices and a camera device for monitoring the infant patient within the hood enclosure.

SUJviMARY OF THE INVENTION

(0008) Λn exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus including a mattress tray assembly, at least one phototherapy light device disposed to radiate upon a portion of the mattress tray assembly, and at least one camera device. [0009| An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also comprises an apparatus including a mattress tray assembly, and at least one backbone member coupled to the mattress tray assembly, the backbone member including at least one phototherapy light device and at least one camera device.

|0010| An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also comprises a warming therapy device including a patient support assembly, a mattress tray assembly coupled to the patient support assembly, and at least one backbone member coupled to the mattress tray assembly, the backbone member including at least one phototherapy light device and at least one camera device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is perspective view of an wanning therapy device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0012) Figure 2 is an overhead perspective view of the warming therapy device of Figure I .

[0013] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the mattress tray assembly and backbone member shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0014] Figure 4 is a detail view of the backbone member shown in Figures 1 -3.

[0015] Figure 5 is a detail view of a backbone member according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an warming therapy device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a warming therapy device (e.g., incubator, warmer, etc.) including one or more of a camera device, examination lights, and bilirubin treatment lights.

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 show an warming therapy device 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The warming therapy device 10 includes a radiant heater head 20, and a patient support assembly 30 including a mattress tray assembly 40. The mattress tray assembly 40 may include a hood 45 which has a top portion 46 which pivots about one or more axes 47. The hood 45 may also include one or more side walls 48 which may be slideable, removable, pivotable or rotatable. The mattress tray assembly 40 also preferably includes a mattress tray 12, with a mattress 1 1 disposed therein. The warming therapy device 10 may optionally include a backplane 50, to which ventilation hoses and other devices may be coupled through, for example, interconnection nozzles 52.

|0019| Figure 2 shows the top portion 46 of the hood 45 rotated up so that it is approximately ninety degrees (90°) with respect to the mattress tray 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the side walls 48 of the hood 45 are capable of sliding vertically within a portion of the mattress tray assembly 40, so that they may become disposed, partially or completely, below the plane of the mattress tray 12, or removed completely. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the front sidewall 48 has been removed to permit movement of the mattress tray 12 in a direction away from the warming therapy device 10. [0020J As noted above, the warming therapy device 10 may include a backbone member 50 which may have various devices incorporated therein^". For example, the backbone may include one or more of: (1) interconnection nozzles 52 of various sizes and configurations for attaching hoses and lines for medical treatment (e.g., ventilation hoses), (2) a camera device 55 (shown in Fig. 3), (3) examination lights (as part of lighting portion 56 shown in Fig. 3), and (4) bilirubin treatment lights (as part of lighting portion 56 shown in Fig. 3) , which are designed to reduce bilirubin levels in infants, as are known in the art.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a front elevation view of the mattress tray assembly 40 and backbone member 50 shown in Figures 1 and 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the backbone member 50 includes a connection portion 51 with interconnection nozzles 52 of various sizes and configurations, a camera device 55, and a lighting portion 56. The connection portion 51 may include, for example, breathing nozzles for use in connection with resuscitation and ventilation procedures (shown on the upper half of the connection portion 51), temperature probe ports (shown on the lower half of the connection portion 51). The connection portion 51 may include at least two breathing nozzles, one for inspiration and one for expiration. Hie connection portion 51 may also include at least two temperature probe ports, one for coupling to a first probe to an infant patient at a first body position, and one for coupling a second probe to an infant patient at a second body position. The camera device 55 may comprise any one of various known types of digital cameras, digital video cameras, webcams, etc. Although the camera device 55 is shown as disposed centrally within the backbone member 51 in Figure 3, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the camera device 55 may be disposed at any suitable position inside the hood 45. For example, the camera device 55 may be disposed on a separate support or backbone disposed inside the hood 45.

[0022] Figure 4 shows further details of the backbone member 50 shown in Figures I-

3. In the exemplary embodiment, the lighting portion 56 of the backbone member 50 includes both examination lights 57, and bilirubin treatment (i.e., phototherapy) lights 58.

Although the examination lights 57 and bilirubin treatment lights 58 are shown as being disposed in an alternating fashion in the lighting portion 56, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that such specific placement is not necessary to the present invention. For example, all of the examination lights 57 may be disposed on one side of the lighting portion 56, and all of the bilirubin treatment lights 58 may be disposed on the other side of the lighting portion 56, or vice versa. Additionally, in certain exemplary embodiments, the lighting portion 56 may be comprised entirely of examination lights 57, or entirely of bilirubin treatment lights 58.

[0023] The camera 55 of the backbone member 50 may be used to monitor the infant patient situated on the mattress 1 1 remotely, such as from a laptop or desktop computer disposed on or near the warming therapy device 10, at a nurses' station outside the room where the warming therapy device 10 is disposed, or otherwise. For example, the camera device 55 may be a webcam which is wirelessly coupled to the Internet or an Intranet (e.g., through a Bluetooth® or 802.1 1 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connection), and which transmits a continuous video signal of the infant patient to a local or remote computer terminal or computer monitor. However, continuous video is not required, and the camera device may alternatively transmit still photographs over the Internet or Intranet at any specified time interval. Preferably, the camera device can be moved and focused remotely by the caregiver, as is known in the art. The camera device 55 may transmit a wireless video signal as mentioned above, or may be coupled directly to a computer terminal, monitor or other display means via a Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire® Cable, Ethernet Cable, or the like. Similarly, the images generated by the camera device 55 may be processed and/or stored in a variety of locations. For example, they may be processed and/or stored in (local) processing circuitry and memory disposed on the warming therapy device 10, or in remote processing circuitry and memory (such as processing circuitry and memory associated with a remote monitor or computer). Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that disposing the memory and/or any processing circuitry remotely from the warming therapy device permits the size of the camera device 55 to be significantly reduced.

|0024| Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a warming therapy device 100 which includes a computer monitor 160 which may be coupled to a camera device 155 to display one or more images of the infant patient. The warming therapy device 100 shown in

Figure 6 is similar to the warming therapy device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and like reference numerals denote like elements. The wanning therapy device 100 includes a radiant heater head 120, a patient support assembly 130, and a mattress tray assembly 140. The warming therapy device 100 may also include a backbone member 150 in which a camera device 155 may be disposed. The mattress tray assembly 140 may also include a hood 145, and a mattress tray 1 10, with a mattress 1 1 1 disposed therein. Additionally, the warming therapy device 100 may include at least one computer monitor 160 for displaying various information associated with a patient disposed on the warming therapy device. The computer monitor 160 may be coupled to the backbone member 150 and/or the camera device 155 in either a wired or wireless manner. If the computer monitor 160 is wirelessly coupled to the backbone member 150 and/or the camera device 155, a caregiver can remove the monitor from the assembly and move around with it within a wireless coverage zone. In such an embodiment, the computer monitor 160 would preferably include a rechargeable internal battery which would provide power during wireless use. Similarly, the patient support assembly 130 and/or mattress tray assembly 140 would preferably include a charging unit for the internal battery, to charge the computer monitor 160 when it is stationed on the assembly. Although the computer monitor 160 is shown as being coupled to the patient support assembly 130 in Figure 6, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the computer monitor may be coupled to any suitable portion of the warming therapy device 100, or may be coupled to a separate unit entirely, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(0025) Returning to Figure 4, the examination lights 57 may comprise any known light fixture, and are intended to be used to irradiate the infant patient during a medical examination (e.g., APGAR, etc.), during medical treatment, or during monitoring using the camera device 55. Preferably, the examination lights 57 can be moved remotely by the caregiver through known methods (e.g., manual manipulation, automated movement, etc.). It is also preferable that the examination lights 57 be of variable intensity, which can be changed by the caregiver. The examination lights 57 Although the examination lights 57 are shown as three (3) of six (6) lights which alternate along the lighting portion 56, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the examination lights can comprise any number of lights in any orientation. The examination lights 57 may comprise any known lighting device such as incandescent or halogen lights, but preferably comprise Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. Additionally, reflectors and/or light filters (not shown) may be used in conjunction with examination lights 57.

|0026] The bilirubin treatment (i.e., phototherapy) lights 58 may comprise known lights for providing bilirubin reduction treatment. In many cases such lights are blue in color, but may alternatively by white, yellow, or any other color known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Preferably, the bilirubin treatment lights 58 can be moved remotely by the caregiver through known methods (e.g., manual manipulation, automated movement, etc.). It is also preferable that the bilirubin treatment lights 58 be of variable intensity, which can be changed by the caregiver. Again, although the bilirubin treatment lights 58 are shown as three (3) of six (6) lights which alternate along the lighting portion 56, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the bilirubin treatment lights can comprise any number of lights in any orientation. The bilirubin treatment lights 58 may comprise any known lighting device such as incandescent or halogen lights, but preferably comprise Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. Additionally, reflectors and/or light filters (not shown) may be used in conjunction with bilirubin treatment lights 58.

[0027| Infant patients with jaundice often have high levels of bilirubin in their blood, and often require treatment to reduce these levels prior to the patients being discharged from the hospital. One known method of treatment is using bilirubin treatment lights to irradiate the infant patient. However, for these lights to be effective, the infant patient should be surrounded by a hood, shielding or covering which will not let light escape (i.e., a transparent or translucent hood, such as shown in Figures 1-3 typically cannot be used for this purpose unless they are covered by a blanket or similar means). Such a hood, shielding or covering also protects the caregiver from being unnecessarily irradiated with the bilirubin treatment lights. These lights often cause dizziness and nausea if the caregiver stares into them for too long a period. However, surrounding the infant patient with a hood, shielding or covering makes it difficult (if not impossible) to monitor the status of the patient (i.e., the doctor or nurse cannot sec the infant through the hood, shielding or covering in most cases). For example, a plastic or fabric covering is often placed over the (transparent) hood 45 shown in Figures 1 -3 when bilirubin treatment lights are applied. This covering prevents the caregiver from seeing the infant patient directly. Thus, in order to monitor the patient, the caregiver must continually lift up the covering, exposing him or herself to the bilirubin treatment lights, and reducing the effectiveness of the procedure. However, by placing a camera device 55 on the backbone member 50 along with the bilirubin treatment lights 58, the caregiver can perform the phototherapy, and still maintain full view of the infant patient (through the camera device). Ideally, the camera device 55 is connected to a computer monitor (e.g., computer monitor 160 shown in Fig. 6), laptop or desktop computer external to the hood 45 through a wireless connection (e.g.. Bluetooth®, 802.1 1 WLAN), or through Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire® Cable Ethernet Cable, or the like, which permits the caregiver to view the infant inside the hood.

|0028| Figure 5 shows a detail front view of a backbone member 50' according to second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The backbone member 50' is similar to the backbone member 50, and like reference numerals denote like elements. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the backbone member 51^* may be disposed in the same or a similar position within the above-described warming therapy device 10 as the backbone member 50. In the second exemplary embodiment, the backbone member 50' includes a connection portion 51 ' with interconnection nozzles 52' of various sizes and configurations, a camera device 55^", and a lighting portion 56' including examination lights 57% and bilirubin treatment lights 58". As opposed to the first exemplary embodiment described above, the examination lights 57^* are comprised of separate light fixtures with a plurality of lights grouped in a cluster in each fixture. In Figure 5, the examination lights 57' are shown as fixtures in clusters of seven (7), but those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that these lights may be in any number, and in any configuration. Similarly, although the bilirubin treatment lights 58' are shown as single fixtures in groups of six (6) per row, but those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that these lights may be in any number, and in any configuration. Finally, although the camera device 55' is shown coupled to the lighting portion 56', those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that such coupling is not required, and that the camera device 55"' may be mounted separately from the lighting portion, or even separately from the backbone member 51 '.

|0029) The connection portion 51 ' may include, for example, breathing nozzles for use in connection with resuscitation and ventilation procedures (shown on the upper half of the connection portion 51 '), temperature probe ports (shown on the lower half of the connection portion 51 '). The connection portion 51 ^" may include at least two breathing nozzles, one for inspiration and one for expiration. The connection portion 51 ' may also include at least two temperature probe ports, one for coupling to a first probe to an infant patient at a first body position, and one for coupling a second probe to an infant patient at a second body position. The camera device 55" may comprise any one of various known types of digital cameras, digital video cameras, webcams, etc. Although the camera device 55 is shown as disposed centrally within the backbone member 51 ' in Figure 5, those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the camera device 55' may be disposed at any suitable position. For example, as noted above, the camera device 55' may be disposed on a separate support or backbone. [0030| Although the backbone members 50, 50' and 150 described above are shown in Figures 1-6 as being disposed at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90) with respect to the plane of the mattress tray assembly 40, 140 those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the back bone members 50, 50' and 150 (or some portion thereof) may be angled towards the mattress 1 1, 1 1 1 to further focus the examination lights (e.g., 57, 57') and the bilirubin treatment lights (e.g., 58, 58') on an infant patient disposed thereon. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also realize that the examination lights and bilirubin treatment lights may be placed anywhere within the respective hoods (e.g., 45, 145) of the warming therapy devices (e.g., 10, 100) without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the examination and bilirubin treatment lights may alternatively be disposed along the side walls 48 of the hood 45, on the top portion 46 of the hood, some combination thereof, or any other suitable location.

|0031 | Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the invention which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus comprising: a mattress tray assembly; at least one phototherapy light device disposed to radiate upon a portion of the mattress tray assembly; and at least one camera device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one phototherapy light device and the at least one camera device are both disposed on a backbone member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the backbone member further comprises at least one connector.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one breathing nozzle.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one temperature probe port.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hood coupled to the mattress tray assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one phototherapy light device and the at least one camera device are both disposed on a backbone member, and wherein the backbone member is disposed inside the hood.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one phototherapy light device and the at least one camera device are both disposed inside the hood.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one phototherapy light device comprises a plurality of phototherapy light devices.

10. ITie apparatus of claim 1. further comprising at least one examination light device.

1 1. Hie apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one examination light device comprises aplurality of examination light devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one monitor coupled to the at least one camera device for displaying images generated by the at least one camera device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one monitor is also coupled to the mattress tray assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one monitor is wirelessly coupled to the at least one camera device.

15. An apparatus comprising: a mattress tray assembly; and, at least one backbone member coupled to the mattress tray assembly, the backbone member including at least one phototherapy light device and at least one camera device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the backbone member further comprises at least one connector.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one breathing nozzle.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one connector comprises at least one temperature probe port.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a hood coupled to the mattress tray assembly.

20. The apparatus of claim 19. wherein the at least one phototherapy light device and the at least one camera device are both disposed inside the hood.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the backbone member further comprises at least one examination light device.

22. Λ warming therapy device comprising: a patient support assembly; a mattress tray assembly coupled to the patient support assembly; and, at least one backbone member coupled to the mattress tray assembly, the backbone member including at least one phototherapy light device and at least one camera device.

23. The warming therapy device of claim 22, further comprising a hood coupled to the mattress tray assembly, said hood including at least one sidewall.

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