This invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the vital signs of an infant or baby and transmitting the gathered data to a display device. Background to the Invention

Devices for monitoring the vital signs of infants and babies are well known. These devices rely on visible and/or audible signals to convey information about said vital signs. For example, an audible alarm may sound if the body temperature of an infant exceeds a predetermined value.

Also known are arrangements wherein data gathered by several monitoring devices associated with several infants or babies are displayed at a centra] monitoring station. Such arrangements find use in neo-natal wards and are generally too expensive and impractical for home use. in addition, when a number of babies share a neo-natal ward at a hospital or clinic, if becomes difficult to administrate the different monitoring devices and determine which monitor is the source of data displayed on the monitoring station. if one neonate should be removed from the ward, monitoring its vital signs on the central monitoring station becomes impractical. If neonates are moved around In the various beds, a nurse may become confused about which monitor's results are shown on the _. central display. In many countries, babies are traditionally wrapped in blankets. This makes It difficult to see flashing lights of monitoring devices through the blankets, accessing the monitors to change its settings, or determining which specific monitor may be the source of an audible alarm or any transmitted radio signals. The inventor therefore believes, that a need exists for providing an apparatus for monitoring and displaying vital signs of an infant or baby which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages described above. Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for monitoring vital signs of an infant or baby, the apparatus including:-

- a measuring unit for arrangement in contact with the infant or baby for continuously measuring one or more vital signs of the infant or baby; and - a display unit for location in close proximity to but spaced apart from the measuring unit; wherein the measuring unit includes a transmitter for transmitting data associated with the measured vital signs and the display unit includes a receiver for receiving said data.

In use, the measuring and receiver units may be spaced apart by no more than 50 cm typically less than 20 cm.

The measuring unit may in use be arranged in contact with skin of the infant or baby and may .measure body temperature and/or heart rate and/or any other vital sign of the infant or baby,

The measuring unit may include an attachment means such as, for example, a clip, for attaching the measuring unit to an item of clothing of the infant or baby so that a measuring zone of the measuring unit is in contact with the skin. Typically, the measuring unit is attached to a diaper.

The display unit may be attached to an object located in close proximity to the measuring unit such as, for example, to a cot of an infant or baby, by any suitable attachment means.

Alternatively, the measuring unit and display unit may be retained in close proximity to each other by means of magnetic forces. To this end, the measuring and display units may include a magnet and a portion attracted by magnetic forces such as, for example, a metal portion. A layer of clothing or a blanket may in use be interspaced between the measuring and display units so that the measuring unit is hidden from view whilst the display unit Is dearly visible.

In one embodiment, the receiver of the display unit may be a separate unit from the remainder of the display unit

The monitoring unit and the receiver of the display unit may be held in close proximity to each other by means of magnetic forces. To this end, the measuring unit and receiver may include a magnet and a portion attracted by magnetic forces such as, for example, a metal portion. The receiver may be configured to receive data measured and transmitted by the measuring unit and may relay said data to the display unit.

Transmission of data between the measuring and display units may take place by means of near field communication (NFC). NFC may alternatively be used to facilitate a system such as Bluetooth® or WiFi for achieving the data transmission. It is to be appreciated, that other data transmission means such as, for example, visible light infrared light, and high frequency sounds waves could be used.

The display unit may include a display screen on which the vital signs measured by the measuring unit may be displayed continuously, in addition or alternatively, the data may be stored for later analysis. In the event that data transmission between the measuring and display units is interrupted, an audible alarm or visual signal may be activated. This may occur if, for example, the measuring and display units are moved apart from each other more than a predetermined distance.

In one embodiment of the invention, the display unit may be in the form of a conventional cellular telephone that may in use he placed in dose proximity to the measuring unit.

Accordingly, the invention extends to a measuring unit provided for sale on its own for use in combination with an NFC-enabled cellular telephone as a display unit. Software enabling the cellular telephone to act as a display unit may be downloaded as an application.

Detailed Description of the invention

The invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawlng:-

Figure 1 shows a schematic layout of an apparatus for monitoring vital signs of an infant in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of an apparatus for monitoring vital signs of an infant 12 in accordance with the present invention.

The apparatus 10 includes a measuring unit 14 for arrangement in contact with the infant 12 for continuously measuring one or more vital signs of the infant and a display unit 16 for location in close proximity to but spaced apart from the measuring unit 14. in the embodiment shown, receiver 18 of the display unit 16 is a separate unit from the remainder of the display unit 18.

The measuring unit 14 and its receiver 18 are held in close proximity to each other by means of magnetic forces. To this end, the measuring unit 14 and receiver 13 include a magnet 30 and a metal portion 32.

The receiver 18 is configured to receive data measured and transmitted by the measuring unit 14 and relays said data 20 to the display unit 16.

A blanket 34 Is In use interspaced between the measuring unit 14 and its transmitter 18 so that the measuring unit 14 Is hidden from view. In use, the measunng and display unit 14 and receiver 18 are spaced apart by no more than SO cm, typically less than 20 cm.

The measuring unit 14 is In use arranged in contact with skin 24 of the infant 12 and measures body temperature and/or heart rate of the infant 12. It is to be appreciated, that the unit 14 could also measure other vital signs.

The measuring unit 14 includes an attachment means in the form of a clip 26, for attaching the measuring unit 14 to a diaper 28 of the infant 12,

Transmission of data (not shown) between the measuring unit 14 and receiver 18 typically takes place by means of near field communication (NFC). NFC can alternatively be used to. facilitate a system such as Bluetooth ^® for achieving the data transmission. It is to be appreciated, that other data transmission means such as, for example, visible light, infrared light, and high frequency sounds waves could be used.

The display unit 18 Includes a display screen 36 on which the vital signs measured by the measuring unit 14 are displayed continuously.

In the event that data transmission between the measuring and display units 14 and 16 is interrupted, an audible alarm signal is activated. This can occur if, for example, the measunng unit 14 and receiver 18 are moved apart more than a predetermined distance. It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment or configuration as hereinbefore generally described or specifically illustrated.