U.S. patent application number 10/227961 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for shaken baby syndrome educational doll.
Invention is credited to Ray, Nena R..
Application Number | 20030044758 10/227961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23227217 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030044758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ray, Nena R. |
March 6, 2003 |
Shaken baby syndrome educational doll
Abstract
A doll for educating caregivers about Shaken Baby Syndrome
comprises a head portion, a body, and may comprise transparent
skin. The head portion may have a simulated brain disposed therein.
The head portion is floppably connected to the body. The doll may
further comprise a first chamber and a second chamber containing
simulated blood, the simulated blood being visible in the first
chamber after acceleration experienced during a shaking episode,
but otherwise being concealed from view in the second chamber. A
plurality of acceleration sensors may be disposed within the doll
to detect acceleration experienced during a shaking episode, and
the plurality of acceleration sensors may trigger warnings to the
caregiver when portions of the doll experience acceleration
sufficient to endanger an infant.
Inventors: |
Ray, Nena R.; (Indianapolis,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Woodard, Emhardt, Naughton, Moriarty and McNett
Bank One Center/Tower
Suite 3700
111 Monument Circle
Indianapolis
IN
46204-5137
US
|
Family ID: |
23227217 |
Appl. No.: |
10/227961 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60316043 |
Aug 30, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/267 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 23/28 20130101;
G09B 23/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/267 |
International
Class: |
G09B 023/28 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A doll, comprising: a head portion floppably connected to a
body; and an acceleration sensor connected with the doll and
triggering a warning when the doll is shaken.
2. The doll of claim 1, wherein the acceleration sensor is
connected with the head portion of the doll.
3. The doll of claim 1, wherein the acceleration sensor is
connected with the body of the doll.
4. The doll of claim 1, wherein the warning comprises elements
selected from the set consisting of: visual; audio; and
tactile.
5. The doll of claim 1, wherein the warning comprises elements
selected from the set consisting of: light; sound; and
vibration.
6. The doll of claim 1, wherein the warning comprises text.
7. The doll of claim 6, wherein the text indicates an injury caused
when the doll is shaken.
8. The doll of claim 1, wherein the head portion encompasses a
simulated brain.
9. The doll of claim 8, wherein at least part of the head portion
is at least partially transparent and reveals at least a portion of
the simulated brain.
10. The doll of claim 9, wherein the warning includes a visual
element emanating from the simulated brain.
11. The doll of claim 10, wherein the visual element emanating from
the simulated brain emanates from an area of the simulated brain
injured when the doll is shaken.
12. The doll of claim 11, wherein the visual element emanating from
the simulated brain includes text indicating an injury caused when
the doll is shaken.
13. The doll of claim 12, wherein the text indicating an injury
caused when the doll is shaken identifies a function of a portion
of a human brain in a corresponding position to the area of the
simulated brain injured when the doll is shaken, such that a user
can identify potential mental impairment that can result when an
infant is shaken.
14. The doll of claim 11, wherein the visual element emanating from
the simulated brain comprises light.
15. The doll of claim 14, wherein the light is generated at least
in part by a Liquid Crystal Display.
16. The doll of claim 14, wherein the light is generated at least
in part by a Light Emitting Diode.
17. The doll of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the light
is transmitted at least partially through a fiber optic cable.
18. The doll of claim 1, further comprising: a label for the
acceleration sensor, the label identifying a function of a portion
of an infant's anatomy in a corresponding position to the
acceleration sensor, such that a user can identify potential
physiological consequences to an infant when the doll is
shaken.
19. A doll, comprising: first and second chambers disposed within
the doll, at least a portion of the first chamber being at least
partially transparent and disposed to permit viewing of the
contents of the first chamber; and the second chamber containing
simulated blood and being in fluid communication with the first
chamber through one or more acceleration-sensitive connections, the
one or more acceleration-sensitive connections preventing the
simulated blood from passing from the second chamber to the first
chamber absent acceleration exceeding a pre-selected threshold.
20. The doll of claim 1, further comprising: first and second
chambers disposed within the doll, at least a portion of the first
chamber being at least partially transparent and disposed to permit
viewing of the contents of the first chamber; and the second
chamber containing simulated blood and being in fluid communication
with the first chamber through one or more acceleration-sensitive
connections, the one or more acceleration-sensitive connections
preventing the simulated blood from passing from the second chamber
to the first chamber absent acceleration exceeding a pre-selected
threshold.
21. The doll of claim 19, further comprising a label for the first
chamber, the label identifying a function of a portion of an
infant's anatomy in a corresponding position to the first chamber,
such that a user can identify potential effects of internal
bleeding that can result to an infant when the doll is shaken.
22. A doll, comprising: a head portion floppably connected to a
body; a plurality of acceleration sensors disposed among the head
portion and the body, each of the plurality of acceleration sensors
having an output circuit upon which an output signal is placed when
the doll is shaken, each output signal being indicative of the
magnitude of acceleration experienced by each acceleration sensor;
a CPU having the output circuits from the plurality of acceleration
sensors as input, the CPU being programmed with a set of injury
criteria that correlate accelerations experienced by portions of
human anatomy positioned correspondingly to the plurality of
acceleration sensors with injury thereto, the CPU being further
programmed to output warning signals corresponding to the output
signals of the plurality of acceleration sensors; a plurality of
warning devices operatively connected to the CPU, the plurality of
warning devices providing warnings corresponding to the warning
signals output by the CPU.
23. The doll of claim 22, further comprising a simulated brain and
nervous system disposed within the head portion and the body, and a
transparent skin through which the simulated brain and the nervous
system are visible.
24. The doll of claim 22, further comprising: first and second
chambers disposed within the doll, at least a portion of the first
chamber being at least partially transparent and disposed to permit
viewing of the contents of the first chamber; and the second
chamber containing simulated blood and being in fluid communication
with the first chamber through one or more CPU-controlled valves,
the one or more CPU-controlled valves preventing the simulated
blood from passing from the second chamber to the first chamber
absent a warning signal output by the CPU to the one or more
CPU-controlled valves.
25. A doll, comprising: a head portion floppably connected to a
body; and simulated blood that visibly appears in an area of the
doll that has experienced acceleration sufficient to cause internal
bleeding to a corresponding area of an infant's anatomy.
26. The doll of claim 25, wherein the simulated blood comprises an
electronic display.
27. The doll of claim 25, wherein the simulated blood comprises a
liquid crystal display.
28. A doll, comprising: head means floppably connected to body
means; and acceleration sensing means connected with the doll and
triggering warning means when the doll is shaken.
29. A method of learning about Shaken Baby Syndrome, the method
comprising: shaking a doll, the doll comprising: a head portion
floppably connected to a body; and an acceleration sensor connected
with the doll and triggering a warning when the doll is shaken; and
causing the acceleration sensor connected with the doll to trigger
the warning.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:
evaluating the warning to determine potential physiological effects
of corresponding shaking of an infant.
31. Performing the steps of the method of claim 29 in furtherance
of a legal proceeding.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates herein
by reference, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
60/316,043, filed Aug. 30, 2001.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Shaken Baby Syndrome, or Shaken Infant Syndrome, occurs when
caregivers shake an infant forcefully. Shaken Baby Syndrome can
cause a wide range of serious health problems, including broken
bones, blindness, spinal injury, brain damage, and death. When the
infant is shaken, it can cause internal bleeding inside the brain
that can go undetected. It is therefore important to take an infant
who has been shaken to a hospital or doctor in order to prevent
severe permanent injury.
[0003] The problem of Shaken Baby Syndrome is beginning to draw
more attention. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are
beginning to study more thoroughly the causes and effects of Shaken
Baby Syndrome. In September of 2001, an international conference
was held in Sydney, Australia to help healthcare professionals to
disseminate and to learn information about Shaken Baby
Syndrome.
[0004] Shaken Baby Syndrome often occurs when caregivers are left
alone with an infant who is engaging in some behavior that is
frustrating to the caregiver. For example, despite the caregiver's
best efforts to determine what is wrong, the infant will not stop
crying. In such situations, caregivers may shake the infant in a
misguided attempt to stop the frustrating behavior.
[0005] Caregivers can learn to cope with the stress of a crying
infant, though. It is important to educate them about the danger of
Shaken Baby Syndrome so that they may take appropriate measures to
prevent or deal with frustration and stress. By preventing or
dealing effectively with frustration and stress, the caregiver can
prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome.
[0006] Surprisingly mild shaking can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome.
The membrane that secures the brain to the skull does not generally
develop until 18 months of age, and therefore infants younger than
this are particularly vulnerable to Shaken Baby Syndrome. It is
also important to educate caregivers of this fact, both in order to
help prevent them from shaking an infant even mildly, and in order
to encourage them to seek medical care immediately for the infant
in the event of such a shaking, so that any injury is not
aggravated by going untreated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention addresses the problems discussed above
with an educational doll capable of serving as an instructional
tool to show caregivers how shaking can cause internal bleeding and
other injuries associated with Shaken Baby Syndrome, and in
particular to show them that relatively mild shakings can
potentially cause serious, permanent injury.
[0008] Provided is a doll and method of use, comprising in one
embodiment a head portion floppably connected to a body, and an
acceleration sensor connected with the doll that may trigger a
warning when the doll is shaken. More than one acceleration sensor
may be connected with, for example, the head portion and/or the
body of the doll. The warnings may comprise any means that warns a
user, including visual, audio, and tactile elements, such as, for
example, light, sound, and vibration. Alternatively or in
conjunction with other warnings, a warning may comprise text, such
as, for example, text that indicates an injury caused when the doll
is shaken.
[0009] The head portion of the doll may encompass a simulated
brain. In one embodiment at least part of the head portion is at
least partially transparent and reveals at least a portion of the
simulated brain. In the embodiment including a simulated brain the
warning may include a visual element, such as, for example, light,
emanating from the simulated brain. Light as a visual element may
be generated in part by, for instance, one or more Liquid Crystal
Displays and/or Light Emitting Diodes, and at least a portion of
the light may be transmitted at least partially through one or more
fiber optic cables. Such a visual element may emanate from an area
of the simulated brain injured when the doll is shaken, and may,
for example, include text indicating an injury caused when the doll
is shaken. Such text may identify a function of a portion of a
human brain in a corresponding position to the area of the
simulated brain injured when the doll is shaken, such that a user
can identify potential mental impairment that can result when an
infant is shaken.
[0010] In another embodiment that can be used separately or in
conjunction with the above embodiments, a doll is provided,
comprising first and second chambers disposed within the doll. At
least a portion of the first chamber is at least partially
transparent and disposed to permit viewing of the contents of the
first chamber. The second chamber contains simulated blood and is
in fluid communication with the first chamber through one or more
acceleration-sensitive connections. The one or more
acceleration-sensitive connections prevent the simulated blood from
passing from the second chamber to the first chamber absent
acceleration exceeding a pre-selected threshold.
[0011] Alternatively or in conjunction with either of the above
embodiments, a label may be provided for the acceleration sensor
and/or for the first chamber. Such a label may identify a function
of a portion of an infant's anatomy in a corresponding position to
the acceleration sensor and/or first chamber, respectively, such
that a user can identify potential physiological consequences to an
infant when the doll is shaken.
[0012] In another embodiment either separate or combined with the
above embodiments, a doll is provided comprising a head portion
floppably connected to a body and a plurality of acceleration
sensors disposed among the head portion and the body. Each of the
plurality of acceleration sensors may have an output circuit upon
which an output signal is placed when the doll is shaken, and each
output signal may be indicative of the magnitude of acceleration
experienced by each acceleration sensor. The doll may also comprise
a CPU having the output circuits from the plurality of acceleration
sensors as input. The CPU may be programmed with a set of injury
criteria that correlate accelerations experienced by portions of
human anatomy positioned correspondingly to the plurality of
acceleration sensors with injury thereto. The CPU may be further
programmed to output warning signals corresponding to the output
signals of the plurality of acceleration sensors. A plurality of
warning devices may be operatively connected to the CPU, the
plurality of warning devices providing warnings corresponding to
the warning signals output by the CPU. Such a doll may further
include a simulated brain and nervous system disposed within the
head portion and the body, and a transparent skin through which the
simulated brain and the nervous system are visible.
[0013] The doll of the above embodiment may further comprise first
and second chambers disposed within the doll, where at least a
portion of the first chamber is at least partially transparent and
disposed to permit viewing of the contents of the first chamber.
The second chamber may contain simulated blood and be in fluid
communication with the first chamber through one or more
CPU-controlled valves. The one or more CPU-controlled valves may
prevent the simulated blood from passing from the second chamber to
the first chamber absent a warning signal output by the CPU to the
one or more CPU-controlled valves.
[0014] Alternatively or in conjunction with any of the above
embodiments, a doll is provided comprising a head portion floppably
connected to a body, and simulated blood that visibly appears in an
area of the doll that has experienced acceleration sufficient to
cause internal bleeding to a corresponding area of an infant's
anatomy. The simulated blood may comprise, for example, an
electronic display, or a liquid crystal display.
[0015] A method of learning about Shaken Baby Syndrome is also
provided. The method includes shaking a doll, the doll comprising a
head portion floppably connected to a body, and an acceleration
sensor connected with the doll that may trigger a warning when the
doll is shaken. The method may also include causing the
acceleration sensor connected with the doll to trigger the warning.
Further steps may include evaluating the warning to determine
potential physiological effects of corresponding shaking of an
infant, and/or performing said steps in furtherance of a legal
proceeding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a doll according to the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of certain elements of a system
suitable for controlling the lights and valves of a Shaken Baby
educational doll according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THIS EMBODIMENT
[0018] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, and alterations and modifications in the illustrated
device, and further applications of the principles of the invention
as illustrated therein, are herein contemplated as would normally
occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a Shaken Baby Syndrome educational doll
according to the present invention, shown generally at 100. The
educational doll 100 according to the present invention comprises a
body 110 and head 120 and may be covered with transparent or
translucent skin 140. Alternatively, the head 120 may be formed at
least partially from a transparent material, such as acrylic,
without skin 140. The head 120 is floppably connected to the body
110 by a flexible neck or other joint, so that the head 120 is free
to flop around relative to the body 110. In one embodiment the head
120 may only flop forward and backward relative to the body 110. In
another embodiment the head 120 may only flop side-to-side relative
to the body 110. In other embodiments various combinations of the
above movements are contemplated, including movement in all
directions. It will be appreciated that this freedom in the
floppable connection preferably simulates the anatomy of real
infants, which are unable to support their own heads against even a
single gravity of acceleration, much less the multiple gravities
experienced during a shaking episode.
[0020] In one embodiment, the head 120 of the doll 100 contains a
simulated brain 160 that is visible through the transparent skin
140 of the doll 100. The brain 160 may be rubber and may be formed
as part of the body 110. One embodiment of the doll further
comprises a simulated spinal cord and simulated nerves extending
from the spine and brain 160 to the limbs of the doll 100. The
simulated nerves and spinal cord may also be visible through the
transparent skin 140 of the doll 100. In this embodiment, the body
110 also contains simulated blood that can simulate internal
bleeding. The simulated blood is preferably liquid and preferably
red, but it will be appreciated that any substance and color
suitable to simulate internal bleeding may be used, including by
way of example and not of limitation, gel, powder, liquid crystal
displays, etc.
[0021] The head 120 of this embodiment doll also contains a number
of lights 130 positioned in different locations throughout the head
120, with associated labels 150 describing the portion of the brain
and/or the function of the brain at that location. Light Emitting
Diodes ("LEDs") can advantageously be used for these lights 130, as
they are durable and require little power. Fiber optic means, such
as cables, may be used to transmit light. In conjunction with the
lights 130, the labels 150 permit identification of the brain
subsections and/or brain functions that are typically performed in
the brain subsection found at the corresponding location, such as,
for example, speech or memory.
[0022] When the doll 100 is shaken, the floppable connection
between the body 110 and the head 120 permits the head 120 to
experience acceleration similar to the acceleration that an
infant's head would actually experience during shaking. The shaking
action causes lights 130 to illuminate in the head 120
corresponding to the locations experiencing force sufficient to
potentially cause internal bleeding and/or brain damage. In this
way, a caregiver can shake the doll 100 and then observe which part
or parts of an infant's brain could have been damaged by the
shaking, as well as the lasting harm to brain function that such a
shaking would most likely cause if left untreated.
[0023] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for
learning about Shaken Baby Syndrome. Such a method may involve the
use of a doll 100, where the doll 100 comprises a head 120
floppably connected to a body 110, and an acceleration sensor (not
shown) connected with the doll 100. The acceleration sensor
triggers a warning or other indicia when the doll 100 is shaken.
One method of using such a doll 100 to learn about Shaken Baby
Syndrome comprises shaking the doll 100 sufficiently to cause the
acceleration sensor connected with the doll 100 to trigger a
warning. Such a method may further comprise evaluating the warning
to determine potential physiological effects of corresponding
shaking of an infant. In one embodiment, the above method(s) is/are
applied in furtherance of a legal proceeding, for instance to
provide evidence of damage that may or may not occur for a given
shaking. Those of skill will recognize that a legal proceeding for
which information of the type provided by the doll 100 could be
useful includes by way of example and not of limitation, a criminal
and a non-criminal investigation, a social work investigation, a
statistical analysis, an indictment, a trial, and hospital
recordkeeping, among other proceedings.
[0024] In one embodiment, the shaking action also releases the
simulated blood to simulate internal bleeding and other injuries
caused by the shaking action. The simulated blood is preferably
stored in a blood system comprising a first compartment and a
second compartment. There can be any number of first compartments
and second compartments, including one. Simulated blood in a first
compartment is visible through the transparent skin 140 of the
doll, whereas when said simulated blood is contained within a
second compartment, said simulated blood is concealed from view.
Opening valves or otherwise permitting the simulated blood to flow
from the second compartment into the first compartment can simulate
internal bleeding. Simulated blood in the second compartment may be
concealed either by making the second compartment opaque or by
disposing it within an interior portion of the doll that is not
visible through the transparent skin 140.
[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the shaking action activates
at least one liquid crystal display (LCD) visible through the
transparent skin 140 to simulate internal bleeding and other
injuries caused by the shaking action. In yet another preferred
embodiment, the doll 100 comprises opaque skin 240 with LEDs or
other appropriate output devices extending therethrough.
[0026] It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that any
suitable visual, audio, or tactile indicia or warning may be used
to warn a user when the doll has experienced acceleration above a
pre-selected threshold (the terms warning and indicia are used
interchangeably). Therefore, further alternate embodiments employ
one or more indicia or warnings selected from the foregoing group
of indicia, and the term light 130 should be understood to refer to
and include one or more indicia selected from this group of
indicia. The responses of the doll to shaking can be controlled in
a number of ways. In certain embodiments, the doll includes a
number of acceleration sensors controlled by a Central Processing
Unit ("CPU") to monitor the positive accelerations and negative
accelerations (i.e., decelerations) experienced by various
locations within the doll. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system
suitable for use in such embodiments, which system is shown
generally at 200.
[0027] In response to signals from the acceleration sensor(s) 210,
the CPU 220 can issue commands to indicator(s) 250 to, for example,
light the corresponding light 130 when a location within the head
120 experiences acceleration sufficient to cause brain damage or
internal bleeding in the brain 160. Likewise, the CPU 220 can issue
commands to indicator(s) 250 to, for example, light the
corresponding light 130 when a location within the body 110
experiences acceleration sufficient to cause internal organ damage.
The CPU 220 can issue commands to open valve(s) 240 to permit the
simulated blood to enter at least one visible compartment from at
least one concealed compartment when an acceleration sensor 210 in
a location indicates that said location has experienced
acceleration sufficient to cause internal bleeding at said
location.
[0028] Although one embodiment employs accelerometers having
identical outputs per unit of acceleration, those of skill in the
art will note that the acceleration necessary to cause injury may
actually vary from location to location throughout the body 110.
Therefore, different acceleration sensor(s) 210, or acceleration
sensor(s) 210 having a variable output that can be interpreted by
the CPU 220, may be used in order to vary the doll's response to
acceleration at each of the monitored locations.
[0029] Alternatively, a passive monitoring system can be used to
activate the visual, audio, and/or tactile warnings and to cause
the simulated internal bleeding. In such a system, for example,
valve(s) 240 separating concealed and visible simulated blood
compartments may be mechanically controlled. Or, instead of
valve(s) 240, membranes that are permeable above certain
accelerations or that can be deformed by sufficient acceleration
could separate the two types of compartments. Similarly, the lights
130 in the doll's head 120 may each have an associated acceleration
sensor 210 that is triggered by a certain acceleration. Once
triggered, the light 130 continues to shine until the associated
acceleration sensor 210 is manually reset.
[0030] Examples of acceleration sensing means suitable for
incorporation into a doll according to the present invention
include accelerometers, piezoelectric crystals, any type of
acceleration-sensing transducer, and the like. Some examples are
included, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,674 to Hahn et al.,
and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,858 to Muenzel et al., which references
are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties. Further, the
specifications of U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,655 to Alderson regarding CPR
mannequins, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,048,209 to Bailey and 5,443,388 to
Jurmain et al. regarding educational dolls for caregivers of
infants are also hereby incorporated herein in their
entireties.
[0031] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only this embodiment, and certain other
embodiments deemed helpful in further explaining how to make or use
this embodiment, have been shown. All changes and modifications
that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be
protected.
* * * * *