Breathing detection/confirmation device

Abstract

A breath detection/confirmation device includes a sensor for determining if an infant or other person is breathing, and a means for generating a human perceptible signal in response thereto. In use, the sensor is placed adjacent the infants or person's mouth/nose, and a light or some other signal indicates to the user if the infant or person is breathing.

1 . An breath detection/confirmation device comprising an elongate body having a proximal, handle portion and a distal of end portion, the distal infant portion comprising a sensor configured for detecting an infant's breathing and a means for generating a human perceptible signal.  
   
   
       2 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.  
   
   
       3 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a vane.  
   
   
       4 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a CO2 detector.  
   
   
       5 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor.  
   
   
       6 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a condensation sensor.  
   
   
       7 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a humidity sensor.  
   
   
       8 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a heat sensor.  
   
   
       9 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a flow sensor.  
   
   
       10 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating a human perceptible signal comprises a light.  
   
   
       11 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating a human perceptible signal comprises a speaker.  
   
   
       12 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating a human perceptible signal comprises a tone generator.  
   
   
       13 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating a human perceptible signal comprises a vibrator.  
   
   
       14 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating a human perceptible signal comprises a visual display.  
   
   
       15 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end further comprises a light for illuminating at least a part of a person's face so as to allow placement of the distal end of the device adjacent to the infant's mouth or nose.  
   
   
       16 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 15 , wherein the device further comprises a switch for selectively turning on the light.  
   
   
       17 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal, handle end comprises a switch for actuating the sensor.  
   
   
       18 . The breath detection/confirmation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the body can be folded or collapsed.  
   
   
       19 . A method for confirming the breathing of an infant, the method comprising: 
 selecting a body having a proximal, handle end and a distal, infant end, the distal, infant end having a sensor disposed therein for confirming breathing of an infant; and    holding the device so that the distal, infant end is disposed adjacent to the mouth or nose of the infant.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises illuminating at least a portion of the distal end of the device to facilitate placement of the distal end adjacent to the mouth or nose of the infant.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises generating a human perceptible signal when the sensor detects breathing by the infant.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the human perceptible comprises of illuminating a light.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises holding the device in the user's hand while confirming breathing.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by use of a microphone.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by detecting CO2.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by use of an infrared sensor.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by detection of condensation.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by detection of humidity.  
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by detection of heat.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises sensing breathing by detection of fluid flow.