Wireless Code Game Enuresis Alarm for the Treatment of Enuresis

Abstract

A system ( 10 ) and method for use by a subject with a sleep disorder, such as nocturnal enuresis. The system ( 10 ) comprises at least one sensor ( 11 ) that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder, for example urine, and outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of that attribute. The system ( 10 ) further comprises a control device ( 12 ) that comprises an arousal device ( 14 ), such as a loudspeaker, that activates on or after receipt of the first signal, an interactive device ( 15 ) that is actuable by the subject to deactivate or modify the operation of the arousal device ( 14 ) and an output device ( 16 ) for delivering an output to the subject. The output being delivered on or after deactivation or modification of the arousal device ( 14 ).

1 . A system for use by a subject with a sleep disorder comprising:
 at least one sensor that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder and outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of said attribute; and   a control device comprising:
 an arousal device that activates on or after receipt of said first signal by said control device; 
 an interactive device actuable by said subject to deactivate or modify the operation of said arousal device after the arousal device has been activated; 
 a storage device for storing a plurality of outputs; and 
 an output device for delivering at least one of said outputs a predetermined number of times to said subject, said output being delivered based on deactivation or modification of the arousal device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device is a visual display device, an auditory device, and/or an audiovisual device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the auditory device comprises a loudspeaker and the output is an auditory output. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the loudspeaker is also used as the arousal device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the auditory output comprises a recording of one or more words, a phrase, a sentence, a nursery rhyme, some or all of a song, or some or all of a poem. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the control device further comprises a microphone for detecting one or more auditory outputs for storage on the storage device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control device comprises a device for recording or producing one or more arousal or awakening sounds. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the interactive device comprises a button, a switch, a lever, a proximity sensor, a movement sensor, and/or a touch pad. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output device delivers said output immediately on actuation of the interactive device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sensor comprise a sensor for the detection of urine. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sensor has a wireless transmitter or wireless transceiver which is part of a wireless link provided between the sensor and the control device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the sensor detects teeth grinding by the subject, and/or movement of the subject from a sleeping to a standing position, and/or the sounds of sleep talking by the subject, and/or head movements by the subject. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the control device comprises a wireless receiver or wireless transceiver that detects signals output from the sensor. 
     
     
         14 . A control device for use by a subject with a sleep disorder comprising:
 an arousal device that activates on or after receipt by said control device of a first signal from at least one sensor that detects at least one attribute of the sleep disorder;   an interactive device actuable by said subject to deactivate or modify the operation of said arousal device after the arousal device has been activated; and   an output device for delivering at least one of a plurality of outputs a predetermined number of times to said subject, said output being delivered based on deactivation or modification of the arousal device.   
     
     
         15 . A system for use by a subject suffering nocturnal enuresis comprising:
 a fluid sensor that outputs at least a first signal on detection of a fluid; and   a control device comprising:
 an arousal device that activates on or after receipt of said first signal by said control device; 
 an interactive device actuable by said subject to deactivate or modify the operation of said arousal device after the arousal device has been activated; 
 a storage device for storing a plurality of outputs; and 
 an output device for delivering at least one of said outputs a predetermined number of times to said subject, said output being delivered on deactivation or modification of the arousal device. 
   
     
     
         16 . A control device for use by a subject suffering nocturnal enuresis comprising:
 an arousal device that activates on or after receipt by said control device of a first signal from a fluid sensor;   an interactive device actuable by said subject to deactivate or modify the operation of said arousal device after the arousal device has been activated; and   an output device for delivering at least one of a plurality of outputs a predetermined number of times to said subject, said output being delivered on deactivation or modification of the arousal device;   wherein said output device on each operation delivers an output that is different to that delivered the immediately previous time.   
     
     
         17 . A method of encouraging, through use of a game, arousal of a subject suffering a sleep disorder, the method comprising:
 informing the subject that an award will be given for successful completion of the game;   informing the subject what the subject needs to do to successfully complete the game;   detecting through use of a sensor at least one attribute of the sleep disorder of the subject, wherein the sensor outputs at least a first signal on or after detection of the said attribute;   arousing the subject using an arousal device on receipt of said first signal by a control device;   determining if the subject has been aroused by sensing actuation of an interactive device by the subject;   outputting an output to the subject based on said sensing of said actuation;   subsequently determining from the subject the nature of the output; and   rewarding the subject if the subject correctly identifies the output.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the control device is controllable to allow selection of which stored output is next delivered to the subject after subsequent deactivation or modification of the arousal device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the number of times the output is provided to the subject following selection is once. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output of the output device changes each time that the interactive device is appropriately actuated by the subject following operation of the arousal device. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the order of the outputs issued by the output device on each actuation of the interactive device is randomised.