Wireless Stimulus-Reflex Detection for Neonatal Monitoring

The author describe a micro-power wireless monitor device with stimulus motors and motion-sensing accelerometer for neonatal monitoring. The novelty of our approach is using a vibrator to stimulate an involuntary reflex response and using an accelerometer to sense that motion. Since the reflex response is involuntary, it operates regardless of the patient´s arousal state. We performed a preliminary trial using a prototype foot-worn monitor to invoke the Babinski reflex in a 3-month-old infant. We observed a reliable correlation between the vibrator stimulus and acceleration. There was an order of magnitude difference in detected movement with and without the stimulus. This paper is the first step toward using reflex detection for remote monitoring. We also detail the construction, electronics, embedded software, and power-saving methods for the monitor device.