GSJ: Received Nov. 2, 2006: http://wbabin.net/saba/saba65.htm

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the most common cause of postneonatal infant death (1,2).

It would be of value to be able to detect the cessation of breathing or heart beat so as to prevent death. To this end various inventions have been described. For example Sciarra, et al (3) disclose the use of a multiple inductance coils, carried by the belt, which move relative to each other in response to breathing. Electrical signals indicative of such breathing are transmitted by radio wave to a monitor.

The present invention involves the use of a highly sensitive microchip, for example as described by Xie, et al (4, 5). In the following invention, one of more of these microchips are positioned to the infant. Subsequent to the detection of breathing or heart cessation via lack of motion or sound, a signal or lack thereof is generated by the microchip.

Most preferably, this signal or lack thereof is received and amplified by an alarming device, for example producing a sound. Such an alarm arousing the infant and/or care giver. Numerous variations of how the signal or lack thereof from the chip is converted into an alarm can be envisioned.

Positioning of one or more chips to the infant could be effected in various ways, such as the use of a chest band, patch, necklace, arm band, bracelet, or the pinning of the microchips on the cloths. Small power supplies necessary for such chips can also be positioned, preferably close to or affixed to the microchip.

It has been reported (5) that the required microchips could be manufactured for as little as $10, and it is conceivable that the required device could be sold for a little as $50 to $100.

Provisional claims: