Tactile sensory device for use by a baby or child
View Patent ↗There is provided a tactile sensory device for use by a baby or child. The tactile sensory device comprises a pulsation actuator configured to, in use, produce a mechanical vibration having a pulsatile waveform that is the same, or substantially the same as, a pulsatile waveform of blood flowing in an umbilical cord.
1. A tactile sensory device for use by a baby or child, the tactile sensory device comprising a pulsation actuator configured to produce a mechanical vibration having a pulsatile waveform that is the same as a recorded pulsatile waveform of blood flowing in an umbilical cord having a waveform shape that corresponds to the variation of umbilical cord blood flow velocity with time.
2. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 wherein the pulsatile waveform of blood flowing in an umbilical cord is a sawtooth, or substantially sawtooth, waveform.
3. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 including a controller configured to, in use, generate an electrical signal to control the pulsation actuator to produce the mechanical vibration.
4. The tactile sensory device according to claim 3 wherein the controller includes a waveform generator configured to, in use, provide an electrical waveform signal to drive the pulsation actuator to produce the mechanical vibration.
5. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 wherein the pulsation actuator includes a motor for producing the mechanical vibration.
6. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 including a housing mechanically coupled to the pulsation actuator, wherein the pulsation actuator is contained inside the housing or is integral to the housing.
7. The tactile sensory device according to claim 6 wherein an outward-facing surface of the housing is shaped to be the same, or substantially the same, as an outward-facing surface of an umbilical cord.
8. The tactile sensory device according to claim 6 wherein an outward-facing surface of the housing is textured to be the same, or substantially the same, as an outward-facing surface of an umbilical cord.
9. The tactile sensory device according to claim 6 wherein the housing is made out:
silicone;
rubber;
polypropylene;
a thermoplastic polymer;
a sterile material;
a sterilisable material;
an antibacterial material;
an antimicrobial material;
a dishwasher-safe material; and/or
a microwave-safe material.
10. The tactile sensory device according to claim 6 wherein the housing is formed as a molded article.
11. The tactile sensory device according to claim 6 wherein an outward-facing surface of the housing is colored in:
monochrome;
black and white; or
grayscale.
12. The tactile sensory device according to claim 6 wherein the housing is shaped as a partially or wholly annular housing.
13. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 wherein the tactile sensory device is configured as a wearable device that is wearable by the baby or child.
14. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 wherein the tactile sensory device is configured as a holdable or grippable device that is holdable or grippable by the baby or child.
15. The tactile sensory device according to claim 1 wherein the tactile sensory device is configured as an oral device that is placeable inside or against the baby's or child's mouth.
16. A tactile sensory device according to claim 15 wherein the oral device includes a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece is arranged on a first side of the oral device and wherein the tactile sensory device further includes a switch for turning the pulsation actuator on and off, the switch being arranged to be operable from a second opposite side of the oral device.
17. A tactile sensory device according to claim 1 wherein the tactile sensory device is or forms part of:
a garment;
a fabric;
a piece of furniture;
an accessory; or
a toy.
18. A tactile sensory device according to claim 1 including a power source for supplying power to the pulsation actuator, wherein the power source is removable and/or wherein the power source is rechargeable.
19. A tactile sensory device according to claim 1 including a power source for supplying power to the pulsation actuator, wherein the tactile sensory device includes a wireless coupler for electrically coupling the power source with an external wireless charger.