Wireless code game enuresis alarm for the treatment of enuresis
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 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.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein each output to the subject on each operation is different to that delivered the immediately previous time.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the outputs are recycled.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein when the outputs are recycled in a different order to the order of the outputs in the immediately previous cycle.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is delivered to the subject by an output device.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the output device is a visual display device, an auditory device, and/or an audiovisual device.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the auditory device comprises a loudspeaker that outputs an auditory output.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the loudspeaker is also used as the arousal device.
9. The method of claim 7 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.
10. The method 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.
11. The method of claim 5 wherein the output device delivers said output immediately on actuation of the interactive device.
12. The method of claim 1 or claim 9 wherein the control device comprises a storage device for storing a plurality of sound outputs and a microphone.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the control device comprises a device for recording or producing one or more arousal or awakening sounds.
14. The method 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.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprise a sensor for the detection of urine.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein the control device comprises a wireless receiver or wireless transceiver that detects signals output from the sensor.
17. The method 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.