Low-cost pneumatic apnea or respiration monitor adapted to sound an alarm for a patient whose breathing is controlled by a ventilator or whose respiration has ceased. In the disclosed arrangement, pressure from an air pressure source is modulated by chest movement to admit air to either of two air storage tanks, each of these storage tanks having an adjustable throttle or bleed valve in a vent. Each tank feeds air to a low pressure actuated switch or valve which actuates an alarm when the pressure falls below a critical low value in the storage tanks indicating a slowing or cessation of breathing.

An alarm device for indicating a drop in pressure, particularly but not exclusively in automatic artificial respiration apparatus. The device functions pneumatically. A source of pressure fluid is connected to a timing device connected in its turn by an outlet to a pressure fluid feed conduit, via a manometric capsule which is normally closed. The latter opens when the pressure in the conduit reaches a certain maximum pressure, in order to evacuate the timing circuit. The aforementioned outlet is likewise connected to a pneumatic cell with the logical function "YES," normally closed, in order to prevent communication between at least one alarm device and the source of pressure fluid. This cell opens if the pressure in the timing circuit exceeds a certain predetermined threshold, as a result of the fact that, since the pressure in the feed conduit has not reached the maximum value, the manometric capsule has not opened.

A device which provides an aversive stimulus to a child who bed wets while asleep includes a urine detection pad of absorbent material having wire screen electrodes on both sides thereof, and an electrical circuit including an aversive alarm which is triggered when the detecting pad is moistened by a small amount of urine. A preferred embodiment of the device shuts off the alarm within a short time period if the total amount of urine deposited on the detecting pad is below a given quantity. If more than the allowable quantity of urine is deposited, the alarm continues to expose the child to the aversive stimulus. The device may also feature an adjustable threshold in its circuit to permit variation of the total quantity of urine required to continually energize the alarm, as well as selectable sensitivity of the circuit to the initial deposition of urine so that dampness caused by perspiration or humidity will not trigger the alarm.

A patient care system for monitoring respiratory distress problems and providing therapeutic treatment comprising, a sensor for generating patient derived respiratory activity signals, detecting an apnea episode from the signals, and providing in response to a detected apneic episode, stimulation of the patient by a momentary inflation or deflation of a pneumatic means adapted for placement under the patient to raise or lower the patient and induce thereby a loss of equilibrium for startling the patient into a natural respiration pattern.

Apparatus for influencing a person preferentially to sleep on his side and not on his back. A gravity actuated sensor apparatus is attached to a sleeping person for detecting body position and to sound an alarm informing the person when he is resting on his back; thereby enticing the person to sleep on one side or the other and not on his back. Appropriate circuitry connects the sensor apparatus and alarm so that the alarm is actuated in response to the sensor apparatus detecting an undesirable body position. The sensor apparatus is positioned on one's head, or alternatively, is positioned on one's body. The alarm can be sensed by a sleeper to thereby induce the sleeper to move to an alternate position whenever he attempts to rest on his back for more than a few seconds.