Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the features and intended use of the NightWatch epilepsy seizure detection device. We advise you to try the FAQ questionnaire first to find a possible answer to your question.

NightWatch is a CE-certified medical device designed to detect major nocturnal motor seizures. Read the user manual carefully before first use.

How to customise the elastic band of the arm module
The arm strap may need replacement or may not have been set up correctly.
Analysis
The arm strap must be set up correctly to wear NightWatch comfortably and make sure the sensors can continuously track the heart rate and movement during use. If the arm module is too tight or too loose, you may need to adjust the setup. The arm strap may need replacement.

Proposed solutions
Please follow the instructions in the video below on how to set up the arm strap.

 

The NightWatch base station is out of range of the arm module

If the base station is unable to establish communication with the arm module for a duration exceeding 2 minutes, an audible alert will be triggered (2 beeps recurring every 2 seconds).

Analysis
The maximum communication distance between the arm module and the base station is typically 15 meters but depends on the construction of the building. When the base station fails to communicate with the arm module for more than 2 minutes, the base station will warn the user by emitting 2 beeps every 2 seconds.

If the alarm only occurs accidentally during the night, a possible cause could be that the person wearing the arm module is completely covering the arm module with their body, which may decrease its range.

Proposed solutions

  • Make sure that the arm module is switched ON.
  • Position the base station closer to the location where the arm module is worn. Also, moving the base station to a location that is not close to a wall may increase its reach.
  • If you cannot move the base station closer, consider moving the base station to the same room as the person wearing NightWatch and forward the alarm to the caregiver through an external alarming system, like a GSM or a nurse call system.
NightWatch is giving an epilepsy alarm but there is no seizure

NightWatch may produce some false alarms. This is an epilepsy alarm (ringing sound), while no seizures seem to be taking place. Click the play button below to hear what the epilepsy alarm sounds like.

Analysis

Most NightWatch users occasionally experience false alarms. This is normal and may be caused by strong heart rate fluctuations during sleep or rhythmic movements during sleep, such as scratching. The rate of false alarms may also change over the year. NightWatch may also detect short-lived seizures, which are visually unnoticeable during the time the caregiver arrives.

Proposed solutions

  • If you are not sure if an alarm was false, we advise using the NightWatch Portal to gain more insight into the reasons for the alarm.
  • If you are not sure if the alarm was false or perhaps it was a minor seizure, you could consider making a video recording to verify.
  • If false alarms are triggered by movement, try to wear the arm module around the least dominant arm or on the lower leg.
  • When in doubt you could always email your portal graph and question to info@nightwatchepilepsy.com
NightWatch does not track a heart rate

There’s a red flashing light and the base station beeps 1 time repeatedly every 2 seconds. Click the play button below to hear what this technical alarm sounds like.

Analysis
Each time, after disconnecting the arm module from the charger, the base station indicates that the system has started and no heart rate has been tracked yet by emitting 1 beep repeatedly per 2 seconds. This alert will stop as soon as a heart rate has been tracked. A green light on the base station indicates that a heart rate has been reliably tracked.

NightWatch tracks heart rate and movement to detect seizures. The reliability of the heart rate tracking may vary due to the movements of the wearer, this is normal. The arm module may also come loose during the night or the wearer may take it off. When the arm module cannot find a heart rate or does not track the heart rate and movement for over 2 minutes, the base station will alert the user.

Proposed solutions
Test if your NightWatch functions correctly by performing a self-test following the video. If your arm module fails to measure the heart rate or loses track of the heart rate during the night, try the following:

  • Experiment with setting the strap a little bit tighter.
  • Move the arm module to a different location on the upper arm.
  • Clean the green LEDs on the arm module regularly with an
    alcohol wipe.
  • Try wearing the arm module on the lower leg.
NightWatch has not detected a seizure

There was no epilepsy alarm (ringing sound) during a seizure.

Analysis
Since seizure characteristics may differ from person to person so it is possible that NightWatch does not detect all seizures. NightWatch is optimized to detect as many major motor seizures as possible. These are seizures that result in stiffening or spasms of the muscles of the limbs or/and changes in heart rate. Other seizure types, such as absence seizures, will not be detected by NightWatch.

Proposed solutions

  • For some people, wearing the arm module on the lower leg instead of the arm can improve seizure detection.
  • If this doesn’t help, we advise you to connect NightWatch to the NightWatch Data Portal. This may provide more insight into the reason why seizures were missed.
  • You can ask our support team to help you if you email your portal graph and question to info@nightwatchepilepsy.com

The battery low alarm occurs while the arm module has been charged

There’s a red flashing light and the base station beeps 4 times repeatedly every 2 seconds. Click the play button below to hear what this technical alarm sounds like.

Analysis
In normal use, the capacity of the battery should be well sufficient to last all night. If the arm module is not sufficient or if it is not correctly charged during the daytime, it will raise an alarm when the battery level is close to empty.

Proposed solutions

  • Charge the arm module at least 2 hours before use.
  • Make sure the arm module is switched ON when charging.
  • We advise keeping the arm module connected to the charger when not using NightWatch. This ensures that NightWatch is always fully charged and ready to be used. The arm module is protected against overcharging so it can safely be connected to the charger all day.
  • Do not fully drain the battery for a longer period without recharging since this may shorten the battery life.
  • Replace the arm module when frequently a low battery alarm occurs within 12 hours after a full charge.
The NightWatch base station has lost connection with the arm module

If the base station is unable to establish communication with the arm module for a duration exceeding 2 minutes, an audible alert will be triggered (2 beeps recurring every 2 seconds). Click the play button below to hear what this technical alarm sounds like.

Analysis
First, make sure the arm module is switched ON and that it is in close range of the base station. If the problem remains, your arm module may need to pair again with the base station. If in doubt, please first check “The NightWatch base station is out of range of the arm module”. 

Proposed solutions
Please follow the instructions in the video below to reconnect the arm module to the base station or follow these steps:

Step 1. Power the base station so that it starts up.
Step 2. Disconnect the arm module from the charger and switch it subsequently from OFF to ON (3 times).
Step 3. When it is ON throw the arm module up in the air approx. 1.5 meter high and catch it again, repeat this 3 times.
Step 4. Reconnect the arm module to the charger.
Step 5. Press and hold both volume buttons on the base station for at least 15 seconds. After this, the arm module should be reconnected.

 

Skin irritation after wearing the arm module

Skin irritation, rash, red spots, imprinting, or itching where the NightWatch is worn.

Analysis
Some people experience skin irritation from wearing a device directly on the skin for long periods of time. This can also occur with NightWatch.

Proposed solutions
For most people with skin irritations after wearing NightWatch, the following measures may provide relief:

  • Regularly change the arm where NightWatch is worn.
  • Wipe the arm sensor and the arm itself with a damp cloth prior to wearing NightWatch.
  • Use special patches on the arm module that will reduce symptoms in >95% of all cases. These patches should be changed regularly. We supply the first set of 3 skin patches free of charge.

How to start using the NightWatch Portal

With the NightWatch Portal, you can read the measurements that NightWatch has tracked. This can give more insight into how your NightWatch works and why it alerts.

Note: NightWatch Portal data should not be used for diagnosis. Users should consult their neurologist.

Analysis
To use the NightWatch Portal, your base station needs to be connected to the internet continuously during use.

Proposed solutions

  • Make sure your NightWatch base station is connected to the internet using a LAN cable. If you do not have a LAN connection available, see the portal manual or the portal quick guide for suggestions.
  • If your NightWatch is connected correctly, two orange lights should shine equally brightly.
  • After your first recording, go to https://portal.nightwatchepilepsy.com and log in to see your data.
  • See the portal manual on how to log in and how to read the NightWatch Portal.
I don't see any data in the NightWatch Portal
The NightWatch Portal should show the recorded data after each night.
Analysis
The NightWatch Portal only receives data from your NightWatch when it is connected to the internet during use. Data may be missing if the internet connection is lost during the night. Please note that currently, the NightWatch Portal is a free-of-charge complimentary service to NightWatch users. The NightWatch Portal is still under development which may occasionally result in unavailable data.

Proposed solutions

  • If you cannot reach the portal login screen at https://portal.nightwatchepilepsy.com, the server may be down. In most cases, the server will be back up shortly.
  • If your data portal is empty, please check if your NightWatch base station shows 2 orange lights indicating a correct connection to the internet. If not, see how to connect to the portal.
  • If parts of the data are missing your internet connection may be unstable. Check the connection regularly.
How to wear NightWatch on the leg

The NightWatch arm module is intended to be worn on the upper arm but can also be worn on the lower leg.

Analysis
The NightWatch sensor needs to measure heart rate and movement to detect seizures. If NightWatch cannot be worn on the upper arm, or if wearing it on the upper arm results in too many false alarms, or missed seizures, you could experiment with wearing it on one of the lower legs.

Proposed solutions

  • Locate the correct location, that is preferably the green shaded area on the shin as shown in the image.

  • Adjust the strap to the correct length so it will not easily slip off during the night. NightWatch will sound an alert if it cannot measure the heart rate for seizure detection.
Test your NightWatch

How to perform a test to see if your NightWatch is functioning correctly.

Analysis
In case of doubt, if your NightWatch functions correctly, you can perform a self-test.

Proposed solutions
Follow the instructions in the video below to perform a self-test.

When you’re in doubt if your NightWatch does not function as expected (is malfunctioning), or if you have questions about the functioning, please make a video of the problem and upload the video here.