Wireless incontinence detection apparatus
First Claim
1. An incontinence detection apparatus comprisingan incontinence pad having a substrate, at least two sensor traces situated on the substrate, and a passive RFID tag situated on the substrate, the passive RFID tag being in electrical communication with the at least two sensor traces, wherein an open circuit is formed between the at least two sensor traces when the incontinence pad is dry, wherein the presence of a threshold amount of incontinence on the incontinence pad forms a closed circuit with the at least two sensor traces due to the incontinence pad being wet,a pair of spaced apart antennae, at least one antenna of the pair of antenna receiving a wireless signal emitted by the passive RFID tag indicating whether the incontinence pad is dry or wet,a reader controlling at least one of the pair of antennae to emit wireless energy for powering the passive RFID tag, the reader transmitting a notification message in response to the wireless signal emitted by the passive RFID tag indicating that the incontinence pad is wet, anda patient bed having a frame and a mattress, the incontinence pad being situated atop the mattress, the reader being coupled to the frame, wherein the frame comprises a mattress support deck that supports the mattress and the pair of spaced apart antennae are situated above the deck and beneath the mattress.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
222 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An incontinence detection apparatus comprising
an incontinence pad having a substrate, at least two sensor traces situated on the substrate, and a passive RFID tag situated on the substrate, the passive RFID tag being in electrical communication with the at least two sensor traces, wherein an open circuit is formed between the at least two sensor traces when the incontinence pad is dry, wherein the presence of a threshold amount of incontinence on the incontinence pad forms a closed circuit with the at least two sensor traces due to the incontinence pad being wet, a pair of spaced apart antennae, at least one antenna of the pair of antenna receiving a wireless signal emitted by the passive RFID tag indicating whether the incontinence pad is dry or wet, a reader controlling at least one of the pair of antennae to emit wireless energy for powering the passive RFID tag, the reader transmitting a notification message in response to the wireless signal emitted by the passive RFID tag indicating that the incontinence pad is wet, and a patient bed having a frame and a mattress, the incontinence pad being situated atop the mattress, the reader being coupled to the frame, wherein the frame comprises a mattress support deck that supports the mattress and the pair of spaced apart antennae are situated above the deck and beneath the mattress.
Specification