Incontinence detection apparatus having displacement alert

• US 10,646,379 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2016
• Issued: 05/12/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Heil, Thomas F., Dixon, Steven A., Gazagnes, Laetitia, Lane, Timothy A., Ribble, David L., Srivastava, Varad N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kingston, Shawna M
• Application Number:
  US15/257,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20160374626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/02 with toilet conveniences, or specially adapted for use with toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications

Abstract

One embodiment of a method of interrogating a sensor to detect the presence of moisture on an occupant support comprises the steps of A) providing a moisture responsive sensor in a surveillance zone of the occupant support, the sensor being tuned to a center frequency; B) exciting the sensor with an electromagnetic signal having a frequency approximately equal to the center frequency; C) monitoring for a center frequency response from the sensor; D) comparing the center frequency response to an expected center frequency response; and E) if the center frequency response compares favorably to an expected center frequency response, issuing a first output consistent with the favorable comparison.

Claims

1. An incontinence detection apparatus for use on a patient bed, the incontinence detection apparatus comprising

an incontinence detection pad for placement beneath a patient on the patient bed such that the patient lies on the incontinence detection pad without wearing the incontinence detection pad, the incontinence detection pad having a substrate, at least one sensor situated on the substrate, and at least one passive RFID tag that is coupled to the at least one sensor, the passive RFID tag being configured to transmit data via an antenna contained within a boundary of the RFID tag in response to being interrogated, wherein the sensor comprises a moisture detection sensor that extends from the RFID tag beyond a boundary of the RFID tag to detect moisture on the substrate at a position spaced from the RFID tag, the sensor having interdigitated segments that are spaced apart in an open circuit configuration in the absence of moisture and that form a closed circuit configuration in response to moisture bridging between the interdigitated segments for electrical current flow, wherein the incontinence detection pad includes a plurality of substantially parallel fluid migration pathways,

at least one antenna for emitting energy to interrogate the passive RFID tag of the incontinence detection pad, and

circuitry coupled to the at least one antenna and providing energy to the antenna to interrogate the passive RFID tag, wherein the circuitry processes the data received from the passive RFID tag by the at least one antenna and initiates a displacement alert if the incontinence detection pad is determined to have shifted so as to be out of position on the patient bed.

2. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the displacement alert is initiated if the received signal strength of the data transmitted by the passive RFID tag and received by the at least one antenna is below a threshold signal strength.

3. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one antenna comprises at least two antennae and further comprising a multiplexer coupled to the at least two antennae to control which of the at least two antennae is to interrogate the passive RFID tag at any given time.

4. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least two antennae are spaced apart to define two surveillance zones.

5. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 4, wherein the displacement alert is initiated if the received signal strength of the data transmitted by the passive RFID tag and received by each of the at least two antennae is below a threshold signal strength.

6. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 5, wherein the displacement alert is not initiated if the received signal strength of the data transmitted by the passive RFID tag and received by at least one of the at least two antennae is above the threshold signal strength.

7. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RFID tag includes a pad antenna that receives energy from the at least one antenna coupled to the circuitry.

8. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data transmitted by the passive RFID tag includes data indicating whether the incontinence detection pad is wet or dry.

9. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least two sensors situated on the substrate.

10. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry transmits a moisture alert in response to the data indicating that the incontinence pad is wet.

11. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a hydrophobic material and wherein the incontinence pad comprises a moisture absorbent material overlying the interdigitated segments.

12. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to control a frequency at which the at least one antenna and passive RFID tag communicate.

13. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuitry communicates with a network of a healthcare facility.

14. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to send the displacement alert to a caregiver via the network.

15. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 14, wherein the circuitry is also configured to send a moisture alert to the caregiver via the network if the data indicates that the incontinence detection pad is wet.

16. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to send the displacement alert to an electronic record for storage via the network.

17. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 16, wherein the circuitry is also configured to send a moisture alert to the electronic record via the network if the data indicates that the incontinence detection pad is wet.

18. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is configured for wireless communication with the network.