Apparatus for the detection of moisture
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the detection of moisture, the apparatus comprisinga substrate,at least one conductor carried by the substrate, the at least one conductor having a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion separated by a gap, anda switch extending across the gap between the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, the switch having a conductive switch member, a spring biasing the conductive switch member toward the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, and an insulator blocking electrical communication between the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, the insulator being located in between the spring and the first and second conductor portions and being configured to dissolve in response to contact with a biological fluid, wherein the switch has an open state in which the insulator is undissolved to impede the conductive switch member from electrically connecting the first conductor portion with the second conductor portion, wherein the switch has a closed state in which the insulator is dissolved to allow the conductive switch member to electrically connect the first conductor portion with the second conductor portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
223 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the detection of moisture, the apparatus comprising
a substrate, at least one conductor carried by the substrate, the at least one conductor having a first conductor portion and a second conductor portion separated by a gap, and a switch extending across the gap between the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, the switch having a conductive switch member, a spring biasing the conductive switch member toward the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, and an insulator blocking electrical communication between the first conductor portion and the second conductor portion, the insulator being located in between the spring and the first and second conductor portions and being configured to dissolve in response to contact with a biological fluid, wherein the switch has an open state in which the insulator is undissolved to impede the conductive switch member from electrically connecting the first conductor portion with the second conductor portion, wherein the switch has a closed state in which the insulator is dissolved to allow the conductive switch member to electrically connect the first conductor portion with the second conductor portion.
Specification