Patient monitoring system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:
- a control housing mounted to a patient station;
a flexible member attached to the control housing;
said flexible member including a fastening means on one end for attaching to the patient and a switch on the other end;
a pressure pad located so that the pressure pad is under the patient;
the control housing including a means for providing an alarm signal when the fastening means or pressure pad are activated;
said pressure pad including a pressure sensor having first and second contacts and a spacing means for holding said first and second contacts open;
said spacing means including at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To monitor a patient, a pressure sensor is placed under the patient. The pressure pad includes a normally open switch having first and second contacts. Pressure on the pad over a preset amount arms the switch and release of the pressure causes an alarm and/or a message to be announced. The closing of the first and second contacts requires bending one of the first and second contacts over a spacing means, wherein the spacing means includes at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts. In this manner, the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut. The pressure pad is low cost and can be disposable.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:
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a control housing mounted to a patient station;
a flexible member attached to the control housing;
said flexible member including a fastening means on one end for attaching to the patient and a switch on the other end;
a pressure pad located so that the pressure pad is under the patient;
the control housing including a means for providing an alarm signal when the fastening means or pressure pad are activated;
said pressure pad including a pressure sensor having first and second contacts and a spacing means for holding said first and second contacts open;
said spacing means including at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:
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a pressure pad for providing a signal indicating a pressure condition;
a control housing connected to and located adjacent to the pressure pad and responsive to the signal;
a casing at least partly encasing the control housing and the pressure pad;
said pressure pad including a pressure sensor having first and second contacts and a spacing means for holding said first and second contacts open;
said spacing means including at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:
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a pressure pad for providing a signal indicating a pressure condition;
a control housing connected to and located adjacent to the pressure pad and responsive to the signal; and
a casing at least partly encasing the control housing and the pressure pad. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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14. A method of monitoring a patient, comprising the steps of:
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placing a pressure pad that is encased in a cover on a resting place for the patient;
energizing the pressure pad, whereby a signal is provided responsive to pressure placed on the pressure pad by the patient;
arming the pressure pad when a predetermined weight is on the pressure pad whereby the pressure pad serves as a sensor;
said step of arming the pressure pad including the step of placing sufficient pressure on the pressure pad to close first and second contacts of a pressure sensor in said pressure pad;
said step of closing said first and second contacts including the step of bending one of said first and second contacts over a spacing means, wherein the spacing means includes at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut;
activating an alarm when the predetermined weight is removed from the armed pressure pad; and
disposing of the pressure pad when the patient no longer has use of the pressure pad.
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Specification