Pressure relief reminder and associated method for the prevention of pressure sores
First Claim
1. An apparatus for preventing the formation of pressure sores on the skin of an individual, comprising:
- an inclination sensor for detecting a change in inclination;
a microprocessor in communication with said inclination sensor, said microprocessor configured for generating an indication signal at the end of a timing cycle and said microprocessor configured for resetting the timing cycle based upon input from said inclination sensor; and
an indicator in communication with said microprocessor, said indicator configured for alerting the individual of the need to relieve pressure on certain areas of the skin of the individual upon receiving said indication signal from said microprocessor.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for preventing the formation of pressure sores on the skin of an individual is provided. The apparatus includes an inclination sensor for detecting a change in inclination of an object holding the individual. A microprocessor is in communication with the inclination sensor and generates an indication signal at the end of a timing cycle. The microprocessor resets the timing cycle based upon input from the inclination sensor. An indicator is in communication with the microprocessor and alerts the individual of the need to relieve pressure on certain areas of the skin of the individual upon receiving the indication signal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for preventing the formation of pressure sores on the skin of an individual, comprising:
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an inclination sensor for detecting a change in inclination;
a microprocessor in communication with said inclination sensor, said microprocessor configured for generating an indication signal at the end of a timing cycle and said microprocessor configured for resetting the timing cycle based upon input from said inclination sensor; and
an indicator in communication with said microprocessor, said indicator configured for alerting the individual of the need to relieve pressure on certain areas of the skin of the individual upon receiving said indication signal from said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for preventing the formation of pressure sores on the skin of an individual, comprising:
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a frame configured for attachment to a wheelchair capable of moving from a nontilted position to a tilted position such that said frame is capable of moving from a nontilted position to a tilted position;
an inclination sensor carried by said frame, said inclination sensor configured for detecting a change in inclination;
a microprocessor carried by said frame and in communication with said inclination sensor, said microprocessor configured for generating an indication signal at the end of a timing cycle, wherein said microprocessor receives input from said inclination sensor for determining inclination information of said frame;
an indicator in communication with said microprocessor, said indicator configured for alerting the individual upon receiving said indication signal from said microprocessor of the need to tilt the wheelchair in order to relieve pressure on certain areas of the skin of the individual; and
a battery carried by said frame, wherein said battery supplies power to said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of alerting an individual of the need to tilt a wheelchair in order to prevent the formation of pressure sores on the skin of the individual, comprising the steps of:
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sensing whether the wheelchair is in a nontilted position;
detecting the time spent by the wheelchair in the nontilted position;
generating an indication signal based upon the expiration of a predetermined amount of time that the wheelchair is in the nontilted position; and
alerting the individual through use of an indicator upon receiving said indication signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification