Patient movement detection system and method

• US 20100298742A1
• Filed: 03/24/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leaf Healthcare, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC), Wound Sentry LLC
• Original Assignee: Leaf Healthcare, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Perlman, David, Himle, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 10,020,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/18 Shielding or protection of sensors from environmental influences, e.g. protection from mechanical damage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/447 specially adapted for aiding the prevention of ulcer or pressure sore development, i.e. before the ulcer or sore has developed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A monitoring system and method tracks a patient'"'"'s position over time and ensures that proper turning or other manipulation is done within the time prescribed. Preferably, the techniques herein continuously monitor patient position and alert medical or other personnel of the need for turning or other patient manipulation. The system may be implemented within a medical or other care facility, or within a patient'"'"'s home.

Claims

1. A monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor adapted to be carried by a patient and outputting spatial information associated with the patient'"'"'s physical orientation;

a monitor in communication with the sensor to receive the spatial information together with temporal information, the monitor using the spatial and temporal information to determine whether the patient is following a patient turn protocol; and

a device to output a notification if the patient turn protocol is not being followed so that remedial action can be initiated.

2. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the monitor comprises a bedside receiving station.

3. The monitoring system as described in claim 2 wherein the bedside receiving station is a intelligent mobile device.

4. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the monitor comprises an attendant receiving station.

5. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the sensor is in communication with the monitor over a wireless link.

6. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the sensor is self-powered.

7. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the spatial information is one of:

a current orientation, a change in the patient'"'"'s orientation, a magnitude of a change in orientation, a frequency of a change in the patient'"'"'s orientation, and one or more allowed or disallowed positions.

8. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the temporal information is one of:

a start time, a time since a last turn, a time until a next turn, and a current or elapsed time.

9. The monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein the notification output by the device is an alarm.