Support Surface with Proximity Sensor and Operable in Low Power Mode

• US 20110218684A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anodyne Medical Device, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Anodyne Medical Device, Inc. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Genaro, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,868,244 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/082 with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/083 with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/10 with two or more independently-fillable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/40 for distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/06 characterised by the use of electric means G05D7/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A support surface includes a pump and a plurality of air cells that are selectively inflated and deflated by the pump. A proximity sensor detects whether an object is supported on the air cells, and a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor controls operation of the pump based on a signal from the proximity sensor. Battery power can be saved by operating the device in a power save mode when the proximity sensor determines that the user has left the support surface.

Claims

1. A support surface comprising:

a pump;

a plurality of air cells, the air cells being selectively inflated and deflated by the pump;

a proximity sensor that detects whether an object is supported on the air cells; and

a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor, the control unit controlling operation of the pump based on a signal from the proximity sensor.

2. A support surface according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a pair of lateral conductors and a converter, the converter converting a capacitance between the lateral conductors into an electronic signal representative of a change in dielectric coefficient between the lateral conductors.

3. A support surface according to claim 2, wherein the pair of lateral conductors are disposed at a fixed distance from each other, which, in conjunction with a patient, form a variable capacitor.

4. A support surface according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is programmed to operate the pump and the proximity sensor in a full power mode and a power save mode, the control unit operating in the full power mode when the proximity sensor detects an object supported on the air cells.

5. A support surface according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is programmed to operate in the power save mode when the proximity sensor detects no object supported on the air cells, and wherein in the power save mode, the control unit operates only the proximity sensor.

6. A support surface according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is programmed to operate in a calibration mode when the proximity sensor detects an object supported on the air cells, the control unit in the calibration mode being programmed to measure a high capacitance state and a low capacitance state, the high capacitance state corresponding to a minimum inflation value for the air cells relative to the object supported on the air cells, and the low capacitance state corresponding to a maximum inflation value for the air cells relative to the object supported on the air cells.

7. A support surface according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor comprises a pair of fixed lateral conductors, and wherein a capacitance measured by the proximity sensor is function of a distance that an object on the support surface is from the lateral conductors.

8. A support surface according to claim 1, further comprising a power source connectable with the pump, the proximity sensor, and the control unit, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

9. A support surface comprising:

a pump;

a plurality of valves cooperable with the pump;

a plurality of air cells, the air cells being selectively inflated and deflated by the pump via the plurality of valves;

a proximity sensor that detects whether an object is supported on the air cells; and

a control unit connected to the pump, the valves, and the proximity sensor, and comprising a display, the display including a visual output of operating parameters of the support surface, wherein the control unit is programmed for operation in a full power mode and a power save mode based on a signal from the proximity sensor, and wherein in the power save mode, power is provided only to the proximity sensor.

10. A support surface according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is programmed for operation in a calibration mode in which the proximity sensor outputs a first signal representative of a distance between an object supported on the support surface with the air cells in a max inflated state and a second signal representative of a distance between the object supported on the support surface with the air cells in a fully deflated state, the control unit in the calibration mode determining a minimum inflation value for the object.

11. A support surface according to claim 9, further comprising a power source connectable with the pump, the valves, the proximity sensor, and the control unit, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

12. A method of operating a support surface, the support surface including a pump, a plurality of air cells coupled with the pump, a proximity sensor, and a control unit connected to the pump and the proximity sensor, the method comprising:

(a) detecting with the proximity sensor whether an object is supported on the air cells;

(b) the proximity sensor outputting a signal to the control unit; and

(c) the control unit controlling operation of the pump based on the signal from the proximity sensor.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein if the proximity sensor detects that an object is not supported on the air cells in step (a), the control unit operating in a power save mode in which power is supplied only to the proximity sensor.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein if the proximity sensor detects that an object is supported on the air cells in step (a), the control unit operating in a full power mode.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising operating the control unit in a calibration mode by measuring a high capacitance state and a low capacitance state, the high capacitance state corresponding to a minimum inflation value for the air cells relative to the object supported on the air cells, and the low capacitance state corresponding to a maximum inflation value for the air cells relative to the object supported on the air cells.