SMART MATTRESS

• US 20120053424A1
• Filed: 08/23/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evacusled Inc.
• Original Assignee: Evacusled Inc.
• Inventors: Kenalty, Christopher, Katz, Hart Victor, Gordon, Miriam
• Granted Patent: US 8,672,842 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/002 Mattress or cushion tickings or covers bed linen, blankets or counterpanes A47G9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47D 15/001 Mattresses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/00 Evaluating, monitoring or diagnosing in the context of a particular type of medical care
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0407 Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 15/00 Devices or apparatus for measuring two or more fluid pressure values simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0092 Pressure sensor associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration or temperature G01L9/025, G01L9/045, G01L9/065, G01L9/085, G01L9/105, G01L9/125, G01L19/02, G01L19/04 take precedence; measuring two or more variable G01D21/02; temperature sensors with pressure compensation G01K1/26
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 2019/0053 Pressure sensors associated with other sensors, e.g. for measuring acceleration, temperature

Abstract

A mattress has a sensor pad affixed on a top surface thereof. The sensor pad has (i) a matrix array of plural pressure sensors, (ii) plural row conductors, and (iii) plural column conductors. Each intersecting row and column conductor provides an electrical signal from a corresponding sensor when pressure is applied thereto. The sensor pad has plural through-holes therein disposed between the plural row conductors the plural column conductors, respectively. Preferably, at least one patient-mounted physiological sensor is configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a patient physiological parameter. An electronic unit is mounted inside the mattress and is configured to receive signals from the sensor pad. The electronic unit has a data storage unit preferably storing (i) patient identification information, (ii) patient physiological information, and (iii) mattress information. A wireless transmitter is coupled to the electronic unit and is configured to wirelessly communicate at least the stored patient physiological information to an off-mattress device.

Claims

1. A mattress comprising:

a sensor pad affixed on a top surface of the mattress, said sensor pad having (i) a matrix array of plural pressure sensors, (ii) plural row conductors, and (iii) plural column conductors, each intersecting row and column conductor being configured to provide an electrical signal from a corresponding sensor when pressure is applied thereto, said sensor pad having plural through-holes therein disposed between said plural row conductors said plural column conductors, respectively;

at least one connector coupled to outputs of the row and column conductors;

at least one patient-mounted physiological sensor configured to provide an output signal corresponding to a patient physiological parameter;

an electronic unit mounted inside said mattress and having a panel mounted on a side of said mattress, said panel configured to receive signals from said at least one connector, said electronic unit having a data storage unit storing (i) patient identification information, (ii) patient physiological information, and (iii) mattress information, said electronic unit receiving signals from said at least one patient-mounted physiological sensor, said electronic unit having a processor; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to said electronic unit and configured to wirelessly communicate at least the stored patient physiological information to an off-mattress device.

2. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said sensor pad comprises a laminate having a sensor substrate sandwiched between a row conductor substrate and a column conductor substrate.

3. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein the sensor pad is disposed inside an envelope affixed to the top surface of the mattress.

4. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit includes a portable electrical energy source.

5. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit via at least one of Bluetooth and WiFi.

6. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit includes a GPS device.

7. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit scans said plural row conductors and said plural column conductors, and provides a signal corresponding to a pressure map of the patient'"'"'s body.

8. A mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a portable unit in communication with said wireless transmitter.

9. A mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a call button coupled to said electronic unit panel.

10. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein the sensor pad is configured to detect at least one of temperature and liquid.

11. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit is configured to detect respiration based on outputs of said sensor pad.

12. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit is configured to detect heart beat based on outputs of said sensor pad.

13. A mattress according to claim 1, wherein said electronic unit is configured to provide an alarm signal whenever a monitored physiological parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. A Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-detecting mattress, comprising:

a sensor pad affixed on a top surface of the mattress, said sensor pad having (i) a matrix array of plural pressure sensors, (ii) plural row conductors, and (iii) plural column conductors, each intersecting row and column conductor being configured to provide an electrical signal from a corresponding sensor when pressure is applied thereto, said sensor pad having plural through-holes therein disposed between said plural row conductors said plural column conductors, respectively; and

an electronic unit mounted inside said mattress is configured to receive signals from said row and column conductors, said electronic unit having a processor for receiving the received signals and providing an alarm signal when an infant on said mattress has stopped breathing for a predetermined period of time.

15. A mattress according to claim 14, wherein said alarm signal comprises an audible alarm.

16. A mattress according to claim 14, further comprising a wireless transmitter coupled to said electronic unit and configured to wirelessly communicate the alarm signal to an off-mattress device.

17. A mattress according to claim 16, further comprising a portable unit in communication with said wireless transmitter.

18. A mattress according to claim 16, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit via at least one of Bluetooth and WiFi.

19. A mattress according to claim 14, further comprising a triage tag affixed to the mattress.

20. A method of sensing physiological information of a patient lying on a mattress, comprising:

providing a sensor pad affixed on a top surface of the mattress, said sensor pad having (i) a matrix array of plural pressure sensors, (ii) plural row conductors, and (iii) plural column conductors, said sensor pad having plural through-holes therein disposed between said plural row conductors said plural column conductors, respectively;

each intersecting row and column conductor providing an electrical signal from a corresponding sensor when pressure is applied thereto;

providing an electronic unit inside said mattress, said electronic unit having a data storage unit storing (i) patient identification information, (ii) patient physiological information, and (iii) mattress information;

said electronic unit receiving signals from said sensor pad, said electronic unit having a processor; and

providing a wireless transmitter coupled to said electronic unit; and

wirelessly communicate at least the stored patient physiological information to an off-mattress device.