MOISTURE DETECTION SYSTEM

• US 20130019405A1
• Filed: 07/19/2011
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Flanagan, Joseph, Newport, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 8,826,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/600
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/083 with pressure control, e.g. with pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/30 characterised by sensor means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/057 Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor ventilation openings in mattresses A47C21/042; pneumatic or hydraulic mattresses A47C27/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05784 with ventilating means, e.g. mattress or cushion with ventilating holes or ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/904 with sound emitting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/905 with light emitting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/94 with alarm means

Abstract

A moisture detection and alarming system connected to a person-support apparatus has been described. The system comprises a moisture detection sheet connected to at least one pressure sensor, at least moisture sensor and a controller. The pressure sensor can be configured to send a signal to the controller. The controller can be configured to receive the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and determine the presence of a person supported on the person support apparatus. If a person is supported on the person-support apparatus then a moisture sensor is activated by the controller to sense the moisture content on a mattress pad. If the moisture content on the mattress pad is out of a predefined range then an alarming unit can be activated. The controller may further be connected to at least one of a hospital network, communication station and nurse call system.

Claims

1. A moisture detection system for use on a hospital bed comprising:

a person-support surface comprising a ticking layer and a core layer, said ticking layer comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface facing said core layer;

a moisture detection sheet removably coupled to said person-support surface, said moisture detection sheet mounted external to said outer surface;

at least one moisture sensor connected to said moisture detection sheet;

at least one pressure sensor connected to said moisture detection sheet;

a controller in communication with at least one of said at least one pressure sensor and said at least one moisture sensor.

2. The moisture detection system of claim 1, said controller configured to trigger an alarming unit in response to communication from at least one of said at least one pressure sensor and said at least one moisture sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold, said alarming unit configured to provide at least one of an audible sound, light signal and vibrations.

3. The moisture detection system of claim 1, said moisture detection sheet configured to mount up on said person-support surface with a zippered connection.

4. The moisture detection system of claim 1, further comprising a blower configured to circulate air external to said outer surface, said blower in communication with said controller.

5. The moisture detection system of claim 4, said blower configured to circulate air up on communication from said controller.

6. The moisture detection system of claim 5, said controller configured to communicate with said blower in response to communication from said at least one moisture sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold.

7. The moisture detection system of claim 1, further comprising a blower configured to circulate air in between said ticking layer and said core layer, said blower in communication with said controller.

8. The moisture detection system of claim 7, said blower configured to circulate air up on communication from said controller.

9. The moisture detection system of claim 8, said controller configured to communicate with said blower in response to communication from said at least one moisture sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold.

10. The moisture detection system of claim 1, further comprising a hospital communication network.

11. The moisture detection system of claim 10, communication between said controller and said hospital communication network is wireless.

12. The moisture detection system of claim 10, said hospital communication network including at least one of a nurse call alert and a communication station.

13. A moisture detection system for use on a hospital bed comprising:

a person-support surface comprising a ticking layer and a core layer, said ticking layer comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface facing said core layer;

a moisture detection sheet located between said ticking layer and said core layer;

at least one moisture sensor connected to said moisture detection sheet;

at least one pressure sensor connected to said moisture detection sheet;

a controller in communication with at least one of said at least one pressure sensor and said at least one moisture detection sensor.

14. The moisture detection system of claim 13, said controller configured to trigger an alarm unit in response to communication from at least one of said at least one pressure sensor and said at least one moisture sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold, said alarming unit configured to provide at least one of an audible sound, light signal and vibrations.

15. The moisture detection system of claim 13, further comprising a blower configured to circulate air external to said outer surface, said blower in communication with said controller.

16. The moisture detection system of claim 15, said blower configured to circulate air up on communication from said controller.

17. The moisture detection system of claim 16, said controller configured to communicate with said blower in response to communication from said at least one moisture sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold.

18. The moisture detection system of claim 13, further comprising a blower configured to circulate air in between said ticking layer and said core layer, said blower in communication with said controller.

19. The moisture detection system of claim 18, said blower configured to circulate air up on communication from said controller.

20. The moisture detection system of claim 19, said controller configured to communicate with said blower in response to communication from said at least one moisture sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold.

21. The moisture detection system of claim 13, further comprising a hospital communication network.

22. The moisture detection system of claim 21, communication between said controller and said hospital communication network is wireless.

23. The moisture detection system of claim 21, said hospital communication network including at least one of a nurse call alert and a communication station.

24. A moisture detection system for use on a hospital bed comprising:

a person-support surface comprising a ticking layer and a core layer, said ticking layer comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface facing said core layer;

a moisture detection sheet configured to be mounted to at least one of said core layer, external to said outer surface and between said ticking layer and said core layer;

at least one moisture sensor connected to said moisture detection sheet;

a controller in communication with said moisture detection sensor, said controller in communication with at least one pre-existing pressure sensor.

25. A moisture detection system for use on a hospital bed comprising:

a person-support surface comprising a ticking layer and a core layer, said ticking layer comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface facing said core layer;

a moisture detection sheet configured to be mounted to at least one of said core layer, external to said outer surface and between said ticking layer and said core layer, said moisture detection sheet comprising of a fabric, said fabric of said moisture detection sheet configured to sense at least one of moisture and pressure;

a controller in communication with said moisture detection sheet.