Bed exit detection apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting and monitoring a body adjacent a support surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of sensors located adjacent the support surface, each sensor having an output signal being variable in response to change detected by its corresponding sensor; and
a processor having inputs for receiving the output signals from the sensors, the processor monitoring individually the output signals from each sensor to provide an indication of change of position of the body relative to the support surface and to individually recalibrate each of the plurality of sensors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A patient detection system including a plurality of sensors located adjacent the support surface and each sensor having an output signal variable in response to the change detected by the sensor. A processor monitors the output signals and provide an indication of change of position of the body relative to the support surface and to individually recalibrate each of the plurality of sensors. The automatic recalibration occurs upon sensing a substantial change due to an item being moved onto the surface. The processor may also sense changes in the support surface and recalibrate each of the sensors upon a detection of change in the support surface. The processor recalibrates all of the sensors for small changes existing for a pre-determined duration and for all large changes. The processor recalibrates all of the processors for a combination of changes in less than all of the sensors from the previous calibration for each sensor.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting and monitoring a body adjacent a support surface, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors located adjacent the support surface, each sensor having an output signal being variable in response to change detected by its corresponding sensor; and a processor having inputs for receiving the output signals from the sensors, the processor monitoring individually the output signals from each sensor to provide an indication of change of position of the body relative to the support surface and to individually recalibrate each of the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of calibrating a plurality of sensors located adjacent support surface in an apparatus for detecting and monitoring a body adjacent the support surface, each sensor providing a varying signal;
- the method comprising;
determining an initial calibration value individually for each sensor; determining a change of the signal of each sensor individually from its initial calibration value; and individually recalibrating each of the plurality of sensors when a predetermined set of changes of the individual sensor signals have been determined. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- the method comprising;
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22. A method of predicting that a patient is about to exit a support surface using a plurality of sensors located adjacent support surface and an apparatus for detecting and monitoring a body adjacent the support surface, each sensor providing a varying signal;
- the method comprising;
determining an initial calibration value individually for each sensor; determining a change of the signal of each sensor individually from its initial calibration value; and predicting an exit when a predetermined set of changes of the individual sensor signals have been determined to indicate a significant shift of the patient on the support surface to one of the edges of the support surface since the last calibration.
- the method comprising;
Specification