Patient monitoring system

• US 6,166,644 A
• Filed: 09/10/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sensory Technologies LLC (DSI Video Systems LLC)
• Inventors: Stroda, Kristin Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US09/151,020
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.4, 340/573.1, 340/666, 340/521, 340/522, 600/595
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1115 Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

To monitor a patient, an alligator clip is fastened to the patient by a cord having a length of between five inches and five feet. The other end of the cord is connected to a switch which is activated when the patient moves beyond the length of the cord to cause a message to be announced. A pressure pad is located under the patient and armed by the application of weight to the pad. Upon removal of the weight the alarm is given.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a patient comprising the steps of:

placing a first and second sensor in juxtaposition with a patient whereby when the patient assumes a dangerous position as indicated by either the first or second sensor an alarm signal is provided, whereby the first sensor is one of a switch activated by a flexible member fastened to a patient, a light beam switch, a motion sensor and a pressure sensor; and

the second sensor is a different one of a switch activated by a flexible member fastened to a patient;

a light beam switch, a motion sensor and a pressure sensor; and

activating a monitoring station when the alarm signal is provided, whereby a voice message is announced in the vicinity of the patient.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which an alarm is provided to a caretaker.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which an alarm is provided in the vicinity of the patient.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which an alarm is provided at a remote station.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 in which one of said first and second sensors is a pressure pad.

6. A method of monitoring a patient comprising the steps of:

placing a first and second sensor in juxtaposition with a patient whereby when the patient assumes a dangerous position as indicated by either the first or second sensor an alarm signal is given;

activating a monitoring station when the alarm signal is given, whereby a voice message is announced in the vicinity of the patient; and

one of the first and second sensors is armed by the application of weight to it.

7. A method of monitoring a patient, comprising the steps of:

attaching a fastening means to a patient, whereby if the patient moves beyond a predetermined distance, a first switch moves between one of an open state or a closed state to the other of the open or closed state whereby an alarm signal is provided;

placing a pressure pad under the patient whereby a second switch moves between one of an open state or a closed state when pressure is put on the pressure pad;

providing an alarm signal when pressure on the second switch is removed to move the second switch to the other of the open state or closed state.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 in which the step of attaching the fastening means to the patient includes the step of attaching the fastening means to the clothing of the patient.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7 in which the step of providing an alarm signal includes the step of providing a verbal message to the patient.

10. A method in accordance with claim 7 in which the step of providing an alarm signal includes the substeps of transmitting a signal to a remote station and providing an alarm signal to a caretaker at the remote station.

11. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:

a control housing mounted to a patient station;

a flexible member attached to the control housing,

said flexible member including a fastening means on one end for attaching to the patient and a switch on the other end,

a pressure pad located so that the pressure pad is under the patient,

the control housing including a means for providing an alarm signal when the fastening means or pressure pad is activated.

12. Apparatus for monitoring a patient in accordance with claim 11 in which said pressure pad is activated by removal of pressure and inactivated by application of pressure.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which said fastening means includes a spring means for biasing jaws in a closed position.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 in which said alarm signal includes a recorded voice message sounding within hearing distance of the patient to which said fastening means has been attached.

15. Apparatus for monitoring a patient having first and second sensors;

said first sensor sensing one of the motion, distance, location or weight of the patient and the second sensor sensing a different one of the motion, distance, location or weight of the patient, either said first or second sensors being able to trigger an alarm.

16. A patient monitoring system, comprising:

pressure pad means for responding to pressure by reducing electrical resistance between a first point and a second point;

switch means armed upon the reduction of electrical resistance;

an alarm means for providing an alarm when the switch means has been armed and electrical resistance is over the predetermined threshold for more than 1 second, whereby the movement of the patient from the pad triggers an alarm.

17. A patient monitoring system according to claims 16 in which the alarm means provides an alarm when the switch means has been armed and electrical resistance is over the predetermined threshold for a time between 2 seconds and 3 seconds in duration.