Head gatch alarm system

• US 8,063,785 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2009
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcor Scientific Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcor Scientific Incorporated
• Inventors: Sacchetti, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US12/556,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20100060463A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.7, 340/573.1, 340/539.12, 333/661.1, 560/0, 561/3, 561/7
• US Class Current: 340/573.7
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00

Abstract

A head gatch alarm system reduces medical risk for aspirational pneumonia when an angle of the head gatch section is outside a predetermined range. The system includes an inclinometer and a pump. The inclinometer is attached to the head gatch section for sensing an angle of the head gatch section. The inclinometer includes an RF receiver and RF transmitter for sending and receiving signals to a pump. An alarm or other means for alerting a medical professional is in communication with the inclinometer or the pump. The pump includes an RF transmitter and RF receiver for two way RF communication between the pump and the inclinometer. In operation, the alarm is triggered and the pump is turned off when the head gatch section is positioned outside a predetermined range.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

an inclinometer removably attached to a head gatch section of a bed frame for sensing an angle of the head gatch section, the inclinometer including an RF receiver and RF transmitter for sending and receiving RF signals to a pump;

said pump in RF communication with said inclinometer, said pump including an RF transmitter and RF receiver for two way RF communication between said pump and said inclinometer; and

a means for an operational response and alerting a medical professional or patient in communication with said pump, said inclinometer, or both;

wherein the means for alerting the medical professional and an operational response is triggered when said head gatch section is positioned outside a predetermined angle range.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for alerting is a display in communication with said pump, said inclinometer, or both.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for alerting is an alarm in communication with said pump, said inclinometer, or both.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said operational response is an RF signal from said inclinometer to instructing said pump to shut off.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said means for alerting is a display in communication with said pump, said inclinometer, or both.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said means for alerting is an alarm in communication with said pump, said inclinometer, or both.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein said operational response is an RF signal sent from said inclinometer to said pump instructing said pump to shut off.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein said operational response is an RF signal sent from said pump to said inclinometer instructing said inclinometer to shut off.

9. A system, comprising:

a bed frame including a head gatch section;

an inclinometer removably attached to a head gatch section of a bed frame for sensing an angle of the head gatch section, the inclinometer including an RF receiver and RF transmitter for sending and receiving RF signals to a pump;

said pump in RF communication with said inclinometer, said pump including an RF transmitter and RF receiver for two way RF communication between said pump and said inclinometer; and

a means for an operational response and alerting a medical professional or patient in communication with said pump or said inclinometer;

wherein the means for alerting the medical professional or patient and operational response is triggered when said head gatch section is positioned outside a predetermined angle range.

10. A method, comprising:

Providing an inclinometer removably attached to a head gatch section of a bed frame, said inclinometer having an RF transmitter and RF receiver for sending and receiving signals to a pump;

Providing the pump for delivery liquid nutrient to a patient, said pump including a RF transmitter and RF receiver for sending and receiving signals from said inclinometer;

Activating said pump and said inclinometer;

Sensing automatically an angle of the head gatch section of the bed frame by said inclinometer;

Sending an RF signal from said pump to said inclinometer when said pump is delivering the liquid nutrient to the patient; and

Triggering a means for alerting a medical professional or patient and an operational response when an RF signal from said pump is received by the inclinometer indicating a enteral pump is delivering the liquid nutrient and the angle sensed by the inclinometer is positioned outside a predetermined range.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said operational response includes shutting off pump when RF signal from said inclinometer indicates the angle sensed by the inclinometer is positioned outside the predetermined range.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said operational response is an RF signal sent from said inclinometer to said pump instructing said pump to shut off.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said operational response is an RF signal sent from said pump to said inclinometer instructing said inclinometer to shut off.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the means for alert is indicating the operational status of said pump, said inclinometer, or both on a display.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the means for alert is triggering an alarm in communication with said pump, said inclinometer, or both.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

Turning off said alarm when RF signal from said pump to said inclinometer indicates that said pump is not delivering a liquid nutrient.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

Turning off said alarm when said inclinometer senses that said head gatch section is within the predetermined range.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

Turning on said pump when RF signal from said inclinometer to said pump indicates that said head gatch section is positioned within the predetermined range.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the inclinometer is manually performed by switching power on.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the inclinometer is automatically performed when an RF signal is received from said pump indicating that said pump is delivering liquid nutrients to said patient.

21. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the pump is manually performed by turning power on.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein activating the pump is automatically performed when an RF signal from said inclinometer indicates that said head gatch section is within the predetermined angular range.