Active on-patient sensor, method and system
First Claim
1. Apparatus to sense a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
- a sensor to sense a condition adjacent a human body, wherein the condition is at least one from the group consisting of a pressure occurring in response to weight of the human body against a support and moisture occurring from incontinence;
a signal processing circuit to which the sensor connects;
a transmitter connected to the signal processing circuit;
a power supply connected to provide electricity for operation of the sensor, the signal processing circuit, and the transmitter; and
a flexible printed circuit substrate having at least the signal processing circuit, the transmitter, and the power supply mounted thereon in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor (which could be detachable) to sense a condition (including pressure from body weight or moisture from incontinence; applied by adhering to skin of a human body or by putting a diaper on the human body, for example), a signal processing circuit, a periodic or continuous transmitter, and a power supply (typically including a battery) are associated with a flexible substrate in low profile enabling disposition adjacent the human body. A transmitter antenna is on the substrate. Insulator film between battery contacts and a switch-and-transistor combination are two power-on techniques. A bedside monitor, a transceiver configured to receive signals from and transmit signals to the bedside monitor, and a computer connected with the transceiver can be included. Other features include: notification signaling; differently responsive antennas; unique identification; low battery detection; anti-collision transmission; patient protocol scheduling; local data transfer from the bedside monitor; and out-of-range transmission detection.
156 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. Apparatus to sense a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
-
a sensor to sense a condition adjacent a human body, wherein the condition is at least one from the group consisting of a pressure occurring in response to weight of the human body against a support and moisture occurring from incontinence; a signal processing circuit to which the sensor connects; a transmitter connected to the signal processing circuit; a power supply connected to provide electricity for operation of the sensor, the signal processing circuit, and the transmitter; and a flexible printed circuit substrate having at least the signal processing circuit, the transmitter, and the power supply mounted thereon in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. Apparatus to sense a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
-
a sensor to sense a condition adjacent a human body, wherein the condition is at least one from the group consisting of a pressure occurring in response to weight of the human body against a support and moisture occurring from incontinence; a transmitter configured to operatively associate with the sensor to transmit a signal digitally encoded with a unique identifier responsive to the sensor, the transmitter including an antenna; and a flexible substrate having the antenna disposed thereon and connected with the sensor and transmitter in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. Apparatus to sense a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
-
a sensor to sense a condition adjacent a human body, wherein the condition is at least one from the group consisting of a pressure occurring in response to weight of the human body against a support and moisture occurring from enuresis; a transmitter configured to operatively cooperate with the sensor to transmit a signal responsive to the sensor; a power supply for providing electricity to operate to the sensor and the transmitter, wherein the power supply includes a removable insulator film and a battery having a terminal initially electrically isolated from the sensor and transmitter by the insulator film such that the apparatus is energized by the battery upon pulling the insulator film out; and a flexible printed circuit substrate having at least the transmitter and the power supply mounted thereon in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of sensing a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
-
disposing in low profile adjacent a human body, by adhering to skin of the human body or by putting a diaper on the human body, apparatus to sense a condition adjacent the human body, the apparatus including a sensor, a transmitter, a power supply, and a flexible substrate having at least the transmitter and the power supply connected thereto in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body; energizing the apparatus solely with the battery; sensing a condition using the sensor, wherein the condition is at least one from the group consisting of a pressure occurring in response to weight of the human body against a support and moisture occurring from incontinence; and transmitting a wireless link signal from the transmitter in response to the sensed condition. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. Apparatus to sense a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
-
a sensor to sense a condition adjacent a human body, wherein the condition is at least one from the group consisting of a pressure occurring in response to weight of the human body against a support and moisture occurring from incontinence; a transmitter configured to operatively cooperate with the sensor to transmit a signal responsive to the sensor; a power supply for providing electricity to operate to the sensor and the transmitter, wherein the power supply includes a battery, a switch and transistors connected for maintaining a powered on state upon a one-time closure actuation of the switch such that the apparatus is energized by the battery upon the one-time closure actuation; and a flexible printed circuit substrate having at least the transmitter and the power supply mounted thereon in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body.
-
-
27. Apparatus to sense a condition adjacent a human body, comprising:
-
a dual-mode sensor to sense both pressure and moisture adjacent a human body; a signal processing circuit to which the sensor connects; a transmitter connected to the signal processing circuit; a power supply connected to provide electricity for operation of the sensor, the signal processing circuit, and the transmitter; and a flexible printed circuit substrate having at least the signal processing circuit, the transmitter, and the power supply mounted thereon in low profile enabling disposition of the apparatus adjacent a human body.
-
Specification