System and method for controlling an air mattress
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A patient support comprising:
- a source of pressurized air;
a first bladder;
a valve in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air and with the first bladder and configured to control the flow of air between the source of pressurized air and the first bladder;
a first pressure sensor in direct contact with the air in the first bladder and producing a first pressure signal corresponding to the air pressure within the first bladder; and
a controller in electrical communication with the source of pressurized air, the valve, and the first pressure sensor, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
operate the source of pressurized air and the valve to inflate the first bladder,monitor the first pressure signal during the inflation to determine a time rate of change of pressure in the first bladder, anddetermine whether the patient is supported on the first bladder based on the time rate of change of pressure in the first bladder.
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Abstract
A patient support (10, 14) includes a source of pressurized air (64), a bladder (30), a valve (66) in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air (64) and to the bladder (30), a pressure sensor (28) in fluid communication with the bladder (30), and a controller (26) responsive to a pressure signal from the pressure sensor (28). The controller (26) may determine a rate of change of pressure within the bladder (30) and may store historical pressure data.
196 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A patient support comprising:
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a source of pressurized air; a first bladder; a valve in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air and with the first bladder and configured to control the flow of air between the source of pressurized air and the first bladder; a first pressure sensor in direct contact with the air in the first bladder and producing a first pressure signal corresponding to the air pressure within the first bladder; and a controller in electrical communication with the source of pressurized air, the valve, and the first pressure sensor, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; operate the source of pressurized air and the valve to inflate the first bladder, monitor the first pressure signal during the inflation to determine a time rate of change of pressure in the first bladder, and determine whether the patient is supported on the first bladder based on the time rate of change of pressure in the first bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A patient support comprising:
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a source of pressurized air; a first bladder; a first valve in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air and with the first bladder and configured to control the flow of air between the source of pressurized air and the first bladder; a first pressure sensor in direct contact with the air in the first bladder and producing a first pressure signal corresponding to the air pressure within the first bladder; and a controller in electrical communication with the source of pressurized air, valve, and first pressure sensor, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; establish a target pressure for the first bladder, inflate the first bladder to a pressure within an acceptable tolerance of the target pressure, monitor the first pressure signal, compare the first pressure signal to the target pressure to determine a magnitude of deviation of the first pressure signal from the target pressure, accumulate the magnitude of pressure deviation over time, and output a signal if the accumulated magnitude exceeds a maximum value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A patient support comprising:
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a source of pressurized air; a first bladder; a valve in fluid communication with the source of pressurized air and with the first bladder and configured to control the flow of air between the source of pressurized air and the first bladder; a first pressure sensor in fluid communication with the first bladder and producing a first pressure signal indicative of air pressure within the first bladder; and a controller in electrical communication with the source of pressurized air, valve, and first pressure sensor, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; determine a position of the patient supported on the first bladder, monitor the first pressure signal to determine a time rate of change of pressure in the first bladder, and determine whether the patient has changed positions on the first bladder based on a change in the time rate of change of the pressure in the first bladder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification