Patient monitoring system

• US 20020067273A1
• Filed: 09/11/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sensory Technologies LLC (DSI Video Systems LLC)
• Inventors: Preuss, Jesse Lee, Jaques, Marvin Baldwin, Risch, Eric T.
• Application Number:
  US09/952,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067273A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1115 Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair
• 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, a pressure sensor is placed under the patient. The pressure pad includes a normally open switch having first and second contacts. Pressure on the pad over a preset amount arms the switch and release of the pressure causes an alarm and/or a message to be announced. The closing of the first and second contacts requires bending one of the first and second contacts over a spacing means, wherein the spacing means includes at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts. In this manner, the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut. The pressure pad is low cost and can be disposable.

Claims

1. 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 are activated;

said pressure pad including a pressure sensor having first and second contacts and a spacing means for holding said first and second contacts open;

said spacing means including at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut.

2. Apparatus for monitoring a patient in accordance with claim 1 in which said pressure pad is activated by removal of pressure and inactivated by application of pressure.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said fastening means includes a spring means for biasing jaws in a closed position.

4. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:

a pressure pad for providing a signal indicating a pressure condition;

a control housing connected to and located adjacent to the pressure pad and responsive to the signal;

a casing at least partly encasing the control housing and the pressure pad;

said pressure pad including a pressure sensor having first and second contacts and a spacing means for holding said first and second contacts open;

said spacing means including at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut.

5. Apparatus for monitoring a patient in accordance with claim 4 in which the pressure pad is activated by removal of pressure and inactivated by application of pressure.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 further including a recorded voice message sounding within hearing distance of the patient.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the pressure pad responds to pressure by reducing electrical resistance between a first point and a second point, said apparatus including a switch armed upon the reduction of electrical resistance and an alarm for providing the alarm when the switch has been armed and the electrical resistance is under a predetermined resistance threshold for more than 1 second, wherein a movement of the patient from the pressure pad triggers the alarm.

8. A patient monitoring system according to claim 4 in which the alarm provides the alarm when the switch has been armed and electrical resistance is under the predetermined resistance threshold for a time between 2 seconds and 3 seconds in duration.

9. Apparatus for monitoring a patient, comprising:

a pressure pad for providing a signal indicating a pressure condition;

a control housing connected to and located adjacent to the pressure pad and responsive to the signal; and

a casing at least partly encasing the control housing and the pressure pad.

10. Apparatus for monitoring a patient in accordance with claim 9 in which the pressure pad is activated by removal of pressure and inactivated by application of pressure.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further including a recorded voice message sounding within hearing distance of the patient.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein the pressure pad responds to pressure by reducing electrical resistance between a first point and a second point, said apparatus including a switch armed upon the reduction of electrical resistance and an alarm for providing the alarm when the switch has been armed and the electrical resistance is under a predetermined resistance threshold for more than 1 second, wherein a movement of the patient from the pressure pad triggers the alarm.

13. A patient monitoring system according to claim 9 in which the alarm provides the alarm when the switch has been armed and electrical resistance is under the predetermined resistance threshold for a time between 2 seconds and 3 seconds in duration.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the alarm is provided to a caretaker.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the alarm is near the patient.

17. A method in accordance with claim 14 wherein the alarm is at a remote station.

18. A method of monitoring a patient in accordance with claim 14 wherein the cover is plastic and is torn when the pressure pad is to be disposed of.

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

placing a pressure pad that is encased in a cover on a resting place for the patient;

energizing the pressure pad, whereby a signal is provided responsive to pressure placed on the pressure pad by the patient;

arming the pressure pad when a predetermined weight is on the pressure pad whereby the pressure pad serves as a sensor;

said step of arming the pressure pad including the step of placing sufficient pressure on the pressure pad to close first and second contacts of a pressure sensor in said pressure pad;

said step of closing said first and second contacts including the step of bending one of said first and second contacts over a spacing means, wherein the spacing means includes at least one spacing member that is at least one-eighth inch in height between the first and second contacts, whereby the contacts are held apart until the resilient spacing member is forced shut;

activating an alarm when the predetermined weight is removed from the armed pressure pad; and

disposing of the pressure pad when the patient no longer has use of the pressure pad.