Integral, flexible, electronic patient sensing and monitoring system

• US 20030216670A1
• Filed: 05/17/2002
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: J Brasch Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Nurse Assist, Inc.
• Inventors: Beggs, George R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,917,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• 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 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6894 Wheel chairs
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A self contained patient sensing and monitoring system is provided for sensing and monitoring the presence, absence, and movement of the patient. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system conformable to a patient support surface, systems that are self contained, systems that are operationally unobtrusive, and programmable systems. Embodiments of the present invention comprise a container, a sensor configured within the container, and a control unit responsive to the sensor and configured within the container, wherein the container at least substantially encompassing the sensor and the control unit and wherein the control unit is conformable to the patient support surface. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise a container, a sensor configured within the container, and a control unit conformable to a patient support surface and configured within the container, wherein said control unit is responsive to the sensor. Embodiments of the present invention may also comprise a sensor, a signal conditioner responsive to the sensor, a processor configured to comprise instruction and data and to which the signal conditioner is configured to provide signals generated by the sensor, at least one storage media, wherein the instructions and data are stored on the at least one storage media, and at least one input connection capable of providing programmable input to the storage media and the processor. Methods are also disclosed for sensing and monitoring the presence, absence, and movement of a patient. The inventive concept can be used in various applications, such as a bed, mattress, chair, or wheelchair, to achieve the monitoring of the presence, absence, and movement of a patient.

Claims

1. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system conformable to a patient support surface, comprising:

a container;

a sensor configured within said container;

and a control unit responsive to said sensor and configured within said container;

wherein said container at least substantially encompasses said sensor and said control unit and wherein said control unit is conformable to said patient support surface.

2. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said container comprises a sleeve.

3. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said system comprises a wheelchair covering.

4. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said system comprises a wheelchair pad.

5. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said system comprises a mattress covering.

6. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 5 wherein said system comprises a mattress pad.

7. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said system is configured as a component of a mattress.

8. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said system comprises a chair covering.

9. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 8 wherein said system comprises a chair pad.

10. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 8, further comprising a signaling device providing capability selected from the group consisting of hold capability or sleep capability.

11. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 8, wherein said signaling device comprises a switch.

12. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises an on-off device.

13. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 12 wherein said on-off device comprises a switch circuit.

14. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 13 wherein said on-off device comprises a plurality of electrical connections.

15. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 14 wherein said on-off device comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first and second portions are configured to responsively provide either an open switch configuration or a closed switch configuration responsive to the weight of a patient upon said sensor.

16. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 15 further comprising at least one support element adjacent said first and said second portions.

17. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 16 wherein said at least one support element comprises a spacer.

18. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 15 wherein said first portion comprises a first set of said electrical connections and said second portion comprises a second set of said electrical connections, and wherein said closed switch configuration comprises an electrical connection between at least one of said electrical connections of said first set and at least one of said electrical connections of said second set.

19. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 15 wherein said first portion comprises a top portion of said on-off device and said second portion comprises a bottom portion of said on-off device, wherein said top portion is configured to be substantially adjacent a patient.

20. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 14 wherein said plurality of electrical connections comprise a network of electrical connections.

21. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 20 wherein said network of electrical connections comprises at least a portion of a series of substantially parallel network of electrical connections.

22. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 12 wherein said on-off device is conformable to a patient support surface.

23. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 22 wherein said on-off device is configured on conformable substrate.

24. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 23 wherein said on-off device comprises a formed configuration on said conformable substrate, said formed configuration selected from the group consisting of an inked, etched, or deposited configuration.

25. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 23 further comprising at least one flex element.

26. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 25 wherein said at least one flex element comprises at least one opening in said conformable substrate.

27. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said control unit comprises a signal conditioner responsive said sensor.

28. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 27 wherein said signal conditioner is responsive to switch bounce.

29. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 27 wherein said control unit comprises a processor and wherein said signal conditioner is configured to provide signals generated by said sensor to said processor.

30. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 29 wherein said signal conditioner is configured to provide said signals to said processor upon an open circuit configuration or closed circuit configuration.

31. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 30 wherein said open circuit configuration comprises an open switch configuration of said sensor and said closed circuit configuration comprises a closed switch configuration of said sensor.

32. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said control unit is programmable.

33. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 32 wherein said control unit comprises a processor.

34. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 33 wherein said control unit is configured to comprise instructions and data.

35. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 34 wherein said control unit comprises at least one storage media and wherein said instruction and data are stored on said at least one storage media.

36. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 35 wherein said at least one storage media comprises at least about 100 bytes of read only memory and 15 bytes of random access memory.

37. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 35 wherein said at least one storage media comprises at least about 1000 bytes of read only memory and 256 bytes of random access memory.

38. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 33 wherein said control unit comprises at least one input connection, wherein said at least one input connection provides programmable input to said storage media and said processor as instructions.

39. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 38 wherein said at least one input connection comprises a plurality of programming connections.

40. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said control unit comprises a battery.

41. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said patient sensing and monitoring system is configured for external power supply.

42. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said control unit comprises a piezoelectric element responsive to said processor and capable of providing an audible alarm.

43. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 wherein said control unit and said sensor are configured on conformable substrate.

44. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 43 wherein said control unit and said sensor are provided as a formed configuration on said conformable substrate, said formed configuration selected from the group consisting of an inked, etched, or deposited configuration.

45. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 43 further comprising at least one flex element.

46. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 45 wherein said at least one flex element comprises at least one opening in said conformable substrate.

47. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 further comprising a wireless transmitter responsive to said control unit.

48. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 47 wherein said wireless transmitter is configured within said container and wherein said container at least substantially encompasses said wireless transmitter.

49. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 47 wherein said wireless transmitter comprises a radio frequency transmitter.

50. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 49 wherein said radio frequency transmitter is capable of transmission at about a frequency range of 900 MHz.

51. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 47 further comprising at least one wireless receiver responsive to said wireless transmitter.

52. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 51 wherein said wireless receiver is connected to patient monitoring equipment.

53. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 52 wherein said patient monitoring equipment comprises a nurse call circuit.

54. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 1 further comprising at least one output conductor connected to said control unit.

55. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system as described in claim 54 wherein said at least one output conductor comprises an electrical conductor selected from the group consisting of a cable, wire, conductor, lead, or plug conductor.

56. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system, comprising:

a container;

a sensor configured within said container; and

a control unit conformable to a patient support surface and configured within said container;

wherein said control unit is responsive to said sensor.

57. A self contained, operationally unobtrusive patient sensing and monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor;

a signal conditioner responsive to said sensor;

a processor configured to comprise instruction and data and to which said signal conditioner is configured to provide signals generated by said sensor;

at least one storage media, wherein said instructions and data are stored on said at least one storage media; and

at least one input connection capable of providing programmable input to said storage media and said processor.

58. A method of operationally unobtrusively sensing and monitoring a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor at least substantially encompassed by a container;

providing a control unit responsive to said sensor and at least substantially encompassed by said container;

conformably positioning said encompassed sensor and control unit to a patient support surface of an application;

monitoring for the presence, absence, or movement of a patient;

detecting an open circuit configuration of said sensor and control unit corresponding to the absence of the patient;

measuring an amount of time corresponding to said open circuit configuration and said absence of said patient;

determining if said amount of time exceeds a threshold delay period;

transmitting an alarm signal corresponding to the absence of the patient upon said step of determining if said amount of time exceeds a threshold delay period;

detecting a closed circuit configuration of the sensor and control unit corresponding to the presence of the patient; and

transmitting patient movement information responsive to said step of detecting a closed circuit configuration.

59. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said step of positioning comprises positioning said encompassed sensor and control unit of an application selected from the group consisting of a bed, a mattress, a chair, or a wheelchair.

60. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 further comprising the steps of:

powering said control unit and said sensor; and

connecting said control unit to external patient monitor equipment.

61. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 60 wherein said step of connecting said control unit to external patient monitoring equipment comprises connecting said control unit to a nurse call circuit.

62. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 60 wherein said step of connecting said control unit comprises providing wireless connection.

63. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 62 wherein said step of providing wireless connection comprises providing a wireless transmitter connected to said control, wherein said wireless transmitter is capable of transmitting signals to at least one receiver external of said wireless transmitter, said control unit, and said sensor.

64. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 59 wherein said step of powering said control unit and sensor comprises activating an on function of said control unit.

65. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 64 wherein said step of powering said control unit and sensor comprises providing an external power supply.

66. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 64 wherein said step of powering said control unit and sensor comprises providing power from a battery connected to said control unit and sensor.

67. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said control unit is programmable, and further comprising the step of:

programming said control unit with instruction and data.

68. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 67 wherein said step of programming comprises programming instruction and data selected from the group consisting of timer data, clock data, hold instruction, or sleep instruction.

69. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 67 wherein said step of programming comprises storing said instruction and data on storage media.

70. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 67 wherein said step of programming comprises entering said instruction and data through at least one input connection.

71. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 67 wherein said step of programming comprises providing instruction and data to said control, said instruction selected from instruction of the group consisting of software, program code, or firmware.

72. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said step of monitoring comprises activating a monitoring mode of said control unit and said sensor.

73. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 72 wherein said step of activating comprises generating a signal through a closed circuit configuration of said control unit and said sensor.

74. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 73 wherein said step of generating a signal comprises creating a closed switch configuration of said sensor.

75. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 74 wherein said step of creating a closed switch configuration of said sensor comprises positioning the patient on said sensor.

76. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said step of detecting an open circuit configuration of said sensor and control unit corresponding to the absence of the patient comprises detecting an open switch configuration of said sensor.

77. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 76 wherein said step of detecting an open switch configuration comprises detecting the removal of patient pressure from said sensor.

78. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said step of detecting an open circuit configuration of said sensor and control unit corresponding to the absence of the patient comprises detecting at time intervals.

79. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein further comprising the step of transmitting an alarm signal responsive to said step of detecting an open circuit configuration of said sensor and control unit corresponding to the absence of the patient.

80. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 79 further comprising the steps of:

initiating a hold or sleep mode of said control unit and sensor;

positioning a moved patient on said sensor;

resetting the control unit and sensor; and

monitoring for the presence, absence, or movement of a patient at the application location.

81. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 80 wherein said step of initiating a hold or sleep mode comprises activating a signaling device of said control unit.

82. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 80 wherein said step of activating a signaling device of said control unit comprises operating a switch.

83. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 further comprising the step of monitoring the energy level of a battery of said control unit.

84. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 83 further comprising the step of transmitting an alarm signal responsive to a low energy level of said battery to monitoring equipment external to said control unit and said sensor.

85. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 84 further comprising the step of generating an audible alarm signal responsive to said low energy level.

86. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said step of detecting a closed circuit configuration of said sensor and control unit corresponding to the presence of the patient comprises detecting a closed switch configuration of said sensor.

87. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 86 wherein said step of detecting a closed switch configuration of said sensor comprises detecting a closed switch configuration of said sensor corresponding to movement of the patient.

88. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 86 wherein said step of detecting a closed switch configuration comprises detecting the weight of a patient on said sensor corresponding to movement or non-movement of the patient.

89. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 88 wherein said step of detecting weight of a patient comprises detecting a changes in the weight of the patient on said sensor.

90. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 wherein said step of transmitting patient movement information comprises transmitting patient movement information to external patient monitoring equipment.

91. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 90 further comprising a step of transmitting an alarm signal to external patient monitoring equipment responsive to said patient movement information.

92. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 91 wherein said step of transmitting an alarm signal comprises transmitting a periodic alarm signal.

93. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 91 further comprising the step of transmitting an audible alarm responsive to said patient movement information.

94. A method of sensing and monitoring a patient as described in claim 58 further comprising the step of powering down the control unit and sensor.

95. A method of operationally unobtrusively sensing and monitoring a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor configured within a container;

providing a control unit responsive to said sensor and configured within said container;

conformably positioning said sensor and control unit to a patient support surface of an application;

conforming said sensor and control unit to a patient support surface of said application;

monitoring for the presence, absence, or movement of a patient;

transmitting an alarm signal corresponding to the absence of the patient.

96. A method for detecting a signal representing the presence, absence, or movement of a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor conformable to a patient support surface;

programming a control unit conformable to a patient support surface and configured to comprise instruction and data stored on at least one storage media;

positioning a patient on said sensor;

generating at least one signal from said sensor corresponding to the presence, absence or movement of a patient;

conditioning said at least one signal;

processing said at least one signal with said control unit;

determining patient movement information by said control unit;

transmitting patient movement information;

transmitting at least one alarm signal corresponding to the presence, absence or movement of the patient; and

receiving patient movement information and said at least one alarm signal at external patient monitoring equipment.