Method and system for integrating a passive sensor array with a mattress for patient monitoring

• US 20050190068A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoana Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hoana Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gentry, Jason M., Glei, Matthew S., Christensen, Scott A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,652,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/665
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• 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 5/1102 Ballistocardiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor

Abstract

A system is provided for integrating a passive sensor or sensor array into a patient'"'"'s mattress to support continuous passive monitoring of a patients'"'"' physiological conditions in a hospital setting. The sensor or sensor array may be incorporated into the mattress by fixing it to a coverlet that surrounds the mattress, or by embedding it within the mattress core. Alternatively, the sensor or sensor array may be fixed to an underlayer positioned between the mattress core and the coverlet.

Claims

1. A system for integrating a passive sensor into a bed to support continuous passive monitoring of a patient, comprising:

a passive sensor for monitoring a patient;

a mattress core; and

a coverlet configured to surround the mattress core;

wherein the sensor is attached to the coverlet

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the coverlet includes two layers of material sealed together to hold the sensor therebetween.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using an adhesive layer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using a double-sided adhesive film.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using a bonding method selected from the group consisting of radio frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, and heat sealing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using an attachment method selected from the group consisting of sewing, hook and loop fasteners, and high friction.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is attached to the coverlet between a protective layer and a surface of the coverlet, the protective layer being attached to the coverlet.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the protective layer forms an envelope that encloses the sensor and allows the sensor to be selectively inserted and removed.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is connected to at least two straps, the straps being configured to extend entirely around the mattress core to hold the sensor in position, wherein some of the at least two straps are formed as segments joined together with a connector selected from the group of buckles and hook and loop fasteners.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the coverlet has a lengthwise dimension and a lateral dimension, and at least one strap is a continuous band that extends laterally entirely around the coverlet.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the coverlet has a plurality of corners, and at least two straps extend from the sensor and engage adjacent corners of the coverlet.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the coverlet defines an opening for inserting the core, the coverlet including a zipper configured to seal the opening, whereby the coverlet surrounds the core when the opening is sealed.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the zipper is positioned in relation to the coverlet to extend substantially along a height midline of the mattress when the coverlet surrounds the core.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the zipper is positioned in relation to the coverlet to extend substantially along an edge of the core when the coverlet surrounds the core.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the passive sensor includes an array of pressure sensing elements.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensing elements include piezoelectric sensors.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensing elements each have two opposite surfaces, each surface being protected by a foam padding.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the pressure sensing elements are disposed upon a carrier sheet, the carrier sheet being attached to the coverlet.

19. A system for integrating a passive sensor into a bed to support continuous passive monitoring of a patient, comprising:

a passive sensor for monitoring a patient;

a mattress core;

a coverlet surrounding the mattress core; and

an underlayer positioned between the mattress core and the coverlet;

wherein the sensor is attached to the underlayer.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the underlayer includes two layers of material sealed together to hold the sensor array therebetween.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the underlayer using adhesive.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the underlayer using a bonding method selected from the group consisting of radio frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, and heat sealing.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the underlayer using an attachment method selected from the group consisting of sewing, hook and loop fasteners, and high friction.

24. A system for integrating a passive sensor into a bed to support continuous passive monitoring of a patient, comprising:

a passive sensor for monitoring a patient;

a mattress core;

wherein the sensor is embedded within the core.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the core includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein each layer extends substantially over the length of the core, the sensor being positioned between the first layer and the second layer.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein a pocket is formed in a portion of the core, the sensor being positioned within the pocket and covered by a layer of core material which closes the pocket.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the core by a permanent anchor.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the core by a removable anchor.

29. A system for securing a passive sensor to a mattress assembly, the mattress assembly including a core and a coverlet surrounding the core, said system comprising:

a housing having an opening;

a removable lid configured to seal the opening, the lid and housing together defining a space when the lid seals the opening;

a circuit board positioned within the space;

a first cable extending from the circuit board for connection to a processor;

a second cable extending from the circuit board for connection to the sensor;

wherein the lid and housing are configured to capture a portion of the coverlet when the lid seals the opening, thereby holding the housing in a fixed position relative to the coverlet.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the housing and lid are configured to produce a snap fit connection to each other.

31. A passive sensor system for connection to a mattress to support continuous passive monitoring of a patient, comprising:

a passive sensor for monitoring a patient; and

a coverlet configured to substantially surround the mattress;

wherein the sensor is attached to the coverlet

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using adhesive.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using a bonding method selected from the group consisting of radio frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, and heat sealing.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the sensor is attached to a surface of the coverlet using an attachment method selected from the group consisting of sewing, hook and loop fasteners, and high friction.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the coverlet includes two layers of material sealed together to hold the sensor therebetween.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the sensor is attached to the coverlet between a protective layer and a surface of the coverlet, the protective layer being attached to the coverlet.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the coverlet defines an opening for inserting the mattress, the coverlet including a zipper configured to seal the opening, whereby the coverlet surrounds the mattress when the opening is sealed.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the coverlet is configured to define an opening for inserting the mattress, and wherein a hem surrounds the opening, the hem containing an elastic band configured to reduce the size of the opening when the elastic band is allowed to contract.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the coverlet is configured to define an opening for inserting the mattress, and wherein a hem surrounds the opening, the hem containing a length of string configured to reduce the size of the opening when the string is tensioned.

40. The system of claim 31, wherein the coverlet is configured to define an opening for inserting the mattress, and wherein straps are arranged to extend across the opening, the straps being configured to reduce the size of the opening when the straps are tensioned.

41. A passive sensor system for connection to a mattress to support continuous passive monitoring of a patient, comprising:

a passive sensor for monitoring a patient; and

an adhesive layer attached to a surface of the sensor for attachment to the mattress.

42. The passive sensor system of claim 41, wherein the sensor system includes an array of pressure sensing elements.

43. The passive sensor system of claim 42, wherein the pressure sensing elements include piezoelectric sensors.

44. The passive sensor system of claim 42, wherein the pressure sensing elements each have two opposite surfaces, each surface being protected by a foam padding.

45. The passive sensor system of claim 42, wherein the passive sensor includes a carrier sheet to which the pressure sensing elements are attached, the adhesive layer being attached to the carrier sheet.

46. The passive sensor system of claim 41, wherein the adhesive layer is a two sided adhesive film having a removable protective layer.