Pressure Ulcer Detection Methods, Devices and Techniques

• US 20160242681A1
• Filed: 10/08/2014
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leaf Healthcare, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Leaf Healthcare, Inc. (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: SHEN, Daniel Z., WECKWERTH, Mark V, LARSON, Barrett J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,655,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/447 specially adapted for aiding the prevention of ulcer or pressure sore development, i.e. before the ulcer or sore has developed
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6891 : Furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 : Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 : for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 : for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/057 : Arrangements for preventing bed-sores or for supporting patients with burns, e.g. mattresses specially adapted therefor ventilation openings in mattresses A47C21/042; pneumatic or hydraulic mattresses A47C27/08
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

A system for determining the location of patients uses a patient-associated communicator which wirelessly communicates with a network of environmental reference communicators arranged at fixed or otherwise known locations. A camera can be used to monitor or detect pressure ulcers and relay the information to a host system. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring patient location with respect to a care environment comprising

at least one patient-associated communicator capable of sending wireless signals and having a known orientation with respect to the patient, and

a plurality of environmental reference communicators, each located at a known location whereby signals from the patient-associated communicator are detected by a plurality of environmental reference communicators and used to determine the location of the patient-associated communicator.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising an image capture device for monitoring the condition of an area of a patient'"'"'s skin.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the patient-associated communicator is affixed to the patient.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the patient-associated communicator is affixed to the patient'"'"'s bed.

5. The system of claim 1 where in the patient-associated communicator is affixed to a surface proximate to the patient'"'"'s bed.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the patient associated communicator comprises a plurality of LEDs which provide data regarding the patient'"'"'s past position.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one stimuli generator for encouraging a patient to self-roll.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one stimuli generator generates at least one signal from a group comprising audio, visual, or tactile stimulus.

9. The system of claim 2 further comprising an illumination device for illuminating an area of interest of a patient'"'"'s skin.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a visual reference tool for evaluating the area of a patient'"'"'s skin illuminated by the illumination device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein a caregiver can communicate with the patient-associated communicator by at least one of a tap, a visual signal, an audio signal, an RF signal.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the communication between the caregiver and the patient-associated communicator only operates when the caregiver is substantially proximate to the patient-associated communicator.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising logic for assessing the activity and mobility of a patient and comparing that assessment to one or more risk factors to determine a patient'"'"'s risk for deep vein thrombosis.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the patient-associated communicator is positioned on the patient in a known orientation, and further comprising logic for detecting, at a plurality of environmental resource communicators, signals from the patient-associated communicator, such that the combination of the known orientation of the patient-associated communicator together with the detected signals permits the logic to identify the location and orientation of the patient within a monitored space.