Using radar to monitor the patient's body

Abstract

One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, the radar sensor can be used to monitor the patient's movement, including movement in the bed and movement around the room. In another embodiment, the patient's position in the bed can be monitored, which can be used as feedback to control the bed's airbags. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 002,673, filed on March 31, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0002] In clinical settings it is often desirable to monitor patients constantly or continuously. The amount of movement a patient makes in bed may indicate risk for conditions such as bedsores and pulmonary complications. The movement of a patient around the room may indicate mobility but may also lead to falls. Manual monitoring is time consuming, prone to error, and cannot be performed continuously for long periods of time in practice. Summary of the invention

[0003] An apparatus, system or method may include one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and / or the following features, which may comprise patentable subject matter alone or in any combination:

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for monitoring a patient includes: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to the patient and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and circuitry configured to receive data indicative of reflections of the radar signals from the patient from the one or more radar sensors, and determine one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0005] In some embodiments, determining one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient comprises determining a body contour of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0006] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine a Braden score based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0007] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine a patient's risk of developing a pressure sore based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0008] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine a movement trend of the patient over a period of at least one week based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0009] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, that the motion has changed by at least a threshold amount, and to provide an indication to a caregiver that the motion has changed by at least the threshold amount.

[0010] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to detect an onset of an illness in a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0011] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine whether the patient is leaving the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for monitoring the movement of a patient includes: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to a patient on a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and a circuit configured to receive data indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient from the one or more radar sensors, and determine position parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, wherein the position parameters indicate a position or orientation of the patient on the hospital bed.

[0013] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient should be turned based on the position parameters of the patient.

[0014] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent a pressure sore.

[0015] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should turn includes determining whether the patient should turn to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[0016] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

[0017] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should turn includes determining that the patient has not turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

[0018] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to determine a subset of the plurality of rotation bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient based on the position parameter, and send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotation bladders.

[0019] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to determine a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed based on the position parameter, and send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0020] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to: determine a subset of multiple percussion and vibration (P&V) airbags of the bed to be inflated to perform percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy on the patient based on the position parameters, wherein the selected subset of multiple P&V airbags are the P&V airbags below the patient's current position; and send a signal to inflate the subset of multiple P&V airbags.

[0021] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to transmit additional radar signals to the patient during P&V treatment via the one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive additional data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient; determine an amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the P&V treatment based on the additional data from the one or more radar sensors; and adjust the signal sent to inflate a subset of the plurality of P&V airbags based on the amplitude of vibration of the patient.

[0022] In some embodiments, the circuit is also configured to determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and before sending the signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of P&V bladders, send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for monitoring a patient includes: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to a patient on a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and a circuit configured to receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient, determine a body part of the patient in contact with a surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine one or more airbags to be controlled to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and control the one or more airbags to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed.

[0024] In some embodiments, the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's heel.

[0025] In some embodiments, the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's sacrum.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for managing a patient's microclimate includes: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to a patient in a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and a circuit configured to receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient, determine a target body part of the patient for microclimate management, determine a position of the target body part based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and control airflow to the target body part based on the determined position of the target body part.

[0027] In some embodiments, controlling airflow to the target body site includes controlling airflow to the target body site based on a moisture level of the target body site.

[0028] In some embodiments, controlling the airflow to the target body part includes controlling the humidity of the airflow to the target body part.

[0029] In some embodiments, controlling the flow of gas to the target body part includes controlling the temperature of the flow of gas to the target body part.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for monitoring a patient includes: one or more radar sensors configured to send radar signals to a patient in a room and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and circuitry configured to receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient, and determine one or more parameters indicating a position of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0031] In some embodiments, determining one or more parameters indicating a patient's position based on the data from the one or more radar sensors includes determining an amount of time the patient is lying in bed, determining an amount of time the patient is sitting in bed, determining an amount of time the patient is sitting in a chair, and determining an amount of time the patient is standing or walking.

[0032] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient has an unsteady gait based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to issue an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has an unsteady gait.

[0033] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine whether the patient is leaving the room based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to alert a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has left the room.

[0034] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient has fallen to the ground based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to issue an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has fallen to the ground.

[0035] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient has fallen includes determining whether the patient has fallen in a second room different from the room having the one or more radar sensors.

[0036] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room.

[0037] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of the caregiver's activity in the room are indicative of an amount of interaction of the caregiver with the patient.

[0038] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of a caregiver's activity in the room indicate whether the caregiver has washed the caregiver's hands.

[0039] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room indicate an amount of time the caregiver spends reviewing a patient's medical records.

[0040] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for facilitating physical therapy exercises includes: a circuit configured to present physical therapy instructions to a patient; and one or more radar sensors configured to transmit a radar signal to the patient after presenting the physical therapy instructions and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient, wherein the circuit is further configured to transmit the radar signal to the patient through the one or more radar sensors after presenting the physical therapy instructions, receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors, receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating the reflections of the radar signal from the patient, determine movement parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and compare the movement parameters of the patient with the physical therapy instructions.

[0041] In some embodiments, presenting the physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, wherein the patient is in a bed, and wherein the display is attached to the bed.

[0042] In some embodiments, presenting the physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, and wherein the display is attached to a mobile physical therapy instruction exercise device.

[0043] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to store performance data of the patient during the exercise session associated with the physical therapy instructions, wherein the performance data is indicative of the patient's response to the physical therapy instructions.

[0044] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to determine second physical therapy instructions for a second exercise session different from the first exercise session based on the performance data.

[0045] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for monitoring a patient's sleep includes: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to a patient in a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and a circuit configured to receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient, determine an indication of the patient getting up from the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine pressure parameters for one or more airbags in the bed based on the indication of the patient getting up from the bed, and apply the pressure parameters to the one or more airbags in the bed.

[0046] In some embodiments, determining pressure parameters for one or more airbags in the hospital bed includes using a machine learning based algorithm to determine pressure parameters for the one or more airbags in the hospital bed.

[0047] In some embodiments, the circuit is further configured to update the machine learning-based algorithm based on the patient getting up from the bed.

[0048] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for monitoring a patient includes: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit a radar signal to a patient in a prone position on a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and a circuit configured to receive data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through the circuit, and determine whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed when the patient inhales based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0049] In some embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to deflate one or more air bladders beneath the patient's sternum in response to determining that there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales.

[0050] In some embodiments, determining whether a gap exists between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales includes deflating one or more air bladders beneath the patient's sternum when the patient inhales.

[0051] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring a patient includes: transmitting a radar signal to the patient via one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient via a circuit from the one or more radar sensors; and determining, by the circuit, one or more parameters indicating movement of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0052] In some embodiments, determining one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient includes determining a body contour of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0053] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining a Braden score based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0054] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining a pressure ulcer risk of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0055] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining a movement trend of the patient over a period of at least one week based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0056] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, that the motion has changed by at least a threshold amount, and providing an indication to a caregiver that the motion has changed by at least the threshold amount.

[0057] In some embodiments, the method may further include detecting an onset of illness in the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0058] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining whether the patient is leaving the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0059] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring the movement of a patient includes: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; and determining, by the circuit, position parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, wherein the position parameters are used to indicate the position or orientation of the patient on the hospital bed.

[0060] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuitry, whether the patient should be turned based on the position parameter of the patient.

[0061] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent a pressure sore.

[0062] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should turn includes determining whether the patient should turn to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[0063] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

[0064] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should turn includes determining that the patient has not turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

[0065] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuit, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient based on the position parameter; and sending, by the circuit, a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuit based on the position parameter, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and sending, by the circuit, a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0067] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuit based on the position parameters, a subset of a plurality of percussion and vibration (P&V) airbags of the bed to be inflated for percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy of the patient, wherein the selected subset of the plurality of P&V airbags are the P&V airbags below the patient's current position; and sending, by the circuit, a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of P&V airbags.

[0068] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting additional radar signals to the patient during P&V treatment via the one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receiving additional data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient via the circuit; determining, by the circuit, an amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the P&V treatment based on the additional data from the one or more radar sensors; and adjusting, by the circuit, a signal sent to inflate a subset of the plurality of P&V airbags based on the amplitude of vibration of the patient.

[0069] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuit based on the position parameters, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and, before sending a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of P&V bladders, sending, by the circuit, a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

[0070] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring a patient includes: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; determining, by the circuit, a body part of the patient in contact with a surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determining, by the circuit, one or more airbags to be controlled to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and controlling, by the circuit, the one or more airbags to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed.

[0071] In some embodiments, the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's heel.

[0072] In some embodiments, the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's sacrum.

[0073] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for managing a patient's microclimate includes: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient through a circuit; determining a target body part of the patient for microclimate management through the circuit; determining, by the circuit, a position of the target body part based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and controlling, by the circuit, airflow to the target body part based on the determined position of the target body part.

[0074] In some embodiments, controlling airflow to the target body site includes controlling airflow to the target body site based on a moisture level of the target body site.

[0075] In some embodiments, controlling the airflow to the target body part includes controlling the humidity of the airflow to the target body part.

[0076] In some embodiments, controlling the flow of gas to the target body part includes controlling the temperature of the flow of gas to the target body part.

[0077] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring a patient includes: transmitting a radar signal to a patient in a room through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient through a circuit from the one or more radar sensors; and determining, by the circuit, one or more parameters indicating the position of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0078] In some embodiments, determining by the circuit one or more parameters indicating the position of a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors includes: determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is lying in bed; determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is sitting in bed; determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is sitting in a chair; and determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is standing or walking.

[0079] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuit, whether the patient has an unsteady gait based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and issuing an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has an unsteady gait.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuitry, whether the patient is leaving the room based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and alerting a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has left the room.

[0081] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuit, whether the patient has fallen to the ground based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and alerting a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has fallen to the ground.

[0082] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient has fallen includes determining whether the patient has fallen in a second room different from the room having the one or more radar sensors.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuitry, one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room.

[0084] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicating the activity of the caregiver in the room indicate an amount of interaction of the caregiver with the patient.

[0085] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of a caregiver's activity in the room indicate whether the caregiver has washed the caregiver's hands.

[0086] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of the activity of a caregiver in the room indicate an amount of time the caregiver spends reviewing the patient's medical records.

[0087] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for facilitating physical therapy exercises includes: presenting physical therapy instructions to a patient through a circuit; after presenting the physical therapy instructions, transmitting a radar signal to the patient through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signals from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient through the circuit; determining, by the circuit, motion parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and comparing, by the circuit, the motion parameters of the patient with the physical therapy instructions.

[0088] In some embodiments, presenting the physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, wherein the patient is in a bed, and wherein the display is attached to the bed.

[0089] In some embodiments, presenting the physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, and wherein the display is attached to a mobile physical therapy instruction exercise device.

[0090] In some embodiments, the method may further include storing, by the circuit, performance data of the patient during the exercise session associated with the physical therapy instructions, wherein the performance data is indicative of a response of the patient to the physical therapy instructions.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the circuitry based on the performance data, second physical therapy instructions for a second exercise session different from the first exercise session.

[0092] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring a patient's sleep includes: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient through a circuit; determining, by the circuit, an indication that the patient has stood up in bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determining, by the circuit, pressure parameters of one or more airbags in the hospital bed based on the indication that the patient has stood up in bed; and applying the pressure parameters to one or more airbags in the hospital bed through the circuit.

[0093] In some embodiments, determining the pressure parameters of one or more air cells in the hospital bed includes using a machine learning based algorithm to determine the pressure parameters of one or more air cells in the hospital bed.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method may further include updating the machine learning based algorithm based on the patient getting up from the bed.

[0095] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring a patient includes: transmitting a radar signal to a patient in a prone position on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; and determining by the circuit whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed when the patient inhales based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0096] In some embodiments, the method may further include deflating, by the circuitry, one or more air bladders beneath the patient's sternum in response to determining that there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the bed surface when the patient inhales.

[0097] In some embodiments, determining whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the bed surface when the patient inhales includes deflating, by the circuit, one or more air bladders beneath the patient's sternum when the patient inhales.

[0098] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to transmit a radar signal to a patient through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating the reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine one or more parameters indicating movement of the patient.

[0099] In some embodiments, determining one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient includes determining a body contour of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0100] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine a Braden score based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0101] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine a risk of a patient developing a pressure sore based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0102] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine a movement trend of the patient over a period of at least one week based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0103] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, that the motion has changed by at least a threshold amount, and to provide an indication to a caregiver that the motion has changed by at least the threshold amount.

[0104] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to detect an onset of illness in a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0105] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine whether a patient is exiting a bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0106] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include multiple instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to transmit a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and determine position parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, wherein the position parameters indicate a position or orientation of the patient on the hospital bed.

[0107] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine whether the patient should be turned based on the position parameter of the patient.

[0108] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent a pressure sore.

[0109] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should turn includes determining whether the patient should turn to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[0110] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

[0111] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient should turn includes determining that the patient has not turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

[0112] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine a subset of a plurality of rotation bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient based on the position parameter, and to send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotation bladders.

[0113] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine, based on the position parameter, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed, and to send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0114] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of multiple percussion and vibration (P&V) airbags of the bed to be inflated for percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy of the patient, wherein the selected subset of multiple P&V airbags are the P&V airbags below the patient's current position; and, send a signal to inflate the subset of multiple P&V airbags.

[0115] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to transmit additional radar signals to the patient via one or more radar sensors during the P&V treatment; receive reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive additional data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient; determine an amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the P&V treatment based on the additional data from the one or more radar sensors; and adjust the signal sent to inflate a subset of the plurality of P&V airbags based on the amplitude of vibration of the patient.

[0116] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and before sending a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of P&V bladders, send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

[0117] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include multiple instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to send a radar signal to a patient on a bed through one or more radar sensors; and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating the reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine a body part of the patient in contact with a surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determine one or more airbags to be controlled to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and control the one or more airbags to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed.

[0118] In some embodiments, the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's heel.

[0119] In some embodiments, the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's sacrum.

[0120] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include multiple instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to transmit a radar signal to a patient in a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine a target body part of the patient for microclimate management; determine a position of the target body part based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and control airflow to the target body part based on the determined position of the target body part.

[0121] In some embodiments, controlling airflow to the target body site includes controlling airflow to the target body site based on a moisture level of the target body site.

[0122] In some embodiments, controlling the airflow to the target body part includes controlling the humidity of the airflow to the target body part.

[0123] In some embodiments, controlling the flow of gas to the target body part includes controlling the temperature of the flow of gas to the target body part.

[0124] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to transmit a radar signal to a patient in a room through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating the reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine one or more parameters indicating the patient's position.

[0125] In some embodiments, determining one or more parameters indicating a patient's position based on the data from the one or more radar sensors includes: determining the amount of time the patient is lying in bed; determining the amount of time the patient is sitting in bed; determining the amount of time the patient is sitting in a chair; and, determining the amount of time the patient is standing or walking.

[0126] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine whether the patient has an unsteady gait based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to send an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has an unsteady gait.

[0127] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine whether the patient is leaving the room based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to send an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has left the room.

[0128] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine whether the patient has fallen based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to send an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has fallen.

[0129] In some embodiments, determining whether the patient has fallen includes determining whether the patient has fallen in a second room different from the room having the one or more radar sensors.

[0130] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room.

[0131] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room indicate an amount of interaction of the caregiver with the patient.

[0132] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of a caregiver's activity in the room indicate whether the caregiver has washed the caregiver's hands.

[0133] In some embodiments, the one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room indicate an amount of time the caregiver spends reviewing a patient's medical records.

[0134] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include multiple instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to present physical therapy instructions to a patient; after presenting the physical therapy instructions, transmit a radar signal to the patient through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine motion parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and compare the motion parameters of the patient with the physical therapy instructions.

[0135] In some embodiments, presenting the physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, wherein the patient is in a bed, and wherein the display is attached to the bed.

[0136] In some embodiments, presenting the physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, and wherein the display is attached to a mobile physical therapy instruction exercise device.

[0137] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to store performance data of the patient during an exercise session associated with the physical therapy instructions, wherein the performance data is indicative of a response of the patient to the physical therapy instructions.

[0138] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to determine second physical therapy instructions for a second exercise session different from the first exercise session based on the performance data.

[0139] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include multiple instructions stored thereon, which when executed cause a computing device to transmit a radar signal to a patient in a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine an indication of the patient getting up in bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determine pressure parameters of one or more airbags in the hospital bed based on the indication of the patient getting up in bed; and, apply the pressure parameters to the one or more airbags in the hospital bed.

[0140] In some embodiments, determining the pressure parameters of one or more air cells in the patient bed includes using a machine learning based algorithm to determine the pressure parameters of the one or more air cells in the patient bed.

[0141] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to update a machine learning-based algorithm based on the patient getting up from the bed.

[0142] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more computer-readable media include multiple instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to transmit a radar signal to a patient in a prone position on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; and determine whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed when the patient inhales based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0143] In some embodiments, the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to deflate one or more air bladders beneath the patient's sternum in response to determining that there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the bed surface when the patient inhales.

[0144] In some embodiments, determining whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the bed surface when the patient inhales includes deflating one or more air bladders beneath the patient's sternum when the patient inhales. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0145] The detailed description refers in particular to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0146] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radio detection and ranging (radar) sensors;

[0147] Figure 2 is shown with Figure 1 A block diagram of one embodiment of circuitry associated with a system;

[0148] Figure 3 is a side view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radar sensors;

[0149] Figure 4 It is available through Figure 1 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0150] Figure 5 is Figures 1 to 3 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring patient motion in one of the systems of;

[0151] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radar sensors;

[0152] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient exiting a bed using one or more radar sensors;

[0153] Figure 8 It is available through Figure 6 or Figure 7 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0154] Fig. 9 is Figure 6 or Figure 7 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring a patient leaving a bed in one of the systems of FIG. 1 ;

[0155] Fig.10 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radar sensors;

[0156] Fig.11 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radar sensors;

[0157] Fig.12 is a stereoscopic view of a system using one or more radar sensors to monitor the turning of a patient by a caregiver;

[0158] Fig.13 is a perspective view of a system using one or more radar sensors to monitor the rotation of a patient by an airbag in a hospital bed;

[0159] Fig.14 It can be Figures 10 to 13 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0160] Fig.15 is Figures 10 to 13 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring rotation of a patient in one of the systems of;

[0161] Fig.16 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radar sensors;

[0162] Fig.17 is a side view of a system for monitoring a patient using one or more radar sensors;

[0163] Fig.18 is a side view of a system that uses one or more radar sensors to monitor a patient and control an air bag on the surface of a hospital bed;

[0164] Fig.19is a side view of a system for microclimate management and percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy of a hospital bed surface using one or more radar sensors;

[0165] Fig. 20 It can be Figures 16 to 19 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0166] Fig.21 is Fig.16 and Fig.17 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for reducing pressure on certain parts of a patient in one of the systems of FIG. 1 ;

[0167] Fig. 22 is Fig.19 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for performing P&V treatment on a patient in a system;

[0168] Fig.23 is Fig.19 A flowchart of an embodiment of a method for performing microclimate management in a system;

[0169] Fig.24 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient in a hospital bed using one or more radar sensors;

[0170] Fig.25 is a stereoscopic illustration of a system for monitoring a patient seated in a room using one or more radar sensors;

[0171] Fig.26 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient walking in a room using one or more radar sensors;

[0172] Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient on a floor of a room using one or more radar sensors;

[0173] Fig.28 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient leaving a room using one or more radar sensors;

[0174] Fig.29 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient on a bathroom floor using one or more radar sensors;

[0175] Fig.30 It can be Figure 24 to Figure 29 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0176] Fig.31 is Figure 24 to Figure 29 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring patient movement in a system;

[0177] Fig.32 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient undergoing physical therapy in a bed using one or more radar sensors;

[0178] Fig.33 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient undergoing physical therapy in a bed using one or more radar sensors;

[0179] Fig.34 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient undergoing physical therapy using one or more radar sensors;

[0180] Fig.35 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient undergoing physical therapy using one or more radar sensors;

[0181] Fig.36 It can be Figure 32 to Figure 35 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0182] Fig.37 is Figure 32 to Figure 35 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring a patient undergoing physical therapy in a system;

[0183] Fig.38 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient sleeping in a bed using one or more radar sensors;

[0184] Fig.39 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient sleeping in a bed using one or more radar sensors;

[0185] Fig.40 It can be Fig.38 and Fig.39 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0186] Fig.41 is Fig.38 and Fig.39 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring a sleeping patient in a system;

[0187] Fig.42 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient in a prone position using one or more radar sensors;

[0188] Fig.43 is a perspective view of a system for monitoring a patient in a prone position using one or more radar sensors;

[0189] Fig.44 It can be Fig.42 and Fig.43 A block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established;

[0190] Fig.45 is Fig.42 and Fig.43 A flowchart of one embodiment of a method for monitoring a patient in a prone position in a system of FIG.

[0191] Fig.46 is a perspective view of a system for determining a patient's weight using one or more radar sensors;

[0192] Fig.47 It can be Fig.46 a block diagram of the environment in which some or all of the circuitry is established; and

[0193] Fig.48 is Fig.46 A flow chart of one embodiment of a method for determining a patient's weight in a system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0194] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more radio detection and ranging (radar) devices are integrated into systems such as patient support systems, hospital rooms, and physical therapy systems. Radar devices are used to monitor patients, for example by monitoring position, orientation, and movement.

[0195] While all types of systems implementing the disclosed technology are contemplated herein, some examples of patient support systems include stand-alone mattress systems, mattress covers, hospital beds, hospital beds with integrated mattress systems, operating tables, examination tables, imaging tables, stretchers, chairs, wheelchairs, and patient lifts, to name a few. Patient support surfaces contemplated herein include air mattresses, foam mattresses, combination air and foam mattresses, mattress covers, operating table pads and mattresses, stretcher pads and mattresses, chair pads, wheelchair pads, and patient lift straps and pads, to name a few.

[0196] Although the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the concepts of the present disclosure are not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed, but rather, are intended to cover all modifications, equivalent forms, and alternative forms consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.

[0197] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an illustrative embodiment," and the like indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but each embodiment may or may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, these expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is to be understood that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly or not explicitly described. In addition, it should be understood that an item included in a list in the form of "at least one of A, B, and C" may mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, an item listed in the form of "at least one of A, B, or C" may mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C).

[0198] In some cases, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented as instructions carried or stored by one or more temporary or non-temporary machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable storage medium may be implemented as any storage device, mechanism, or other physical structure (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, media disk, or other medium) for storing or transmitting information in a machine-readable form.

[0199] In the accompanying drawings, some structural features or method features may be shown in a specific arrangement and / or order. However, it should be understood that such a specific arrangement and / or order is not required. On the contrary, in some embodiments, these features may be arranged in a manner and / or order different from the manner and / or order shown in the illustrative drawings. In addition, the inclusion of a structural feature or method function in a specific drawing does not mean that this feature is required in all embodiments. In some embodiments, this feature may not be included or may be combined with other features.

[0200] Reference now Figure 1 , the patient support system 100 includes a bed 102, a radar support frame 104, an abdominal radar sensor 106, a left radar sensor 108, a right radar sensor 110, and a control circuit 112. The radar sensors 106, 108, 110 monitor a patient 114 on the bed 102. As discussed in more detail below, the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 can monitor the patient's position, orientation, movement, etc.

[0201] Each radar sensor 106, 108, 110 can be any suitable radar sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, each radar sensor 106, 108, 110 is a millimeter wave sensor operating at 30-300 GHz. Each radar sensor 106, 108, 110 can operate in a frequency range such as 60-64 GHz or 76-81 GHz. Each radar sensor 106, 108, 110 has one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. For example, each radar sensor 106, 108, 110 can include one or more of the AWR1843, AWR1642, AWR1443, AWR1243, IWR6843AoP, IWR6843, IWR1843, IWR1642 and / or IWR1443 chips of Texas Instruments (TI). In some embodiments, radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may include two or more radar chips cascaded together so that they operate synchronously, thereby providing improved target detection and resolution. Additionally or alternatively, radar sensors 106 , 108 , 110 may be cascaded together.

[0202] In use, each radar sensor 106, 108, 110 transmits radio waves, such as millimeter waves. The radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may transmit a single frequency, a series of pulses, a shaped pulse, a chirped pulse, or any other suitable wave. The wave propagates from the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 and is reflected back to the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 by the patient 114. As used herein, a reflected radar signal or a reflection of a radar signal refers to a radar signal that has been scattered, coherently reflected, incoherently reflected, partially reflected, etc. The reflected signal may be processed to determine the distance from the radar sensor 106, 108, 110 to one or more parts of the patient 114, for example by determining the flight time or phase of the reflected signal. Multiple parts of the patient 114 may be detected as multiple reflected signals. The location of the part where the wave is reflected may be determined by the difference in the reflected signals of different receivers. Additionally or alternatively, the velocity of certain parts of the patient 114 where the wave is reflected may be determined based on the Doppler shift of the reflected wave. In this manner, the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be used to map the position and contours of the patient 114. In the illustrative embodiment, the abdomen radar sensor 106 maps the contours of a portion of the patient 114 located at the center of the bed 102, and the left and right radar sensors 110, 110 map portions of the patient 114 located at the right and left portions of the bed 102, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, any of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be used to map any portion of the patient 114 in any portion of the bed 102, or to monitor the movement or position of a patient or other person in the area of ​​the bed 102.

[0203] In some embodiments, multiple transmit antennas from some or all of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be operated with controlled phase differences, allowing beamforming. Beamforming may be used to detect specific areas of the patient 114, bed 102, or room.

[0204] It should be understood that in some embodiments, radio waves may penetrate certain materials such as clothing, blankets, sheets, thereby allowing contactless monitoring of the patient 114 under the blanket.

[0205] In the illustrated embodiment, the radar support frame 104 extends above the patient bed 102. The radar support frame 104 may be attached to the patient bed 102, or may form part of a stand-alone radar monitoring unit. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be connected to the patient bed 102. Figure 1 The configuration shown is positioned differently. For example, some or all of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be positioned to one side of the patient 114, on a wall of a room, embedded in the bed 102, and / or any other suitable location relative to the patient 114.

[0206] Radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be connected to control circuit 112 in any suitable manner. In an illustrative embodiment, one or more wires connect radar sensors 106, 108, 110 to control circuit 112. Additionally or alternatively, radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be connected to control circuit 112 using optical fiber or wireless signals. In some embodiments, control circuit 112 may be in close proximity to one or more of radar sensors 106, 108, 110 and / or may be integrated into radar sensors 106, 108, 110. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, some or all of the control circuitry 112 may be located in the radar support 104. Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the control circuitry 112 may be located in any suitable location, such as in the base of the patient bed 102, in a separate component near the patient bed 102, in a remote location, etc.

[0207] The control circuit 112 may be implemented as any circuit capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, the control circuit 112 may be implemented as or otherwise included in an embedded computing system, a system on a chip (SoC), a multiprocessor system, a processor-based system, a consumer electronic device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a desktop computer, a server computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a portable computer, a network device, a router, a switch, a networked computer, a wearable computer, a mobile phone, a messaging device, a camera device, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or any other computing device without limitation. The control circuit 112 may include one or more processors, a memory, one or more data storage devices, a communication circuit, and / or any other suitable component. In some embodiments, one or more components of the control circuit 112 may be incorporated into another component or otherwise form part of another component. For example, in some embodiments, the memory or a portion thereof may be incorporated in a processor. Although the control circuit 112 is described as being integrated into the bed 102, it should be understood that some or all of the hardware and / or functions of the control circuit 112 may be implemented in a different location, such as in a computing device or circuit in a room or building different from the bed 102. For example, in some embodiments, some or all of the hardware and / or functionality of the control circuit 112 may be implemented in a local server, a remote server, a cloud server, etc.

[0208] Still reference Figure 1 , the hospital bed 102 includes a frame 116, which in turn includes a lower frame or base 118, an upper frame assembly 120, and a lifting system 122 that connects the upper frame assembly 120 to the base 118. The system 122 is operable to raise, lower, and tilt the upper frame assembly 120 relative to the base 118. The bed 102 has a head end 124 and a foot end 126. The bed 102 also includes a footboard 128 at the foot end 126 and a headboard 130 at the head end 124. The headboard 130 is connected to a lifting portion 132 of the base 118. In the illustrative example, the footboard 128 is connected to the foot end 126 of the upper frame assembly 120 in the example. In other embodiments, the footboard 128 is connected to a retractable portion of the foot portion of the mattress support platform 134 of the upper frame assembly 120. The base 118 includes wheels or casters 136 that roll along the floor when the bed 102 is moved from one position to another. A set of foot pedals 138 are connected to the base 118 and are used as known in the art to brake and release the casters 136. The base 118 also supports a housing 119 for housing portions of the control circuitry, such as some or all of the control circuitry 112 described herein.

[0209] like Figure 1As shown, the exemplary hospital bed 102 has four side rail assemblies connected to the upper frame assembly 120. The four side rail assemblies include a pair of head side rail assemblies 140 (sometimes referred to as head rails) and a pair of foot side rail assemblies 142 (sometimes referred to as foot rails). Each of the side rail assemblies 140, 142 can be in a raised position (such as Figure 1 The two head rails 140 and the right foot rail 142 are shown in the lowered position (as shown in the Figure 1 The side rail assemblies 140, 142 are sometimes referred to herein as simply side rails 140, 142. Each side rail 140, 142 includes a guard plate 144 and a connecting rod 146. Each connecting rod 56 is connected to the upper frame assembly 120 and is configured to guide the guard plate 144 during movement of the side rails 140, 14 between the corresponding raised position and the lowered position.

[0210] The mattress support platform 134 of the upper frame assembly 120 supports the mattress 148, which in turn supports the patient 114. The mattress support platform 134 is located above the upper frame of the upper frame assembly 120. In some embodiments, the mattress support platform 134 includes hinged platform portions, such as a head portion that supports the head and torso areas of the patient 114, a seat portion that supports the buttocks and sacral areas of the patient 114, a thigh portion that supports the patient's thighs, and a foot portion that supports the patient's calves and feet. One or more platform portions can be moved relative to the upper frame of the upper frame assembly 120. For example, the head portion can be pivotally raised and lowered relative to the seat portion, and the foot portion can be pivotally raised and lowered relative to the thigh portion. In addition, the thigh portion is hinged relative to the seat portion. Likewise, in some embodiments, the foot portion is retractable to change the overall length of the foot portion, thereby changing the overall length of the mattress support platform 134. Additional details of suitable embodiments of the bed 102 may be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0161225A1, which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that its teachings are not inconsistent with the present disclosure, and any inconsistencies shall be controlled.

[0211] As described above, the bed 102 includes a radar support frame 104, which in turn supports radar sensors 106, 108, 110. In the illustrative example, the radar support frame 104 includes a generally vertically oriented column or mast 104a and a generally horizontally oriented arm 104b, which extends in a cantilevered manner from the upper end of the mast 104a so as to cover the mattress 148 of the bed 102 and the patient 114 supported thereon. The arm 104b has a distal end region 104c connected to the radar sensor 106. The arm 104b is generally vertically located above the longitudinal centerline of the bed 102. The radar support frame 104 also includes a right arm 104d and a left arm 104e, which extend in a cantilevered manner from the right and left sides of the arm 104b, respectively. When viewed from above, the arm 104b including the distal end region 104c thereof, and the arms 104d, 104e resemble a cross.

[0212] In some embodiments, the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be moved along the respective arms 104b, 104d, 104e so that the trajectory of the radar beam from the sensors 106, 108, 110 may be adjusted by a greater or more significant amount than would be possible using beamforming techniques. For example, in some contemplated embodiments, a clamp or lock associated with each of the sensors 106, 108, 110 may be manually locked and released to allow the sensors 106, 108, 110 to be manually repositioned along a track, guide, rod, bar, etc. included in the respective arm 104b, 104d, 104e. Alternatively, the sensors 106, 108, 110 may be mounted to a nut that travels along a lead screw that is manually turned by a hand crank or knob and included in the arms 104b, 104d, 104e. With respect to the manner in which the position of the sensors 106, 108, 110 is adjusted relative to the arms 104b, 104d, 104e, the present disclosure also contemplates automatic or electrically controlled lead screws that use motors. The present disclosure also contemplates other automatic adjustment mechanisms for repositioning the sensors 106, 108, 110 on the frame 104, such as linear actuators, motorized sprocket and chain arrangements, motorized belt and pulley arrangements, etc. The following embodiments also fall within the scope of the present disclosure: wherein the arms 104d, 104e are repositionable along the arm 104b in the longitudinal dimension of the arm 104b to move the arms 104d, 104e closer to, further away from the distal region 104c of the arm 104b. Manual and / or automatic repositioning mechanisms similar to those described above can be used for this purpose.

[0213] In some embodiments, the lower end of the mast 104a of the rack 104 is connected to the head end 124 of the upper frame of the upper frame assembly 120 of the bed 102. Therefore, in such embodiments, the radar support rack 104 and the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 supported thereon are raised, lowered, and tilted relative to the base 118 as the upper frame assembly 120 is raised, lowered, and tilted respectively by the lifting system 122. In other embodiments, the lower end of the mast 104a is connected to the head end of the base 118 of the bed 102. In such embodiments, the rack 104 and the sensors 106, 108, 110 remain stationary when the upper frame assembly 120 is raised, lowered, and tilted relative to the base 118 by the lifting system 122. As described above, in still other embodiments, the rack 104 includes a freestanding frame, such as a frame having casters for movement, which is moved, for example, to a suitable position above the bed 102.

[0214] In some embodiments, the mast 104a of the frame 104 is telescopic so as to be lengthened and shortened in a generally vertical direction. Thus, an extended mast 104a telescopically raises the arms 104b, 104d, 104e and associated radar sensors 106, 108, 110 relative to the mattress 148 and the patient 114 thereon, while a retracted mast 104a telescopically lowers the arms 104b, 104d, 104e and associated radar sensors 106, 108, 110 relative to the mattress 148 and the patient 114 thereon. In such embodiments, if not more, the mast 104a includes at least a first mast section and a second mast section that are telescopic relative to each other, for example, using one or more linear actuators, lead screw drives (manual or automatic), or the like. Optionally, the arm 104b of the frame 104 is retractable to move the distal region 104c and the arms 104d, 104e as a whole above the mattress 148 and the patient 114 in a generally horizontal direction defined by the longitudinal dimension of the arm 104b. In such an embodiment, if not a greater number, the arm 104b includes at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment that are retractable relative to each other, for example, using one or more linear actuators, lead screw drives (manual or automatic), and the like. As described above, the positional adjustability of the sensors 106, 108, 110 in both the vertical and horizontal directions allows the disclosed patient monitoring system using the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 to take into account different sizes of patients and take into account the specific position of the patient 114 on the bed 102 between the head end 124 and the foot end 126.

[0215] The present disclosure contemplates that, in some embodiments, the portion of the control circuitry 112 for controlling the movement of portions of the bed 102 communicates with the portion of the circuitry 112 for controlling the operation of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 to alter the operation of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 under certain conditions. For example, if the head portion of the mattress support platform 134 is pivotally elevated at a head of bed (HOB) angle that exceeds a threshold amount, say about 15 degrees to about 30 degrees (just giving an arbitrary threshold range), then in some embodiments the circuitry 112 may disable the use of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110. This is because tilting the patient's torso at such a steep angle may negatively impact the ability of the sensors 106, 108, 110 and the circuitry 112 to accurately sense the patient's heart rate, breathing rate, and / or position. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the bed 102 includes an angle sensor, such as an accelerometer, inclinometer, rotary potentiometer, string potentiometer, ball switch, mercury switch, etc., coupled to the circuit 112 and used to sense the HOB angle of the head portion of the mattress support platform 134 of the bed 102. As another example, if the circuit 112 analyzes the image intensity (e.g., light or dark) of various regions of the image generated by the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 and compares the light intensity to various threshold intensities to determine the patient's position, orientation, movement, health condition, etc., it may be desirable to use different light intensity thresholds depending on the patient's proximity to the radar sensors 106, 108, 110. Therefore, in some embodiments, the circuit 112 analyzes the height and / or tilt of the upper frame assembly 120 relative to the base 118 and / or the amount of extension or retraction of the mast 104a, and then adjusts the image intensity threshold accordingly.

[0216] Reference now Figure 2 , a system 200 for monitoring a patient using a radar sensor includes radar sensors 106, 108, 110, a control circuit 112, and a display 202. The control circuit 112 can be connected to additional components such as an electronic medical record server 206, a nurse call system 208, a status board 210, a communication system 212, and one or more mobile computing devices 214 via a network 204. In use, the control circuit 112 can communicate patient monitoring information to other components of the system 200. For example, the control circuit 112 can monitor the location of the patient 114 and send the location of the patient 114 to the electronic medical record server 206 for storage as part of the medical record. The control circuit 112 can also send the location of the patient 114 to the nurse call system 208, thereby allowing the location to be presented on the status board 210 and / or sent to the mobile computing device 214 carried by the nurse.

[0217] The display 202 may be local to the control circuit 112, such as a display on one or more side rails 140, 142 of the bed 102. The display 202 may be any suitable display, such as an LCD display, an LED display, a laser display, etc. In some embodiments, the display 202 is operable under the control of the circuit 112 to display information including image data sensed by the radar sensors 106, 108, 110. Additionally, in some embodiments, the display 202 includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that may also be used to display user inputs for controlling various features and functions of the bed 102, including control of components associated with the mattress 148 and control of movable portions of the frame 116.

[0218] The network 204 may be any suitable network. In the illustrative embodiment, the network 204 is an Ethernet network. Additionally or alternatively, the network 204 may be implemented as network, Network, WiMAX network, Near Field Communication (NFC) network, etc.

[0219] It should be understood that the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may be disposed at locations other than above the patient 114 in the bed 102. Figure 3 , a patient bed 300 includes a radar sensor 302 positioned on or attached to a left side rail 304 of the patient bed 300 to monitor a patient 306. Additionally or alternatively, the patient bed may include a radar sensor 302 positioned on or attached to a right side rail 308, a headboard 310, a footboard 312, etc. The radar sensor 302 is connected to a control circuit that may be located in any suitable location, such as in the left side rail 304, below the patient 306, such as on a lower frame or base 314 of the bed 300. The sensor 302 (and other radar sensors discussed throughout this disclosure) may be similar to the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, and the control circuit associated with the radar sensor 302 (and other circuits discussed throughout this disclosure) may be similar to the control circuit 112. For the sake of clarity, those components and similar components described throughout this disclosure will not be repeated. It should be understood that the radar sensor 302 provides a side view of the patient 306, rather than a top view. This view provides different measurement data than radar sensors 106, 108, 110. It should be appreciated that various embodiments may use any combination of radar sensor 302 and radar sensors 106, 108, and 110. In some embodiments, radar sensor 302 may be used in conjunction with some or all of radar sensors 106, 108, 110, for example to measure the same parameter, such as a patient's contour, from two different angles.

[0220] Reference now Figure 4In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 112 establishes the environment 400 during operation. The exemplary environment 400 includes a radar controller 402, a body contour mapper 404, a limb motion tracker 406, a bed depth monitor 408, a Braden score calculator 410, and a communication controller 412. The various modules of the environment 400 may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 400 may form part of, or be established by, a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 112. Thus, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 400 may be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 402, body contour mapper circuit 404, bed depth monitor circuit 406, etc.). It should be understood that in such embodiments, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 402, body contour mapper circuit 404, bed depth monitor circuit 406, etc.) may form part of one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of control circuit 112. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of the illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more of the illustrative modules may be independent of one another. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 400 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures that may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 112.

[0221] The radar controller 402 is configured to interface with the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302, and the radar controller 402 may be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The radar controller 402 may send commands to the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302, configure the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302, and receive data from the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302. In an illustrative embodiment, the radar controller 402 receives an indication of a signal received by the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302, such as an intensity, phase, electric field, etc., received at each receiver of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110. In some embodiments, radar sensors 106 , 108 , 110 , 302 may perform some pre-processing before sending data to radar controller 402 , such as processing received data to determine the position and / or velocity of an object that reflected waves from radar sensor 106 , 108 , 110 , 302 .

[0222] The body contour mapper 404 is configured to map the body contour of the patient, and the body contour mapper 404 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The body contour mapper 404 can generate a 2D or 3D map of the patient's body, which can be used to determine the patient's position, orientation, and movement.

[0223] The limb motion tracker 406 is configured to track the movement of the patient's limbs, and the limb motion tracker 406 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The limb motion tracker 406 can track the patient's arms, legs, and head. In some embodiments, the limb motion tracker 406 can track the movement of the patient's individual fingers.

[0224] Limb movement tracker 406 can monitor the patient's lack of movement and movement within a certain time frame. The patient's limb movement and the patient's overall movement can be compared with the baseline of a "normal" person and / or compared with the patient's "normal" behavior. If the movement is a certain percentage above or below the baseline, an alarm will be sent to the caregiver. Lack of movement may potentially indicate a higher risk of skin wounds, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, etc. Excessive movement may indicate periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) or other conditions that may require treatment. In some embodiments, limb movement tracker 406 can detect the onset of the patient and alert the caregiver accordingly. Limb movement tracker 406 can monitor patients for a long time in a long-term care facility, such as several days or months. Limb movement tracker 406 can determine the patient's baseline exercise volume and can track trends in movement changes over several days, weeks, or months. Changes in patient movement trends can indicate changes in the patient's condition.

[0225] The bed depth monitor 408 is configured to monitor the bed depth of the patient, and the bed depth monitor 408 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. In an illustrative embodiment, the bed depth monitor 408 can determine the bed depth of multiple parts of the patient (e.g., back, sacrum, legs, and heels). Additionally or alternatively, the bed depth monitor 408 can determine an overall or average bed depth.

[0226] Braden score calculator 410 is configured to determine the Braden score of the patient, and the Braden score calculator 410 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or a combination thereof as described above. The Braden score can be based at least in part on data from radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302. For example, the Braden score calculator 410 can determine the patient's physical activity level, the patient's mobility, and the friction and shear force experienced by the patient based on data from radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302. In some embodiments, the Braden score calculator 410 can determine the Braden score based at least in part on the input of the caregiver (e.g., the patient's ability to respond to pressure-related discomfort, the degree of skin exposure to moisture, and food intake patterns). As used herein, the phrase "based on" includes both "partially based on" and "completely based on".

[0227] The communication controller 412 is configured to communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. As described above, the communication controller 412 can communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. WiMAX, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. communicate directly or indirectly with other devices.

[0228] Reference now Figure 5 , in use, a method 500 for monitoring a patient using radar may be performed. In some embodiments, part or all of the method 500 may be performed by the control circuit 112. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the control circuit 112 may provide data such as the patient's movement frequency, and a caregiver may monitor the data from the control circuit 112 to determine, for example, the patient's Braden score. The method 500 begins at box 502, in which the control circuit 112 receives signals from one or more radar sensors 106, 108, 110 for monitoring the patient's position, orientation, and / or movement. The control circuit 112 may receive raw signals received by antennas of the radar sensors 106, 108, 110. In some embodiments, the radar sensors 106, 108, 110 may perform some pre-processing before sending the data to the control circuit 112, such as processing the received data to determine the position and / or velocity of an object that reflected waves to the radar sensors 106, 108, 110.

[0229] In block 504, the control circuit 112 analyzes the radar signals to perform body contour mapping of the patient. The control circuit 112 may generate a 2D or 3D map of the patient's body that may be used to determine the patient's position, orientation, and movement.

[0230] In block 506, the control circuit 112 performs limb tracking and may track the patient's arms, legs, and head. In some embodiments, the control circuit 112 may track the movement of individual fingers of the patient.

[0231] In block 508, the control circuit 112 monitors the patient's bed depth. In an illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 112 may determine the bed depth of multiple locations of the patient (e.g., back, sacrum, legs, and heels). Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit 112 may determine an overall or average bed depth.

[0232] In block 510, the control circuit 112 determines a Braden score for the patient. The Braden score may be based at least in part on the data from the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302. For example, the control circuit 112 may determine the patient's level of physical activity, the patient's mobility, and the friction and shear forces experienced by the patient based on the data from the radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302. In some embodiments, the control circuit 112 may determine the Braden score based at least in part on input from a caregiver, such as the patient's ability to respond to pressure-related discomfort, the degree of skin exposure to moisture, and food intake patterns.

[0233] In box 512, the control circuit 112 determines the risk of pressure sores. The control circuit 112 can determine the risk of pressure sores based on various factors such as Braden score, bed depth of a specific part of the patient's body, how long a specific part of the patient's body is subjected to pressure, etc. In some embodiments, the control circuit 112 can determine the risk of pressure sores based on some or all of these factors using a machine learning-based algorithm. Such a machine learning-based algorithm can be trained based on past patient data from radar sensors similar to radar sensors 106, 108, 110, 302. The data from the patient combined with a marker for the presence or absence of a pressure sore based on a caregiver's assessment can be used as labeled training data for the machine learning-based algorithm. The machine learning-based algorithm can be trained by the control circuit 112 or any other suitable computing device.

[0234] In block 514, the control circuit 112 stores the patient motion data and / or additional data such as Braden score and pressure sore risk. In block 516, the control circuit 112 may store the patient data locally, which may then be used to determine, for example, whether the patient's rate of motion has changed. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, in block 518, the control circuit 112 may send the patient data to an electronic medical record server, and / or in block 520, send the patient data to a nurse call system. The method 500 then loops back to block 502 to receive additional data from the radar sensors 106, 108, 110.

[0235] In another configuration, such as Figure 6 As shown, a patient bed 602 may have one or more radar sensors 604 connected to a control circuit 606, with the one or more radar sensors located above the center of a patient 608 and without any radar sensors on the sides. Figure 6 The bed 602 with Figure 1 602. The above discussion of bed 102 is substantially the same as bed 102, and thus the above discussion of bed 102 is equally applicable to bed 602. In addition, the manner in which radar support frame 610 is used to connect to bed 602 is the same as the manner in which frame 104 is used to connect to bed 102 as discussed above. Thus, the above discussion of frame 104, including all variations thereof, is equally applicable to frame 610. Thus, for example, frame 610 includes a generally vertically oriented column or mast and a generally horizontal arm having a distal region connected to radar sensor 604. The above discussion of mast 104a is equally applicable to the mast here, and the above discussion of arm 104b is equally applicable to the arm here. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the frequency used by radar sensor 604 can pass through certain materials, such as blankets, which allows the patient's movement to be clearly monitored even when the patient is covered by a blanket.

[0236] like Figure 7 As shown, radar sensor 604 can monitor a patient exiting bed 602. Control circuit 606 can be used to monitor the patient before and during exiting the bed and can predict that an exit may occur and alert the caregiver, as described in detail below.

[0237] Reference now Figure 8In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 606 establishes the environment 800 during operation. The exemplary environment 800 includes a radar controller 802, a position detector 804, a bed leave detector 806, and a communication controller 808. The various modules of the environment 800 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 800 can form part of a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 606, or be otherwise established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 606. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 800 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 802, position detector circuit 804, bed leave detector circuit 806, etc.). It should be understood that in such an embodiment, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 802, position detector circuit 804, bed leave detector circuit 806, etc.) can form part of one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of the control circuit 606. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more illustrative modules may be independent of each other. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 800 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures, which may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 606.

[0238] The radar controller 802 is configured to interface with the radar sensor 604, and the radar controller 802 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The radar controller 802 can send commands to the radar sensor 604, configure the radar sensor 604, and receive data from the radar sensor 604. In an illustrative embodiment, the radar controller 802 receives an indication of a signal received by the radar sensor 604, such as the intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of the radar sensor 604. In some embodiments, the radar sensor 604 can perform some pre-processing before sending the data to the radar controller 802, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of the patient's position or motion.

[0239] The position detector 804 is configured to determine the position of the patient, and the position detector 804 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The position detector 804 can determine the 2D or 3D position of various parts of the patient (e.g., torso, arms, legs, head, etc.).

[0240] The bed leaving detector 806 is configured to detect that the patient is leaving the bed or predict that the patient is about to leave the bed. The bed leaving detector 806 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or a combination thereof as described above. For example, in some embodiments, the bed leaving detector 806 can determine that the patient is moving in a manner consistent with an attempt to get out of bed immediately, such as pulling the patient's knees toward the patient's chest and turning to one side of the bed. Detecting that the patient leaves the bed may be useful in the following situations, such as alerting a caregiver to assist the patient, alerting a caregiver to monitor the patient leaving the bed, alerting a caregiver when the patient takes too long to get out of bed, etc.

[0241] The communication controller 808 is configured to communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. The communication controller 808 may be connected via, for example, Ethernet, The communication controller 808 may communicate directly or indirectly with other devices via WiMAX, near field communication (NFC), etc. The communication controller 808 may transmit data indicating the patient's location. The communication controller 808 may send an alert or notification that the patient is about to leave the bed or is predicted to leave the bed to, for example, the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208.

[0242] Reference now Fig. 9 , in use, a method 900 for monitoring a patient using radar may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 900 may be performed by the control circuit 606. The method 900 begins at block 902, where the control circuit 606 receives a signal from one or more radar sensors 604 monitoring a patient position. The control circuit 606 may receive a raw signal received by an antenna of a radar sensor 640. In some embodiments, the radar sensor 604 may perform some pre-processing before sending data to the control circuit 606.

[0243] In block 904, the control circuit 606 determines the position of the patient. The control circuit 606 may determine the 2D or 3D position of various parts of the patient (eg, torso, arms, legs, head, etc.).

[0244] In block 906, the control circuit 606 determines whether an exit from the bed is detected and / or an imminent exit from the bed is predicted. For example, in some embodiments, the control circuit 606 may determine that the patient is moving in a manner consistent with an attempt to exit the bed immediately, such as pulling the patient's knees toward the patient's chest and turning to one side of the bed.

[0245] In block 906, if bed leaving is not detected, the method 900 loops back to block 902 to continue monitoring the patient. If bed leaving is detected, the method 900 continues to block 910, where the control circuit 606 alerts the nursing staff, such as by sending a message to the nurse call station 208 or the status board 210. Detecting a patient leaving the bed may be useful in several situations, such as alerting the nursing staff to assist the patient, alerting the nursing staff to monitor the patient leaving the bed, alerting the nursing staff when the patient is out of bed for too long, etc. The method 900 then loops back to block 902 to continue monitoring the patient.

[0246] Reference now Figure 10-13 In one embodiment, the bed 1002 includes one or more radar sensors 1004 connected to a control circuit 1006. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 1008 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 1004 and the circuit 1006. Figure 6 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Figure 10-13 The bed 1002 is used together with the frame 1008.

[0247] In use, the control circuit 1006 can be configured to use the radar sensor 1004 to monitor the patient's position and determine when the patient needs to turn around. The radar sensor 1004 can be used to determine both when the patient moves and where the patient is. For example, the radar sensor 1004 can be used to determine whether the patient 1010 is moving or not. Fig.10 As shown, the patient 1010 is lying flat on his back and can be used to determine whether the patient 1010 is Fig.11 Lie on your side as shown.

[0248] If the patient 1010 has not turned over within a certain period of time (e.g., within the past two hours), the control circuit 1006 can alert the caregiver 1012, who can then manually turn the patient over, such as Fig.12 As shown. The control circuit 1006 detects the patient's turn by using the radar sensor 1004 and restarting the timer for when the patient should turn around. In some embodiments, as Fig.13 As shown, the control circuit 1006 can inflate the air rotation bladder 1014 to turn the patient from the supine position to the patient's side (or deflate the rotation bladder 1014 to turn the patient back to the supine position). In some embodiments, the control circuit 1006 can be configured to use the radar sensor 1004 to determine the patient's position in the bed and then inflate the rotation bladder 1014 that will cause the greatest rotation, such as Fig.13 As shown, if the patient is to be turned to lie on the left side, the rotation bladder 1014 under the right side of the patient is inflated. Additionally or alternatively, the rotation bladder 1014 can be used to reposition the patient to a desired position.

[0249] Reference now Fig.14 , in the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 1006 establishes the environment 1400 during operation. The exemplary environment 1400 includes a radar controller 1402, a patient orientation monitor 1404, a patient position monitor 1406, a rotation capsule controller 1408, and a communication controller 1410. The various modules of the environment 1400 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 1400 can form part of or be established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 1400. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 1400 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 1402, patient orientation monitor circuit 1404, patient position monitor circuit 1406, etc.). It should be understood that in such embodiments, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 1402, patient orientation monitor circuit 1404, patient position monitor circuit 1406, etc.) may form part of one or more of a processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of control circuit 1006. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of the illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more of the illustrative modules may be independent of one another. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 1400 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures that may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 1006.

[0250] The radar controller 1402 is configured to interface with the radar sensor 1004, and the radar controller 1402 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof. The radar controller 1402 sends commands to the radar sensor 1004, configures the radar sensor 1004, and receives data from the radar sensor 1004. In an illustrative embodiment, the radar controller 1402 receives an indication of a signal received by the radar sensor 1004, such as the intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of the radar sensor 1004. In some embodiments, the radar sensor 1004 can perform some pre-processing before sending the data to the radar controller 1402, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of the patient's position or movement.

[0251] Patient direction monitor 1404 is configured to monitor the direction of the patient on the bed by using one or more radar sensors, and the patient direction monitor 1404 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or their combination as described above. Patient direction monitor 1404 can monitor whether the patient is in supine, prone, side-lying, etc. Patient direction monitor 1404 saves patient direction data over time, thereby allowing to determine how long the patient has been lying in the same direction. The direction determined by patient direction monitor 1404 can be used as feedback for controlling rotation capsule 1014.

[0252] The patient position monitor 1406 is configured to monitor the position of the patient on the bed by using one or more radar sensors, and the patient position monitor 1406 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The patient position monitor 1406 can monitor the position of the patient, such as where the patient is located on the bed and where the patient is located relative to the rotating capsule 1014. The position determined by the patient position monitor 1406 can be used as feedback for controlling the rotating capsule 1014.

[0253] The rotating capsule controller 1408 is configured to control the rotating capsule 1014, and the rotating capsule controller 1408 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or their combination as described above. The rotating capsule controller 1408 can determine when it is necessary to rotate, for example, by determining that the patient has been lying on the same side for a time amount exceeding a threshold time amount. The threshold value can be any suitable value, for example any time between 30 minutes and 5 hours. In the illustrative embodiment, the threshold value is 2 hours. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the conveying capsule controller 1408 can determine whether the patient should rotate to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux and / or determine whether the patient should rotate to prevent pulmonary complications. For example, in some embodiments, the rotating capsule controller 1408 can control the rotating capsule 1014 so as to alternately raise another lung relative to one lung.

[0254] In some embodiments, the rotating bladder controller 1408 can determine the position of the patient on the bed and control the rotating bladder 1014 to rotate the patient from its current position. For example, the rotating bladder controller 1408 can inflate the rotating bladder under the right side of the patient. In some embodiments, the rotating bladder controller 1408 can control the rotating bladder 1014 to move the patient's position, which can achieve, for example, positioning the patient on a desired portion of the rotating bladder 1014.

[0255] The communication controller 1410 is configured to communicate with other devices, such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. The communication controller 1410 can communicate via, for example, Ethernet, The communication controller 1410 can communicate directly or indirectly with other devices via WiMAX, near field communication (NFC), etc. The communication controller 1410 can be used to transmit data of the patient's position and orientation. The communication controller 1410 can send an alert or notification that the patient needs to turn or has turned to, for example, the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208.

[0256] Reference now Fig.15 , in use, a method 1500 for rotating a patient may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 1500 may be performed by the control circuit 1006. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 1500 may be performed by a person, such as a caregiver of the patient. For example, the control circuit 1006 may indicate that the patient has changed direction for a certain period of time, and the caregiver may rotate the patient in response to the indication. In another example, the caregiver may determine that the patient needs to be rotated and may initiate the rotation through the control circuit 1006. The method 1500 starts at box 1502, in which the control circuit 1006 monitors the position and direction of the patient. The control circuit 1006 may monitor whether the patient is in supine, prone, side-lying, etc. The control circuit 1006 may monitor the position of the patient, such as where the patient is on the bed and where the patient is relative to the rotating capsule 1014.

[0257] In block 1504, the control circuit 1006 determines whether the patient should be turned. In block 1506, the control circuit 1006 determines whether the patient should be turned to prevent pressure sores based on whether the patient has changed direction within a predetermined time period (e.g., the last two hours). In block 1508, the control circuit 1006 may determine whether the patient should be turned to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux. In block 1510, the control circuit 1006 may determine whether the patient should be turned to prevent lung complications. For example, in some embodiments, the control circuit 1006 may control the rotation bladder 1014 to alternately raise one lung relative to the other.

[0258] In block 1512, if the patient is not to be rotated, the method 1500 loops back to block 1502 to continue monitoring the patient's position and orientation. If the patient is to be rotated, the method proceeds to block 1514, where a rotation bladder 1014 under one side of the patient is inflated. The rotation bladder 1014 to be inflated may be selected based on the patient's position, which may be determined based on one or more radar sensors. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the patient may be rotated by deflating the rotation bladder 1014, for example, when the patient has been rotated by inflation of the rotation bladder 1014.

[0259] In block 1516, the patient's rotation is monitored. In some embodiments, one or more radar sensors are used to monitor the patient's rotation. In block 1518, if the rotation is not complete, the method 1500 proceeds to block 1520 to continue the rotation by controlling the rotation capsule 1014. If the rotation is complete, the method 1500 proceeds to block 1522, where the patient orientation data is stored. The method 1500 then loops back to block 1502 to determine whether the patient should be rotated.

[0260] Reference now Figure 16-Figure 19 In one embodiment, the patient bed 1602 includes one or more radar sensors 1604 connected to a control circuit 1606. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 1608 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 1604 and the circuit 1606. Figure 6 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Figure 16-Figure 19 The bed 1602 is used together with the frame 1608.

[0261] In use, the control circuit 1606 can be configured to use the radar sensor 1604 to monitor the position of the patient, and in particular, can monitor the depth of certain parts of the patient's 1610 body in the mattress. In some embodiments, the bed 1602 can include a radar sensor 1612 in the side rail 1614, such as Fig.17 The control circuit 1606 can control the airbag 1616 to relieve pressure from certain parts of the patient's 1610 body, such as Fig.18 For example, the control circuit 1606 may deflate the airbag 1618 under the patient's sacrum and deflate the airbag 1620 under the patient's heel. It should be understood that the control circuit 1606 may use the radar sensors 1604, 1612 to determine which airbags are under the patient's heel, sacrum, or other parts.

[0262] In some embodiments, the bed includes one or more airflow controllers, such as an airflow controller 1622 that controls airflow to the sacrum of the patient 1610 and an airflow controller 1624 that controls airflow to the heels of the patient, thereby providing microclimate management of these parts. The airflow controllers 1622, 1624 may include fans and pumps to promote air flow, humidity control, and air temperature control. The airflow controllers 1622, 1624 may control the air flow rate, humidity, and temperature of the target area to reduce skin moisture and improve patient comfort. The location of the airflow provided can be aimed at certain parts of the patient's body, which can be located using radar sensors 1604, 1612.

[0263] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the bed 1602 may include a percussion and vibration (P&V) airbag 1626, such as Fig.19As shown. The P&V airbag 1626 can be quickly inflated and deflated, causing percussion and vibration (P&V) to the area of ​​the patient above the P&V airbag 1626. P&V therapy can be used to loosen and expel secretions that accumulate in the lungs of patients with lung disease. The radar sensor 1604 can be used to monitor the position of the patient, and the P&V airbag 1626 under the patient's chest can be selected for P&V therapy. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the radar sensor 1604 can monitor the amplitude of the vibration of the patient's chest caused by the P&V airbag 1626. The vibration amplitude of the P&V airbag 1626 can be adjusted to cause an optimized vibration level on the patient's chest. In some embodiments, the bed 1602 may include the P&V airbag 1626 and the rotating bag 1014 (see Fig.13 ). The rotating balloon 1014 can be used to properly position the patient over the P&V balloon 1626 for P&V treatment.

[0264] Reference now Fig. 20 In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 1606 establishes the environment 2000 during operation. The exemplary environment 2000 includes a radar controller 2002, a heel pressure monitor 2004, a heel pressure release 2006, a sacral pressure monitor 2008, a sacral pressure release 2010, a microclimate manager 2012, a P&V controller 2014, and a communication controller 2016. The various modules of the environment 2000 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 2000 can form part of or be established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 2000. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 2000 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 2002, heel pressure monitor circuit 2004, heel pressure release circuit 2006, etc.). It should be understood that in such embodiments, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 2002, heel pressure monitor circuit 2004, heel pressure release circuit 2006, etc.) may form part of one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of control circuit 1606. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of the illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more of the illustrative modules may be independent of one another. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 2000 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures that may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 1606.

[0265] The radar controller 2002 is configured to interface with the radar sensors 1604, 1612, and the radar controller 2002 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The radar controller 2002 can send commands to the radar sensor 1604, configure the radar sensor 1604, and receive data from the radar sensor 1604. In an illustrative embodiment, the radar controller 2002 receives an indication of a signal received by the radar sensor 1604, such as the intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of the radar sensor 1604. In some embodiments, the radar sensor 1604 can perform some pre-processing before sending the data to the radar controller 2002, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of the position or movement of the patient.

[0266] The heel pressure monitor 2004 is configured to monitor the pressure on the patient's heel, and the heel pressure monitor 2004 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The heel pressure monitor 2004 can monitor the heel pressure based on the depth of the heel in the bed 1602 or based on any other suitable parameter.

[0267] Heel pressure releaser 2006 is configured to release the pressure from the patient's heel, and heel pressure releaser 2006 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or their combination as described above. In some embodiments, if the patient does not move the patient's heel within at least a threshold amount of time (for example, any time from 30 minutes to 4 hours), the heel pressure releaser 2006 can release the pressure of the heel. The heel pressure releaser 2006 can release the pressure of the patient's heel by inflating the airbag under the patient's calf or ankle, deflating the airbag under the heel, or these two ways. The heel pressure releaser 2006 can use radar sensors 1604, 1612 to locate the appropriate airbag to inflate or deflate. In some embodiments, the heel pressure releaser 2006 can change the pressure on the heel, thereby alleviating the pressure from other parts of the patient (for example, calf).

[0268] The sacral pressure monitor 2008 is configured to monitor the pressure on the patient's sacrum, and the sacral pressure monitor 2008 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or combinations thereof as described above. The sacral pressure monitor 2008 can monitor the sacral pressure based on the depth of the sacrum in the patient bed 1602 or based on any other suitable parameter. In some embodiments, the sacral pressure monitor 2008 can identify the patient's ischial tuberosity and use the position of the patient's ischial tuberosity to determine the patient's sacral pressure.

[0269] Sacral pressure releaser 2010 is configured to release the pressure from patient's sacrum, and sacral pressure releaser 2010 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or their combination. In certain embodiments, if the patient does not move the patient's sacrum at least at a threshold time amount (for example, any time from 30 minutes to 4 hours), sacral pressure releaser 2010 can release the pressure from the sacrum. Sacral pressure releaser 2010 can release the pressure from the patient's sacrum by inflating the airbag under the patient's back or thigh, deflating the airbag under the sacrum, or these two ways. Sacral pressure releaser 2010 can use radar sensors 1604, 1612 to locate appropriate airbags to inflate or deflate. In certain embodiments, sacral pressure releaser 2010 can change the pressure on the sacrum, thereby alleviating the pressure from other parts of the patient (for example, thigh).

[0270] The microclimate manager 2012 is configured to control airflow to one or more body parts of the patient (e.g., the heel, sacrum, and / or back), and the microclimate manager 2012 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or combinations thereof as described above. The microclimate manager 2012 interfaces with airflow controllers such as air flow controllers 1622, 1624 to control fans and / or pumps, humidity controllers, and / or temperature controllers. In this way, the microclimate manager 2012 can control air flow rate, humidity, and temperature in a target area to reduce skin moisture and improve patient comfort. The location of the airflow provided can be aimed at certain parts of the patient's body that can be located using the radar sensors 1604, 1612.

[0271] The P&V controller 2014 is configured to control the P&V bladder 1626, and the P&V controller 2014 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof. The P&V controller 2014 can determine when P&V treatment is needed, for example, by determining that the patient has not received P&V treatment for an amount of time exceeding a threshold amount of time. The threshold value can be any suitable value, such as any time between 30 minutes and 24 hours. In an illustrative embodiment, the threshold value is 2 hours. In some embodiments, the time threshold value can be determined based on the patient's symptoms. In some embodiments, it can be determined that P&V treatment is necessary based on the patient's symptoms. P&V treatment can be initiated based on the patient's symptoms, and / or a threshold time for performing P&V treatment can be set based on the patient's symptoms.

[0272] To perform the P&V treatment, the P&V controller 2014 monitors the patient's position. If necessary, the P&V controller 2014 can move the patient above the P&V bladder 1626. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the P&V controller 2014 can select a P&V bladder 1626 that is located below the patient's current position. The P&V controller 2014 can then perform the P&V treatment by inflating and deflating the selected P&V bladder 1626. In some embodiments, the P&V controller 2014 can monitor the amplitude of the patient's vibration, for example, by using a radar sensor. The amplitude of the inflation and deflation of the P&V bladder 1626 can be controlled based on the measured amplitude of the patient's vibration, thereby forming a "closed loop" for the P&V treatment.

[0273] The communication controller 2016 is configured to communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. The communication controller 2016 may be connected via, for example, Ethernet, The communication controller 2016 may communicate directly or indirectly with other devices via WiMAX, near field communication (NFC), etc. The communication controller 2016 may transmit data indicating heel pressure, data indicating sacral pressure, microclimate data, and data related to P&V. The communication controller 2016 may send an alert or notification to, for example, the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208 that the patient needs to unload pressure from the patient's heel, the patient needs to unload pressure from the patient's sacrum, the patient's microclimate needs to be adjusted, and / or P&V treatment is needed.

[0274] Reference now Fig.21 , in use, a method 2100 for rotating a patient may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 2100 may be performed by the control circuit 1606. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 2100 may be performed by a person, such as a caregiver of the patient. For example, the control circuit 1606 may indicate that the patient's sacral pressure should be relieved, and the caregiver may relieve the sacral pressure by inflating an air bag or rotating the patient. The method 2100 begins at box 2102, in which the control circuit 1606 monitors the pressure on the patient's heel. The control circuit 1606 may monitor the pressure of the heel based on the depth of the heel in the bed 1602 or based on any other suitable parameter.

[0275] In box 2104, if the control circuit 1606 is to release heel pressure, the method 2100 proceeds to box 2106, in which the control circuit 1606 sends a signal to notify one or more air bags to inflate or deflate to release pressure from the patient's heel. In some embodiments, if the patient does not move the patient's heel within at least a threshold amount of time (e.g., any time from 30 minutes to 4 hours), the control circuit 1606 can determine that pressure should be released from the heel. The control circuit 1606 can release pressure from the patient's heel by inflating an air bag under the patient's calf or ankle, deflating an air bag under the heel, or both. The heel control circuit 1606 can use radar sensors 1604, 1612 to locate the appropriate air bag for inflation or deflation.

[0276] Returning to block 2104, if the control circuit 1606 does not release the heel pressure, the method proceeds to block 2108 where the control circuit 1606 monitors the patient's sacral pressure. In block 2110, the control circuit 1606 may monitor the sacrum sinking into the bed 1602. In block 2112, the control circuit 1606 monitors the patient's ischial tuberosities and uses the position of the patient's ischial tuberosities to determine the patient's sacral pressure.

[0277] In frame 2114, if the control circuit 1606 does not release the sacral pressure, the method 2100 loops back to frame 2102 to monitor the pressure on the patient's heel. If the control circuit 1606 is to release the sacral pressure, the method 2100 proceeds to frame 2116, in which the control circuit system 1606 sends a signal to notify one or more air bags to inflate or deflate to release the pressure from the patient's sacrum. In some embodiments, if the patient does not move the patient's sacrum within at least a threshold amount of time (e.g., any time from 30 minutes to 4 hours), the control circuit 1606 can determine that the pressure should be released from the sacrum. The control circuit 1606 can release the pressure from the patient's sacrum by inflating the air bags under the patient's back or thighs, deflating the air bags under the sacrum, or both. The control circuit 1606 can use radar sensors 1604, 1612 to locate the appropriate air bags for inflation or deflation. Then, the method 2100 loops back to frame 2102 to monitor the pressure on the patient's heel.

[0278] Reference now Fig. 22, in use, a method 2200 for performing P&V treatment on a patient may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 2200 may be performed by the control circuit 1606. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 2200 may be performed by a person, such as a patient caregiver. For example, the caregiver may determine that P&V treatment should be performed, and then the caregiver may instruct the control circuit 1606 to perform the P&V treatment. The method 2200 begins at box 2202, in which the control circuit 1606 determines whether to perform P&V treatment. The control circuit 1606 may determine whether to perform P&V treatment by determining that the patient has not performed P&V treatment for an amount of time exceeding a threshold amount of time. The threshold may be any suitable value, such as any time between 30 minutes and 24 hours. In an illustrative embodiment, the threshold is 2 hours. In some embodiments, the threshold may be determined based on the patient's symptoms. In some embodiments, it may be determined that P&V treatment is necessary based on the patient's symptoms. P&V therapy may be initiated based on the patient's symptoms, and / or a threshold time for performing P&V therapy may be set based on the patient's symptoms.

[0279] In block 2204, if P&V therapy is not to be performed, the method 2200 loops back to block 2202 to determine whether P&V therapy should be performed. If P&V therapy is to be performed, the method 2200 continues to block 2206, where the control circuit 1606 receives a signal from a radar sensor monitoring the patient's position. In block 2208, the control circuit 1606 determines whether the patient should be repositioned for P&V therapy. For example, the control circuit 1606 may determine that the patient should be positioned over the P&V balloon 1626 before starting P&V therapy.

[0280] In block 2210, if the patient is to be repositioned, the method proceeds to block 2212 to reposition the patient over the P&V balloon 1626. In an illustrative embodiment, other balloons, such as the rotation balloon 1014, may be used to reposition the patient.

[0281] After the patient is repositioned, or if repositioning is not required, the method 2200 proceeds to block 2214 where the control circuit 1606 performs P&V therapy. The control circuit 1606 performs P&V therapy by rapidly inflating and deflating the P&V bladder 1626. In some embodiments, the control circuit 1606 may monitor the amplitude of the patient's vibrations, for example, by using a radar sensor. The amplitude of inflation and deflation of the P&V bladder 1626 may be controlled based on the measured amplitude of the patient's vibrations, thereby forming a "closed loop" for P&V therapy. After performing the P&V therapy, the method loops back to block 2202 to determine if further P&V therapy is required.

[0282] Reference now Fig.23 , in use, a method 2300 for microclimate management may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 2300 may be performed by the control circuit 1606. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 2300 may be performed by a person, such as a patient caregiver. For example, a caregiver may determine that the moisture level on the patient's sacrum should be reduced, and the caregiver may then instruct the control circuit 1606 to control the airflow to reduce moisture at the patient's sacrum. The method 2300 begins at box 2302, in which the control circuit 1606 monitors the position of the patient, such as the position of the patient's heels, sacrum, and back. In some embodiments, the control circuit 1606 may also monitor the temperature, humidity, and / or moisture level of certain parts of the patient, such as the patient's heels, sacrum, and back.

[0283] In block 2304, the control circuit 1606 determines a desired temperature and humidity level for one or more parts of the patient's body. The control circuit 1606 may make the determination based on any suitable factors, such as the duration that the patient's body part has been in contact with the surface of the bed 1602, the temperature of the room, a previously measured or observed humidity level of the patient, a patient's indicated wishes, input from a caregiver, etc.

[0284] In block 2306, the control circuit 1606 performs microclimate management on one or more parts of the patient's body. In block 2308, the control circuit 1606 controls the airflow rate to the one or more parts of the patient's body. In block 2310, the control circuit 1606 controls the airflow temperature to the one or more parts of the patient's body. In block 2312, the control circuit 1606 controls the airflow humidity level to the one or more parts of the patient's body. The method 2300 then loops back to block 2302.

[0285] Reference now Figure 24-Figure 29 In one embodiment, the bed 2402 includes one or more radar sensors 2404 connected to a control circuit 2406. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 2408 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 2404 and the control circuit 2406. Figure 6 The rack 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Figure 24-28 The bed 2402 is used together with the frame 2408.

[0286] In use, the control circuit 2406 can be configured to use the radar sensor 2404 to monitor the position of the patient, and in particular, can monitor the position of the patient in the room where the bed 2402 is located. For example, the control circuit 2406 can monitor the position of the patient on the bed 2402 (e.g., lying down or sitting up, such as Fig.24 ), or the control circuit 2406 can monitor the patient's position near the bed 2402 (e.g., sitting Fig.25 In some embodiments, one or more radar sensors may be positioned near the patient bed 2402 , such as a radar sensor 2414 on a wall near the patient bed 2402 .

[0287] The control circuit 2406 can detect that the patient 2410 is in several potentially dangerous activities or situations. For example, Fig.26 As shown, control circuit 2406 can determine that patient 2410 walking around the room has an unstable gait and needs assistance. Fig. 27 As shown, the control circuit 2406 can detect that the patient 2410 has fallen to the ground and alert the caregiver. Fig.28 As shown, the control circuit 2406 can detect a patient leaving the room and alert the caregiver accordingly.

[0288] Reference now Fig.29 In some embodiments, the bathroom 2902 may include one or more radar sensors 2904 connected to the control circuit 2406. The radar sensors 2904 may be used to monitor patients 2906 for falls in the bathroom 2902. In some embodiments, a radar sensor 2404 in the bed 2402 or other radar sensors 2412 outside the bathroom 2902 may be used to monitor patients in the bathroom 2902 because certain frequencies used by the radar sensors 2404, 2412 may pass through the walls of the bathroom 2902.

[0289] Reference now Fig.30In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 2406 establishes the environment 3000 during operation. The illustrative environment 3000 includes a radar controller 3002, a bed position monitor 3004, a patient chair position monitor 3006, a patient fall monitor 3008, a patient gait monitor 3010, and a caregiver monitor 3012. The various modules of the environment 3000 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 3000 can form part of a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 2406, or be established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 2406. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 3000 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., a radar controller circuit 3002, a bed position monitoring circuit 3004, a patient chair position monitoring circuit 3006, etc.). It should be understood that in such embodiments, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 3002, bed position monitoring circuit 3004, patient chair position monitoring circuit 3006, etc.) may form part of one of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of control circuit 2406. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more of the illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more of the illustrative modules may be independent of one another. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 3000 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures that may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 2406.

[0290] The radar controller 3002 is configured to interface with the radar sensors 2404, 2414, and the radar controller 3002 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The radar controller 2002 can send commands to the radar sensors 2404, 2414, configure the radar sensors 2404, 2414, and receive data from the radar sensors 2404, 2414. In an illustrative embodiment, the radar controller 3002 receives an indication of the signal received by the radar sensors 2404, 2414, such as intensity, phase, electric field, etc., received at each receiver of the radar sensors 2404, 2412. In some embodiments, the radar sensors 2404, 2414 can perform some pre-processing before sending the data to the radar controller 3002, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of the position or movement of the patient.

[0291] The bed position monitor 3004 is configured to monitor the position of the patient in the bed, and the bed position monitor 3004 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or a combination thereof as described above. The bed position monitor 3004 can determine whether the patient is lying, sitting, or in other positions.

[0292] The patient seating position monitor 3006 is configured to monitor the position or presence of the patient in the chair 2412, and the patient seating position monitor 3006 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The patient seating monitor 3006 can monitor the patient during the process of sitting down, when the patient is sitting, and when the patient is standing up.

[0293] The patient fall monitor 3008 is configured to monitor the patient's fall, and the patient fall monitor 3008 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The patient fall monitor 3008 can monitor the fall of a patient in the same room as the patient's bed 2402, and / or can monitor the fall of a patient in a different room (e.g., a bathroom) from the patient's bed 2402.

[0294] The patient gait monitor 3010 is configured to monitor the patient's gait, and the patient gait monitor 3010 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. If the patient gait monitor 3010 determines that the patient's gait is unstable, the patient gait monitor 3010 can send an alert to the caregiver that the patient may need some support.

[0295] The caregiver monitor 3012 is configured to monitor caregivers or other persons in the same room as the bed 2402. The caregiver monitor 3012 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The caregiver monitor 3012 can monitor the contact between the patient and the caregiver, monitor whether the caregiver or other person has washed his hands, how long the caregiver or other person is in the room, how long the caregiver consults the medical record, and the like.

[0296] The communication controller 3014 is configured to communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. The communication controller 3014 may be connected via, for example, Ethernet, The communication controller 3014 may communicate directly or indirectly with other devices via WiMAX, near field communication (NFC), etc. The communication controller 3014 may transmit data indicating the patient's location (e.g., in bed, in a chair, walking, etc.). The communication controller 3014 may send an alert or notification to, for example, the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208 that the patient has fallen, has an unsteady gait, or is leaving the room.

[0297] Reference now Fig.31 , in use, a method 3100 for monitoring a patient in a room may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 3100 may be performed by the control circuit 2406. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 3100 may be performed by a person, such as a patient caregiver. The method 3100 begins at box 3102, in which the control circuit 2406 monitors the position and movement of the patient. In box 3104, the control circuit 2406 may monitor the position of the patient in the bed 2402, such as monitoring whether the patient is lying, sitting, etc. In box 3106, the control circuit 2406 may monitor the position of the patient in the chair. The control circuit 2406 may monitor the patient during the patient's sitting process, when the patient is sitting, and during the patient's standing process. In box 3108, the control circuit 2406 may monitor the patient's gait. In box 3110, the control circuit 2406 monitors the patient for falls. The control circuit 2406 can monitor falls for patients in the same room as the bed 2402, and / or can monitor falls for patients in a different room than the bed 2402 (e.g., a bathroom).

[0298] In block 3112, if a patient fall is not detected, the method 3100 jumps to block 3116 to determine if an unsteady gait is detected. If a patient fall is detected, the method proceeds to block 3114, where the control circuit 2406 alerts the caregiver, for example, by sending a message to the nurse call system 208. The method 3100 then jumps to block 3120 to monitor the activity of other people in the room.

[0299] Returning to block 3112, if a patient fall is not detected, the method 3100 jumps to block 3116. At block 3116, if a gait instability is not detected, the method 3100 jumps to block 3120 to monitor the activities of other people in the room. If a gait instability is detected, the method 3100 proceeds to block 3118, in which the control circuit 2406 alerts the caregiver that the patient may need assistance, such as by sending a message to the nurse call system 208.

[0300] Then, the method 3100 proceeds to block 3120 to monitor the activities of other people in the room. The control circuit 2406 can monitor the caregivers or other people in the same room as the bed 2402. The control circuit 2406 can monitor the contact between the patient and the caregiver, monitor whether the caregiver or other people washed their hands, how long the caregiver or other people were in the room, how long the caregiver consulted the medical records, etc.

[0301] In block 3122, the control circuit 2406 stores data related to the patient's movement and data related to the movement of other persons, such as a caregiver. The method 3100 then loops back to block 3102 to continue monitoring the patient's position and movement in the room.

[0302] Reference now Figure 32 to Figure 35 In one embodiment, the bed 3202 includes one or more radar sensors 3204 connected to a control circuit 3206. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 3208 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 3204 and the control circuit 3206. Figure 6 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Fig.32 and Fig.33 The patient's bed 3202 also has a display 3212, which is positioned on the footboard 3214 at the foot end 3216 of the bed 3202 and can be seen by the patient 3210.

[0303] In use, the control circuit 3206 executes a program for assisting the patient in performing physical therapy, such as by presenting physical therapy exercises on the display 3206 for the patient to perform. The physical therapy may be any exercise suitable for the patient to perform in bed, such as exercises for extending the arms, lifting the legs, etc. For example, in one embodiment, the display 3212 may display an exercise for causing the patient to move her arms from Fig.32 The first position shown is raised to Fig.33 The patient's movements may be monitored using a radar sensor 3204, allowing feedback to be provided to a control circuit 3206. In some embodiments, physical therapy exercises may be "gamified," for example, by allowing a user to earn points or achievements based on the time spent performing an exercise or the results obtained. Physical therapy may be performed while the patient is supine, sitting, or in any other suitable position.

[0304] It should be understood that the use of radar sensors as feedback in performing physical therapy exercises is not limited to patients in bed. Fig.34As shown, in one embodiment, the radar sensor 3402 and the display 3404 are mounted on a mobile physical therapy device 3406, allowing the patient to perform physical therapy in any suitable position, such as standing, sitting, etc. The mobile physical therapy device 3406 includes a wheeled base 3408 having casters 3410 connected thereto. The mobile physical therapy device 3406 also includes a generally vertically oriented pole or mast 3412 extending upward from the base 3408. A pivotable arm 3414 extends from an upper region 3416 of the pole 3412, and the radar sensor 3402 is mounted to the distal end of the arm 3414 in a manner spaced apart from the pole 3412. The arm 3414 can be pivoted upward and downward relative to the pole 3412 to adjust the height at which the radar sensor 3402 is supported on the floor.

[0305] In some embodiments, arm 3414 can be moved vertically along rod 3412 to provide further adjustment of the vertical position of radar sensor 3402 relative to the floor. For example, a lockable and releasable collar can be connected to rod 3412, and arm 3414 can extend from the collar. When released, the collar can be moved up and down along rod 3412 and then can be locked in a desired position. In some embodiments, a clamp, lock, thumb screw or similar releasable locking device is provided for locking the collar relative to rod 3412.

[0306] In use, the mobile physical therapy device 3406 may be used to instruct the patient 3418 to Figure 32 to Figure 33 For example, the mobile physical therapy device 3406 may instruct the patient 3418 as to Fig.34 Place his arms at his sides as shown and then instruct patient 3418 to Fig.35 Of course, it will be appreciated that certain exercises may not be possible on the bed 3202, whereas these exercises may be performed while standing, such as walking exercises.

[0307] Reference now Fig.36In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 3206 establishes the environment 3600 during operation. The illustrative environment 3600 includes a radar controller 3602, a communication controller 3604, and a video-based physical therapy module 3606. The various modules of the environment 3600 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 3600 can form part of a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 3206, or be otherwise established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 3206. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 3600 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 3602, communication controller circuit 3604, video-based physical therapy circuit 3606, etc.). It should be understood that in such an embodiment, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 3602, communication controller circuit 3604, video-based physical therapy circuit 3606, etc.) can form part of one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of the control circuit 3206. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more illustrative modules may be independent of each other. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 3600 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures, which may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 3206.

[0308] The radar controller 3602 is configured to interface with the radar sensors 3204, 3402, and the radar controller 3602 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The radar controller 3602 can send commands to the radar sensors 3204, 3402, configure the radar sensors 3204, 3402, and receive data from the radar sensors 3204, 3402. In an illustrative embodiment, the radar controller 3602 receives an indication of a signal received by the radar sensors 3204, 3402, such as the intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of the radar sensors 3204, 3402. In some embodiments, the radar sensors 3204, 3402 can perform some pre-processing before sending the data to the radar controller 3602, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of the position or movement of the patient.

[0309] The communication controller 3604 is configured to communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. The communication controller 3604 may be connected via, for example, Ethernet, Communicates directly or indirectly with other devices via WiMAX, near field communication (NFC), etc. The communication controller 3604 may transmit data related to physical therapy exercises, such as previous patient performance data, instructions for physical therapy to be performed, and current patient performance data.

[0310] The video-based physical therapy module 3606 is configured to provide video instructions for physical therapy exercises to the patient, and the video-based physical therapy module 3606 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or a combination thereof as described above. Physical therapy exercises can be any suitable exercises, such as range of motion exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, coordination and balance exercises, walking exercises, general conditioning exercises, etc. The video-based physical therapy module 3606 can monitor the patient's movements during physical therapy exercises. The video-based physical therapy module 3606 can track the movement of the patient's limbs, trunk or other body parts. The video-based physical therapy module 3606 can compare the patient's movements with the movements indicated by the video-based physical therapy module 3606. In some embodiments, physical therapy exercises can be "gamed", such as allowing users to win points or achievements based on the time spent on exercising or the results obtained. Physical therapy can be performed when the patient is supine, sitting or in any other suitable position. The video-based physical therapy module 3606 can select physical therapy exercises for the patient based on, for example, exercises selected by the patient or caregiver, the patient's previous performance data, a predetermined physical therapy routine, etc.

[0311] Reference now Fig.37 , in use, a method 3700 for facilitating monitored physical therapy exercises performed by a patient may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 3700 may be performed by the control circuit 3206. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 3700 may be performed by a person such as a caregiver of the patient. For example, the caregiver may determine which physical therapy exercises should be performed and configure the control circuit 3206 to instruct the patient to perform those physical therapy exercises. The method 3700 begins at box 3702, in which the control circuit 3206 determines physical therapy exercises for the patient. The control circuit 3206 may determine the physical therapy exercises in any suitable manner, such as based on the patient's medical condition, the caregiver's configuration, and the like. In some embodiments, in box 3704, the control circuit 3206 may determine the exercises based on the patient's past performance. For example, if the patient previously successfully completed 10 minutes of physical therapy exercises, the control circuit 3206 may determine that 12 minutes of physical therapy exercises should be performed.

[0312] In box 3706, control circuit 3206 presents one or more instructions of exercise to the patient. For example, a video of a person or avatar can be presented on a display such as display 3212 or display 3404, and the user can be instructed to follow by moving the arm up, moving the arm down, etc. In box 3708, control circuit 3206 monitors the patient performing physical therapy exercise based on data acquired by radar sensor 3204 or radar sensor 3402, for example. It should be understood that in an illustrative embodiment, control circuit 3206 provides patient performance as feedback. For example, if the patient does not raise his arm high enough, control circuit 3206 can notify the patient and instruct the patient how to perform physical therapy exercise correctly. In some embodiments, such notification appears on display 3212 or display 3404.

[0313] In block 3710, the control circuit 3206 saves the patient performance data for the physical therapy exercise. The patient performance data may be used to monitor the patient's condition, develop a treatment plan, determine future physical therapy exercises, and the like.

[0314] Reference now Fig.38 and Fig.39 In one embodiment, the bed 3802 includes one or more radar sensors 3804 connected to a control circuit 3806. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 3808 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 3804 and the control circuit 3806. Figure 6 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Fig.38 and Fig.39 The bed 3802 is used together with the frame 3808.

[0315] In use, the control circuit 3806 monitors a patient 3810 who is sleeping or resting. The control circuit 3806 monitors certain movements of the patient 3810 that are indicative of the patient's comfort, such as whether the patient pushes up in bed, e.g. Fig.39 As shown. The control circuit 3806 can control certain parameters of the bed in response to the patient's movement to increase the patient's comfort. In an illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 3806 can change the pressure in one or more airbags on the surface of the bed 3802, such as an airbag supporting the patient's upper body, an airbag supporting the patient's sacrum, and / or an airbag supporting the patient's legs. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit 3806 can change the pressure ratio of two or more airbags. In some embodiments, data from multiple patients in multiple beds is aggregated and analyzed to determine appropriate pressure settings for different patients.

[0316] Reference now Fig.40In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 3806 establishes the environment 4000 during operation. The illustrative environment 4000 includes a radar controller 4002, a communication controller 4004, and a patient sleep monitor 4006. The various modules of the environment 4000 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 4000 can form part of a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 3806, or be established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 3806. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 4000 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 4002, communication controller circuit 4004, patient sleep monitor circuit 4006, etc.). It should be understood that in such an embodiment, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 4002, controller circuit 4004, patient sleep monitor circuit 4006, etc.) can constitute one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of the control circuit 3806. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more illustrative modules may be independent of each other. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 4000 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures, which may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 3806.

[0317] Radar controller 4002 is configured to interface with radar sensor 3806, and radar controller 4002 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. Radar controller 4002 can send commands to radar sensor 3806, configure radar sensor 3806, and receive data from radar sensor 3806. In an illustrative embodiment, radar controller 4002 receives an indication of a signal received by radar sensor 3806, such as the intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of radar sensor 3806. In some embodiments, radar sensor 3806 can perform some pre-processing before sending data to radar controller 4002, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of the position or movement of the patient.

[0318] The communication controller 4004 is configured to communicate with other devices such as the electronic medical record server 206 or the nurse call system 208. The communication controller 4004 can communicate via, for example, Ethernet, Communicates directly or indirectly with other devices via WiMAX, Near Field Communication (NFC), etc. The communication controller 4004 may transmit data related to the patient's movements while sleeping (eg, when the patient gets up in bed).

[0319] The patient sleep monitor 4006 is configured to monitor the patient while the patient is sleeping, and the patient sleep monitor 4006 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or a combination thereof as described above. The patient sleep monitor 4006 includes a patient getting up monitor 4008, a surface parameter regulator 4010, and a machine learning-based algorithm in box 4012.

[0320] Patient rising monitor 4008 is configured to monitor the patient rising in bed. The patient rising in bed can be used as an indication that the parameters such as the surface of the airbag can be improved to provide a more comfortable experience for the patient.

[0321] The surface parameter regulator 4010 is configured to adjust the parameters of the surface to improve the comfort of the patient. For example, the surface parameter regulator 4010 can change the pressure in one or more airbags of the surface of the bed 3802, such as airbags supporting the patient's upper body, airbags supporting the patient's sacrum, and / or airbags supporting the patient's legs. Additionally or alternatively, the surface parameter regulator 4010 can change the pressure ratio of two or more airbags.

[0322] The machine learning-based algorithm 4012 is configured to use a machine learning-based algorithm to determine parameters for the patient bed 3802. The machine learning-based algorithm 4012 may take as input patient parameters such as patient motion, patient position, patient weight, patient height, etc. The machine learning-based algorithm 4012 provides as output an appropriate pressure setting for one or more airbags. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the patient's parameters (including motion data corresponding to various airbag pressures) can be aggregated and used as training data to improve the machine learning-based algorithm 4012.

[0323] Reference now Fig.41 , in use, a method 4100 for monitoring sleep movements of a patient may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 4100 may be performed by the control circuit 3806. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 4100 may be performed by a person, such as a patient caregiver. The method 4100 begins at block 4102, in which the control circuit 3806 monitors the sleep movements of the patient, such as how often the patient gets up in bed.

[0324] In block 4104, the control circuit 3806 determines appropriate bed parameters based on the patient's sleep movements. For example, the control circuit 3806 may change the pressure in one or more airbags on the surface of the bed 3802, such as an airbag supporting the patient's upper body, an airbag supporting the patient's sacrum, and / or an airbag supporting the patient's legs. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuit 3806 may change the pressure ratio of two or more airbags. In some embodiments, the control circuit 3806 may use a machine learning-based algorithm to determine appropriate bed parameters based on the patient's sleep movements. After determining the appropriate bed parameters, the control circuit 3806 then applies those parameters.

[0325] In block 4106, the control circuit 3806 stores the patient's sleep movement data. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the patient's sleep movement data may be aggregated and used as training data for a machine learning-based algorithm, or the patient's sleep movement data may be analyzed to determine appropriate baseline bed parameters for a new patient.

[0326] Reference now Fig.42 and Fig.43 In one embodiment, the bed 4200 includes one or more radar sensors 4202 connected to a control circuit 4204. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 4206 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 4202 and the control circuit 4204. Figure 6 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Fig.42 and Fig.43 The bed 4200 is used in conjunction with the frame 4206. In the illustrative embodiment, one or more additional radar sensors 4208 can be located in the side rails or under the patient 4210.

[0327] In use, the control circuit 4204 monitors the breathing of a patient 4210 lying in a prone position. In particular, the control circuit 4204 monitors whether the surface of the bed 4200 is restricting the patient's breathing. If there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed 4200 when the patient 4210 inhales, then the surface of the bed 4200 is not restricting the patient's breathing. The control circuit 4204 may monitor the gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed 4200 in any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the control circuit 4204 may directly monitor the gap using a radar sensor 4208. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the control circuit 4204 may deflate the air bag below the sternum as the patient inhales, such as Fig.43 If there is still no gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed 4200, the airbag should be deflated further.

[0328] Reference now Fig.44In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 4204 establishes the environment 4400 during operation. The illustrative environment 4400 includes a radar controller 4402 and a patient prone posture monitor 4404. The various modules of the environment 4400 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 4400 can form part of a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 4204, or be otherwise established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 4204. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 4400 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 4402, patient prone posture monitor circuit 4404, etc.). It should be understood that in such an embodiment, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 4402, patient prone posture monitor circuit 4404, etc.) can form part of one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of the control circuit 4204. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more illustrative modules may form part of another module, and / or one or more illustrative modules may be independent of each other. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 4400 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures, which may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuit 4204.

[0329] Radar controller 4402 is configured to interface with radar sensors 4202, 4208, and radar controller 4402 may be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. Radar controller 4402 may send commands to radar sensors 4202, 4208, configure radar sensors 4202, 4208, and receive data from radar sensors 4202, 4208. In an illustrative embodiment, radar controller 4402 receives an indication of a signal received by radar sensors 4202, 4208, such as an intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of radar sensors 4202, 4208. In some embodiments, radar sensors 4202, 4208 may perform some pre-processing before sending data to radar controller 4402, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of patient position or motion.

[0330] The patient prone posture monitor 4404 is configured to monitor a sleeping patient, and the patient prone posture monitor 4404 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture and / or a combination thereof as described above. In particular, the patient prone posture monitor 4404 monitors whether the surface of the hospital bed 4200 is restricting the patient's breathing. If there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed 4200 when the patient 4210 inhales, the surface of the hospital bed 4200 does not restrict the patient's breathing. The patient prone posture monitor 4404 can monitor the gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed 4200 in any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the patient prone posture monitor 4404 can use a radar sensor 4208 to directly monitor the gap. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the patient prone posture monitor 4404 can deflate the airbag under the sternum as the patient inhales. If there is still no gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed 4200, the airbag should be deflated more. The surface parameter regulator 4406 of the patient prone posture monitor 4404 is configured to adjust the parameters of the surface to allow the patient the necessary space to breathe, for example by deflating an air bag under the patient's sternum. In some embodiments, if the gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed 4200 is too large, the surface parameter regulator 4406 may inflate the air bag under the patient's sternum.

[0331] Reference now Fig.45 , in use, a method 4500 for monitoring a patient in a prone position may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 4500 may be performed by the control circuit 4204. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 4500 may be performed by a person, such as a caregiver of the patient. The method 4500 begins at box 4502, in which the control circuit 4204 monitors a patient lying in a prone position. In box 4504, the control circuit 4204 may monitor the presence of a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed 4200. Additionally or alternatively, in box 4506 the control circuit 4204 may reduce the air bag pressure below the sternum as the patient inhales to monitor in box 4504 whether a gap exists.

[0332] In block 4508, the control circuit 4204 determines bed parameters for a patient in a prone position based on patient monitoring. For example, if there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed 4200, the control circuit 4204 may determine that the pressure of the airbag under the patient's sternum should be reduced. If the gap is too large, the control circuit 4204 may determine that the pressure of the airbag under the patient's sternum should be increased.

[0333] In block 4510, the control circuit 4204 applies the bed parameters, for example, by inflating or deflating one or more air bags. The method 4500 then loops back to block 4502 to continue monitoring the patient in the prone position.

[0334] Reference now Fig.46 In one embodiment, the bed 4602 includes one or more radar sensors 4604 connected to a control circuit 4606. In the illustrative example, a radar support frame 4608 is used to support the one or more radar sensors 4604 and the control circuit 4606. Figure 6 610 is discussed, and the discussion is equally applicable to Fig.46 The support frame 4608 is used together with the bed 4600. In some embodiments, one or more additional radar sensors can be located in the side rails or under the patient 4610.

[0335] In use, the control circuit 4608 estimates the weight of the patient 4610 based at least in part on data from the one or more radar sensors 4604. For example, the control circuit 4608 can measure the contours of the patient and / or perform a 3D scan of the patient. The control circuit 4608 can thereby determine the volume of the patient, estimate the average density of the patient, and thereby estimate the weight of the patient.

[0336] Reference now Fig.47 In the illustrative embodiment, the control circuit 4606 establishes the environment 4700 during operation. The illustrative environment 4700 includes a radar controller 4702 and a remote weight sensor 4704. The various modules of the environment 4700 can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. For example, the various modules, logic, and other components of the environment 4700 can form part of a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 4606, or be otherwise established by a processor, memory, or other hardware component of the control circuit 4606. Therefore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of the environment 4700 can be implemented as a circuit or collection of electrical devices (e.g., radar controller circuit 4702, remote weight sensor circuit 4704, etc.). It should be understood that in such an embodiment, one or more circuits (e.g., radar controller circuit 4702, remote weight sensor circuit 4704, etc.) can form part of one or more of the processor, memory, data storage, and / or other components of the control circuit 4606. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more illustrative modules can form part of another module, and / or one or more illustrative modules can be independent of each other. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more modules of environment 4700 may be implemented as virtualized hardware components or emulation architectures that may be established and maintained by a processor or other component of control circuitry 4606 .

[0337] Radar controller 4702 is configured to interface with radar sensor 4604, and radar controller 4702 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. Radar controller 4702 can send commands to radar sensor 4604, configure radar sensor 4604, and receive data from radar sensor 4604. In an illustrative embodiment, radar controller 4702 receives an indication of a signal received by radar sensor 4604, such as the intensity, phase, electric field, etc. received at each receiver of radar sensor 4604. In some embodiments, radar sensor 4604 can perform some pre-processing before sending data to radar controller 4702, such as processing the received data to provide an indication of patient position or movement.

[0338] The remote weight sensor 4704 is configured to estimate the weight of the patient in the bed 4602. The remote weight sensor 4704 can be implemented as hardware, firmware, software, virtualized hardware, simulation architecture, and / or a combination thereof as described above. The remote weight sensor 4704 includes an upper body contour mapper 4706, a lateral body contour mapper 4708, a volume estimator 4710, and a weight estimator 4712.

[0339] The upper body contour mapper 4706 is configured to map the contour or 3D surface of the patient using a radar sensor positioned above the patient 4610. The side body contour mapper 4708 is configured to map the contour or 3D surface of the patient using a radar sensor positioned to the side of the patient 4610. It should be understood that in some embodiments, radar signals can pass through clothing, blankets, and sheets, which allows the estimated patient weight to be determined even when the patient is covered.

[0340] The volume estimator 4710 is configured to estimate the volume of the patient. The volume estimator 4710 can use upper body and / or side body contour mapping to estimate the volume of the patient.

[0341] The weight estimator 4712 is configured to estimate the weight of the patient 4610 based on the estimated patient volume. The weight estimator 4712 may estimate the patient's density, or may use input from a caregiver, such as a measured body fat percentage.

[0342] Reference now Fig.48, in use, a method 4800 for estimating a patient's weight may be performed. In some embodiments, some or all of the method 4800 may be performed by the control circuit 4606. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, certain portions of the method 4800 may be performed by a person, such as a patient caregiver. The method 4800 begins at block 4802, in which the control circuit 4606 performs upper body contour mapping. In block 4804, the control circuit 4606 performs side body contour mapping.

[0343] In block 4806, control circuit 4606 estimates the patient's volume. Control circuit 4606 may use upper body and / or side body contour mapping to estimate the patient's volume. In block 4808, control circuit 4606 estimates the weight of patient 4610 based on the estimated patient volume. Control circuit 4606 may estimate the patient's density, or may use input from a caregiver, such as a measured body fat percentage.

[0344] Unless otherwise specified, Figure 1 The discussion of the bed 102 and its various components (including radar sensors 106, 108, 110 and control circuit 112) also applies to Figure 3 , 6 , 10, 16, 24, 32, 38, 42 and 46 have beds 300, 602, 1002, 1602, 2402, 3202, 3802, 4200, 4602 respectively.

[0345] The embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to the following numbered clauses:

[0346] 1. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to: transmit a radar signal to the patient and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and circuitry configured to: receive data indicative of reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors, and determine one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0347] 2. The system of clause 1, wherein determining one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient comprises determining a body contour of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0348] 3. The system of clause 1 , wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a Braden score based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0349] 4. The system of clause 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a patient's risk of developing a pressure sore based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0350] 5. The system of clause 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a movement trend of the patient over a period of at least one week based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0351] 6. A system as described in clause 5, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine that the motion has changed by at least a threshold amount based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and provide an indication to a caregiver that the motion has changed by at least the threshold amount.

[0352] 7. The system of clause 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to detect an onset of illness in the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0353] 8. The system of clause 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine whether a patient is leaving a bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0354] 9. A system for monitoring the movement of a patient, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and a circuit configured to receive data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors, and determine position parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, wherein the position parameters indicate a position or orientation of the patient on the hospital bed.

[0355] 10. The system of clause 9, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient should be turned based on a position parameter of the patient.

[0356] 11. The system of clause 10, wherein determining whether the patient should be turned comprises determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent a pressure sore.

[0357] 12. The system of clause 10, wherein determining whether the patient should turn comprises determining whether the patient should turn to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[0358] 13. The system of clause 10, wherein determining whether the patient should be turned comprises determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

[0359] 14. The system of clause 10, wherein determining whether the patient should turn comprises determining that the patient has not turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

[0360] 15. The system of clause 9, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient based on the position parameter, and to send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0361] 16. A system according to clause 9, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed based on the position parameter, and send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0362] 17. A system according to claim 9, wherein the circuit is further configured to: determine a subset of multiple percussion and vibration (P&V) airbags of the bed to be inflated to perform percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy on the patient based on the position parameters, wherein the selected subset of multiple P&V airbags are P&V airbags below the patient's current position; and send a signal to inflate the subset of multiple P&V airbags.

[0363] 18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the circuit is further configured to: transmit additional radar signals to the patient during P&V treatment through the one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive additional data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient; determine the amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the P&V treatment based on the additional data from the one or more radar sensors; and adjust the signal sent to inflate a subset of the multiple P&V airbags based on the amplitude of the patient's vibration.

[0364] 19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the circuit is further configured to: determine a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed based on the position parameter; and before sending a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of P&V airbags, send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

[0365] 20. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to: transmit a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and a circuit configured to: receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient, determine a body part of the patient in contact with a surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine one or more airbags to be controlled to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and control the one or more airbags to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed.

[0366] 21. A system according to clause 20, wherein the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's heel.

[0367] 22. A system according to clause 20, wherein the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's sacrum.

[0368] 23. A system for managing a patient's microclimate, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to a patient in a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and a circuit configured to: receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient, determine a target body part of the patient for microclimate management, determine a position of the target body part based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and control airflow to the target body part based on the determined position of the target body part.

[0369] 24. The system of clause 23, wherein controlling airflow to the target body part comprises controlling airflow to the target body part based on a moisture level of the target body part.

[0370] 25. The system of clause 23, wherein controlling the airflow to the target body part comprises controlling the humidity of the airflow to the target body part.

[0371] 26. The system of clause 23, wherein controlling the airflow to the target body part comprises controlling the temperature of the airflow to the target body part.

[0372] 27. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to: send a radar signal to a patient in a room and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and a circuit configured to: receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient, and determine one or more parameters indicating the patient's position based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0373] 28. A system according to clause 27, wherein determining one or more parameters indicating the position of a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors includes: determining the amount of time the patient is lying in a bed, determining the amount of time the patient is sitting in a bed, determining the amount of time the patient is sitting in a chair, and determining the amount of time the patient is standing or walking.

[0374] 29. A system according to clause 27, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient has an unsteady gait based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to issue an alarm to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has an unsteady gait.

[0375] 30. A system according to clause 27, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient is leaving the room based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to alert a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has left the room.

[0376] 31. A system according to clause 27, wherein the circuit is further configured to determine whether the patient has fallen to the ground based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and to alert a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has fallen to the ground.

[0377] 32. The system of clause 27, wherein determining whether the patient has fallen comprises determining whether the patient has fallen in a second room different from the room having the one or more radar sensors.

[0378] 33. The system of clause 27, wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room.

[0379] 34. The system of clause 33, wherein the one or more parameters indicative of the caregiver's activity in the room indicate an amount of interaction of the caregiver with the patient.

[0380] 35. The system of clause 33, wherein the one or more parameters indicative of a caregiver's activity in the room indicate whether the caregiver has washed the caregiver's hands.

[0381] 36. The system of clause 33, wherein the one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room indicate an amount of time the caregiver spends reviewing a patient's medical records.

[0382] 37. A system for facilitating physical therapy exercises, the system comprising: a circuit configured to present physical therapy instructions to a patient; and one or more radar sensors configured to: transmit a radar signal to the patient after presenting the physical therapy instructions, and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient, wherein the circuit is further configured to: transmit the radar signal to the patient through the one or more radar sensors after presenting the physical therapy instructions, receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors, receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient, determine movement parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and compare the movement parameters of the patient with the physical therapy instructions.

[0383] 38. A system according to clause 37, wherein presenting physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, wherein the patient is in a bed, and wherein the display is attached to the bed.

[0384] 39. The system of clause 37, wherein presenting physical therapy instructions to the patient comprises presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, and wherein the display is attached to a mobile physical therapy instruction exercise device.

[0385] 40. The system of clause 37, wherein the circuitry is further configured to store performance data of the patient during an exercise session associated with the physical therapy instructions, wherein the performance data indicates a response of the patient to the physical therapy instructions.

[0386] 41. The system of clause 40, wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine, based on the performance data, second physical therapy instructions for a second exercise session different from the first exercise session.

[0387] 42. A system for monitoring a patient's sleep, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit radar signals to a patient in a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient; and a circuit configured to: receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of radar signals from the patient, determine an indication of the patient getting up from the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine pressure parameters for one or more airbags in the bed based on the indication of the patient getting up from the bed, and apply the pressure parameters to the one or more airbags in the bed.

[0388] 43. The system of clause 42, wherein determining pressure parameters for one or more airbags in the hospital bed comprises determining pressure parameters for the one or more airbags in the hospital bed using a machine learning based algorithm.

[0389] 44. A system according to clause 42, wherein the circuit is further configured to update the machine learning-based algorithm based on the patient getting up in the bed.

[0390] 45. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising: one or more radar sensors configured to transmit a radar signal to a patient in a prone position on a hospital bed and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and a circuit configured to: receive data from the one or more radar sensors through the circuit indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient, and determine whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed when the patient inhales based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0391] 46. ​​A system according to clause 45, wherein the circuit is further configured to deflate one or more air bags below the patient's sternum in response to determining that there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales.

[0392] 47. A system according to clause 45, wherein determining whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales includes deflating one or more air bags below the patient's sternum when the patient inhales.

[0393] 48. A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to the patient via one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors via a circuit that indicates reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and determining, by the circuit, one or more parameters that indicate movement of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0394] 49. The method of clause 48, wherein determining one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient comprises determining a body contour of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0395] 50. The method of clause 48, further comprising determining a Braden score based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0396] 51. The method of clause 48, further comprising determining a patient's risk of a pressure ulcer based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0397] 52. The method of clause 48, further comprising determining a movement trend of the patient over a period of at least one week based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0398] 53. The method of clause 52, further comprising determining, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, that the motion has changed by at least a threshold amount, and providing an indication to a caregiver that the motion has changed by at least the threshold amount.

[0399] 54. The method of clause 48, further comprising detecting an onset of illness in a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0400] 55. The method of clause 48, further comprising determining whether a patient is leaving a bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0401] 56. A method for monitoring the movement of a patient, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed via one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient via a circuit from the one or more radar sensors; and determining position parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors by the circuit, wherein the position parameters are used to indicate the position or orientation of the patient on the hospital bed.

[0402] 57. The method of clause 56, further comprising: determining, by the circuitry based on the position parameters of the patient, whether the patient should be turned.

[0403] 58. The method of clause 57, wherein determining whether the patient should be turned comprises determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent a pressure sore.

[0404] 59. The method of clause 57, wherein determining whether the patient should turn comprises determining whether the patient should turn to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[0405] 60. The method of clause 57, wherein determining whether the patient should be turned comprises determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

[0406] 61. The method of clause 57, wherein determining whether the patient should turn comprises determining that the patient has not turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

[0407] 62. The method according to clause 56 also includes: determining by the circuit a subset of multiple rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient based on the position parameter; and sending a signal to inflate the subset of multiple rotating bladders through the circuit.

[0408] 63. The method according to clause 56 also includes: determining by the circuit based on the position parameter a subset of multiple rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and sending a signal through the circuit to inflate the subset of multiple rotating bladders.

[0409] 64. The method according to clause 56 also includes: the circuit determining, based on the position parameters, a subset of multiple percussion and vibration (P&V) airbags of the bed to be inflated to perform percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy on the patient, wherein the selected subset of the multiple P&V airbags are the P&V airbags below the patient's current position; and sending a signal through the circuit to inflate the subset of the multiple P&V airbags.

[0410] 65. The method according to clause 64 also includes: transmitting additional radar signals to the patient during P&V treatment through the one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving additional data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient through the circuit; determining, by the circuit, the amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the P&V treatment based on the additional data from the one or more radar sensors; and adjusting, by the circuit, the signal sent to inflate a subset of the multiple P&V airbags based on the amplitude of vibration of the patient.

[0411] 66. The method according to clause 64 also includes: determining by the circuit a subset of multiple rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed based on the position parameters; and, before sending a signal to inflate the subset of the multiple P&V bladders, sending a signal through the circuit to inflate the subset of the multiple rotating bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

[0412] 67. A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to the patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; determining, by the circuit based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, the part of the patient's body in contact with the surface of the bed; determining, by the circuit based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, one or more airbags to be controlled to release pressure from the part of the body in contact with the surface of the bed; and controlling, by the circuit, the one or more airbags to release pressure from the part of the body in contact with the surface of the bed.

[0413] 68. A method according to clause 67, wherein the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's heel.

[0414] 69. A method according to clause 67, wherein the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's sacrum.

[0415] 70. A method for managing a patient's microclimate, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed via one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient via a circuit; determining a target body part of the patient for microclimate management via the circuit; determining a position of the target body part by the circuit based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and controlling airflow to the target body part by the circuit based on the determined position of the target body part.

[0416] 71. The method of clause 70, wherein controlling airflow to the target body part comprises controlling airflow to the target body part based on a moisture level of the target body part.

[0417] 72. The method of clause 70, wherein controlling the airflow to the target body part comprises controlling the humidity of the airflow to the target body part.

[0418] 73. The method of clause 70, wherein controlling the airflow to the target body part comprises controlling the temperature of the airflow to the target body part.

[0419] 74. A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to a patient in a room via one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient via a circuit; and determining, by the circuit, one or more parameters indicating the position of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0420] 75. A method according to clause 74, wherein determining by the circuit one or more parameters indicating the position of a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors includes: determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is lying in a bed; determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is sitting in a bed; determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is sitting in a chair; and determining by the circuit the amount of time the patient is standing or walking.

[0421] 76. The method according to clause 74 also includes: the circuit determining whether the patient has an unstable gait based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and the circuit issuing an alarm to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has an unstable gait.

[0422] 77. The method according to clause 74 also includes: the circuit determining whether the patient is leaving the room based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and the circuit alerting the caregiver in response to determining that the patient has left the room.

[0423] 78. The method according to clause 74 also includes: the circuit determining whether the patient has fallen to the ground based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and the circuit alerting a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has fallen to the ground.

[0424] 79. The method of clause 74, wherein determining whether the patient has fallen comprises determining whether the patient has fallen in a second room different from the room having the one or more radar sensors.

[0425] 80. The method of clause 74, further comprising determining, by the circuit, one or more parameters indicative of activity of a caregiver in the room.

[0426] 81. The method of clause 80, wherein the one or more parameters indicative of activity of the caregiver in the room are indicative of an amount of interaction of the caregiver with the patient.

[0427] 82. The method of clause 80, wherein the one or more parameters indicative of a caregiver's activity in the room indicate whether the caregiver has washed the caregiver's hands.

[0428] 83. The method of clause 80, wherein the one or more parameters indicative of the activity of the caregiver in the room indicate an amount of time the caregiver spends reviewing the patient's medical records.

[0429] 84. A method for facilitating physical therapy exercises, the method comprising: presenting physical therapy instructions to a patient through a circuit; transmitting a radar signal to the patient through one or more radar sensors after presenting the physical therapy instructions; receiving reflections of the radar signals from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient through the circuit; determining, by the circuit, movement parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and comparing, by the circuit, the movement parameters of the patient with the physical therapy instructions.

[0430] 85. The method of clause 84, wherein presenting physical therapy instructions to the patient comprises presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, wherein the patient is in a bed, and wherein the display is attached to the bed.

[0431] 86. The method of clause 84, wherein presenting physical therapy instructions to the patient comprises presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, and wherein the display is attached to a mobile physical therapy instruction exercise device.

[0432] 87. The method of clause 84, further comprising storing, by the circuit, performance data of the patient during an exercise session associated with the physical therapy instructions, wherein the performance data indicates a response of the patient to the physical therapy instructions.

[0433] 88. The method of clause 87, further comprising determining, by the circuitry based on the performance data, second physical therapy instructions for a second exercise session different from the first exercise session.

[0434] 89. A method for monitoring a patient's sleep, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; determining, by the circuit, an indication that the patient has stood up from the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determining, by the circuit, pressure parameters of one or more airbags in the hospital bed based on the indication that the patient has stood up from the bed; and applying the pressure parameters to one or more airbags in the hospital bed through the circuit.

[0435] 90. The method of clause 89, wherein determining pressure parameters of one or more airbags in a hospital bed comprises determining pressure parameters of one or more airbags in the hospital bed using a machine learning based algorithm.

[0436] 91. The method according to clause 89 also includes: updating the machine learning-based algorithm based on the patient getting up from the bed.

[0437] 92. A method for monitoring a patient, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to a patient in a prone position on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receiving reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receiving data indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit; and determining by the circuit whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0438] 93. The method of clause 92 further comprises: the circuit deflation of one or more air bags below the patient's sternum in response to determining that there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the bed surface when the patient inhales.

[0439] 94. A method according to clause 92, wherein determining whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the bed surface when the patient inhales includes deflating one or more air bags under the patient's sternum through the circuit when the patient inhales.

[0440] 95. One or more computer-readable media comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause a computing device to: transmit a radar signal to a patient via one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine one or more parameters indicating movement of the patient.

[0441] 96. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 95, wherein determining one or more parameters indicative of movement of the patient comprises determining a body contour of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0442] 97. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 95, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine a Braden score based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0443] 98. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 95, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine a patient's risk of developing a pressure sore based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0444] 99. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 95, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine a patient's movement trends over a period of at least one week based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0445] 100. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 99, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, that the motion has changed by at least a threshold amount, and provide an indication to a caregiver that the motion has changed by at least the threshold amount.

[0446] 101. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 95, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: detect an onset of a patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0447] 102. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 95, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine whether a patient is leaving a bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors.

[0448] 103. One or more computer-readable media, comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: transmit a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed via one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and determine position parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, wherein the position parameters indicate a position or orientation of the patient on the hospital bed.

[0449] 104. The one or more computer-readable media of clause 103, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine whether the patient should be turned based on the position parameters of the patient.

[0450] 105. The one or more computer-readable media of clause 104, wherein determining whether the patient should be turned comprises determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent a pressure sore.

[0451] 106. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 104, wherein determining whether the patient should turn comprises determining whether the patient should turn to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

[0452] 107. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 104, wherein determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

[0453] 108. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 104, wherein determining whether the patient should turn comprises determining that the patient has not turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

[0454] 109. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 103, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient, and send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0455] 110. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 103, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed, and send a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

[0456] 111. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 103, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of multiple percussion and vibration (P&V) airbags of the bed to be inflated to perform percussion and vibration (P&V) therapy on the patient, wherein the selected subset of multiple P&V airbags are P&V airbags below the patient's current position; and send a signal to inflate the subset of multiple P&V airbags.

[0457] 112. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 111, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: transmit additional radar signals to the patient via one or more radar sensors during P&V treatment; receive reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive additional data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the additional radar signals from the patient; determine an amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the P&V treatment based on the additional data from the one or more radar sensors; and adjust the signal sent to inflate a subset of the plurality of P&V airbags based on the amplitude of vibration of the patient.

[0458] 113. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 111, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine, based on the position parameters, a subset of a plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and send a signal to inflate a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed before sending a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of P&V airbags.

[0459] 114. One or more computer-readable media, comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: send a radar signal to a patient on a hospital bed via one or more radar sensors; and receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient via one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine a body part of the patient in contact with a surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determine one or more airbags to be controlled to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and control the one or more airbags to release pressure from the body part in contact with the surface of the bed.

[0460] 115. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 114, wherein the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's heel.

[0461] 116. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 114, wherein the body part in contact with the bed surface is the patient's sacrum.

[0462] 117. One or more computer-readable media, comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: transmit a radar signal to a patient in a hospital bed via one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine a target body part of the patient for microclimate management; determine a position of the target body part based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and control airflow to the target body part based on the determined position of the target body part.

[0463] 118. The one or more computer-readable media of clause 117, wherein controlling airflow to the target body part comprises controlling airflow to the target body part based on a moisture level of the target body part.

[0464] 119. The one or more computer-readable media of clause 117, wherein controlling airflow to the target body part comprises controlling humidity of the airflow to the target body part.

[0465] 120. The one or more computer-readable media of clause 117, wherein controlling the flow of air to the target body part comprises controlling a temperature of the flow of air to the target body part.

[0466] 121. One or more computer-readable media comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: transmit a radar signal to a patient in a room via one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, determine one or more parameters indicating a position of the patient.

[0467] 122. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 121, wherein determining one or more parameters for indicating a patient's position based on the data from the one or more radar sensors includes: determining an amount of time the patient is lying in a bed; determining an amount of time the patient is sitting in a bed; determining an amount of time the patient is sitting in a chair; and, determining an amount of time the patient is standing or walking.

[0468] 123. One or more computer-readable media according to clause 121, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine whether the patient has an unsteady gait based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and send an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has an unsteady gait.

[0469] 124. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 121, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine whether a patient is leaving a room based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and send an alert to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has left the room.

[0470] 125. One or more computer-readable media according to clause 121, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine whether the patient has fallen to the ground based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, and send an alarm to a caregiver in response to determining that the patient has fallen to the ground.

[0471] 126. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 121, wherein determining whether the patient has fallen to the ground includes: determining whether the patient has fallen to the ground in a second room different from the room having the one or more radar sensors.

[0472] 127. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 121, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine one or more parameters indicating activity of a caregiver in the room.

[0473] 128. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 127, wherein the one or more parameters indicating activity of the caregiver in the room indicate an amount of interaction of the caregiver with the patient.

[0474] 129. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 127, wherein the one or more parameters indicating the activity of the caregiver in the room indicate whether the caregiver has washed the caregiver's hands.

[0475] 130. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 127, wherein the one or more parameters indicating the activity of the caregiver in the room indicate an amount of time the caregiver spends reviewing the patient's medical records.

[0476] 131. One or more computer-readable media, comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: present physical therapy instructions to a patient; after presenting the physical therapy instructions, transmit a radar signal to the patient via one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signals from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signals from the patient; determine motion parameters of the patient based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; and, compare the motion parameters of the patient with the physical therapy instructions.

[0477] 132. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 131, wherein presenting physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, wherein the patient is in a bed, and wherein the display is attached to the bed.

[0478] 133. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 131, wherein presenting physical therapy instructions to the patient includes presenting the physical therapy instructions on a display, and wherein the display is attached to a mobile physical therapy instruction exercise device.

[0479] 134. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 131, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: store performance data of the patient during an exercise session associated with the physical therapy instructions, wherein the performance data indicates a response of the patient to the physical therapy instructions.

[0480] 135. One or more computer-readable media of clause 134, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: determine, based on the performance data, second physical therapy instructions for a second exercise session different from the first exercise session.

[0481] 136. One or more computer-readable media, comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: transmit a radar signal to a patient in a hospital bed via one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient via the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors indicating reflections of the radar signal from the patient; determine an indication of the patient getting up from the bed based on the data from the one or more radar sensors; determine pressure parameters of one or more airbags in the hospital bed based on the indication of the patient getting up from the bed; and, apply the pressure parameters to the one or more airbags in the hospital bed.

[0482] 137. One or more computer-readable media according to clause 136, wherein determining the pressure parameters of one or more airbags in the bed comprises using a machine learning-based algorithm to determine the pressure parameters of the one or more airbags in the bed.

[0483] 138. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 136, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to: update a machine learning-based algorithm based on the patient getting up from the bed.

[0484] 139. One or more computer-readable media, comprising a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, cause a computing device to: transmit a radar signal to a patient in a prone position on a hospital bed through one or more radar sensors; receive reflections of the radar signal from the patient through the one or more radar sensors; receive data from the one or more radar sensors through a circuit that indicates reflections of the radar signal from the patient; and determine, based on the data from the one or more radar sensors, whether there is a gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the hospital bed when the patient inhales.

[0485] 140. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 139, wherein the plurality of instructions further cause the computing device to deflate one or more air bags beneath the patient's sternum in response to determining that there is no gap between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales.

[0486] 141. One or more computer-readable media as described in clause 139, wherein determining whether a gap exists between the patient's sternum and the surface of the bed when the patient inhales includes deflating one or more air bags beneath the patient's sternum when the patient inhales.

[0487] Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detail above, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit described in this disclosure and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring movement of a patient, the system comprising: A plurality of radar sensors connected to a hospital bed and positioned above a patient on the hospital bed, each of the plurality of radar sensors being configured as: transmits a radar signal to a patient in a hospital bed; and receiving a reflection of the radar signal from the patient, and The circuit is configured as: receiving data indicative of the reflections of the radar signals from the patient from the plurality of radar sensors, and determining a position parameter of a patient based on the data from the plurality of radar sensors, wherein the position parameter indicates a position or orientation of the patient in a hospital bed; The hospital bed comprises a base, an upper frame assembly and a lifting system connecting the upper frame assembly to the base. The bed comprises a mast having a lower end connected to the upper frame assembly, a first arm extending from an upper end of the mast in a longitudinal direction of the bed, and a right arm and a left arm extending in a cantilever manner from a right side and a left side of the first arm, respectively, the plurality of radar sensors comprising a first radar sensor connected to the first arm, a second radar sensor connected to the right arm, and a third radar sensor connected to the left arm; and Identify the patient's target body area for microclimate management; The location of the target body part is determined based on the data from the plurality of radar sensors, and airflow to the target body part is controlled based on the determined location of the target body part.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit is also configured as: Based on the position parameters of the patient, it is determined whether the patient should be turned.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent pressure sores.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining that the patient has not been turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit is also configured as: determining a subset of a plurality of rotation bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient based on the position parameter, and A signal is sent to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit is also configured as: determining, based on the position parameters, a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed, and A signal is sent to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit is also configured as: determining, based on the position parameter, a subset of a plurality of percussion and vibration airbags of the bed to be inflated to perform percussion and vibration therapy on the patient, wherein the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration airbags are the percussion and vibration airbags below the current position of the patient; and A signal is sent to inflate the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration air cells.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein: The circuit is also configured as: transmitting additional radar signals to a patient during the percussion and vibration therapy via one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor; receiving, by one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor, a reflection of the additional radar signal from the patient; receiving additional data from one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor indicative of the reflection of the additional radar signal from the patient; determining an amplitude of vibration of a patient caused by the percussion and vibration therapy based on the additional data from one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor; and The signal sent to inflate the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration bladders is adjusted based on the amplitude of the vibration of the patient.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein: The circuit is also configured as: determining, based on the position parameter, a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and Prior to sending the signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration bladders, sending a signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotation bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

12. A method for monitoring movement of a patient, the method comprising: transmitting a radar signal to a patient in a hospital bed via each of a plurality of radar sensors coupled to the hospital bed and positioned above the patient in the hospital bed; receiving, by each of the plurality of radar sensors, a reflection of the radar signal from a patient; receiving, by circuitry, data from each of the plurality of radar sensors indicative of the reflection of the radar signal from a patient; and determining, by the circuitry, a position parameter of the patient based on the data from each of the plurality of radar sensors, wherein the position parameter is indicative of a position or orientation of the patient on the bed; The hospital bed comprises a base, an upper frame assembly and a lifting system connecting the upper frame assembly to the base. The bed comprises a mast having a lower end connected to the upper frame assembly, a first arm extending from an upper end of the mast in a longitudinal direction of the bed, and a right arm and a left arm extending in a cantilever manner from a right side and a left side of the first arm, respectively, the plurality of radar sensors comprising a first radar sensor connected to the first arm, a second radar sensor connected to the right arm, and a third radar sensor connected to the left arm; and Identify the patient's target body area for microclimate management; The location of the target body part is determined based on the data from the plurality of radar sensors, and airflow to the target body part is controlled based on the determined location of the target body part.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: A determination is made by the circuit based on the position parameter of the patient whether the patient should be turned.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent pressure sores.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to prevent laryngopharyngeal reflux.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining whether the patient should be turned to elevate the patient's lungs.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Determining whether the patient should be turned includes determining that the patient has not been turned for at least a threshold amount of time.

18. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: determining, by the circuitry based on the position parameter, a subset of a plurality of rotation bladders of the bed to be inflated to rotate the patient; and A signal is sent through the circuit to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: determining, by the circuitry based on the position parameter, a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and A signal is sent through the circuit to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotating bladders.

20. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: determining, by the circuitry based on the position parameter, a subset of a plurality of percussion and vibration bladders of the bed to be inflated to perform percussion and vibration therapy on the patient, wherein the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration bladders are the percussion and vibration bladders below the current position of the patient; and A signal is sent through the circuit to inflate the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration air cells.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: transmitting additional radar signals to a patient during the percussion and vibration therapy by one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor; receiving, by one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor, a reflection of the additional radar signal from the patient; receiving, by the circuitry, additional data from one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor indicative of the reflection of the additional radar signal from the patient; determining, by the circuitry based on the additional data from one or more of the first radar sensor, the second radar sensor, and the third radar sensor, an amplitude of vibration of the patient caused by the tapping and vibration therapy; and The signal sent to inflate the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration bladders is adjusted by the circuitry based on the amplitude of the vibration of the patient.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: determining, by the circuitry based on the position parameter, a subset of the plurality of rotating bladders of the bed to be inflated to move the patient toward the center of the bed; and Prior to sending the signal to inflate the subset of the plurality of percussion and vibration bladders, a signal is sent through the circuit to inflate the subset of the plurality of rotation bladders to move the patient toward the center of the bed.

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