Intelligent decompression nursing system for preventing pressure injury and control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses an intelligent decompression nursing system for preventing pressure injury and a control method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of rehabilitation nursing and intelligent control. The system comprises a nursing bed device, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a control system. The method fuses pressure and temperature signals of key stress points of a human body to generate a pressure sore risk assessment value, and executes a hierarchical intervention mechanism based on the assessment value, including intelligent pressure concentration release and automatic turning nursing. The application realizes early prediction and differentiated and intelligent active prevention of pressure sores through multi-modal physiological signal fusion sensing and hierarchical intervention control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rehabilitation nursing and intelligent control technology, specifically to an intelligent stress-relief nursing system for preventing stress injuries and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] With the accelerating aging of the global population, the number of disabled and semi-disabled elderly people continues to expand. Pressure ulcers (also known as pressure injuries) caused by prolonged bed rest have become a core problem affecting the quality of life of the elderly and increasing the medical burden. Traditional manual care methods are not only labor-intensive and inefficient, but also fail to meet the frequent needs of patients for changing positions in a timely manner, resulting in a persistently high incidence of pressure ulcers.

[0003] While electric nursing beds capable of preventing pressure ulcers already exist on the market, these beds suffer from significant technical shortcomings. Their turning control primarily relies on timed modes, lacking intelligent sensing capabilities based on the patient's actual physiological state. Existing monitoring modules largely depend on single pressure sensors. However, pressure ulcers are a progressive process leading to tissue necrosis from sustained pressure, and abnormal local temperature is a crucial precursor to irreversible tissue damage. Therefore, pressure sensors alone are insufficient for early warning in the early stages of pressure ulcers; integrated temperature sensors are necessary for comprehensive assessment. Furthermore, existing products lack a tiered intervention mechanism. When patients experience varying degrees of pressure, the system can only employ a single intervention method—either overall turning or minor adjustments to the local airbags—failing to develop differentiated decompression plans based on the degree of pressure and risk level. This single-mode control leads to high energy consumption, and frequent overall turning can negatively impact the patient's rest quality. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art and provide an intelligent decompression nursing system and its control method that can realize early risk warning and automatically perform differentiated decompression operations according to the patient's pressure level.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an intelligent stress-relief care system for preventing pressure injuries, comprising:

[0006] A nursing bed device, comprising a bed frame, a liftable backrest movably connected to the bed frame, a turning module disposed between the bed frame and the liftable backrest, and an air mattress laid on the liftable backrest, wherein a pillow is disposed on the upper surface of the air mattress.

[0007] The sensing and monitoring unit, integrated within the air cushion, includes multiple pressure sensors and multiple temperature sensors, distributed across corresponding areas of the patient's shoulders, back, lumbosacral region, and heels. The pressure sensors collect pressure data from the patient's body surface, while the temperature sensors collect temperature data from the patient's body surface non-contactly.

[0008] The control system is electrically connected to the sensing and monitoring unit, the turning module, and the airway control module of the air cushion. The control system receives sensor signals and issues control commands to the actuators according to preset logic.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the turning module includes: a motor, the first end of which is fixed to the bed frame, and the second end of which is connected to the waist position of the liftable backrest, providing the main force for turning; and two gas springs, symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the motor, with one end of each gas spring hinged to the bed frame and the other end hinged to the corresponding side of the liftable backrest. This structure can provide auxiliary support for the liftable backrest during turning and balance the force distribution during the turning process.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the air cushion is composed of multiple longitudinally densely distributed cylindrical airbags, with an inverted triangular ventilation channel formed between adjacent cylindrical airbags; each cylindrical airbag is connected to the air path control module through an independent pipeline to achieve precise control of the air content of a single airbag.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the air circuit control module includes an air pump and a plurality of solenoid valves connected to the air pump. The air circuit control module also includes an output air pipe and an input air pipe, and the air pump is connected to the solenoid valves through the output air pipe and the input air pipe.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the air cushion to monitor the physiological signals of the patient's left and right sides of the body, respectively.

[0013] This invention also provides a control method for an intelligent stress-relief care system for preventing pressure injuries, comprising the following steps:

[0014] S1. Signal Acquisition: Pressure and temperature signals from the patient are acquired in real time via pressure and temperature sensors integrated into key stress areas of the air cushion. The pressure sensor is in contact with the patient's skin, and the temperature sensor performs non-contact temperature measurement.

[0015] S2. Data transmission: The collected pressure and temperature data are transmitted to the control system. Preferably, the pressure and temperature data are simultaneously transmitted to a host computer via a wireless communication module such as Bluetooth or WiFi. The host computer generates continuous pressure-time and temperature-time graphs so that caregivers can remotely observe the patient's physiological condition changes.

[0016] S3. Risk Assessment: The control system fuses pressure and temperature data from all sensors on the left or right side of the same body to derive a unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value. This assessment value comprehensively reflects the overall pressure injury risk on one side of the body. Furthermore, the control system compares local pressure and temperature data with their respective preset thresholds as supplementary evidence for pressure ulcer risk assessment.

[0017] S4. Graded intervention; Establish a graded intervention mechanism, and the control system automatically switches and executes the corresponding decompression mode according to the unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value; The decompression mode includes intelligent pressure centralized release mode and automatic turning care mode.

[0018] In the above control method, preferably, the graded intervention mechanism in step S4 is as follows:

[0019] When the unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value reaches the first threshold, indicating a low-risk state of localized pressure concentration or temperature abnormality, the control system activates the intelligent pressure concentration release mode. In this mode, the control system controls the airway module to reduce the air pressure of the corresponding local area's airbag, alleviating pressure concentration through localized decompression, and maintaining the alternating decompression of the airbag for a preset time, such as 10 minutes, while continuously monitoring changes in the risk value.

[0020] When the unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value continues to rise and reaches a second threshold higher than the first threshold, indicating a high risk of impending tissue damage, the control system activates the automatic turning care mode. In this mode, the control system controls the turning module to raise the liftable backrest on the corresponding side to a preset angle, such as greater than 60° but not higher than 80°, completely relieving pressure on all key stress points of the body on that side, and maintaining this raised state for a preset time, such as 15 minutes, before automatically returning to its original position.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention provides an intelligent decompression care system and its control method for preventing pressure injuries, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. This invention overcomes the limitations of existing technologies that rely solely on single pressure monitoring. By integrating pressure and temperature sensors into the air cushion of the nursing bed, it can simultaneously capture two key early warning signs of pressure ulcer formation: continuously increasing local pressure and abnormally rising temperature. Compared to existing technologies that only monitor pressure, this invention can predict the risk of pressure ulcers earlier, issuing warnings and initiating interventions before irreversible tissue damage occurs, thus achieving a shift from reactive response to proactive prevention.

[0023] 2. This invention constructs a risk-level-based tiered intervention mechanism. The system can automatically determine the current risk level based on the calculated unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value and select a matching intervention method: for localized, low-risk situations, a smart pressure-concentrated release mode is used for localized airbag fine-tuning; for overall, high-risk situations, an automatic turning and nursing mode is activated for positional changes. Compared with existing technologies using a single intervention mode, the tiered intervention scheme of this invention is more refined, avoiding unnecessary overall turning that disturbs the patient's rest, reducing overall equipment energy consumption, and extending the equipment's lifespan.

[0024] 3. This invention provides a sustainable, painless, and comprehensive health monitoring and pressure ulcer prevention solution for long-term bedridden patients by continuously monitoring the dynamic changes in body pressure and temperature over time, and by combining a turning module with an auxiliary stabilizing structure and an air cushion with optimized breathability. This greatly reduces the workload of nursing staff and helps to promote the rational allocation of medical and nursing resources. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the invention to explain the invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nursing bed in its default state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nursing bed in the raised state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the nursing system and control method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is the logic control diagram of the hierarchical intervention mode in this embodiment of the invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is the logic control diagram for intelligent risk assessment in this embodiment of the invention.

[0031] In the picture:

[0032] 100. Bed frame; 101. Liftable headboard; 102. Air mattress; 103. Pillow;

[0033] 200. Motor; 201. Air pump; 2011. Output air pipe; 2012. Input air pipe; 202. Gas spring; 203. Solenoid valve; 204. Control system;

[0034] 300. Pressure sensor; 301. Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides an intelligent stress-relief nursing system and its control method for preventing stress injuries.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an intelligent decompression care system for preventing pressure injuries includes a nursing bed device, a sensing and monitoring unit, and a control system 204.

[0039] The nursing bed device includes a bed frame 100, a liftable backrest 101 movably connected to the bed frame 100, a turning module disposed between the bed frame 100 and the liftable backrest 101, and an air mattress 102 laid on the liftable backrest 101. A pillow 103 is disposed on the upper surface of the air mattress 102.

[0040] The turning module includes a motor 200 and two gas springs 202. The bottom of the first end of the motor 200 is fixed to the central crossbeam of the bed frame 100 via a mounting bracket, and the end of its second end, a telescopic rod, is hinged to the waist position of the bottom surface of the liftable backrest 101. The two gas springs 202 are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the motor 200. One end of each gas spring 202 is hinged to a support on the side of the bed frame 100, and the other end is hinged to the bottom of the corresponding side of the liftable backrest 101. When the telescopic rod of the motor 200 extends, pushing one side of the liftable backrest 101 upwards, the gas spring 202 on the same or opposite side extends and retracts accordingly, providing auxiliary pushing force or buffering pulling force, ensuring that the liftable backrest 101 is evenly stressed throughout its travel. Controlled by the control system 204, the maximum turning angle of the liftable backrest 101 is limited to greater than 60° and no higher than 80° (approximately 70° in this embodiment) to prevent the patient from falling.

[0041] Air cushion 102 is laid on the upper surface of the liftable back panel 101. Air cushion 102 consists of multiple longitudinally densely distributed cylindrical airbags. Each cylindrical airbag is connected to the air circuit control module through an independent pipeline. When the airbags are inflated, an inverted triangular ventilation channel is formed between adjacent airbags, which is conducive to air circulation.

[0042] The air circuit control module includes an air pump 201, multiple solenoid valves 203 connected to the air pump 201, an output air pipe 2011, and an input air pipe 2012. The air pump 201 is connected to the solenoid valves 203 through the output air pipe 2011 and the input air pipe 2012.

[0043] The sensing and monitoring unit is integrated into the upper surface fabric layer of the air cushion 102, including multiple pressure sensors 300 and multiple temperature sensors 301. These sensors are distributed in eight key pressure areas of the human body, namely the shoulders, left and right sides of the back, lumbosacral region, and left and right sides of the heels, and are symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the air cushion 102.

[0044] The control system 204 is installed in the control box at the bottom of the bed frame 100. Its signal input terminal is connected to the pressure sensor 300 and the temperature sensor 301, and its control output terminal is connected to the motor 200 and the solenoid valve 203. The control system 204 is used to receive sensor signals and issue control commands to the actuators according to preset logic.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] Please see Figures 3 to 5 A control method for an intelligent stress-relief care system for preventing pressure injuries, comprising the following steps:

[0047] S1. Signal Acquisition: The pressure sensor 300 and temperature sensor 301 integrated in the key stress area of ​​the air cushion 102 are used to acquire the patient's pressure and temperature signals in real time. The pressure sensor 300 is in contact with the human skin to collect pressure data; the temperature sensor 301 performs non-contact temperature measurement to collect temperature data.

[0048] S2. Data Transmission: The collected raw pressure and temperature data are transmitted in real time to the control system 204 via wireless communication modules such as Bluetooth or WiFi. Simultaneously, this data can also be transmitted to a host computer, where the software generates continuous, dynamic pressure-time and temperature-time graphs for remote monitoring by nursing staff.

[0049] S3. Risk Assessment: After receiving the data, the control system 204 executes a fusion processing algorithm. First, it compares the pressure and temperature data of each local monitoring point with preset thresholds. Then, it fuses the data from all sensors on the patient's left side (e.g., left shoulder, left back, left heel) with the data from all sensors on the right side to calculate the "left-side pressure ulcer risk assessment value" and the "right-side pressure ulcer risk assessment value." These two assessment values ​​dynamically reflect the overall pressure injury risk on both sides of the patient's body.

[0050] S4. Tiered intervention: Based on the unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value calculated in step S3, the control system 204 executes the tiered intervention mechanism.

[0051] When the risk assessment value of a unilateral pressure ulcer reaches the first threshold of low risk, the system determines that there is localized pressure concentration or localized temperature abnormality, but it has not yet reached the point where overall repositioning is required. At this time, the control system 204 activates the intelligent pressure concentration release mode. Specifically, the control system 204 sends a command to the airway control module to control the solenoid valve 203 corresponding to the high-risk area, appropriately reducing the air pressure in the cylindrical airbag in that area to achieve "pressure concentration release". The system will maintain this action for about 10 minutes by alternately depressurizing the airbag, and continuously monitor the risk value during this process.

[0052] When the risk assessment value of unilateral pressure ulcers continues to rise and reaches the second threshold (higher risk), the system determines that simple local decompression is no longer effective in alleviating the risk, and a change in overall body position is required. At this time, the control system 204 activates the automatic turning care mode. Specifically, the control system 204 sends a command to the turning module. The motor 200 starts, and with the assistance of the gas spring 202, smoothly turns the corresponding side of the liftable backboard 101. For example, to relieve pressure on the left side of the body, the right side of the liftable backboard 101 is raised, causing the patient to turn to the left and be raised to about 70°. This action completely relieves pressure on all key stress points on that side of the body. After maintaining this state for 15 minutes to provide sufficient recovery time for the compressed tissues, the control system 204 sends a command, and the liftable backboard 101 automatically returns to the supine position.

[0053] Through the closed-loop control described above, this system achieves automated, intelligent, and hierarchical management of pressure ulcer risk. All electronic components are integrated inside the air mattress or bed frame, eliminating the need for patients to wear additional devices.

[0054] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An intelligent stress-relief care system for preventing pressure injuries, characterized in that, include: A nursing bed device, comprising a bed frame (100), a liftable backrest (101) movably connected to the bed frame (100), a turning module disposed between the bed frame (100) and the liftable backrest (101), and an air mattress (102) laid on the liftable backrest (101), wherein a pillow (103) is disposed on the upper surface of the air mattress (102). The sensing and monitoring unit is integrated into the air cushion (102) and includes multiple pressure sensors (300) and multiple temperature sensors (301). The pressure sensors (300) and temperature sensors (301) are distributed in corresponding areas of the human body's shoulder, back, lumbosacral region and heel. The control system (204) is electrically connected to the sensing and monitoring unit, the turning module and the air path control module of the air cushion (102).

2. The intelligent pressure-relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The turning module includes: The motor (200) has its first end fixed to the bed frame (100) and its second end connected to the waist position of the liftable back panel (101); Two gas springs (202) are provided, which are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the motor (200). One end of each gas spring (202) is hinged to the bed frame (100), and the other end is hinged to the corresponding side of the liftable back panel (101).

3. The intelligent pressure-relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air cushion (102) is composed of multiple longitudinally densely distributed cylindrical airbags, and an inverted triangular ventilation channel is formed between adjacent cylindrical airbags; each cylindrical airbag is connected to the air path control module through an independent pipeline.

4. The intelligent pressure relief care system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air circuit control module includes an air pump (201) and a plurality of solenoid valves (203) connected to the air pump (201). The air circuit control module also includes an output air pipe (2011) and an input air pipe (2012). The air pump (201) is connected to the solenoid valves (203) through the output air pipe (2011) and the input air pipe (2012).

5. The intelligent pressure relief care system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sensor (300) and the temperature sensor (301) are symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the air cushion (102).

6. The control method of the intelligent pressure relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: The patient's pressure and temperature signals are collected by the pressure sensor (300) and temperature sensor (301) integrated in the key stress area of ​​the air cushion (102); S2: Transmit the collected pressure and temperature data to the control system (204). S3: The control system (204) fuses the pressure and temperature data from all sensors on the same side to obtain a unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value; S4: Establish a graded intervention mechanism, and control system (204) automatically switches and executes the corresponding decompression mode according to the unilateral pressure ulcer risk assessment value; the decompression mode includes intelligent pressure centralized release mode and automatic turning care mode.

7. The control method of the intelligent pressure relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 6, characterized in that, The tiered intervention mechanism in step S4 is specifically as follows: When the risk assessment value of unilateral pressure ulcer reaches the first threshold, the control system (204) starts the intelligent pressure centralized release mode, that is, the control airway module reduces the air pressure of the corresponding local area airbag and maintains the airbag alternating decompression preset time. When the risk assessment value of unilateral pressure ulcer reaches the second threshold which is higher than the first threshold, the control system (204) starts the automatic turning care mode, that is, the control turning module raises the corresponding side liftable back panel (101) to a preset angle and keeps it in the raised state for a preset time before automatically resetting.

8. The control method of the intelligent pressure relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 7, characterized in that, The maximum turning angle of the turning module is greater than 60° and not higher than 80°.

9. The control method of the intelligent pressure-relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step S3, the control system (204) also compares the local pressure and temperature data with their respective preset thresholds to serve as an auxiliary basis for pressure ulcer risk assessment.

10. The control method of the intelligent pressure relief nursing system for preventing pressure injuries according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step S2, pressure data and temperature data are simultaneously transmitted to the host computer via a wireless communication module, and the host computer generates continuous pressure-time and temperature-time graphs.

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