Pressure pump apparatus

Abstract

The pressure pump 100 is configured to provide gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of an inflatable pad 180, the one or more gas receiving volumes being inflatable to support a user’s body on the

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a pressure pump for providing gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of an inflatable pad such as those used in pressure sore-relieving pads. In particular, the present disclosure relates to reporting an error determined at the pressure pump. Aspects relate to a pressure pump, a system, a method and computer software. BACKGROUND Within a patient care environment (e.g. a nursing home, hospice or the like) the residents I patients (who may be referred to as ’’users” throughout this document) may have mobility problems. This may be for a number of reasons. For example, a user may be physically impaired and remain stationary (e.g. on a bed, on a chair etc) for periods of time. Further, the user may not have sufficient coordination ability, strength, and / or cognitive awareness to alter their position. Typically, pressure sores (e.g. a blister or region of soreness caused by an object such as a mattress or chair seat applying pressure on or rubbing a user’s skin) can form within 20 minutes of a user remaining stationary. To address this, surfaces on which a user may rest can be fitted with a cushion or inflatable pad, designed to reduce, distribute, or vary the pressure applied to parts of the user’s body, thereby aiming to prevent pressure sores developing. Current pressure pumps for inflatable pads to help prevent pressure sore formation rely on compressed air to inflate parts of the inflatable pad and are powered via an electrical power source. If an error occurs with the pressure pump (e.g. a power failure), the pressure pump may not be able to provide air. A problem with current systems is that, if an error does occur with the pressure pump, an error indication is provided from the pump (e.g. an audible alarm) or visually (e.g. an LED being illuminated). As such, a care provider (e.g. nurse, care assistant etc) is required to be next to the pump to notice the error. Therefore, there can be a time delay before help arrives to a user, in which time the user may begin to develop a pressure sore. Furthermore, in environments designed to be quiet (e.g. when a user is sleeping), the pressure pump may only provide a visual error indication (so as to not wake a user) which requires the pressure pump to be within direct sight of the care provider. Therefore, because this can’t be guaranteed, especially while a user is sleeping, there can be significant time delays before help arrives to a user. It is an aim of the present disclosure to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an aspect there is provided a pressure pump configured to provide gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of an inflatable pad, the one or more gas receiving volumes being inflatable to support a user’s body on the inflatable pad, the pressure pump comprising: a communication module configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device remote from the pressure pump; one or more sensors configured to sense operation of one or more of the inflatable pad and the pressure pump; and a processing module configured to: receive a sensor error signal from the one or more sensors; and in response to receiving the sensor error signal, control the communication module to wirelessly transmit an error signal to the external device, the error signal configured to cause the external device to output an error alert indicative of an error detected with the pressure pump. Advantageously, the pressure pump enables remote alerting of an error detected at the pressure pump, so the response time to attend to the error and the user may be reduced, thereby improving user safety. Further, by providing an alert remote from the pump itself, a care provider is not required to remain within the vicinity of the pressure pump (and thus the user), in order to become aware of a problem with the pump. The one or more sensors may comprise: a pressure sensor configured to determine a pressure of gas within a gas receiving volume; and a power sensor configured to determine a status of a power source configured to supply power to the pressure pump. The pressure sensor may be configured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on a sensed pressure of gas within a gas receiving volume being less than a predetermined pressure threshold. The power sensor may be configured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on one or more of a current parameter, voltage parameter, and power parameter of the pressure pump being outside a respective predetermined parameter window. Advantageously the pressure sensor and the power sensor may determine an error has occurred when the operation of the pressure pump is considered to be abnormal and, therefore, may allow an alert to be provided for help to assist the user and reduce the risk of the user being unattended with a malfunctioning inflatable pad, and thus the risk of a pressure sore developing. The processing module may be configured to control an inflation module of the pressure pump to inflate the one or more gas receiving volumes. The processing module may be configured to control the inflation module to inflate the one or more gas receiving volumes according to an inflation cycle, wherein the inflation cycle comprises: a first portion wherein the processing module may be configured to control the inflation module to inflate the one or more gas receiving modules; and a second portion wherein the processing module may be configured to control the inflation module to deflate the one or more gas receiving modules. Advantageously, by cyclically inflating and deflating the one or more gas receiving volumes, the pressure pump may vary the pressure a user’s body is subjected to, while being supported by the inflatable pad. As such, the pressure pump aims to prevent the development of pressure sores of a user whose body is supported by the inflatable pad. The one or more sensors may comprise an inflation cycle sensor configured to receive an inflation signal from the inflation module, the inflation signal indicative of an operation of the inflation module, wherein, in the event of an error with the inflation module, the inflation cycle sensor may generate the sensor error signal. Advantageously the inflation cycle sensor may determine an error has occurred when the operation of the pressure pump is considered abnormal and provide an alert remote from the user to signal that help is required due to the malfunctioning inflatable pad. The inflation cycle sensor may be configured to determine that the error with the inflation module has occurred in dependence on the inflation signal from the inflation module not being received within a predetermined time period of one or more of the first portion and the second portion being initiated by the inflation module. The one or more gas receiving volumes may be arranged in a row, with a first subset of the gas receiving volumes interleaved with a second subset of the gas receiving volumes; the inflation module may comprise a connection module configured to connect the pressure pump to the first subset and the second subset of the gas receiving volumes, and the processing module may be configured to control the inflation module to inflate the first subset of the gas receiving volumes according to a first inflation cycle and inflate the second subset of gas receiving volumes according to a second inflation cycle. The processing module may be configured to control the inflation module to: perform a first portion of the first inflation cycle and a second portion of the second inflation cycle, concurrently; and perform a second portion of the first inflation cycle and a first portion of the second inflation cycle, concurrently, to alternately inflate and deflate the first subset of the gas receiving volumes and the second subset of the gas receiving volumes. Advantageously, by inflating / deflating the first subset and second subsets of gas receiving volumes at different times, the present pressure pump aims to have pressure points that vary over time, thereby attempting to reduce the likelihood of pressure sores developing while supporting a user on the inflatable pad. Furthermore, by interleaving the first subset and the second subset, the inflatable pad provides even support for the user’s body, so as to not disturb the user while at rest. The error alert may be indicative of a location of the pressure pump which transmitted the error signal. Advantageously, once acknowledging an error alert, a care provider is able to discern the location that requires attention. As such, promptness to responding to an error alert may increase. The error alert may comprise one or more of: a visual alert, an audible alert, and a haptic alert provided by the external device. The processing module may be configured to, in response to receiving the sensor error signal, control an output module of the pressure pump to output an error indication. In an aspect there is provided a system for supporting a user’s body, the system comprising: at least one pressure pump according to any example disclosed herein, each pressure pump configured to provide gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of an inflatable pad, the one or more gas receiving volumes being inflatable to support a user’s body on the inflatable pad; and an external device, remote from the at least one pressure pump, configured to, in response to receiving an error signal from a pressure pump, output an error alert indicative of the error of the pressure pump. The external device may comprise one or more of: a portable device configured to indicate an operation status of a first plurality of devices, the first plurality of devices comprising the pressure pump; and a fixed-location device configured to indicate an operation status of a second plurality of devices, the second plurality of devices comprising one or more of the pressure pump and the portable device. In an aspect there is provided a method performed by a processing module of a pressure pump according to any example disclosed herein, the method comprising: receiving a sensor error signal from one or more sensors of the pressure pump; and in response to receiving the sensor error signal, transmitting an error signal to a communication module of the pressure pump to be wirelessly transmitted to an external device remote from the pressure pump, the error signal configured to cause the external device to output an error alert indicative of an error detected with the pressure pump. In an aspect there is provided computer software which, when executed on a processing module of a pressure pump according to any example disclosed herein, is arranged to perform any method disclosed herein. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more examples will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows operation of a pressure pump according to examples disclosed herein; Figure 2 schematically shows a pressure pump according to examples disclosed herein; Figure 3 schematically shows an inflation module of a pressure pump connected to one or more gas receiving volumes according to examples disclosed herein; Figure 4 schematically shows a system according to examples disclosed herein; Figure 5 schematically shows a system according to examples disclosed herein; and Figure 6 shows an example method according to examples disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows operation of a pressure pump 100 according to examples disclosed herein. The pressure pump 100 may be installed in a care environment such as a resident’s home, hospital ward, or hospice. More specifically, the pressure pump 100 may be installed as part of a mattress arrangement, or a seating arrangement (e.g. within a cushion, full seat, and / or lumbar support system), for example, which comprises an inflatable pad 180. The pressure pump 100 is configured to provide gas (e.g. air) to one or more gas receiving volumes of the inflatable pad 180 to support a user’s body on the inflatable pad 180. Supporting a user’s body “on” the inflatable pad 180 may be interpreted to mean to support a portion of a user’s body that is in contact with the inflatable pad 180. For example, placed on top of the inflatable pad and / or leant up against the inflatable pad 180. A system of a pressure pump and an external system is discussed in more detail with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5. The pressure pump comprises a communication module 110, a processing module 120, and one or more sensors 130. The communication module 110 is configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device 200 remote from the pressure pump 100. The communication module 110 may comprise one or more of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter may be configured to transmit a wireless signal. For example, the transmitter may comprise a wireless signal transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals (e.g. a radio frequency signal) to an external device 200 within the system (as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4). The receiver may be configured to receive a wireless signal. For example, the receiver may comprise a wireless signal receiver configured to receive a wireless signal (e.g. a radio frequency signal) received from an external device 200 within the system. In some examples, the transmitter and receiver may be implemented as part of the same device i.e. transceiver. The one or more sensors 130 are configured to sense operation of the inflatable pad 180 and / or the pressure pump 100. For example, the one or more sensors 130 may comprise a pressure sensor, a power sensor, and / or an inflation cycle sensor. In some examples, the one or more sensors 130 may sense a metric (e.g. a current from a power source, an inflation pressure etc) and determine whether the sensed metric is as expected (e.g., within predetermined upper and lower metric threshold values). The one or more sensors 130 may be configured to output an error signal to the processing module 120 if an error is sensed (for example, a sensed current is below a threshold current value, a sensed air pressure is higher than a predetermined air pressure threshold value). The processing module 120 is configured to receive a sensor error signal from the one or more sensors 130. In response to receiving the sensor error signal, the processing module 120 is configured to control the communication module 110 to wirelessly transmit an error signal to the external device 200. The error signal is configured to cause the external device 200 to output an error alert indicative of an error detected with the pressure pump. Advantageously, the pressure pump 100 according to Figure 1 can alert an external device 200 that is remote to the pressure pump 100, in case an error occurs. In this way, a care provider is not required to be within a certain distance of the pressure pump in order to be alerted to a local pressure pump error indication, because the error indication is transmitted from the pressure pump 100 and received by a separate external device 200 (for example, a pager or buzzer type device or a portable telephone / smartphone carried by the care provider, or an error indicator installed at a location, such as a nurse’s station, which is remote from the user and the pressure pump. Figure 2 shows a pressure pump 100 according to examples disclosed herein. The pressure pump 100 may comprise one or more of the communication module 110, the processing module 120, the one or more sensors 130, an inflation module 140, and a memory module 150. In some examples, all components of the pressure pump 100 may be contained within a housing of the pressure pump 100. However, in some examples, one or more components of the pressure pump 100 may be attached externally to the housing of the pressure pump 100 (e.g. the communication module 110 may be mounted externally to the pressure pump). The processing module 120 may comprise one or more electronic processing devices which operably execute computer-readable instructions. In some examples, the processing module 120 is configured to access a memory module 150 of the pressure pump and execute the instructions stored thereon. Within Figure 2, the pressure pump 100 is illustrated as being in operative connection with an inflatable pad 180 (and the one or more gas receiving volumes of the inflatable pad 180). In some examples, the pressure pump 100 may be connected to the inflatable pad 180 via an inflation module 140. The inflation module 140 permits connection between the pressure pump 100 and the inflatable pad 180, and permits gas output by the pressure pump 100 to flow from the pressure pump 100 and the inflatable pad 180. The inflation module 140 may comprise a connection module configured to connect the pressure pump 100 and the inflatable pad 180. As an example, the connection module may comprise a pipe having a hollow core to permit the flow of gas between the inflation module 140 and the inflatable pad 180. In some examples, an outer part of the pipe may be formed of a flexible material such as a plastic or rubber material, to allow for easy and versatile installation and use of the pressure pump 100. In some examples, the inflation module 140 may comprise one or more valves which may be controllable by the processing module 120 to permit gas inside the inflatable pad 180 to escape from the inflatable pad 180. In this way, the inflation module 140 may be configured to deflate the inflatable pad 180. The inflation module 140 may be configured to provide the gas for inflating the one or more gas receiving volumes of the inflatable pad 180. In some examples, the inflation module 140 may comprise a gas source. For example, the gas source may comprise a gas cartridge (storing compressed gas) and / or an air compressor. For example, the gas cartridge may store pressurised gas and the inflation module 140 may be controlled by the processing module 120 to release the gas from the gas cartridge and provide the gas to the one or more gas receiving volumes of the inflatable pad 180. In some examples, the air compressor may be a bellows pump compressor. For example, the inflation module 140 may be controlled by the processing module 120 to operate one or more bellows of the bellow pump compressor to produce an output of gas to be provided to the one or more gas receiving volumes of the inflatable pad 180. In some examples, the air compressor may be a piston-type compressor. For example, the inflation module 140 may be controlled by the processing module 120 to operate one or more pistons of the piston-type compressor to produce an output of gas to be provided to the one or more gas receiving volumes of the inflatable pad 180. In such examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 of the pressure pump to inflate the one or more gas receiving volumes. In some examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to a desired pressure value. For example, each user of the inflatable pad 180 may have a different mass. Therefore, a different pressure to support the user’s body may be required to provide sufficient pressure relieving benefits. In some examples, the desired pressure value may be set by a user and / or care provider using an input module of the pressure pump 100. The input module may comprise an input device configured to receive one or more of visual, audio, and touch inputs. For example the input device may be an image capturing device. In another example, the input device may be a button (physical or touchscreen). In some examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to inflate the one or more gas receiving volumes according to an inflation cycle. The inflation cycle may comprise a first portion and a second portion. In the first portion of the inflation cycle, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to inflate the one or more gas receiving modules. In the second portion of the inflation cycle, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to deflate the one or more gas receiving volumes. In some examples, the first portion and the second portion may be of a same time duration. In other examples, the first portion and second portion may be of a different time durations. The time duration of the first portion and the second portion may be set by a user and / or care provider using the input module of the pressure pump 100 in some examples. As an example, during the first portion, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to provide gas to the one or more gas receiving modules to the desired predetermined inflated pressure value. At the point of reaching the predetermined inflated pressure value, which may be sensed by a pressure sensor of the pressure pump 100, discussed below, the processing module 120 may control the inflation module 140 to maintain the pressure of the one or more gas receiving volumes at the predetermined inflated pressure value. During the second portion, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to allow gas to escape the one or more gas receiving modules. In some examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to partially or wholly deflate a gas receiving volume. For example, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to reduce the pressure in a gas receiving volume from the predetermined inflated pressure value to a lower predetermined deflated pressure value (e.g. a pressure value that is half of the predetermined inflated pressure value). In other examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to allow the gas in the gas receiving volume to escape indiscriminately (so the volume deflates naturally without any control to deflate to a deflated pressure threshold). In some examples, if the inflation pad comprises more than one gas receiving volume, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to deflate each of the gas receiving volumes to a respective lower pressure value. Advantageously, by controlling the inflation and deflation of a gas receiving volume, the pressure pump 100 aims to provide a varying pressure for contact points between the user and the surface on which they are supported. As such, the pressure pump 100 aims to reduce the chance of a pressure sore developing for a user. The one or more sensors 130 may be included in the pressure pump to sense operation of one or more of the inflatable pad 180 and the pressure pump. In this way, the sensed operation may be quantified to determine whether the sensed operation is normal (i.e. as expected) or erroneous (i.e. not as expected). In this way, the one or more sensors 130 may be configured to detect when there is an error with one or more of the pressure pump 100 and the inflatable pad 180. In some examples, the one or more sensors 130 may respectively correspond to a component of the pressure pump 100 to identify an error at the component level. In additional or alternatively, in some examples, the one or more sensors 130 may comprise one or more of a pressure sensor, and a power (i.e. electrical power) sensor. The pressure sensor may be configured to determine a pressure of gas within a gas receiving volume. For example, the pressure sensor may be configured to convert a gas pressure being applied to a sensing portion of the pressure sensor into an electrical signal, the electrical signal being indicative of the magnitude of pressure being applied to the sensing portion. As an example, the pressure sensor may be configured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on a sensed pressure within a gas receiving volume being less than a predetermined minimum pressure threshold. In some examples, the pressure sensor may be configured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on a sensed pressure within a gas receiving volume being less than a predetermined minimum pressure threshold for a predetermined period of time. In both examples, the error in operation may be indicative of one or more of gas escaping from a gas receiving volume (e.g. the gas receiving volume may have a tear / perforation etc); gas escaping from the connection module, and the inflation module 140 not providing sufficient amounts of gas to the gas receiving volume to maintain a pressure within the gas receiving volume. The predetermined minimum pressure threshold may be a pressure value at which the inflatable pad 180 can no longer sufficiently provide the pressure reducing benefits because it is too soft and not supportive enough. In some examples, the one or more gas receiving volume may be set to operate at a desired pressure value (e.g. a pressure value that accounts for the weight of a user). In this example, the predetermined pressure threshold may be a pressure value that is a set percentage from a desired pressure value. As another example, the pressure sensor may be configured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on a sensed pressure within a gas receiving volume being greater than a predetermined maximum pressure threshold. In this example, the error in operation may be indicative of one or more of a control error failing to stop further provision of gas to the gas receiving volume on reaching a desired pressure. The predetermined maximum pressure threshold may be a pressure value at which the inflatable pad 180 can no longer sufficiently provide the pressure reducing benefits because it is too hard I rigid. The predetermined pressure thresholds may be stored in the memory module 150 of the pressure pump 100. The power sensor may be configured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on one or more of a current parameter, voltage parameter, and power parameter of the pressure pump 100 being outside of a respective predetermined parameter window. In this example, the error in operation may be indicative of a faulty power source providing power to the pressure pump 100. The respective predetermined parameter window may be a range of values for each of the current, voltage, and power of the pressure pump 100, at which the pressure pump 100 can may operate. As such, sudden surges, or losses in any one of current, voltage, and power, may result in the sensor error signal being output to the processing module 120. The respective predetermined parameter window may be stored in the memory module 150 of the pressure pump 100. In some examples, the pressure pump 100 may comprise an internal power supply (not shown) that may be configured to provide electrical power to the pressure pump 100, in the event that a power source providing power to the pressure pump 100 (e.g. mains power) has a fault. In some examples, the one or more sensors 130 may comprise an inflation cycle sensor. The inflation cycle sensor may be configured to receive an inflation signal from the inflation module 140. The inflation signal may be indicative of an operation of the inflation module 140. For example, the processing module 120 may control the inflation module 140 to begin inflation of a gas receiving volume (e.g. through activation of a gas cartridge and / or an air compressor) and, in response, the inflation module 140 may be configured to output the inflation signal for reception by the inflation cycle sensor. Similarly, the processing module 120 may control the inflation module 140 in accordance with one or more of the first portion of the inflation cycle and the second portion of the inflation cycle and, in response, the inflation module 140 may be configured to output the inflation signal for reception by the inflation cycle sensor. In the event of an error with the inflation module 140, the inflation cycle sensor may be configured to generate the sensor error signal for reception by the processing module 120. In some examples, the inflation cycle sensor may be configured to determine the error with the inflation module 140 has occurred in dependence on the inflation signal from the inflation module 140 not being received. In some examples, the inflation cycle sensor may be configured to operate based on a predetermined time period. For example, the inflation cycle sensor may be configured to determine the error with the inflation module 140 if the inflation signal from the inflation module 140 is not received within a predetermined time period of one or more of the first portion and the second portion being initiated by the inflation module 140. For example, the inflation module 140 may comprise a timer motor. The timer motor may be configured to control the duration of the first portion and the duration of the second portion of the inflation cycle. For example, the timer motor may drive a rotary valve of the inflation module 140, and thereby the timer motor may control the inflation and deflation of a gas receiving volume. In some examples, the timer motor may have a fault and therefore may not function as desired. For example, the timer motor may not accurately time the first portion and the second portion of the inflation cycle and / or the timer motor may not drive the rotary valve sufficiently. As such, when the timer motor has a fault, a delay or failure in transmitting the inflation signal may occur. The inflation cycle sensor may be configured to determine that the inflation signal is not received within the predetermined time with the use of an internal clock. The internal clock setting may be set in accordance with the desired time duration of the first portion and the second portion, set by a user and / or care provider using the input module of the pressure pump 100. The processor is configured to, in response to receiving a sensor error signal from the one or more sensors 130, control the communication module 110 to wirelessly transmit the error signal to an external device 200. The communication module 110 may be in communicative connection with the external device 200. In some examples, the communication module 110 may be in communicative connection with one or more external devices 200. The communication module 110 may have undergone a pairing sequence with the external device 200. “Pairing” may refer to the process whereby a device and one or more other devices (e.g. the communication module 110 of the pressure pump 100 and the external device(s)) have a predetermined connection and will automatically establish a communication link, whenever requirements permit, due to a sharing of device addresses, device names, device profiles, and / or device private keys. In some examples, each external device 200 may be paired with the pressure pump 100 (via the communication module 110) over a radio connection or the like. The error signal is configured to cause the external device 200 to output an error alert. The error alert is indicative of an error being detected with the pressure pump 100. In some examples, the error alert may be indicative of a location of the pressure pump which transmitted the error signal. For example, a care provider may be an operator of the external device 200 and, upon output of the error alert by the external device 200, the care provider may directly go to the location indicated by the error alert to assess any sensed error with the pressure pump 100. Advantageously, user safety may be increased by more timely monitoring of their care needs through better alerting that there may be a problem with their inflatable pad. In some examples, the error alert may comprise one or more of a visual alert, an audible alert, and a haptic alert, provided by the external device 200. For example, the external device 200 may be a portable device carried by a care provider. As such, the external device 200 may consistently be in the immediate vicinity of the care provider. In this way, the care provider has an improved chance of one or more of seeing, hearing, and / or feeling the error alert as soon as the error alert is output by the external device 200. Further, the care provider is no longer dependent on having to be within a certain distance of a pressure pump in order to see or hear a local error alert, as is the case with a conventional pressure pump. Furthermore, because the external device 200 is remote from the user, the pressure pumps disclosed herein allow for error alerting to occur during periods in which a conventional pressure pump providing local alerting may have been muted (e.g. at night). As such, the pressure pumps disclosed herein can increase the safety of a user. In some examples, the pressure pump may comprise an output module (not illustrated). The output module may comprise an output device configured to output one or more of visual, audio, and haptic indications. It may comprise, for example, LED indicators, a display screen (e.g. an LCD screen), a touch-sensitive display screen, a speaker, and / or a haptic output device such as a vibrator. In some examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to, in response to receiving the sensor error signal, control the output module to output an error indication. In some examples, the error indication may comprise one or more of a visual alert, an audible alert, and a haptic alert, provided by the output module of the pressure pump. Additionally, the pressure pump 100 may further comprise a power-up module (not illustrated). The power-up module may comprise a power switch of the pressure pump 100. The power-up module may be arranged to receive a power-up input from a user, which, when received, may cause the pressure pump 100 to transition from a powered-down state, to a powered-up state (e.g. transitioning from off to on, transitioning from a “sleep” state to an “on” state or the like) via the supply of required power from a power source (not illustrated) of the pressure pump 100. The power source may be one or more of mains electricity supply and a battery power source. Upon first powering on, the pressure pump, the inflatable pad 180 may be deflated. As such, when the pressure pump is powered-up, the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor may be less than the predetermined pressure threshold. Therefore, upon power-up, the pressure sensor may be configured to not transmit an error signal to the external device 200 until a predetermined start-up time period has elapsed since the power-up input was received, within which the gas pressure in the inflatable pad is expected to reach an desired operating pressure. In this way, erroneous transmission and alerting by the external device 200 may be prevented. After the start-up time period has elapsed, the pressure pump 100 may be configured to output the error signal to the external device 200, in response to receiving the sensor error signal. In some examples the pressure pump may comprise a locking module. The locking module may be configured to operate in a locked mode or an unlocked mode. In some examples, the locking module may be configured to switch between the locked mode and the unlocked mode by a user and / or care provider using an input device of the locking module. In the locked mode, the locking module may prevent user inputs to the pressure pump. For example in the locked mode, a user may not change a desired pressure value. In this way, the locked mode prevents a user from knowingly / unknowingly altering settings of the pressure pump (e.g. a user applying pressure to the input module to change the desired pressured value). For example, improper settings of the pressure pump may reduce the effectiveness of the pressure relieve function of the of the inflatable pad 180 and therefore may reduce the user safety. In the unlocked mode, the locking module may allow user inputs to the pressure pump. Figure 3 illustrates an inflation module 140 of a pressure pump connected to one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n according to examples disclosed herein. The one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be comprised within an inflatable pad 180. The one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be formed of a flexible material. For example, the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be formed of a plastic material such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In some examples the inflatable pad 180 may comprise the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n and a cover (not shown), configured to encompass the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1, 180-2,... , 180-6, at least on a user contact surface configured to be a surface on which the user is resting. The cover may be one or more of vapour permeable, water resistant, and fire-proof. That is, the cover may act as a protecting membrane for the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n. The one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be configured to withstand the desired pressure (i.e. be unlikely to burst and / or perforate). While Figure 3 illustrates an inflatable pad 180 having six gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n, the inflatable pad 180 may comprise any suitable number of gas receiving volumes. As above, a pressure sensor may correspond to each of the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n. In some examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to determine a user’s movement and / or position, based on the sensed pressures within each of the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n. In some examples, the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be arranged in an array. For example, the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be arranged in a row, as shown in Figure 3. In some examples, the inflation module 140 may be connected to each of the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n via the connection module. As such, the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may have synchronous inflations cycles, and may inflate / deflate in unison. In some examples, the one or more gas receiving volume may be arranged in a row, with a first subset of the gas receiving volumes (e.g. 180-1, 180-3, 180-5...) being interleaved with a second subset of the gas receiving volumes (e.g. 180-2, 180-4, 1806...). In such examples, the connection module, comprised within the inflation module 140, may be configured to connect the pressure pump to the first subset and the second subset of the gas receiving volumes. The processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to inflate the first subset of the gas receiving volumes according to a first inflation cycle and to inflate the second subset of the gas receiving volumes according to a second inflation cycle. As an example, the inflation module 140 may comprise a rotary valve, which allows for two or more separate subsets of gas receiving volumes to be respectively inflated / deflated. In some examples, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to perform a first portion of the first inflation cycle and a second portion of the second inflation cycle concurrently. In the same example, the processing module 120 may be configured to control the inflation module 140 to perform a second portion of the first inflation cycle and a first portion of the second inflation cycle concurrently. In this way, the processing module 120 may be configured to alternately inflate and deflate the first subset of the gas receiving volumes and the second subset of gas receiving volumes. Advantageously, by inflating / deflating the first subset and second subsets of gas receiving volumes at different times (due to the respective inflation cycles), the present pressure pump 100 provides air pressured at different locations in the inflatable pad that have varying pressures over time, to reduce the likelihood of pressure sores developing while supporting a user on the inflatable pad 180. Furthermore, by interleaving the first subset and the second subset, the inflatable pad 180 provides even support for the user’s body, so as to not disturb the user while at rest. Alternatively, the first inflation cycle and the second inflation cycle may be offset in terms of a time period, which may be configurable by a user, using the input module. While the example of Figure 3 comprises a first subset and a second subset of gas receiving volumes, the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be formed of any suitable number of subsets such that the user’s body may be supported during use, and the pressure sore prevention effect is provided. For example, in relation to Figure 3, the one or more gas receiving volumes 180-1 to 180-n may be arranged as three subsets. For example, a first subset comprising gas receiving volumes 180-1 and 180-4, a second subset comprising gas receiving volumes 180-2 and 180-5, and a third subset comprising gas receiving volumes ISO- 3 and 180-6. In this example, the connection module may be configured to connect the pressure pump to the first subset, the second subset, and the third subset of gas receiving volumes. Other arrangements of gas receiving volumes may be envisaged (e.g. concentric ring-shaped volumes, a checkerboard arrangement, different shaped volumes) and controlled by pressure pumps disclosed herein. Figures 4 and 5 show example systems 400, 500 according to examples disclosed herein. The system 400 is for supporting a user’s body. The system 400 comprises at least one pressure pump 100-1, 100-2 (two are illustrated here) according to any of the examples disclosed herein; and an external device 200. Each pressure pump 100-1,100-2 is configured to provide gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of a respective inflatable pad 180 to which it is connected (for example, a first pressure pump 100-1 may control the gas pressure in a first inflatable pad, and a second pressure pump 100-1 may control the gas pressure in a second inflatable pad). The inflatable pads may be in different locations, such as different beds in a hospital ward, or different rooms in a care home. The one or more gas receiving volumes are inflatable to support a user’s body on the inflatable pad 180. The external device 200, remote from the at least one pressure pump 100-1, 100-2, is configured to, in response to receiving an error signal from a pressure pump 100-1, 100-2, output an error alert indicative of the error of the pressure pump 100-1, 100-2. For example, the external device 200 may output an error alert indicative of a location of the pressure pump 100-1, 100-2 which transmitted the error signal. The signal transmitted from the pressure pump may thus comprise a signal indicative of the location of the pressure pump. For example, a care provider may be an operator of the external device 200 and, upon outputting of the error alert by the external device 200, the care provider is informed of the location where there is an error to attend to, and can go to the location indicated by the error alert to assess any sensed error with the pressure pump 100. Advantageously, user safety may be increased and a care provider can monitor one external device 200 to see any errors for a plurality of inflatable pads at different locations. A portable device can therefore be used to monitor the operation of plural inflatable pads in a care setting, enabling the patients to be well monitored and the care provider to be informed of any errors by a single device 200. In some examples, the error alert may comprise one or more of a visual alert, an audible alert, and a haptic alert, provided by the external device 200. In some examples, the external device 200 may be configured to pair with a plurality of devices. For example, the external device 200 may be configured to connect with at least one pressure pump 100-1, 100-2 and one or more other sensing devices (e.g. a floor sensor, a movement sensor, a moisture sensor etc) in a care environment. The external device 200 may comprise one or more of a portable device and a fixed location device. For example, Figure 5 illustrates an example system 500 comprising a portable device 200-a, a fixed location device 200-b, along with two pressure pumps 100-1, 100-2. The pressure pumps may be in communication (i.e. are paired with) with the one or more external devices 200-a, 200-b. The portable device may be configured to indicate an operation status of a first plurality of devices, comprising the pressure pump 100. For example, the portable device may be a device connecting to devices within a local vicinity (e.g. a room). For example, within a care home, a user’s private room may comprise one or more sensors and / or components. Each of the one or more sensors and / or components may relate to a specific purpose (e.g. a floor sensor, moisture sensor, movement sensor, a pressure pump etc). In other examples, the portable device may be a device assigned to a staff member within a care home. For example, each staff member may assume responsibility for the local vicinity to which the portable device corresponds. As such, each of the one or more sensors and / components may relate to a location within the local vicinity. The fixed-location device may be configured to indicate an operation status of a second plurality of devices. The second plurality of devices may comprise one or more of the pressure pump and the portable device. In this way, the fixed-location device may be in communication (i.e. paired) with all devices in a location (e.g. all sensor / alerting devices within a care home). In this way, the fixed-location device may be considered as a central alert device (i.e. a nurse call device) that may be monitored at all times. For example, within a care environment (e.g. a nursing home, hospital ward etc) there may be a central alert device 200-b operatively connected to each of the pressure pumps 100 in the care environment. Once the central alert device 200-b receives the error signal, the central alert device 200-b may be configured to centrally output the error signal. For example, the central alert device 200-b may comprise output means, such as an output device configured to output one or more of visual, audio, and haptic indications. Advantageously, the central alert device 200-b may then output a central error indicator which is indicative of the information comprised within the error signal, in response to receiving the error signal. The central alert device 200-b may be a nurse call system located in a central nurse station, and the central error indicator may provide an alert in the nurse station to alert a nurse that an error has been detected at a pressure pump and / or an error signal has been received by a portable device. Advantageously, by alerting multiple devices, including those remote from the pressure pump 100, the pressure pump 100 may improve effectiveness of error reporting by a system and therefore provide increased safety for the patient / resident user. Further, due to the wireless communication capabilities of the pressure pump 100, the pressure pump 100 may be configured to easily integrate into an alert system for an environment, particularly a care environment. Figure 6 shows an example method 600 according to examples disclosed herein. The method is performed by a processing module 120 of a pressure pump according to those described herein. The method 600 comprises: receiving 602 a sensor error signal from one or more sensors 130 of the pressure pump; and in response to receiving the sensor error signal, transmitting 604 an error signal to a communication module 110 of the pressure pump to be wirelessly transmitted to an external device 200 remote from the pressure pump, the error signal configured to cause the external device 200 to output an error alert indicative of an error detected with the pressure pump. The method 600 may be performed by the pressure pump 100 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. In particular, the memory 120 may comprise computer-readable instructions (e.g. computer software) which, when executed by the processor 110 of the pressure pump 100 disclosed herein, perform a method 600 as disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein is a computer software which, when executed by one or more electronic processors of a pressure pump 100 as disclosed herein, is arranged to perform any method 700 as disclosed herein. The blocks illustrated in Figure 6 may represent steps in a method 600 and / or sections of code in a computer program configured to control the control system as described above to perform the method steps. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted or added in other examples. As used here, ‘connected’ means either ‘mechanically connected’ or ‘electrically connected’ either directly or indirectly. Connection does not have to be galvanic. Where the control system is concerned, connected means operably coupled to the extent that messages are transmitted and received via the appropriate communication means. The term “control system” may be understood to cover a controller, control module, or control element and need not necessary be a multi-element or distributed system (although it may be in some examples). It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present disclosed examples without departing from the scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A pressure pump configured to provide gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of an inflatable pad, the one or more gas receiving volumes being inflatable to support a user’s body on the inflatable pad, the pressure pump comprising:a communication module configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device remote from the pressure pump;one or more sensors configured to sense operation of one or more of the inflatable pad and the pressure pump; anda processing module configured to:receive a sensor error signal from the one or more sensors; andin response to receiving the sensor error signal, control the communication module to wirelessly transmit an error signal to the external device, the error signal configured to cause the external device to output an error alert indicative of an error detected with the pressure pump.

2. The pressure pump of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise:a pressure sensor configured to determine a pressure of gas within a gas receiving volume; anda power sensor configured to determine a status of a power source configured to supply power to the pressure pump.

3. The pressure pump of claim 2, wherein the pressure sensor is configured tooutput the sensor error signal in dependence on a sensed pressure of gas within a gas receiving volume being less than a predetermined pressure threshold.

4. The pressure pump of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the power sensor isconfigured to output the sensor error signal in dependence on one or more of a current parameter, voltage parameter, and power parameter of the pressure pump being outside a respective predetermined parameter window.

5. The pressure pump of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing module isconfigured to control an inflation module of the pressure pump to inflate the one or more gas receiving volumes.

6. The pressure pump of claim 5, wherein the processing module is configured tocontrol the inflation module to inflate the one or more gas receiving volumes according to an inflation cycle, wherein the inflation cycle comprises:a first portion wherein the processing module is configured to control the inflation module to inflate the one or more gas receiving modules; and,a second portion wherein the processing module is configured to control the inflation module to deflate the one or more gas receiving modules.

7. The pressure pump of claim 6, wherein the one or more sensors comprises aninflation cycle sensor configured to receive an inflation signal from the inflation module, the inflation signal indicative of an operation of the inflation module, wherein, in the event of an error with the inflation module, the inflation cycle sensor generates the sensor error signal.

8. The pressure pump of claim 7, wherein the inflation cycle sensor is configuredto determine the error with the inflation module has occurred in dependence on the inflation signal from the inflation module not being received within a predetermined time period of one or more of the first portion and the second portion being initiated by the inflation module.

9. The pressure pump of any of claims 6 to 8, whereinthe one or more gas receiving volumes are arranged in a row, with a first subset of the gas receiving volumes interleaved with a second subset of the gas receiving volumes;the inflation module comprises a connection module configured to connect the pressure pump to the first subset and the second subset of the gas receiving volumes, andthe processing module is configured to control the inflation module to inflate the first subset of the gas receiving volumes according to a first inflation cycle and inflate the second subset of gas receiving volumes according to a second inflation cycle.

10. The pressure pump of claim 9, wherein the processing module is configured tocontrol the inflation module to:perform a first portion of the first inflation cycle and a second portion of the second inflation cycle, concurrently; andperform a second portion of the first inflation cycle and a first portion of the second inflation cycle, concurrently,to alternately inflate and deflate the first subset of the gas receiving volumes and the second subset of the gas receiving volumes.

11. The pressure pump of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the error alert is indicativeof a location of the pressure pump which transmitted the error signal.

12. The pressure pump of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the error alert comprisesone or more of: a visual alert, an audible alert, and a haptic alert provided by the external device.

13. The pressure pump of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the processing module isconfigured to, in response to receiving the sensor error signal, control an output module of the pressure pump to output an error indication.

14. A system for supporting a user’s body, the system comprising:at least one pressure pump according to any of claims 1 to 13, each pressure pump configured to provide gas to one or more gas receiving volumes of an inflatable pad, the one or more gas receiving volumes being inflatable to support a user’s body on the inflatable pad; andan external device, remote from the at least one pressure pump, configured to, in response to receiving an error signal from a pressure pump, output an error alert indicative of the error of the pressure pump.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the external device comprises one or more of:a portable device configured to indicate an operation status of a first plurality of devices, the first plurality of devices comprising the pressure pump; anda fixed-location device configured to indicate an operation status of a second plurality of devices, the second plurality of devices comprising one or more of the pressure pump and the portable device.

16. A method performed by a processing module of a pressure pump according toany of claims 1 to 13, the method comprising:receiving a sensor error signal from one or more sensors of the pressure pump; andin response to receiving the sensor error signal, transmitting an error signal to a communication module of the pressure pump to be wirelessly transmitted to an external device remote from the pressure pump, the error signal configured to cause the external device to output an error alert indicative of an error detected with the pressure pump.

17. Computer software which, when executed on a processing module of apressure pump according to any of claim 1 to 13, is arranged to perform the method according to claim 16.

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