Smart seating interface for targeted indicators of pressure ulcer risk

Abstract

A device, suitable for use with any patient seated on any surface, which monitors the pressure distribution of a patient to assess the risk of pressure sores and ulcers. The device may be made up of s

Description

TO THE INVENTION Pressure ulcers (also known as bed sores) result from sustained pressure on the skin and underlying tissues, typically over bony prominences or medical devices. These ulcers, prevalent in long-term care and hospital settings, impose a substantial burden, causing pain, infection, physical and social impairments. Prevention is crucial, and in many cases, simple knowledge and adherence to preventative best practices can avert these sores. However, when treatment is necessary, the costs to both individuals and healthcare systems, can be substantial. Common treatments often prescribe bedrest, continuing increased expenses and potential deterioration of the patient's overall health. The growing elderly population faces an elevated risk due to reduced mobility and increased comorbidities. This technology targets those cared for in isolated environments or in care settings with varied, conflicting care priorities. The intended users for this technology include individuals with reduced mobility requiring assistance for movement, those lacking physical sensation, catheterized patients without the need to mobilise for toileting, and individuals with conditions like dementia. By encouraging periodic offloading of pressure, the technology aims to maintain blood flow to tissues, reducing the risk of ischemia and subsequent pressure ulcer formation. A non-invasive solution is transferable to various seating surfaces used in care homes, offering accessibility and flexibility. Unlike existing technologies focused on repositioning patients in bed, this innovation caters to those who can sit out of bed, presenting a more comprehensive approach to pressure ulcer prevention. The invention is designed with optimum user interface and accessibility, maximizing its usability compared to more complex existing solutions. Other technologies are focused towards postural insights GB21124037or falls prevention US20240029536A1, whereas the function of this technology gives users more direct force profile information to derive their own insights. These insights are proportionate to their given or measured body weight. Multiple sensing regions within the surface enable weight shift insights, for example front to back. The broader aim is intended for users to use these insights to make adjustments to behaviours / routines / care plans reduce the risk of pressure ulcer development. Unlike current inventions which are aimed at non-clinical use, this invention has been developed by an NHS clinical team, ensuring a focus on clinical need and patient care. The focus of this technology is for continuous visual awareness of risk-implicating measures, rather than discreet auditory alarms as per the Patent GB2603171A. This device is designed to be accessible and universal to individual home care (individuals / family members) and integrated into care home systems for individuals through an always on display, an app on their phone, or a carer or healthcare professional remotely. Whilst existing inventions are integrated as whole cushions with sensors Patent GB2603171A,the device is transferrable to any seating interface used by the user, whether a prescribed cushion, prescribed armchair or standard seating solutions. Unlike other inventions GB21124037,this device is designed to position under the seating interface, as is required for the intended users at-risk skin. This device is designed with the advantage of not interfering with the function of the seating interface, including prescribed cushions. This invention collects and maintains a recorded history of usage, offering detailed tracking and analysis over time. Advantageously, the sensors in this device are positioned based on anatomical landmarks, universal to suit majority of people, which are able to detect accurately regardless of the user's proportions. Other technologies GB21124037position the sensors in a specific zig-zag array or quadrants Patent GB2603171A. In comparison to others in this space, this solution is a whole system approach for clinical benefit, directly empowering the user and their carers of indicators that can influence their risk of developing pressure ulcers. Therefore novel improvements to a immobility tracking system which will inform and enable targeted adjustments for users, designed with a user focus on care homes to be universal and provide clinical insights, based on challenges seen by the clinical support services. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A sensing module, with preferred embodiment comprising of an array of air pressure sensors (A) measuring the force exerted by the person on the seating interface, through change in air pressure within segments due to force exerted by user. The alternative embodiment utilises button force resistor sensors (B). The sensors detect a loading profile; features of this profile include pelvic loading score, timed loading profile and symmetry scores. The format of the segments (1) with preferred embodiment air sensors (2), or alternative embodiment pressure sensors (3) is designed in relation to anatomical landmarks (1), specifically the anatomical landmarks commonly at risk of pressure ulcer development. The phrase 'Anatomical landmarks' is intended to mean bony prominences such as the ischial tuberosity's, sacrum and coccyx, which are common landmarks for pressure ulcer development. The device is segmented to separate landmarks to detect loading profiles on each section, producing data for the user to infer risk. The design can place multiple sensors in each segment, for more granular data. The sensing module connects through to a low energy data capture and communication system (4),Wi-Fi as preferred embodiment and alternative embodiment Bluetooth based on chosen application. This comprises onboard processing to optimise reliability of output and minimise data wastage, followed by a data handling and processing centre (5). Low energy methods and smart data cleansing allows for longitudinal data collection. A software application reads the data and presents the data in a user-friendly display. The user interface display (6) shows a visual representation of the sensing measures to inform the individual of a time measure and summary force profile measurements. The user interface may be displayed on an electronic device. This device may include a mobile phone, table, PC or nurses hub station. This time period measure will be based on an adjustable force threshold, depending on the patient's weight / movement. The design allows for other sensing components to be integrated into the segments to measure other factors of pressure ulcer risk including temperature and moisture. Reset and soft calibration options will be available to improve reliability and universality. The device will be placed universally underneath the user's cushion as a standalone product, or an alternative embodiment as a platform for integration within existing seating products. The term 'universal' is intended to mean the device is designed to be accessible to most environments, compatible with most seating solutions, and used by individuals of any size. The device stays in-situ, whilst the user uses their seating as usual. The display is designed / intended to be used in several different ways: an always on display on a tablet next to the patient; on the patient / family / carer's own device as an app; as a display integrated into a care homes current nursing station; or remote access through a web portal. The display gives insights that are targeted to inform decisions to move or reposition in relation to its impact on pressure ulcer prevention. An example would be a prompt to offload completely, or an unhealthy imbalance in loading profile. Utilising history view, users, carers or health professionals can make decisions to change care plans or prescribed equipment for e.g sacral loading profile which will inform decisions on seating or cushion set up and prescription. The insights can prompt an initial correction in sitting time, and then can encourage a secondary correction using the time and weight distribution data collected over time, specific to clinical insights. The output provides insights of a user's typical sitting routine and seat loading profile, such that comparisons can be made and changes can be recognised. The term 'clinical benefit' is intended to mean empowering individuals with awareness of loading profiles, times and weight shifts, to encourage preventative actions. These actions aim to reduce pressure ulcer risk and subsequent formation, reducing the prevalence of pressure ulcers in home and social care settings. In line with clinical requirements, the device comprises of fire-safety regulated materials and a biocompatible base material where the user interfaces. The underside of the device, where the device interfaces with the seating comprises of an anti-slip material to maximise safety.

Claims

1. A smart surface comprising of sensors configured to provide targeted insights for reducing the risk of pressure ulcers on anatomical landmarks, wherein said smart surface is portable and can be applied to different surfaces.

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