Bed Actuator Force Sensing for Patient-Guided Orientation Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hospital and care bed systems that use weight sensors for monitoring patient movement are expensive and prone to false signals, limiting their use to only a select few patients, and the integration of motion sensors for activating orientation lights can be costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An electric actuator system that registers changes in force to activate light sources, allowing for continuous patient movement supervision and navigation assistance without the need for high-end sensors or expensive installations, using either cable or wireless connections to light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-end weight sensors are used for continuous patient weighing and monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the actuator's existing force sensor (which measures force required to move the bed) as a substitute for dedicated high-end weight sensors. The force measurement is copied and interpreted as weight information, eliminating the need for separate expensive sensing systems while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system performs multiple functions: it adjusts bed position and simultaneously monitors patient weight through its force sensor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated weight sensing systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining monitoring precision
2Ease of operation
If motion sensors are used to detect patient movement for light activation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to faulty signals and false activations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors force changes on the actuator and uses this feedback to determine patient movement. The control unit analyzes the magnitude and pattern of force changes to distinguish between intentional patient movement (requiring light activation) and normal bed adjustments or positioning (not requiring light activation), significantly reducing false positives
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces motion sensors (which detect movement directly) with force sensors on the actuator (which measure force changes). This substitution allows for more reliable detection by measuring the cause of movement (force applied) rather than just the movement itself, enabling better discrimination between different types of bed usage
3Ease of operation
If orientation lights are activated by mattress sensors or motion detectors, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to disturbance to other patients from unnecessary light activation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors force changes and uses this feedback to intelligently determine when light activation is appropriate. By analyzing the pattern and magnitude of force changes, the system can distinguish between patient movements that require navigation assistance and normal bed adjustments, activating lights only when necessary to avoid disturbing other patients
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides localized light activation only when and where needed based on actual patient movement detection, rather than using a blanket activation approach. This selective activation ensures help is provided to patients who need it while minimizing disturbance to others in the same room
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a simpler, more reliable, and cost-effective solution for activating orientation lights, enabling patients to navigate safely without disturbing others, while reducing overall system costs and expanding accessibility beyond specific locations.
Implementation Method 1
The actuators are connected to a control box. The actuators comprise means for detecting changes in the force which the actuator is exposed to
Data Source
AI summary
An electric actuator system for hospital and care beds (1, 20) for adjusting e.g. the lying surface of the bed (1, 20). The actuator system is connected to one or more light sources (19, 23, 24), which may be switched on if a change in the patient's movement pattern and/or position in the bed (1, 20) is registered. The electric actuator system may thus help the patient navigate around the room.