Bed having features for estimating core body temperatures from sensing of cardiac parameters and external temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bed systems fail to accurately estimate core body temperature of sleepers without invasive sensors, leading to discomfort and decreased sleep quality due to sudden temperature changes or the need for wearable sensors.
Innovation Solution
A bed system equipped with temperature and pressure sensors that estimate core body temperature by analyzing skin temperature and cardiac parameters, using a controller to determine core temperature through weighted equations and functions tailored to individual characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive sensors are used to measure core body temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses skin temperature and cardiac parameters as intermediary measurements to indirectly estimate core body temperature. Temperature sensors placed on the sleeper's skin and pressure sensors detecting cardiac activity serve as mediators that provide non-invasive data, which is then processed through mathematical models to derive core temperature estimates without requiring invasive rectal or esophageal probes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive sensing approach with a computational system. Instead of physically inserting temperature probes into the body, the system uses non-contact or minimally-contact temperature sensors combined with pressure sensor data, processing these signals through algorithms and mathematical models to calculate core temperature, thereby substituting mechanical intrusion with computational analysis.
2Ease of operation
If skin temperature is used to estimate core temperature, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement data sources - skin temperature readings from temperature sensors and cardiac parameter data from pressure sensors - into a unified estimation model. By combining these independent measurements, the system compensates for the limitations of skin temperature alone and improves the accuracy of core temperature estimation while maintaining the ease of non-invasive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors skin temperature and cardiac parameters, processes this feedback data through mathematical models, and dynamically adjusts the core temperature estimation. The controller uses the measured skin temperature and derived cardiac parameters as feedback inputs to iteratively refine the core temperature calculation, improving precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Reliability
If frequent temperature adjustments are made to maintain comfort, then sleep quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of core body temperature using skin temperature and cardiac parameters before actual temperature adjustments are needed. By proactively monitoring and predicting thermal state changes through continuous non-invasive measurements, the system can prepare for and execute minimal, targeted temperature adjustments only when necessary, rather than frequently adjusting temperature based on less accurate or reactive measurements.
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
Accurately estimates core body temperature without invasive sensors, allowing for minimal temperature adjustments that enhance sleep quality by maintaining comfort and collecting biometric data for dynamic thermal adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
one or more temperature sensors, each sensor configured to: sense a temperature for the sleeper
Implementation Method 2
one or more pressure sensors, each pressure sensor configured to: sense a pressure applied to the mattress by the sleeper
Data Source
AI summary
A bed has a mattress. One or more temperature sensors are used, each sensor configured to: sense a temperature for the sleeper; and transmit, to a controller, temperature readings; one or more pressure sensors, each pressure sensor configured to: sense a pressure applied to the mattress by the sleeper; and transmit, to a controller, pressure readings. A controller may include a processor and memory, the controller configured to: receive, from the temperature sensors, the temperature readings; determine a skin temperature for the sleeper based on the temperature readings; receive, from the pressure sensors, the pressure readings; determine at least one cardiac parameter for the sleeper; and determine, from the skin temperature and the cardiac parameter, a core temperature for the sleeper that is different than the skin temperature and represents thermal state of a core of a body of the sleeper.