Bed having features for estimating core body temperatures from sensing of cardiac parameters and external temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating core body temperature are invasive, uncomfortable, and fail to detect subtle changes in temperature that can affect sleep quality, as they often require rectal probes or wearable sensors, leading to discomfort and decreased sleep quality.
Innovation Solution
A bed system equipped with temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and a controller that uses a combination of skin temperature, cardiac parameters, and humidity data to estimate core body temperature, allowing for minimal and unrecognizable adjustments in microclimates to maintain comfort and improve sleep quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive sensors (rectal probes or wearable sensors) are used to measure core body temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to discomfort and decreased sleep quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses skin temperature as an intermediary measurement that can be obtained non-invasively through contactless or minimal-contact sensors. The controller then uses algorithms to estimate core body temperature from this intermediary skin temperature data, avoiding the need for direct invasive core temperature sensing while maintaining measurement utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive sensing methods (rectal probes, wearable sensors) with a non-contact or minimal-contact optical or thermal sensing system that measures skin temperature and derives core temperature through computational methods, eliminating the physical intrusion and discomfort associated with traditional methods.
2Measurement precision
If invasive sensors are used to detect core body temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for specialized sensing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bed system multi-functional by integrating temperature sensing, pressure sensing, and core temperature estimation capabilities into a single unified system. The same sensor array used for sleep monitoring also provides core temperature estimation, eliminating the need for separate specialized invasive sensing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model (algorithmic copy) of core body temperature based on skin temperature measurements. Instead of physically measuring core temperature with complex invasive sensors, the system creates a mathematical representation that estimates core temperature from easily obtainable skin temperature data.
3Ease of operation
If the bed system makes noticeable temperature adjustments, then comfort is improved, but measurement precision of subtle temperature changes deteriorates due to masking of subtle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different temperature adjustments to different zones of the bed rather than uniform adjustments. This allows the system to address comfort in specific areas while maintaining the ability to detect subtle temperature changes in other areas, as the localized adjustments don't mask system-wide subtle thermal variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic, gradual temperature adjustments rather than large sudden changes. This allows the thermal system to adapt slowly, maintaining thermal gradients that enable detection of subtle temperature changes while still providing comfort through cumulative adjustments over time.
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
The system provides accurate and comfortable estimation of core body temperature without invasive sensors, enabling subtle temperature adjustments that enhance sleep quality by collecting real-time biometric data to dynamically adjust thermal stimuli, improving comfort and sleep quality.
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.