Bed Load Sensors Detect Body Axis Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring patients in beds cannot accurately determine the body state, such as orientation, posture, and head placement, which is crucial for conditions like sleep apnea syndrome without using video-recording devices.
Innovation Solution
A body state detecting apparatus using load sensors under the bed to detect load variations and determine the extending direction of the body axis and head placement based on temporal variations of the center of gravity position, allowing for detailed monitoring of a subject's body state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If load sensors are used to detect body state, then patient comfort is improved and imaging devices are eliminated, but measurement precision of body orientation and posture is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bed surface is divided into multiple detection zones with load sensors positioned at specific locations (head, middle, foot sections on both left and right sides). Each sensor detects load information from a specific body region, and the control unit integrates these segmented measurements to calculate comprehensive body state parameters including orientation, posture, and head placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional single-point or single-plane pressure detection to a multi-dimensional detection approach by placing sensors at multiple locations across the bed surface. This spatial distribution enables the system to detect not only vertical load but also lateral and longitudinal position variations, thereby achieving three-dimensional body state characterization without visual imaging.
2Measurement precision
If video-recording devices are used to detect body state, then measurement precision of body orientation and posture is improved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces optical/mechanical video-recording devices with electrical load sensing technology. Instead of using cameras or visual systems to capture body position, the invention uses load sensors that electrically detect weight distribution and center of gravity position. This substitution simplifies the system by eliminating complex imaging hardware, video processing units, and associated software while achieving equivalent or superior measurement precision through electrical signal processing.
3Device complexity
If load sensors are placed under bed feet, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of body state is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent load sensor units positioned at strategically selected locations beneath the bed. Rather than using a single complex sensor array, the invention divides the detection function across five separate sensors (left head, left middle, left foot, right head, right middle, right foot), each contributing specific spatial information that collectively enables precise body state determination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bed are equipped with load sensors according to the specific quality requirements of each detection zone. The head section sensors detect head placement and upper body orientation, middle sensors detect torso position, and foot sensors detect lower body and leg positioning. This localized sensor deployment optimizes measurement precision for each body region while maintaining overall system simplicity.
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
Enables accurate detection of body state without imaging devices, improving the monitoring of symptoms like sleep apnea syndrome and reducing patient discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of load detectors which are placed in the bed or under feet of the bed and which detect a load variation depending on a respiration of the subject
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
There is provided a body state detecting apparatus (100) for detecting a body state of a subject on a bed. The body state detecting apparatus (100) includes a plurality of load detectors (11, 12, 13, 14) which are placed in the bed or under feet of the bed and which detect a load variation depending on a respiration of the subject; and a body state detecting unit (32, 33) which determines an extending direction of a body axis of the subject and/or a head placement of the subject based on the detected load variation.