Bed having features for sensing sleeper pressure and generating estimates of brain activity for use in disease

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bed systems lack the capability to accurately monitor and analyze sleep-related parameters, such as cardiac and neurologic measures, to diagnose conditions like insomnia and REM behavior disorder, relying on external sensors and devices rather than integrated solutions.

Innovation Solution

A bed system equipped with load-cell sensors and a controller that processes pressure data to determine cardiac parameters, neurologic measures, and disease states, using a linear model to classify sleep conditions like insomnia and REM behavior disorder directly on the bed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external sensors and devices are used to monitor sleep parameters, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and loss of information increase due to reliance on separate systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep parameter monitoringVSAvoidsystem integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (cardiac measures, neurologic measures, disease state detection) into a single integrated bed system. The controller integrates pressure data from load-cell sensors with algorithms to determine cardiac parameters, neurologic measures, and disease states like insomnia and REM behavior disorder, eliminating the need for separate external devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bed system performs multiple functions through a single integrated controller: it monitors pressure data, determines cardiac measures (heart rate, HRV), determines neurologic measures (brain activity estimates), and diagnoses disease states. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If integrated sensors and processing are implemented in the bed, then device complexity increases, but loss of information decreases and measurement precision improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesleep data accuracyVSAvoidcontroller processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that processes raw pressure data from sensors and transforms it into meaningful health metrics. It uses algorithms to convert pressure measurements into cardiac parameters (heart rate, heart rate variability), then into neurologic measures (brain activity estimates), and finally into disease state diagnoses, preserving information throughout the processing chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor systems with an integrated electronic processing approach. Instead of using separate physical sensors for cardiac and neurologic monitoring, the system uses load-cell pressure sensors combined with algorithms to derive all necessary metrics, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If real-time processing and classification are performed, then productivity and immediate feedback are improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring speedVSAvoidcontroller power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs real-time processing of pressure data to provide immediate feedback on sleep parameters and disease states. The controller continuously analyzes pressure measurements during sleep sessions to determine cardiac measures, neurologic measures, and disease states, enabling timely intervention while managing energy consumption through efficient processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 real-time monitoring and classification of sleep-related conditions, providing immediate feedback to users and potentially improving sleep quality through integrated, user-centric monitoring and analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to: sense pressure of a sleeper on the mattress and transmit, to a controller, pressure data generated from the sensing of pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230031563A1Bed having features for sensing sleeper pressure and generating estimates of brain activity for use in disease

Publication Date: 2023.02.02 SLEEP NUMBER CORP

AI summary

One general aspect includes a bed having a mattress. The system also includes a sensor configured to: sense pressure of a sleeper on the mattress and transmit, to a controller, pressure data generated from the sensing of pressure of the sleeper on the mattress. The system also includes a controller may include a processor and a memory, the controller configured to receive the pressure data; identify, from the pressure data, one or more motion parameters; determine one or more cardiac measures of the sleeper from the motion parameters; determine, from the cardiac parameters, one or more neurologic measures of the sleeper; and determine, a disease state for the sleeper.