Disposable Patient Movement Sensor Pad with Integrated Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient movement notification devices face challenges with disposable sensors that lose functionality after 15 days due to pressure sensitivity and require frequent service for the non-disposable electronics module, leading to inefficient monitoring and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A disposable patient movement notification device is designed with an electronics module that permanently shuts down after a specified period, allowing for easy replacement and reducing maintenance needs, combined with a novel sensor pad using conductive ink and antimicrobial treatments for enhanced functionality and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is designed to be disposable with a 15-day lifetime, then the sensor can be easily replaced and hygiene is improved, but the sensor may not be able to re-expand after continuous pressure and must be replaced frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electronics module disposable by integrating it with the sensor pad into a single-use unit. This resolves the contradiction by accepting that the device has a limited 15-day lifetime but eliminates the need for complex tracking and service of separate electronics modules. The disposable design ensures reliability within its intended lifespan while simplifying replacement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electronics module and sensor pad into a single integrated disposable unit. This merging eliminates the interface between separate components, ensuring reliable signal transmission while simplifying the replacement process. The unified design allows the entire assembly to be discarded together after 15 days, resolving the contradiction between reliability and limited lifetime.
2Reliability
If the electronics module is considered a capital asset and tracked for service, then service can be performed when needed, but maintenance costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By making the electronics module disposable and integrating it with the sensor pad, the patent eliminates the need for tracking, monitoring, and servicing of electronics modules. The simplified management system only needs to track disposable sensor pad replacements, dramatically reducing administrative complexity while maintaining reliability through consistent replacement schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electronics module from the capital asset category by making it disposable along with the sensor pad. This removes the electronics module from the tracking and service management system entirely, eliminating the complexity of managing long-lived electronic components while maintaining device functionality through systematic replacement of the entire disposable unit.
3Reliability
If the sensor pad uses conductive ink and antimicrobial treatments, then hygiene and functionality are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining conductive ink with antimicrobial treatments on the sensor pad surface. This creates a multi-functional material layer that provides both electrical conductivity for sensing and antimicrobial properties for hygiene. The composite approach enhances both functionality and hygiene while managing manufacturing complexity through integrated material application processes.
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
This solution enables hospitals to replace sensors every 15 days without tracking usage, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures timely notification of patient movement while maintaining hygiene and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the sensors are pressure sensitive and after having pressure continuously applied to the sensor, the sensor may not be able to re-expand when the patient removes pressure
Implementation Method 2
a plastic sheet having conductive ink printed on a surface thereof to form two conductive contacts
Implementation Method 3
a foam substrate provided over one of the conductive contacts
Data Source
AI summary
A patient movement notification device is provided that includes a sensor pad for sensing movement of a patient and generating a signal when movement of the patient is sensed, and an electronics module for generating a notification of patient movement in response to receipt of the signal from the sensor pad. The patient movement notification device may be disposable. Accordingly, the electronics module may permanently shut down to become non-functional a specified time period after activation. Further, the electronics module may include a housing including a slot; a contact terminal disposed in the housing; a battery disposed in the housing; and a tab extending between the battery and the contact terminal and extending out through the slot, wherein the tab prevents the electronics module from receiving power until such time as a user pulls the tab from the slot. The housing may be sealed to prevent access to the battery.