Incontinence Detection Pad With UWB Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current incontinence detection systems in healthcare facilities face challenges in accurately locating incontinence events and notifying caregivers promptly, often resulting in delayed responses due to limitations in existing locating systems, particularly in environments where caregivers may not be immediately available.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating an ultra-wideband communication system with an incontinence detection pad and a condition-responsive sensor that provides incontinence and location data to caregivers, utilizing an ultra-wideband tag and reader for high-accuracy location determination and notification, along with a battery management system for continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional locating systems are used to detect incontinence events, then the system complexity is reduced, but the location determination accuracy deteriorates resulting in delayed caregiver response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or simple electronic locating systems with an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system. The UWB tag integrated into the incontinence detection pad communicates wirelessly with UWB readers positioned throughout the healthcare facility, enabling high-accuracy location determination through time-of-flight measurements and signal triangulation, thus improving location precision without requiring complex mechanical infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The incontinence detection pad integrates multiple functions into a single device: moisture sensing capability, ultra-wideband location tracking, and wireless communication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locating systems and sensors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high location accuracy through the UWB technology
2Loss of time
If incontinence detection systems are implemented without integrated locating capabilities, then the device complexity is reduced, but the response time deteriorates as caregivers cannot immediately locate the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the incontinence detection function with ultra-wideband location tracking by integrating a UWB tag directly into the detection pad. When moisture is detected, the system immediately transmits the patient's precise location data through the UWB communication network to caregiver devices, eliminating the time delay associated with separate locating systems and enabling instant caregiver response
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress supported by the frame and arranged to support a patient thereon. A sensor is included to detect moisture on the patient and/or the patient support apparatus. The sensor produces signals indicative of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus. One or more alerts are output in response to the signals provided by the sensor to notify a caregiver of the presence of moisture on the patient support apparatus.