Multi-Sensor Fusion for Patient Support Apparatus Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient support apparatuses in medical facilities face issues with sensor accuracy due to wear and tear, leading to incomplete and erroneous data, as existing sensors provide a limited picture of the conditions and environment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-sensor fusion system, including primary and secondary sensors, where secondary sensors detect parameters affecting primary sensor outputs, and a controller processes these to provide a more comprehensive understanding, with the option to activate dormant sensors for field upgrades without physical modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the patient support apparatus, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into primary sensors for main measurements and secondary sensors for detecting environmental parameters. Each sensor type is strategically placed to monitor specific aspects, with primary sensors measuring patient weight and position, and secondary sensors detecting temperature, humidity, and shock. This segmentation allows the system to achieve comprehensive measurement precision while managing complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with multi-functionality to process data from both primary and secondary sensors. The same controller that manages patient support functions also integrates environmental monitoring and sensor calibration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated controllers and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through unified data processing.
2Reliability
If secondary sensors are added to monitor primary sensor outputs, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Secondary sensors provide continuous feedback on environmental conditions that may affect primary sensor accuracy. Temperature sensors monitor the operating environment of load cells, humidity sensors detect moisture that could cause corrosion, and shock sensors detect physical impacts. This feedback loop allows the system to compensate for environmental effects and maintain high reliability without requiring complex redundant sensor arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary sensors are positioned to detect potential issues before they compromise primary sensor reliability. Temperature sensors are placed near primary sensors to detect heating trends before they cause drift, and shock sensors are positioned to detect impacts before they cause physical damage to load cells. This preliminary detection capability enhances reliability while keeping the sensor system relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dormant sensors are included for future activation, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with dynamic configurability, allowing dormant sensors to be activated or deactivated based on operational needs. The control system includes software that can dynamically enable or disable specific sensor channels without requiring physical reconfiguration. This dynamic approach provides field upgrade capability and adaptability while maintaining simple physical hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Dormant sensors are implemented as software-configurable sensor channels that replicate the functionality of active sensors. When activation is needed, the system loads sensor processing routines for the dormant channels, creating a software copy of the sensor processing pipeline. This approach provides adaptability and field upgrade capability without requiring additional physical sensor hardware or complex wiring changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus includes a plurality of primary sensors adapted to measure different parameters used in the control of the patient support apparatus. One or more suites of secondary sensors are added to the patient support apparatus to provide data about the primary sensors. The secondary sensors may be used to detect errors in the primary sensors, to modify outputs from the primary sensors, and/or to provide usage and/or diagnostic data about the use of the patient support apparatus. The suite(s) of secondary sensors may measure parameters that affect the outputs of one or more of the primary sensors. In some embodiments, the suite(s) of secondary sensors include one or more dormant sensors that are not used on the patient support apparatus until a code modification is received from one or more external sources instructing the control system of the patient support apparatus to begin using the dormant sensor(s).