Patient Bed Sensor System for Movement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, face challenges in accurately detecting patient movement due to external influences like equipment addition and transient pressure changes from caregivers or visitors, which compromise weight distribution and confuse motion algorithms.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a controller and user interface that processes signals from load cells and air pressure sensors to differentiate between patient movement and non-patient motion artifacts, classifying movement data into patient mobility scores and displaying it in a user-friendly format, including a mobility trend-line and caregiver-assisted motion indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load cells are used to measure patient weight and detect movement, then patient mobility information can be obtained, but external influences such as equipment addition and caregiver pressure change weight distribution and compromise measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection of motion sources by using multiple pressure sensors distributed across the mattress surface, allowing differentiation between patient movement and external influences based on spatial patterns of pressure changes
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor system serves multiple functions: it controls mattress inflation pressure, measures patient weight distribution, and detects patient movement, while filtering out external influences through algorithmic analysis of pressure patterns across multiple zones
2Ease of operation
If air pressure sensors are used to control mattress inflation, then interface pressure control is achieved, but transient pressure changes from caregivers and visitors confound motion detection algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts mattress inflation pressure based on real-time pressure sensor feedback while simultaneously analyzing pressure change patterns to distinguish between therapeutic pressure adjustments and transient external influences on patient movement detection
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that processes pressure sensor data to separate legitimate patient movement signals from transient pressure changes caused by caregivers or visitors, using temporal and spatial analysis of pressure patterns
3Loss of information
If motion algorithms rely on weight distribution changes across multiple sensors, then patient location and movement can be determined, but transient and external forces confound the algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple pressure sensors to continuously monitor and analyze pressure distribution patterns, comparing expected patient movement patterns against actual sensor readings to filter out transient and external forces that confound motion detection algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus comprises a plurality of load cells, a frame supported on the load cells, a mattress, a plurality of air pressure sensors, and a control system. The mattress includes a plurality of inflatable zones positioned on the frame, the mattress and frame cooperating to direct any patient load through the mattress and frame to the load cells. Each of the plurality of air pressure sensors measures the pressure in a respective inflatable zone of the mattress. The control system includes a controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the plurality of load cells and each of the plurality of air pressure sensors and process the signals to identify movement data and communicate the movement data to a caregiver.