Patient Sensor With Shear Reducing Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support systems lack effective means to accurately detect the presence and position of patients on the surface, often resulting in false detections and inconsistent operation due to external forces and shear movements.
Innovation Solution
A patient sensor system comprising a base, a force sensing resistor, and a shear reducing coupler, with spacers and force collectors to concentrate and detect applied forces, and a controller to differentiate between patient presence and fault conditions, ensuring reliable and consistent detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple force detection system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to differentiate between patient forces and external influences
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into multiple independent functional components: force collectors that gather applied forces, spacers that provide structural support and spacing, a force sensing resistor that converts force to electrical signal, and a coupler that transmits the force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve accurate patient presence detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensing resistor acts as an intermediary element that converts mechanical force from the patient into an electrical resistance change that can be processed by the controller. This intermediary conversion enables precise measurement and differentiation between patient forces and external influences, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and accurate measurement.
2Device complexity
If the force sensing element is directly coupled to the support surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to shear movements and false detections
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensing resistor is extracted from direct contact with the support surface and positioned below it with spacers providing separation. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of shear movements from the mattress or support surface directly affecting the sensor, while the spacers maintain proper spacing and force transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers are positioned beforehand to provide cushioning and isolation between the force sensing resistor and the support surface. This prior cushioning arrangement prevents shear movements and external forces from directly impacting the sensor, ensuring reliable and consistent detection of patient presence.
3Device complexity
If no force concentration mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to diffuse force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple force collectors are arranged to converge and combine forces onto a single force sensing resistor. This merging of force paths concentrates the distributed patient load into a focused measurement point, significantly improving detection sensitivity and precision without requiring complex individual sensor elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The force collectors are strategically positioned and shaped to channel forces periodically and systematically onto the force sensing resistor, ensuring consistent and repeatable force concentration with each patient position change, thereby enhancing measurement precision.
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
The system provides accurate and repeatable detection of patient presence and position, minimizing false signals and maintaining consistent operation by differentiating between patient forces and external influences, thus enhancing patient monitoring and support surface adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensing resistor having a resistance value configured to change depending upon the amount of force applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A patient sensor configured to detect the presence of a patient on a patient support surface.