Patient Support Surface Immersion Detection Using RADAR and RFID
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support surfaces, such as mattresses and pads, often fail to accurately detect patient immersion across various body regions, leading to increased risk of pressure ulcers and interface pressure issues due to the limitations of prior art immersion sensors that rely on inductance and capacitance, which can degrade performance and are not effectively distributed to cover the entire body.
Innovation Solution
A radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus is integrated into patient support systems to detect patient immersion by emitting pulses and determining the time-of-flight of reflected signals, allowing for precise measurement of immersion depth and distribution of pressure, thereby adjusting inflation and preventing bottoming out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inductance and capacitance sensors are used to detect patient immersion, then immersion depth can be measured, but the conductive components degrade interface pressure performance and increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inductance and capacitance sensors with radar-based detection technology. The radar system uses electromagnetic wave reflection from the patient's body to measure immersion depth, eliminating the need for conductive components embedded in the mattress. This substitution resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while removing the harmful conductive elements that degraded interface pressure performance.
2Device complexity
If immersion sensors are located only in the seat region, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for overall patient immersion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the patient support surface into multiple zones (head region, seat region, foot region) and places radar antennas in each zone. This segmentation allows independent detection of immersion in each body region, providing comprehensive measurement precision while keeping each individual sensor unit simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point immersion measurement to a distributed multi-zone measurement system. By adding spatial distribution across multiple regions of the mattress, the system achieves comprehensive immersion detection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as each zone uses the same simple radar technology.
3Measurement precision
If radar apparatus is integrated into the mattress structure, then immersion detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radar antenna system from the mattress core structure and positions it on the external surface or in the support frame beneath the mattress. This extraction simplifies mattress manufacturing by eliminating the need to integrate complex radar components into the mattress layers, while still achieving accurate immersion detection through the mattress material.
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 RADAR system effectively reduces the risk of pressure ulcers by maintaining optimal interface pressure through precise immersion monitoring and adjustment, improving clinical workflow and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
processor circuitry that may be configured to determine a time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt by the at least one RADAR antenna of a reflected signal that may be reflected back from the object
Implementation Method 2
A radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus may be configured and may be operated to detect an object at a range of about 2 centimeters or less
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support system for supporting a patient includes a core support structure which includes supportive foam. The support structure has an upper surface and a lower surface. A radar apparatus, including at least one antenna situated beneath the upper surface and spatially separated therefrom, is adapted to emit a pulse which travels through the support structure and is reflected, by either the upper surface or a surrogate thereof, as a reflected signal back to the radar antenna. The emitted pulse and reflected signal comprise a ranging signal. The patient support system also includes circuitry that determines a life parameter of the core support structure as a function of at least the ranging signal. The patient support system also includes an RFID tag having a memory. The RFID tag is in communication with the circuitry.