Patient Support Force Sensing for Full-Bed Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hospital beds fail to detect obstructions outside the locations where physical detectors or infrared beams are positioned, leading to incomplete obstruction detection.
Innovation Solution
A patient support apparatus utilizing force sensors integrated into the frame to detect weight changes, allowing for obstruction detection across all areas without physical contact or electromagnetic interference, with a controller determining threshold levels and locations of contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical contact sensors or infrared beams are used for obstruction detection, then detection can be achieved at specific locations, but detection coverage is limited to only those specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patient support apparatus is divided into multiple sections (head section, foot section, lateral sections) with force sensors distributed across different segments. This segmentation allows obstruction detection at multiple locations simultaneously, expanding coverage beyond a single detection point while maintaining precise local detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Force sensors originally designed for weighing and exit detection functions are made multi-functional by programming them to also detect obstructions. The same sensors serve multiple purposes: measuring patient weight, detecting patient exit, and identifying obstructions during bed movement, thereby expanding detection coverage without adding dedicated detection hardware.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple physical sensors are distributed across the entire patient support apparatus to achieve comprehensive detection coverage, then detection coverage area increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensors built into the patient support apparatus are programmed to perform multiple functions including weighing, exit detection, and obstruction detection. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive obstruction detection across the entire bed using the same sensor infrastructure already present for other purposes, avoiding the need for additional dedicated detection sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing force sensor system serves itself by detecting obstructions as a byproduct of its weight measurement function. The sensors continuously monitor force changes during normal operation and automatically identify obstructions without requiring separate detection mechanisms, thereby expanding coverage while maintaining system simplicity.
3Reliability
If physical contact sensors are used for obstruction detection, then detection can be achieved, but false detections may occur and sensitivity adjustment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The obstruction detection system dynamically adjusts sensitivity thresholds based on operational context. The controller modifies detection parameters in real-time during different phases of bed movement and positioning, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions and reduce false detections while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where detection results and operational data are continuously analyzed to refine sensitivity settings. The controller uses feedback from force sensor readings during movement to automatically adjust detection thresholds, improving reliability by reducing false positives while maintaining versatility across different operating conditions.
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
Enables comprehensive obstruction detection, automatic sensitivity adjustment, and movement assistance to avoid obstructions, reducing false detections and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of force sensors are adapted to detect a weight supported by the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., includes a frame, a plurality of force sensors adapted to detect a weight supported by the frame, an actuator, a control panel, and a controller. The controller is adapted to detect if a change in the weight exceeds a threshold amount while the actuator is moving a component of the patient support apparatus, to provide an indication to a user that contact with an obstruction has been made if the change in the weight exceeds the threshold amount, and to determine a location of the contact on the patient support apparatus. The controller may alternatively, or additionally, allow a user to change a value of the threshold, to display a recovery control on a touch screen, to use different threshold amounts for different locations, and/or take other actions in response to, and/or regarding, detecting an obstruction.