Automatic Scale Functionality for Patient Support Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds and stretchers, face challenges in accurately measuring patient weight due to the inclusion of non-patient objects on the support surface, as current scale systems fail to differentiate and account for these objects effectively.
Innovation Solution
The patient support apparatus incorporates force sensors, a transceiver, and a controller to detect and differentiate between patient and non-patient loads, automatically attempting communication with electronic tags, capturing images, and analyzing center of gravity changes to accurately log and remove non-patient objects, ensuring accurate weight readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scale system measures all loads on the support surface, then weight measurement capability is provided, but accuracy of patient weight measurement deteriorates due to inclusion of non-patient objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total load measurement into distinct components by using multiple force sensors positioned at different locations on the support surface. The controller processes signals from these sensors to differentiate between patient loads and non-patient object loads based on their spatial distribution and temporal characteristics, thereby achieving accurate patient weight measurement while excluding object weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronic tags as intermediary elements attached to non-patient objects. These tags enable automatic identification and differentiation of objects from patients. The transceiver communicates with these tags to detect their presence and provide real-time updates to the controller, which then adjusts weight measurements by excluding tagged objects.
2Measurement precision
If manual tracking of non-patient objects is used, then some accuracy correction is possible, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the automatic scale system independently detects, identifies, and tracks non-patient objects without requiring manual intervention. The force sensors continuously monitor load changes, the transceiver automatically queries electronic tags, and the controller autonomously differentiates and excludes object weights from patient weight measurements, eliminating the need for manual object logging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously receives data from force sensors and transceivers, processes this information to detect object additions or removals, and automatically adjusts the weight measurement display. This closed-loop feedback system provides real-time correction of weight readings without requiring manual input from caregivers.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple force sensors are used to detect load distribution, then object detection capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the force sensors multi-functional by designing them to serve both as weight measurement devices and as object detection sensors. The same force sensors that measure overall weight also detect load distribution patterns that indicate object presence. This universal approach allows object detection without adding separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy of weight measurements by automatically detecting and accounting for non-patient objects, providing caregivers with reliable patient weight data and improving the confidence in weight readings.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of force sensors adapted to detect downward forces exerted on the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, cot, stretcher, etc., includes a scale system adapted to automatically detect when an object is added to a support surface of the patient support apparatus. An onboard controller is configured to take one or more actions in response to the detection of the added object. Such actions include, but are not limited to, sending a message wirelessly to the object, capturing an image of the object with a camera, marking a segment of a video that encompasses the addition of the object, and/or determining if a change in a center of gravity caused by the addition of the object can be completely attributed to the object's addition, or if it is due to other factors, such as patient movement. A display may show a bed icon with an object icon positioned at the same location as the object.