Patient Positioning Wedge with Integrated Pressure Sensors

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure redistribution methods (pillows and wedges) with a sensor-based detection system. Pressure sensors and position sensors continuously monitor patient position and device performance, substituting passive mechanical support with active electronic monitoring to detect when patients shift position or when devices bottom-out.

The system implements feedback by continuously measuring patient position and pressure distribution through integrated sensors, then transmitting this data to healthcare providers. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of whether patients maintain proper positioning and whether pillows/wedges are functioning correctly, allowing timely intervention when deviations occur.

The system enables self-service monitoring where the patient's own body weight and position automatically trigger sensor detections. The sensors passively record whether the patient is properly positioned on pillows and wedges without requiring active participation or awareness from the patient, eliminating the need for manual documentation while ensuring accurate compliance measurement.

Manual monitoring and documentation by medical personnel is replaced with automated electronic sensing and recording systems. The sensors continuously track patient position and device usage, automatically generating compliance data that eliminates documentation errors and provides precise measurement regardless of staff availability or emergencies.

The system provides continuous feedback on device usage through integrated sensors that detect when pillows and wedges are in use and for how long. This automated time tracking provides real-time data on total duration of use, eliminating the need for manual time records and enabling precise compliance assessment.

Electronic sensors act as intermediaries between the physical pillows/wedges and the compliance assessment process. These sensors detect device usage and transmit timing information to the monitoring system, serving as a mediator that automatically captures and reports usage duration without requiring manual intervention.

The monitoring system is designed with multi-functionality to track various patient care activities including incentive spirometry usage, oral care device usage, and positioning compliance through a single integrated platform. This universal approach consolidates multiple monitoring functions into one system, reducing overall complexity despite the diverse activities being tracked.

The incentive spirometry and oral care devices incorporate sensors that automatically detect and record when patients use these devices. This self-service monitoring eliminates the need for staff to manually observe and document each usage event, simplifying the monitoring process while maintaining accurate compliance data.