Posture Monitoring via Image Stability Comparison

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Medical staff often forget to turn patients regularly to prevent bedsores due to busy work schedules, leading to potential neglect in posture changes monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using image detection to determine posture changes by comparing stable values over predetermined time periods, reducing the need for manual monitoring and alerting staff when a change is detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual monitoring by medical staff is used to track patient postures, then posture changes can be detected, but the workload and potential for human error increase due to busy schedules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposture monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmanual monitoring workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic posture monitoring through image capture devices and processing units that independently detect and analyze patient positions without requiring manual intervention from medical staff, allowing the monitoring function to serve itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual monitoring system with an automated image-based detection system that uses optical fields and computational algorithms to substitute human visual inspection and physical assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If frequent manual checks are performed to ensure patient safety, then posture changes are detected timely, but the time and resources required for monitoring increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for posture monitoringVSAvoidpatient safety monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous posture monitoring by capturing images at predetermined time intervals and continuously comparing stable values, ensuring uninterrupted surveillance of patient position without requiring repeated manual checks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of posture changes by analyzing image sequences and comparing stable values before bedsores can develop, enabling early warning and preventive action rather than waiting for manual discovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated image detection is implemented to monitor postures, then manual workload is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidautomated monitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image capture device and processing unit serve multiple functions including capturing images, detecting postures, determining stability, and generating alerts, allowing a single integrated system to perform what would otherwise require multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11182923B2Method, computing device, and system for monitoring postures

Publication Date: 2021.11.23 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

A method, a computing device, and a system for monitoring postures are proposed. The method includes the following steps. An image sequence captured on a monitored area including a monitored subject is received. A first stable value corresponding to a first stage of stability of the monitored subject is detected, where the first stable value is associated with a position corresponding to a posture of the monitored subject remaining consecutively stable within a first predetermined time period. A second stable value corresponding to a second stage of stability of the monitored subject is detected, where the second stable value is associated with a position corresponding to a posture of the monitored subject remaining consecutively stable within a second predetermined time period. The first stable value and the second stable value are compared to accordingly determine whether a posture of the monitored subject has changed.