Pressure Ulcer Prediction System with Pattern Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preventing and detecting pressure ulcers in bedridden patients are inadequate, as existing pressure-relieving mattresses do not reposition patients effectively, and monitoring devices are expensive, difficult to clean, and do not utilize shock-absorbing and pressure-relieving materials, leading to increased healthcare costs and prolonged hospital stays.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a resting device with integrated pressure sensors and a pattern recognition algorithm that collects data to predict adverse health effects, providing automatic feedback to patients and caregivers, and includes a mattress or chair with shock-absorbing and pressure-relieving materials to redistribute pressure and prevent ulcers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If existing pressure-relieving mattresses are used, then pressure distribution is improved, but patient repositioning effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidpatient repositioning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated sensors and pattern recognition algorithms to monitor pressure distribution and predict pressure ulcer risk, enabling the mattress system to self-adjust and alert caregivers without requiring manual patient repositioning assessments. The pattern recognition algorithm automatically analyzes sensor data to identify at-risk areas and triggers alerts, making the system self-monitoring and self-adjusting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical repositioning assessments with electronic pressure sensors and computational pattern recognition algorithms. Instead of relying on caregivers to manually assess and reposition patients, the system uses sensor arrays to continuously monitor pressure distribution and algorithms to predict ulcer development, substituting mechanical human intervention with automated electronic monitoring and computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If monitoring devices are integrated into mattresses, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cleaning difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure ulcer detection capabilityVSAvoidmattress system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress is divided into multiple independent sensor zones or regions, each with its own pressure sensors. This segmentation allows the system to monitor different body areas independently, simplify the overall system architecture by breaking it into manageable modules, and facilitate cleaning by allowing individual sensor sections to be accessed or replaced without affecting the entire mattress structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mattress system integrates multiple functions into a single device: pressure distribution management, pressure ulcer risk prediction, patient positioning monitoring, and automated alerting. By combining these functions into one universal system rather than separate devices, the invention reduces overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If pattern recognition algorithms are implemented, then prediction accuracy is improved, but computational requirements and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure ulcer prediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data processing and feature extraction at the sensor level or edge device, preparing processed data for the pattern recognition algorithm. By pre-processing sensor signals, filtering noise, and extracting relevant features before main analysis, the system reduces the computational burden on the central algorithm while maintaining high prediction accuracy. This preliminary action allows simpler, more cost-effective algorithms to achieve the same performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively predicts and prevents pressure ulcers by automatically alerting caregivers and patients to potential issues, reducing the risk of ulcer development and associated healthcare costs, while being more cost-effective and easier to maintain than existing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

A device includes five components: (1) pressure-relieving embodiment e.g. a mattress (2) with one or more sensors (3) a microchip containing a pattern recognition algorithm/model

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a mattress or chair with shock-absorbing and pressure-relieving materials to redistribute pressure and prevent ulcers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure redistribution:

Data Source

PatentUS10624585B2Method and device for improving prediction and detection of adverse events in elderly or disabled people

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 DESIGNIT AS

AI summary

Embodiments relates to a method and apparatus for risk stratification, monitoring, detection and prediction of adverse events in bedridden people. The method and apparatus can be used to prevent heath related conditions in people.