Integrated Sensor Mattress for Accurate Patient Position Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient monitoring systems, such as those described in US7656299, US8672842B2, US20200390403A1, CN211381368, and JP2020089668, suffer from inaccurate sensor placement on mattresses, leading to less precise patient position detection and increased risk of bed sores and falls, as the sensors are not integrated within the mattress itself.
Innovation Solution
A mattress with integrated sensor assembly comprising piezoelectric sensor strips, a sensor grid of discrete pressure sensors, and linearly extending pressure sensors, along with a sensor module and control unit, accurately determines patient posture and bed exit, minimizing the risk of bed sores and falls by providing reliable in-bed detection and prompt alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are affixed to the inside of the top surface of a mattress coverlet, then the monitoring system can detect patient position, but the sensor position can easily shift making measurements less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sensors directly into the mattress structure itself, merging the sensing function with the mattress body. This eliminates the separate coverlet attachment approach and ensures sensors remain fixed in their intended positions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor integration layer or housing within the mattress structure that serves as an intermediary between the sensors and the mattress surface. This intermediary structure secures sensors in fixed positions while maintaining contact with the patient, thereby preserving both measurement accuracy and sensor stability.
2Reliability
If no sensors are present lining the lateral edges of the mattress/bed, then the mattress structure remains simple, but the system cannot detect when a patient is exiting the bed or at risk of falling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mattress sensor system into distinct segments: central sensors for position monitoring and lateral edge sensors for exit/fall detection. This segmentation allows each sensor group to serve its specific function, improving bed exit detection capability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular sensor placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different sensor configurations to different regions of the mattress: standard sensor arrays in the central area and specialized linear sensors along the lateral edges. This local quality approach ensures that sensors are optimally positioned for their specific detection tasks, enhancing bed exit detection without uniformly complicating the entire mattress structure.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are embedded in the bed rather than the mattress, then the mattress structure remains simple, but the accuracy of measurements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor integration directly into the mattress construction, combining the mattress support function with the sensing function in a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate bed-frame sensor systems and achieves high measurement precision through direct patient-contact sensor placement while managing complexity through unified design.
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 integrated sensor mattress accurately detects patient posture changes and bed exits, reducing the risk of bed sores and falls by ensuring precise patient positioning and timely alerts, while maintaining sensor integrity and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
one or more piezoelectric sensor strips (3), said piezoelectric sensor strips (3) allowing to detect body motion of a patient residing on the mattress (1)
Implementation Method 2
a sensor grid (4) comprising a plurality of discrete pressure sensors (16) arranged in one or more rows (11, 12, 13)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The current invention relates to a to a patient monitoring system, the system comprising: a mattress, the mattress having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the mattress, the mattress comprising a sensor assembly, said sensor assembly comprising: - a plurality of sensors disposed in the mattress, wherein the plurality of sensors transmit signals and comprise: one or more piezoelectric sensor strips; a sensor grid comprising a plurality of discrete pressure sensors; one or more linearly extending pressure sensors, said linearly extending pressure sensors covering at least 50% of the length of the lower half of the mattress measured according to the longitudinal axis of the mattress; - a sensor module for receiving said signals from said sensors, wherein the sensor module is mounted within the mattress, a control unit electrically coupled to the sensor module for processing said signals, and at least one monitoring station communicatively coupled to the control unit.