Sheet Switch for Hospital Bed Patient Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hospital beds lack effective means to detect patient presence and movement, as well as obstacles to mechanical components during adjustment, which can lead to mechanical damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A sheet switch system comprising planar sheets with conductive surfaces separated by compressible spacers, which change electrical potential when contacted, allowing for detection of patient movement and obstacles, and triggering alarms or mechanical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensing methods are used in hospital beds, then the structure remains simple, but the ability to detect patient presence and movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bed structure is divided into multiple zones with different types of sensors (weight sensors in mattress, optical sensors in headboard/footboard, contactless sensors in side rails) to detect various patient states independently, improving overall detection reliability without requiring a single complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The control system integrates multiple detection functions (presence detection, movement detection, obstacle detection, fall detection) into a single platform that can identify different patient states and trigger appropriate responses, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If no detection system is installed, then the device complexity is low, but mechanical damage and safety hazards occur during bed adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of patient presence and movement intentions before bed adjustment begins, allowing the control system to prevent or slow down adjustment movements that could cause harm, addressing safety hazards before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
Optical sensors and contactless sensors serve as intermediaries between the mechanical adjustment components and the control system, providing non-contact detection of patient presence and obstacles to prevent mechanical damage and safety hazards during bed movement
3Productivity
If manual monitoring is used, then the system complexity is low, but real-time detection of patient movement and obstacles is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The bed system performs self-monitoring through integrated sensors that automatically detect patient presence, movement, and obstacles without requiring external manual monitoring, achieving real-time detection and improving monitoring efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from multiple sensors regarding patient state and bed position, allowing the control system to make real-time adjustments to bed movement or alert healthcare providers, achieving automated real-time monitoring
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
Enables real-time monitoring of patient presence and movement, preventing injuries and mechanical damage by generating alarms or adjusting bed positions in response to detected forces.
Implementation Method 1
one or more spacers are positioned between the first and second sheets for maintaining the sheets a predetermined distance apart. The spacers at least partially collapse in response to the object exerting forces against a top of the first sheet or bottom of the second sheet... When the conductors contact each other, the electrical potential changes to a second level measurably different from the first level
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet switch (142) has a bottom layer (144) and a top layer (160). First and second conductors (148, 162) located on the bottom layer (144) form two separate conductive paths, with a voltage potential applied to the conductors (148, 162). The top layer (160) includes a ground conductor (172). Spacers (178) are positioned between the top and bottom layers (160, 144). When forces are externally applied, the spacers (178) collapse and the ground conductor (172) contacts the first and second conductors (148, 162), and establishes a conductive path therebetween.