Search

JP-2026514524-A - Support surface overlay with acoustic patient detection

JP2026514524AJP 2026514524 AJP2026514524 AJP 2026514524AJP-2026514524-A

Abstract

The support surface overlay system (10) includes a support surface overlay (100) and a control system (200). The support surface overlay includes at least one selectively inflatable compartment (112). The control system (200) includes a pneumatic controller (202) configured to inflate and deflate the at least one selectively inflatable compartment (112). The control system (200) also includes a memory (224), a sensor (214), and a processor (210). The memory (224) is programmed with predetermined data indicating the operating parameters of the system (10) over time in the unloaded support surface overlay (100). The sensor (214) is configured to detect the operating parameters of the system (10) over time during the inflation and/or deflation of the at least one selectively inflatable compartment (112) and to provide a signal indicating this. The processor (210) is configured to compare predetermined data with data provided by the sensor (214) and determine, based on the comparison, whether a load is present on the support surface overlay (100). [Selection Diagram] None

Inventors

  • チオバ，デビッド・エイ

Assignees

  • レイーズ，インコーポレーテッド ディービーエイ サイズワイズ・マニュファクチャリング

Dates

Publication Date
20260511
Application Date
20240426
Priority Date
20230427

Claims (10)

  1. An air bag having a first selectively inflatable compartment and a first fluid conduit that is in fluid communication with the first selectively inflatable compartment, A control system configured to selectively inflate and deflate the air bag and to detect the presence of a load on the air bag, A pump configured to selectively inflate and deflate the first selectively inflatable compartment, and a controller having a pump outlet conduit that is in fluid communication with the pump. A memory configured to store predetermined data that, when the air bag is unloaded, shows a first operating parameter relating to the inflation and deflation of the first selectively inflatable compartment as a function of time. A control system comprising: a first sensor configured to detect first operating parameters relating to the inflation and deflation of the first selectively inflatable compartment as a function of time and to provide a data signal indicating the same; and a processor configured to receive the data signal from the first sensor, compare the data signal received from the first sensor with predetermined data stored in the memory according to predetermined criteria, and determine whether a load is present on the air bag based on the comparison; A support surface overlay system equipped with this system.
  2. A support surface overlay system according to claim 1, The first operating parameter includes, as a function of time, sound in, on, or near either the first fluid conduit or the pump outlet conduit. The predetermined data stored in the memory indicates, as a function of time, the sound in, on, or near either the first fluid conduit or the pump outlet conduit. A support surface overlay system comprising a first acoustic sensor configured to detect the sound in, on, or near either of the first fluid conduit and the pump outlet conduit as a function of time.
  3. A support surface overlay system according to claim 2, The predetermined data stored in the memory includes at least one of the following: duration, timing, or pitch characteristics. A support surface overlay system in which the predetermined criterion includes a predetermined difference between at least one of the duration, timing, or pitch characteristics of the predetermined data stored in the memory and the corresponding duration, timing, or pitch characteristics of the sound detected by the first sensor.
  4. A support surface overlay system according to claim 2, The support surface overlay system further includes a discharge conduit configured to fluidize the first selectively inflatable compartment and to discharge fluid from the first selectively inflatable compartment, The first operating parameter includes, as a function of time, sound in, on, or near the discharge conduit. The predetermined data stored in the memory indicates the sound inside, on, or near the discharge conduit as a function of time. A support surface overlay system comprising a first acoustic sensor configured to detect the sound in, on, or near the discharge conduit as a function of time.
  5. A support surface overlay system according to claim 4, The predetermined data stored in the memory includes at least one of the following: duration, timing, or pitch characteristics. A support surface overlay system in which the predetermined criteria include a predetermined difference between at least one of the duration, timing, or pitch characteristics of the predetermined data stored in the memory and the corresponding duration, timing, or pitch characteristics of the sound detected by at least one of the first and second sensors.
  6. A support surface overlay system according to claim 1, The support surface overlay system further includes a discharge conduit configured to fluidize the first selectively inflatable compartment and to discharge fluid from the first selectively inflatable compartment, The first operating parameter includes, as a function of time, sound in, on, or near the discharge conduit. The predetermined data stored in the memory indicates the sound inside, on, or near the discharge conduit as a function of time. A support surface overlay system comprising a first acoustic sensor configured to detect the sound in, on, or near the discharge conduit as a function of time.
  7. A support surface overlay system according to claim 6, The predetermined data stored in the memory includes at least one of the following: duration, timing, or pitch characteristics. A support surface overlay system in which the predetermined criterion includes a predetermined difference between at least one of the duration, timing, or pitch characteristics of the predetermined data stored in the memory and the corresponding duration, timing, or pitch characteristics of the sound detected by the first acoustic sensor.
  8. A support surface overlay system according to claim 6, The aforementioned load is a support surface overlay system that may include a patient.
  9. A support surface overlay system according to claim 1, The aforementioned air bag further, A second selectively inflatable compartment and a second fluid conduit communicating with the second selectively inflatable compartment, wherein the pump is configured to selectively inflate and deflate the second selectively inflatable compartment, A second sensor configured to detect a second operating parameter relating to the expansion and contraction of the second selectively inflatable compartment as a function of time and to provide a data signal indicating the same, Includes, The support surface overlay system further comprises a processor configured to receive a data signal from the second sensor, compare the data signal received from the second sensor with predetermined data stored in the memory according to predetermined criteria, and determine whether a load exists on the air bag based on the comparison.
  10. A support surface overlay system according to claim 1, The first sensor is a support surface overlay system including one of a microphone and an accelerometer.

Description

Cross-references to related applications [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/462,480, filed on 27 April 2023, titled “SUPPORT SURFACE OVERLAY WITH ACOUSTIC PATIENT DETECTION,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0002] The subject matter disclosed relates in general to a support surface overlay, and more particularly to a support surface overlay system having a patient detection system configured to selectively inflate and deflate an air bladder and to detect the presence of a load on the air bladder. [0003] Support surface overlays for the alleviation and prevention of pressure ulcers are known in the art. Such support surface overlays may include first and second selectively and alternately inflatable compartments configured to reduce contact pressure on the patient's skin. Some such support surface overlays have a limited service life, which may be a function of the number of hours the overlay is used to support the patient. It is desirable to provide the ability to detect and monitor the actual patient use of such support surface overlays. [0016] An exemplary support surface overlay equipped with an acoustic patient detection system according to the present disclosure.[0017] This is a schematic diagram of the system shown in Figure 1.[0018] This is a plot of acoustic signal versus time during the expansion, holding, and contraction phases of the inflatable compartment of the support surface overlay of the system in Figure 1 under no load.[0019] This is a plot of acoustic signal versus time during the expansion, holding, and contraction phases of the inflatable compartment of the support surface overlay of the system in Figure 1 under load.[0020] A plot of acoustic signal versus time during the expansion, holding, and contraction phases of the inflatable compartment of the support surface overlay of the system in Figure 1 under load, superimposed on a plot of acoustic signal versus time during the expansion, holding, and contraction phases of the inflatable compartment of the support surface overlay of the system in Figure 1 under unloaded condition. [0021] Where necessary, detailed aspects of the disclosed subject matter are disclosed herein, but it should be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely illustrative of the disclosed subject matter, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as restrictive, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to use the disclosed technology in a variety of substantially any appropriately detailed structures. [0022] While the disclosed subject matter is disclosed with reference to various specific embodiments, it will be understood that equivalents and substitutions may be used herein without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter as described in the claims. [0023] Next, the subject matter to be disclosed will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout. For clarity in describing the characteristics of the subject matter to be disclosed, the proportional relationships of elements are not maintained in the drawings. In some cases, the size of certain small parts has been enlarged for illustrative purposes. [0024] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a support surface overlay equipped with a patient detection system 10 according to the present disclosure. The system 10 includes a support surface overlay 100 and a control system 200. As will become apparent from the following discussion, a portion of the control system 200 may be integrated into the support surface overlay 100. [0025] Referring to Figure 1, the support surface overlay 100 includes an air bladder 110. The air bladder 110 includes at least a first selectively inflatable compartment 112 and a first fluid conduit 114 that fluid-communicates with the internal region Z1 of the first selectively inflatable compartment 112. As shown in the figure, the air bladder 110 also includes a second selectively inflatable compartment 116 and a second fluid conduit 118 that fluid-communicates with the internal region Z2 of the second selectively inflatable compartment 116. The second selectively inflatable compartment 116 is optional. Therefore, the second selectively inflatable compartment 116 and related components further described herein may be omitted in embodiments. In embodiments, the air bladder 110 may further include an additional selectively inflatable compartment and a corresponding fluid conduit that fluid-communicates with its internal region. [0026] The control system 200 includes a pump 204 and a pneumatic controller 202 including a valve arrangement (e.g., a first three-way valve 206 and a second three-way valve 208). Each valve is configured to selectively inflate or def