Systems and methods for managing pressurization timers for monitoring and/or managing a person's position
Inventors
Shen, Daniel • Larson, Barrett • Weckwerth, Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11317830-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for monitoring a person may include a person-worn sensor device including at least one sensor (e.g., at least one accelerometer, magnetometer, altimeter, etc.) configured to collect sensor data and a processor to process data from the person-worn sensor device. The processor may be configured to determine or access an orientation of a physical support apparatus (e.g., bed, table, wheelchair, chair, sofa, or other structure for supporting the person), receive sensor data collected by the person-worn sensor device, calculate an orientation of the person relative to the physical support apparatus based on (a) the orientation of the physical support apparatus and (b) the sensor data collected by the person-worn sensor device, and identify, based on the determined orientation of the person relative to the physical support apparatus, a physical support apparatus exit condition indicating an occurrence or anticipated occurrence of the person exiting the physical support apparatus.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to automated monitoring of a person’s position by receiving, at a processor, sensor data regarding an orientation of the person and monitoring the orientation over time based on the received sensor data. The system uses processor-controlled tracking of how long the person remains in a particular orientation and how that state changes as the person moves between orientations. The monitoring is tied to generating notifications based on the state of accumulated time counter(s).
A central element is managing an accumulated time counter associated with a particular orientation by increasing the accumulated time counter while the person is positioned in the particular orientation and decreasing the accumulated time counter while the person is not positioned in the particular orientation. The monitoring is further extended to controlling a time counter associated with the particular orientation, including increasing at a rate of increase and decreasing at a rate of decrease. The counter dynamics can be driven by sensor-based orientation determination and are used to generate visual or audible notifications.
In additional aspects, the invention manages a plurality of accumulated time counters, each corresponding with one of a plurality of different orientations, where each accumulated time counter is increased while the person is positioned in its corresponding orientation and decreased while the person is not positioned in the corresponding orientation. The invention also includes dynamically adjusting at least one of the rate of increase or the rate of decrease of the time counter as a function of factors such as time of day, type of support surface, defined risk level, health status, presence of a pressure ulcer, caregiver availability information, parameters of orientation change, and orientation history. Sensor data processing and notification generation are organized so that an automated position-monitoring condition can be conveyed through visual or audible alerts based on counter state.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00017, and clm-00022. Across these claims, the core inventive features involve orientation-over-time monitoring from received sensor data, counter management for orientation state, generating notifications based on counter state, dynamic rate adjustment, and multiple accumulated time counters for multiple orientations.
Orientation-over-time monitoring from sensor data
Receiving, at a processor, sensor data regarding an orientation of the person and monitoring the orientation of the person over time based on the received sensor data.
Accumulated time counter for a particular orientation
Managing an accumulated time counter associated with a particular orientation by increasing the accumulated time counter while the person is positioned in the particular orientation and decreasing the accumulated time counter while the person is not positioned in the particular orientation.
Notification based on accumulated time counter state
Generating, by the processor, a notification based on a state of the accumulated time counter.
Particular orientation determination and counter rate control
Determining whether the person is in a particular orientation based on the monitored sensor data and controlling a time counter associated with the particular orientation, including at least one of increasing the time counter at a rate of increase while the person is positioned in the particular orientation or decreasing the time counter at a rate of decrease while the person is not positioned in the particular orientation.
Dynamically adjusting counter rates as a function of context factors
Dynamically adjusting, by the processor, at least one of the rate of increase or the rate of decrease of the time counter as a function of at least one factor selected from the group consisting of time of day, a type of support surface, a defined risk level, a health status, a presence of a pressure ulcer, caregiver availability information, a parameter of at least one orientation change, and an orientation history.
Visual or audible notification based on time counter
Generating a visual or audible notification based on the time counter.
Multiple accumulated time counters for multiple orientations
Managing, by the processor, a plurality of accumulated time counters, each corresponding with one of a plurality of different orientations, wherein managing each accumulated time counter corresponding with one of the plurality of different orientations comprises increasing the accumulated time counter while the person is positioned in the corresponding orientation of the person and decreasing the accumulated time counter while the person is not positioned in the corresponding orientation of the person.
Notification based on state of at least one counter
Generating, by the processor, a visual or audible notification based on a state of at least one of the plurality of accumulated time counters.
Across clm-00001, clm-00017, and clm-00022, the claims cover automated monitoring that tracks a person’s orientation over time from received sensor data, maintains one or more accumulated time counters for orientation states, and generates visual or audible notifications based on counter state, with optional dynamic adjustment of counter rates based on context factors and optional use of multiple accumulated time counters corresponding to different orientations.
Stated Advantages
Enables generation of a notification based on a state of an accumulated time counter or time counter.
Enables visual or audible notifications based on time counter state.
Supports counter management for multiple orientations by maintaining a plurality of accumulated time counters.
Allows dynamically adjusting rate of counter increase/decrease based on context factors selected from the listed group.
Documented Applications
Automated monitoring of a person's position by tracking orientation over time and generating notifications based on accumulated time counter state.
Automated monitoring that determines whether the person is in a particular orientation and produces visual or audible notifications based on the time counter.
Automated monitoring that manages multiple accumulated time counters corresponding to multiple different orientations and generates a visual or audible notification based on the state of at least one counter.
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