Systems and methods for monitoring pressurization related information for managing a person's position
Inventors
Larson, Barrett J. • Weckwerth, Mark V. • HAMMOND, Charles Matthew Peterson • Shen, Daniel Z.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12329536-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for monitoring medical conditions including pressure ulcers, pressure-induced ischemia and related medical conditions comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect one or more patient characteristic including at least position, orientation, temperature, acceleration, moisture, resistance, stress, heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygenation, a host for processing the data received from the sensors together with historical patient data to develop an assessment of patient condition and suggested course of treatment, including either suspending or adjusting turn schedule based on various types of patient movement. The sensor can include bi-axial or tri-axial accelerometers, as well as resistive, inductive, capacitive, magnetic and other sensing devices, depending on whether the sensor is located on the patient or the support surface, and for what purpose.
Core Innovation
The invention manages a turn protocol for a person supported at least temporarily by a support surface. The turn protocol defines a pressurization measure representing a pressurization of a particular body region and at least one pressurization threshold value, and sensor signals are received and used to identify when the person is in a pressurization position corresponding with the particular body region.
The pressurization measure is monitored over time by increasing the pressurization measure as a function of a first pressurization period spent on the support surface in the pressurization position. The monitoring decreases the pressurization measure, at a first depressurization rate, as a proportional function of a first depressurization period spent on the support surface but out of the pressurization position, and turn protocol alerts are output based on comparison to the at least one pressurization threshold value.
The invention further detects, based on the received sensor signals, the person exiting the support surface and subsequently returning to the support surface. A second depressurization period spent off the support surface is defined, and the pressurization measure is decreased, at a second depressurization rate, as a proportional function of the second depressurization period spent off the support surface, wherein the second depressurization rate is greater than the first depressurization rate.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, a method claim and a system claim. Across these claims, the inventive features cover sensor-based identification of a pressurization position, time-dependent monitoring of a pressurization measure, threshold-based output of turn protocol alerts, and modified depressurization behavior when the person exits and returns to the support surface.
Turn protocol monitoring with pressurization thresholds
Providing the turn protocol defining a pressurization measure representing a pressurization of a particular body region and at least one pressurization threshold value; monitoring the pressurization measure over time; comparing the monitored pressurization measure to the at least one pressurization threshold value over time; outputting turn protocol alerts based on the comparison.
Orientation-based identification of pressurization position
Receiving sensor signals from one or more sensors; identifying based on the received sensor signals when the person is in a pressurization position corresponding with the particular body region.
Different pressurization increase/decrease based on on-position versus off-position time
Increasing the pressurization measure as a function of a first pressurization period spent on the support surface and in the pressurization position; decreasing the pressurization measure at a first depressurization rate as a proportional function of a first depressurization period spent on the support surface but out of the pressurization position.
Exit-and-return dependent depressurization with higher second rate
Detecting based on the received sensor signals the person exiting the support surface and subsequently returning to the support surface; defining a second depressurization period spent off the support surface; decreasing the pressurization measure at a second depressurization rate as a proportional function of the second depressurization period; wherein the second depressurization rate is greater than the first depressurization rate.
Wearable sensor device generating orientation sensor signals
Providing a wearable sensor device body configured to be secured to the person or to an article worn by the person; providing at least one sensor configured to generate sensor signals regarding an orientation of the person.
Automated system implementation for pressurization measure monitoring and alert output
Using a processor configured to receive the sensor signals, identify when the person is in a pressurization position corresponding with a particular body region, monitor the pressurization measure over time with the increasing and decreasing functions, compare the monitored pressurization measure to at least one pressurization threshold value over time, and output turn protocol alerts based on the comparison; detecting exit and subsequent return to define a second depressurization period spent off the support surface and decrease the pressurization measure at a second depressurization rate greater than the first.
The claim set centers on identifying when a person is in a pressurization position for a particular body region using sensor signals, monitoring a pressurization measure that increases while on-surface and in-position and decreases while on-surface but out-of-position, and outputting turn protocol alerts using comparisons to pressurization thresholds. A key differentiation is that when the person exits and later returns to the support surface, the pressurization measure decreases at a second depressurization rate greater than the first.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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