System and method of reducing risk and/or severity of pressure ulcers
Inventors
Drennan, Denis Burke • Southard, Daniel William
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8535246-B2
Publication Date
2013-09-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pressure monitoring method and system for warning a patient or caregiver that soft tissue pressure has exceeded some predetermined level that over time would necessitate moving the patient to minimize or prevent soft tissue damage. The method and system entail the use of a pressure-sensitive pad assembly adapted to be applied to a surface of the patient's body and generate electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed at the surface. The system monitors the electrical outputs over a preselected time period and generates a cumulative output signal based on the electrical outputs and corresponding to whether or not the soft tissue pressure has exceeded a predetermined pressure level during the preselected time period. The system generates audible and visual warnings if the cumulative output signal exceeds a predetermined cumulative threshold until the soft tissue pressure drops below the predetermined pressure level.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a pressure monitoring system that generates electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed by a pressure-sensitive pad assembly applied to a surface of a patient’s body that is susceptible to damage from soft tissue pressure. The system includes monitoring means for monitoring a plurality of the electrical outputs generated by the pressure-sensitive pad assembly and provides a warning to a patient or caregiver that the patient should be moved to at least minimize soft tissue damage to the patient.
A counter associated with the monitoring means generates a counter value that increases from an initial value while the soft tissue pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure level and decreases toward the initial value while the soft tissue pressure does not exceed the predetermined pressure level. The counter value increases at a first ratio relative to actual elapsed time and decreases at a second ratio relative to actual elapsed time, where the second ratio is less than the first ratio.
While the counter value exceeds the initial value, the system continuously generates a visual warning. The document further describes warning behaviors that continue until sensed pressure drops below the predetermined pressure level and can include additional audible warning and visual alarm logic.
Claims Coverage
The provided material identifies two independent claims covering a system and a method. Across the independent claim set, the core inventive features are a pressure-sensitive pad assembly generating electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure, a counter that increases while pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure level and decreases when it does not with different first and second ratios relative to actual elapsed time, and continuously generating a visual warning while the counter value exceeds an initial value.
Pressure-sensitive pad assembly generating electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure
A pressure-sensitive pad assembly adapted to be applied to a surface of the patient's body that is susceptible to damage from soft tissue pressure, generating electrical outputs corresponding to soft tissue pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive pad assembly.
Monitoring and counter that increases and decreases based on exceeding a predetermined pressure level with different time ratios
A counter associated with the monitoring means that generates a counter value that increases from an initial value while the soft tissue pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure level and decreases toward the initial value while the soft tissue pressure does not exceed the predetermined pressure level, wherein the counter value increases at a first ratio relative to actual elapsed time and decreases at a second ratio relative to actual elapsed time, and the second ratio is less than the first ratio.
Continuously generating a visual warning while counter exceeds the initial value
Means for continuously generating a visual warning while the counter value exceeds the initial value.
Monitoring pressure and generating counter value with increasing and decreasing ratios relative to actual elapsed time
Generating a counter value that increases from an initial value while the soft tissue pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure level and decreases toward the initial value while the soft tissue pressure does not exceed the predetermined pressure level, wherein the counter value increases at a first ratio relative to actual elapsed time and decreases at a second ratio relative to actual elapsed time, and the second ratio is less than the first ratio.
Continuously generating a visual warning in the method while counter exceeds the initial value
Continuously generating a visual warning while the counter value exceeds the initial value.
Both independent claims converge on the same inventive approach: monitor electrical outputs from a pressure-sensitive pad assembly, use a counter with different increase and decrease ratios relative to actual elapsed time when pressure does and does not exceed a predetermined pressure level, and continuously generate a visual warning when the counter value exceeds an initial value.
Stated Advantages
Provides a warning to a patient or caregiver that the patient should be moved to at least minimize soft tissue damage to the patient.
Continuously generating a visual warning while the counter value exceeds the initial value to reflect pressure exceedance over time.
Uses a counter that increases while pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure level and decreases toward the initial value when pressure does not exceed the predetermined pressure level, with the second ratio less than the first ratio.
Documented Applications
Pressure ulcer risk monitoring by providing warnings to a patient or caregiver to move the patient to at least minimize soft tissue damage.
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