The present disclosure relates to the use of sensors of a patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, for example, to detect sleep states of a patient and characterize the sleep states. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a system or method for communicating the information concerning a patient's sleep state to a caregiver.
The use of load cells in patient support apparatuses, such as hospital beds, for example, to measure patient weight is known. Over time, approaches to using the information from the load cells to detect patient movement and to issue an alert or notification when the patient moves beyond a particular threshold have been developed. The use of load cells to make these determinations and inferences based on the motion or movement is limited by the potential for external influences, such as the addition of equipment to the frame supported on the scale. When this is done, the existing information regarding the position of the patient is compromised as the weight distribution is changed unexpectedly.
The pressure sensors used to measure air pressure in zones of an inflatable mattress are used to control the inflation pressure in the zones to control the interface pressure experienced by a patient supported on the mattress. However, because of transient effects and lack of precision, air pressure sensors associated with mattress zones are not regularly used to measure patient information. In addition, caregivers or visitors may intermittently apply pressure to the mattress, thereby changing air pressure measurements and the distribution of the weight on the frame. Motion algorithms generally rely on changes in the distribution of weight over multiple sensors to determine patient location and relative movement. These transient and external forces confound the algorithms used to determine patient movement and motion.
In some cases, it is important to determine patient movement relative to the patient support apparatus. Movement in this context means a change in position of the patient on the patient support apparatus, such as rolling over or moving toward an edge of a patient support apparatus to exit the patient support apparatus. Additionally, other sensors may be used to measure a patient's physiological characteristics such as heart rate or respiratory rate. A patient's mobility and a patient's physiological characteristics may be indicative of a patient's health and/or medical needs.
Monitoring the patient's sleep state may include monitoring for REM sleep and sleep Apnea. A caregiver may be able to respond to the patient based on the patient's sleep state and prevent additional apnea events. It may also be important that the caregiver is aware of the overall improvement or decline of a patient's health so they can assess how the patient's sleep activity related to the patient's overall health and direct the care the patient needs. Thus, the characterization of a patient's sleep information along with other physiological characteristics should be communicated in a manner that provides the required information to the caregiver and allows the caregiver to provide optimal care for the patient.
The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus comprises a plurality of apparatus component sensors, a physiological sensor, a user interface including a segmented display, the segmented display illustrating movement data and sleep state data of a patient, and a control system including a controller in communication with the plurality of bed component sensors and the physiological sensor, the controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the apparatus component sensors to monitor movement detected by the apparatus component sensors, a sleep signal from the physiological sensor, and wherein the controller is further operable to process the signals to determine the movement data and sleep data to detect a sleep event and alter a portion of the patient support apparatus to mitigate the sleep event.
In one embodiment, the control system comprises a controller, the controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the apparatus component sensors to monitor patient movement detected by each of the apparatus component sensors, a heart rate and/or respiration rate signal from the physiological sensor. In another embodiment, the segmented display comprises a first segment including an icon for each day of a week, and wherein the activation of the icon for a particular day results in an illustration of the movement data or the sleep data for that day in a second segment.
In some embodiments, the controller moves a head section of the patient support apparatus in response to the sleep event. In some embodiments, the sleep event is a sleep apnea event.
In some embodiments, the patient support apparatus comprises a siderail having an illuminated grip and the sleep state of the patient is indicated by illuminating the grip using a specific scheme to indicate the sleep state.
In one embodiment, the second segment displays the movement data, and wherein the movement data comprises patient motion data and non-patient motion artifacts. In some embodiments, the second segment displays the movement data, and wherein the movement data comprises upper torso movement and lower body movement. In other embodiments, the second segment displays the movement data, and wherein the movement data comprises time the patient spent moving and not moving over a period of one week. In some embodiments, the second segment displays the movement data, and wherein the movement data comprises percentage of time the patient spent in upper torso movement and lower body movement over a period of one week.
In one embodiment, the second segment displays the sleep data, and wherein the sleep data comprises REM, light sleep state, or deep sleep state. In other embodiments, the second segment displays the sleep data, and the sleep data comprises time the patient spent sleeping, being in in bed or being out of bed. In some embodiments, the second segment displays the sleep data, and the sleep data comprises time the patient spent in REM, light sleep state, or deep sleep state over a period of one week. In some embodiments, the second segment displays the sleep data, and the sleep data comprises time the patient spent sleeping, being in in bed or being out of bed over a period of one week.
In one embodiment, the physiological sensor is operable to detect physiological characteristics of the patient. In some embodiments, the physiological characteristic is a heart rate. In some embodiments, the physiological characteristic is respiratory rate. In some embodiments, the physiological sensor provides both a heart rate and a respiratory rate signal. In some embodiment, the sleep status of the patient is projected on the floor.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a system comprises a patient support surface including a plurality of inflatable zones, a plurality of load cells supporting the patient support surface, a plurality of air pressure sensors, each pressure sensor measuring the pressure in a respective inflatable zone of the patient support surface, a physiological sensor, and a controller operable to receive a separate signal from each of the plurality of load cells and each of the plurality of air pressure sensors, and a sleep signal from the physiological sensor, to process the signals to determine movement data and sleep data of a patient, and a user interface including a segmented display, the display illustrating the movement data and sleep data. The controller is further operable to process the signals to determine the movement data and sleep data to detect a sleep event and alter a portion of the patient support apparatus to mitigate the sleep event.
In one embodiment, the movement data comprises patient movement data and non-patient motion artifacts. In some embodiments, the patient movement data comprises upper torso movement and lower body movement. In other embodiments, the user interface displays the patient movement data and the time the patient spent moving and not moving. In some embodiments, the user interface displays percentage of time the patient spent in upper torso movement and lower body movement.
In one embodiment, the sleep data comprises REM, light sleep state, or deep sleep state. In some embodiments, the user interface displays the sleep data and time the patient spent in REM, light sleep state, or deep sleep state. In other embodiments, the user interface displays time the patient spent sleeping, being in in bed, and being out of bed.
In one embodiment, the physiological sensor is operable to detect physiological characteristics of the patient. In some embodiments, the physiological characteristic is a heart rate. In some embodiments, the physiological characteristic is respiratory rate. In some embodiments, the physiological sensor provides both a heart rate and a respiratory rate signal. In some embodiments, the sleep status of the patient is projected on the floor.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method of displaying movement data collected from a support apparatus comprising an inflatable mattress having multiple inflatable zones, the method comprises the steps of monitoring signals from a plurality of apparatus component sensors, positioning the mattress on a physiological sensor, monitoring sleep signals from the physiological sensor, using a controller to process the signals from the load cells, pressure sensors, and the physiological sensor to identify movement data and patient sleep data, and displaying the movement data and the sleep data of a patient on the mattress on a segmented display on a user interface.
In one embodiment, the method comprises automatically moving a portion of the support apparatus to mitigate a future event based on the movement data or the sleep data of the patient. In some embodiments, the future event is sleep apnea.
In one embodiment, the method comprises changing inflation of one of the multiple inflatable zones of the inflatable mattress based on the movement data or the sleep data of the patient. In some embodiments, the movement data comprises patient motion data and non-patient motion artifacts. In other embodiments, the movement data comprises upper torso movement and lower body movement. In one embodiment, the sleep data comprises REM, light sleep state, or deep sleep state. In some embodiments,
In one embodiment, the method comprises the physiological sensor detecting physiological characteristics of the patient. In some embodiments, the physiological characteristic is a heart rate. In some embodiments, the physiological characteristic is respiratory rate. In some embodiments, the physiological sensor provides both a heart rate and a respiratory rate signal. In some embodiments, the method comprises projecting the sleep status of the patient on the floor.
Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and/or those listed in the claims, can comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
An illustrative patient support apparatus 10 embodied as a hospital bed is shown in
Conventional structures and devices are provided to adjustably position the upper frame 34, and such conventional structures and devices may include, for example, linkages, drives, and other movement members and devices coupled between base frame 22 and the weigh frame 30, and/or between weigh frame 30 and upper frame 34. Control of the position of the upper frame 34 and mattress 18 relative to the base frame 22 or weigh frame 30 is controlled, for example, by a patient control pendant 56 or user interface 54. The upper frame 34 may, for example, be adjustably positioned in a general incline from the head end 46 to the foot end 48 or vice versa. Additionally, the upper frame 34 may be adjustably positioned such that the head section 44 of the mattress 18 is positioned between minimum and maximum incline angles, e.g., 0-65 degrees, relative to horizontal or bed flat, and the upper frame 34 may also be adjustably positioned such that a seat section (not shown) of the mattress 18 is positioned between minimum and maximum bend angles, e.g., 0-35 degrees, relative to horizontal or bed flat. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the upper frame 34 or portions thereof may be adjustably positioned in other orientations, and such other orientations are contemplated by this disclosure.
In one illustrative embodiment shown diagrammatically in
As shown in
The scale module 50 includes the processor 62 that is in communication with each of the respective load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 and operable to process the signals from the load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72. The memory device 64 is also utilized by the controller 28 to store information corresponding to features and functions provided by the bed 10.
A weight distribution of a load among the plurality of load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 may not be the same depending on variations in the structure of the bed 10, variations in each of load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 and the position of the load on the mattress 18 relative to the particular load cell 66, 68, 70, or 72. Accordingly, a calibration constant for each of the load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 is established to adjust for differences in the load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 in response to the load borne by each. Each of the load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 produces a signal indicative of the load supported by that load cell 66, 68, 70, or 72. The loads detected by each of the respective load cells 66, 68, 70, 72 are adjusted using a corresponding calibration constant for the respective load cell 66, 68, 70, 72. The adjusted loads are then combined to establish the actual weight supported on the bed 10. In the present disclosure, the independent signals from each of the load cells 66, 68, 70, 72 is used to draw inferences about the movement and motion of the patient.
The air module 52 is the functional controller for the mattress 18 and includes processor 62 and a memory device 64. The processor 62 is in communication with a blower 107, a manifold 58, and an air pressure sensor assembly 60. The air module 52 is a conventional structure with the manifold 58 operating under the control of the processor 62 to control the flow of air from the blower 107 into and out of the head zone 36, seat zone 38, thigh zone 40, and foot zone 42 to control the interface pressure experienced by the patient supported on the mattress 18. The sensor assembly 60 includes separate sensors for measuring the air pressure in each of the head zone 36, seat zone 38, thigh zone 40, and foot zone 42. The pressure sensor assembly includes a head zone sensor 82, a seat zone sensor 84, a thigh zone senor 86, and a foot zone sensor 88. While signals from the sensors 82, 84, 86, and 88 are used to control the pressure in the respective zones, applying the principles of the present disclosure, the signals are also useful in making inferences regarding patient movement and, when used synergistically with the information gleaned from the signals from the load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72, provide a more fulsome and accurate analysis of patient movement and/or any motion associated with the patient support apparatus.
The scale module 50 and air module 52 of the bed 10 are used for measuring the motions of a patient that occupies the bed 10. Referring to
The bed 10 is also associated with a physiological sensor 90 that detects a patient's physiological characteristic such as heart rate and respiratory rate. As shown in
In some embodiments, when the physiological sensor 90 detects sleep apnea events, the controller 28 automatically raises a portion of the bed 10 a few degrees to prevent future occurrence of sleep apnea. Control circuitry receives user input commands from the physiological sensor 90. The processor 62 uses the information to control various functions of bed 10 including the movement of the head zone 36. In some embodiments, the bed 10 automatically raises the head zone 36, the seat zone 38, the thigh zone 40, or the foot zone 42 in response to signals from the physiological sensor 90 or bed component sensors such as load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 and/or air pressure sensor assembly 60. The inflation in the head zone 36, the seat zone 38, the thigh zone 40, or the foot zone 42 of the mattress 18 can be varied based on signals from the physiological sensor 90 or bed component sensors such as load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 and/or air pressure sensor assembly 60.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the sleep state of the patient on the bed 10 is be indicated on the user interface 54. The display screen 94 includes a status board 98 indicating that the sleep state of the patient (e.g., if the patient is in REM sleep) as well as a head angle of the patient on the bed 10. This sleep status board 98 also helps caregivers track the head angle of the patient with respect to sleep apnea or medically induced sleep apnea.
The data indicating patient weigh and/or patient movement as determined by the bed component sensors such as load cells 66, 68, 70, and 72 and/or air pressure sensor assembly 60 may be combined with data from physiological sensor 90 to provide a more detailed record of patient sleep. The discerned data may be displayed in detail on the display screen 94 of the user interface 54 on the siderail 14 of the bed 10. The data may include different sleep and movement states of the patient. The sleep status of the patient may also be communicated by icons illuminated on the bed 10 or as icons projected on the floor. For example, as shown in
The display screen 94 of the user interface 54 may include more than one input icons. As show in
As shown in
The sleep class screen 118 also includes a sleep class history icon 130. As shown in
As show in
The sleep time screen 140 includes a sleep time history icon 142. As shown in
As show in
The movement data screen 154 includes a movement data history icon 160. As show in
As show in
The movement time screen 166 includes a movement time history icon 168. As show in
Although this disclosure refers to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter set forth in the accompanying claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/314,526, filed Feb. 28, 2022, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63314526 | Feb 2022 | US |