Patent Application
20100194563
The present invention relates to secured rooms, more particularly, the present invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring the loading on a door and other objects in the secured room, particularly for suicide prevention.
Monitoring of patients in hospitals, and especially incoming patients with potential psychiatric conditions, is often a necessity to prevent patients from causing harm to themselves or even taking their own lives. One way in which patients have been known to cause such harm is by hanging themselves when placed in isolation rooms. Patient monitoring is often done through surveillance, either in person or on closed circuit television. Monitoring must essentially be constant, because a lapse of only a few minutes could provide enough time for a patient to hang him or herself from a door. Medical facilities will often not have the capabilities or manpower to constantly visually monitor all patients in isolation. Although rooms where patients are kept in isolation can be designed to minimize hardware or fixtures that may be used by a suicidal patient, not all such hardware and fixtures can practically be removed. It would therefore be desirable to have a way to monitor and alert appropriate personnel if it appears a patient is attempting to take his or her own life by utilizing such hardware or fixtures or other objects in a suicide attempt.
In an embodiments, a system, method, and devices for providing warnings of a suicide attempt provides monitoring of specific hardware, fixtures, or objects, or structure supporting or associated with same, within an secured isolation room. Sensors provide signals exterior the room that a monitored condition has changed. In an embodiment the sensor is a load sensor. More particularly, an object in an isolation room that provides an attachment potential for hanging is monitored such as by monitoring the load of said object, detecting changes in the loading of the object, and providing an alarm when the change in loading exceeds a predetermined parameter.
In an embodiment, a door assembly includes a door and a door frame connected by a hinge. A load cell or other sensor can be disposed intermediate the door frame and door to measure the load caused by the door. The door frame can include a plurality of openings containing supports for connecting the hinge and door to the door frame. One of the supports can carry the load of the door and can include the load sensor. The other supports can support a portion of the weight of the door and can have some vertical freedom of movement, that is, in the y direction in the x-y-z coordinate plane. The other supports can provide horizontal constraints such that the door hinge at the door frame does not move significantly or noticeably in the x-z plane. The door may secure a secured room and the sensor may be connected to a remote monitoring portion that can sound appropriate alarms or otherwise notify appropriate individuals of the status of the monitored secured room.
In another embodiment, a door sensor assembly can include a door connected to a door jamb with a hinge assembly having two hinge halves connected by a pin. A bearing can be located at the bottom of pin and can bear against, directly or indirectly, a load sensor disposed within a sensor bracket affixed to door jamb. Load sensor can measure the load on the door and changes to the load on the door. Resilient washers can be positioned along hinge assembly to distribute the door load in order to prevent an undue amount of force from being continually placed on the load sensor. Load sensor can provide a signal regarding the load on the door to a central monitoring station, thereby alerting personnel at central monitoring station if the load is substantially increased, such as if it is being used to support a person's weight. The systems and or sensors described herein can be arranged to be operative only when the door is closed, or when a patient is present, and as otherwise selected.
In an embodiment, a system can monitor a load placed on one or more doors. The system can include at least one door, door frame and hinge connecting the door to the door frame. A sensor can be configured to take measurements of a load caused by the door and transmit a signal indicative of the measurements to a remote monitoring station that allows remote monitoring of the load. The remote monitoring station can be configured to receive a plurality of signals relating to a plurality of sensors. The remote monitoring station can also be configured to provide an alarm if the signal indicates that the load has increased.
A feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is that a load placed upon a door or other object, fixture, or hardware can be monitored. A sensor monitors the load caused by the door or other object, fixture, or hardware, and an increase in the load indicates that an additional load has been placed upon the door. Therefore, appropriate personnel can be notified to investigate the cause of the increased load such as by an alarm sounding.
A further feature and advantage of embodiments of the invention is decreased response time to load increases on doors, which may indicate suicide attempts. The system can be setup such that a single monitoring station monitors a number of sensors positioned in different locations, so that an increased load on any of the sensors is instantaneously communicated back to the monitoring station. This allows the appropriate personnel to respond more quickly to and prevent any potential problems, such as suicide attempts.
Another feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that the manpower necessary to monitor numerous patient or isolation rooms is decreased. Because the load on the doors and/or other monitored objects in the rooms can all be monitored from a single monitoring station, fewer monitoring personnel are necessary.
A further feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that patient safety is increased. Because appropriate personnel can respond more quickly to a potential problem with the present invention, the likelihood of patient harm is decreased.
In an embodiment of the invention, a monitoring system associated with a plurality of patient rooms or secured rooms includes a remote monitoring portion and sensors associated with objects in the rooms that have attachment potential that could be used for causing harm such as by suspending or hanging of patients. Sensors may provide indications of weight change relating to the object, particularly weight addition, touching of the object, or other tampering. The sensors may be contact sensors, such as capacitive sensors, load cells, strain gauges, proximity sensors, or the like suitable to detect such tampering or change in conditions of the objects, as well as presence of patients. The sensors may be attached to or at the support structure supporting the objects or intermediate the object and secured room structure to monitor the loading from the object. The sensors are in communication with the monitoring portion by hardwiring, rf means, fiber optic, ir means or other communication means. The sensors may be active with circuitry and individual power sources at or proximate the sensing location or the patient room, or may be passive with direct wiring to the monitoring portion. The sensors may be periodically polled or continually monitored. The sensors for particular rooms may be configured to operate in coordination, such as presence detection of a patient or personnel in the room which may then activate the sensors to detect tampering or loading of objects. Different types of sensors, as well as a plurality of sensors may be utilized in each patient room. The sensors may have direct wiring to provide an indication in sensing condition, such as load change, to the monitoring portion which may then go to an alarm status to indicate to attendants the presence of an issue. Multiple monitoring stations may be provided to provide monitoring of multiple patient rooms in different locations throughout a facility such that when an alarm is sounded, ready visual access to information is provided in the different locations throughout the facility to aid in quick response to the specific room. Specific alarm status indication may be provided immediately outside of a room where an alarm triggering signal originated. Typically, the alarm condition will be activated when the sensed condition deviates outside a particular parameter range, said parameter range generally being adjustable either at the sensor, at the monitoring station, or both. In certain embodiments, the sensor may be a switch which is activated when a certain level of loading or a certain condition is present.
In an embodiment of the invention, patient isolation rooms can be visually surveyed and inspected to identify objects, fixtures, or hardware that can be utilized by patients intent on harming themselves such as by hanging and to then provide weight monitoring sensors connecting to said objects, fixtures, or hardware to provide an alarm condition when the effective weight loading of such identified objects, hardware or fixtures increases. In an embodiment, the weight monitoring sensors may be provided on support hardware to sense loading on the support hardware. In an embodiment, hardware may be replaced with sensor-embedded hardware, such as load sensing supports, that can sense relative loading whilst providing support. Loading may be sensed by monitoring a component deflection or compressive loading or tensile loading of a support member and detecting a change in same, or a change beyond a predetermined value.
In an embodiment of the invention gravitational loading on particular objects, fittings, and hardware in an isolation room may be monitored to provide an alarm condition when such loading increases beyond predetermined parameters suggesting a suicide gesture or attempt. The objects, fittings and hardware can include, but not limited to, a door providing access to the secured or isolation room or other door in the room, cabinets in the room, light fixtures, ceiling structure or ceiling support structure, fire control equipment, shelf structure, signage, and window hardware.
In an embodiment, an object of significant weight can be hung from a building structure in a secured room, whilst supported by a plurality of resilient supports to provide secure support. A load sensor positioned intermediate the building structure and object of significant weight can monitor any change of loading at the object of significant weight thereby indicating a secured person is tampering with the object such as by a suicide attempt. A monitor portion can activate alarms. The load sensor can be part of one of the supports.
A specific embodiment of the invention is providing a plurality of horizontal leaf springs for supporting a door hinge. An advantage and feature is that the leaf springs allow a measurable vertical deflection of the door with respect to the door frame from which the door is hung, whilst not allowing any significant horizontal deflection, and not interfering with the functional operation of the door. Such deflection may be measured by strain gauges or the compressive force provided on a load cell. Such leaf springs or load cells may be mounted in the door frame or within the door.
In an embodiment of the invention, the deflection of a support member of a door is monitored and when said deflection exceeds a certain amount, said deflection is sensed and an alarm is sounded. An embodiment utilizes a plurality of resilient members to provide support for an entrance door to the isolation room, the resilient members provide a deflection of support members, the door and door frame are configured such that the deflection of the support members does not affect the functional operation of the door in the door frame. Moreover, the deflection of the support members changes when additional weight is added to the door. Sensors are attached to at least one of the support members to monitor and provide an indication when “an additional weight” is added to the door. Such sensors may be strain gauges mounted on leaf springs or cantilevered members extending horizontally, a load cell where at least a portion of the weight of the door is supported by and is transferred though such a load cell, or other weight monitoring sensor arrangements.
Another feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention is that existing facilities can be retrofit with the present invention. Existing doors and hinges can be removed and sensors as described herein can be installed into the existing door frame. The existing door or a new door can then be configured to have its load measured and monitored by the sensor and system. Support hardware for other objects, fixtures, or hardware can be supplemented or replaced with loading capable sensors.
These as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.
Referring to
Referring to
Middle opening 112 in door frame 102 can include a load sensing support 200 that also connects hinge 106 to door frame 102. Load sensing support 200 can be fixed within opening 112 by fasteners 126 inserted through apertures in door frame 128 and into load sensing support 200. Hinge 106 can be connected to load sensing support 200 with fasteners 130 inserted through hinge apertures 132 and into load sensing support 200. Hinge apertures 132 can conform to fasteners 130 so that at least a portion of the load of the door 104 and hinge 106 is carried by the load sensing support 200. In embodiments where hinge 106 includes elongate apertures 122 for connecting to supports 114, essentially the entire load can be carried by the load sensing support 200. Load sensing support 200, as described in more detail herein, can sense the load of the door 104 and, accordingly, any changes in the load on the door 104. A communication cable 134 can transmit the load signal from the load sensing support 200.
A sensing assembly 218 extends vertically between floating bracket 204 and an upwardly facing ledge 220 of fixed bracket 202. Sensing assembly 218 can include a rod 222 for securing the sensor 224, configured as a spool shaped load cell, intermediate the floating bracket and the ledge 220 of the fixed bracket. The sleeve 226 extends between the floating bracket the top of the load cell. An adjusting screw 228 can extend into a lower portion 230 of the fixed bracket 202 and can be used to adjust the proportion of the load carried by the sensing assembly 218. The adjusting screw 228 can be adjusted to maintain the leaf springs 206, 208 in a horizontal position when the load sensing support 200 is supporting the door 104. This allows for most of or the entire weight of the door 104 to be supported by the sensing assembly 218.
In one embodiment, sensor 224 can be a Wheatstone bridge strain gauge and such a strain gauge on a support member. Strain gauge can be in the form a rod, as shown in
When the load of the door 102 is increased, load sensor 224 detects the increase because it supports at least a portion of the weight of the door 102. In one embodiment, load sensor 224 can be configured to sense the load on the door 102 at all times. In another embodiment, load sensor 224 can be configured to sense the load only at certain times, such as only when the door 102 is closed, or when the load exceeds a certain amount causing a certain deflection of the leaf springs and floating bracket.
Door assembly 100 can be a part of a system for monitoring sensor 135, such as a system for monitoring patient isolation rooms or other secured rooms. Referring to
As described above, middle opening 112 can contain a load sensing support 200 and top 108 and bottom 110 openings can contain non-load sensing supports 114. In another embodiment, top 108 and/or bottom 110 openings can also be configured to support a portion of the load of the door and to contain load sensing supports 200. The patient monitoring system 135 can add the load as read at each individual sensor 224 as a combined load caused by the door 104. Therefore, if, as the door 104 is opened and closed, the load of the door 104 shifts between the attachment points, there will not be a false reading of a load increase on the door because the overall load will remain the same due to an increase in the load at any one sensor causing a decrease at one or more of the other sensors.
Referring to
A bearing bracket 324 can also be attached to door jamb 304 with fasteners 314. Bearing bracket 324 can be positioned below first hinge half 308 and across from a bottom portion of second hinge half 310. Bearing bracket 324 can include an axial slot 326 extending through bearing bracket 324 and configured to contain a load sensor rod 328. Bearing bracket 324 can be positioned such that door bearing 322 of pin 316 bears against load sensor 328.
Load sensor 328 is capable of detecting and transmitting the amount of weight supported by rod 328. In one embodiment, load sensor rod 328 can be a strain gage of the type manufactured by Hitec Products, Inc. of Ayer, Mass. As depicted in the embodiment of
In another embodiment, a door assembly 300.1 can employ a generally spool-shaped sensor assembly 329 as shown in
Spool type sensors as illustrated herein are available from HITEC Corporation, Littleton, Mass. 01460.
Load sensor rod 328 can also be connected to an in-line signal conditioning amplifier 332 via low voltage cabling 330. Signal conditioning amplifier 332 can condition the signal from the load sensor rod 328 into a suitable form to be read by a central monitoring station 334. Signals can be transmitted to central monitoring station 334 either wirelessly or through a wired connection. A step-down voltage transformer 336 can be connected to a 120-volt power source 338 to power signal conditioning amplifier 332. Central monitoring station 334 can include a computer (laptop or separate computer and monitor), keyboard, mouse, touchpad, or the like and a software program providing a user interface for monitoring the sensor measurements with the computer.
In one embodiment, door assemblies as described herein can be utilized in a hospital as a suicide-prevention aid to monitor attempts by a patient to use a door or door hardware to commit suicide. Door assembly can be installed in a patient's room and constructed substantially as described above, for example. Load sensor provides a signal indicative of the load caused by the door to a central monitoring station. In one embodiment, central monitoring station is located at a nurse's station located near to the patient's room. If the patient attempts to hang from the door or door hardware, the load sensor will instantaneously sense the increased load on the door and transmit the information to the central monitoring station. An alarm or other signal at the central monitoring station can alert appropriate personnel that an unexpected load is on the door. Personnel can then go to the patient's room to investigate the cause of the increased load on the door and put a stop to any improper activity in a timely fashion. Central monitoring station can be configured to monitor door assemblies for numerous rooms at the same time. Sensing assemblies can also be configured to be used with other room fixtures that could present a danger of hanging in addition to doors.
In other embodiments, door assemblies as described herein can be used in other applications. Door assembly can be employed in any situation where it may be desirable to monitor the load carried by a door. Proximity sensors, such as hall effect, or inductive sensors, or capacitive sensors can be configured to identify when the door is open or closed and, in some embodiments, the monitoring can occur only when the door is closed. Such sensors can further provide an alarm that the door has been opened by the patient.
Flowcharts depicting a monitoring process 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention are depicted in
Although rooms can be initially constructed to utilize door assemblies and sensing systems as described herein, existing hospitals and other buildings can be retrofit with such assemblies. Existing doors and hinges can be removed from door frames and a load sensing support and, optionally, other supports as described herein can be installed. If the door frame into which the supports are being installed does not include the required openings, such openings can be made in the door frame. The same hinge and door or a new hinge and/or door can then be attached to the new supports. Load sensing support can be configured to transmit readings to a computer monitoring station as described herein.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed disclosure. For example, alternative sensors, such as strain gauges, could be applied directly to hinge plate portions that are stressed by the load of the door. The invention includes adapting existing installations to include load monitoring on the doors as described above. Similarly, load monitoring by use of load cells, strain gauges, and other sensors may be associated with other fixtures or hardware in isolation rooms where there is a risk of a suicide attempt by hanging. Such monitoring can often be effectively concealed from the patient by discrete positioning of sensors.
While the description of the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of the disclosure is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/140,521, filed Dec. 23, 2008, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61140521 | Dec 2008 | US |
