Patient position detection apparatus for a bed
An apparatus for supporting a patient comprises a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a patient position detection system including an alarm and at least one sensor configured to detect a position of the patient relative to the mattress.
1 . A patient position detection system for use with a patient support having a patient rest surface, the system comprising:
at least one sensor positioned below a patient rest surface and generating a signal indicative of a patient's position on the patient rest surface, and
a controller configured to define a plurality of patient position zones, the controller being configured to permit selection of at least one of the plurality of patient position zones as a selected patient position zone, the controller being configured to permit selection of at least one of the plurality of patient position zones as a selected patient position zone, the controller being configured to activate an alarm when a patient moves beyond the selected patient position zone.
2 . The patient position detection system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one load cell.
3 . The patient position detection system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to receive data from the at least one load cell to weigh the patient.
4 . The patient position detection system of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is configured to activate in the event the patient approaches exiting the rest surface.
5 . The patient position detection system of claim 1 , further comprising a zone selector configured to permit scrolling selection of the plurality of patient position zones.
6 . The patient position detection system of claim 1 , wherein the signal of the at least one sensors is based on electrical resistance that varies with the position of a patient on the patient rest surface.
7 . A patient position detection system for use with a patient support having a patient rest surface, the system comprising:
at least one sensor having an electrical resistance that varies as a function of a patient's position on a patient rest surface, and
a controller having a plurality of predetermined threshold values and being configured to permit selection of one of the plurality of predetermined threshold values as a selected value, the controller being configured to activate a notification when the electrical resistance of the at least one sensor reaches the selected value.
8 . The patient position detection system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit data to a nurse call station at a remote location over a communication network.
9 . The patient position detection system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one load cell.
10 . The patient position detection system of claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit an output signal over a communication network to a remote location.
11 . The patient position detection system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor is configured to generate at least one analog signal related to the patient's position a patient rest surface.
12 . The patient position detection system of claim 11 , further comprising an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the at least one analog signal into at least one digital signal.
13 . A patient support comprising:
a frame,
a mattress defining a patient rest surface supported by a frame, and
a patient position detection system including an alarm, the alarm being activated when a patient moves beyond a predetermined position, the sensitivity of the patient position detection system being adjustable to activate the alarm when the patient moves beyond different predetermined positions.
14 . The patient support of claim 13 , further comprising a controller defining the predetermined patient positions and a position selector configured to permit selection of one of the predetermined patient positions as a selected position.
15 . The patient support of claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit data to a nurse call station at a remote location over a communication network.
16 . The patient support of claim 14 , wherein the controller determines when the patient moves away from a central portion of the patient rest surface towards an edge of the patient support, the controller then provides an indication that the patient is approaching exiting.
17 . The patient support of claim 13 , wherein the patient position detection system further includes a plurality of sensors configured to sense the position of the patient.
18 . The patient support of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one load cell.
19 . The patient support of claim 18 , further comprising a deck supporting the mattress, wherein the plurality of load cells support the weight of the deck and the mattress.
20 . The patient support of claim 13 , wherein one of the predetermined positions is in a center portion of the patient rest surface and the alarm sounds when the patient moves from the center portion.