Methods and apparatus for the detection of moisture and multifunctional sensor systems
A moisture management apparatus monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. An embodiment of the moisture management apparatus includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. The sensor event communication system may monitor other types of patient events. Portions of the moisture management apparatus and/or the moisture event communication system may be embodied in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.
1. An incontinence detection apparatus comprising
an incontinence pad having a flexible substrate, at least two sensor traces situated on the substrate, and a passive RFID tag situated on the substrate, the passive RFID tag being in electrical communication with the at least two sensor traces, wherein an open circuit is formed between the at least two sensor traces when the incontinence pad is dry, wherein the presence of a threshold amount of incontinence on the incontinence pad forms a closed circuit with the at least two sensor traces due to the incontinence pad being wet,
a pair of antennae to receive wireless energy emitted by the passive RFID tag indicating whether the incontinence pad is dry or wet, each antenna of the pair of antennae being spaced apart from the other so that two monitoring zones are created,
a reader to supply power to the pair of antennae, the reader receiving signals from the pair of antennae and transmitting a notification message in response to at least one of the signals from the pair of antennae indicating that the incontinence pad is wet, and
a patient bed having a frame and a mattress, the incontinence pad being situated atop the mattress, the reader being coupled to the frame, wherein the frame comprises a mattress support deck that supports the mattress and the pair of antennae are situated above the deck and beneath the mattress.
2. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is generally rectangular in shape and the RFID tag is mounted closer to an edge of the incontinence pad than to a middle of the incontinence pad.
3. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least two sensor traces includes a first sensor trace having first trace segments and a second sensor trace having second trace segments, the first trace segments being spaced from and interleaved with the second trace segments.
4. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate of the incontinence pad comprises a plastic film and the at least two sensor traces are printed on the plastic film.
5. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least two sensor traces of the incontinence pad comprise conductive ink printed on the substrate.
6. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a hydrophobic material and wherein the incontinence pad comprises a moisture absorbent material overlying the at two sensor traces.
7. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a synthetic resin or a thermoplastic polymer material.
8. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag is configured to wirelessly communicate authentication information to the reader via at least one antenna of the pair of antennae.
9. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reader is configured to control a frequency at which the at least two antennae and passive RFID tag communicate.
10. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reader comprises a housing and a visual indicator coupled to the housing to indicate that the incontinence pad is present and successfully communicating with the reader.
11. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a notification device spaced from the reader and in communication with the reader, the notification device providing a perceptible indication when the incontinence pad is wet.
12. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the notification device comprises one or more of the following: a dome light, a wall mounted display, a nurse's station, a caregiver display, a visual indicator located on a patient support apparatus, an electronic status board or a mobile computing device.
13. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mattress support deck has a seat section and at least one antenna of the pair of antennae is coupled to the seat section.
14. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reader is communicatively coupled to a network of a healthcare facility.
15. The incontinence detection apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the reader is configured to communicate wirelessly with the network.