Microclimate management airflow control based on incontinence detection
A microclimate system includes an air box, a disposable incontinence pad, and a mattress. The incontinence pad serves as an incontinent event detector. The disposable incontinence pad may be configured to conduct air along an interface of the disposable incontinence pad to withdraw heat and moisture from a patient and cools and dries the patient's skin in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation. The mattress may include a microclimate management layer that provides conditioned air to withdraw heat and moisture from the disposable incontinence pad thereby keeping the patient's skin cool and dry in order to reduce the risk of bed sore formation.
1. A patient support structure comprising
a mattress having a mattress inlet port and a mattress outlet port,
a microclimate system including an air box and a controller, the air box coupled to the controller and coupled to the mattress, and
a disposable incontinence pad atop the mattress, the incontinence pad comprising an upper layer being vapor and liquid permeable, a lower layer being liquid impermeable, and a middle layer being air permeable, wherein the middle layer includes a pad inlet port and a side vent at the opposite side of the pad inlet port,
wherein the air box is coupled to the mattress, and the mattress outlet port is coupled to the pad inlet port of the disposable incontinence pad to conduct air,
wherein the controller of the microclimate system detects the liquid level of the middle layer of the disposable incontinence pad, and
wherein the controller automatically shuts off the air from the air box when the liquid level exceeds a predetermined threshold level to prevent liquid from overflowing into the air box, and
wherein, subsequent to shutting off the air, the controller activates an indicator to alert caretakers to dispose of the current disposable incontinence pad.
2. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the air box is coupled to the mattress via a conduit, the conduit conducts the air from the air box to the mattress.
3. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the mattress inlet port is coupled to the air box, and the mattress outlet port is coupled to the disposable incontinence pad.
4. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the disposable incontinence pad comprises a check valve positioned to prevent a flow of liquid into the conduit.
5. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the disposable incontinence pad is movable along a top surface of the mattress to underlie where the pelvic region of a patient lying supine on the patient support structure.
6. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the mattress includes inflatable support bladders.
7. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the middle layer of the disposable incontinence pad comprises a three-dimensional material configured to conduct air between the upper layer and the lower layer of the disposable incontinence pad.
8. The patient support structure of claim 2 , wherein a conduit connecting the pad inlet port and the mattress outlet port includes a check valve to prevent moisture and liquid from overflowing into the conduit while providing the air to the disposable incontinence pad.
9. The patient support structure of claim 1 , wherein the controller activates an indicator to alert caretakers when the liquid level exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
10. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein the air box is coupled to the mattress via a conduit, the conduit conducts the air from the air box to the mattress.
11. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein the mattress inlet port is coupled to the air box, and the mattress outlet port is coupled to the disposable incontinence pad.
12. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein the disposable incontinence pad comprises a check valve positioned to prevent a flow of liquid into the conduit.
13. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein the disposable incontinence pad is movable along a top surface of the mattress to underlie where the pelvic region of a patient lying supine on the patient support structure.
14. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein the mattress includes inflatable support bladders.
15. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein the middle layer of the disposable incontinence pad comprises a three-dimensional material configured to conduct air between the upper layer and the lower layer of the disposable incontinence pad.
16. The patient support structure of claim 15 , wherein a conduit connecting the pad inlet port and the mattress outlet port includes a check valve to prevent moisture and liquid from overflowing into the conduit while providing the air to the disposable incontinence pad.
17. The patient support structure of claim 9 , wherein a conduit connecting the pad inlet port and the mattress outlet port includes a check valve to prevent moisture and liquid from overflowing into the conduit while providing the air to the disposable incontinence pad.