Undergarment wearable patient monitor
A patient monitor apparatus utilizing a base member having first and second surfaces used in conjunction with an undergarment. The base member first surface supports a moisture sensor which generates a signal upon the presence of urine. A tilt sensor is also mounted to the base member and generates a signal upon the absence of certain movements of the patient. The moisture sensor is covered by a porous sheet which prevents premature alarms from moist skin.
1. A monitor apparatus for positioning within an undergarment adjacent a skin of a patient comprising:
a base member, said base member including a first surface and an opposite second surfaces, said second surface lying against the undergarment, and said first surface intended to lie against the skin of the patient;
a moisture sensor, said moisture sensor being mounted to said base member, said moisture sensor configured to generate a signal upon detection of moisture;
a porous sheet, said porous sheet being mounted to said base member and being able to contact the skin of the patient to prevent a false signal being generated by said moisture sensor;
a holder for fixing a portion of said porous sheet to said base member to allow rotation of a part of said porous sheet relative to said base member; and
a tilt sensor, said tilt sensor being mounted to said base, said tilt sensor being configured to generate a signal indicating absence of turning of the patient during a selected time interval.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said porous sheet comprises a mesh fabric.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said moisture sensor comprises a plurality of metallic strips separated from one another, said plurality of metallic strips being mounted to said base.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 in wherein said base member comprises a first and a second compartment.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said first compartment contains a battery, electronics, and said tilt sensor.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 in which a second compartment includes a holder for fixing a portion of said moisture sensor and said porous sheet.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said holder comprises an adhesive potting compound.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which wherein a portion of said porous sheet is configured to be separable from said moisture sensor.
9. A patient monitor apparatus for positioning within an undergarment adjacent a skin of the patient, comprising:
a base member, said base member including a first surface and an opposite second surface, said second surface lying next to the undergarment, and said first surface intended to lie against the skin of the patient;
a moisture sensor, said moisture sensor being mounted to said base member, said moisture sensor configured to generate a signal upon detection of moisture;
a porous sheet, said porous sheet being mounted to said base member and being able to contact the skin of the patient to prevent a false signal being generated by the moisture sensor, said porous sheet possessing a memory;
a holder for fixing a portion of said porous sheet to said base member to allow rotation of a part of said porous sheet relative to said base member; and
a tilt sensor, said tilt sensor being mounted to said base, said tilt sensor being configured to generate a signal indicating absence of turning of the patient during a selected time interval.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said holder comprises an adhesive.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said porous sheet comprises a mesh.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said base member comprises a first and a second compartment and a portion of said moisture sensor and a portion of said porous sheet are fixed to said second compartments.
13. A patient monitor apparatus for positioning within an undergarment adjacent a skin of the patient, comprising:
a base member, said base member including a first surface and an opposite second surface, said second surface lying against the undergarment, and said first surface intended to lie against the skin of the patient;
a moisture sensor, said moisture sensor being mounted to said base member, said moisture sensor configured to generate a signal upon detection of moisture;
a porous sheet, said porous sheet being mounted to said base member and being able to contact the skin of the patient to prevent a false signal being generated by the moisture sensor;
a holder for fixing a portion of said porous sheet to said base member to allow rotation of a part of said porous sheet relative to said base member; and
a tilt sensor, said tilt sensor being mounted to said base, said tilt sensor being configured to generate a signal indicating absence of turning of the patient during a selected time interval.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 in which moisture sensor comprises a plurality of metallic strips separated from one another, said plurality of metallic strips being mounted to said base.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 in which said tilt sensor comprises a multi-axis tilt sensor.