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US4175263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Technique for monitoring whether an individual is moving from a particular area
Assignee: TRIAD AND ASSOC Inc
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Filing: 1977-04-25
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Granted: 1979-11-20
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Expires: 1997-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A first pressure sensor is positioned to sense the weight of part of the patient's body in the normal position and a second pressure sensor is positioned for sensing the weight of part of a patient's body when a patient begins to leave the bed. The device also includes an alarm and a pressure responsive switch connected to the first and second sensors to energize the alarm when the patient's weight is shifted from the first pressure sensor to the second pressure sensor. Another embodiment of the invention indicates when a patient moves from a recumbent to a sitting position or raises his head from a recumbent position. A further embodiment indicates when a child gets out of bed. Another embodiment of the invention indicates when a child moves out of an area where the child is supposed to be into an area where the child is not supposed to be.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Triplett
- 👤 Richard B. A. Morrow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1113; A61B5/1115; A61B5/1116; G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/18; G08B21/22; A61B2503/00; A61B2503/06; A61B5/68; A61B5/6887; A61B5/6892
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A monitoring system for determining and indicating when an individual is moving from a given location, comprising a pressure sensing pad for receiving part of the individual's weight, the pad including a layer of compressible permeable material for receiving a fluid therein, an envelope impermeable to the fluid and enclosing the material and a conduit extending through the envelope in communication with fluid in the material; and means for indicating when the individual is moving from the given location including an alarm, and means in circuit with the alarm for energizing the same including a pressure differential switch having a first pressure compartment, an inlet to the first compartment connected to the conduit, a second compartment, a first switch contact in one of the compartments, a second switch contact, and means separating the first and second compartments and movable in response to pressure differentials between the first and second compartments in switch contact opening and closing directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A monitoring system for determining and indicating when an individual is moving from a given location, comprising a pressure sensing pad for receiving part of the individual's weight, the pad including a layer of compressible permeable material for receiving a fluid therein, an envelope impermeable to the fluid and enclosing the material and a conduit extending through the envelope in communication with fluid in the material; and means for indicating when the individual is moving from the given location including an alarm, and means in circuit with the alarm for energizing the same including a pressure differential switch having a first pressure compartment, an inlet to the first compartment connected to the conduit, a second compartment, a first switch contact in one of the compartments, a second switch contact, and means separating the first and second compartments and movable in response to pressure differentials between the first and second compartments in switch contact opening and closing directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the permeable layer is continuous, providing only one pressure sensor, and the pressure differential switch includes means for admitting and retaining a quantity of fluid in the second compartment, the pressure in the second compartment acting to bias the separating means in a switch closing direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the internally compressible layer is of annular configuration providing a nonpressure sensitive interior area and the pressure differential switch includes means for admitting and retaining a quantity of fluid into the second compartment, the pressure in the second compartment acting to bias the separating means in a switch opening direction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for indicating when a patient is shifting weight on a bed from a first normal recumbent position to a second position, comprising a first pressure sensor positionable on the bed for sensing the weight of part of the patient's body in the first normal recumbent position; a second pressure sensor positionable on the bed for sensing the weight of part of the patient's body in the second position; an alarm; and means for energizing the alarm in response to shifting of the patient's weight from the first sensor to the second sensor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
94 words
A device for indicating when a patient is shifting weight on a bed from a first normal recumbent position to a second position, comprising a first pressure sensor positionable on the bed for sensing the weight of part of the patient's body in the first normal recumbent position; a second pressure sensor positionable on the bed for sensing the weight of part of the patient's body in the second position; an alarm; and means for energizing the alarm in response to shifting of the patient's weight from the first sensor to the second sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the first and second pressure sensors comprise pads are mechanically interconnected and are pressure independent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the pads are of generally uniform thickness providing a width and length substantially greater than the thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the energizing means comprises means responsive to pressure in both of the pads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the energizing means comprises means responsive to a pressure reduction in the first sensor and a pressure increase in the second sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 8 wherein pressure responsive means comprises a pressure differential switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the second pressure sensor is located in a position indicative of patient egress from the bed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the second sensor resides along at least one edge of the device and the first pad resides in the center of the device, the first and second sensors being juxtaposed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the combined configuration of the first and second pads is generally rectilinear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the first sensor comprises a first pad providing a first leg extending into the center of the device and a second leg extending generally transverse to the first leg along one edge of the device, the first pad generally describing a T in plan; and the second sensor comprises a second pad comprising a third leg parallel to the second leg along a diametrically opposed edge of the device from the second leg, a fourth leg extending along a third edge of the device and being generally parallel to the first leg and generally transverse to the third leg, and a fifth leg extending along a fourth edge of the device and being generally parallel to the first leg, the second pad generally describing a U in plan.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the device comprises a long dimension positionable parallel to the long dimension of the bed, the first leg being parallel to the long dimension.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the first sensor comprises a first pad in the center of the device, the second sensor comprises a second pad extending around at least three sides of the first pad.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the second pad extends around all sides of the first pad.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the second pressure sensor is located in a position indicative of the patient's head rising from the bed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the second pressure sensor comprises a pad extending along only one end of the device and positionable under the head of the patient.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 18 wherein the first pressure sensor comprises a first pad of much larger areal extent than the second pad, the first pad being positionable under the torso of the patient.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-19 | 1983-05-21 | 1983-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-19 | 1987-05-21 | 1987-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-19 | 1991-05-21 | 1991-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |