Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided an electronic patient monitor for use in reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers. The monitor utilizes a separate sensor which senses the position of the patient in the bed or chair for purposes of determining when the patient moves. Additionally, the monitor broadcasts masking noise through its own, or through a remote, speaker, thereby enabling the patient to rest more comfortably in a noisy institutional environment. If the patient does not move on his or her own accord within a predetermined turn interval, the masking sound broadcast will be terminated which will gently encourage the patient to move. An alarm may additionally be sounded to notify the caregiver that the patient needs to be manually turned to reduce the risk of decubitus ulcers.

Abstract: There is provided herein an electronic patient monitor that includes indirect lighting of its control panel. Preferably, a splash guard is affixed to the monitor in a position proximate to one or more light sources, none of which directly illuminate the control panel. Light from the light sources is received by the splash guard and transmitted internally to the control panel, where the light that is emitted from the splash guard provides illumination for the user. In another variation, there is provided an electronic patient monitor with one or more light sources affixed thereto, which light sources are used to signal the operating characteristics of the monitor including its alarm volume setting, whether or not it is sounding an alarm, etc. In another variation, there is provided an electronic patient monitor that uses an environmental sensor to adapt its operating characteristics based on conditions proximate to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the manufacture of binary switches for use in the medical monitoring field and membrane switches for use in a variety of contexts. More particularly, the instant invention involves the construction, manufacture, and operation of pressure sensitive patient sensors of the sort commonly used in medical settings which can be used, for example, to detect when a patient has exited a chair or a bed. The instant application additionally teaches the construction of membrane switches for use in, for example, electronic instrument control panels. Both the binary switches and membrane switches taught herein are preferably formed from alternating layers of polyester and polyethylene.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor patients the presence and absence of a patient from a bed, chair, etc. The preferred environment in which the instant invention would be used would be a hospital or other care giving facility, wherein patients who are at risk of falling might left unattended while they are seated or lying. According to a first aspect of the instant invention, a microprocessor-based patient monitor is disclosed which includes a loudspeaker that emits alarms synthesized by the microprocessor. The microprocessor synthesizes any one of multiple alarm sounds under software control and activates and deactivates the alarm in response to the electronic signals received from an attached sensor and a user interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to binary switches for use in the medical monitoring field and to methods for manufacturing same. More particularly, the instant invention involves the construction, manufacture, and operation of pressure sensitive patient monitors of the sort commonly used in medical settings to detect when a patient has, for example, exited a chair or a bed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, an apparatus for patient monitoring is disclosed herein that contains one or more therein which resiliently collapse in response to weight, thereby completing an electrical circuit and indicating a presence or absence of a patient on the mat. Other preferred embodiments include hermetically sealed mats and methods of manufacturing same.

Abstract: There is provided herein a sensor for use in patient monitoring situations, wherein the level of patient motion activity is tracked for purposes of determining whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device broadly operates to sense the length of time since a patient has last moved from a previous sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time interval, it is preferred that the nursing staff be notified that it is time to manually reposition the patient. On the other hand, if the patient has changed position within the specified time period, the device will note that fact and inform the attending nurse or other caregiver that the patient need not be moved at the next scheduled relocation, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise sound sleep.

Abstract: There is provided herein an electronic patient monitor that is suitable for use with a variety of different sensors and which automatically configures itself depending on the sensor that is used and/or the environment in which the electronic monitor is placed. In a first preferred embodiment, the electronic monitor determines whether it is being used on a bed or a chair by sensing whether or not a nurse call connector is present. If such a connector is plugged into the monitor, the unit will assume that it is being used with a sensor that has been placed on a bed and will configure its internal parameters appropriately. Such configuration would include changing a delay time to provide for longer delays before sounding an alarm than would be used with a chair monitor.

Abstract: A method of performing a supervisory function for a self-checkout system including sending a request for supervisory assistance from a self-checkout system to a portable, handheld wireless terminal, receiving the request by the wireless terminal, presenting the request via a display provided with the wireless terminal to a supervisory individual, determining whether the assistance request can be remotely performed through input by the supervisory individual, responding to the request through input by the supervisory individual. The input results in a response being sent from the wireless terminal to the self-checkout system. The response results in the supervisory assistance being performed when the assistance request is remotely performable, and the response results in a notification that supervisory personnel are being dispatched to a location of the self-checkout system when the assistance request can not be remotely performed.

Abstract: A heating element that can be incorporated into a molded foam article closely adjacent to the outer cover sheet without showing any evidence that a heating element is encapsulated within the foam portion of the article and provides essentially the same relatively softness and “feel” that would be obtained if the heating element was not part of the article.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor patients lying in hospital beds or in other care giving environments. According to a first aspect of the instant invention, a microprocessor based patient monitor is disclosed which includes a loudspeaker driven by a power amplifier responsive to an input signal derived from a programmable volume control. The microprocessor synthesizes any one of multiple alarm sounds under software control, operates the programmable volume control of the alarm system and activates and deactivates the alarm in response to the electronic signals received from the sensor and a user interface. An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory accessible by the processor stores data which can be modified to tailor the operations of the monitor to suit a variety of different needs.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to patient monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor bed patients in hospital or other care-giving environments. In accordance with a first aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a pressure sensitive mat which has been completely sealed around its exterior edges. The interior of the mat is kept in communication with the atmosphere by way of a section of flexible tubing which encloses the attached electrical line. One end of the tubing is sealed inside of the mat and the other end is open to the atmosphere, thereby providing a passageway for air to reach the interior of the mat. This arrangement, however, protects the interior of the mat from exposure to fluids near the perimeter of the mat and allows the mat-portion of the invention to be completely submersed without adverse effect, if that should become necessary.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor bed patients in hospital or other care-giving environments. In accordance with a first aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a binary switch-type device (e.g., a “mat”) for use in patient monitoring situations which contains, in addition to a conventional patient detection circuit, identification circuitry that can be sensed by an attached electronic monitor. The identification circuitry can be sensed by the electronic monitor and is designed to be configured to serve many different purposes, including, by way of example only, identification of the type of mat attached thereto, detection of connectivity problems, tracking mat usage time, and identifying mats that are nearing the end of their useful lives.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to patient monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor bed patients in hospital or other care-giving environments. In accordance with a first aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a wetness detector for use in patient monitoring situations and which is adjustable in its degree of sensitivity to wetness. It contains at least two conductive regions placed on a non-conductive base and which are preferably separated laterally by some distance. Isolated electrical leads are attached to each conductive region. Electrical current passes much more readily between the two conductive regions when an electrolytic solution such as urine is present within the switch, thereby making it possible for a separate electronic monitor to determine when wetness is detected.

Abstract: A microprocessor based bed patient monitor receives electronic signals from a mat sensing the presence of a patient. The monitor aural alarm system includes a loudspeaker driven by a power amplifier responsive to an input signal derived from a programmable volume control. The processor synthesizes any one of multiple alarm sounds under software control, operates the programmable volume control of the alarm system and activates and deactivates the alarm in response to the electronic signals received from the sensor and a user interface.

Abstract: A holster for a bed monitor electric control module consists of two substantially rigid continuous wire loops bent into identical inverted-Ls of height less than a height of the module and held in back-to-back spaced apart relationship by upper and lower substantially rigid parallel wire cross members fixed to rearward vertical portions of the inverted-Ls. The cross members are of length and the upper horizontal portions of the inverted-Ls are of contour so as to constrain horizontal movement of a module which is inserted downwardly therein and seated on the lower horizontal portions of the inverted-Ls. A hanger is formed from a resiliently flexible wire bent into a configuration compatible with the holster and which can be flexed to permit insertion cf the hanger into the holster, manipulation of the hanger within the holster and release of the hanger into interlocking relationship with the holster so as to constrain movement of the holster relative to the hanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for monitoring the occupancy status of a toilet seat. In more particular, it applies to a pressure sensitive switch that can be used in combination with an electronic monitoring device to notify a nearby care-giver or a remote nurse's station that a patient has raised himself or herself from the toilet. Broadly speaking, the instant device is composed of two elements--a pressure sensitive switch and an actuator--that are installed between the toilet seat and the upper rim of the toilet bowl. Pressure on the toilet seat is communicated via the actuator to the pressure sensitive switch which, when compressed, completes an electrical circuit. When the pressure is removed, the electrical circuit is broken, thereby signaling that the patient has risen from his or her seated position on the toilet.

Abstract: Lens systems for use in fingerprint detection systems employing frustrated total internal reflection are provided. The systems include an aperture stop and three lens units. The first lens unit has a positive power, is located on the object side of the aperture stop, and forms a telecentric pupil for the lens system. The second lens unit has a positive power, is located on the image side of the first lens unit, and forms a real image of the object. In certain embodiments, the third lens unit is located between the first and second lens units and has substantially afocal cylindrical power. In other embodiments, the third lens unit serves to correct the field curvature of the image contributed by the first and second lens units.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a long term care device having a sensor thereon for detecting the presence of a patient on the device includes a microprocessor responsive to a resident program. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to the sensor automatically activates operation of the microprocessor to a "monitor" mode upon detection by the sensor of the patient's presence on the device, maintains operation of the microprocessor for a predetermined time period at least equal to a running time of the program and terminates operation of the microprocessor at the expiration of the predetermined time period after detection by the sensor of termination of the patient's presence on the device prior to expiration of the predetermined time period. A second circuit operates the system in response to commands manually applied to the second circuit to deactivate the system to a "hold/reset" mode after activating of the system to the "monitor" mode.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an infant-bearing device includes a microprocessor responsive to a resident program. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to a sensor automatically activates operation of the microprocessor to a "monitor" mode upon detection of the infant's presence, maintains operation of the microprocessor for a predetermined time period at least equal to a running time of the program and terminates operation of the microprocessor at the expiration of the predetermined time period if termination of the patient's presence occurs prior to expiration of the predetermined time period. A second circuit operates the system in response to signals received from a remote control device to deactivate the system from the "monitor" mode. The microprocessor is further responsive to the first circuit to activate the system to the "monitor" mode after deactivation if the sensor subsequently detects termination and resumption of the infant's presence on the device.

Abstract: A system connectible to an electrical power source for monitoring a short term care device having a sensor thereon for detecting the presence of a patient on the device includes a microprocessor and a plurality of circuits connected to the microprocessor. A first circuit connected to the microprocessor and to the sensor automatically initiates operation of the microprocessor upon detection by the sensor of the patient's presence on the device. A second circuit connected to the microprocessor provides an alarm upon demand by the microprocessor. A third circuit connected to the microprocessor is adapted to be interfaced with a nurse call station for generating signals to the station upon demand by the microprocessor. A fourth circuit connected to the microprocessor programs the system in response to commands manually applied to the fourth circuit.