Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's breathing, including monitoring of tidal volume, chest expansion distance, breathing rate, etc. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A patient immersion sensor includes a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus to determine a time of flight (TOF) of a RADAR pulse and a reflected signal that is reflected by a patient or by a portion of a patient support surface supporting the patient. The TOF is indicative of an immersion depth or a distance toward bottoming out of a patient supported on the patient support surface, such as a mattress or a pad. The RADAR apparatus emits pulses of very short duration so as to be able to detect objects, such as a patient or a portion of a mattress or pad, at very close distances. The RADAR apparatus may use time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt of a reflected signal to determine a distance toward bottoming out by the patient, thereby to determine if the patient is properly immersed into the patient support surface.

Abstract: A movement detection device includes a signal transmission device configured to transmit a radar signal transmission toward a target area and to receive reflected radar signals, and a signal analysis device configured to analyze the reflected radar signals to detect a movement in the target area that is indicative of micro-shivering. In response to detecting the micro-shivering, the movement detection device generates an alarm.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's breathing, including monitoring of tidal volume, chest expansion distance, breathing rate, etc. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress positioned on the frame. The mattress has an electronic component positioned within an interior of the mattress. An inductive power transmitter is coupled to the frame. An inductive power receiver is positioned within the interior of the mattress and electrically coupled to the electronic component.

Abstract: An example device for measuring a digital capillary refill time (CRT) can include a wearable component, a processor, and an output. The wearable component includes a touch pressure element and an optical sensor capable of transmitting and detecting optical energy. The detector converts the received optical energy into an electrical signal that represents the optical energy incident on the optical detector. The processor is programmed to receive the electrical signal from the detector, determine the CRT based on the optical sensor data, and output the electrical signal or the determined CRT.

Abstract: An example device for measuring a digital capillary refill time (CRT) can include a wearable component, a processor, and an output. The wearable component includes a touch pressure element and an optical sensor capable of transmitting and detecting optical energy. The detector converts the received optical energy into an electrical signal that represents the optical energy incident on the optical detector. The processor is programmed to receive the electrical signal from the detector, determine the CRT based on the optical sensor data, and output the electrical signal or the determined CRT.

Abstract: A system for measuring capillary refill time includes a wearable device and a control unit. The wearable device includes a force sensor to obtain a force signal and an optical sensor to obtain an optical signal. The system ensures that an applied force is acceptable in both magnitude and duration, and that a duration over which the applied force is released or removed is acceptable. These factors can establish that a capillary refill time determined or calculated therein is accurate. The system can also determine the capillary refill time based on the force and optical signals obtained by the force and optical sensors, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed are clinical decompensation monitoring platforms and methods. An example platform includes a wearable device to acquire photoplethysmography (PPG) waveform data representing a person's heart rate variability (HRV). Also disclosed are methods for collecting and verifying the HRV data, scoring and selecting optimal segments of HRV data for further processing that entails detecting clinically significant changes in a high frequency (HF) component, and passively monitoring clinical decompensation for providing patient feedback with individualized coping mechanisms.

Abstract: An example device for measuring a digital capillary refill time (CRT) can include a wearable component, a processor, and an output. The wearable component includes a touch pressure element and an optical sensor capable of transmitting and detecting optical energy. The detector converts the received optical energy into an electrical signal that represents the optical energy incident on the optical detector. The processor is programmed receive the electrical signal from the detector, determine the CRT based on the optical sensor data, and output the electrical signal or the determined CRT.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a housing defining a cavity, an inlet to receive fluid pumped from an instrument device, an outlet to return the fluid to a fluid reservoir, and a fluid channel defined inside the cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A heat pump is mounted inside the cavity, and has a side surface thermally coupled to the fluid channel and an opposite side surface thermally coupled to a plate. The heat pump is configured to induce a temperature change. A sensor unit is aligned with an aperture in the plate and includes an optical component and a thermal component. The optical component configured to measure a vascular endothelial response from the induced temperature change.

Abstract: High-accuracy locating systems and methods are used for determining successful caregiver rounding, monitoring whether housekeepers have properly cleaned patient beds, or determining whether patients have ambulated sufficient distances during recovery. Patient beds having at least two locating tags are used for establishing patient care zones around the patient beds. Locating anchors and equipment tags are moved around a patient room to determine optimum locating anchor placement within the patient room based on signal quality values. A locating tag on a patient bed switches roles to operate as a locating anchor in response to the patient bed becoming stationary. A locating tag has a digital compass which is used to determine a field of good ranging relative to a front of a caregiver wearing the locating tag.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a housing defining a cavity, an inlet to receive fluid pumped from an instrument device, an outlet to return the fluid to a fluid reservoir, and a fluid channel defined inside the cavity between the inlet and the outlet. A heat pump is mounted inside the cavity, and has a side surface thermally coupled to the fluid channel and an opposite side surface thermally coupled to a plate. The heat pump is configured to induce a temperature change. A sensor unit is aligned with an aperture in the plate and includes an optical component and a thermal component. The optical component configured to measure a vascular endothelial response from the induced temperature change.

Abstract: High-accuracy locating systems and methods are used for determining successful caregiver rounding, monitoring whether housekeepers have properly cleaned patient beds, or determining whether patients have ambulated sufficient distances during recovery. Patient beds having at least two locating tags are used for establishing patient care zones around the patient beds. Locating anchors and equipment tags are moved around a patient room to determine optimum locating anchor placement within the patient room based on signal quality values. A locating tag on a patient bed switches roles to operate as a locating anchor in response to the patient bed becoming stationary. A locating tag has a digital compass which is used to determine a field of good ranging relative to a front of a caregiver wearing the locating tag.

Abstract: A patient monitoring device includes a signal transmission device configured to direct a signal transmission toward a target area and to receive reflected signals from the target area, and a signal analysis device having a processing device and at least one non-transitory computer readable data storage device storing instructions, that when executed by the processing device, cause the patient monitoring device to transmit signals, receive reflected signals, and determine a non-contact vital sign measurement based on data from the reflected signals.

Abstract: A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

Abstract: A charting system is provided for use in a healthcare facility having a network. The charting system includes a microphone to receive voice inputs from a caregiver. A vital sign monitor obtains a vital sign from a patient and displays it. The system includes a communication device having a voice-to-text module that includes a processor coupled to the microphone. The processor operates a voice-to-text algorithm that converts the vital sign into text in response to the caregiver dictating the vital sign into the microphone. The processor initiates transmission of the vital sign to an EMR computer via the network after conversion of the at least one vital sign to text.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame and a mattress positioned on the frame. The mattress has an electronic component positioned within an interior of the mattress. An inductive power transmitter is coupled to the frame. An inductive power receiver is positioned within the interior of the mattress and electrically coupled to the electronic component.

Abstract: An example system for estimating a hydration level of an individual can include: a mechanism configured to apply mechanical pressure to a digit of the individual; an light detector configured to sense the light from the digit; and a controller programmed to perform functions including: send a first signal to the mechanism to apply the mechanical pressure to the digit; send a second signal to the mechanism to release the mechanical pressure on the digit; determine a capillary refill time based upon a third signal from the light detector indicating an amount of time for capillaries of the individual to refill with blood; and estimate the hydration level of the individual based upon the capillary refill time and one or more additional parameters.

Abstract: An example method for estimating a disease state for a patient can include: capturing physiological data including images from the patient over time; processing the physiological data to detect a variability; comparing the variability to a baseline or a range; and estimating the disease state for the patient based upon the comparing of the variability to the baseline or the limit.