Sensor pads for patient monitoring devices

[0002] The present invention relates generally to patient monitoring devices, and more particularly, to improvements in sensor pads for use with patient monitoring systems for notifying medical personnel and caregivers in the event a patient or ward leaves a bed or chair unattended.

[0003] Patient monitoring devices are employed in hospitals and nursing homes, and the like to alert staff if a patient or ward gets out of bed or a chair unattended, (or falls out of bed or chair), or in the case of a infant, is removed from a crib by a unauthorized person. Referring to FIG. 1, a typical patient monitoring system includes a controller 10 adapted to receive a signal from a detecting pad 12 which typically is hard wired to controller 10 through line 14. Controller 10 typically includes a power switch and a display 16, and typically includes a visual and audible alarm 18. Alternatively, sensor pad 12 maybe battery powered, and include a built in radio transmitter for sending a signal to controller 10.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 2, sensor pad 12 typically comprises a pressure pad or membrane switch type sensor comprising a pair of flexible dielectric sheets or membranes 20, 22 joined to one another at their periphery 24 by an adhesive or by thermal welding. Formed inwardly of periphery 4 on facing surfaces of sheets 20 and 22 are conductor strips 26 and 28 respectfully. Conductor strips 26 and 28 typically are formed of screen printed carbon or the like and together form the two poles of a membrane or pressure switch which is normally “open”, and which completes a circuit when subjected to sufficient pressure. Pad 12 also may include a pressure sensitive adhesive 30 and release sheet 32 on the back thereof so that the pad maybe fixed in place on a mattress or chair pad. Sensor pads in accordance with the foregoing are available commercially from several sources including Secure Care Products, Inc. of Concord N.H.

[0005] The present invention provides an improvement in sensor pads of the like above discussed. More particularly, the present invention provides a sensor pad in which open circuit patterns are printed on one surface of a first dielectric sheet, while a plurality of switch closures are printed on the surface of a second dielectric sheet facing the first sheet. The second dielectric sheet includes a plurality of raised areas or pods on which the switch closures are printed. The switches are in a normally open position, and are closed by pressure from the weight of a patient.

[0006] Still are the features and advantages the present invention will be seen from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a monitoring system in accordance with the prior art;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a top plan view, in partial cross-section, of a prior art sensor pad;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, of a sensor pad made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor pad of FIG. 3, taken along IV—IV; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, taken along V—V.

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a sensor pad made in accordance with the present invention. The pad 40 comprises a substrate 42 formed of a thin semi-rigid dielectric material such as 0.026 to 0.027 mil thick polyester sheet or the like. Carried on a surface 44 of substrate 42 is a pair of parallel running bus bars 46 formed of an electrically conductive material such as a metal foil or conductive ink. A plurality of spaced conductor strips 50, 52 also formed of a metal foil or conductive ink are formed extending from and perpendicular to bus bars 46, 48, in regular spaced groupings 54a,54b. . . Bus bars 46 and 48 are connected through a flexible lead and plug 100 for connecting the sensor pad to a controller (not shown). Bus bars 46, 48, strips 50, 52, and the flexible lead (not shown) are all formed on substrate 42 by screen printing, or other well known printed circuit processes.

[0013] As will be appreciated, bus bars 46, 48 and strips 50, 52 formed on substrate 42 comprise two halves of a normally open circuit.

[0014] A second dielectric sheet 60 is positioned overlying substrate 42. Sheet 60 is similar in plan to substrate 40. However, unlike substrate 40 which is planar, sheet 60 comprises a plurality of raised areas or pods 62a,62b. . . spaced regularly along a length of sheet 60 and overlying groupings 54a,54b. . . Pods 62a,62b. . . are connected by a raised channels 64.

[0015] Metalized pads 66 are formed on the underside surface of pods 62a,62b. . . Sheet 60 is adhesively bonded to substrate 40 except under pods 62a,62b. . . and channels 64 so that pods 62a,62b. . . and channels 64 collectively form one or more air bladders whereby pads 62a,62b. . . are normally held spaced apart from and above strips 50, 52.

[0016] Completing the sensor pad in accordance with the present invention is a pressure sensitive adhesive 68 which is applied to the back surface 70 of substrate 40, and a release sheet 72 which overlays the adhesive 68.

[0017] Use of the sensor pad in accordance with the present invention is as follows. The release sheet 72 is striped from the pad, and the pad positioned on a mattress or chair for location under the patient. The pad is then connected to the controller. As will be appreciated, the pad is in a normally “open switch” position. However, when sufficient pressure is exerted on the pad such as by the presence of a patient in the bed or chair, one or more pods 62a,62b. . . are deflected downward so that pads 66 make contact across two or more adjacent strips 50, 52. This completes the electrical circuit. The controller is then turned on. As long as the circuit remains completed, no alarm is sounded. However, due to the plurality of switches, normal movement of the patient in the bed or the chair will not result in an open switch condition.

[0018] Unlike some prior art pressure sensor pads which over time may compress and give false close switch signals, and/or may give false close switch signals due to the weight of pillows or blankets, the captured air under the switch pods 62a,62b. . . provides positive pressure open switch conditions in the absence of sufficient pressure on the pads due to the weight of the patient. Thus, false close switch signals are eliminated.

[0019] Changes may be made to the above invention. For example, rather than interconnect all of the pods, the pods could be connected in groups of two or more. Also, pads can be graded for different size/weight patients by varying the size, geometry and placement of the pods and/or captured air pressure. And, conductors 50, 52 maybe formed in other patterns. Still other changes maybe made without departing from the spirit scope of the invention.