公开(公告)号：US07570152B2

公开(公告)日：2009-08-04

申请号：US11507418

申请日：2006-08-21

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: G08B5/22

CPC classification number: A61B5/002 ,  A61B5/1115 ,  A61B5/6887 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  A61B5/6894 ,  A61B2560/0266 ,  A61G5/10 ,  A61G2203/34 ,  G08B21/22

Abstract: In accordance with a first preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a patient monitor that is automatically disabled when a caregiver enters a room and then is automatically reactivated after the caregiver leaves. According to a first preferred embodiment, it will remain disabled during the time the caregiver is proximate to the patient/monitor and then will automatically reactivate after the caregiver has moved away.

Abstract translation: 根据本发明的第一优选方面，提供了一种患者监护仪，其在照顾者进入房间时自动禁用，然后在照料者离开之后被自动重新激活。 根据第一优选实施例，在护理者靠近患者/监护仪的时间期间，它将保持禁用，然后在照料者移开之后将自动重新激活。

公开(公告)号：US06646556B1

公开(公告)日：2003-11-11

申请号：US09591887

申请日：2000-06-09

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: G08B2300

CPC classification number: A61B5/6887 ,  A61B5/1115 ,  A61B5/1118 ,  A61B5/447 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  A61B2562/0247 ,  A61B2562/0266 ,  A61B2562/046 ,  A61G7/057 ,  A61G2203/44 ,  A61G2203/46

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. In either case, the instant invention operates to reduce the risk that a patient will develop bed sores by helping ensure that the patient is manually moved as frequently as is medically necessary, but no more often than is actually necessary.

Abstract translation: 本文提供了一种用于患者监测情况的传感器，其中跟踪患者运动活动的水平以便确定该患者是否已经展现出足以消除预定的辅助重新定位到新位置的活动。 该瞬时装置广泛地操作以感测自患者最后从先前的坐位或卧位移动的时间长度。 如果患者在某个预定的时间间隔内没有移动，则优选地，通知护理人员现在需要手动重新定位患者。 另一方面，如果患者在规定的时间内改变了位置，则该装置将注意到该事实并且通知主管护士或其他看护者在下次安排的搬迁时不需要移动患者，从而消除了某些情况下的需要 病例可以使患者从其他健康的睡眠中唤醒。 在任一情况下，本发明操作以减少患者通过帮助确保患者手动地如医疗上需要的手动移动而不是经常实际需要的频率来发展患者的风险。

公开(公告)号：US06307476B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-23

申请号：US09285956

申请日：1999-04-02

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Patrick W. Lovely

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Patrick W. Lovely

IPC: G08B2300

CPC classification number: A61B5/6892 ,  A61B5/1117 ,  A61B2562/08 ,  G06F19/00 ,  G08B21/22

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 translation: 本发明一般涉及监测系统，更具体地涉及用于监测医院或其他护理环境中的床位患者的装置和系统。 根据本发明的第一方面，提供了用于患者监视情况的二进制开关型装置（例如，“垫”），除了常规的患者检测电路之外，还包括识别电路，其可以 由附接的电子监视器感测到。 识别电路可以由电子监视器感测，并且被设计成被配置为服务许多不同的目的，包括仅作为示例，识别附着于其上的垫的类型，连接问题的检测，跟踪垫的使用时间和 识别接近其使用寿命结束的垫。

公开(公告)号：US20100245090A1

公开(公告)日：2010-09-30

申请号：US12535400

申请日：2009-08-04

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: G08B23/00

CPC classification number: G01K7/02 ,  A61B5/1117 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  A61B2562/0271 ,  A61B2562/043 ,  G01K7/04 ,  G01K13/002 ,  H01L35/20 ,  H01L35/34

Abstract: A patient temperature monitoring system is provided herein that takes the form of an electronic patient monitor that is used in conjunction with a thermocouple sensor that has been printed or otherwise placed on a flexible surface such as a mat. The thermocouple sensor that is taught herein is more comfortable for the patient, more reliable, and can be manufactured with less cost than has heretofore been possible. According to a preferred embodiment, a finely powdered metal ink containing, for example, iron will first be silk screened onto a substrate. Then a second metal ink will be screened onto the same substrate so as to intersect the first, the second metal being preferably being some combination of nickel and copper, the first and second metal inks being chosen to form a thermocouple.

Abstract translation: 本文提供了一种患者温度监测系统，其采用电子病人监护仪的形式，该电子病人监护仪与已经印刷或以其它方式放置在诸如垫的柔性表面上的热电偶传感器结合使用。 本文教导的热电偶传感器对于患者来说更舒适，更可靠，并且可以以比迄今为止可能的更低的成本制造。 根据优选实施方案，首先将含有例如铁的细粉末状金属油墨丝网印刷在基材上。 然后，第二金属油墨将被筛选到相同的基板上，以便与第一金属相交，第二金属优选地是镍和铜的某种组合，第一和第二金属油墨被选择以形成热电偶。

公开(公告)号：US07078676B2

公开(公告)日：2006-07-18

申请号：US10967612

申请日：2004-10-18

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: G01J1/04 ,  G01D5/34

CPC classification number: G01L5/10 ,  B60R21/0155 ,  G01B11/16

Abstract: There is provided herein a sensor for determining relative displacement between two surfaces which utilizes two optically conductive members that have been mounted in proximity to each other, whereby the amount of displacement between the two surfaces may be determined by measurement of the magnitude of the intensity of light transmitted through them. The instant invention preferably utilizes two planar light transmitting surfaces—an emitter and a receiver—which are free to move laterally with respect to each other and are positioned so that when light is introduced into the emitter some proportion of that light falls on the receiver. By electronically monitoring the intensity of light impinging on the receiver an estimate of the amount of overlap between the two optical surfaces and, thus, an estimate of the relative displacement between them, may be obtained.

Abstract translation: 这里提供了一种用于确定两个表面之间的相对位移的传感器，该传感器利用两个彼此靠近安装的光学导电构件，由此两个表面之间的位移量可以通过测量两个表面的强度的大小来确定 光透过他们。 本发明优选地使用两个平面光透射表面 - 发射器和接收器 - 它们相对于彼此自由地横向移动并且被定位成使得当光被引入发射器时，该光的一部分落在接收器上。 通过电子监测入射在接收机上的光的强度，可以获得两个光学表面之间的重叠量的估计，并因此估计它们之间的相对位移。

公开(公告)号：US06292102B1

公开(公告)日：2001-09-18

申请号：US09596268

申请日：2000-06-16

Applicant: Toby E. Smith

Inventor： Toby E. Smith

IPC: G08B2100

CPC classification number: G01N27/048

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 translation: 本发明一般涉及患者监测系统，更具体地涉及用于监测医院或其他护理环境中的床位患者的装置和系统。 根据本发明的第一方面，提供了一种湿度检测器，用于患者监测情况，并且其湿度敏感度可调节。 它包含放置在非导电基底上的至少两个导电区域，其优选地横向间隔一定距离。 隔离的电引线连接到每个导电区域。 当开关内存在诸如尿液之类的电解溶液时，电流在两个导电区域之间更容易流动，从而使单独的电子监视器可以确定何时检测到湿度。

公开(公告)号：US07319400B2

公开(公告)日：2008-01-15

申请号：US10966986

申请日：2004-10-15

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper ,  Sanford G. Fitzgerald

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper ,  Sanford G. Fitzgerald

IPC: G08B23/00

CPC classification number: A61F5/3776 ,  G01L5/10

Abstract: The instant invention is designed to detect when undue tension is placed on a belt or strap that is connected to a restraining vest, such undue pressure being indicative that a patient may be in trouble. It is preferable that, whatever sensor is used, it should be elastically resilient to return to its unstressed state after tension on the strap is removed. Additionally, it is preferable that the amount of force that is required in order to trigger an alarm be adjustable to accommodate patients of different weights. Finally, it is also preferable that the level of stress on the strap—and the duration over which it is applied—that is necessary to trigger an alarm be such that the patient cannot easily intentionally cause the device to sound an alarm.

Abstract translation: 本发明设计用于检测在连接到限制背心的皮带或皮带上放置何时过度的张力，这种不适当的压力表示患者可能处于麻烦状态。 优选的是，无论使用什么传感器，它应当弹性地弹性以在带剥离之后恢复到其不受应力的状态。 此外，优选地，为了触发报警所需的力量可调节以适应不同重量的患者。 最后，还优选的是，带子上的应力水平及其施加的持续时间 - 触发报警所必需的，使得患者不能有意地使设备发出报警。

公开(公告)号：US07079036B2

公开(公告)日：2006-07-18

申请号：US10876012

申请日：2004-06-24

Applicant: Craig L. Cooper ,  Toby E. Smith

Inventor： Craig L. Cooper ,  Toby E. Smith

IPC: G08B23/00

CPC classification number: G08B21/22 ,  G08B3/10

Abstract: There is provided herein a first preferred arrangement of the instant invention, wherein an electronic patient monitor utilizes a computer CPU as an alarm signal generator, which CPU is preferably directly connected to a power amplifier and/or a speaker without an intervening (or subsequent) conventional volume control. The alarm signal is preferably expressed as a series of square waves. The volume of the alarm signal as heard through the speaker is controlled by varying the width of the square waves that represent the alarm signal with the duty cycle of the square waves being shortened to reduce the output alarm volume and lengthened to increase it.

Abstract translation: 这里提供了本发明的第一优选布置，其中电子病人监护器利用计算机CPU作为报警信号发生器，该CPU优选地直接连接到功率放大器和/或扬声器，而无需介入（或随后） 常规音量控制。 警报信号优选表示为一系列方波。 通过扬声器听到的报警信号的音量通过改变表示报警信号的方波的宽度来控制，其中方波的占空比被缩短以减小输出报警音量并延长以增加报警信号的增加。

公开(公告)号：US06897781B2

公开(公告)日：2005-05-24

申请号：US10397126

申请日：2003-03-26

Applicant: Craig L. Cooper ,  Toby E. Smith

Inventor： Craig L. Cooper ,  Toby E. Smith

IPC: G08B21/04 ,  G08B21/22 ,  G08B23/00

CPC classification number: A61B5/1118 ,  A61B5/447 ,  A61B5/6887 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  G08B21/0423 ,  G08B21/0446 ,  G08B21/0461 ,  G08B21/22 ,  G10K11/178 ,  H04K3/415 ,  H04K3/46 ,  H04K3/84 ,  H04K2203/12

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 translation: 根据优选实施例，提供了一种用于降低褥疮溃疡风险的电子病人监护仪。 显示器使用单独的传感器，其感测患者在床或椅子中的位置，用于确定患者何时移动。 此外，监视器通过其自身或通过远程扬声器广播掩蔽噪声，从而使患者能够在嘈杂的机构环境中更舒适地休息。 如果患者在预定的转弯间隔内不自愿移动，则屏蔽声音广播将被终止，这将轻轻地鼓励患者移动。 还可能发出警报以通知护理人员需要手动转动患者以减少褥疮溃疡的风险。

公开(公告)号：US06858811B2

公开(公告)日：2005-02-22

申请号：US10701581

申请日：2003-11-05

Applicant: Sanford G. Fitzgerald ,  Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper ,  Margaret S. Blaker ,  Richard R. Keck

Inventor： Sanford G. Fitzgerald ,  Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper ,  Margaret S. Blaker ,  Richard R. Keck

IPC: H01H3/14

CPC classification number: H01H3/142

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 translation: 本发明一般涉及用于医疗监控领域的二进制开关的制造方法和装置以及用于各种情况下的薄膜开关。 更具体地，本发明涉及在医疗设置中通常使用的类型的压敏患者传感器的构造，制造和操作，其可以用于例如检测患者何时退出椅子或床。 该即时应用另外教导了用于例如电子仪表控制面板的薄膜开关的构造。 本文教导的二进制开关和膜开关都优选地由聚酯和聚乙烯的交替层形成。