公开(公告)号：US06696653B1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-24

申请号：US09878088

申请日：2001-06-07

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

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

IPC: H01H314

CPC classification number: H01H3/142

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 translation: 本发明一般涉及用于医疗监控领域的二进制开关及其制造方法。 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监视器的构造，制造和操作，以检测患者何时例如离开椅子或床。 根据本发明的优选实施例，本文公开了一种用于患者监测的装置，其中包含一个或多个在其中响应于重量弹性崩溃的装置，从而完成电路并指示患者在垫子上的存在或不存在 。 其它优选实施例包括密封垫及其制造方法。

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：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。

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：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：US06987232B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-17

申请号：US10776959

申请日：2004-02-11

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: H01H35/36

CPC classification number: H01H3/142 ,  A61B5/6892 ,  H01H2239/078

Abstract: There is provided herein a sensor for use in connection with an electronic patient monitor, wherein the sensor preferably uses a linearly configured resistive ladder with spaced-apart resistors as a means of determining at least approximately a location of the patient on the sensor as well as an approximate length of the sensor which is compressed by the patient. By continuously determining both of these quantities over time it is possible to track the patient's movement and determine to what extent the patient needs to be manually turned and/or the extent to which a next-scheduled turn can be skipped.

Abstract translation: 本文提供了一种用于与电子病人监护仪结合使用的传感器，其中传感器优选地使用具有间隔开的电阻器的线性构造电阻梯，作为至少大致确定传感器上患者位置的手段，以及 由患者压缩的传感器的近似长度。 通过不断地确定这些量随着时间的推移，可以跟踪患者的运动并确定患者需要手动转动的程度和/或可以跳过下一轮次转弯的程度。

公开(公告)号：US07378975B1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-27

申请号：US11326532

申请日：2006-01-05

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: G08B23/00

CPC classification number: A61B5/6892 ,  A61B5/1126 ,  A61B5/447 ,  G08B21/0415 ,  G08B21/0461 ,  G08B21/0492

Abstract: There is provided herein a sensor/monitor combination designed to reduce the risk of pressure ulcer occurrence in immobile patients, wherein the level of patient activity is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified by the invention that it is time to manually reposition the patient. If the patient has significantly changed position during the predetermined time period and, thus, allowed previously compressed tissues to reoxygenate, the invention will not signal that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise healing sleep.

Abstract translation: 这里提供了一种传感器/监视器组合，其设计用于降低不动的患者的压力性溃疡发生的风险，其中跟踪患者活动的水平以确定该患者是否已经表现出足够的活动以消除预定的辅助重新定位到 新职位 即时装置感测到患者上次重新定位到不同的坐姿或卧位之后的时间。 如果患者在某个预定的时间段内没有移动，则本发明将通知护理人员现在是手动重新定位患者的时间。 如果患者在预定时间段期间具有显着改变的位置，并且因此允许先前压缩的组织再氧化，则本发明不会表明需要移动，从而消除了在某些情况下使患者从另外的愈合睡眠唤醒的需要 。

公开(公告)号：US07030764B2

公开(公告)日：2006-04-18

申请号：US10658622

申请日：2003-09-09

Applicant: Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

Inventor： Toby E. Smith ,  Craig L. Cooper

IPC: G08B23/00

CPC classification number: A61B5/6887 ,  A61B5/1113 ,  A61B5/1115 ,  A61B5/1118 ,  A61B5/1126 ,  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, wherein the level of patient activity in a chair or bed is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified that it is time to manually reposition the patient. On the other hand, if the patient has significantly changed position, the device will not signal to the caregiver that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise sound sleep.

Abstract translation: 本文提供了一种用于患者监测的传感器，其中跟踪椅子或床上的患者活动水平以确定该患者是否已经表现出足以消除排定的辅助重新定位到新位置的活动。 即时装置感测到患者上次重新定位到不同的坐姿或卧位之后的时间。 如果病人在一段预定的时间内没有移动，那么护理人员将被通知是时候手动重新定位患者。 另一方面，如果患者具有显着改变的位置，该装置将不会向护理人员发出必要的移动，从而消除了在某些情况下需要使患者从否定的睡眠唤醒。