Sensor based mattress/seat for monitoring pressure, temperature and sweat concentration to prevent pressure ulcerations

Abstract

A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore includes a first sensor to detect a first condition that results in the bedsore and to output a first sensor signal from the first sensor indicative of the first condition that results in the bedsore, a controller to receive the first sensor signal and to determine if the condition may result in the bedsore and an alarm responsive to the controller to provide an alarm to indicate that the condition may result in the bedsore.

1 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore, comprising: 
 a first sensor to detect a first condition that results in said bedsore and to output a first sensor signal from said first sensor indicative of said first condition that results in said bedsore;    a controller to receive said first sensor signal and to determine if said condition may result in said bedsore; and    an alarm responsive to said controller to provide an alarm to indicate that said condition may result in said bedsore.    
   
   
       2 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 1 , wherein said first sensor includes a chlorine sensor to detect the presence or absence of chlorine.  
   
   
       3 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 1 , wherein said system includes a second sensor to detect a second condition that results in said bedsore and to output a second sensor signal from said second sensor indicative of said second condition that results in said bedsore  
   
   
       4 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 3 , wherein said system includes a third sensor to detect a third condition that results in said bedsore and to output a third sensor signal from said third sensor indicative of said third condition that results in said bedsore.  
   
   
       5 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 3 , wherein said second sensor includes a pressure sensor to detect pressure.  
   
   
       6 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 4 , wherein said third sensor includes a temperature sensor to detect temperature.  
   
   
       7 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 2 , wherein said chlorine sensor includes a chlorine sol-gel sensor.  
   
   
       8 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 5 , wherein said pressure sensor includes a pressure sol-gel sensor.  
   
   
       9 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 5 , wherein said pressure sensor includes a pressure liquid crystal sensor.  
   
   
       10 ) A system for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 6 , wherein said temperature sensor includes a temperature liquid crystal sensor.  
   
   
       11 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore, comprising the steps of: 
 sensing to detect a first condition that results in said bedsore and to output a first sensor signal indicative of said first condition that results in said bedsore;    receiving said first sensor signal and determining if said condition may result in said bedsore; and    sending an alarm to indicate that said condition may result in said bedsore.    
   
   
       12 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 11 , wherein said sensing said first condition includes sensing to detect the presence or absence of chlorine.  
   
   
       13 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 11 , wherein said method includes sensing to detect a second condition that results in said bedsore and to output a second sensor signal indicative of said second condition that results in said bedsore  
   
   
       14 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 13 , wherein said method includes sensing to detect a third condition that results in said bedsore and to output a third sensor signal indicative of said third condition that results in said bedsore.  
   
   
       15 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 13 , wherein said sensing said second condition includes using a pressure sensor to detect pressure.  
   
   
       16 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 14 , wherein said sensing said third condition includes using a temperature sensor to detect temperature.  
   
   
       17 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 12 , wherein said sensing said first condition includes using a chlorine sol-gel sensor.  
   
   
       18 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 15 , wherein said sensing said second condition includes using a pressure sol-gel sensor.  
   
   
       19 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 15 , wherein said sensing said second condition includes using a pressure liquid crystal sensor.  
   
   
       20 ) A method for detecting conditions to prevent a bedsore as in  claim 16 , wherein said sensing said third condition includes using a temperature liquid crystal sensor.