Wireless locating of an incontinence detection pad via a patient bed

Abstract

An incontinence detection pad for detecting incontinence events includes a moisture absorbent layer that has non-embossed areas and embossed areas. The non-embossed areas have a first density of fibers of the layer, and the embossed areas have a second density of fibers of the layer that is greater than the first density. The incontinence detection pad further includes a plurality of electrodes positioned beneath the moisture absorbent layer and a transmitter connected to the plurality of electrodes and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a status of the moisture absorbent layer.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of determining a location of an incontinence detection pad, the method comprising:
 receiving at a reader mounted on a first patient bed a wireless transmission from the incontinence detection pad,   in response to receipt of the wireless transmission, sending from the reader a request to a remote server that the incontinence detection pad is seeking to be paired with the first patient bed,   with the remote server, monitoring communications from a plurality of patient beds, including the first patient bed, for a key,   detecting at the remote server the key as transmitted by the first patient bed, and   pairing the incontinence detection pad with the first patient bed such that the incontinence detection pad is associated with a location of the first patient bed, wherein the location of the first patient bed is stored in the remote server prior to the incontinence detection pad sending the wireless transmission to the reader.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising transmitting from the remote server a verification of the pairing between the incontinence detection pad and the first patient bed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising displaying a visual indication of the pairing in response to the verification. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the visual indication is displayed on the incontinence detection pad. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising sounding an audible indication of the pairing in response to the verification. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the audible indication is sounded on the incontinence detection pad. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the key is predefined by a manufacturer, a provider, or a user. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the key comprises a predefined action of the patient bed. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the predefined action comprises a sequence of events performed with the first patient bed that are unlikely to occur on any other of the patient beds of the plurality of patient beds. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the predefined action comprises placing a head section of the first patient bed above a threshold angle and moving all side rails of the first patient bed to lowered positions. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the threshold angle is 60 degrees. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the predefined action comprises raising and lowering a side rail of the first patient bed a threshold number of times within a threshold period of time. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the threshold number of times comprises five times. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the threshold period of time comprises 10 seconds. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the request from the reader to the remote server is sent wirelessly from the reader. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the request from the reader to the remote server is sent via a wired connection. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first patient bed is connected to the remote server via a wireless connection. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first patient bed is connected to the remote server via a wired connection. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first patient bed is connected to the remote server through a communication unit in a room with the first patient bed. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the remote server does not perform the monitoring for the key until after receiving the request from the reader.