U.S. patent application number 13/527816 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-26 for managing mattress pressure on wounds.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Mark B. Stevens, John D. Wilson. Invention is credited to Mark B. Stevens, John D. Wilson.
Application Number | 20130340175 13/527816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49773145 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130340175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stevens; Mark B. ; et
al. |
December 26, 2013 |
MANAGING MATTRESS PRESSURE ON WOUNDS
Abstract
A method, computer usable program product, or system for
adjusting a mattress to minimize pressure on a patient wound
including detecting a location of the patient wound relative to the
mattress, and responsive to detecting the location of the patient
wound relative to the mattress, adjusting the mattress to minimize
pressure on the patient wound.
Inventors: |
Stevens; Mark B.; (Austin,
TX) ; Wilson; John D.; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stevens; Mark B.
Wilson; John D. |
Austin
Houston |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
49773145 |
Appl. No.: |
13/527816 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 7/05769 20130101;
A61G 2203/34 20130101; A61G 7/057 20130101; A61F 13/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/690 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/00 20060101
A47C017/00 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A computer usable program product comprising a non-transitory
computer usable storage medium including computer usable code for
use in adjusting a mattress to minimize pressure on a patient
wound, the computer usable program product comprising code for
performing steps of: detecting a location of the patient wound
relative to the mattress having a first pressure; and responsive to
detecting the location of the patient wound relative to the
mattress, adjusting pressure of the mattress to minimize pressure
on the patient wound including decreasing mattress pressure near
the wound less than the first pressure and increasing mattress
pressure surrounding the wound greater than the first pressure.
10. The computer usable program product of claim 9 wherein a marker
is placed on the patient wound and wherein the mattress contains
sensors that determine the position of the marker relative to the
mattress.
11. The computer usable program product of claim 10 wherein the
mattress includes multiple individually pressurized fluid cells,
the pressurized fluid cells selected from a group consisting of
pressurized air cells and pressurized liquid cells.
12. The computer usable program product of claim 11 wherein the
mattress includes a control system which decreases cell pressure
under the patient wound to reduce pressure on the patient wound and
which increases cell pressure radially away and near the patient
wound to provide support.
13. The computer usable program product of claim 12 wherein a
marker is placed on the patient wound and wherein the mattress
contains sensors that determine the position of the marker relative
to the mattress.
14. The computer usable program product of claim 13 wherein each
mattress cell includes a sensor for locating whether the marker is
proximate to the sensor.
15. The computer usable program product of claim 13 wherein the
mattress includes external sensors for locating the marker relative
to reference indicators located in the mattress.
16. The computer usable program product of claim 12 wherein
information regarding the patient wound is provided to the control
system and wherein the control system uses the patient wound
information in adjusting the mattress cells.
17. A data processing system for adjusting a mattress to minimize
pressure on a patient wound, the data processing system comprising:
a processor; and a memory storing program instructions which when
executed by the processor execute steps of: detecting a location of
the patient wound relative to the mattress having a first pressure;
and responsive to detecting the location of the patient wound
relative to the mattress, adjusting pressure of the mattress to
minimize pressure on the patient wound including decreasing
mattress pressure near the wound less than the first pressure and
increasing mattress pressure surrounding the wound greater than the
first pressure.
18. The data processing system of claim 17 wherein a marker is
placed on the patient wound and wherein the mattress contains
sensors that determine the position of the marker relative to the
mattress.
19. The data processing system of claim 17 wherein the mattress
includes multiple individually pressurized fluid cells, the
pressurized fluid cells selected from a group consisting of
pressurized air cells and pressurized liquid cells.
20. The data processing system of claim 19 wherein the mattress
includes a control system which decreases cell pressure under the
patient wound to reduce pressure on the patient wound and which
increases cell pressure radially away and near the patient wound to
provide support.
21. The data processing system of claim 20 wherein the marker is
placed with a bandage on the patient wound and wherein the mattress
contains sensors that determine the position of the marker relative
to the mattress.
22. The data processing system of claim 21 wherein each mattress
cell includes a sensor for locating whether the marker is proximate
to the sensor.
23. The data processing system of claim 22 wherein the mattress
includes external sensors for locating the marker relative to
reference indicators located in the mattress.
24. The data processing system of claim 20 wherein information
regarding the patient wound is provided to the control system and
wherein the control system uses the patient wound information in
adjusting the mattress cells.
25. The computer usable program product of claim 9 wherein
detecting a location of the patient wound includes utilizing an
external video camera to detect the location of the patient
wound.
26. The computer usable program product of claim 25 wherein the
external video camera utilizes reference indicators located in the
mattress to detect the location of the patient wound relative to
the reference indicators.
27. The computer usable program product of claim 25 wherein the
external video camera detects heat.
28. The data processing system of claim 17 wherein detecting a
location of the patient wound includes utilizing an external video
camera to detect the location of the patient wound.
29. The data processing system of claim 28 wherein the external
video camera utilizes reference indicators located in the mattress
to detect the location of the patient wound relative to the
reference indicators.
30. The data processing system of claim 28 wherein the external
video camera detects heat.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to managing pressure
on wounds, and in particular, to a computer implemented method for
managing mattress pressure on wounds with an active mattress.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Bedsores are a medical problem for persons that are
bedridden or otherwise restricted in movement.
[0005] Bedsores are skin lesions or wounds that occur when body
parts rub, shear, or are held with body weight pressure for
extended periods of time against surfaces such as mattresses, bed
sheets, wheel chairs, etc. Typically bedsores occur where soft
tissue underlies bony prominences such as heels, tailbones, hips,
and craniums. Bedsores are painful and prone to infections which
can spread to the bones and bloodstream.
[0006] There are four stages of bedsores or lesions with stage I
being the mildest and stage IV being the worst. A stage I lesion is
the most superficial, indicated by redness of a localized area. A
stage II lesion has damage extending into but not deeper than the
skin. A stage III lesion extends through the skin and may extend
into the soft tissues under the skin. Stage IV lesions are the
deepest, extending into muscle, tendon, or even bone.
[0007] Bedsores are generally caused by one or more of three
different forces. The first is pressure or compression of tissues,
generally under a bony protuberance, causing reduced blood flow to
an area. The second is friction or rubbing of skin against another
surface such as hospital bed sheets. The third is shear force where
the skin may stay in place against a sheet, but the underlying soft
and hard tissues move thereby pinching blood vessels.
[0008] Various techniques exist for reducing the likelihood of
bedsores. For example, patients may be repositioned every two hours
to avoid prolonged periods of pressure on any given area. Also
various types of beds have been developed such as water beds and
sand beds, generally to equalize pressure across the body of the
patient.
[0009] Once started, bedsores are very difficult and expensive to
treat, often requiring hospitalization. In addition, those affected
by bedsores are often the persons who can least afford to deal with
additional medical issues such as the elderly, stroke victims,
diabetics, etc. They are typically the least mobile and the most
susceptible as a result.
SUMMARY
[0010] The illustrative embodiments provide a method, computer
usable program product, and system for adjusting a mattress to
minimize pressure on a patient wound including detecting a location
of the patient wound relative to the mattress, and responsive to
detecting the location of the patient wound relative to the
mattress, adjusting the mattress to minimize pressure on the
patient wound.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, further
objectives and advantages thereof, as well as a preferred mode of
use, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed
description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in
which various embodiments may be implemented;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of data processing
systems in which various embodiments may be implemented;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of a mattress in which various
embodiments may be implemented;
[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B are cutaway views of the mattress showing
the individuals cells that may be pressurized or depressurized in
which various embodiments may be implemented;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of an individual mattress cell
in which various embodiments may be implemented;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a mattress system in which
various embodiments may be implemented;
[0018] FIGS. 7A and 7B are top views of wound markers in accordance
with a first and a second embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the operation of the control
system for the active mattress in accordance with a first
embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the operation of the control
system for the active mattress in accordance with a second
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Steps may be taken to manage pressure on lesions with an
active mattress. These steps may be taken as will be explained with
reference to the various embodiments below.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in
which various embodiments may be implemented. Data processing
system 100 is only one example of a suitable data processing system
and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of
use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described
herein. Regardless, data processing system 100 is capable of being
implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth
herein.
[0023] In data processing system 100 there is a computer
system/server 112, which is operational with numerous other general
purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
with computer system/server 112 include, but are not limited to,
personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients,
thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,
microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer
electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer
systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include
any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
[0024] Computer system/server 112 may be described in the general
context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program
modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program
modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic,
data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server
112 may be practiced in distributed computing environments where
tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked
through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules may be located in both local and
remote computer system storage media including memory storage
devices.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 112 in data
processing system 100 is shown in the form of a general-purpose
computing device. The components of computer system/server 112 may
include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or
processing units 116, a system memory 128, and a bus 118 that
couples various system components including system memory 128 to
processor 116.
[0026] Bus 118 represents one or more of any of several types of
bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or
local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of
example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)
bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component
Interconnects (PCI) bus.
[0027] Computer system/server 112 typically includes a variety of
computer system readable media. Such media may be any available
media that is accessible by computer system/server 112, and it
includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and
non-removable media.
[0028] System memory 128 can include computer system readable media
in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)
130 and/or cache memory 132. Computer system/server 112 may further
include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile
computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage
system 134 can be provided for reading from and writing to a
non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically
called a "hard drive"). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive
for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic
disk (e.g., a "floppy disk"), and an optical disk drive for reading
from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such
instances, each can be connected to bus 118 by one or more data
media interfaces. Memory 128 may include at least one program
product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that
are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the
invention. Memory 128 may also include data that will be processed
by a program product.
[0029] Program/utility 140, having a set (at least one) of program
modules 142, may be stored in memory 128 by way of example, and not
limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application
programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the
operating system, one or more application programs, other program
modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include
an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 142
generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of
embodiments of the invention. For example, a program module may be
software for managing mattress pressure on lesions with an active
mattress.
[0030] Computer system/server 112 may also communicate with one or
more external devices 114 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a
display 124, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to
interact with computer system/server 112; and/or any devices (e.g.,
network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server 112
to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such
communication can occur via I/O interfaces 122. Still yet, computer
system/server 112 can communicate with one or more networks such as
a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN),
and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter
120. As depicted, network adapter 120 communicates with the other
components of computer system/server 112 via bus 118. It should be
understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software
components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server
112. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device
drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,
RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems,
etc.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network of data processing
systems in which various embodiments may be implemented. Data
processing environment 200 is a network of data processing systems
such as described above with reference to FIG. 1. Software
applications may execute on any computer or other type of data
processing system in data processing environment 200. Data
processing environment 200 includes network 210. Network 210 is the
medium used to provide communications links between various devices
and computers connected together within data processing environment
200. Network 210 may include connections such as wire, wireless
communication links, or fiber optic cables.
[0032] Server 220 and client 240 are coupled to network 210 along
with storage unit 230. In addition, laptop 250, medical bed 270,
and facility 280 (such as a hospital, business or home) are coupled
to network 210 including wirelessly such as through a network
router 253. A mobile phone 260 may be coupled to network 210
through a mobile phone tower 262. Data processing systems, such as
server 220, client 240, laptop 250, mobile phone 260, hospital bed
270 and facility 280 contain data and have software applications
including software tools executing thereon. Other types of data
processing systems such as personal digital assistants (PDAs),
smartphones, tablets and netbooks may be coupled to network
210.
[0033] Server 220 may include software application 224 such as for
managing mattress pressure on lesions with an active mattress or
other software applications in accordance with embodiments
described herein. Storage 230 may contain software application 234
and a content source such as data 236 for storing information
regarding the size and location of a lesion. Other software and
content may be stored on storage 230 for sharing among various
computer or other data processing devices. Client 240 may include
software application 244. Laptop 250 and mobile phone 260 may also
include software applications 254 and 264. Hospital bed 270 and
facility 280 may include software applications 274 and 284. Other
types of data processing systems coupled to network 210 may also
include software applications. Software applications could include
a web browser, email, or other software application that can manage
mattress pressure on lesions with an active mattress.
[0034] Server 220, storage unit 230, client 240, laptop 250, mobile
phone 260, hospital bed 270, and facility 280 and other data
processing devices may couple to network 210 using wired
connections, wireless communication protocols, or other suitable
data connectivity. Client 240 may be, for example, a personal
computer or a network computer.
[0035] In the depicted example, server 220 may provide data, such
as boot files, operating system images, and applications to client
240 and laptop 250. Client 240 and laptop 250 may be clients to
server 220 in this example. Client 240, laptop 250, mobile phone
260, hospital bed 270 and facility 280 or some combination thereof,
may include their own data, boot files, operating system images,
and applications. Data processing environment 200 may include
additional servers, clients, and other devices that are not
shown.
[0036] In the depicted example, data processing environment 200 may
be the Internet. Network 210 may represent a collection of networks
and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) and other protocols to communicate with one
another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of data
communication links between major nodes or host computers,
including thousands of commercial, governmental, educational, and
other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course,
data processing environment 100 also may be implemented as a number
of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a
local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 2 is
intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for
the different illustrative embodiments.
[0037] Among other uses, data processing environment 200 may be
used for implementing a client server environment in which the
embodiments may be implemented. A client server environment enables
software applications and data to be distributed across a network
such that an application functions by using the interactivity
between a client data processing system and a server data
processing system. Data processing environment 100 may also employ
a service oriented architecture where interoperable software
components distributed across a network may be packaged together as
coherent business applications.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a top view of an active mattress in which various
embodiments may be implemented. Mattress 300 is composed of
multiple cells 302 that can be individually pressurized or
depressurized. In the mattress shown, the cells are composed of a
honeycomb of hexagonal cells about 2 inches in diameter.
Alternative embodiments may use larger cells to reduce cost or
smaller cells to provide greater selectivity of support.
Alternative embodiments may also use alternative configurations
such as square cells or other types of interlocking shapes. Another
alternative embodiment could be a pad similarly composed of cells
that can be actively and individually pressurized and
depressurized. This alternative pad could be placed on top of a
regular mattress without such capabilities. A further alternative
embodiment may be a mattress similarly composed of cells that may
be filled or emptied of a liquid such as a saline solution, thereby
providing additional support or relief from pressure for a person
by each cell. Such alternative embodiments will also be
collectively referred to herein as a mattress.
[0039] An outline of a person 310 laying on his or her back and a
pillow 320 are shown. The person may have a wound (bedsore, skin
lesion or other type of wound) at the back of the elbow against the
mattress which may be indicated by a wound marker 330. The wound
marker may have various types of indicators that can be detected to
indicate the location of the wound relative to the surface of the
mattress. These indicators may include magnetic indicators, color
indicators, fluorescent indicators, near field indicators (e.g.
RFID or radio frequency identification tags), or other indicators
to indicate the location of a wound or bedsore relative to the
mattress. Other types of methods may be used to detect a wound
location without wound markers including heat and color sensors,
body position analysis of live video, etc. The location of the
wound and/or wound marker relative to the surface of the mattress
may be detected as described below. Due to the location of the
wound above mattress cells 340A, 340B and 340C, those cells are
depressurized to relieve stress against the wound or bedsore. In
addition, adjacent cells may also be partially depressurized to
provide additional relief. In some circumstances, cells 350, 352,
354 and 356 or other cells may also contain indicators similar to
the indicators in the wound marker. The indicators in these cells
may be used to help determine the relative location of the wound to
the mattress surface, thereby helping locate which mattress cells
are closest to the wound marker.
[0040] FIGS. 4A and 4B are cutaway views of the mattress showing
the individuals cells that may be pressurized or depressurized in
which various embodiments may be implemented. In FIG. 4A, mattress
400 is used to support a person 410 with a wound or wound marker
415. In this example, wound 415 is over a single cell 420. In that
case, cell 420 may be depressurized significantly and adjacent
cells 430 and 432 may also be depressurized somewhat, thereby
relieving pressure on the indicated wound area. Other cells 440 and
442 may be increased in pressure to support the surrounding tissue
areas of the person and to relieve pressure on the wound area.
Alternative pressure changes and configurations may be utilized to
relieve pressure on a wound area while supporting the surrounding
tissue areas of the person. Although cells 420, 430 and 432 are
shown as having a fully horizontal surface area for illustrative
purposes, in practice the edges will slope up to the adjacent cell
due to the interconnectivity of the edge of each cell with its
adjacent cells by cloth or other similar materials.
[0041] In FIG. 4B, mattress 450 is used to support a person 460
with a wound or wound marker 465. In this example, wound 465 is
over two cells 470 and 472. In that case, cells 470 and 472 may be
depressurized significantly and adjacent cells 480 and 482 may also
be depressurized somewhat, thereby relieving pressure on the
indicated wound area. Other cells 490 and 492 may be increased in
pressure to support the surrounding tissue areas of the person and
to relieve pressure on the wound area. Alternative pressure changes
and configurations may be utilized to relieve pressure on a wound
area while supporting the surrounding tissue areas of the person.
Although cells 470, 472, 480 and 482 are shown as having a fully
horizontal surface area for illustrative purposes, in practice the
edges will slope up to the adjacent cell due to the
interconnectivity of the edge of each cell with its adjacent cells
by cloth or other similar materials.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of an individual mattress cell
in which various embodiments may be implemented. Cell 500 has an
interior 510 which may be pressurized by air. This air may be room
temperature or it may be chilled or heated depending on the needs
of the person lying on the mattress. The pressure may also be
pulsated for selected cells such as those near a wound area for
treatment or the wound or in across all cells in general in order
to provide a massaging effect for the person if needed. A sensor
520 may be located on the top of the cell to detect an adjacent
wound or wound marker. If detected, a signal may be sent to a
control system as described below. Alternatively, sensor 520 may be
a pressure sensor to detect the pressure exerted by that cell
against the skin of the person. This information may be useful in
managing the operation of the mattress. Alternative embodiments may
use external sensors to the mattress to detect the location of a
wound marker to the mattress, thereby avoiding the need for a
sensor at the top of cells. External sensors may include magnetic
sensors for detecting magnetic indicators, fluorescent and color
sensors for detecting fluorescent and color indicators, video
camera(s) such as for detecting the location of a wound area based
on the position of the persons' body on the mattress, etc. Cell 500
also includes an air valve 530 for adding pressure to the cell. Air
valve may be connected to a pressurized line (not shown). Cell 500
also includes an air valve 535 for releasing pressure from the
cell. The air may be released to the open atmosphere or it may be
released to a separate line (not shown). Air valves 530 and 535 may
be combined as a single air valve able to pressurize and
depressurize the cell. Cell 500 further includes a pressure sensor
540 for detecting the amount of pressure in the cell. Sensor 520,
air valve 530, air valve 535, and pressure sensor 540 are coupled
to a control system for receiving and sending signals controlling
the operation of cell 500.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a mattress system in which
various embodiments may be implemented. Mattress system 600
includes a mattress 610 such as described above with reference to
FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 5. The individual cells of mattress may be
pressurized by pump 620 through pressure line 622. The operation of
mattress 610 and pump 620 may be controlled by control system 630
across communication lines 632 and 634. Control system 630 may be
integrated with mattress 610 or it may be remote and connected with
mattress 610 such as through a local network or through the
internet. Communication lines 632 and 634 may be electrical lines,
optical lines, wireless connections, or other means of
communication. Control system 630 includes a processor 640 for
managing the operation of mattress system 600 utilizing programs
and data stored in memory 650. Control system 630 may communicate
with a medical personnel or other person though a user interface
660 such as a keypad and display. Alternative embodiments may
communicate wirelessly with a user through a remote device such as
a mobile phone with Bluetooth capabilities. Through communication
line 634, processor 640 may control the pressure of each mattress
cell by receiving signals from each mattress cell pressure sensor
and sending signals to each mattress cell air valve with
instructions to open or close as needed, thereby increasing or
decreasing mattress cell pressure.
[0044] Control system 630 may also be coupled to external sensor(s)
670 across communication line 636. External sensor(s) 670 may be
coupled to the mattress through communication line 672.
Communication lines 636 and 672 may be electrical lines, optical
lines, wireless connections, or other means of communication.
External sensor(s) 670 may include magnetic sensors for detecting
magnetic indicators, fluorescent and color sensors for detecting
fluorescent and color indicators, video camera(s) such as for
detecting the location of a wound area based on the position of the
persons' body on the mattress, a radio frequency or other near
field detector or other type of detector for identifying the
location of a wound marker indicator, etc. Additional indicators
may be located in selected areas within mattress 610 to allow the
control system to determine which mattress cells may be in contact
with the wound marker. Alternative types of external sensors may be
utilized by mattress system 600 to locate wound marker relative to
mattress cells.
[0045] FIGS. 7A and 7B are top views of wound markers in accordance
with a first and a second embodiment. These wound markers perform
several functions. They are used to help cover a wound to help
prevent chaffing, to hold any antibiotics or other medicines to the
wound, and to absorb any wound oozing or bodily fluids. They are
also utilized to identify the location and shape of a wound to the
mattress control system. They may be made of a variety of materials
including gauze, cotton, and an exterior breathable elastic
coating. Wound markers may also have adhesive around the perimeter
to adhere the wound marker to the patient.
[0046] The wound marker of FIG. 7A may be utilized for wounds that
are generally round in shape. Wound marker 700 is round and
includes a single indicator 710. If reed switches are being
utilized to detect the location of wound indicators, then indicator
710 may be a flexible material such as latex cloth that includes
magnetic powder. If a radio frequency or other near field detector
is being utilized to detect the location of wound indicators, then
indicator 710 may be a flexible RFID or other type of indicator
embedded within the wound marker. Alternative systems using other
types of detectors may use alternative types of indicators such as
LC circuits with a coil at the top of each mattress cell. The
presence of a wound marker near a particular cell would change the
coil inductance and the oscillation frequency of the LC circuit for
that cell, thereby indicating the presence of the wound marker near
that cell.
[0047] When wound marker 700 is attached to the patient, marker 710
is placed near the center of the wound area. If in a hospital or
home care setting, medical personnel or other user may provide the
radius or diameter of the wound area to the control system such as
through a user interface. Once the mattress control system
determines the location of marker 710 relative the mattress cells,
then the provided radius of the wound may be utilized to determine
which mattress cells are in contact with the wound area. Once
determined, then the mattress control system can depressurize the
mattress cells in contact with the wound area as well as partially
depressurize surrounding mattress cells as needed.
[0048] The wound marker of FIG. 7B may be utilized for wounds that
are irregular in shape. Wound marker 750 is hexagonal and includes
multiple markers 760, 770A through 770F, and 780A through 780L. A
smaller wound marker may be as shown by dotted line 775 with
markers 760 and 770A through 770F. If reed switches are being
utilized to detect the location of wound markers, then the markers
may be a flexible material such as latex cloth that includes
magnetic powder. If a radio frequency or other type of near field
detector is being utilized to detect the location of wound markers,
then each marker may be a flexible indicator embedded within the
wound marker. Alternative systems using other types of detectors
may use alternative types of markers such as LC circuits with a
coil at the top of each mattress cell. The presence of a wound
marker near a particular cell would change the coil inductance and
the oscillation frequency of the LC circuit for that cell, thereby
indicating the presence of the wound marker near that cell.
[0049] Before attaching wound marker 750 to a patient, the marker
may be trimmed to the shape of a wound area using scissors or other
cutting instrument. For example, markers 780K, 780L, 780A, 780B,
780C, and 770 may be cut away as shown by dotted line 790. The
remaining wound marker with markers 760, 770B through 770F, and 780
D through 780J is them attached to and covering the wound area.
Once attached, the mattress control system may determine the
location of these markers relative to the mattress to determine
which mattress cells may be in contact with the indicated wound
area. The location of the markers may be determined by the use of
internal or external sensors. Once determined, then the mattress
control system can depressurize the mattress cells in contact with
the wound area as well as partially depressurize surrounding
mattress cells as needed.
[0050] Alternative wound markers may be in a variety of
configurations. For example, the markers may be in a coordinate
grid instead of a hexagonal configuration. In addition, marker 710
may be a magnetic strip in the shape of a large donut. Additional
embodiments may utilize a detectable metallic or magnetic ink which
can be painted onto a bandage over a wound area to indicate the
location of the wound.
[0051] Wound markers are not limited to use with bandages. A wound
marker may be a magnetic, fluorescent, color or other liquid that
could be painted onto the wound area and then dries. For example, a
magnetic ink may be painted onto the wound area and then sensed by
sensors in each mattress cell. For another example, a bright orange
type of liquid or ink could be painted onto the wound area, which
could be identified by a video camera. Given that when a wound is
against the mattress, it may not be visible from a video camera
positioned above the patient, the orange liquid may actually be
painted on the opposite side of the body away from the wound.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the operation of the control
system for the active mattress in accordance with a first
embodiment. In a first step 800 the location of the wound or wound
marker(s) is determined by detecting the indicator(s) or by other
techniques such as described below with reference to FIG. 9. This
location may be determined by sensors within each mattress cell or
by sensors external to the mattress. Subsequently in step 810, it
is determined by the control system whether the location of the
wound (such as indicated by a wound marker) has changed. When the
person first lies down on the mattress there would not be a
previously location to compare to, so that would be deemed a new
location. If not, then processing returns to step 800. If the
location has changed, then the control system determines which
mattress cells are in contact with the wound in step 820. If the
wound location is determined by mattress cell sensors, then the
location would be over those mattress cell sensors with the
strongest signal. If external sensors are utilized, then the
location of the wound would be compared to the known location of
the mattress cells. This can include determining that the wound is
not in contact with any mattress cell such as if the person has
rolled over and the wound is now several inches above the mattress.
Some mattress cells may also have indicators to assist in this
process.
[0053] Subsequently, in step 830, the pressure would be reduced
significantly in the mattress cells identified as being in contact
with the wound. In addition, in step 840, the pressure in the
adjoining mattress cells would also be reduced. Furthermore, in
step 850, the pressure would be increased in those mattress cells,
of those adjoining, that are no longer in contact with the wound.
Processing would then return to step 800.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the operation of the control
system for the active mattress in accordance with a second
embodiment. In a first step 900 the person or a health care
provider may enter certain patient information into the mattress
control system such as through a user interface such as a touch
sensitive display. This information can include a variety of
information which may be useful in configuring the mattress cells.
Such information can include the size, weight, and age of the
person, any relevant personal diagnosis such as diabetes, the
mobility of the person, etc. For example, an older person will have
skin that is less flexible and more prone to shearing forces. As a
result, the relative difference in pressure between mattress cells
may be configured to be less than with a younger person.
[0055] Subsequently in step 910, information about the wound(s) is
provided. For example, the person may have a single Type IV wound
than needs minimal pressure regardless of shearing force
sensitively with surrounding tissues. The information about the
wound may also include information about whether a wound marker is
used and the type of wound marker. The information may also include
information about the wound location such as when a wound marker is
not used. For example, one or more video cameras may be viewing the
patient. Through a user interface, a health care provider or other
user may indicate the location and size of the patient wound as
well as the perimeter of the mattress for tracking purposes.
Thereafter, computer analysis of the video can be used to determine
the location of the wound relative to the mattress based on the
position of the patient. For another example, the wound may be
identifiable by certain characteristics such as skin temperature
differences in the area of the wound. Such information may be used
by thermal sensors or other types of sensors to identify the wound
location.
[0056] After receiving information about the patient and the
wound(s), the mattress control system may then determine the proper
cell configuration in step 920. This may be performed by reviewing
data from a locally stored database. This may also be performed by
contacting a remotely stored server database across a network
and/or the internet. A cell configuration may be determined to
include pressure values of cells under and surrounding a wound. The
cell configuration could also include additional information such
as whether certain cells should be pulsed in pressure, whether
certain cells should be warmed or cooled, or other alternative
configurations to treat the patient and the wound.
[0057] Subsequently in step 930 the location of the wound or wound
marker(s) is determined by detecting the indicator(s). This
location may be determined by sensors within each mattress cell or
by sensors external to the mattress. Subsequently in step 940, it
is determined by the control system whether the location of the
wound has changed, possibly by determining the location of the
wound marker when one is utilized. When the person first lies down
on the mattress there would not be a previously location to compare
to, so that would be deemed a new location. If not, then processing
returns to step 930. If the location has changed, then the control
system determines which mattress cells are in contact with the
wound in step 950. If the wound location is determined by mattress
cell sensors, then the location would be over those mattress cell
sensors with the strongest signal. If external sensors are
utilized, then the location of the wound would be compared to the
known location of the mattress cells. This can include determining
that the wound is not in contact with any mattress cell such as if
the person has rolled over and the wound is now several inches
above the mattress. Some mattress cells may also have indicators to
assist in this process.
[0058] Subsequently, in step 960, the mattress cells are configured
relative to the wound location as previously determined in steps
900 through 920 above. This may include decreasing and increasing
the pressure of certain mattress cells. This may also include
pulsing, heating, cooling or other configuration as may be
predetermined. After step 960, processing returns to step 930.
[0059] The invention can take the form of an entirely software
embodiment, or an embodiment containing both hardware and software
elements. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is implemented
in software or program code, which includes but is not limited to
firmware, resident software, and microcode.
[0060] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of
the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or
computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present
invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident
software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and
hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a
"circuit," "module" or "system." Furthermore, aspects of the
present invention may take the form of a computer program product
embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer
readable program code embodied thereon.
[0061] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s)
may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer
readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A
computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,
infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a
non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would
include the following: an electrical connection having one or more
wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), or Flash memory, an optical fiber, a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of
the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable
storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or
store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction
execution system, apparatus, or device.
[0062] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated
data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein,
for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a
propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including,
but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable
combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any
computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage
medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program
for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus, or device.
[0063] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be
transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited
to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any
suitable combination of the foregoing. Further, a computer storage
medium may contain or store a computer-readable program code such
that when the computer-readable program code is executed on a
computer, the execution of this computer-readable program code
causes the computer to transmit another computer-readable program
code over a communications link. This communications link may use a
medium that is, for example without limitation, physical or
wireless.
[0064] A data processing system suitable for storing and/or
executing program code will include at least one processor coupled
directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The
memory elements can include local memory employed during actual
execution of the program code, bulk storage media, and cache
memories, which provide temporary storage of at least some program
code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved
from bulk storage media during execution.
[0065] A data processing system may act as a server data processing
system or a client data processing system. Server and client data
processing systems may include data storage media that are computer
usable, such as being computer readable. A data storage medium
associated with a server data processing system may contain
computer usable code such as a software application that can manage
mattress pressure on lesions with an active mattress. A client data
processing system may download that computer usable code, such as
for storing on a data storage medium associated with the client
data processing system, or for using in the client data processing
system. The server data processing system may similarly upload
computer usable code from the client data processing system such as
a content source. The computer usable code resulting from a
computer usable program product embodiment of the illustrative
embodiments may be uploaded or downloaded using server and client
data processing systems in this manner.
[0066] Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the
system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
[0067] Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable
the data processing system to become coupled to other data
processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through
intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and
Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of
network adapters.
[0068] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described
in order to explain the principles of the invention, the practical
application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the invention for various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0069] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0070] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
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