GB2532078A

GB2532078A - A weight measurement device

Info

Publication number: GB2532078A
Application number: GB1419938.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnson Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-10
Filing date: 2014-11-10
Publication date: 2016-05-11
Also published as: GB201419938D0

Abstract

A weight measurement device for a patient lying down on a hospital bed comprises a plurality of fluid filled pressure sensing pads, wherein such pads are filled with fluid and interconnected to a mutual control unit. The pads are connected so that they are collapsible, releasable or may fold up for storage.

Description

A WEIGHT MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a weight measurement device, in particular a weight measurement device for a person; more particularly but not exclusively a weight measurement device for a user lying down for example in a hospital bed.

Background

Increasing ageing of populations is concurrent with increasing levels of obesity in many societies, wherein the prevalence of easy access to foodstuffs combines with improving health care regimes.

In consequence many individuals, patients, users or health care professionals are paying increasing attention to weight and monitoring of general well-being.

It can be problematic to monitor the weight for example of bed-ridden or elderly patients.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Granted United Kingdom patent GB 2 453 371 (ROBINSON) discloses a mattress pump apparatus controller, characterised in that the controller is arranged to: monitor pressure of a fluid in at least some parts of a mattress; detect a change in the pressure due to placement of a load on the mattress; measure a load pressure of the fluid; and determine a weight of the load from the load pressure.

Granted European patent EP 1 700 088 (SKINNER et al) discloses a patient support comprising: a frame; a deck supported by the frame; a mattress supported by the deck; an inflatable cell operatively coupled to the mattress and configured to contain a fluid; an air source configured to inflate the inflatable cell; a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the fluid in the inflatable cell; and a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and the air source, the controller configured to determine a weight of a patient positioned on the patient support, and control the air source in response thereto.

Granted European patent EP 0 482 267 (ASANO) discloses a method for weighing a human body and the like, comprising the steps of: putting an air mattress beneath said human body and the like being weighed; supplying or discharging a flowing air into or from said air mattress to balance a pressure of a body of air contained within said air mattress with a weight of said human body and the like; determining an amount of said flowing air being supplied into or discharged from said air mattress; determining variation of the pressure of the body of air contained within said air mattress; establishing a relationship between the amount of said flowing air and the variation of the pressure of the body of air contained within said air mattress; and determining the weight of said human body and the like on the basis of said relationship between the amount of said flowing air and the variation of the pressure of the body of air contained within said air mattress.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a weight measurement device for a hospital bed, the device comprising a plurality of fluid filled pads, wherein the pads are connected to a mutual control unit.

Preferably, a plurality of connections are provided between pads. The plurality of pads are arranged in use to be used as a whole. In some embodiments the connections may extend substantially across the width of the pads in order to minimise constriction in flow between pads. In some embodiments, the connections may be substantially thinner and/or shorter than the corresponding dimensions of the adjacent pad(s) so as to allow mutual twisting between pads.

Such connections may provide one or more passage arranged in use to provide fluid pathways to enable fluid within at least one first fluid filled pad to pass to at least one second fluid filled pad. The pads and the connection(s) may be arranged to enable fluid to pass permanently between connected pads, or temporarily depending on additional factors such as for example applied pressure. . One or more pairs of adjacent pads may be interconnected by one or more connections in a flexible manner. For example, the connections may be releasably connectable to one or more pads such that the pads may be rearranged with respect to each other, for example in order to arrange the pads for use or storage.

One or more of the connections may be arranged to enable relative movement of the associated connected pads with respect to each other, for example the connection(s) may be arranged to enable one of more of the associated connected pads to be moveable within one or more directions, planes and/or axes relative to the other pad(s) associated with the connection. In this way the pads in use may accommodate uneven subordinate surfaces as well as the device acting to provide comfort to a user lying thereon.

Advantageously the device may be comprised of modular format, for example 15 forming in use a segmented structure with all parts maintaining a single internal pressure.

In some embodiments the connections may limit passage between pads.

In some embodiments the connections may further comprise measuring and/or control apparatus. In this way such embodiments may provide a multizone device.

In preferred embodiments the connections may be adapted to allow the device to be foldable for transport or storage, so as to form a stack of pads, with a footprint 25 equivalent to a single pad.

Preferably the pads are shaped and dimension such that in use the pads are connected together to form an elongate typically rectangular mattress when laid out. The pads are ideally rectangular or square where the pads are arranged in series with intermediate connections. Some embodiments may provide a curved profile in plan so as to accommodate users side-lying.

Variant embodiments may have different sized pads. In some embodiments different sized or shaped pads may be provided in a single device, for example comprising 35 pads shaped or configured for different bodily sections.

In some embodiments the connections may comprise a plurality of connectors to be located between adjacent pads, or at least one controllable connector between adjacent pads, for example including valves in order to control and/or monitor fluid flow within the fluid passage(s) of the connection(s).

The control unit may further comprise a pump and/or fluid impelling mechanism and fluid egress, wherein said egress leads to a pad or connection. Said mechanism is configured to pump or impel fluid into the pads and/or connections.

The fluid may typically comprise pressurised air, wherein the mechanism comprises an air pressurisation mechanism.

The control unit may therefore control the pressure and volume of air in the pads and connections, having control means therefor, being in turn equipped to monitor air 15 pressure and volume therein.

In this way the unit advantageously is enabled to monitor pressure on the pads and connections, by variance in air pressure at the egress.

The device may further comprise at least one board, arranged in use to be supported on the pads. T board(s) may be arranged to support a patient's weight in use.

The board(s) may be composed of a superficial padding material.

In this way the patient's weight may be spread out or diffused across a number of pads, so as to allow a more accurate reading, and compress said pads equally.

The device may comprise a substantially rigid planar surface arranged in use to support a the patient. Said surface may be provided with padding.

In some embodiments one or more boards may be assigned to one or more particular pads of the device. The device may comprise a series of interlinked substantially rigid planar surfaces. In this way the patient may be weighed as a whole or with reference to parts analogous to pads or boards.

In preferred embodiments the device may comprise a plurality of releasably interconnectable boards. The boards may be delinked for transport or storage.

The boards may comprise one or more links for releasable connection to adjacent 5 boards. Such links may comprise one or more reversible hooks or catches. The links may, for example be provided by one or more cooperative engagement features for mutual engagement with one or more corresponding engagement features on an adjacent board. The cooperative engagement features may for example include barrels and troughs on opposing boards. The links may comprise cooperative 10 engagement features which are adapted to allow minimal movement between engaged adjacent boards. For example, the link between adjacent boards may be adapted to provide at least one axis of rotation to allow relative rotational movement of the boards.

In some embodiments the boards may be integrally connected to one or more adjacent pads, for example wherein multi-segment embodiments may have plural upper areas of the pads covered in part in boards.

The boards may be permanently attached to the pads. In other embodiments the 20 boards may be temporarily or reversibly attached to the pads, for example wherein an attachment mechanism is included in the boards and pads.

Such attachment mechanism may comprise magnetic portions, hook and loop portions such as Velcro (RTM) or press studs or buttons.

In some embodiments the pads may be separated and connections closed or blocked to allow use of individual or fewer pads for weighing.

Further embodiments may have wireless or wired connectivity options, for charging 30 or data transfer.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device with pads 35 outstretched; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 2; Figures 6 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an end view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 8 show the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in various stages of packing for transport or storage; And Figure 9 shows an exploded isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown a device comprising three sections 2,3,4 with pads subordinate to three substantially rigid separate boards 7, which boards 25 are provided with comfort wipe-clean surface layers 6.

The pads 8,9,10 are bonded to the boards' underside. Such bonding may comprise adhesive or heat bonding and may be in relation to a self-enclosed bag pad or the periphery of an open sack.

The pads are interconnected by flexible tubes 11 which are formed in a plastic, rubber or other elastomer. The tubes may be ribbed or reinforced to allow repeated deformations.

The surface layers 6 comprise a layer of padding and a vinyl top coating.

In the pictured embodiment in Figure 9 the pads are bonded away from the boards' edges so that as the inflatable pad expands it does not pull away from the board also in order that when a user is on the device and wriggles, there is less likelihood of pressure on the bonding seams.

In the embodiment pictured in Figure 9 the pads are significantly variable in size with respect to the boards in order to allow space around the device in use, for example for pillows or bunched bed clothing and so as to allow localised wriggling to be easily absorbed.

A headmost or footmost pad 10 is attached by a flexible connector 5 to a control unit 1, which unit comprises a visual user display screen 16 with such as a led or led formation, and a number of control inputs 17.

The control unit also includes a pumping mechanism, which mechanism pumps air into the pads and connections so as to maintain a constant pressure therein.

As shown in Figure 8 the device is able to foldably collapse so as to reduce size for transport or storage.

The sections are able to hinge with respect to each other on account of a hinging mechanism comprising an elongate bar 13 secured perimetrically between the sections and held in place by grommets 14. The grommets are secured to one section, and studs on the adjacent section allow temporary securement of the grommet.

In preferred embodiments the grommets are enabled to rotate one the secured section, and clip to the adjacent stud.

In this way the device may be unfolded and placed under the user to allow his or her weight to be calculated by displacement or increased pressurisation of the air within the pads and connections; comprising the following steps in use: Unfold sections and lay it out flat.

Push the grommet clasps into place to lock the boards flat.

Pull a patient onto their side and slide device underneath them.

Roll the user onto their back.

Turn on the control unit and take the weight reading in the required measurement unit.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A weight measurement device for a hospital bed, the device comprising a plurality of fluid filled pads, wherein the pads are connected to a mutual control unit.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connections arranged in use to be provided between pads.
3. A device as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the device is arranged in use to be collapsible such that the dimensions of the device in the collapsed position are substantially the same as the dimensions a pad.
4. A device according to any of claims 2 and 3, wherein one or more connections provide one or more passages arranged in use to provide fluid pathways to enable fluid within at least one first fluid filled pad to pass to at least one second fluid filled pad.
5. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more pairs of adjacent pads are interconnected in a flexible manner, such that one or more pads are releasably connected to an adjacent pad.
6. A device according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein one or more of the connections are arranged to enable relative movement of the associated connected pads with respect to each other in for example one or more of a plurality of directions, planes, or axes, or combination thereof.
7. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the device is provided in a modular format, forming in use a segmented structure with all parts maintaining a single internal pressure.
8. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the connections further comprise measuring and/or control apparatus.
9. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the connections comprise valves.
10. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the unit comprises a fluid compelling mechanism.
11. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fluid is pressurised air and wherein the mechanism comprises an air pressurisation mechanism.
12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more substantially rigid boards arranged in use to support the body of a user.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein one or more of the boards further include a padded surface.
14. A device according to claim 12 wherein one or more of the boards further include wipe-clean surface.
15. A device according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the one or more boards have a larger footprint than the associated pad.
16. A device according to any of claims 12 to 15 wherein one or more of the boards are interconnectable.
17. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.