Patent · US Expired

Patient detection system for a patient-support device

US5808552A · kind A · utility

153Cited by
61References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 25, 1996
Grant dateSep 15, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 25, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2562/046
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a patient adjacent to a patient-carrying surface of a patient-support device including at least one sensing element spaced apart from the patient-carrying surface, defining a detection space adjacent to the patient-carrying surface and providing an input signal in response to the dielectric constant within the detection space. A control unit provides an output signal indicating the presence or absence of the patient within the detection space in response to the input signal. A booster element including a plate positioned to lie adjacent the patient-carrying surface for shaping and positioning the detection space and a connector electrically coupling the plate to the sensing element may be provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.