Smart binary switch for use with an electronic patient monitor
US6307476A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention relates generally to monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor bed patients in hospital or other care-giving environments. In accordance with a first aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a binary switch-type device (e.g., a "mat") for use in patient monitoring situations which contains, in addition to a conventional patient detection circuit, identification circuitry that can be sensed by an attached electronic monitor. The identification circuitry can be sensed by the electronic monitor and is designed to be configured to serve many different purposes, including, by way of example only, identification of the type of mat attached thereto, detection of connectivity problems, tracking mat usage time, and identifying mats that are nearing the end of their useful lives.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.