BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to pressure sore prevention, and more particularly, to a method of using an artificial skin for monitoring patient anatomy sites that are at risk for developing pressure sores.

A pressure ulcer typically develops due to a lack of tissue vascularization, which is associated with pressure over time. Tissue deformation is a more relevant physical measurement than pressure to detect that tissue geometry has changed and blood vessels may be pinched. Therefore, caregivers may welcome dressings that are applied on parts of the body which are more prone to pressure ulcers (sacrum area, shoulder, heel, elbow) and that could help to detect that the tissue has been compressed or deformed for too long a period of time.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.

According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system for detecting pressure sores includes an artificial skin that may be configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin may include a substrate and a strain sensor configured to detect deformation of the substrate. A transmitter may be configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system may be configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system may have a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed. The control system may compare the period of time that the substrate is deformed to a predetermined time. The control system may activate an alert if the period of time that the substrate is deformed is greater than the predetermined time.

In some embodiments, the artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin. The artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin in regions that are prone to pressure sores.

Optionally, the artificial skin may include at least one deformation axis. The strain sensor may detect deformation of the substrate along the deformation axis. The artificial skin may have a first strain sensor that may detect deformation of the substrate along a first deformation axis. A second strain sensor may detect deformation of the substrate along a second deformation axis. The first deformation axis may be transverse to the second deformation axis. The artificial skin may include a pressure sensor that may detect deformation of the substrate along a third deformation axis. The third deformation axis may be transverse to the first deformation axis and the second deformation axis. The first deformation axis may be substantially perpendicular to the second deformation axis. The third deformation axis may be substantially perpendicular to the first deformation axis and the second deformation axis. The first deformation axis and the second deformation axis may extend along a surface of the patient's skin. The third deformation axis may extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of the patient's skin.

Alternatively or additionally, the alert may include at least one of a visual alert or an audible alert. The control system may transmit the alert to a remote device. The remote device may include a device at a nurse's station. The remote device may include a wearable device.

It may be desired that the strain sensor includes an elastic strain sensor. The elastic strain sensor may include a conductive liquid. The conductive liquid may include a conductive metal. The conductive liquid may include eutectic gallium-indium.

It is contemplated that the predetermined time may be selected based on a patient's skin type. The patient's skin type may include a dryness of the patient's skin. The predetermined time may be selected based on a location of the patient's skin where the artificial skin is placed. The location of the patient's skin may include locations prone to pressure sores.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may be a wireless transmitter. The strain sensor may detect deformation of the skin in at least one direction. The strain sensor may detect deformation of the skin in at least two directions. The strain sensor may detect deformation of the skin in at least three directions. Deformation of the substrate may be indicative of pressure sores developing.

According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system for detecting pressure sores may include an artificial skin that may configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin may include a substrate. A first strain sensor may be configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a first deformation axis that extends along a surface of the patient's skin. A second strain sensor may be configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a second deformation axis that extends along a surface of the patient's skin transverse to the first deformation axis. A transmitter may be configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system may be configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system may have a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed. The control system may compare the period of time that the substrate is deformed to a predetermined time. The control system may activate an alert if the period of time that the substrate is deformed is greater than the predetermined time.

In some embodiments, the artificial skin may include a pressure sensor to detect deformation of the substrate along a third deformation axis. The third deformation axis may be transverse to the first deformation axis and the second deformation axis. The first deformation axis may be substantially perpendicular to the second deformation axis. The third deformation axis may be substantially perpendicular to the first deformation axis and the second deformation axis. The third deformation axis may extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of the patient's skin.

Optionally, the artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin. The artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin in regions that are prone to pressure sores.

It may be desired that the alert includes at least one of a visual alert or an audible alert. The control system may transmit the alert to a remote device. The remote device may include a device at a nurse's station. The remote device may include a wearable device.

It is contemplated that each of the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor may include an elastic strain sensor. The elastic strain sensor may include a conductive liquid. The conductive liquid may include a conductive metal. The conductive liquid may include eutectic gallium-indium.

Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined time may be selected based on a patient's skin type. The patient's skin type may include a dryness of the patient's skin. The predetermined time may be selected based on a location of the patient's skin where the artificial skin is placed. The location of the patient's skin may include locations prone to pressure sores. Deformation of the substrate may be indicative of pressure sores developing. Optionally, the transmitter may be a wireless transmitter.

According to a further aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system for detecting pressure sores may include an artificial skin configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin may include a substrate. A first strain sensor may be configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a first deformation axis that extends along a surface of the patient's skin. A second strain sensor may be configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a second deformation axis that extends along a surface of the patient's skin substantially perpendicular to the first deformation axis. A pressure sensor may be configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a third deformation axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the first deformation axis and the second deformation axis. A transmitter may be configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system may be configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system may have a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed. The control system may compare the period of time that the substrate is deformed to a predetermined time. The control system may activate an alert if the period of time that the substrate is deformed is greater than the predetermined time. Alternatively or additionally, the third deformation axis may extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of the patient's skin.

Optionally, the artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin. The artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin in regions that are prone to pressure sores.

It may be desired that the alert includes at least one of a visual alert or an audible alert. The control system may transmit the alert to a remote device. The remote device may include a device at a nurse's station. The remote device may include a wearable device.

In some embodiments, each of the first strain sensor, the second strain sensor, and the pressure sensor may include an elastic strain sensor. The elastic strain sensor may include a conductive liquid. The conductive liquid may include a conductive metal. The conductive liquid may include eutectic gallium-indium.

It is contemplated that the predetermined time may be selected based on a patient's skin type. The patient's skin type may include a dryness of the patient's skin. The predetermined time may be selected based on a location of the patient's skin where the artificial skin is placed. The location of the patient's skin may include locations prone to pressure sores. Deformation of the substrate may be indicative of pressure sores developing. In some embodiments, the transmitter may be a wireless transmitter.

According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a system for detecting pressure sores may include an artificial skin that may be configured to be coupled to a patient's skin. The artificial skin may include a substrate and a plurality strain sensors. Each of the plurality of strain sensors may be configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a different deformation axis. A transmitter may be configured to transmit signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate. A control system may be configured to receive the signals from the transmitter. The control system may have a timer to track a period of time that the substrate is deformed. The control system may compare the period of time that the substrate is deformed to a predetermined time. The control system may activate an alert if the period of time that the substrate is deformed is greater than the predetermined time.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the plurality of strain sensors may detect deformation of the substrate along a deformation axis that extends transverse to a surface of the patient's skin. At least one of the plurality of strain sensors may detect deformation of the substrate along a deformation axis that extends along a surface of the patient's skin.

In some embodiments, the artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin. The artificial skin may be configured to be coupled to a patient's healthy skin in regions that are prone to pressure sores.

Optionally, the alert may include at least one of a visual alert or an audible alert. The control system may transmit the alert to a remote device. The remote device may include a device at a nurse's station. The remote device may include a wearable device.

It may be desired that each of the plurality of strain sensors includes an elastic strain sensor. The elastic strain sensor may include a conductive liquid. The conductive liquid may include a conductive metal. The conductive liquid may include eutectic gallium-indium.

It is contemplated that the predetermined time may be selected based on a patient's skin type. The patient's skin type may include a dryness of the patient's skin. The predetermined time may be selected based on a location of the patient's skin where the artificial skin is placed. The location of the patient's skin may include locations prone to pressure sores.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may be a wireless transmitter. Optionally, deformation of the substrate may be indicative of pressure sores developing.

According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a method of detecting pressure sores may include coupling an artificial skin to a patient's healthy skin. The artificial skin may include a substrate and a plurality strain sensors each configured to detect deformation of the substrate along a different deformation axis. The method may also include detecting deformation of the substrate along at least one deformation axis. The method may also include transmitting signals indicative of the deformation of the substrate to a control system. The method may also include tracking a period of time that the substrate is deformed. The method may also include comparing the period of time that the substrate is deformed to a predetermined time. The method may also include activating an alert if the period of time that the substrate is deformed is greater than the predetermined time.

In some embodiments, detecting deformation of the substrate along at least one deformation axis may include detecting deformation of the substrate along a deformation axis that extends transverse to a surface of the patient's skin. Detecting deformation of the substrate along at least one deformation axis may include detecting deformation of the substrate along a deformation axis that extends along a surface of the patient's skin. Optionally, coupling an artificial skin to a patient's healthy skin may include coupling the artificial skin in regions that are prone to pressure sores.

It may be desired that activating an alert includes activating at least one of a visual alert or an audible alert. The method may also include transmitting the alert to a remote device. The remote device may include a device at a nurse's station. The remote device may include a wearable device.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of strain sensors may include an elastic strain sensor. The elastic strain sensor may include a conductive liquid. The conductive liquid may include a conductive metal. The conductive liquid may include eutectic gallium-indium.

Optionally, the method may also include selecting the predetermined time based on a patient's skin type. The patient's skin type may include a dryness of the patient's skin. The method may also include selecting the predetermined time based on a location of the patient's skin where the artificial skin is placed. The location of the patient's skin may include locations prone to pressure sores.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any other feature(s), such as those listed above and those listed in the claims, may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

