Patient Monitoring System with Unitary Structure and Method

Abstract

A unitary patient monitoring system ( 100 ) includes an alarm, such as a loudspeaker ( 203 ) and a weight sensitive switch ( 201 ). Each component is encapsulated in a cover member ( 101 ), which can be configured as a T-shape. The alarm is actuated when a user removes his weight from the weight sensitive switch ( 201 ). Where the alarm is a loudspeaker ( 203 ), an audible alarm is emitted by the loudspeaker ( 203 ) when a user gets up off the unitary patient monitoring system ( 100 ). Optional features of the unitary patient monitoring system ( 100 ) include an interrupt switch ( 212 ) for temporarily rendering the alarm inactive and a master switch ( 211 ) for turning the unitary patient monitoring system ( 100 ) ON and OFF. The unitary patient monitoring system ( 100 ) can be configured to turn ON automatically when a user sits on the unitary patient monitoring system ( 100 ) as well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A unitary patient monitoring system, comprising:
 a loudspeaker;   a weight sensitive switch to actuate the loudspeaker; and   a unitary cover member encapsulating both the loudspeaker and the weight sensitive switch within the unitary cover member.   
     
     
         2 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a master switch, the master switch coupled with one or more of the loudspeaker and the weight sensitive switch, the master switch encapsulated within the single cover member. 
     
     
         3 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control circuit operable with the weight sensitive switch to actuate the loudspeaker upon application and removal of weight to the weight sensitive switch. 
     
     
         4 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 3 , the control circuit to actuate the loudspeaker until the weight is again applied to the weight sensitive switch. 
     
     
         5 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 3 , further comprising a interrupt switch, the control circuit to prevent the loudspeaker from actuation when the interrupt switch is active until at least the weight is applied to, and removed from, the unitary patient monitoring system. 
     
     
         6 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 3 , the weight at least 80 pounds. 
     
     
         7 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the unitary cover member defining a switch compartment and an alarm compartment, the weight sensitive switch disposed within the switch compartment and the loudspeaker disposed within the alarm compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the unitary cover member comprising a sealed cover member. 
     
     
         9 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the unitary cover member comprising an antimicrobial coating. 
     
     
         10 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the unitary cover member comprising a removable, washable cover. 
     
     
         11 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the weight sensitive switch comprises a first electrical contact array and a second electrical contact array separated by a compliant material. 
     
     
         12 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 11 , the compliant material to permit at least a first electrical contact of the first electrical contact array to contact a second electrical contact of the second electrical contact array upon application of at least a predetermined force. 
     
     
         13 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the unitary patient monitoring system is disposable. 
     
     
         14 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 2 , the loudspeaker capable of actuation when the master switch is in a first position. 
     
     
         15 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 14 , the loudspeaker incapable of actuation when the master switch is in a second position. 
     
     
         16 . The unitary patient monitoring system of  claim 1 , the unitary cover member defining a T-shape. 
     
     
         17 . A patient monitoring pad, comprising a T-shaped cover enclosing a loudspeaker and a weight sensitive switch operable with the loudspeaker, the loudspeaker disposed in a first portion of the T-shaped cover and the weight sensitive switch disposed in a second portion of the T-shaped cover. 
     
     
         18 . The patient monitoring pad of  claim 17 , the second portion extending from the first portion. 
     
     
         19 . The patient monitoring pad of  claim 17 , the first portion larger than the second portion. 
     
     
         20 . The patient monitoring pad of  claim 17 , the T-shaped cover sealed along a perimeter of the T-shaped cover.