Precision Patient-Bed Scale System

We intend to build and test a unique precision patient bed scale system (PBSS) to improve the accuracy, precision, resolution and usefulness of weighing patients in a bed or a chair. The PBSS uses a unique dynamic technique to measure patient-bed weight. The dynamic measurement technique provides a means to include self-diagnostics for the sensors and electronics. This system has the potential of improving the accuracy of measuring patient weight by as much as a factor of 50 when compared to commercial patient-bed weighting systems. The PBSS is intended for patients who are temporarily or permanently incapacitated and cannot be transferred from a bed to a scale easily, comfortably, or conveniently. Its precision, sensitivity and dynamic range will permit the early detection and treatment of fluid imbalances, accuracy, and the longer-term follow-up of nutritional problems. These applications are most relevant to the management of patients in intensive care units with their heavy, extensively instrumented beds, bed ridden on pediatric or adult hospital, rehabilitation, or extended care nursing floors, confined to special beds such as Stryker frames, undergoing inpatient and outpatient rental dialysis, or in premature nurseries. Additionally, the PBSS can be used to continuously monitor patient activity while in bed. A team consisting of a technical manager, a physician, and several design and test engineers will combine their expertise to design, construct and test a low-cost precision piezoelectric load cell, formulate a suitable design for the pneumatic lift system, and fabricate and test a prototype unit. In Phase I research, the prototype system will be tested using a commercial hospital bed. The PBSS represents a significant advancement in high capacity, high resolution, rugged patient-bed weighting systems. This system can be retrofitted to any commercial hospital bed, crib, incubator, or reclining chair without interfering with patient care or the operation of the bed.