• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
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  • 类似技术
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    • 专利摘要:
    The application discloses an optical pressure sensor (42) comprising a first optical fiber path (44-1) and a second optical fiber path (44-2), wherein a light exit surface of the first optical fiber path (44-1) and a light entrance surface of the second optical fiber path (44-2) are arranged such that a light which is supplied via the first light guide path (44-1) and exits the light exit surface of the first light guide path (44-1) falls into the light entry surface of the second light guide path (44-2), and a first surface (10) and a second surface (20) movable relative to one another and spaced apart from each other defining a light path between the light exit surface of the first light guide path (44-1) and the light entrance surface of the second light guide path (44-2), the first surface (10). and the second surface (20) are mechanically coupled to each other so that when increasing a pressure force received by the pressure sensor di e first surface (10) and the second surface (20) from each other. Further aspects relate to a measuring mattress with a multiplicity of light sensor-based pressure sensors (42), in each case accommodated in cavities, a bed with the measuring mattress, a method for detecting states of a body lying on a bed, and a diagnostic system.
    公开号:AT518046A1
    申请号:T51040/2015
    申请日:2015-12-03
    公开日:2017-06-15
    发明作者:Huber Dietrich
    申请人:Huber Dietrich；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Pressure sensor, measuring mattress, Liegestatt, procedures and diagnostic system
    The present invention relates to an optical pressure sensor, a measuring mattress, a bed, a method for detecting states of a body disposed thereon, and a diagnostic system.
    In medicine, it is often desirable to sensory determine and monitor a lying position of a person on a mattress or on a Liegestatt. This can be done via pressure sensors, which are distributed in the mattress and capture a sinking of the body of the person as a compressive force. Many pressure sensors for the mentioned and other purposes require a supply current for driving sensor elements. However, in medicine, current-carrying elements located in the immediate vicinity of a patient are subject to increased safety requirements as electrically inactive elements in order to be approved for use on the patient. It is therefore advantageous for this application if sensor elements for detecting pressure differences on a mattress for supporting a patient have no current-carrying elements.
    From US 2011/0185824 A1 a pressure sensor, a mattress, a breath measuring device and a diagnostic system as well as a corresponding method for measuring a force are known, in which the pressure sensor for measuring the distance between a first and a second, opposite surface is arranged the first surface is movable toward and / or away from the restoring force against the second surface. In addition to various active Ab Abstandsssensoren having, for example, LEDs, laser, Hall or eddy current elements, in an embodiment, an optical distance sensor with optical fibers (hereinafter short: optical fiber) is provided. In this variant, a first optical fiber supplies light from an external light source to the sensor space, and a second optical fiber intercepts reflected light in the sensor space and conducts it to an external control unit.
    The design of the pressure sensor of US 2011/0185824 A1 assumes that in a zero state, i. in the load-free state of the sensor, a distance between the first surface and the second surface is given. Also, the principle of action is such that an increase in the pressure acting on the sensor compresses a distance from the optical elements of the sensor and thus shortens the Lichtlaufweg outside the light guide, whereby the resulting (discharged from the second light guide) light is brighter than the supplied light. More specifically, the light emitted by the first light guide travels a distance of twice the distance between the end faces of the light guides and the first surface projecting into the sensor space in the region of the second surface. The change of a light intensity follows in the measuring range approximately proportional to a change in the path of the light between the end faces of the light guides. Thus, it makes no difference in terms of a change in the light intensity, whether a change in the load in already loaded state or in the unloaded state occurs. This is fundamentally expedient for measurements of the absolute immersion depth. However, the components which are relevant for the measurement can also fluctuate without changing the pressure load to be measured by an equilibrium position, in particular the zero position. Therefore, especially with a variety of sensors in a diagnostic system, it may be difficult to unambiguously and reliably calibrate a zero state. In addition, there are applications where it is more a matter of deciding whether a load is present or not than the absolute size of the load. However, the mere presence of a load can be subject to the fluctuation noise around the zero position in the conventional sensor. Therefore, a safe measurement can be difficult with a small load. Also, a near zone, ie a region of close approximation of the first and second surface, can not be used for a measurement. In the area of the stop, so the next approach of the first and second upper surface, gets less and less of the reflected light in the second optical fiber for geometric reasons, and when the surfaces stop abruptly no light is transmitted, since the light then in the first Light guide is thrown back, but no longer gets into the second light guide. It can no longer be determined in this area how large the effective compressive force actually is.
    The invention is therefore based on the object to provide an improved optical pressure sensor based on optical fibers, which at least partially eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the object is to provide a fiber-optic-based optical pressure sensor that enables a more secure detection of a small load.
    The above object is solved by the features of the independent claims at least in some aspects. Preferred embodiments and advantageous developments form the subject of the dependent claims.
    According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical pressure sensor comprising: a first optical fiber path and a second optical fiber path, wherein a light exit surface of the first optical fiber path and a light entrance surface of the second optical fiber path are arranged so as to be supplied and discharged via the first optical fiber path a first surface and a second surface, which are movable relative to each other and whose distance from one another determines a light path between the light exit surface of the first light guide path and the light entry surface of the second light guide path, wherein the first surface and the second surface are mechanically coupled to each other so that upon increasing a pressure force received by the pressure sensor, the first surface and d Remove the second surface from each other.
    For the purposes of the invention, a compressive force is a compressive force. Accordingly, a pressure sensor is a force sensor for sensing a compressive force. The removal of the first and the second surface can also be understood as a deflection of the pressure sensor. As the first and second surfaces move away from each other as the pressure applied by the pressure sensor increases, they can not collide with each other as the load increases, so that the detection range is not limited by the abutment of the surfaces but only by the physical size of the sensor , The detection range of the sensor can therefore be greater. Also, in the sensor of the invention, the light path becomes longer as the pressing force increases, and therefore, the light intensity of the returning light decreases as the pressing force increases, that is, the returning light becomes darker as the load increases. Therefore, a maximum transmissible light intensity can be used with a minimum possible light path as a reference for calibration of the sensors.
    When the first surface and the second surface are elastically coupled with each other, when the pressure load is released, an automatic return of the deflection can be achieved.
    If the first surface and the second surface abut each other in the unloaded state of the pressure sensor, a maximum light intensity can be transmitted without load, since light is directed directly from the first into the second light guide path even when the first and second surfaces abut. An incipient deflection, which correlates with an incipient pressure load, can be recognized as a disproportionate darkening safely and clearly.
    When the first surface and the second surface abut each other at a pressing force below a predetermined threshold, a triggering threshold for the sensor can also be defined so that fluctuations in zero position can be effectively suppressed.
    In a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the first optical fiber path is a first optical fiber, which is accommodated in a first surface having the component, and the second optical fiber is a second optical fiber, which is accommodated in a second surface having the component Light exit surface of the first light guide and the light entry surface of the second light guide opposite to each other. In this case, the light exit surface of the first light guide with the first surface may preferably be coplanar or substantially coplanar, and the light entry surface of the second light guide may be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the second surface.
    In an alternative preferred embodiment it can be provided that the first light guide path is a first light guide and the second light guide path is a second light guide, which are accommodated in a first surface having the component, and a light-conducting element in a second surface having the component so is received, that it passes a light emerging from the light exit surface of the first light guide light in the light entrance surface of the second light guide. In this case, the light exit surface of the first light guide and the light entrance surface of the second light guide with the first surface may preferably be coplanar or substantially coplanar, and a light entry surface and a light exit surface of the light conducting element may be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the second surface. By way of example, but not limited to, the light-conducting element may be a prism or another optical waveguide placed in a bend. In the case of a prism as a light-conducting element, the light entrance surface and the light exit surface of the same may coincide, in the case of a light guide as a light-conducting element, the opposite end faces of the same form its light entrance surface and light exit surface.
    In a further alternative preferred embodiment it can be provided that the first optical fiber path and the second optical fiber path are combined in a single optical fiber, which is received in a first surface having the component, wherein a light exit surface of the first optical fiber path and a light entry surface of the second optical fiber path in a Passage surface of the light guide coincide, and a light-reflecting element in a second surface having component is taken so that it reflects a light emerging from the light passage surface of the light guide such that it falls back into the light passage surface of the light guide. In this case, the light passage surface of the light guide may preferably be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the first surface, and a light passage surface or a reflective surface of the light reflecting element may be coplanar or substantially coplanar with the second surface. The light-reflecting element may be, for example, but not limited to, a mirror. Optionally, a coupling element may be provided on the side of the light guide, which is designed for separating the light coming from the light guide and the light falling into the light guide. In this case, the light guide in the coupling element open and a light passage surface of the coupling element with the first surface can be coplanar or arranged substantially coplanar.
    The light guides mentioned in the preceding embodiments can be understood as optical waveguides, which are constructed in particular from optical fibers.
    When axes of the first optical fiber path and the second optical fiber path are arranged perpendicular to a direction of a force (F) picked up by the pressure sensor, the coupling of the first and second surfaces can also be realized particularly easily.
    According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a measuring mattress for detecting states of a body disposed on the measuring mattress, comprising: a plurality of cavities formed in the measuring mattress, and a plurality of pressure sensors respectively housed in the cavities adapted to change a light quality of light supplied by means of light guides and derived light in response to a pressure force acting on each pressure sensor are formed, wherein the pressure sensors are preferably designed according to one of the preceding claims.
    For the purposes of the invention, a quality of light is understood to mean, in particular, a light intensity. Alternatively, a frequency spectrum, a light output, or other characteristics of the light used may be used. Cavities can be, for example, existing barrel spring cores of the mattress anyway. Alternatively, the cavities may also be specially incorporated into the mattress. The cavities may be formed so that they, if not from one
    Pressure sensor or the like are used, elastically seal. The measuring mattress may also have a microphone accommodated in a cavity, which preferably operates on the basis of light guides. Thus, sound recordings can also be made for monitoring respiration, pulse or for recording calls for help or other voice messages. Preferably, the measuring mattress has a plurality of channels formed in the measuring mattress for receiving optical fibers to and from the cavities. The measuring mattress can be designed as an inner layer, support or pad of a lying mattress.
    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a bed with a measuring mattress as described above. The Liegestatt can be for example a conventional bed, a hospital bed, a nursing bed, or an operating table.
    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting conditions of a lying-on-a-body body by means of a plurality of pressure sensors disposed below the body is proposed. The pressure sensors are preferably designed according to the above description. The method comprises the steps of: generating a light of defined light quality; Supplying the light to each of the pressure sensors via a respective first optical fiber path; Receiving a resultant light from each of the pressure sensors via a respective second optical fiber path; and - calculating the states based on a light quality of the resulting light of the respective pressure sensors.
    In the described method, the states of the body may include at least one of: a body position such as lying position, sitting position, or the like; - a local bearing pressure; - a local penetration depth; - a situation in space; a pulse; a temperature; respiratory frequency and / or depth and / or quality; - a state of motion.
    The method may also use detection data from other sensors including at least one of the following: optical sensors; - 3D scanners, in particular laser scanners; - cameras; - Sound transducers, in particular microphones; - medical monitoring sensors or systems.
    The method may further comprise at least one of the steps of: - storing records corresponding to the detected states of the body; - creating and / or using a mattress model; - Generating a visual image of the detected states of the body as a 2D view, 3D view, spatially pivotable 3D model, sectional view, in particular longitudinal or cross-sectional view as a still or moving picture and storing, displaying on a display device, recording on disk, transfer via a communications network of the generated image; - Remote monitoring of the body based on the detected states; - Actuation of actuators to change a body position, a penetration depth or a contact pressure of the body.
    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a diagnostic system comprising a plurality of pressure sensors as described above and a control unit for driving the pressure sensors and processing detection results of the pressure sensors.
    In the diagnostic system, the control unit may include a light source for supplying the pressure sensors with a light via the respective first optical fiber paths, a lie detection unit for detecting a light coming from the pressure sensors via the respective second optical fiber paths, and a memory unit for storing data sets in accordance with the detection results for have each of the pressure sensors.
    Furthermore, the control unit may have a processor unit for determining a force acting on each pressure sensor based on a light quality of the light detected by the respective pressure sensor, the detection results having the force acting on each pressure sensor.
    The diagnostic system may further comprise an evaluation unit, which is designed to evaluate data sets of at least one, preferably a plurality of control units, wherein the evaluation unit preferably has a plurality of interfaces, which are designed for data exchange with at least one of input devices, display devices, interactive Systems, storage devices, recorders, internal communication devices and telecommunication networks.
    The diagnostic system may in particular have for carrying out the method described above. The method steps can be carried out by the processing unit or the evaluation unit or distributed thereon.
    Other features, objects, advantages and effects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments. To illustrate the embodiments reference is made to the accompanying drawings. Where:
    Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a diagnostic system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
    FIGS. 2A and 2B are each a schematic plan view of a sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the unloaded condition;
    FIGS. 3A and 3B each show a schematic end view of the sensor in the direction of arrow III in FIGS. 2A and 2B in the unloaded or loaded state;
    FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a schematic side view of the sensor in the direction of an arrow IV in FIGS. 2A and 2B in the unloaded or loaded state; and
    FIGS. 5A and 5B each show a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the sensor along a sectional plane indicated by arrows V, V in FIGS. 2A and 2B in the direction of the arrows V, V in the unloaded or loaded state.
    The present invention will now be described in detail by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the pictorial representations are purely schematic and not necessarily to scale. It is also to be understood that the drawings and the ensuing description are intended to focus on the features useful in understanding the invention without thereby limiting the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims in the broadest sense.
    In the context of this application, indications such as perpendicular, parallel, collinear, coplanar, the same or the like are not to be understood exclusively in the geometrically or mathematically exact sense, but may include an area within the scope of technically reasonable tolerances. The understanding of the technically meaningful can depend on the effect to be achieved. The same applies to figures or values.
    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
    1 is a schematic diagram of a diagnostic system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic system 2 comprises a bed 4, a control unit 6 and an evaluation unit 8.
    The bed 4 has a mattress 40 which is provided with a matrix-like arrangement of sensors 42. The sensors 42 are designed as optical pressure or pressure sensors which respond to a change in a pressure force acting on the sensor 42 with a change in a quality of a light supplied and discharged via optical fibers. Each sensor 42 has for this purpose a first, incoming light guide and a second, outgoing light guide, which are shown as a light guide pair 44. The pairs of optical fibers 44 are combined in the region of the bed 4 to form a light conductor collecting strand 46. The fiber optic bus 46 is divided into an input sub-string 461, which contains the incoming optical fibers of the sensors 42, and an output sub-string 462, which contains the outgoing fibers of the sensors 42. The sub strands 461 and 462 lead to the control unit 6, which will be described in detail below.
    The sensors 42 are configured and arranged to sense a pressure load on the mattress 40 at their respective locations in the matrix. In this way, a local load on the mattress 40, as detected by the sensors 42, can be converted into a position of a person resting on the bed 4 (in particular patients). In addition to a position, a local sinking depth can be calculated from the results of the pressure or force detection. A resolution of the detection is essentially determined by the density and arrangement of the sensors 42. A construction of the sensors 42 will be described below with reference to the illustration in FIGS. 2A / 2B to 5A / 5B.
    At selected locations of the mattress 40, microphones 48 are also arranged, which, in addition to allowing the determination of a position of a person resting on the bed 4, can detect sound signals for detecting respiratory sounds, heart sounds and / or cries for help from the person. The microphones 48 may be designed as optical fiber microphones.
    The sensors 42 are housed in this embodiment in pocket spring cores (not shown) of the mattress 40, the invention is, however, to this
    Arrangement not limited. For example, the sensors 42 may be housed in specially introduced cavities (not shown) of the mattress 40, or the sensors 42 may be in their own position, with or without a scaffold, support net or support fabric, over or under the mattress 40, or in a cavity Mattress 40 be housed. For receiving the optical fiber pairs 44 and the optical fiber collecting strand 46 further recesses may be provided within the mattress. Alternatively, the optical fiber collecting strand 46 can also be combined outside the mattress 40 and guided. The summary of the light guide to dedicated pairs of light conductors 44, the light guide bus bar 46 and the strands 461,462 are used for clarity in the wiring. It is understood that the invention is not limited to such a summary, but the pairs of optical fibers 44 or their individual light guide also disordered or otherwise summarized can be performed to the control unit 6.
    The control unit 6 is assigned to the bed 4 or the matrix of the sensors 42 of the mattress 40 individually. More precisely, if several beds 4 are provided, each bed 4 is assigned its own control unit 6.
    As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 6 comprises a processor unit 60, a power supply 62, a plurality of external interfaces 64, a light source 65, a light detection unit 66 and a memory unit 68 interconnecting in a conventional manner known per se, ie, technically (in terms of a data line) and energy-related (in terms of a power supply) are suitably connected together.
    The power supply unit 62 is provided to supply the further elements of the control unit 6 with a supply voltage. The external interfaces 69 enable data exchange with external units. The light source 65 is connected to the incoming sub-string 461 of the optical fiber bus 46, and the light detection unit 66 is connected to the outgoing sub-string 462 of the optical fiber bus 46. The light source 65 is formed in a conventional manner known per se in order to initiate a light of defined luminous intensity for each optical fiber of the input sub-string 461. The light source 65 may be composed of laser, LED or other lighting elements, in particular arranged in a matrix. The light source 65 may also include an analog light source whose light is scanned over a grating or the like. The light source 65 is in particular designed to supply a light of defined, preferably identical, quality to each light guide of the input sub-string 461, that is to say to the incoming light guide of each sensor 42.
    The light detection unit 66 is configured to detect the light recirculated via each outgoing light guide of the sensors 42 individually. For this purpose, a matrix of light detection elements or light sensor elements, for example in the form of a CCD matrix (not shown in detail) is provided in the light detection unit 66, wherein each light guide of the output sub-string 462 is associated with at least one light detection element. The light detection unit 66 may include a camera unit, wherein digitization of the receiving lights may be performed by the camera unit or an A / D converter.
    The processor unit 60 is configured to convert the light detected by the light detection unit 66 into data sets. Each data set may have a quality, in particular light intensity, of the light returned by each sensor 42 or a force acting on each sensor. As an alternative or in addition, the data sets can also have position values (load yes / no) and / or penetration depths already calculated from the measurement results. In this way, an impression of a lying on the mattress body 40 in the form of a data set is created and stored in the memory unit 68.
    The control unit 6 has a power supply and electrically active components. However, the control unit 6 can be placed at a safe distance from the bed 4 and the parts installed in the mattress 40 (sensors 42, optical fiber pairs 44, microphones 48) are de-energized, so that a risk of electric currents emanating from a person resting on the bed 4 avoided can be.
    The evaluation unit 8 has, as shown in FIG. 1, a housing 80, a processor unit 81, input interfaces for data records 82, interfaces for external access 83, monitor interfaces 84, interfaces for a bidirectional interactive system 85 and interfaces for external data exchange 86. The processor unit 81 has visualization units 812, data management units 814, data storage units 816 and data transfer units 818. The input interface for data records 82 is designed to receive data records of a plurality of control units, such as the control unit 6.
    With the help of the evaluation unit 8, the data sets from the control unit 6, for example, converted into a body or mattress model, visualized and displayed on a monitor.
    Thus, with the diagnostic system 2, for example, monitoring a large number of people in a clinic or nursing home possible. Since the sensors 40 and also the microphones 48 are de-energized and all electrically supplied elements are summarized at the earliest in the control unit 6, which is arranged at a safe distance from the bed 4, the diagnostic system 2 can be made approvable with less effort than a system with electrically powered sensors in the mattress.
    The diagnostic system 2 described above may also be referred to as an optical fiber measuring system. The diagnostic system 2 can be designed or used for measuring the penetration depth of objects in elastic bodies, for the three-dimensional representation of the object. In particular, the diagnostic system 2 used on the mattress 40 can be designed or used to represent the movement and vital functions of a person and / or object.
    The diagnostic system 2 forms an arrangement of measuring points for measuring the penetration depth of a person and / or object into a deformable surface or into a deformable object. The measuring points are arranged so that a calculation and representation of the penetration depth within the arrangement on which the object to be measured is located, can take place.
    The penetration depth is measured with the help of optical fibers. The deflection and / or the distance of light guides is realized by means of a mechanical deflection, which is linked to the penetration depth.
    The measurement of the change in the light takes place with a sensor system based on a photoelectric principle or with a camera.
    Digitization is done by the camera or an A / D converter.
    A multi-dimensional mapping of the surface to be measured and / or of the deformed elastic object with the aid of the measured data is possible.
    Likewise, a free image and / or the representation of a sectional image of the deformation of the deformed object by means of the measured data in different directions is possible.
    The measurements can be carried out at any time and / or continuously.
    A sequence of changes and / or measurements may be displayed in real time and / or as a time-varying representation in a movie, video clip, animation or similar medium on one or more screens.
    The chronological sequence of the changes and / or measurements can be displayed in real time and / or as a time-variable representation on a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC and / or any other technical device having a dedicated display device.
    From the three-dimensional image of the measured surface and / or the object and a three-dimensional animated object can be calculated and displayed. The three-dimensional animated object is calculated from the measured data and / or arises from a database with calculated data and / or input data of the dimensions of the object and / or from image recordings of the object and / or a 3D scan of the object. The simultaneous use of all input and calculation data is used for presentation.
    Analysis options from the time sequence of the presentation of the 3D animated object include, for example, stop function, time-lapse function, rotation about different axes, superimposition of object details from other data generated in 3D, display of detail images and sequences from medical-technical admission procedures and / or other admission procedures.
    The diagnostic system can also have active elements that can be actively controlled in compensation for a movement of the object determined using the measurement data. This makes it possible to control and actively change the penetration depth of the object with the aid of the measured data.
    With suitable microphones, in particular optical fiber microphones, or additional devices, which also provide the data in real time via an interface, a simultaneous recording and real-time link to the measured pressure data of life functions such as pulse, respiratory function, heart rhythm, temperature is possible.
    Thus, the diagnostic system 2 is particularly suitable for medical use in healthcare and geriatric care, for general diagnostic applications, for monitoring in the intensive care unit, monitoring a patient on an operating table and the like.
    Remote monitoring can be integrated via intranet / internet, telephone or radio alarm.
    Hereinafter, the structure of a pressure sensor 42 of Fig. 1 will be described as an independent embodiment. Fign. 2A and 2B are each a schematic plan view of a sensor 42 according to this embodiment in the unloaded or loaded state. Accordingly, Figs. 3A and 3B each show a schematic end view of the sensor 42 in the direction of an arrow III in FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a schematic side view of the sensor 42 in the direction of an arrow IV in FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, and are FIGS. 5A and 5B each show a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the sensor along a sectional plane indicated by arrows V, V in FIGS. 2A and 2B in the direction of the arrows V, V, in each case in the unloaded or loaded state.
    As shown in Figs. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B, the sensor 42 comprises two spring elements 422, a carrier 424, two optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 and two optical fibers 44-1, 44-2, one of them the light guide is referred to as first or incoming light guide 44-1 and the other as second or outgoing light guide 44-2. The first light guide 44-1 is a first light guide path in the sense of the invention, and the second light guide 44-2 is a second light guide path in the sense of the invention. The light guides 44-1, 44-2 correspond to a light guide pair 44 in Fig. 1. Each of the light guides 44-1, 44-2 is held in one of the light guide holders 426-1, 426-2. Accordingly, the optical fiber holder holding the first optical fiber 44-1 is referred to as the first optical fiber holder 426-1 and the optical fiber holder holding the second optical fiber 44-2 is referred to as the second optical fiber holder 426-2. The optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 are mounted in the carrier 424 so that they are relatively movable relative to each other and to the carrier 424. The spring elements 422 engage the top and bottom of the light guide holders 426-1,426-2 and squeeze them together.
    As shown in Figs. 3B, 4B more precisely, the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 each have an approximately parallelepiped base body 4261 with six surfaces, the two surfaces connected to the spring elements 422 being referred to as main surfaces and as upper and lower surfaces, respectively two surfaces whose surface normals coincide with axes of the light guides 44-1 and 44-2, respectively, are referred to as end surfaces, and the remaining two surfaces are referred to as side surfaces. The main surfaces and end surfaces and side surfaces are substantially planar. The mutually facing end faces of the two optical fiber holder 426-1,426-2 are hereinafter also referred to as inner end faces, the facing away from each other end faces of the two optical fiber holder 426-1, 426-2 as outer faces. Furthermore, the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 each have a cylindrical pin 4263 which protrudes from a respective inner end face of the main body 4261, wherein a diameter of the pin 4263 is smaller than each length of the end face (width, height of the main body).
    The carrier 424 has an approximately rotationally symmetrical, plate-shaped base body 4242 and two of its opposite surfaces coaxially projecting hubs 4244 on. The hubs 4244 transition from a base connected to the base body 4242 into a cylindrical end portion, wherein a diameter of the end portion approximately corresponds to a smallest length of the inner end face (ie the height) of the main body 4261 of the optical fiber holder 426-1,426-2.
    As shown in more detail in Fig. 5B, the carrier 424 also has a continuous axial bore 4246 in which the pins 4263 of the optical fiber holder 426-1,426-2 are accommodated with play. Further, the optical fiber holder 426-1,426-2 each have a continuous axial channel 4265, in which the incoming light guide 44-1 and the outgoing light guide 44-2 is attached by means of a bond 428. It should be noted that over most of its length, axial channel 4265 is significantly wider than an outer diameter of optical fibers 44-1, 44-2 to accommodate bond 428. Only in the region of the end face of the pin 4263, the axial channel 4265 tapers to the diameter of the light guide 44-1, 44-2, so that the end face of the light guide 44-1, 44-2 is free of adhesive. By the arrangement described above, it is ensured that an end face of the incoming light guide 44-1, which is also referred to as the light exit surface of the incoming light guide 44-1, and an end face of the outgoing light guide 44-2, which also serves as the light entrance surface of the outgoing light guide 44-2, respectively coplanar with the end face of the pin 4263 of the first and second light guide holders 426-1, 426-2, respectively.
    The operation of the sensor 42 will now be described in more detail. For this purpose, Figs. 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, the sensor 42 in the unloaded state, while the Fign. 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B show the sensor 42 in the same view in the loaded state.
    As shown in Fig. 3B, the loaded state is defined by acting on the spring members 422 a compressive force (compressive force) F from above and below. As shown in Fig. 5A, are in the unloaded state, the end faces of the pins 4263 under the spring bias of the spring elements 422 close to (gap distance s = 0). As a result, the end faces of the light guides 44-1, 44-2 are also tight, so that a light supplied by the incoming light guide 44-1 is introduced into the outgoing light guide 44-2 virtually loss-free. However, when the spring members 422 whose end portions are fixedly connected to the main bodies 4261 of the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 are loaded, as clearly shown in FIG. 5B, the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 are separated from each other by the spring members 422 pressed, and the end faces 10, 20 of the pins 4263 of the optical fiber holder 426-1.426-2 are removed from each other. This creates a gap with a gap distance s. The light supplied by the incoming light guide 44-1 enters the gap via the light exit surface of the incoming light guide 44-1 and has to overcome the gap distance s to then fall into the light entrance surface of the outgoing light guide 44-2 and suffers while overcoming the light path Gap distance s a loss of light output.
    Obviously, the sensor 42 according to the present invention provides a constant, maximum light output without any fluctuation in the unloaded state in which the end faces of the light guides 44-1, 44-2 are close to each other. The sensor 42 can therefore be calibrated particularly well in its signal response by the control unit 6 (FIG. 1). The loss of light power per unit of travel is particularly large at the beginning of the deflection, i.e., when the gap is formed, and at very small deflections, compared to a loss of light power per unit of travel as the gap once formed further increases. Therefore, the sensor 42 according to the present invention provides a particularly significant change in the quality of light when the load starts, namely a significant darkening. The sensor 42 is thus particularly sensitive and unique in this area. It is therefore particularly easy to determine with the sensor 42 whether a matrix point in a sensor arrangement (for example in the mattress 40 of FIG. 1) is loaded or not. Another burden is reflected in a milder change in the quality of light or light output. Thus, a calculation of the concrete sinking depth is possible. Because of the clear determinability of a presence of a load, further calculation steps may be limited to those measuring points for which a load has been determined qualitatively. This also reduces the processing load of the control unit 6 and, in the further course, also of the evaluation unit 8.
    Since the main body 4261 of the optical fiber holder 426-1, 426-2 are parallelepiped, the spring elements 422 are well fastened thereto. The attachment of the spring elements 422 can be done by screwing in from both sides, continuous screwing, riveting, gluing or other, such as form-fitting, measures.
    Since the pins 4263 of the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 are cylindrical, they are not only translational but also rotationally movable in the axial bore 4246 of the carrier 424. Therefore, torsion stresses can not arise in the optical waveguide holders 426-1, 426-2 and the carrier 424 even when the spring elements 422 twist.
    The sensor 42 is installed in a mattress 40 of FIG. 1 so that the curved surfaces of the spring elements 422 face upwards or downwards.
    The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to an embodiment. It should be understood that the foregoing description may include only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described, their modifications, variants and modifications, but is defined solely by the appended claims in their broadest sense. Variations, additions, substitutions, and equivalents which those skilled in the art will make from the skilled artisan in the described embodiments are to be understood as embodiments of the present invention insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
    A modification may, for example, relate to a changed guidance of the light guides, which avoids looping of the outgoing light guide. For this purpose, the (first) optical fiber holder instead of the axial channel having two parallel channels, which are provided for the incoming and the outgoing optical fiber, and the second optical fiber holder may be replaced by a prism holder. A prism is accommodated in the prism holder so that a light emitted from the incoming light guide is reflected onto the outgoing light guide. Analogously to the illustrated embodiment, the inner faces of the light guide holder and the prism holder are in the unloaded state close to each other, so that the light entry and light exit surfaces of the light guide and the prism also fit tightly and the light is transmitted virtually lossless. Under load, the inner end faces of the light guide holder and the prism holder separate from each other, so that the light must bridge the gap between the end faces of the holder twice. As a result, on the one hand loops of the outgoing light guide can be avoided, which facilitates the handling of the sensor and the laying of the light guide pairs. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the sensor in deflection from the zero state is approximately doubled, since the gap must be bridged twice. Therefore, the determination as to whether or not there is load on the sensor becomes even more reliable.
    The prism described above is an example of a light-conducting element that reflects light from the first light guide back into the second light guide. Another example is another optical fiber. In a variant of the above modification, therefore, instead of the prism holder, a further optical fiber holder may be provided with two parallel channels corresponding to the channels of the first optical fiber holder, and may be received in the channels of the other optical fiber holder another optical fiber which forms a turn outside the second optical fiber holder. In this variant, the optical fiber holder can be of identical design, in particular with the same hole pattern, which reduces the production cost.
    Another modification relates to the formation of the optical fiber paths as individual optical fibers. It is known that optical fibers can also be designed so that they can conduct light bidirectionally. In the above-described modification, the two optical fibers may be replaced by a single bidirectional optical fiber disposed in the first optical fiber holder 426-1, and the light conductive member may be replaced with a light reflecting member such as a mirror constituting the optical fiber Bidirectional light guide reflects falling light. For separating the outgoing and incoming light, a coupling element can be provided on the light guide. Such a coupling element is, for example, an optical circulator, as available from the company OZ Optics Ltd., 219 Westbrook Road, Ottawa, KN, Canada, KOA 1LO (www.ozoptics.com), with which light in a light guide in a Direction can be coupled and coupled out in the other direction.
    In the illustrated embodiment, the spring elements 422 are designed as leaf springs; However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment of the spring elements 422.
    The embodiment explained above is intended for use in clinics and hospitals. The signals generated by the sensors 42 are passed from the bed 4 to the control unit 6, where they are converted into data records, which are forwarded to the evaluation unit 8. With the evaluation unit 8, the data can be displayed on a monitor. The data connection between the control unit 6 and the evaluation unit 8 is preferably a local area network (LAN), which may be cable-bound or wireline (WLAN).
    However, the invention may also be intended for private users who want to observe a sick or disabled person at home. The bed 4 is in turn connected to a control unit 6. The control unit 6 can be connected to a local evaluation unit 8 or also to a remote evaluation unit. The connection to a remote evaluation unit preferably takes place via the Internet. The remote evaluation unit may be a mobile computing device, such as a personal computer. a laptop, tablet or mobile phone that collects and displays the data. At the mobile terminal, an application software may be provided which carries out the evaluation of the records and optionally outputs predetermined alarms. In the context of the invention, it is also possible that the evaluation of the data sets is first carried out in a stationary or local evaluation unit 8 and transmits these predetermined messages with a reduced amount of data to a mobile terminal. In this way, the evaluation and data processing of the received signals can be done centrally and one or more participants can be informed about their mobile device. This makes it easy, for example, to inform a group of persons at the same time. In the embodiment described and illustrated in the figures, the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 are mounted in the carrier 424. Alternatively, one of the optical fiber holders 426-1,426-2 may have a larger spigot with a cylindrical recess for receiving the spigot 4263 of the other of the optical fiber holders 426-1, 426-2 instead of the spigot 4263. The axial channel 4265 ends in this modification at the bottom of the recess of the larger pin. In this modification can be dispensed with the support 424, which further reduces the production cost. Other variations of the specific geometry of the components described, such as the carrier 424, the Lichtlei- terhalter 426-1, 426-2 and the spring elements 422 are conceivable within the scope of the claimed invention. In particular, the specific geometries described do not limit the present invention in any way unless specifically claimed independently.
    For the purposes of the present application, an axis should be understood as an imaginary geometric line, unless expressly described otherwise.
    List of Reference Numbers and Symbols 2 Diagnosis system 4 Bed 40 Mattress 42 Sensor (optical pressure sensor) 422 Spring element 424 Bracket 4242 Base plate 4244 Hub 4246 Axial bore 426-1,426-2 Optical fiber holder 4261 Base 4263 Spigot 4265 Axial channel 428 Bonding 44 pair of optical fibers 44-1 incoming (first) optical fiber 44-2 outgoing (second) optical fiber 46 fiber optic collecting string 461 input sub-string 462 output sub-string 48 microphone 6 control unit 60 processor unit 62 supply voltage 64 external interfaces 65 light source 66 light detection unit 68 data memory (data sets 8 Evaluation unit 80 Housing 81 Processor unit 812 Visualization unit 814 Data management unit 816 Data storage unit 818 Data transfer unit 82 Input interface for data records 83 Interface for external access 84 Monitor interface 85 Interface for interactive system, bidirectional 86 Interface for ext exchange of data 10 first surface 20 second surface F force s gap distance
    This list is an integral part of the description.
    权利要求:
    Claims (22)
    [1]
    claims
    An optical pressure sensor (42), comprising: - a first optical fiber path (44-1) and a second optical fiber path (44-2), wherein a light exit surface of the first optical fiber path (44-1) and a light entrance surface of the second optical fiber path (44-2) are arranged such that a light which is supplied via the first light guide path (44-1) and exits the light exit surface of the first light guide path (44-1) falls into the light entry surface of the second light guide path (44-2), - a first surface (10) and a second surface (20) movable relative to one another and spaced apart from each other defining a light path between the light exit surface of the first light guide path (44-1) and the light entrance surface of the second light guide path (44-2), the first surface (10). and the second surface (20) are mechanically coupled to one another such that upon increasing a pressure force received by the pressure sensor (42), the first surface ( 10) and the second surface (20) from each other.
    [2]
    2. An optical pressure sensor (42) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first surface (10) and the second surface (20) are elastically coupled together.
    [3]
    3. An optical pressure sensor (42) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first surface (10) and the second surface (20) in the unloaded state of the pressure sensor (42) abut each other.
    [4]
    4. An optical pressure sensor (42) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first surface (10) and the second surface (20) at a compressive force which is below a predetermined threshold, abut each other.
    [5]
    5. An optical pressure sensor (42) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first optical fiber path is a first optical fiber (44-1) which is received in a first surface (10) having the component (426-1), and the second light guide path is a second light guide (44-2) which is accommodated in a component (462-2) having the second surface (20), wherein the light exit surface of the first light guide (44-1) and the light entry surface of the second light guide (44) 44-2) are opposite each other, wherein preferably the light exit surface of the first light guide (44-1) with the first surface (10) is arranged coplanar or substantially coplanar and the light entry surface of the second light guide (44-2) with the second surface (20 ) is arranged coplanar or substantially coplanar.
    [6]
    6. An optical pressure sensor (42) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first optical fiber path (44-1) is a first optical fiber and the second optical fiber path (44-2) is a second optical fiber in one of the first Surface (10) having component (426-1) are received, and a light-conducting element in a second surface (20) having component (426-2) is accommodated so that it from the light exit surface of the first light guide (44- 1), the light exit surface of the first light guide (44-1) and the light entry surface of the second light guide (44-2) with the first surface (10) coplanar or in the Are arranged substantially coplanar and a light entry surface and a light exit surface of the light-conducting element with the second surface (20) are arranged coplanar or substantially coplanar.
    [7]
    7. An optical pressure sensor (42) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first optical fiber path (44-1) and the second optical fiber path (44-2) are combined in a single optical fiber, which in a first surface ( 10), wherein a light exit surface of the first light guide path and a light entrance surface of the second light guide path coincide in a light passage surface of the light guide, and a light reflecting element in a second surface (20) having component (426-2 ) is received so that it reflects a light emerging from the light passage surface of the light guide such that it falls back into the light passage surface of the light guide, wherein preferably the light passage surface of the light guide or a coupling element for separating the light coming from the light guide and in the light guide falling light with the first surface (10) k Oplanar or substantially coplanar is arranged and a light passage surface or a reflective surface of the light-reflecting element with the second surface (20) are arranged coplanar or substantially coplanar.
    [8]
    The optical pressure sensor (42) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that axes of the first optical fiber path (44-1) and the second optical fiber path (44-2) are perpendicular to a direction of a force (F ) are arranged.
    [9]
    A measuring mattress (40) for detecting states of a body on the measuring mattress (40), comprising: a plurality of cavities formed in the measuring mattress (40), and a plurality of pressure sensors (42) respectively housed in the cavities and adapted to Modification of a quality of light by means of light guides (44) supplied and derived light in response to a force acting on each pressure sensor (42) pressure force are formed, wherein the pressure sensors (42) are preferably formed according to one of the preceding claims.
    [10]
    10. measuring mattress (40) according to claim 9, characterized in that the measuring mattress (40) at least one accommodated in a cavity microphone, which works preferably on the basis of light guides (44) has.
    [11]
    11. measuring mattress (40) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the measuring mattress (40) has a plurality of in the measuring mattress (40) formed channels for receiving optical fibers (44) to and from the cavities.
    [12]
    12. measuring mattress (40) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the measuring mattress (40) is designed as an inner layer, support or pad of a mattress Liege.
    [13]
    13. Liegestatt (4) with a measuring mattress (40) according to any one of claims 9 to 12.
    [14]
    14. A method for detecting conditions of a body lying on a deckle (4) by means of a plurality of pressure sensors (42) arranged below the body, which are preferably designed according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: generating a light of defined light quality ; Supplying the light to each of the pressure sensors (42) via a respective first optical fiber path (44-1); Receiving a resultant light from each of the pressure sensors (42) via a respective second optical fiber path (44-2); and calculating the states based on a light quality of the resultant light of the respective pressure sensors (42).
    [15]
    15. The method of claim 14, wherein the states of the body include at least one of: a body position such as a reclining seat position or the like; a local bearing pressure; a local penetration depth; a situation in space; a pulse; a temperature; a respiration rate and / or depth and / or quality; a state of motion.
    [16]
    The method of claim 14 or 15, further characterized by the use of detection data of other sensors comprising at least one of the following: optical sensors; 3D scanners, in particular laser scanners; cameras; Sound transducers, in particular microphones; medical monitoring sensors or systems.
    [17]
    17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising at least one of the steps of: storing records corresponding to the detected states of the body; Creating and / or using a mattress model; Generating a visual image of the detected states of the body as a 2D view, 3D view, spatially pivotable 3D model, sectional view, in particular longitudinal or cross-sectional view as a still or moving image and storage, displaying on a display device, recording on disk, transfer via a Data transmission network of the generated image; Remote monitoring of the body based on the detected conditions; Control of actuators to change a body position, a penetration or a bearing pressure of the body.
    [18]
    18. diagnostic system (2), comprising a plurality of pressure sensors (42) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a control unit (6) for controlling the pressure sensors (42) and for processing detection results of the pressure sensors (42).
    [19]
    19. A diagnostic system (2) according to claim 18, characterized in that the control unit (6) comprises a light source for supplying the pressure sensors (42) with a light via the respective first optical fibers (44-1), a light detection unit for detecting one of the pressure sensors (42) incoming light via the respective second optical fibers (44-2), and a storage unit for storing records in accordance with the detection results for each of the pressure sensors (42).
    [20]
    20. Diagnostic system (2) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the control unit (6) has a processor unit for determining a pressure acting on each pressure sensor (42) force based on a light quality of the respective pressure sensor (42) detected light, wherein the detection results have the force acting on each pressure sensor (42).
    [21]
    21. Diagnostic system (2) according to one of claims 18 to 20, further characterized by an evaluation unit (8), which is designed for the evaluation of data sets at least one, preferably a plurality of control units (6), wherein the evaluation unit (8) preferably a Having a plurality of interfaces adapted to communicate with at least one of input devices, display devices, interactive systems, storage devices, recorders, internal communication devices, and remote communication networks.
    [22]
    22. Diagnosis system (2) according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the diagnostic system (2) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 14 to 17 by the processing unit and / or the evaluation unit (8) is formed.
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    同族专利:
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    AT518046B1|2017-09-15|
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    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    ATA51040/2015A|AT518046B1|2015-12-03|2015-12-03|Pressure sensor, measuring mattress, Liegestatt, procedures and diagnostic system|ATA51040/2015A| AT518046B1|2015-12-03|2015-12-03|Pressure sensor, measuring mattress, Liegestatt, procedures and diagnostic system|
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    PCT/EP2016/079589| WO2017093485A2|2015-12-03|2016-12-02|Pressure sensor, measuring mattress, bed, method and diagnostic system|
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