ES2371354T3 - POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A PATIENT HANDLING DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Position detection system for an installation, comprising: a patient manipulation device (22) having a support surface to support a patient and which can be moved to be placed in a position in the installation, 5 a locator (52 ) fixed with respect to said patient manipulation device (22) for transmitting a unique position identifier corresponding to the position of said patient manipulation device (22), a processing station (50) away from said patient manipulation device (22) and said locator (52) for receiving said unique position identifier so that the position of said patient manipulation device (22) can be determined and controlled remotely from said patient manipulation device (22), a receiver (54) mounted on said patient manipulation device (22) to receive said unique position identifier of di cho locator (52), and a communication module (48) mounted on said patient manipulation device (22) and in electronic communication with said receiver (54), said communication module presenting a unique identification for said manipulation device of patients (22) and being adapted to transmit said unique identification and said unique position identifier received by said receiver of said patient handling device (22) to said processing station (50) so that said patient manipulation device ( 22) acts as a communication link between said locator (52) and said processing station (50), and said processing station being adapted to receive said unique position identifier and said unique identification and relate said unique position identifier with said unique identification and also relate said unique identification of said provision Patient handling device with a patient who is in said patient handling device in which said processing station is adapted for monitoring said patient handling device and the patient therein.

Description

Position detection system for a patient manipulation device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to position detection systems for use in facilities such as health centers for monitoring equipment such as patient handling devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to the position detection system that has locators programmed with unique position identifiers to determine a position of the patient manipulation devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Position detection systems are well known in the art for monitoring the position of personnel and equipment in an installation. These systems have been specifically adapted for use in facilities such as health centers for the monitoring of health personnel, for example, nurses and doctors, and for the monitoring of equipment, for example, beds, patient monitoring devices, etc. A typical position detection system also calls an object tracking system that uses tags that periodically transmit a unique identification signal. Throughout the installation, receivers are placed in known places to receive these identification signals. The receivers are connected to a central computer that processes the unique identification signals to determine the location of the object associated with the label.

[0003] A drawback of these systems is that a typical object tracking system does not use the existing infrastructure in the health center. As a result, the costs necessary to provide an infrastructure that accommodates object tracking are high. For example, the receivers used to receive the identification signals of the labels attached to the objects that are being followed must be installed throughout the health center, as well as connected to the central computer. This requires considerable work and cost, as well as prolonged interruptions to install the wiring.

[0004] In today's health centers, networks are available to access patient data, equipment data, laboratory results and the like. However, with current object tracking systems, the integration of information on the position of mobile equipment such as patient manipulation devices with patient data or other data available on the network is impractical. One of the reasons why most object tracking systems cannot be fully integrated with the networks of current health centers is that these object tracking systems are designed only to identify a particular room in which it is located. a patient manipulation device. These systems are not designed to determine a specific area of the room in which the patient manipulation device is located. In some health centers each room can accommodate two, three or more patient handling devices. Therefore, when current object tracking systems are used, the location of the room of each of the patient handling devices can be determined, for example, the patient handling devices are in room 1, but They are not sensitive enough to determine that patient manipulation device No. 1 is in zone 1 of room 1, patient manipulation device No. 2 is located in zone 2 of room 1, etc. For current systems provide object tracking this level of detail of the position independent receivers are needed in each zone, each receiver being connected to the central computer. As a result, infrastructure costs increase more.

[0005] There is, therefore, in the art the need for a position detection system that can be easily implemented in existing health centers with little capital investment and additional infrastructure and which in turn provide details of the specific position. enabling fully integrate location information with other data such as patient data and other data equipment in existing networks at the health center.

US-A-2004/0106854 describes a transceiver that lead patients to receive position signals from locators located randomly. The transceiver transmits the position signals sent by the locators along with patient identification signals to a remote processing station to determine the position of the patients.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0006] The present invention provides a system for detecting position as claimed in claim 1 and a method as claimed in claim 19.

[0007] This system and procedure have several advantages over the prior art. For example, by placing the receiver in the patient manipulation device, the patient manipulation device acts as a communication link between the locator and the processing station. In addition, by transmitting the unique position identification of the locators to the receiver and then to the processing station, no additional infrastructure is required in the installation to support the locators. Positions can be determined simply by placing the locator, programmed with the unique position identifier, in the place of interest, and transmitting that position to the patient manipulation device, which then sends the unique position identifier to the processing station. The patient manipulation device also transmits its own unique identification thereby relating the position of the patient manipulation device with its unique identification. This will allow health centers to better monitor patients by associating patients with their patient manipulation devices and, in addition, associating patient manipulation devices with their position in the health center, to the specific area of the room where they are find patients and patient manipulation devices.

[0008] In another aspect, the position detection system comprises a first location device associated with the patient manipulation device for transmitting a first unique position identifier to the processing station and a second location device associated with the device. patient manipulation for transmission a second unique position identifier to the processing station. In this system, the first unique position identifier corresponds to a first zone of the position and the second unique position identifier corresponds to a second zone of the position other than the first zone. In one embodiment, the first unique identifier identifies the position of the room where the patient manipulation device is located and the second unique identifier identifies the position of the area of the room where the patient manipulation device is located. Therefore, the first location device provides a general area of the patient manipulation device, while the second location device further defines the position of the patient manipulation device in the general area.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, existing object tracking systems can be used to determine general area information for patient handling devices such as the room where they are located, and patient handling devices. they may be additionally equipped with the second locating device to refine the position information to the specific area of the room where the patient handling device.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a method is provided for detecting the position of the patient handling device using the first and second tracking device. The method includes transporting the patient handling device to the place where the facility is located and transmitting a first unique location identifier to the processing station. The procedure also includes determining the first zone of the position of the patient manipulation device from the first unique position identifier and transmitting a second unique position identifier to the processing station in which the first unique position identifier corresponds to the The first position zone and the second unique position identifier correspond to the second position zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated upon better understanding thereof with reference to the following detailed description when considering it in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a health center with a network;

[0013] Figure 2 is a top view of a floor of a typical room of the health center with two areas marked A and B, which schematically illustrate a position detection system of the present invention using a locator configured to transmit a unique position identifier to a receiver located in a patient manipulation device;

[0014] Figure 3 is an electrical diagram of the locator of Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 4 is an electrical diagram of the receiver of Figure 2;

[0016] Figure 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process for transmitting the unique position identifier from the locator to the receiver;

[0017] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process for requesting the unique position identifier from the locator;

[0018] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating alternative position detection systems of the present invention using radiofrequency, magnetic inductance, ultrasonic, or modulated light systems;

[0019] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a system for detecting the reciprocating position of the present invention utilizing an array of RFID tags;

[0020] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating a system for detecting the reciprocating position of the present invention utilizing a magnetic card RFID;

[0021] Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position sensing system of the present invention using a magnetic RFID tag attached;

[0022] Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position sensing system of the present invention using a nurse call cable with an integrated RFID tag;

[0023] Figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating a system for detecting the reciprocating position of the present invention utilizing WiFi access points;

[0024] Figure 13 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position sensing system of the present invention using a power cable with an integrated identification transmitter;

[0025] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention that uses an Ethernet port to transmit the unique position identifier;

[0026] Figure 15 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using a mesh network to determine the position of the patient manipulation device;

[0027] Figure 16 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position sensing system of the present invention using an identification tag in combination with a switch;

[0028] Figure 17 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position sensing system of the present invention using an identification tag in combination with a sonic distance locator;

[0029] Figure 18 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using an identification tag in combination with a laser distance locator, and

[0030] Figure 19 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative position detection system of the present invention using an identification tag in combination with a Hall effect position detection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Referring to the figures, in which the same numbers indicate similar or corresponding elements in different views, a position detection system for an installation is shown as a whole by 20. The position detection system 20 It is described integrated in a patient manipulation device 22 of a health center, such as a hospital. Patient handling devices 22 include devices such as beds, stretchers, cribs, wheelchairs, and the like. It should be noted that the concepts given in the present invention could also be applied to other devices located in a healthcare facility, including infusion pumps, patient monitoring devices, patient therapy devices, such as independent therapy mattresses, and the like, but not limited to these. It should also be noted that these principles could apply to non-sanitary facilities. For the purposes of the description, reference is made in general to health centers.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the health center includes several systems that can be arranged in electronic communication with each other through a common network 32. These systems include admission, transfer and discharge (ADT) systems 24 and performance systems of patient 26 as offered by Premise Development Coprporation. These systems may also include elCU 28 systems such as those provided by Cerner Corporation for the remote control of critically ill patients. A nurse call system 30 may also be in communication with network 32. For example, a nurse call system provided by Rauland-Borg Corporation may be used to immediately transfer calls to a patient's nurse to network 32, or the main and / or secondary caregivers of the patient through a cordless telephone 33 using known messaging interfaces 35. This puts the patient immediately in contact with a healthcare professional to provide a faster and more efficient service.

[0033] Various communication devices can also be used to access the data or information provided by these systems 24, 26, 28, 30 to receive messages or alerts from these systems 24, 26, 28, 30, or to transmit information to these systems 24, 26, 28, 30. For example, a wireless badge 46 may be arranged in communication with the systems 24, 26, 28, 30 through wireless access points 36 arranged throughout the healthcare facility. Health professionals, for example, nurses, nursing assistants, doctor assistants, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, doctors, etc., can wear wireless badges 46 to alert the nurse when the patient has asked for help, or that there is a state of alarm. The nurse can also use the wireless badge 46 to speak to a voice recognition system to report an alarm status, or to report that the nurse has completed a task, to report any event that may occur at the health center . Personal digital assistants (PDAs) 38 could also be arranged in communication with the network systems 24, 26, 28, 30 to transfer data and information between the PDA and the network 38 32. Similarly, portable computers 40 to transfer data and information .

[0034] Object tracking systems 42 may also be integrated into network 32. These systems 42 may include those offered by Radianse, Inc., Versus Technology Inc., or others for object tracking throughout the healthcare facility. In some embodiments, the position detection system 20 is intended to operate independently of the object tracking system 42 to specifically identify the position, for example, the room and the area, of the patient handling devices 22. In others embodiments, the position detection system 20 of the present invention is intended to work in combination with the object tracking system 42 to identify the position of the patient handling devices 22 in the healthcare facility.

[0035] Still with reference to Figure 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, the patient manipulation device 22 is adapted to communicate with the network 32. More specifically, a central processing unit 44 (CPU) of the device patient manipulation 22 is in electronic communication with the network 32 through a communication module 48. The CPU 44 performs the functions of the patient manipulation device 22, such as motor functions for raising or lowering mobile sections of the manipulation device of 22 patients in response to user input, detection of functions to detect sidebar positions, bed height, patient position or bed exit, patient weight, brake positions, etc., as will be appreciated by the subject matter experts, or therapy functions for a therapy mattress, such as spin, percussion, or vibration functions. The CPU 44 includes the processors and memory necessary to carry out these functions, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

[0036] The patient manipulation device 22 physically carries the CPU 44 and the communication module 48 to move with the patient manipulation device 22 from one place to another. Preferably, the CPU 44 and the communication module 48 are housed in one or more housings the housing or housings being mounted in a structure of the patient manipulation device 22. As a result, all the equipment necessary to connect the CPU 44 of the device Patient manipulation 22 to the communication module 48 is located in the patient manipulation device 22 and is supported by it. It should be borne in mind that the CPU 44 and the communication module 48 could be integrated into a single structure or could be independent connectable components linked together in a wired or wireless configuration. By providing the communication module 48 in the patient manipulation device 22, the patient manipulation device 22 acts as a communication center or link to transmit data and / or information related to the patient manipulation device 22, including its position, to network 32.

[0037] The communication module 48 can be connected to the network via a wired 32 and / or wireless connection to transfer data and / or information from one side to the other between the CPU 44 and the hospital network 32. In one cable configuration, the communication module 48 may be a transceiver connected by cable through a communication link 49 to the hospital network 32. The communication link may be an RS-232 cable, an Ethernet compatible cable, or any other type of cable connection known to those skilled in the art. In a wireless configuration, the communication module 48 may be a wireless transceiver or router that is configured with a compatible wireless transmitter or router 51 located in the hospital network 32. In some embodiments, both wired and wireless configurations are present in the patient manipulation device 22 to easily adapt to user preferences. It should be noted that in some patient manipulation devices 22 there is no CPU 44, but instead a plurality of electronic modules are provided that communicate in a point-to-point network. In this case, the communication module 48 is simply one of the modules or nodes of the point-to-point network. However, for the purpose of the description, reference is made to a master / slave system using the CPU 44 of the patient manipulation device 22.

[0038] A processing station 50 is in communication with the network 32 to process data and / or information received from the different systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or the patient manipulation device 22 through the communication module 48 to configure or control the different systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or the patient manipulation device 22. In one embodiment, the processing station 50 is located in the central nursing station in a health center and It is implemented in a workstation, for example, a personal computer, for use in the central nursing station. The workstation may include a program configured to manipulate data and / or information received from the various systems 24, 26, 28, 30, 42 or the patient manipulation device 22. For example, the workstation may be configured to receive data and / or information from the communication module 48 of the patient manipulation device 22 or transfer data and / or information back to the patient manipulation device 22. These data may come from a bed exit detection system, a bed height detection system, a scale, a sidebar detection system that detects the position of the sidebars, a therapy mattress, and the like. The processing station 50 preferably includes a graphical user interface on a touch screen for reviewing and manipulating data and / or information. It should be noted that the processing station 50 can also be a separate unit that is not in the network 32, but includes the hardware necessary to connect to the communication module 48 of the patient handling device 22.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2, a typical floor plan of a health center is illustrated. As can be seen, the room, marked as Room 1, includes two zones, marked as Zone A and Zone B. These zones A, B are also called bed enclosures or bed areas. The position detection system 20 of the present invention is configured to determine the particular area in which the patient manipulation device is located 22. In the embodiment of Figure 2, two patient manipulation devices 22 are shown for positioning in a place, for example, Zone A and Zone B, in the health center. The position detection system 20 will only be described with reference to one of the patient manipulation devices 22. It is obvious that it should be appreciated that the position detection system 20 is used to determine the specific positions of the different devices of handling of patients 22 simultaneously throughout the medical center. In the same area A, B, multiple patient manipulation devices may be located 22.

[0040] In relation to the patient manipulation device 22 shown in the area A of the floor of the room of Figure 2, a locator 52 is fixed with respect to the patient manipulation device 22. The locator 52 is fixed to the wall of the room, the floor of the room, or the ceiling of the room. The locator 52 can also be suspended from any place in the room for example by means of a clamping element or any clamping mechanism or device adapted to keep the locator 52 fixed with respect to the patient manipulation device 22. In other words, in the embodiment of Figure 2, the locator 52 is not designed to be able to move for transport outside the room. The locator 52 is programmed with a unique position identifier that corresponds to the location of the patient manipulation device 22. The unique position identifier may simply be a serial number of the locator 52 that has been entered in a search table stored in an accessible memory of the processing station 50 and which is associated with the area where the locator 52 is installed.

[0041] The processing station 50, which is remote from the patient manipulation device 22 and the locator 52, receives the unique position identifier so that the position of the patient manipulation device 22 can be determined and controlled in a manner remote from the patient manipulation device 22. More specifically, the patient manipulation device 22 carries a receiver 54 and receives the unique position identifier corresponding to the position, and the communication module 48, which is electronically connected to the receiver 54, transmits the unique position identifier of the locator 52 of the patient manipulation device 22 to the processing station 50. As a result, the patient manipulation device 22 acts as a communication link between the locator 52 and the processing station 50 At almost the same time, communication module 48 transmits or co munica a unique identifier of the patient manipulation device 22 to the processing station 50 so that the processing station 50 can relate the position of the patient manipulation device 22 with the unique identifier of the patient manipulation device 22.

[0042] The processing station 50 uses an independent search table to relate the unique identification to a patient for which the specific patient manipulation device 22 is associated. The processing station 50 then relates the unique identifier and the patient to the particular area where the specific patient manipulation device 22 is now located so that the application of the program installed in the processing station 50 can precisely manage data corresponding to the specific patient manipulation devices 22 and the patient.

[0043] In one embodiment, the locator 52 includes at least one infrared transmitter 56 for transmitting the unique position identifier to the receiver 54 and the receiver 54 includes a housing that carries at least one infrared sensor 58 to receive the identifier. single position from the infrared transmitter 56. In this case, the transmission of the unique position identifier of the locator 52 to the patient manipulation device 22 is further defined as the transmission of an infrared location signal from the at least one infrared transmitter 56 of the locator 52 at least one infrared sensor 58 of the receiver 54. Those skilled in the art appreciate that other data, in addition to the identification of the single position, can also be transmitted from the infrared transmitter 56 , for example, battery strength of a battery 60 in locator 52, date / time, etc.

[0044] Receiver 54 is configured to include at least one infrared transmitter 56 to transmit a request signal to locator 52. Also, locator 52 is configured to include at least one infrared sensor 58 to receive the signal from receiver request 54. The rechargeable or other battery 60 is used to power the locator 52. To extend the battery life, the locator 52 normally operates in idle mode until at least one infrared sensor 58 of the pager 52 receives the request signal.

[0045] With reference to the electrical scheme of Figure 3, an embodiment of the locator 52 is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the locator 52 includes a plurality of infrared transmitters 56 for transmitting the unique position identifier to the receiver 54. Also, the locator 52 includes a plurality of infrared sensors 58 arranged in a sensor array 62 to receive the request signal from the receiver 54. The locator 52 also includes a microprocessor 64 electrically connected to the sensor array 62 and the transmitters of infrared 56. The microprocessor 64 is previously programmed with the unique position identifier corresponding to the position of the patient manipulation device 22 and controls the infrared transmitters 56 to produce a signal with the unique position identifier and transmit the signal to the receiver 54 of the patient manipulation device 22. The transmitters 56 s infrared locator 52 are adapted to provide variable power transmission to minimize interference and maximize signal integrity. The locator 52 is also adapted to modulate light intensity from the infrared transmitters 56 to maximize noise immunity. Finally, a filter (not shown) can be used to filter the infrared signal to reduce receiver saturation and maximize signal integrity and noise immunity.

[0046] With reference to the electrical scheme of Figure 4, an embodiment of the receiver 54 of the patient manipulation device 22 is shown in more detail. In this embodiment, the receiver 54 includes a plurality of infrared sensors 58 arranged in a matrix sensor 62 for receiving the unique location identifier from the infrared transmitters 56 in order to optimize the transmission of the unique location identifier. Similarly, the receiver 54 includes a plurality of infrared transmitters 56 for transmitting the request signal from the receiver 54 to the locator 52 in order to optimize the transmission of the request signal. The receiver 54 may also be battery powered, but it is preferable that it be powered by an AC power source used to power a control system and the CPU 44 of the patient manipulation device 22. Those skilled in the art understand that the Locator 52 and receiver 54 can each be implemented with a single infrared transmitter 56 and infrared sensor 58.

[0047] Referring to Figure 5, a process flow diagram illustrates a procedure for detecting the position of the patient manipulation device 22. Initially, the locator 52 is in idle mode and awaits the request signal from the receiver 54 In other words, the microprocessor 64 looks in a reception channel to see if the patient manipulation device 22 has requested position information, for example, the unique position identifier. If the patient manipulation device 22 has not requested the unique position identifier, the locator 52 remains in idle mode. If the patient manipulation device 22 sends the request signal and the request signal receives and properly understands the locator 52, then the position signal sends the position information, that is, the unique position identifier in a channel of transmission. Once the unique position identifier is sent, locator 52 returns to standby mode to save battery.

[0048] Referring to Figure 6, a process flow diagram illustrates a procedure for sending the request signal to the locator 52 from the receiver 54. The receiver 54, which is preferably powered by an AC power source, transmits regularly the request signal to continuously update the position of the patient manipulation device 22. The rate of these transmissions may vary depending on whether the receiver 54 has recently received position information or not. As a result, there may be multiple predetermined delays between the request signals, for example, delay # 1 and delay # 2, which differ in the time between transmissions of the request signal to the locator 52 in a receiver transmission channel 54. Once the position information is received, the information is processed and the unique position identifier is sent to the CPU 44 and ultimately the processing station 50 to determine the position of the patient manipulation device 22.

[0049] Referring to Figure 7, alternative position detection systems with characteristics similar to the embodiment described above are shown. In Fig. 7, the locator 52 may be one of the following: a radio frequency identification card (RFID) 76 for the transmission of the unique position identifier using radiofrequency, an ultrasonic emitter 80 for the transmission of the unique position identifier using signals ultrasonic, an inductively coupled transmitter 84 for the transmission of the unique position identifier using the principles of magnetic inductive coupling; or a modulated light transmitter 88 to transmit the unique position identifier using modulated light. It should be noted that in each of these embodiments, receiver 54 is specially adapted to receive the specific types of signals mentioned, that is, receiver 54 may be an RFID reader 78, or include an ultrasonic sensor 82, a inductively coupled sensor 86, or a modulated light sensor 90.

[0050] Referring to Figures 08-11, other alternative systems are shown using RFID. It should be noted that any of the systems that use RFID technology can be active, semi-active or passive RFID systems, as is well known to those skilled in the art. In general, if a passive system is used, each of the labels 76 described contains a transponder (not shown) with a digital memory chip (not shown) that is provided or programmed with the unique position identifier. An interrogator (not shown), which is an antenna that includes a transceiver and a decoder in the RFID reader 78 emits an activation signal of the RFID tags 76 so that the interrogator can read and write data on the RFID tags

76. When the device manipulation patient 22 moves towards the particular area of the room, RFID tags 76 detect the activation signal of the RFID reader. The RFID reader 78 then decodes the data, for example, the unique position identifier, encoded in the digital memory chip of the RFID tag and the data is sent to the processing station 50, as described above.

[0051] In the embodiment of Figure 8, the locator 52 comprises an RFID tag mat 92 that includes a series of RFID tags 76. At least one of the tags 76 transmits the unique position identifier or a selected set of tags RFID 76 transmits a signal that is recognized as a unique position identifier. In this embodiment, receiver 54 is an RFID reader 78 to receive signals from RFID tags.

76. In practice, the healthcare professional or other health center employee would first move the patient handling device 22 in position on the RFID tag mat 92 or very close to the RFID tag mat 92. The RFID tags 76, or at least part thereof, would then transmit the unique position identifier to the RFID reader 78, which would then transmit the unique position identifier to the CPU 44 and then to the processing station 50 located in the network 32 through the communication module 48, as described above.

[0052] In the embodiment of Figure 9, the locator 52 comprises an RFID magnetic card 94 having at least one active or passive RFID tag 76. The RFID magnetic card 94 is attached to a main wall of room 124 with a clamping element 68. This fixes the RFID magnetic card 94 in the room with respect to the patient manipulation device 22. The receiver 54 is an RFID reader 78 that receives the unique position identifier of the RFID tag 76 embedded in the RFID magnetic card 94. In this embodiment, a healthcare professional would first move the patient manipulation device 22 into position in the particular area of the room and then the RFID magnetic card 94 over the RFID reader 78 to transfer the unique position identifier of the RFID tag 76 to RFID reader 78 and processing station 50.

[0053] In the embodiment of Figure 10 the locator 52 comprises a magnetic RFID tag 70. The magnetic RFID tag 70 is attached to the main wall 124 as in Figure 9, with a fastener 68. However, in this embodiment, the healthcare professional or another employee of the healthcare facility is not limited to passing the magnetic RFID tag 70 to transmit the unique position identifier to the RFID reader 78. Instead, the RFID reader 78 magnetically attracts the magnetic RFID tag 70 to block releasing the magnetic RFID tag 70 with respect to the RFID reader 78 to ensure a complete transmission of the unique position identifier to the processing station 50 in the manner described above.

[0054] In the embodiment of Figure 11, the locator 52 comprises an RFID tag 76 and the receiver 54 includes an RFID reader 78 similar to Figures 8-10. However, this embodiment also includes a cable 72, which would be maintained in each zone A, B. The cable 72 connects a call interface to the nurse of the patient handling equipment 22 to a call interface port to the standard nurse 74 located in each zone A,

B. The RFID reader 78 is integrated into the nurse call interface found in the patient manipulation device 22 and the RFID tag 76 is integrated into one end of the cable 72 so that when the cable 72 connects the interface of call to the nurse in the patient manipulation device to the port of the nurse call interface 74 mounted on the main wall 124, the RFID tag 76 would transmit the position information, for example, a unique position identifier, to the RFID reader 78 and at the processing station 50 which is in the network 32.

[0055] Referring to Figures 12-15, other alternative systems are shown. In the embodiment of Figure 12, the locator 52 comprises a plurality of WiFi access points 96 located throughout the room and programmed with unique position identifiers for the areas of the room where they are located. This system is capable of triangulating the position of the room and the position of the area of the patient manipulation device 22 with the WiFi access points 96. The receiver 54 further comprises a WiFi transceiver 95 mounted on the manipulation device of Patients 22. The WiFi transceiver is in communication with the WiFi access points 96 to receive reference signals transmitted by the WiFi access points 96. In some embodiments, the intensity of the received signal in combination with the unique position identifiers programmed in The WiFi access points 96 could be used to triangulate the position of the room and the area of the patient manipulation device 22. The WiFi transceiver 95 communicates the position information to the processing station 50 which is in the network 32 .

[0056] In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the locator 52 comprises an identification transmitter 98 integrated in a 110 V AC plug 100 that transmits a reference signal to the receiver 54 that is in the patient manipulation device 22. In this embodiment, the receiver 54 is integrated into an interface of the power cable 101 to communicate with the identification transmitter 98 via a power cable 103. The receiver 54 would then communicate the position information, for example, an identifier single position, to the processing station 50 that is in the network 32.

[0057] In the embodiment of Figure 14, the locator 52 comprises an Ethernet port 102 and the receiver 54 comprises an Ethernet transceiver 104 mounted on the patient manipulation device 22. An Ethernet compatible cable 106 connects the Ethernet transceiver 104 to each other. and the Ethernet port 102 to send position information to the patient manipulation device 22. The Ethernet transceiver 104 communicates the position information to the processing station 50.

[0058] In the embodiment of Figure 15, the system uses a mesh network 108 with mesh network transceivers 110 to determine the position information. The mesh network 108 may be wired or wireless, preferably wireless to reduce infrastructure costs. The wireless mesh network 108 allows the network transceivers 110 to transmit data through each other in the network 32 and the processing station 50. In other words, in the wireless mesh network 108, the access points and Wireless devices can be organized in an ad hoc network, communicating with each other to determine the fastest way to send data to network 32. In wireless mesh network 108, data jumps between mesh network transceivers 110 looking for the shortest path available from the network 32 and the processing station 50. Here, each of the patient manipulation devices 22 is equipped with a mesh network transceiver 110, which acts as a node in the mesh network 108. The information of The position is obtained by knowing the association of the mesh network transceivers 110 in the patient manipulation devices 22 with respect to the other mesh network transceivers 110 and / or a transce ptor base (not shown). For example, one adjacent patient manipulation devices 22 in a second zone of the room, for example zone B of room 1, could determine the position information using the mesh network transceiver 110 in the manipulation device of 22 patients in zone A of room 1.

[0059] With reference to Figures 16-19, alternative position detection systems are shown to determine the position in which the patient manipulation device 22 is located by separately determining a first and a second zone of the position. In one embodiment, the first zone is the room, for example, Room 1, in which the patient manipulation device 22 is located, and the second subzone, is the area of the room in which the manipulation device is located of patients 22, for example, zones A, B. One of the position detection systems described above can be used to determine the first zone in which the patient handling device is located

22. In this case, the systems described above could only provide the positions of the first zone or room and not positions of specific zones. In other words, the above described systems would provide a first locating device, for example, a pager 52, a transceiver 54 mesh network, etc. associated with the patient manipulation device 22 and in communication with the processing station 50 to transmit a first unique position identifier to the processing station 50. The first unique position identifier is associated with the first zone where the device is located patient manipulation 22, but not the particular subzone or area where the patient manipulation device is located 22.

[0060] The object tracking system 42 of the health center could also be the first location device used for this purpose. In this case, each of the patient manipulation devices 22 would be equipped with an identification tag 114 for monitoring the patient manipulation devices 22 in the health center with the object tracking system 42 adapted to provide positions of the room for patient handling devices 22 and transmitting those room positions to an identification tag receiver 116 in the network 32, and in the processing station 50. For the purpose of the description, reference is made to the first device of location which is the object tracking system 42.

[0061] The alternative position detection systems of Figures 16-19 provide a second location device 109 associated with the patient manipulation device 22 and in electronic communication with the processing station 50 to transmit a second unique position identifier to the processing station 50. The second unique position identifier corresponds to the subzone or zone where the patient manipulation device is located 22. Therefore, the first unique position identifier provides the general area where the device for finding is located. patient manipulation 22, while the second unique position identifier further refines the description of the position to determine the position of the patient manipulation device 22. Referring first to Figure 16, the second location device may be a switch electronic 118 that can be operated manually to correspond to the appropriate zone A, B. The switch 118 would be in communication with the network 32 and the processing station 50 to identify the selected zone A, B.

[0062] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the second location device 109 is a sonic distance sensor 120 or a laser distance locator 122 used to determine the area A, B where the patient manipulation device 22 is located. In these embodiments, sonic distance sensors 120 or laser distance locators 122 would be adapted to measure distances in general from walls 124, 125 located in the first zone, for example, Room 1, to further determine the position of the patient manipulation device 22 in the room. A search table could be loaded into the processing station 50 with ranges of predetermined distances provided to correspond to the different zones A and B. For example, once the patient handling device 22 is carried or moved to the room, the sonic distance sensors 120 or the laser distance locator 122 can be operated manually or automatically to measure the distance from the predetermined limits, for example, the walls 124, 125, comparing the measured distances with the search table and with a corresponding zone A, B selected from it.

[0063] Referring to Figure 19, the second location device is a Hall effect sensor 126 that can be operated with a magnet 128 or a plurality of magnets 128 located in the room to determine the position of the area of the handling device. of patients 22. In each of the embodiments of Figures 16-19, sonic distance sensors 120, laser distance locator 122, and Hall effect sensor 126 would be adapted to transmit the signals they communicate, either directly or indirectly, with the processing station 50 to visualize the position of the room and the area of the patient handling device

22. In one version, the communication module 48 is in electronic communication with these second location devices 109 and the processing station 50 to transmit the second unique position identifier of the second location device 109 to the processing station 50. Again, like the embodiments described above, the patient manipulation device 22 has a unique identification and the communication module 48 communicates the unique identifier to the processing station 50 so that the processing station 50 can relate the first unique position identifier and the second unique position identifier with respect to the patient manipulation device 22 to determine the position of the room and the area of the patient manipulation device 22.

[0064] It is evident that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in view of the above description. The invention can be practiced in other ways than those specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (34)

1. Position detection system for an installation, comprising: a handling device of patients (22) having a support surface for supporting a patient and movable into a position for the installation, a fixed locator (52) with respect to said patient manipulation device (22) for transmitting a unique position identifier corresponding to the position of said patient manipulation device (22), a processing station (50) away from said patient manipulation device (22) and said locator (52) to receive said unique position identifier so that the position of said patient manipulation device (22) can be determined and controlled remotely from said patient manipulation device (22), a receiver (54) mounted to said patient handling device (22) for receiving said unique location identifier from said locator (52), and a communication module (48) mounted on said patient manipulation device (22) and in electronic communication with said receiver (54), said communication module presenting a unique identification for said patient manipulation device (22) and being adapted to transmit said unique identification and said unique position identifier received by said receiver of said patient manipulation device (22) to said processing station (50) so that said patient manipulation device (22) acts as a communication link between said locator (52) and said processing station (50), and said processing station being adapted to receive said unique position identifier and said unique identification and relate said unique position identifier with said unique identification and also relate said identification unique of said handling device of patients with a patient who is in said patient manipulation device in which said processing station is adapted for monitoring said patient manipulation device and the patient therein. 2. Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes at least one infrared transmitter (56) to transmit said unique position identifier to said receiver (54) and said receiver (54) includes at least one infrared sensor (58) to receive said position identifier unique of said infrared transmitter (56). 3. Position detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that said locator (52) includes a plurality of infrared transmitters (56) to transmit said unique position identifier to said receiver (54) and said receiver (54) includes a plurality of infrared sensors (58) to receive said unique position identifier from said infrared transmitters (56) thereby improving the transmission of said unique position identifier. 4. Position detection system according to claim 2, characterized in that said locator (52) includes at least one infrared sensor (58) to receive a request signal from said receiver (54) and said receiver (54) includes at least one infrared transmitter (56) to transmit said request signal from said receiver (54) to said locator (52).

5.

 Position sensing system according to claim 4, characterized in that it includes a battery (60) to power said locator (52) in which said locator (52) normally operates in idle mode until said at least one infrared sensor (58) of said locator (52) recovers said request signal thus allowing to conserve said battery.

6.

 Position detection system according to claim 4, characterized in that said locator

(52) includes a plurality of infrared sensors (58) to receive said request signal from said receiver (54) and said receiver (54) includes a plurality of infrared transmitters (56) to transmit said request signal from said receiver (54) to said locator (52) thereby improving the transmission of said request signal. 7. Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes at least one radio frequency identification tag (70, 76) to transmit said unique position identifier to said receiver (54) using radio frequency. 8. Position detection system according to claim 7, characterized in that said locator (52) includes a plurality of radio frequency identification tags (76) to transmit said unique position identifier to said receiver (54). 9. The position detection system according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes a nurse call interface port (74) and a cable (72) connecting said nurse call interface port to each other ( 74) and said patient manipulation device (22) with said at least one radiofrequency identification tag (76) mounted on one end of said cable (72).

10.

 Position sensing system according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes a fastener (68) connected to said locator (52) for fixing said radiofrequency identification tag (76) in the position.

eleven.

Position sensing system according to claim 7 characterized in that said at least one radiofrequency identification tag (70, 76) is further defined as a magnetic radiofrequency identification tag (70) having a magnet to couple said radiofrequency identification tag (70) to said receiver (54) to transmit said unique position identifier to said receiver (54).

12.

Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes an ultrasonic transmitter (80) and said receiver (54) includes an ultrasonic sensor (82).

13.

 Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes an inductively coupled magnetic transmitter (84) and said receiver (54) includes an inductively coupled magnetic sensor (86).

14.

Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes a modulated light transmitter (88) and said receiver (54) includes a modulated light sensor (90).

fifteen.

 Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) is further defined as a plurality of WiFi access points (96) and said receiver (54) comprises a WiFi transceiver (95 ).

16.

 Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes an AC plug (100) for supplying said patient manipulation device (22) and said locator (52) includes a transmitter (98) mounted on said AC plug (100) to transmit said unique position identifier to said receiver (54).

17.

Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that said locator (52) includes an Ethernet port (102) for transmitting said identifier the unique position to said receiver

(54) on an Ethernet compatible cable (106). 18. Method for detecting the position of a patient manipulation device (22) having a support surface for the support of a patient and being adapted to be transported by an installation, comprising: transporting the patient manipulation device (22) to the position in the installation, the patient manipulation device (22) presenting a unique identification associated therewith, transmit a unique position identifier corresponding to the position of the patient handling device (22) of a locator (52) fixed in position to a receiver (54) mounted on the patient manipulation device (22), transmitting the unique position identifier of the patient manipulation device (22) to a processing station (50) away from the patient manipulation device (22), relate the unique position identifier to the unique identification, and relate the unique identification to a patient in the patient manipulation device (22), so that the position of the patient manipulation device (22) and the patient can be determined and controlled remotely from the manipulation device of patients (22).

19.

Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the transmission of the unique position identifier from the locator (52) to the patient manipulation device (22) is further defined as the transmission of an infrared location signal of an infrared transmitter (56) from the locator (52) to an infrared sensor (58) from the receiver (54).

twenty.

Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the transmission of the unique position identifier of the patient manipulation device (22) to the processing station (50) is further defined as the transmission of the unique position identifier of a communication module (48) that brings the patient manipulation device (22) to the processing station (50) so that the device

Patient manipulation (22) acts as a communication link between the locator (52) and the processing station (50).

twenty-one.

 Method according to claim 20, characterized in that it includes the transmission of a request signal from the patient manipulation device (22) to the locator (52) to activate the locator (52) from a sleep mode.

22

 Method according to claim 21, characterized in that the transmission of the request signal includes the transmission of an infrared request signal from an infrared transmitter (56) of the receiver (54) and receiving the infrared request signal on an infrared sensor (58) of the locator (52) after transporting the patient manipulation device (22) to the position.

2. 3.

 Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the transmission of the infrared position signal from the infrared transmitter (56) of the locator (52) to the infrared sensor (58) of the receiver (54) is further defined , such as the transmission of the infrared location signal upon receipt of the infrared request signal in the locator (52).

24.

 Method according to claim 19, characterized in that it includes varying the power transmission of the infrared transmitter (56) to minimize interference and maximize signal integrity.

25.

 Method according to claim 19, characterized in that it includes modulating the light intensity of the infrared transmitter (56) to maximize noise immunity.

26.

 Method according to claim 19, characterized in that it includes filtering the infrared signal to reduce saturation of the receiver (54) and maximize signal integrity and noise immunity,

27.

 Position detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises:

a second location device (109) associated with said patient manipulation device (22) for transmitting a second unique position identifier of said patient manipulation device (22) to said processing station (50) in which said first unique position identifier corresponds to a first zone of the position and said second unique position identifier corresponds to a second zone of the position other than said first zone of the position.

28.

 Position detection system according to claim 27, characterized in that said first zone is further defined as a room (Room 1) in the installation and said second zone is further defined as a zone (A, B) in the room (Room 1).

29.

 Position detection system according to claim 27, characterized in that said second location device (109) is further defined as at least one sonic distance sensor (120) for detecting limits (124, 125) in position to determine said second zone.

30

Position detection system according to claim 27, characterized in that said second location device is further defined as a laser distance locator (122) for determining distances from limits (124, 125) in the position to determine said second zone.

31.

 Position detection system according to claim 27, characterized in that it includes a fixed magnet (128) with respect to said patient handling device (22) in the position in which said second location device (109) is further defines as a Hall effect sensor (126) to detect said magnet (128) to determine said second zone.

32

 Position detection system according to claim 27, characterized in that it includes a communication module (48) in electronic communication with said second location device (109) and said processing station (50) for transmitting said second identifier unique position from said second location device (109) to said processing station (50).

33.

 Position detection system according to claim 32, characterized in that said patient manipulation device (22) has a unique identification and

said communication module (48) communicates both said unique identification and said second position identifier said processing station (50) so that said processing station (50) can relate said first unique position identifier and said second position identifier unique to said patient manipulation device (22) to determine said first and second zone of said patient manipulation device (22).

3. 4.

 Method according to claim 18, characterized in that it further comprises:

determining a position of the first zone of the patient manipulation device (22) from the unique position identifier by forming the unique position identifier a first unique position identifier, and transmit a second unique position identifier from the patient manipulation device (22) to the 5 processing station (50) in which the first unique position identifier corresponds to a first zone of the position and the second unique position identifier corresponds to a second zone of the position other than the first zone.