Identification of involuntary movements in bed using strain gauge sensors detect bending of the elements of the bed

• Main Authors: Kutilek, P., Zizka, A., Viteckova, S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ballistocardiography; bending; Biomedical monitoring; Frequency measurement; intelligent bed; involuntary movement; Monitoring; Sensors; Strain; strain gauge sensor; Strain measurement
• DOI: 10.1109/TSP.2012.6256341

Currently, new methods are applied to monitor the involuntary movement and other physiological movements, but physicians do not always require complex equipment or they do not accept the use of devices connected to the patient. We invented a new method which is suitable to monitor the small movements of the patient in a horizontal position on the bed or monitor the movements during short term medical examination. The method is based on the use of sensors configured to detect deformation of construction of the bed. Sensors are implemented into the construction of the bed and detect bending of the elements of the bed. The invented method provides information about the patient's physiological movements, namely it is the breathing rate and heart rate. The method was tested on a set of volunteers / students in order to verify that it works and can be proposed as an application in clinical practice.