Embodiments herein provide systems and methods tracking the weight of an individual situated on a furnishing such as a chair or bed. One method generally includes receiving weight data at a weight sensor that is situated to recognize a change in weight on the furnishing, confirming that a fitness device is proximately located to the weight sensor, and transmitting the received weight data to a hosted service.

A notification device is provided that includes a sensor pad, and an electronics module generates one or more notifications in response to signals received from the sensor pad. In a first embodiment, the sensor pad includes a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient and generating a pressure signal, and conductive tracings for sensing moisture due to incontinence and generating a moisture detection signal when moisture is detected. In another embodiment, an absorbent sensor pad includes a sensor pad for sensing moisture and includes an absorbent chuck having a moisture-impermeable sheet with an absorbent material on an upper surface thereof, wherein the moisture-impermeable sheet has an aperture for receiving the sensor pad. The absorbent sensor pad may be provided in the form of a diaper.

Various implementations of a patient monitoring assembly may be useful in preventing pressure ulcers, monitoring of air cushion inflation, estimating physical activity and energy expenditure and managing body weight of a patient seated on the assembly. The patient monitoring assembly may be installed on a manual or powered wheelchair, for example, and continuously monitors and provides feedback to the patient and/or caregiver about whether the patient is engaging in pressure relief activities while seated on a cushion of the assembly, whether the patient's activities are in accordance with clinical guidelines for pressure relief, the amount of calories expended over a period of time and the weight and weight distribution of the patient seated on the assembly. The feedback may be provided in substantially real time via an interface on the wheelchair and/or via a remotely located computing device.

A system for warning of protruding body parts of a medical vehicle occupant includes a sensor, a feedback device, and a processing circuit. The sensor is configured to generate sensor data based on a position of the occupant, and the processing circuit is configured to determine a contour of the medical vehicle, detect a protruding extremity of the occupant based on the sensor data and the contour, and generate a warning using the feedback device, where the warning is based on the detected protruding extremity.

Apparatuses including features for predicting pressure wound formation are disclosed. A wheelchair apparatus includes a seat having a surface that contacts a subject when the subject is sitting in the wheelchair apparatus. The surface includes a thermochromic layer having one or more materials that cause the thermochromic layer to change to a first color upon application of thermal energy radiating from the subject that corresponds to a baseline body temperature and change to a second color that is different from the first color upon application of thermal energy radiating from the subject that corresponds to a temperature that exceeds a threshold difference from the baseline body temperature. The second color is indicative of a potential pressure wound.

A portable and wearable hand-grasp neuro-orthosis is configured for use in a home environment to restore volitionally controlled grasp functions for a subject with a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). The neuro-orthosis may include: a wearable sleeve with electrodes; electronics for operating the wearable sleeve to perform functional electrical stimulation (FES) and electromyography (EMG), the electronics configured for mounting on a wheelchair; and a controller configured for mounting on a wheelchair. The controller controls the electronics to read EMG via the sleeve, decode the read EMG to determine an intent of the user, and operate the electronics to apply FES via the sleeve to implement the intent of the user. The neuro-orthosis may restore hand function. The controller may include a display arranged to be viewed by the subject, for example mounted on an articulated arm attached to the wheelchair.

The disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for monitoring pressure associated with a user sitting in a wheelchair for prolonged periods of time. By tracking the user's wheelchair pressure sitting history and analyzing the tracked data; relieving the user's sitting pressure and increasing blood circulation can be achieved through achieving higher levels of user adherence to performing pressure relief rehabilitation exercises.

There is provided a sensing device for use with a mobility assistance device, the sensing device comprising: a sensing layer including a plurality of sensors being arranged along at least one plane, a top outer layer and a bottom outer layer that are sealingly arranged to enclose the sensing layer, wherein the sensing device is arranged to locate between the user and the mobility assistance device, and is configured to attach to the mobility assistance device so that the sensing device remains in the same position relative to the mobility assistance device.

A patient immersion sensor includes a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus to determine a time of flight (TOF) of a RADAR pulse and a reflected signal that is reflected by a patient or by a portion of a patient support surface supporting the patient. The TOF is indicative of an immersion depth or a distance toward bottoming out of a patient supported on the patient support surface, such as a mattress or a pad. The RADAR apparatus emits pulses of very short duration so as to be able to detect objects, such as a patient or a portion of a mattress or pad, at very close distances. The RADAR apparatus may use time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt of a reflected signal to determine a distance toward bottoming out by the patient, thereby to determine if the patient is properly immersed into the patient support surface. Adjustments to inflation or deflation of one or more bladders are made to achieve a desired immersion amount within a tolerance range between upper and lower TOF thresholds.

The invention is a low-cost, easily installed, vital signs monitoring system that can provide enhanced monitoring and response for non-ICU patients.