SMART PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION SYSTEM FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Abstract

The Pressure ulcers and skin damage are common complications faced by patients with limited mobility, particularly those who are bedridden for extended periods. This project presents an automated system designed to enhance patient comfort and prevent skin damage by monitoring sweat levels and dynamically adjusting the bed’s surface to maintain optimal conditions. It integrates a sweat sensor, temperature sensor, and pressure sensors with an ESP32 microcontroller, which continuously monitors these parameters and controls the motor driver for bed adjustments. Upon detecting moisture, the system activates air bladders within the bed using a pump driver controlled by a P IC I6F877A microcontroller. This inflation and deflation process redistributes pressure and facilitates air circulation, reducing the risk of pressure ulcers. The ESP32 collects and processes sensor data locally, enabling real-time adjustments which enhances efficiency and privacy. An LCD display provides updates on the patient's sweat status, allowing caregivers to monitor the patient’s condition at a glance. This system leverages intelligent bed management solution that reduces caregiver intervention and provides continuous comfort for patients. The innovative combination of sweat monitoring, air circulation, and real-time pressure adjustment offers a proactive approach to skin health, marking a significant improvement over traditional bed management methods.

Specification

A smart pressure ulcer prevention system for hospitalized patients is designed to monitor, analyze, and prevent the development of pressure ulcers (bedsores) in individuals with limited mobility. This system typically incorporates sensors, software to continuously assess patients pressure points, skin condition, and other risk factors in real time. This system improves patient comfort, safety, and care efficiency by offering a proactive approach to pressure ulcer prevention, helping reduce hospital stay times and associated healthcare costs.

BACKGROUND ART
Pressure ulcers and skin damage are significant health concerns for bedridden patients, particularly those with limited mobility, as they lead to severe discomfort, infections, and prolonged hospital stays. Existing bed systems and patient care technologies have aimed to improve patient comfort and skin health by enabling pressure relief. The traditional approaches to addressing these issues have limitations, particularly in the continuous, real­time adjustment to environmental factors, such as sweat and pressure points, that contribute to skin breakdown.
Previous Attempts in Pressure M anagem ent: Most conventional systems use a predefined
cycle to control air bladders or pumps, which inflates and deflates in a periodic manner. While this assists in general comfort, it does not adapt dynamically to the patient's immediate needs, nor does it monitor for specific conditions like moisture levels due to sweating.
Limitations in Existing Sweat Detection : Current sweat detection systems are often
separate devices, like wearable sensors, that monitor moisture and other physiological factors.
These wearable sensors can alert caregivers to the presence of sweat but often require manual intervention for response. Additionally, they are not integrated into the bed system to allow for immediate, autonomous responses that can reduce discomfort or prevent skin issues.
Alert and Intervention Protocols : When data analysis indicates high risk, the system sends alerts to healthcare providers via on-screen displays or mobile notifications, prompting them to reposition the patient or check the area in question.
Proposed System Integration :To address the limitations of existing systems, the proposed technology integrates a sweat sensor with an loT-based microcontroller (ESP32) that can continuously monitor sweat levels in real-time. This setup enables an automated, immediate response by activating a motor-driven bed adjustment mechanism upon detection of sweat.
The system maintains comfort by ensuring continuous airflow and a dry environment around

the patient. In combination with the P1C16F877A microcontroller, which controls a pump driver, the system achieves dynamic inflation and deflation of air bladders based on data from multiple sensors.


5. C LA IM S
4^Nov-2024/136788/202441088106/Form 2(Title Page)
We Claim,
1. The system integrates a real-time sweat detection sensor directly with the bed's surface, enabling the automated activation o f a motor-driven adjustment mechanism to redistribute pressure upon detecting patient sweat.
2. With reference to point l, we claim that the system incorporates an ESP32 microcontroller with pressure, temperature, and moisture sensors, which work together to monitor the patient's condition. Based on these data, the PICI6F877A microcontroller dynamically controls air bladder inflation and deflation.

With reference to point 2, we claim that the system includes an LCD screen that continuously displays real-time updates on the patient's moisture and pressure status, alerting caregivers to any conditions that may require manual intervention.
4. With reference to point 3, we claim that this system reduces response time and ensures that caregivers are aware of the patient's condition at a glance. Also reduces the incidence o f pressure ulcers, which can significantly decrease recovery time and
reduce complications.
5. With reference to point 4, we claim that Through continuous air circulation adjustment based on sensor feedback, the system prevents prolonged contact with moisture or high-pressure points, reducing the risk o f skin breakdown and infection.
6. With reference to above points ,we claim that by automating the detection and response to patient sweat, pressure points, and other risk factors, the system minimizes the need for caregiver intervention and ensures continuous patient comfort. This feature improves overall care efficiency, and associated healthcare costs.

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