Intelligent Bed re-positions patients periodically to prevent bedsores

Compliant Concept, a start-up company founded by a Swiss entrepreneur, Michael Sauter, has announced the development of an Intelligent Bed that monitors bed-ridden patients and moves their position automatically to prevent the occurrence of bedsores (decubitus ulcers). The development of the Intelligent Bed is a significant development in the management of the problem of bedsores for long term bed-ridden patients.

Intelligent bed

Bedsores are caused when a patient lies in one position for long periods of time. The pressure on the skin , especially near bone and cartilage areas such as hips, knees and other joints causes redness and skin rash which over time develops into ulcers. The only known method to combat bedsores is to move the patient frequently so that no pressure points develop. This is done by the nursing staff by gently lifting and re-positioning the patients. This activity gets deferred when the nursing staff is busy. Also lifting and moving heavy built patients is not a very easy job.

The Intelligent Bed monitors the patient and if he is in one position for too long, the mattress and the flexible slatted frame of the bed move to re-position the patient without the need for nursing staff to be present. The position changes can be customized for each patient by the medical staff. The mattress and bed frame are said to be made of "smart materials" whose properties can be modified as needed.

The Intelligent Bed has been developed by Michael Sauter and his team, with assistance from ETH - The Science & Technology University of Zurich, and Empa - The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology. Compliant Concept was started two years ago and has attracted a funding of one million Swiss Francs from two angel investors and also from a banking institute. The company has already procured orders for 20 beds through the efforts of its sales partner OBA AG. These 20 beds will be made by this company's manufacturing partner and delivered by the end of 2011.The cash infusion will enable Michael Sauter to add to his small team of four employees to further improve on this design. The delivery of these first beds is expected to trigger further funding for commercial scale manufacture.

Via: Physorg