Craig L Cooper

US Patent:

6544200, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Aug 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/944622

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

G08B 2300

US Classification:

600595, 3405731, 3405734

Abstract:

There is provided herein an electronic patient monitor that is suitable for use with a variety of different sensors and which automatically configures itself depending on the sensor that is used and/or the environment in which the electronic monitor is placed. In a first preferred embodiment, the electronic monitor determines whether it is being used on a bed or a chair by sensing whether or not a nurse call connector is present. If such a connector is plugged into the monitor, the unit will assume that it is being used with a sensor that has been placed on a bed and will configure its internal parameters appropriately. Such configuration would include changing a delay time to provide for longer delays before sounding an alarm than would be used with a chair monitor.

US Patent:

6646556, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Jun 9, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/591887

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK
Craig L. Cooper - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

G08B 2300

US Classification:

3405731, 340666, 340667

Abstract:

There is provided herein a sensor for use in patient monitoring situations, wherein the level of patient motion activity is tracked for purposes of determining whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device broadly operates to sense the length of time since a patient has last moved from a previous sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time interval, it is preferred that the nursing staff be notified that it is time to manually reposition the patient. On the other hand, if the patient has changed position within the specified time period, the device will note that fact and inform the attending nurse or other caregiver that the patient need not be moved at the next scheduled relocation, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise sound sleep. In either case, the instant invention operates to reduce the risk that a patient will develop bed sores by helping ensure that the patient is manually moved as frequently as is medically necessary, but no more often than is actually necessary.

US Patent:

6696653, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878088

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK
Sanford G. Fitzgerald - Tulsa OK
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK
Margaret S. Blaker - Tulsa OK
Richard R. Keck - Porter OK

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

H01H 314

US Classification:

200 85R, 200 86 R, 340573

Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to binary switches for use in the medical monitoring field and to methods for manufacturing same. More particularly, the instant invention involves the construction, manufacture, and operation of pressure sensitive patient monitors of the sort commonly used in medical settings to detect when a patient has, for example, exited a chair or a bed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, an apparatus for patient monitoring is disclosed herein that contains one or more therein which resiliently collapse in response to weight, thereby completing an electrical circuit and indicating a presence or absence of a patient on the mat. Other preferred embodiments include hermetically sealed mats and methods of manufacturing same.

US Patent:

6784797, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Aug 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/210817

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK
Fred H. Holmes - Cleveland OK
Patrick W. Lovely - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

G08B 2300

US Classification:

3405734, 3405731, 34028607

Abstract:

This invention relates generally to monitoring systems and more particularly concerns devices and systems used to monitor patients the presence and absence of a patient from a bed, chair, etc. The preferred environment in which the instant invention would be used would be a hospital or other care giving facility, wherein patients who are at risk of falling might left unattended while they are seated or lying. According to a first aspect of the instant invention, a microprocessor-based patient monitor is disclosed which includes a loudspeaker that emits alarms synthesized by the microprocessor. The microprocessor synthesizes any one of multiple alarm sounds under software control and activates and deactivates the alarm in response to the electronic signals received from an attached sensor and a user interface.

US Patent:

6858811, Feb 22, 2005

Filed:

Nov 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701581

Inventors:

Sanford G. Fitzgerald - Tulsa OK, US
Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK, US
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK, US
Margaret S. Blaker - Tulsa OK, US
Richard R. Keck - Porter OK, US

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

H01H003/14

US Classification:

200 85R, 200 86 A, 340573

Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the manufacture of binary switches for use in the medical monitoring field and membrane switches for use in a variety of contexts. More particularly, the instant invention involves the construction, manufacture, and operation of pressure sensitive patient sensors of the sort commonly used in medical settings which can be used, for example, to detect when a patient has exited a chair or a bed. The instant application additionally teaches the construction of membrane switches for use in, for example, electronic instrument control panels. Both the binary switches and membrane switches taught herein are preferably formed from alternating layers of polyester and polyethylene.

US Patent:

6864795, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Apr 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/125059

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK, US
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK, US
Trevor L. Taylor - Tulsa OK, US

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

G08B023/00

US Classification:

3405731, 3405734, 34028607, 3405681, 3406866, 3406911, 34082536, 34082549

Abstract:

There is provided herein an electronic patient monitor that includes indirect lighting of its control panel. Preferably, a splash guard is affixed to the monitor in a position proximate to one or more light sources, none of which directly illuminate the control panel. Light from the light sources is received by the splash guard and transmitted internally to the control panel, where the light that is emitted from the splash guard provides illumination for the user. In another variation, there is provided an electronic patient monitor with one or more light sources affixed thereto, which light sources are used to signal the operating characteristics of the monitor including its alarm volume setting, whether or not it is sounding an alarm, etc. In another variation, there is provided an electronic patient monitor that uses an environmental sensor to adapt its operating characteristics based on conditions proximate to the patient.

US Patent:

6987232, Jan 17, 2006

Filed:

Feb 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776959

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK, US
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK, US

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

H01H 35/36

US Classification:

200 85R, 200 85 A, 200511, 3405735, 600300, 338 99

Abstract:

There is provided herein a sensor for use in connection with an electronic patient monitor, wherein the sensor preferably uses a linearly configured resistive ladder with spaced-apart resistors as a means of determining at least approximately a location of the patient on the sensor as well as an approximate length of the sensor which is compressed by the patient. By continuously determining both of these quantities over time it is possible to track the patient's movement and determine to what extent the patient needs to be manually turned and/or the extent to which a next-scheduled turn can be skipped.

US Patent:

7030764, Apr 18, 2006

Filed:

Sep 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/658622

Inventors:

Toby E. Smith - Broken Arrow OK, US
Craig L. Cooper - Inola OK, US

Assignee:

Bed-Check Corporation - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

G08B 23/00

US Classification:

3405731, 340666, 340667

Abstract:

There is provided herein a sensor for use in patient monitoring, wherein the level of patient activity in a chair or bed is tracked to determine whether or not that patient has exhibited sufficient activity to merit eliminating a scheduled assisted relocation to a new position. The instant device senses the time since a patient last relocated into a different sitting or lying position. If the patient has not moved during some predetermined time period, the nursing staff will be notified that it is time to manually reposition the patient. On the other hand, if the patient has significantly changed position, the device will not signal to the caregiver that a move is necessary, thereby eliminating the need in some cases to rouse the patient from an otherwise sound sleep.