Optical fiber sensor could keep patients from developing bed sores

 “Patients who remain in bed for long periods of time may develop pressure sores, which can in turn become potentially life-threatening chronic skin ulcers. A new sensor could help keep that from happening, using scattered light.  Currently being developed by a team at the University of South Australia, the sensor consists of a thin, inexpensive optical fiber, several of which are embedded in the surface of the bed’s mattress.  The patient simply lies on those fibers, which is a less obtrusive setup than existing patient-monitoring devices that have to be worn on the body, and which presents fewer privacy issues than currently used patient-monitoring camera systems.”     MORE

Image Credit:  NewAtlas.com