Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical science, and more particularly, the present invention relates to the Smart care system for bedridden patients.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:
[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of the application. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[0003] Taking care of paralyzed and bedridden patients is demanding and labor- intensive. The patients are not able to move freely, cannot take or hard to take medicine by themselves. It is required to monitor them almost all the time. Caregivers have to face many difficulties. Key Problems Faced by Patients & Caregivers
[0004] Inability to Move & Discomfort Problems:
- Patients who cannot able to move have to face problems such as stiffness, and pain due to staying in the same position for the long time.
- The caregivers have to manually reposition the bed or have to move patients several times a day, which is tiring.
[0005] Difficulty in taking medicines
- Patients sometimes forgot to take medicine at the appropriate time or caregivers forgot to give them medicines.
[0006] Restrictions of Health Monitoring
- Patients require constant monitoring of oxygen levels, heart rate,temperature, and humidity to identify early symptoms of respiratory diseases, fever.
- Most family can’t afford to have 24/7 supervisions.
[0007] Risk of IV Drip Failure
- - Patients on an IV drip require constant monitoring so that they receive the right fluid levels.
- When a drip expires or flows too quickly, it can lead to dehydration or overdose, which is dangerous to health.
[0008] Communication Barriers:
- Certain patients are unable to call for help if they are ill or paralyzed
- Caregivers have to manually check on patients, which can be time-consuming and it increases workload on the care taker or any family member.
[0009] Emergency Situations Go Unnoticed
- It is difficult to notice the problems such as drop of oxygen level or abnormal heart rate at all time
- Caregivers require immediate alerts to act prior to a medical emergency.
[0010] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for the Smart care system for bedridden patients that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
[0012] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the smart care system for bedridden patients.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein the bed adjusts automatically/manually according to patient requirements, lowering the risk of bedsores or stiffness and enhancing comfort.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein the system prescribes medicine at the correct time, so the patient never misses a dose or generate alerts.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein the system monitors continuously the patient's vital signs (SpO₂, heart rate, temperature) identifies any signs of health issues.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein the device checks the level of IV fluid and gives a warning to the caregiver in case the drip needs replacing or has a problem.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein the Patients can press one button to dispatch an urgent alert to their caregivers over whatsApp/mobile notifications.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein by scanning health data periodically, the system forecasts possibilities of health risks and warns caregivers beforehand.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Smart care system for bedridden patients, wherein the Remote Monitoring through IoT & App – Caregivers are able to keep a check on the patient's health remotely and get notifications.
[0020] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0021] The present invention provides Smart care system for bedridden patients.
[0022] Caring for bedridden patients, especially those with paralysis, is a challenging task. They often need constant attention for medication, movement, and health monitoring. Our invention, the ParaCom, is a smart bed designed to help both patients and their take carers by making healthcare easier,
[0023] This system is a personal nurse that automatically takes care of following essential tasks:
- 1. Smart Bed Adjustments – A patient who cannot move may require assistance in adjusting the bed for comfort or medical purposes. This smart bed can change its position automatically in line with the patient's requirements, eliminating the possibility of bedsores and discomfort.
- 2. Medicine Dispenser System – Several patients need medicines at scheduled times. The systems dispenses or create alerts at the medicine taking time, so the patient never misses a dose for that system put notification to phones for the medication time.
- 3. Health Monitoring – The system continuously monitors the patient's oxygen level, heart rate, temperature, and even air quality within the room. If something is not going well then it immediately informs the caregiver.
- 4. Drip Monitoring – If the patient is on an IV drip, the system monitors fluid levels and alerts the caregiver when it must be replaced. This avoids serious health threats.
- 5. Emergency SOS Button – If the patient requires immediate assistance, they can press a single button that sends an alert to the caregiver immediately.
- 6. Predictive Disease Based on AI – Based on the data coming from the sensors like hearth rate, oxygen level, temperature of the patient can help in predicting the disease using AI/ML
- 7. Remote Monitoring with Mobile Alerts – Family members and caregivers are able to monitor the patient's health data and get alerted on their mobile phones, even if they are remotely located.
[0024] Example: Mr. Ramesh, a 75-year-old man who is paralyzed and bedridden due to age-related health complications, lives at home with his son and daughter-in-law. While his family is caring and attentive, they often struggle to manage his constant needs due to their work and household responsibilities. Before using the ParaCom system, Mr. Ramesh would remain in the same position for hours, leading to discomfort and the risk of bedsores. Sometimes, his medicines were delayed or forgotten, and there were moments when changes in his breathing or body temperature went unnoticed. Once, the IV drip he was receiving ran out, and because there was no immediate alert, his condition worsened before help could arrive. Moreover, being unable to speak or move independently, Mr. Ramesh found it difficult to call for help when he needed it the most.
[0025] The system makes sure that:
- Their bed adjusts whenever necessary, so they remains comfortable.
- Their medicines are administered on scheduled time without the possibility of human error.
- Their vital signs are constantly monitored to avoid emergencies.
- In case of a problem, their families or caregiver is immediately alerted via phone.
- This helps in reducing hospital trips, avoids complications, and provides peace of mind for both the patient and caregivers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0026] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0027] Fig 1 presents a high-level overview of the system's core functionalities; and
[0028] Fig 2 shows the work flow of the ParaCom, focusing on how different components interact with the microcontroller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0029] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0030] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0031] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0032] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0033] The present invention provides Smart care system for bedridden patients.
[0034] The ParaCom system is architected as a multi-layered smart healthcare platform consisting of a mechanical actuation layer, a sensor acquisition layer, an embedded control layer, a cloud communication layer, and an AI analytics layer. At the foundation is the Smart Assistive Bed, designed as a motorized mechanical structure using linear actuators and stepper motors to adjust the bed’s height, backrest angle, leg elevation, and tilt orientation. Each actuator is driven through a stepper motor driver circuit (such as A4988 or DRV8825), providing micro-stepping control for smooth, quiet, and precise motion. The system incorporates MPU6050 (gyroscope + accelerometer) and ADXL345 (triaxial accelerometer) sensors mounted on strategic points of the bed frame to measure angular displacement, tilt orientation, and vibrational patterns. By continuously comparing sensor readings with predefined ergonomic comfort profiles, the microcontroller executes corrective commands to reposition the bed. This not only prevents pressure ulcers but also ensures that the patient’s spine, hips, and limbs maintain proper alignment, reducing complications in long-term immobility.
[0035] The motion control algorithms executed on the ESP32 utilize PID (Proportional Integrated Derivative) feedback loops to stabilize bed movement and avoid abrupt transitions that may discomfort the patient. The bed adjustment logic supports multiple modes: automatic mode, where the system periodically repositions based on immobility detection; therapeutic mode, which follows predefined posture cycles recommended for specific patient conditions; and manual caregiver mode, where adjustments are carried out remotely through a mobile interface. The immobility-detection algorithm uses continuous readings from the MPU6050 and ADXL345 to identify patterns of stillness exceeding a programmable threshold, triggering scheduled micro-adjustments. The embedded firmware ensures that all motion is monitored for motor stall, excessive load conditions, or unexpected obstructions, enhancing operational safety.
[0036] Integrated with the smart bed is an automated medicine dispenser engineered with a rotary disc mechanism consisting of multiple medicine compartments. Each compartment corresponds to a specific dosage time. The disc is rotated via a stepper motor controlled by the ESP32, synchronized precisely using a Real-Time Clock (RTC) module such as DS3231 for reliable timekeeping. Before dispensing, the system verifies the alignment of the medicine slot using an optical or ultrasonic positioning sensor. After dispensing, an ultrasonic proximity sensor located at the drop chute confirms successful delivery. If the system detects that the tablet has not exited the chute or if the medication reservoir is low, it triggers notifications to caregivers. The dispenser also logs medication history, timestamps, number of doses dispensed, and compliance status, enabling medical personnel to review medication adherence.
[0037] The health monitoring subsystem integrates multiple high-resolution sensors to capture physiological and environmental data. The MAX30105 or MAX30102 optical sensor provides continuous photoplethysmography (PPG) signals used for calculating heart rate, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and perfusion index. These raw PPG waveforms undergo preprocessing - including band-pass filtering, peak detection, and noise elimination - within the ESP32 before being forwarded to the cloud. Body temperature is measured using digital sensors such as DS18B20 or MLX90614, while ambient factors like humidity, air pressure, and temperature are captured through DHT11, BMP280, and GY-BME280 sensors. Additionally, MQ-series gas sensors monitor indoor air quality parameters such as CO₂ concentration, smoke, ammonia, or volatile organic compounds. These environmental parameters help predict risks related to respiratory discomfort or infection triggers, especially for vulnerable bedridden patients.
[0038] The IV drip monitoring module is designed using an ultrasonic distance sensor or an infrared reflective sensor mounted alongside the IV drip chamber. The sensor monitors the change in fluid level by detecting the height of fluid in real time, generating data points that correspond to consumption rate. The system analyzes flow rate patterns, volume decline, and potential anomalies such as blockage, reverse flow, or air bubbles. In case of rapid depletion or slower than expected fluid movement, the controller issues alerts to prevent dehydration or overdose. This drip monitoring algorithm includes threshold-based alerts, predictive alerts, and emergency alerts depending on the severity of deviation from expected flow conditions.
[0039] The emergency subsystem includes a high-priority hardware interrupt triggered by a tactile SOS switch installed near the patient’s hand. When pressed, this switch bypasses all queued tasks in the microcontroller and initiates an emergency response sequence. This sequence includes: capturing the most recent vital signs, generating a timestamp, transmitting an emergency packet to the cloud, and triggering mobile notifications or WhatsApp messages to registered caregivers. Redundant paths such as buzzer alarms or local indicator lights can also be activated. The system is designed so that even if the cloud connection is momentarily lost, a local backup routine retains the emergency event and retransmits it once network access is restored.
[0040] The ParaCom’s AI-powered health prediction engine forms an advanced computational layer that works on multi-sensor data gathered over time. Machine learning algorithms - such as Random Forest, Logistic Regression, or lightweight neural networks - process historical heart rate variability, oxygen saturation trends, temperature cycles, sleep posture behavior, and environmental data to identify health patterns indicative of early illness. For example, early signs of infection can be spotted by examining combinations of rising body temperature, decreasing oxygen saturation, increased resting heart rate, and changes in humidity or air quality. Respiratory risk prediction may be carried out by analyzing SpO₂ micro-oscillations and environmental gas levels. The AI engine assigns risk scores, detects trend deviations from baseline patterns, and produces proactive alerts to caregivers hours before symptoms become medically visible. These insights are delivered through the ParaCom cloud dashboard.
[0041] The IoT communication layer forms the backbone of real-time data access and remote management. The ESP32 connects to a secure Wi-Fi network and publishes sensor data at regular intervals to a cloud server through MQTT or HTTP protocols. The cloud server maintains a time-series database that logs sensor streams, dispenser events, bed movement records, and emergency alerts. Caregivers access this data through a mobile application or web dashboard, where they can view patient vitals, analyze trends, modify medicine schedules, change bed settings, or configure alert thresholds. The system supports two-way communication, enabling remote commands to be sent back to the ESP32. Security is enhanced using data encryption, authentication tokens, and restricted device access keys to ensure that only authorized users can operate or monitor the system.
[0042] The overall ParaCom platform is implemented as a modular hardware and firmware design, allowing additional sensors or features to be integrated without altering the core architecture. Optional extensions include integration of blood pressure sensors, continuous glucose monitoring modules, fall detection algorithms using ADXL345 accelerometry data, and linkage with electronic medical record (EMR) systems. The system’s structurally independent modules - bed control, medicine dispenser, drip monitoring, emergency alert, AI analytics, and cloud access - collectively operate as a unified patient-care ecosystem.
[0043] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
[0044] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein. , Claims:We Claim:
1) A smart patient-care system (ParaCom) comprising:
- a microcontroller-based IoT unit configured to interface with a plurality of sensors and actuators;
- a smart assistive bed equipped with at least one motorized actuation mechanism for positional adjustment;
- a medicine dispensing module configured to dispense medication according to a predefined schedule;
- a multi-parameter health monitoring module for continuous acquisition of vital signs and environmental data;
- a drip monitoring module for determining IV fluid level and flow status;
- an emergency alert module comprising an SOS trigger switch; and
- a communication interface enabling remote monitoring and alert transmission to caregivers;
- wherein the system collectively automates patient comfort management, medication adherence, health monitoring, and emergency communication for bedridden or paralyzed patients.
2) The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the smart assistive bed comprises linear actuators or stepper motors controlled by the microcontroller, and sensors including MPU6050 and ADXL345 configured to detect bed angle, patient posture, and immobility, thereby enabling automatic or caregiver-initiated bed repositioning to prevent pressure sores and enhance patient comfort.
3) The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the medicine dispensing module comprises a rotary disc or compartmentalized cartridge actuated by a stepper motor, a real-time clock (RTC) for scheduling, and an optical or ultrasonic confirmation sensor, configured to dispense medication at designated intervals and generate caregiver alerts in cases of missed dosage or low medication availability.
4) The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the health monitoring module includes sensors selected from MAX30102/MAX30105 for heart rate and SpO₂, DS18B20 or MLX90614 for body temperature, DHT11 or BME280 for ambient humidity and temperature, and MQ-series sensors for air-quality parameters, enabling real-time physiological and environmental data acquisition and transmission to a cloud platform.
5) The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the drip monitoring module comprises an ultrasonic sensor or infrared reflective sensor positioned relative to the IV fluid chamber to detect fluid level, consumption rate, anomalies in flow, and impending depletion, and configured to trigger caregiver alerts upon detection of abnormal or critical conditions.
6) The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an AI and machine-learning module is configured to analyze historical and real-time multi-sensor data including heart rate variability, oxygen saturation trends, temperature fluctuations, posture cycles, and environmental parameters, to predict onset of potential medical complications and generate early warning notifications.
7) The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the emergency alert module comprises a tactile SOS switch initiating a high-priority interrupt that transmits an emergency packet containing patient status and latest vitals to caregivers’ mobile devices via Wi-Fi, IoT dashboards, or messaging platforms, thereby enabling rapid response in critical situations.