Methods and apparatuses for the detection of incontinence or other moisture, methods of fluid analysis, and multifunctional sensor systems

A system for detecting the presence of moisture on an occupant support comprising:

• a moisture responsive sensor in a surveillance zone of the occupant support, the sensor being tuned to a center frequency;
• a transceiver adapted to excite the sensor with an electromagnetic signal having a frequency approximately equal to the center frequency and to monitor for a center frequency response from the sensor;
• a processor adapted to compare the center frequency response to an expected center frequency response;
• and to issue a first output if the center frequency response compares favorably to an expected center frequency response.

A method of interrogating a sensor to detect the presence of moisture on an occupant support comprising:

• A) providing a moisture responsive sensor in a surveillance zone of the occupant support, the sensor being tuned to a center frequency;
• B) exciting the sensor with an electromagnetic signal having a frequency approximately equal to the center frequency;
• C) monitoring for a center frequency response from the sensor;
• D) calculating a rate of change based on the center frequency responses received at different times;
• E) comparing the rate of change to one or more thresholds;
• and
• F) issuing an output depending on the comparison.