Wireless pressure ulcer alert dressing system

A dressing assembly for providing a warning to a patient or caregiver that the patient needs attention, the dressing assembly comprising:

• a patient facing layer with a first adhesive on a first side thereof that attaches the dressing assembly to the skin of a patient or to another dressing;
• a foam layer configured to receive at least one sensor in a sensor pocket, wherein the foam layer distributes the pressure of the sensor on the patient and further comprises a second adhesive to permanently adhere the foam layer to the patient facing layer;
• a pocket cover layer covering the sensor pocket in the foam layer;
• and
• a top layer providing a low coefficient of friction when contacting other surfaces wherein the top layer includes an opening to access the at least one sensor in the sensor pocket in the foam layer.

A method of monitoring a plurality of sensed output signals and providing a warning to a patient or caregiver that the patient needs attention, the method comprising:

• applying a dressing assembly to a surface of the patient's body, the dressing assembly generating the plurality of sensed output signals corresponding to at least one sensor embedded in the dressing assembly, wherein the dressing assembly comprises a patient facing layer, a foam layer configured to receive the at least one sensor in a sensor pocket formed therein, a pocket cover layer covering the sensor pocket, and a top layer with an opening to access the at least one sensor;
• monitoring the plurality of sensed output signals generated by the dressing assembly;
• and
• generating an alert if the plurality of sensed output signals exceeds a threshold level.

A method of monitoring a plurality of sensed output signals and providing a warning to a patient or caregiver that the patient needs attention, the method comprising:

• applying a dressing assembly to a surface of the patient's body, the dressing assembly generating the plurality of sensed output signals corresponding to at least one sensor embedded in the dressing assembly, wherein the dressing assembly comprises a patient facing layer, a foam layer configured to receive the at least one sensor in a sensor pocket formed therein, and a top layer opposite the patient facing layer;
• monitoring the plurality of sensed output signals generated by the dressing assembly;
• and
• generating an alert if the plurality of sensed output signals exceeds a threshold level.