Sheet-Type Self-Extubation Detection Device

Abstract

In recent years, medical tubing has been used more frequently, and there is concerned about risk of self-extubation, in which patients pull out their medical tubing unplanned. It may lead to serious incidents such as massive bleeding or cardiac arrest. Frequent nurses visit and restrain patients being carried out, but there is a desire for new system due to the heavy burden. In this study, sheet-type self-extubation detection device is proposed. This sensor has a structure with capacitive touch sensor matrix mounted on top of wound dressing, and it can detect the tube's position and tube detachment. An initial stages of sensor design, a prototype was created. This prototype was attached to a dummy tube, and evaluation was conducted by applying tensile force to the tube. It was observed that tube movement due to and detachment could be detected.