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Writer's pictureJill Lai

Smart mattresses: benefits and considerations for caregivers and buyers

Updated: May 30, 2023

Smart mattresses offer a range of advanced technologies and features that can greatly assist caregivers and guide buyers in selecting the right mattress for their needs. These mattresses are designed to enhance comfort, improve sleep quality, and provide valuable health monitoring capabilities.


For caregivers, smart mattresses with thermal imaging technology can be crucial in detecting abnormalities in body temperature, pulse, and respiration. This early detection can help prevent potential health risks and ensure timely interventions. Additionally, mattresses equipped with vital sign radar enable accurate monitoring of heart rate and respiratory rate, providing caregivers with vital information for comprehensive patient care.


The ability of smart mattresses to detect bed presence, movement, and falls is particularly beneficial for caregivers. This information allows them to closely monitor patients, respond quickly to emergencies, and prevent accidents. Furthermore, the integration of environmental sensors enables remote monitoring of room conditions, offering peace of mind to caregivers who can receive real-time information on their PCs or smartphones.


Factors that might compromise accuracy


Smart mattresses offer numerous benefits in terms of comfort, sleep quality, and health monitoring. However, it is important to consider factors that may compromise the accuracy rate of these mattresses' monitoring capabilities.


Firstly, external factors such as environmental conditions and mattress positioning can affect the accuracy of sensors. Variations in room temperature, humidity, and lighting may impact the reliability of thermal imaging or vital sign detection. It is crucial to ensure that the mattress is properly installed and positioned in an environment conducive to accurate readings.


Secondly, individual user factors can influence the accuracy of monitoring. User movements or behaviors that deviate from the expected patterns may introduce inaccuracies in data analysis. For instance, restless sleepers or individuals with irregular sleep patterns may produce data that requires careful interpretation.


Furthermore, the accuracy of smart mattresses heavily relies on the quality and calibration of the sensors and algorithms used. It is essential to choose mattresses from reputable manufacturers that employ reliable sensor technologies and constantly update and improve their algorithms for precise monitoring.


Additionally, user compliance and understanding of how to properly interact with the smart mattress play a role in accuracy. Users need to correctly position themselves on the mattress and interact with any buttons or sensors according to the manufacturer's instructions. Failure to do so may result in inaccurate readings or incomplete data capture.


Lastly, it's important to recognize that smart mattresses are not medical devices and should not replace professional medical advice or diagnosis. While they provide valuable insights, their accuracy should be considered in the context of their limitations as consumer-grade monitoring systems.


When choosing a smart mattress, buyers should also consider the battery life. Smart mattresses with impressive battery longevity offer convenience and reliability, reducing the need for frequent charging or battery replacements.


The range of products includes smart mattresses, bed exit sensors, and home alarm and medical alert devices that are typically utilized by caregivers alongside the bed-related sensors.


Supplier: SEDA G-Tech, Taiwan


SEDA G-Tech introduces an innovative WhizPad care relief system that revolutionizes intelligent sleep sensing by combining "AI intelligence" and big data analysis in a non-wearable manner.


The system seamlessly integrates three essential components—bed-sore protection, fall prevention, and sleep health management—into a single unified system. By harnessing the power of AI big data analysis and leveraging IoT technology, it creates an intelligent and comfortable sleep environment that revolves around the bed, eliminating the need for wearable devices.


The system incorporates a mattress crafted from temperature-sensitive, pressure-relieving foam, ensuring optimal comfort and support. Additionally, it boasts a three-stage early leave-bed alert system, empowering individuals to prevent accidents or falls. Furthermore, the system operates on battery power, guaranteeing both safety and extended usage hours.


Through rigorous experimentation, the effectiveness of the SEDA G-Tech WhizPad care relief system has been confirmed in reducing the occurrence of pressure injuries. Following a comprehensive one-year trial, the incidence of pressure injuries decreased by an impressive 88%, while the time it took for such injuries to develop was nearly doubled, yielding statistically significant results.


Supplier: tst biomedical, Taiwan


The iProték Smart mattress offers high-accuracy detection of respiration, body movement, and heart rate data. It demonstrates an impressive accuracy rate and effectively analyzes sleep quality and provides valuable insights.

The mattress includes an alarm function that serves multiple purposes. It issues warnings for abnormal data and detects vacancy, ensuring that any gaps in the monitoring process are promptly identified. The management interface provides a clear display of the current status, allowing for easy monitoring and management.


In real-time, the system generates alarms and reminders for pressure injuries and respiratory issues, enabling timely intervention and prevention. The detected data can be instantly viewed, with a clear and user-friendly graphical representation. This feature facilitates the analysis of daily sleep patterns, including heart rate, respiration, and body movement, which serves as a valuable reference for medical professionals.


Supplier: Humetrics, Taiwan


The iCue Smart Mat is an advanced wireless bed sensor that is discreetly placed underneath the mattress, offering non-contact and continuous monitoring of vital signs and bed status. Utilizing the patented ConViTA (Contact-less vital torque amplifier) technology, iCue is capable of detecting the user's position and status on the bed, promptly sending real-time alerts in the event of any critical behavioral changes. Moreover, iCue provides an integrated online caring service platform that combines AI analytics tools with dedicated care specialists who closely monitor the user's health condition.


The iCue Smart Mat offers a range of essential features for comprehensive care. It delivers real-time notifications regarding bed status, including alerts for bed exits and reminders for bedridden individuals, ensuring their safety and well-being. Additionally, it generates detailed sleep reports, allowing users and caregivers to gain insights into sleep patterns and quality. The vital sign monitoring capabilities of iCue encompass respiration rate, respiratory pattern, and heart rate, providing crucial health indicators.


With the aid of AI technology, iCue offers an AI-enabled daily activity analysis report, which further enhances the understanding of the user's overall well-being and physical activity levels.


Supplier: ForeAider, Taiwan


ForeAider Z smart sensing pad enables the measurement of heart rate and respiratory rate, providing valuable health information during sleep. Additionally, it incorporates bedside micromotion detection, allowing for the monitoring of subtle movements and activities near the bed.


In the event of an emergency, the smart sensing pad introduces a unique function where individuals can simply pat the mattress to call for help. This feature is particularly useful if someone falls down at the bedside, allowing for immediate assistance and support.


It also includes out-of-bed detection capabilities, which are especially crucial for the elderly. By monitoring bed exits, the system can alert caregivers or family members when the elderly leaves the bed, ensuring their safety and providing peace of mind.


Supplier: ZIPCARE, Japan


"Mamoruno" utilizes airbag sensors integrated into the bed to detect and analyze the patient's body movements, employing a proprietary algorithm. This innovative system calculates essential parameters such as the patient's bed presence/absence, pulse, respiration, body movement status, and sleep depth. Simultaneously, an environmental sensor installed on the main unit monitors the room's environmental conditions. Real-time data collected by the sensors can be conveniently displayed on the PC or smartphone of the nursing facility staff or family members responsible for the patient's care. By selecting appropriate sensors based on the patient's condition, all necessary information for effective nursing care can be visually presented. Furthermore, the system allows for notifications to be received, ensuring prompt responses to situations such as patients leaving their beds and facilitating swift and efficient handling of unexpected events.


Supplier: nevisQ, Taiwan


nevisCura's intelligent bed sensor is a remarkable tool that significantly simplifies the daily tasks of caregivers. With just a few easy steps, the sensor can be effortlessly attached to any bed, providing a discreet yet effective alarm system. Even before a resident sets foot on the floor, the silent guard discreetly signals their intention to leave the bed. What's more, this sensor is compatible with any standard nurse call system, ensuring seamless integration.


One of the key advantages of this bed sensor is its ability to prevent falls. By detecting a resident's movement early on, caregivers can promptly provide assistance, minimizing the risk of falls to a great extent.


Additionally, the bed sensor is designed to be dementia-friendly. It is nearly invisible to the occupant, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This thoughtful design prevents residents from attempting to bypass the system, which is a common issue with traditional sensor mats. The combination of functionality and discreetness makes nevisCura's bed sensor an excellent choice for enhancing care and safety for individuals with dementia.


Supplier: ALCO-EX, Japan


The ALCO-EX Patient Watcher Plus is an advanced system developed under the license of Fujitsu Limited's patent. This cutting-edge system en

sures continuous monitoring of patients and their bed area, providing information updates at regular intervals of several seconds. The system utilizes intuitive icons to display relevant information, facilitating easy comprehension for caregivers. Furthermore, it can be seamlessly connected to a nurse call system, enhancing communication and response efficiency. The system incorporates a vital radar sensor capable of detecting abnormalities in respiration, pulse, and sleep status, enabling early detection of any potential health issues. With compact external dimensions of 250 mm (diameter) x 75 mm (thickness), the ALCO-EX Patient Watcher Plus offers a streamlined and space-efficient solution for comprehensive patient monitoring.


Supplier: PTCOM Technology, Taiwan


OTTalk Plus is an IoT home alarm product designed to provide enhanced safety and communication capabilities. With its user-friendly design, it features a simple button that connects to a mobile phone, enabling emergency patients to make WiFi calls directly. Once installed, the device can establish a connection with the designated mobile phone, even if there is no one nearby, ensuring immediate life-saving assistance.


One of the standout features of OTTalk Plus is its impressive battery life. With a standby time of up to five years, it surpasses any alternative technology in terms of battery longevity while still maintaining its talk function. This extended battery life offers long-lasting peace of mind without the need for frequent charging or battery replacements.


In addition to its alert system, OTTalk Plus allows users to communicate directly with their loved ones by simply pushing the OTTalk button. This enables clear and instant communication during emergencies or critical situations. Furthermore, the device can reach up to 20 people simultaneously, ensuring that multiple contacts are alerted promptly.


Supplier: Guider Technology, Taiwan


The Guider Angel Care Senior – Caring Wearable 900P is specifically designed for the elderly and individuals with visual impairments. This wearable device prioritizes simplicity and functionality, featuring two large buttons with braille instead of a screen. This design ensures ease of use for seniors.


Equipped with 4G (CAT.1) technology, this smart wearable offers a range of essential features. Users can make calls, access localization services, monitor their health, and even detect falls, among other capabilities.


The device includes an SOS button, which, when long-pressed, automatically calls each emergency contact in sequence. Additionally, making calls is as simple as a single click. The wearable supports up to 10 contacts, with the ability to block unknown calls and activate auto-answering. The loud speaker design ensures clear communication.


The Guider Angel Care Senior provides 24-hour health monitoring. It tracks heart rate, stress levels, SpO2 levels, sleep patterns, and overall activity. This comprehensive monitoring system enables continuous health care and allows for timely interventions if any issues arise.


Furthermore, the device includes fall detection functionality. In the event of a fall, all emergency contacts are immediately notified, ensuring prompt assistance can be provided.





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