Patent ID: 8603013

Claim:
A system for monitoring a pressure exerted on a tissue site, the system comprising: a transmitter operable to propagate a first signal, the first signal being a radio frequency signal, and emitting an alert when the transmitter receives a second signal in response to the first signal; and a pressure switch adapted for placement adjacent the tissue site and to be responsive to a force applied at the tissue site, the pressure switch comprising: an antenna operable to receive the first signal and propagate the second signal; a diode disposed adjacent the antenna and electrically connected to the antenna to rectify the second signal; a switch electrically connected to the antenna and the diode for completing a circuit when closed; and a membrane covering the antenna and the diode, the membrane movable from an unpressed position to a pressed position when the force is exerted on the membrane to close the switch; whereby the antenna propagates the second signal when the membrane is in the pressed position.