Sensor enabled absorbent article avoiding leakages

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent article system providing volume monitoring with a large dynamic measurement range, and body position determining with a high localization precision, herewith avoiding leakages. Moreover the system relates to identification of absorbent article types in an automated manner.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention relates to an absorbent article system providing monitoring with a large dynamic contamination measurement range, and hence avoiding leakages. Furthermore, the system can detect leakages. Moreover, the system relates to identification of absorbent article types in an automated manner.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Nowadays, in elderly care homes the incontinence status of residents are checked regularly (e.g. every four hours), even at night. If the absorbent article seems to be saturated, based on an interpretation of the caregiver, the absorbent article is changed. Currently, still a significant amount of the absorbent articles are changed too late, introducing leakage of urine. This brings along significant discomfort for the resident, manual labour for the caregivers (e.g. washing) and cleaning costs (of textile bed sheets, clothing, etc.). For this reason, care homes opt pro-actively for absorbent articles with higher absorption degrees than...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system effectively prevents leakages by accurately monitoring moisture distribution and position, optimizing absorbent article usage, and enabling automated identification of various absorbent article types, reducing material waste and user discomfort.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, still a significant amount of the absorbent articles are changed too late, introducing leakage of urine.

This brings along significant discomfort for the resident, manual labour for the caregivers (e.g. washing) and cleaning costs (of textile bed sheets, clothing, etc.).

Moreover, by checking the incontinence status every four hours the quality of incontinence care for the resident is not guaranteed between two checks.

Hence, the current incontinence management system consumes a lot of—even unused—raw material due to interhuman problems between caregivers and over-dimensioning.

This estimated volume inside an absorbent article as such however is not an accurate measure for avoiding leakages, since not only the amount urine but also the position of a person's body will influence the distribution of moisture or contamination in general inside the absorbent article.

Volume measurement methods are disclosed in the art using multi-electrode systems, i.e. having more than two moisture sensing electrodes, representing often a high degree of complexity (in terms of interconnection and manufacturing of the sensor system) and being a source of multiple possible errors.

In turn, leakage itself of absorbent articles can lead to skin injuries, or residents can get a cold due to the urine e.g. wetting clothes and / or beds, seats or other furniture they are sitting or lying on within the environment, etc.

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