Diaper sensing device

Abstract

A sensing device for attachment to an outer surface of a diaper is described. The sensing device comprises an expandable member comprising one or more elastic elements extending between a plurality of attachment points, wherein the attachment points are configured to fixedly attach the expandable member to the outer surface of the diaper, and wherein the one or more elastic elements are configured to stretch as the plurality of attachment points separate, such that the expandable member is configured to expand in accordance with an inflation of the diaper. The sensing device further comprises a detector unit coupled to the expandable member, wherein the detector unit is configured to detect an expansion of the expandable member, and further configured to determine a diaper fullness parameter based on the detected expansion of the expandable member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sensing device for attachment to the outer surface of a diaper to determine diaper fullness parameters. The invention also relates to a combination of a diaper and a sensing device. The sensing element of the sensing device can be attached to or integrated into the outer surface of the diaper. Background Technology

[0002] Incontinence products, such as diapers / clothes, incontinence pads, and underwear, allow wearers to urinate and / or defecate without using a toilet. Incontinence products include an absorbent layer to trap urine and / or feces and prevent leakage onto outer clothing. Incontinence products are available for children (bedwetting) and adults, especially those with incontinence-related conditions. When diapers or other incontinence products become soiled with urine and / or feces, they typically need to be changed by another person, such as a caregiver. Because diaper wearers may often be unable to change their own diapers or even indicate that a change is needed, caregivers must manually check diapers regularly throughout the day for soiling. This results in potentially unnecessary diaper changes, wasting valuable time and associated costs for caregivers. On the other hand, not changing diapers regularly can lead to problems such as wearer discomfort, negative impacts on wearer dignity, and / or skin problems such as rashes, bedsores, and infections.

[0003] Therefore, an improved method is needed to detect the fullness of diapers or other incontinence products. Detecting diaper fullness is also useful for infants. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, a sensing device is provided for attachment to the outer surface of a diaper. The sensing device includes an expandable member. The expandable member includes one or more elastic elements extending between a plurality of attachment points. The attachment points are configured to securely attach the expandable member to the outer surface of the diaper. Preferably, some or all of the attachment points are located on or near an edge of the diaper (e.g., an elastic edge). The one or more elastic elements are configured to stretch when the attachment points separate, such that the expandable member is configured to expand according to the expansion of the diaper (i.e., when the diaper is full). The sensing device also includes a detector unit coupled to the expandable member. The detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member. The detector unit is also configured to determine a diaper fullness parameter based on the detected expansion of the expandable member.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the invention, a diaper and sensing device assembly is provided, comprising a diaper and the aforementioned sensing device. The sensing device further includes an electronic control and power supply unit configured to supply power to the sensing device. The electronic control and power supply unit preferably includes the aforementioned detector unit. An attachment point of the expandable member is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the diaper.

[0006] In some examples, the sensing device is attached to the outer surface of the diaper after it has been manufactured. In other examples, an expandable component of the sensing device is integrated into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing (i.e., created on the outer surface of the diaper). The detector unit can then be attached to the expandable component, for example, via a ring.

[0007] Other advantageous aspects of the invention are also described in the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To facilitate a clearer understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein: Figure 1 This is a plan view of an exemplary sensing device attached to the outer surface of a diaper.

[0009] Figure 2 8 is a plan view of an alternative construction of an exemplary sensing device attached to the outer surface of a diaper.

[0010] Figure 9a Is with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary optical detector used in conjunction with any of the eight sensing devices. Figure 9a In the middle, the expandable component of the sensing device is in an unexpanded state.

[0011] Figure 9b yes Figure 9a A floor plan showing the layout.

[0012] Figure 9c When the expandable component of the sensing device is in the expanded state Figure 9a A cross-sectional view of an exemplary optical detector in 9b.

[0013] Figure 9d yes Figure 9c A floor plan showing the layout.

[0014] Figure 10 Is with Figure 1 A plan view of an alternative exemplary optical detector used with any of the 8 sensing devices. The optical detector includes multiple connectors.

[0015] Figure 11a Is with Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary optical detector used in conjunction with any of the eight sensing devices. Figure 11a In the middle, the expandable component of the sensing device is in an unexpanded state.

[0016] Figure 11b When the expandable component of the sensing device is in the expanded state Figure 11a A cross-sectional view of an exemplary optical detector.

[0017] Figure 12 Is with Figure 1 A plan view of an alternative optical detector used in conjunction with any of the 8 sensing devices.

[0018] Figure 13 Is with Figure 1 A plan view of multiple exemplary optical detectors used together by any of the 8 sensing devices.

[0019] Figure 14 This is a plan view of an alternative exemplary sensing device attached to the outer surface of a diaper, which includes three sensor elements.

[0020] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A partial floor plan showing the layout. Figure 14 Other features of the exemplary sensing device.

[0021] Figure 16 This is a plan view of an alternative exemplary sensing device attached to the outer surface of a diaper.

[0022] Figure 17 This is a plan view of an alternative exemplary sensing device attached to the outer surface of a diaper.

[0023] Figure 18 It is used to measure resistance and connect with Figure 16 A circuit diagram of a Wheatstone bridge used in an exemplary sensing device.

[0024] Figure 19 It is used to measure capacitance and connect with Figure 16 A circuit diagram of a capacitor bridge used in an exemplary sensing device.

[0025] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic control and power supply unit for powering any exemplary sensing device.

[0026] Figure 21 This is an example graph of volume vs. time data used to determine diaper fullness parameters.

[0027] Figure 22 This is a plan view of an exemplary integrated sensor configuration for sensing devices on the outer surface of a diaper.

[0028] Figure 23a This is a circuit diagram of a gyroscope used to measure motion and for use with any of the exemplary sensing devices.

[0029] Figure 23b This is a circuit diagram of an accelerometer used to measure motion and for use with any of the exemplary sensing devices. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This document describes a plurality of sensing devices suitable for attachment to the outer surface of a diaper. Each sensing device includes an expandable member. The expandable member includes one or more elastic elements extending between a plurality of attachment points. The attachment points are configured to securely attach the expandable member to the outer surface of the diaper. Preferably, some or all of the attachment points are located on or near the edge of the diaper, such as an elastic edge. One or more elastic elements are configured to stretch when the attachment points separate, such that the expandable member is configured to expand in response to the (volume) expansion of the diaper. The sensing device also includes a detector unit coupled to the expandable member. The detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member. The detector unit is also configured to determine a diaper fullness parameter based on the detected expansion of the expandable member. The detector unit may include a gyroscope or accelerometer configured to detect motion. For example, a gyroscope or accelerometer can detect the motion of a diaper wearer during diaper use.

[0031] This document also describes a combination of a diaper and a sensing device, comprising the diaper and the aforementioned sensing device. The sensing device further includes an electronic control and power supply unit configured to power the sensing device. The electronic control and power supply unit preferably includes the aforementioned detector unit. An attachment point of the expandable member is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the diaper. In some examples, the sensing device is attached to the outer surface of the diaper after it has been manufactured. In other examples, the expandable member of the sensing device is integrated into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing (i.e., created on the outer surface of the diaper). The detector unit can then be attached to the expandable member, for example, via a ring.

[0032] Diapers may also be referred to as diaper pads in this document. Diaper sizes can be designed for adults, children, or infants and can have any suitable design and absorbency. As mentioned above, the sensing device can be manufactured separately from the diaper and therefore can be applied to any type of diaper or other incontinence product. After the diaper has been manufactured, the sensing device is attached to the outer surface of the diaper. Alternatively, an expandable component of the sensing device can be integrated into the outer surface of the diaper during the diaper manufacturing process (i.e., created on the outer surface of the diaper), and the detector unit is attached at a later point. This contrasts with existing diaper moisture / fullness sensing technologies, where active sensing elements (e.g., electrical and chemical elements) are manufactured separately and integrated into the diaper, and the active sensing elements are in physical contact with the urine-absorbing layer of the diaper, which is complex and expensive.

[0033] Figure 1 An example of a sensing device attached to a diaper is shown. Figure 1 A plan view of diaper 1600 before it is worn is shown, showing an outer surface 1590. Diaper 1600 includes a front portion 1530 connected to a waistband portion 31. The front portion 1530 of diaper 1600 is connected to the rear portion 1570 of diaper 1600 via a crotch region 1540. When diaper 1600 is worn, the front portion 1530 of diaper 1600 is positioned against the wearer's pubic area and lower abdomen, the rear portion 1570 of diaper 1600 is positioned against the wearer's bottom, and the crotch region 1540 of diaper 1600 is positioned over the wearer's groin and between their legs. Diaper 1600 has an elastic edge 1560 extending around the top of the wearer's legs. The elastic edge 1560 is stretchable to allow the diaper to be worn comfortably and follows the wearer's body contours to prevent leakage of liquid from diaper 1600. The outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 is typically made of a non-stretch material. In this case, the diaper 1600 is still able to expand due to the elastic edge 1560, and because the outer surface 1590 is constructed to be relatively loose when the wearer first puts on the diaper 1600 (i.e., when the diaper is not wet with feces / urine). Furthermore, the creases in the diaper material (described below) contribute to the expansion.

[0034] Figure 1 A sensing device attached to diaper 1600 is also shown. The sensing device includes an expandable member 1602 coupled to detector unit 5. The expandable member 1602 includes an elastic element 1604 extending between a plurality of attachment points 45, 1510. The attachment points are configured to securely attach the expandable member 1602 to the outer surface of diaper 1600.

[0035] After the diaper has been manufactured, the sensing device can be attached to the diaper via attachment points, in which case the sensing device is both detachable and reusable. Alternatively, the expandable member can be integrated into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing (i.e., created on the outer surface of the diaper). In this case, the expandable member is created as part of the diaper's outer top surface material during diaper manufacturing. This can be achieved in different ways. For example, it is known that some diapers include a top non-stretch material placed on top of and bonded to a stretchable polymer (e.g., rubber) bottom material. During diaper manufacturing, these two layers of material can be folded in selected areas to form an elastic, abrasion-resistant diaper. For example, the crease areas of the diaper stretch when worn. If the diaper does not include a stretchable bottom layer, the composition of the top surface material can be changed to make it elastic (either the entire top material or only selected areas). During diaper manufacturing, the expandable member can be formed (e.g., integrated) in these crease areas on the outer surface of the diaper. Preferably, the crease areas are formed along the direction of the manufacturing process. Figure 22 An example of an integrated sensor configuration is shown. The central element 402 is subjected to tension as the crease region 318 stretches with the diaper filling. The serrated solid lines represent the top non-stretched material. The serrated dashed lines represent the stretchable polymer bottom layer material. The central element 402 can be integrated into the outer surface of the diaper (i.e., created on the outer surface of the diaper). The tension on the central element 402 exerts a tension on the detector unit 5, causing a change in the detection signal generated in the detector unit 5. This expansion measurement is described in more detail below.

[0036] When the outer surface of the diaper 1600 is made of a non-stretch material (which is usually the case), it is important that at least some attachment points are located on or near the edge of the diaper 1600 (e.g., the elastic edge 1560) to catch diaper expansion. Figure 1This is merely illustrative; it should be understood that the corner attachment point 1510 can actually be arranged very close to the lateral (elastic) edge 1560 of the diaper. Alternatively, other attachment points may exist to connect the elastic element 1604 to the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600. However, if an expandable member is formed on the outer surface of the diaper during the manufacturing process, it is not necessary to position the attachment point on or near the edge of the diaper. This is because the folded area of ​​the diaper will naturally expand when the diaper volume increases (e.g., when the diaper is filled with urine and / or feces). Therefore, the elastic edge of the diaper is not necessarily required. The detector unit 5 is mounted on the waistband portion 31 of the diaper 1600. Alternatively, the detector unit 5 can be mounted at any other suitable location on the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600, such as the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600 (near the waistband portion 31). The detector unit 5 is coupled to the expandable member 1602. For example, in Figure 1 In this configuration, the attachment point includes a detector unit attachment point 45 directly coupled to the detector unit 5. The detector unit attachment point 45 is located in the center of the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, directly below the waistband portion 31 of the diaper 1600, or in the center of the waistband portion 31 of the diaper 1600. The detector unit 5 is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member 1602 when the diaper 1600 expands. The detector unit 5 may include an optical detector, a resistive detector, a capacitive detector, or any other detector suitable for sensing the expansion of the expandable member 1602. Other electronic devices, such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, configured to detect the movement of the diaper wearer during diaper use may also be present within the detector unit 5 for data storage and communication.

[0037] exist Figure 1 In this structure, the elastic element 1604 of the expandable member 1602 is an elastic patch. The attachment points include attachment points 1510 located at the corners of the elastic patch. Therefore, Figure 1 The expandable member 1602 comprises only one elastic element 1604 in the form of a rectangular elastic patch, which extends between a plurality of attachment points 45, 1510 and is located at the center of a large portion of the front 1530, crotch area 1540, and rear 1570 of the diaper 1600. Two of the attachment points 1510 are located on the front 1530 of the diaper 1600, at the front two corners of the elastic patch, and these two attachment points 1510 are equidistant from the waistband portion 31. The other two attachment points 1510 are located on the rear 1570 of the diaper 1600, at the remaining two corners of the elastic patch. Other attachment points may be present to attach the elastic patch 1604 to the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper. When urine and / or feces enter the interior of the diaper 1600, the elastic patch can expand according to the volume expansion of the diaper 1600. Figure 1In this design, the elastic patch is rectangular. However, the elastic patch can be any suitable shape, such as square, circular, or elliptical. Attachment points 1510 can be positioned at the corners of the elastic patch or around its edges / periphery.

[0038] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the expandable member 1602 is sized and shaped to cover a large portion of the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. In some examples, the expandable member may cover a large portion of each or a combination of the front, back, crotch area, and elastic edge of the diaper. For example, in Figure 1 In this embodiment, the expandable member 1602 covers most of the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, most of the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600, and most of the back portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. In other examples, the expandable member 1602 may be sized and shaped to extend across the entire width of the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600 (see [link to previous embodiment]). Figure 7 (An example).

[0039] Attachment points 45 and 1510 are configured to securely attach the expandable member 1602 to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. For example, attachment points 45 and 1510 utilize attachment mechanisms such as glue, adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, or hook and loop pads. and Looppads, poppers, magnets, stitching, riveting, welding, or any other suitable attachment mechanism are securely attached. As described above, the attachment can be performed during or after the manufacture of the diaper. Attachment points 45, 1510 of the expandable member 1602 can be securely attached to the front 1530 of the diaper 1600, the rear 1570 of the diaper 1600, the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600, the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600, or a combination thereof.

[0040] When the diaper 1600 expands, the attachment points 45, 1510 further separate, which generates a tension on the detector unit attachment point 45 away from the detector unit 5, as will be discussed in more detail later. The elastic element 1604 is configured to stretch as the attachment points 45, 1510 separate, such that the elastic element 1604 expands with the expansion of the diaper 1600. In other words, when the diaper 1600 is filled with urine and / or feces, the elastic element 1604 freely changes its length and width according to the expansion of the diaper 1600. To facilitate stretching, the elastic element 1604 can be made of an elastomeric material, for example, an elastomeric material with a low Young's modulus and high breaking strain. The material properties of the elastomer are selected so that it functions according to the diaper material. For example, the elastomeric material closely follows the expansion characteristics of the diaper material, particularly at the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600. The elastic element 1604 can be made of a conductive or non-conductive polymer. Conductive elastomer materials are particularly useful if the sensing device is configured to detect changes in resistance or capacitance as the material expands with the diaper 1600 when urine and / or feces enter the interior of the diaper 1600 (see below). Figure 16 and Figure 17 (Example described).

[0041] In use, the sensing device is configured to determine diaper fullness parameters based on the detected expansion of the expandable member 1602. When the diaper 1600 is filled with urine and / or feces, it begins to expand. As the diaper 1600 expands, attachment points 45, 1510 separate from each other, resulting in relative displacement between attachment points 45, 1510. This, in turn, causes the elastic element 1604 to stretch. The detector unit 5 is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member 1602 by (indirectly) detecting the relative displacement between attachment points 45, 1510. For example, when the diaper 1600 expands and attachment points 45, 1510 move away from each other, relative displacement occurs between attachment points 45, 1510. When the elastic element 1604 stretches, it applies a tension force to the detector unit 5 via the detector unit attachment point 45, causing a change in the detection signal generated in the detector unit 5. In other words, the detector unit 5 detects the tension force on the detector unit 5 caused by the expansion of the diaper 1600. The change in the detection signal is proportional to the total volume expansion of the diaper 1600 due to the entry of urine and / or feces into the diaper 1600. See Figure 9 below. 17. Described in more detail, detector unit 5 generates an output signal of analog or digital electrical signal representing displacement and thus diaper bulge. When urine and / or feces enter diaper 1600, the detected expansion of the expandable member 1602 is proportional to the overall diaper bulge. Therefore, detector unit 5 indirectly responds to changes in displacement between attachment points 45, 1510 on the outer surface 1590 of diaper 1600. This contrasts with existing methods, in which a humidity sensor inside the diaper is used to sense the diaper's humidity / humidity, or a pressure sensor is used to sense the increased radial pressure between the wearer and the diaper to determine diaper fullness. Detector unit 5 can use any displacement or strain detector technique to detect displacement, but preferred examples described below include optical detectors, capacitive detectors, and / or resistive detectors.

[0042] Figure 2 An alternative configuration of the expandable member 1602 of the sensing device attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 is shown. In this configuration, the attachment point includes a first attachment point 4080, which is connected to the detector unit attachment point 45 via a longitudinal elastic element 4010. For example, the detector unit attachment point 45 is located near the detector unit 5, such as... Figure 1 As shown. The first attachment point 4080 is located in the middle of the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. The longitudinal elastic element 4010 may be attached to the middle elastic band or elastic thread of the diaper 1600 at the first attachment point 4080 and the detector unit attachment point 45. The remaining length of the longitudinal elastic element 4010 is free to expand. The attachment point also includes one or more second attachment points 4005 connected to the longitudinal elastic element 4010 via one or more transverse elastic elements 4015, 4030, 4060. The second attachment points 4005 are positioned near the lateral (elastic) edge 1560 of the elastic element. Figure 2In this diaper, the lateral elastic elements 4015, 4030, and 4060 are positioned such that one lateral elastic element 4015 is located on the front portion 1530 of the diaper, one lateral elastic element 4030 is located on the crotch area 1540 of the diaper, and one lateral elastic element 4060 is located on the rear portion 1570 of the diaper. The lateral elastic elements 4015, 4030, and 4060 extend toward the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper to capture diaper swelling at the elastic edge 1560. The lateral elastic elements 4015, 4030, and 4060 may also be elastic bands or elastic threads and expand freely between attachment points 4005 at their ends. When the diaper swells, the lateral elastic elements 4015, 4030, and 4060 apply additional force to the longitudinal elastic element 4010, thereby applying additional force to the detector unit 5. Advantageously, these lateral elastic elements 4015, 4030, and 4060 allow for more accurate measurement of the expansion of the diaper 1600 because the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 is more extensively covered by the expandable member 1602. The elastic elements 4010, 4015, 4030, and 4060 are positioned along two different directions ( Figure 2 The lateral elastic element 4030 extends both horizontally and vertically. Therefore, the relative displacement of attachment points 45, 4080, and 4005 can be detected more accurately, leading to a more precise determination of the volume expansion of the diaper 1600. In one example, the lateral elastic element 4030 can extend fully to the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600. In this case, the expansion of the lateral elastic element 4030 will follow the expansion of the elastic edge 1560, thus helping to account for the wearer's body movements. Figure 2 Examples include attaching a sensing device to the outer surface of a diaper after it has been manufactured, and integrating an expandable component of the sensing device into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing.

[0043] Figure 3 An alternative configuration of the expandable member 1602 of the sensing device is shown. In this configuration, there is a central engagement point 4045 connected to the detector unit attachment point 45 via a central elastic element 4010. The central engagement point 4045 (composed of...) Figure 3 (As shown by the shaded circle) It is not fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600, so it can move freely when the diaper 1600 expands. Figure 3In this configuration, a central engagement point 4045 is centrally positioned on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, and a central elastic element 4010 extends centrally across the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600 between the central engagement point 4045 and the detector unit attachment point 45. The attachment point also includes a plurality of attachment points 4070, 4080 spaced apart around the central engagement point 4045, the plurality of attachment points 4070, 4080 being connected to the central engagement point 4045 via corresponding radial elastic elements 4025. Figure 3 In this structure, multiple attachment points 4070 and 4080 are primarily located in the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600, near the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600. Additionally, some of the attachment points 4070 and 4080 are located on the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600, near the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600. The spacing of the attachment points 4070 and 4080 facilitates expansion detection because each radial elastic element 4025 increases the force borne by the central elastic element 4010, and thus increases the force borne by the detector unit 5. The elastic elements 4010 and 4025 expand freely between attachment points 45, 4080, and 4070. The expandable member 1602 may also include other elastic elements connected between the multiple attachment points 4070 and 4080. For example, in Figure 3 In the middle, another lateral elastic element 4075 is connected between attachment points 4070 on the rear part 1570 of the diaper 1600, near the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600. Figure 3 Examples include attaching a sensing device to the outer surface of a diaper after it has been manufactured, and integrating an expandable component of the sensing device into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing.

[0044] Figure 4 Figure 6 illustrates other alternative configurations of the expandable component of the sensing device. In these configurations, the elastic elements of the expandable component comprise a plurality of elastic elements arranged in a polygon, with attachment points located at one or more corners of the polygon. For example, in Figure 4 In this diaper, multiple elastic elements 3050 are arranged in a rhombus shape, with two attachment points 3070 at the two corners of the rhombus. These two attachment points 3070 are located in the crotch area 1540—one near the left elastic edge 1560 and the other near the right elastic edge—and are securely attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. There are also two engagement points 3111 (made by…). Figure 4(Indicated by the shaded circles) The rhombus connects to the elastic element 3050 at the other two corners. The two engagement points 3111 are not attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600, thus allowing free movement when the diaper 1600 expands. One of the two engagement points 3111 is a front engagement point centered on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, and the other is a rear engagement point centered on the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. The rhombus is located in the center of the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600 and is primarily located in the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600, extending partially across the front portion 1530 and the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. There is also a longitudinal elastic element 3090 (similar to) centrally positioned on the diaper 1600. Figure 2 The longitudinal elastic element 3090 is attached to the diaper 1600 between the rear attachment point 3040 and the detector unit attachment point 45, wherein the rear attachment point 3040 is centrally located on the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600, and the detector unit attachment point 45 is centrally located on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, close to the detector unit 5. Both the rear attachment point 3040 and the detector unit attachment point 45 are fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. The longitudinal elastic element 3090 is also connected to the front and rear attachment points 3111. Other elastic elements 3020 may also be connected to the longitudinal elastic element 3090 and connected to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 via attachment points 3010. For example, in Figure 4 In this process, an additional elastic element 3020 is attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 via an attachment point 3010 on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600 and near the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600, perpendicularly across the longitudinal elastic element 3090.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, a longitudinal elastic element 3090 is also attached to the middle of the diaper 1600 between the detector unit attachment point 45 and the rear attachment point 3040. The rear attachment point 3040 is centrally positioned on the rear part 1570 of the diaper 1600, as shown. Figure 4 As shown. The central elastic element 3090 is also connected to at least one of a plurality of elastic elements 3050 arranged in a polygonal configuration. Figure 5 In this configuration, multiple elastic elements 3050 are arranged in a rectangle, with an attachment point 3070 at each corner of the rectangle. In this structure, each attachment point 3070, 3040, 45 is fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600, near the edge of the diaper 1600. The rectangle is positioned in relation to... Figure 1The elastic patch 1604 is positioned substantially similarly. Specifically, the rectangle is positioned such that the first lateral elastic element crosses the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600 and is substantially parallel to the waistband of the diaper 1600. Two longitudinal elastic elements, extending substantially perpendicular to the first lateral elastic element, cross the crotch area 1540 and reach the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. A second lateral elastic element crosses the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600 and is substantially parallel to the first lateral element. Any suitable polygonal construction, such as a square, pentagon, hexagon, etc., can also be used.

[0046] Figure 6 It shows the relationship with Figure 5 The same construction of expandable member 1602, except in Figure 6 The expandable member 1602 also includes a transverse elastic element 3005 extending between the two longitudinal elastic elements. Furthermore, the transverse elastic element is concentrated within a designated region 515 of the polygon. For example, in... Figure 6 In this context, designated area 515 is the main portion of the crotch area 1540 and the main portion of the back 1570 of the diaper 1600. The lateral element 3005 is concentrated in this area 515 to provide greater sensitivity in detecting the expansion of the diaper 1600. When urine (e.g., 50 to 100 ml) initially enters the diaper 1600, the expansion of the diaper 1600 first occurs in this area 515. However, the expansion at this point may be very small. The lateral elastic element 3005 allows for more accurate capture of the expansion force in this area 515. Or, as... Figure 1 As shown, the elastic element may include an elastic patch for a similar purpose.

[0047] Figure 7 An alternative configuration of the expandable member 1602 of the sensing device is shown. In this configuration, the elastic element includes an elastic mesh 5480, and attachment points include attachment points 5160 at the periphery of the elastic mesh 5480. The attachment points also include a detector unit attachment point 45 (similar to the detector unit attachment point 45 described above) centrally located at the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, near the detector unit 5 (which is mounted on the waistband of the diaper 1600). The elastic element also includes a longitudinal elastic element 4010 centrally located on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600. The longitudinal elastic element 4010 extends between a front engagement point 5050 and a detector unit attachment point 45, wherein the front engagement point 5050 is centrally positioned on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600. The front engagement point 5050 (composed of...) Figure 7(The shaded circle in the image indicates that the detector unit is not attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 and is therefore free to move as the diaper 1600 expands.) The detector unit attachment point 45 is fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. The elastic mesh 5480 is connected to the central longitudinal elastic element 4010 via the front engagement point 5050. The elastic mesh 5480 is also attached to the rear engagement point 5055, which is centrally positioned on the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. The rear engagement point 5055 (also...) Figure 7 (The shaded circle in the image indicates that the diaper is not attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 and is therefore free to move as the diaper 1600 expands.) A short elastic element 4015 extends from the rear engagement point 5055 to another engagement point 5060 located above the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. Engagement point 5060 is fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. Engagement points 5160 located at the periphery of the elastic mesh 5480 are positioned along the elastic edge 1560 of the diaper 1600, i.e., engagement points 5160 are positioned on the two curved edges of the crotch region 1540, where the diaper 1600 is shaped around the wearer's legs in the crotch region 1540. Engagement points 5160 are fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600. Between engagement points 5160 and engagement points 5050, 5055, the elastic mesh 5480 is free to stretch. The elastic mesh 5480 can cover most of the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600. For example, the size and construction of the elastic mesh 5480 can be designed to extend across the entire width of the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600, such as... Figure 7 As shown. In an alternative example, the elastic net 5480 may also cover most of the front 1530 and rear 1570 surfaces of the diaper 1600. Advantageously, the use of the elastic net 5480 allows a greater force (from the expanded diaper 1600) to be captured and transmitted to the central elastic element 4010, thereby being detected by the detector unit.

[0048] Figure 8An alternative configuration of the expandable member 1602 of the sensing device is shown. In this configuration, attachment points 580 are connected via one or more elastic elements 590 to form a meandering pattern, with attachment points 580 positioned at each bend of the meandering pattern. Detector unit 5 is mounted on the waistband portion of diaper 1600. Attachment points also include detector unit attachment points 45, which are centrally positioned at the front of diaper 1600, near detector unit 5. Other attachment points 580 include six front attachment points and five rear attachment points, wherein the six front attachment points are generally linear and arranged across the front of diaper 1600, and the five rear attachment points are generally linear and arranged across the rear of diaper 1600. The six front attachment points are fixedly attached to the front outer surface of diaper 1600 near the upper front edge of the diaper (i.e., near the waistband). The five rear attachment points are fixedly attached to the rear outer surface of diaper 1600 near the upper rear edge of the diaper (i.e., near the rear waistband). One of the elastic elements 590 extends downward from the central detector unit attachment point 45 and laterally across the front of the diaper 1600 toward the two outer front attachment points 580. The remaining elastic elements 590 extend generally longitudinally (elongatedly) on the outer surface of the diaper 1600 in a meandering pattern. Specifically, two additional elastic elements 590 extend longitudinally (elongatedly), from each of the two outer front attachment points 580 downward and upward along the front and crotch areas of the diaper 1600 to the rear of the diaper 1600, reaching the two outer rear attachment points 580. The elastic elements 590 then connect to the remaining attachment points 580 in a meandering configuration between the front and rear attachment points, with one attachment point at each bend. When the diaper 1600 expands, the elastic elements 590 stretch freely between the attachment points 580, 45. The elastic elements 590 are more than Figure 1 The elastic element in 7 is thinner to allow the elastic element 590 to bend more easily. For example, in Figure 8 In this context, the elastic element 590 can be made of thin strips, threads, or filaments of elastic material. Figure 4 8 relates to examples of attaching a sensing device to the outer surface of a diaper after it has been manufactured, and examples of integrating an expandable component of the sensing device to the outer surface of a diaper during manufacturing.

[0049] In use, in all the above-described configurations, detector unit 5 can be configured to detect the expansion of expandable member 1602 by sensing the relative displacement between detector unit attachment point 45 and at least one other attachment point. For example (see...) Figure 2When the diaper 1600 expands, attachment point 4080 may move away from detector unit attachment point 45, resulting in relative displacement between attachment points 45 and 4080. This relative displacement between detector unit attachment point 45 and at least one other attachment point 4080 causes the expandable member 1602 to pull detector unit attachment point 45 away from detector unit 5. This results in a proportional tension on detector unit 5, thereby causing a change in the detection signal generated in detector unit 5. In other words, the detector unit detects the tension on the detector unit caused by the expansion of the diaper. The change in the detection signal is proportional to the total volume expansion of the diaper 1600 due to the ingress of urine and / or feces into the diaper 1600. Different examples for detecting the expansion of the expandable member 1602 will now be described.

[0050] Optical detector Figure 9a Example 9d shows a detector unit 2 including an optical detector for use with any of the aforementioned sensing devices. Figure 9a and Figure 9b The front sectional view and plan sectional view of the detector unit 2 positioned on the diaper 1 in an uninflated state are shown respectively—the diaper 1 is worn on the body but not used, i.e., there is no urine and / or feces in the diaper 1, therefore there is no additional stretch in the diaper 1 (except for the stretch required to fit the wearer, such as the stretch of the elastic edge around the top of the wearer's legs and the stretch of the elastic waistband). The diaper 1 corresponds to the above reference. Figure 1 8 describes diapers 1600.

[0051] Detector unit 2 includes housing 10, light source 6, photodetector 140, first tube 70, second tube 100, optical fiber 50, and expandable components (e.g., according to the above). Figure 1 The connector 56 of the detector unit attachment point 45 (expandable member 1602) of the 8. For simplicity, apart from the detector unit attachment point 45, Figure 9a The expandable component is not shown in 9d. The light source 6 can be a light-emitting diode (LED). The photodetector 140 can be a photodetector. The housing 10 is mounted on the diaper 1. For example, the housing 10 can be mounted on the waistband of the diaper 1.

[0052] The housing 10 is a two-part housing, and the two parts of the housing 10 are separated by an opening 34. The housing 10 has two ends—one end located at the distal end of the first part of the housing 10, and the other end located at the distal end of the second part of the housing 10. A light source 6 is mounted at one end of the housing 10, and a photodetector 140 is mounted at the other end of the housing 10 opposite to the light source 6. A first tube 70 and a second tube 100 are coaxially mounted in the housing 10 along corresponding portions of the path between the light source 6 and the photodetector 140. Thus, the first tube 70 is located within the first part of the housing 10, and the light source 6 is located at the first end of the first tube 70. The second tube 100 is located within the second part of the housing 10, and the photodetector 140 is located at the second end of the second tube 100. The two parts of the housing 10, and the first tube 70 and the second tube 100, are spaced apart by the opening 34 (e.g., up to 4 cm). Similarly, the first tube 70 and the second tube 100 are also spaced apart by the opening 34.

[0053] An optical fiber 50 extends through a first tube 70 and a second tube 100. A first end of the optical fiber 50 is positioned adjacent to and fixed in front of a light source 6. A second end of the optical fiber 50 is positioned adjacent to a photodetector 140, but is not fixed in place. A gap 120 exists between the second end of the optical fiber 50 and the photodetector 140. At least a central portion of the optical fiber 50 is exposed in the opening 34 between the tubes 70 and 100 (i.e., the central portion of the optical fiber 50 is not contained within the tubes 70 and 100 or within the housing 10). The inner diameter of the tubes 70 and 100 is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 50, such that movement of the optical fiber 50 within the tubes 70 and 100 is somewhat restricted, and that the optical fiber 50 is substantially held within the tubes 70 and 100 during use.

[0054] As previously stated, the detector unit attachment point 45 forms part of the expandable member; the remaining part of the expandable member is not included. Figure 9a As shown in 9d, the detector unit attachment point 45 is used to connect the expandable member to the detector unit 2. Specifically, the inelastic connector 56 extends between the detector unit attachment point 45 and the exposed portion of the optical fiber 50.

[0055] In use, detector unit 2 is powered by an electronic control and power supply unit (not shown). The electronic control and power supply unit can be an internal or external power source, such as a battery. Powering detector unit 2 causes light from light source 6 to propagate through optical fiber 50 and gap 120 to photodetector 140. Photodetector 140 is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to the amount of light received from light source 6. When diaper 1 is worn and diaper 1 is in an uninflated state (i.e., there is no urine and / or feces inside diaper 1, such as...), Figure 9a and Figure 9bThe expandable member and connector 56 are stretched to a minimum, and the photodetector 140 generates an output signal corresponding to the unexpanded state of the diaper 1. In this unexpanded state, the gap 120 has a length d1.

[0056] Figure 9c and Figure 9d A front sectional view and a plan sectional view of the detector unit 2 and the diaper 1 in an inflated state are shown—when the diaper 1 begins to fill with urine and / or feces and begins to inflate (i.e., the volume of the diaper 1 expands). This causes the expandable members attached to the outer surface of the diaper 1 to expand. As described above, except for the detector unit attachment point 45, Figure 9a The expandable member is not shown in 9d. This expansion is measured by detector unit 2. Detector unit 2 is configured such that the amount of light reaching photodetector 140 from light source 6 depends on the relative displacement between detector unit attachment point 45 and at least one other attachment point (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The relative displacement between the attachment point 4080 and the detector unit attachment point 45 changes, thereby producing a change in the output signal from the photodetector 140. In other words, when the diaper 1 expands, the attachment points of the expandable member shift relative to each other, causing one or more elastic elements of the expandable member to stretch (e.g., Figure 2 (The longitudinal elastic element 4010 in the middle). This, in turn, generates tension on the detector unit attachment point 45 and the connector 56. The connector 56 pulls the exposed central portion of the optical fiber 50 toward the detector unit attachment point 45 (i.e., away from the housing 10 of the detector unit 2), causing the optical fiber 50 to deflect. The optical fiber 50 is only forced to move when the expandable member applies a force to it. The deflection of the optical fiber 50 in Figure 9d The most clearly visible change is the gap 120 between the second end of fiber optic 50 and photodetector 140. Since the second end of fiber optic 50 is not fixed in place, it can move freely longitudinally through the second tube 100, thus allowing the gap 120 to change. The gap 120 changes from d1 (in...) Figure 9a and Figure 9b In the unexpanded state) it increases to a larger value d2 (in Figure 9c and Figure 9d (In the expanded state). This increase in gap 120 reduces the amount of light received by photodetector 140 from light source 6. The proportion of emitted light illuminating photodetector 140 decreases as the size of gap 120 increases. Therefore, when urine and / or feces enter the diaper 1, the output signal generated by photodetector 140 decreases, indicating that the diaper 1 has expanded. Specifically, the light signal received by photodetector 140 is inversely proportional to the diaper expansion. Based on this, diaper fullness parameters can be determined.

[0057] Similarly, if the expansion of diaper 1 decreases (e.g., due to urine leakage from diaper 1), the tension on the exposed central portion of optical fiber 50 decreases. This causes the exposed portion of optical fiber 50 to move back in a direction away from the detector unit attachment point 45 (i.e., towards detector unit 2). This results in a reduction of the gap 120 between optical fiber 50 and photodetector 140. This increases the amount of light received by photodetector 140 from light source 6 through optical fiber 50. Consequently, the output signal generated by photodetector 140 increases, indicating that diaper 1 has shrunk.

[0058] The variation of gap 120 depends on the properties of the material used to manufacture diaper 1, the material properties of the expandable component, and the properties of optical fiber 50. The deflection of optical fiber 50 along the direction of tension in the exposed area is represented by the following equation:

[0059] Where δ is the deflection of the optical fiber 50 along the tensile direction (i.e., the stretching distance in the tensile direction), F is the tensile force in the connector 56, L is the length of the exposed central region of the optical fiber 50, E is the Young's modulus of the optical fiber 50 material, and I is the moment of inertia of the optical fiber 50. When the diaper 1 expands, the force F applied to the optical fiber 50 by the connector 56 increases, thereby increasing the deflection δ of the optical fiber 50 according to equation (1). This deflection causes the distance d2 between the second end of the optical fiber 50 and the photodetector 140 to increase. Since the intensity of the light received by the photodetector 140 is related to 1 / d 2 The output signal generated by photodetector 140 is proportional to the deflection δ of fiber 50, thus the output of photodetector 140 is inversely proportional to the square of the deflection (i.e., proportional to 1 / δ). 2 (Proportional)

[0060] In an alternative example, the second end of the optical fiber 50 can be fixed in front of the photodetector 140, and the first end of the optical fiber 50 can be located near the light source 6, but not fixed in place, thus allowing it to move longitudinally within the first tube 70. In this way, the gap 120 will be located between the light source 6 and the first end of the optical fiber 50. Equation (1) similarly applies to this example.

[0061] Figure 10 yes Figure 9a An alternative example of the 9d optical detector unit 2. (Compared to...) Figure 9a Similar to the 9d optical detector, light source 400 injects light into optical fiber 425 at the first end of optical fiber 425. The first end of optical fiber 425 is fixed relative to light source 400. Light passes through optical fiber 425 to reach photodetector 410, which is located at the second end of optical fiber 425. The second end of optical fiber 425 is not fixedly positioned relative to photodetector 410. Figure 10 In this configuration, fiber optic cable 425 provides a substantially linear path between light source 400 and photodetector 410. However, in Figure 10 In this design, four tube segments 480, 490, 500, and 510 are positioned at corresponding portions of a substantially linear path between the light source 400 and the photodetector 410, through which the optical fiber 425 passes. Tube segments 480, 490, 500, and 510 serve as guides for the optical fiber 425. Openings are present between the four tube segments 480, 490, 500, and 510 to expose three portions of the optical fiber 425. Three connectors 550, 460, and 570 couple the detector unit attachment point 45 to the three exposed portions of the optical fiber 425. It should be understood that the use of four tube segments and three connectors is merely exemplary—different numbers of tube segments (e.g., three or more) can be used to provide different numbers of exposed portions of the optical fiber 425 (e.g., two or more). The number of connectors used corresponds to the number of exposed portions of the optical fiber 425. Advantageously, having multiple spaced-apart connectors 550, 460, 570 allows the detector unit attachment point 45 to pull the fiber 425 more uniformly along its length. Therefore, this configuration is more stable and produces a larger deflection δ.

[0062] Figure 11a and Figure 11b Another alternative example of an optical detector unit configured for use with any of the aforementioned sensing devices is shown. For simplicity, apart from detector unit attachment point 45, Figure 11a An expandable member is not shown in 11b. Figure 11a and 11b In the optical detector unit, a laminated structure is included, which has layers from top to bottom (such as...). Figure 11a (As shown): a laminate 233, optical fibers in two coaxial segments 285 and 430 separated by an air gap 411, a rigid spacer including two portions 324 and 325 separated by a spacer gap, and a flexible substrate 125. The optical fiber includes an optical fiber core 250 and an optical fiber cladding 256, as is well known. The laminate 233 is a thin, flexible plastic layer to protect the top of the laminated structure. The air gap 411 between the two coaxial segments 285 and 430 is positioned above and adjacent to the first end of the rigid spacer portion 325. The first end of the rigid spacer portion 325 is vertically aligned with the first end of the coaxial segment 430 of the optical fiber and is adjacent to the spacer gap in the horizontal direction. Thus, a portion 270 of the first optical fiber segment 285 is unsupported and can be bent under applied force. The unsupported portion 270 of the first optical fiber segment 285 is connected to the detector unit attachment point 45 via a non-elastic connector 56. Figure 11a and 11bA cross-sectional view of the optical fiber, rigid spacer, and flexible substrate 125 is shown. Connector 56 extends substantially perpendicularly from the optical fiber to detector unit attachment point 45 (i.e., it extends substantially in the plane of the outer surface of the diaper). Detector unit attachment point 45 is part of an expandable member (e.g., one of the expandable members 1602 described above). The expandable member is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the diaper (e.g., diaper 1600).

[0063] Figure 11a The detector unit can be fabricated by placing a rigid spacer on a flexible substrate 125, placing a single optical fiber on the rigid spacer, and then placing a laminate 233 on top of the optical fiber. Next, the laminate is laminated to the top of the structure (e.g., using heat or ultrasound). A vertical cut is made in the unsupported portion 270 of the optical fiber using a sharp device (e.g., a blade) to form an air gap 411 at one end of the spacer gap, such that the air gap 411 and the spacer gap form a single air gap. The vertical cut extends through each of the laminate 233, the fiber cladding 256, and the fiber core 250, and thus the air gap 411 also extends through each of the laminate 233, the fiber cladding 256, and the fiber core 250, thereby dividing the optical fiber into two coaxial segments 285 and 430. The vertical cut does not extend through the substrate 125. The distal (left) end of the coaxial segment 285 is coupled to a light source (not shown), and the distal (right) end of the coaxial segment 430 is coupled to a photodetector (not shown).

[0064] In use, when the light source shines light on the far end of the coaxial section 285, the light propagates through the air gap 411 and enters the coaxial section 430. Figure 11a The configuration of the detector unit when the diaper is in an unexpanded state is shown. In this configuration, the expandable member and the inelastic connector 56 are stretched to a minimum, and the photodetector generates an output signal corresponding to the unexpanded state of the diaper. Due to the air gap 411, there is a small loss in light transmission (e.g., in the range of 20%).

[0065] Figure 11bThe configuration of the detector unit when the diaper is in an inflated state is shown. In this configuration, the expansion of the diaper causes the expandable member to pull the detector unit attachment point 45 further away from the detector unit. Since the connector 56 is inelastic, the tension from the expandable member is transmitted to the optical fiber, thereby pulling the unsupported portion 270 of the optical fiber away from the coaxial section 430. This pulling causes the coaxial sections 285, 430 to become misaligned. As a result, the signal transmission drops sharply (up to 80%). The greater the tension, the greater the signal drop at the photodetector. As more and more urine and / or feces enter the diaper, the signal drop is proportional to the volume expansion of the diaper. The sensitivity of the optical detector unit depends on the material properties of the optical fiber and the rigid spacer, the force applied by the detector unit attachment point 45, and the size of the unsupported portion 270 of the optical fiber.

[0066] Figure 12 An alternative example of an optical detector unit used with any of the sensing devices described above is shown. In this configuration, the detector unit 600 is constructed on a small-footprint circular printed circuit board 655. The detector unit 600 includes a light source 621 (e.g., a light-emitting diode), a photodetector 601 (e.g., a photodetector), an optical fiber 642, two linear guides 626, and a connector 666 connecting the optical fiber 642 to a detector unit attachment point 675. The detector unit attachment point 675 may be equivalent to the detector unit attachment point 45 previously described and is one of the attachment points of an expandable member (e.g., expandable member 1602). For simplicity, in addition to the detector unit attachment point 675, Figure 12 Expandable components are not shown.

[0067] A light source 621 is located near one edge of a printed circuit board 655. A photodetector 601 is located next to the light source 621. An optical fiber 642 is positioned in a U-shape across a large area of ​​the printed circuit board 665. The first end of the optical fiber 642 is positioned in front of the light source 621, creating a first gap between the first end of the optical fiber 642 and the front of the light source 621. The second end of the optical fiber 642 is positioned in front of the photodetector 601, creating a second gap between the second end of the optical fiber 642 and the front of the photodetector 601. Two linear guides 626 are positioned parallel to each other on the printed circuit board 655 to guide the two straight segments of the U-shape of the optical fiber 642. One guide forms a first straight line leading to the light source 621, and the other guide forms a second straight line leading to the photodetector 601. The optical fiber 642 passes through each linear guide 626. The linear guides 626 are configured to keep the optical fiber 642 aligned with the respective optical axes of the light source 621 and the photodetector 601. A connector 666 is centrally connected to the bottom of the U-shape of the optical fiber 642.

[0068] Light source 621 illuminates optical fiber 642. The light passes through the U-shaped optical fiber 642 and is detected by photodetector 601. When the expandable member applies a tension force at the detector unit attachment point 675 in a direction away from detector unit 600, optical fiber 642 moves further away from light source 621 and / or photodetector 601, thereby increasing the size of the first gap and / or the second gap. This results in a decrease in the detection signal. The decrease in the detection signal is proportional to the tension force, which is proportional to the volume of urine and / or feces within the diaper (e.g., diaper 1600). Therefore, the change in the detection signal indicates the expansion of the diaper.

[0069] So far, only one sensing device attached to the diaper has been shown. However, any suitable number of sensing devices can be used on the same diaper. For example, the diaper can be combined with one or more additional sensing devices. The sensing device and one or more other sensing devices are configured to detect expansion at different locations on the outer surface of the diaper. Figure 13 The system contains a first detector unit 513, a second detector unit 530, and a third detector unit 542. The three detector units 513, 530, and 542 respectively correspond to... Figure 9a The detector unit described in 9d operates in the same manner. For example, the first detector unit 513 includes a light source 400, an optical fiber 425, a first tube 440, a second tube 450, a photodetector 410, and a connector 460 connecting the optical fiber 425 to a detector unit attachment point 715. The detector unit attachment point 715 may be equivalent to the detector unit attachment point 45 previously described. The detector unit attachment point 715 forms part of an associated expandable member; the remainder of the expandable member is not included. Figure 13 As shown in the image.

[0070] Each of detector units 513, 530, and 542 can be mounted to the waistband of the same diaper (e.g., diaper 1600). Independent inelastic connectors 460, 576, and 585 connect each optical fiber of the respective detector unit 513, 530, and 542 to the respective detector unit attachment point 701, 715, and 725. Each detector unit attachment point 701, 715, and 725 is securely attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600, preferably near the waistband of the diaper 1600. As described above, each detector unit attachment point 701, 715, and 725 forms part of the corresponding expandable member (only the detector unit attachment points 701, 715, and 725 of the expandable member are...). Figure 13(As shown in the diagram). Each expandable member may be fixedly attached to the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600 at different locations. For example, a first expandable member may be located on the front portion 1530 of the diaper 1600, a second expandable member may be located on the crotch area 1540 of the diaper 1600, and a third expandable member may be located on the rear portion 1570 of the diaper 1600. Figure 13 Only an optical detector is shown in the diagram. However, any suitable type of detector unit can be used. Advantageously, using more than one sensing device results in higher signal generation and greater sensitivity to diaper bulge. Using multiple sensing devices, wherein independent expandable members are fixedly attached to different locations on the outer surface 1590 of the diaper 1600, improves the accuracy of indicating the fullness of the diaper 1600. Furthermore, the displacement measured by the multiple sensing devices can be used to determine whether the diaper 1600 is filled with liquid (e.g., urine) or solid (e.g., feces). Figure 13 Examples include attaching a sensing device to the outer surface of a diaper after it has been manufactured, and integrating an expandable component of the sensing device into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing.

[0071] Figure 14 and Figure 15 A plan view of an alternative example of a sensing device attached to the outer surface 905 of a diaper 791 is shown. Figure 14 As shown, diaper 791 has the same construction as diaper 1600—a front portion, a crotch area between the elastic edges of the diaper, and a back portion. The front portion of diaper 791 is connected to the waistband portion 749. Optionally, the back portion of the diaper may be connected to the waistband portion 749. The sensing device includes a detector unit 871 and three sensor elements 1100, 1122, and 1133, but different numbers of sensor elements (e.g., one or more) may be used if desired. Detector unit 871 is mounted on the waistband portion. In an alternative example, detector unit 871 may be mounted at another suitable location on the outer surface 905 of diaper 791, for example, on the front portion of diaper 791, near the waistband portion 749. Detector unit 871 includes three light sources and three photodetectors. Each light source / detector pair is connected to one of the three sensor elements 1100, 1122, and 1133.

[0072] The sensing device also includes one or more expandable members 3334 that are fixedly attached to the outer surface 905 of the diaper 791 via attachment points 3122. Figure 14 In the middle, the expandable member 3334 includes an elastic element (similar to...) Figure 1An elastic patch is configured to stretch as the diaper 791 expands. An expandable member 3334 is securely attached (e.g., by adhesive or Velcro, etc.) to the outer surface 905 of the diaper 791 via attachment points 3122 located at each corner of the elastic patch. The expandable member 3334 covers a large portion of the outer surface 905 of the diaper 791. As an alternative to the elastic patch, the expandable member 3334 may be a flexible polymer substrate.

[0073] Each sensor element 1100, 1122, 1133 is positioned on the elastic element of the expandable member 3334. Although Figure 14 The sensor elements 1100, 1122, and 1133 are shown positioned on a resilient patch, but any suitable number of resilient elements can be used. For example, each sensor element 1100, 1122, and 1133 can be positioned on its own expandable member 3334 (e.g., Figure 15 A single sensor element 1133 is shown on its own elastic element 3344.

[0074] Sensor elements 1100, 1122, 1133 and expandable member 3334 can be manufactured together as a disposable patch configured to be placed on the outer surface 905 of diaper 791 before use. Considering sensor element 1133 in more detail, detector unit 871 includes a light source 897 (e.g., a light-emitting diode) and a photodetector 890 (e.g., a photodetector) associated with sensor element 1133. Sensor element 1133 includes two optical fibers 865, 828 and a microtube 911 extending between the two optical fibers 865, 828. Microtube 911 can be metal or plastic. A first end of the first optical fiber 865 is located in front of the light source 897 and is secured to detector unit 871 via attachment point 901. The first optical fiber 865 extends across a portion of the outer surface 905 of diaper 791. For example, in Figure 14 In this structure, a first optical fiber 865 extends across the front of the diaper 791. A second end of the first optical fiber 865 extends partially into the first end of the microtube 911. Figure 14 In this configuration, the microtube 911 is positioned on the front of the diaper 791. The first end of the second optical fiber 828 is located in front of the photodetector 890 in the detector unit 871. The first end of the second optical fiber 828 is not fixed to the detector unit 891, and therefore can move freely toward and away from the photodetector 890. A first gap exists between the photodetector 890 and the first end of the second optical fiber 828. The second optical fiber 828 extends across a large portion of the length of the outer surface 905 of the diaper 791. For example, in... Figure 14In this configuration, optical fiber 828 extends across the front, crotch, and rear of diaper 791, then folds back towards microtube 911. A second end of the second optical fiber 828 extends partially into the second end of microtube 911, such that the two optical fibers 865, 828 are substantially coaxial within microtube 911. A second gap 855 exists between the second ends of the two optical fibers 865, 828 within microtube 911. Sensor elements 1100 and 1122 are constructed in a similar manner to sensor element 1133, wherein their respective microtubes 840 and 920 are arranged at different locations relative to diaper 791.

[0075] Optical fibers 828 and 865 of sensor element 1133 are attached to expandable member 3334, allowing free movement of optical fibers 828 and 865 to allow diaper 791 to expand. For example, optical fibers 828 and 865 may be attached (e.g., glued) to expandable member 3334 only at specific locations, allowing free movement of optical fibers 828 and 865 when diaper 791 expands, particularly within microtube 911. In other examples, optical fibers 828 and 865 may be partially or completely contained within one or more sheaths. Sheaths are attached to expandable member 3334 by any suitable attachment mechanism (e.g., adhesive). Containing optical fibers 828 and 865 within sheaths while diaper 791 expands still allows optical fibers 828 and 865 to move separately from each other within microtube 911.

[0076] like Figure 15 As shown, the expandable member also includes two elastomeric polymers 3525, which are attached between attachment points 3233 on the elastic patch of the expandable member 3334 and attachment points 3233 on the elastic edge 3324 of the diaper 791. The elastic edge 3324 of the diaper 791 corresponds to the elastic edge 1560 of the aforementioned diaper 1600. The elastomeric polymers 3525 provide sensitivity in detecting the expansion of the expandable member 3334.

[0077] In use, sensor element 1133 is configured to provide a sensor signal to detector unit 871, wherein the sensor signal varies according to the amount of stretching of the elastic element. Additional sensor elements 1100 and 1122 are also configured to provide corresponding sensor signals to detector unit 871, wherein each sensor signal varies according to the amount of stretching of the elastic element. For example, detector unit 871 is configured such that the relative displacement between the two optical fibers 865 and 828 (caused by the stretching of the elastic element) results in a change in the amount of light reaching photodetector 890, thereby producing a change in the output signal of photodetector 890. In the unexpanded state, both the first gap (near photodetector 890) and the second gap 855 (in microtube 911) have predetermined sizes, and the detection signal has predetermined values. When the outer surface 905 of diaper 791 expands (due to urine and / or feces entering diaper 791) and the elastic element stretches, the second gap 855 in microtube 911 increases. Diaper expansion can also cause the second end of optical fiber 828 to move further away from photodetector 890, thereby increasing the first gap. These increased gaps cause a decrease in signal at the photodetector 890 (the detection signal is proportional to the increase in gap, and therefore proportional to the volume of urine and / or feces in the diaper), thus indicating that the diaper 791 has swelled. Advantageously, the combination of changes in the first and second gaps 855 results in greater sensitivity to diaper swelling.

[0078] An increase in one or more gaps will only be a few millimeters, but when urine and / or feces enter the interior of the diaper 791, the total distance of the outer surface 905 of the diaper 791 (from its original position) can change by several centimeters. To accommodate this large change, multiple sensor elements are used, such as... Figure 14 As shown, three sensor elements 1100, 1122, and 1133 are spaced apart across the outer surface 905 of the diaper 791. For example, a microtube 911 is located at the front of the diaper 791, a second microtube 840 is located in the crotch area of ​​the diaper 791, and a third microtube 920 is located at the rear of the diaper 791. The microtubes at different locations on the diaper 791 improve the accuracy of detecting bulging. For example, when the diaper 791 is filled with urine and / or feces, the microtube 840 located in the crotch area of ​​the diaper 791 is likely to be the first to detect bulging because it is positioned in the wearer's groin area. Furthermore, different positions are advantageous when the wearer is in different positions (e.g., lying down versus standing) because different parts of the diaper 791 will bulge first depending on the wearer's position.

[0079] Conductivity detector Figure 16 and Figure 17Alternative examples of sensing devices on the outer surface of diaper 1600 are shown. Diaper 1600 corresponds to diapers 1600, 1, and 791 above. In these examples, the detector unit includes a resistive or capacitive detector, and the elastic element is conductive. For example, the elastic element may be made of a conductive polymer. The detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting a change in the length of at least one elastic element. For example, when the diaper expands, the elastic element will stretch, thereby changing its length (as in the case of a resistor). The change in the length of the elastic element causes a change in the detection signal in the detector unit, indicating the expansion of the expandable member.

[0080] exist Figure 16 In the example shown, the sensing device includes a detector unit 5 directly coupled to the expandable member 1602 via a detector unit attachment point 45. The detector unit attachment point 45 may be equivalent to the detector unit attachment point 45 previously described. The expandable member 1602 includes one or more elastic elements 625 extending between a plurality of attachment points 617, 45. The attachment points 617 are connected via the elastic elements 625 to form a meandering pattern. The attachment points 617 are positioned at each turn of the meandering pattern. Figure 16 In this embodiment, detector unit 5 is mounted on the waistband portion of diaper 1600. However, in some examples, detector unit 5 may be positioned at other locations on diaper 1600, such as below the waistband portion. Detector unit attachment point 45 is centrally located at the front of diaper 1600, close to detector unit 5. Other attachment points 617 include six front attachment points and five rear attachment points, wherein the six front attachment points are generally linear and span the front of diaper 1600, and the five rear attachment points are generally linear and span the rear of diaper 1600. The six front attachment points are fixedly attached to the front outer surface of diaper 1600 near the upper front edge of the diaper (i.e., near the waistband). The five rear attachment points are fixedly attached to the rear outer surface of diaper 1600 near the upper rear edge of the diaper (i.e., near the rear waistband). Two elastic elements 625 extend across the front of the diaper 1600 from the central detector unit attachment point 45 in opposite directions toward the two outer front attachment points 617. The remaining elastic elements 625 extend substantially longitudinally (elongatedly) in a meandering pattern. Specifically, two additional elastic elements 625 extend longitudinally (elongatedly) from each of the two outer front attachment points 617 down and up along the front, crotch area of ​​the diaper 1600 to the rear of the diaper 1600, reaching the two outer rear attachment points 617. The elastic elements 625 then connect to the remaining attachment points 617 in a meandering configuration between the front and rear attachment points, with one attachment point at each bend. When the diaper 1600 expands, the elastic elements 625 stretch freely between attachment points 617, 45. The elastic elements 625 are more than... Figure 1 The elastic element in 7 is thinner to allow the elastic element 625 to bend more easily. For example, in Figure 16 In this context, the elastic element 625 can be made of a thin strip, wire, or filament of a conductive elastic material. Figure 16 Examples include attaching a sensing device to the outer surface of a diaper after it has been manufactured, and integrating an expandable component of the sensing device into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing.

[0081] In use, detector unit 5 is configured to detect the expansion of expandable member 1602 by detecting the change in resistance of expandable member 1602 due to length variation. Since elastic element 625 is made of conductive material, the resistance R of elastic element 625 is given by the following formula:

[0082] Where ρ is the resistivity of the conductive elastic element 625, L is the total path length of the elastic element 625, and A is the cross-sectional area of ​​the elastic element 625. When the elastic element 625 is stretched (due to the expansion of the diaper 1600), the path length L increases, thereby increasing the resistance R through the conductive elastic element 625. The change in resistance can be detected using a standard Wheatstone bridge circuit in the detector unit 5. The change in resistance R of the elastic element 625 is a direct result of the increase in the volume of the diaper 1600. In other words, the resistance changes with the volume of urine and / or feces within the diaper 1600. A standard Wheatstone bridge circuit is shown below. Figure 18 As shown. R in the Wheatstone bridge circuit. x It is the unknown resistance of the expansion elastic element 625.

[0083] In alternative examples, such as Figure 17 As shown, the elastic element is conductive and acts as an electrode, allowing the sensing device to form a variable capacitor. For example, the elastic element can be made of a conductive polymer and its thickness can be up to 0.3 mm. Figure 17In this sensing device, a detector unit 5 is directly coupled to an expandable member 1602 via a detector unit attachment point 45. The detector unit attachment point 45 may be equivalent to the detector unit attachment point 45 previously described. The expandable member 1602 includes a plurality of elastic elements extending between the plurality of attachment points. The attachment points include a first set of attachment points 710 connected via one or more first elastic elements to form a first finger pattern 700. The one or more first elastic elements form a first set of one or more first elastic elements. The attachment points also include a second set of attachment points 720 connected via one or more second elastic elements to form a second finger pattern 705. The one or more second elastic elements form a first set of one or more second elastic elements. The first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705 are arranged in an interdigitated finger pattern. More specifically, the first finger pattern 700 includes a longitudinal elastic element 750, which is fixedly attached at one end to the front of the diaper 1600 via an attachment point 710 of a first set of attachment points, and at the other end to the rear of the diaper 1600 via another attachment point 710 of the first set of attachment points. Several transverse elastic elements 755 have their first ends connected to the longitudinal elastic element 750. Each transverse elastic element 755 is also fixedly attached at its other end to a corresponding attachment point. Thus, the transverse elastic elements 755 effectively form the fingers of the first finger pattern 700. These fingers extend toward the centerline of the diaper 1600. The second finger pattern 705 is a mirror image of the first finger pattern 700, but offset from it, such that the transverse elastic elements 755, 717 of each of the first and second finger patterns 705 are interleaved. The second finger pattern 705 includes a longitudinal elastic element 780, which is fixedly attached at one end to the front of the diaper 1600 via an attachment point 720 of a second set of attachment points, and at the other end to the rear of the diaper 1600 via another attachment point 720 of the second set of attachment points. A number of transverse elastic elements 717 have their first ends connected to the longitudinal elastic element 780. Each transverse elastic element 717 is also fixedly attached at its other end to a corresponding attachment point 730. Thus, the transverse elastic elements 717 effectively form the fingers of the second finger pattern 705. These fingers extend toward the center line of the diaper 1600. As described above, the first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705 are interconnected to form an interlaced finger pattern. The transverse elastic elements 755, 717 may have a length covering a large portion of the width of the diaper 1600 (i.e., each extending between the elastic edges 1560 of the diaper 1600 and beyond the center line of the diaper 1600). The two longitudinal elastic elements 750, 780 have a length that covers most of the length of the diaper 1600. For example, the two longitudinal elastic elements 750, 780 cover most of the front, crotch area and back length of the diaper 1600.Two longitudinal elastic elements 750 and 780 are connected to the detector unit 5 via a conductive connector 766, wherein the conductive connector 766 is between the detector unit attachment point 45 and at least one of the attachment points 710 of the first finger pattern 700 and at least one of the attachment points 720 of the second finger pattern 705.

[0084] The first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705 are separated by a gap (e.g., gap 740) between the distal ends of the longitudinal elastic element of one pattern and the transverse elastic element of the other pattern. For example, as Figure 17 As shown, a gap 740 exists between attachment points 730 at the distal ends of the longitudinal elastic elements 750 of the first finger pattern 700 and a transverse elastic element 717 of the second finger pattern 705. There is also a vertical gap between the distal ends of each transverse elastic element (e.g., Figure 17 There is a gap between the top lateral elastic element of the first finger-shaped pattern and the top lateral elastic element of the second pattern. Figure 17 Examples include attaching the sensing device to the outer surface of the diaper after it has been manufactured, and integrating an expandable component of the sensing device into the outer surface of the diaper during manufacturing.

[0085] In use, the detector unit 5 is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member 1602 by detecting capacitance changes caused by length changes in at least one elastic element 750, 755, 780, 717. For example, when the diaper 1600 expands, the lengths of the elastic elements 750, 755, 780, 717 change as the diaper 1600 stretches. These length changes cause a change in the size of the gap 740, resulting in a capacitance change. This capacitance change indicates that the diaper 1600 has expanded. In other words, diaper expansion causes a change in the size of the gap 740. This change in the gap 740 alters the intersection of the first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705. Therefore, the detector unit 5 is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting capacitance changes caused by the change in the intersection of the first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705. For example, when the diaper 1600 expands, the first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705 move separately from each other, changing the amount of overlap between the first finger pattern 700 and the second finger pattern 705. The change in capacitance is detected using a capacitance bridge in the detector unit 5. Figure 19A standard capacitor bridge circuit is shown. Cs is a precise standard capacitor, and Cx is an unknown capacitance provided by the expansion elastic elements 750, 755, 780, and 717 attached to diaper 1600. When urine and / or feces enter diaper 1600, the volume of diaper 1600 expands and the capacitance changes. Q and P are standard resistors, one or both of which are adjustable. An AC power supply is used, and the zero-point detector D must be an AC instrument. A low-current rectified ammeter can be used as the zero-point detector. Adjust Q until the zero-point detector indicates zero. When this value is obtained, the capacitor bridge is balanced. The change in capacitance Cx indicates the volume of urine and / or feces inside diaper 1600. The change in capacitance is proportional to the change in volume, i.e., the amount of urine and / or feces inside diaper 1600.

[0086] Physical exercise Body movements of the diaper wearer (e.g., getting up, walking, and lying down) can affect the sensing capabilities of the sensing device. Body movement can cause changes in the detected signal, leading to inaccurate expansion measurements. A gyroscope or accelerometer based on a MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) capacitor can be used in the detector unit to record any movement of the diaper wearer's body. Appropriate corrections can then be applied electronically and / or in software to distinguish between the actual signal (due to the entry of urine and / or feces and subsequent volume expansion) and any signal changes caused by body movement.

[0087] MEMS gyroscopes, such as Figure 23a As shown, the MEMS gyroscope is configured such that an internal frame containing a resonant mass is connected to a base via springs at a 90-degree angle relative to the resonant motion. Coriolis acceleration is measured by capacitive sensing on electrodes mounted between the internal frame and the base. The gyroscope measures angular velocity (in mV / deg / sec).

[0088] MEMS accelerometers, such as Figure 23b As shown, this is a simple single-axis accelerometer. Two-axis or three-axis accelerometers can be produced by holding multiple sets of capacitors at 90 degrees to each other. The movable plate and the fixed outer plate act as capacitor plates. When acceleration is applied, the proof mass moves accordingly. This creates capacitance between the movable and fixed outer plates. When acceleration is applied (due to body movement), the distance between the two plates changes, and the capacitance changes. The accelerometer measures linear acceleration (in mV / g) along one or more axes.

[0089] power supply Figure 20An electronic control and power supply unit 1520 is schematically illustrated that can be used with any example of the sensing device described above. The control and power supply unit 1520 can house the detector unit described above. The control and power supply unit 1520 may include a signal amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a microcontroller or other processor, memory, a data logger, and a wireless transmission system (e.g., Bluetooth). TM This includes discrete or integrated electronic components, such as FPGAs, DSPs, and ASICs. The electronic control and power supply may have a digital display 1531 configured to display instantaneous volume readings. The electronic control and power supply unit 1520 may also include an audio indicator, for example, to issue an alarm signal if the amount of urine and / or feces in the diaper exceeds a target range. The entire electronic control and power supply may be contained within a housing of unit 1520.

[0090] Measurements determined by the sensing device can be captured at regular intervals and stored in a data logger before being processed by a microprocessor. Measurements can be taken frequently as needed and recorded in the data logger—for example, every minute or hour. Data from the data logger or microprocessor can be transmitted to a remote device or server via a transmission system. This could be a smartphone, laptop, pager, or other device. The remote device can record fluid volume data that can be used for clinical assessment. Clinicians can use this data recording to monitor the degree of patient incontinence.

[0091] The electronic control and power supply unit 1520 may also include a rechargeable button battery for supplying power to the sensing device and the electrical components of the electronic control and power supply unit 1520. The electronic control and power supply unit 1520 provides a voltage of 5V or less. The electronic control and power supply unit 1520 also includes a USB port 1500 through which data can be retrieved from a data logger.

[0092] The electronic control and power unit 1520 can be attached to the diaper via an adhesive pad, hook-and-loop connection mechanism, or the like, or it can be integrated into the housing or enclosure of the sensing device. Alternatively, the electronic control and power unit 1520 can be communicatively coupled to the sensing device. For example, the electronic control and power unit 1520 can be connected via a cable or other suitable wired or wireless power and communication link and is located remotely from the sensing device—for example, in a pocket of the wearer's clothing or on a bedside trolley.

[0093] analyze Using any of the sensing devices described in the preceding examples, the detected signal can be used to generate volume vs. time data. Based on this data, analytical methods (e.g., definite integrals) can be used to calculate diaper fullness parameters, such as a) the volume of urine and / or feces, b) the flow rate of urine, and c) the frequency of expulsion. This is extremely useful for incontinence assessment.

[0094] For example, an empirical method can be used to calculate the volume of urine in a diaper. Multiple experiments were conducted on a range of diapers of different sizes and absorbencies. A known amount of liquid (e.g., saline) was injected into the diaper, and the output signal at a light detector (e.g., light detector 140) was recorded. The volume of liquid could be as high as several liters. Software was used to convert the output signal into the volume of liquid in the diaper. The result was displayed as volume. Converting the output signal (mV) into liquid volume (ml) (using the empirical method described above), volume vs. time data was collected, and a volume vs. time graph could be generated. Using definite integrals, the amount of urine expelled by the wearer over any given time period can be inferred from the area under the curve. The flow rate (dml / dt) of the expelled urine can also be determined at any point during diaper use. This is particularly useful for assessing patient incontinence, which is currently done manually.

[0095] Figure 21 This is an example graph of volume (ml) versus time, used to illustrate how to calculate the volume, flow rate, and drainage frequency of fluid within the diaper. This can be correlated with experimental results. Software algorithms can be used to determine the parameters, and the results can be displayed numerically. For Figure 21 The figure shown illustrates that the volume V of urine / feces excreted by a user within a given time period can be calculated using definite integrals:

[0096] Where y is Figure 21 The example function y = x 2 +2, and x is time. Generally, software can be used to generate the curve equation y = f(x) from the recorded data. The flow rate is calculated as dml / dt, and the frequency is calculated based on the number of events over a period of time.

[0097] Due to the ingress of urine and / or feces, the expanded diaper exerts pressure on the elastic element. This pressure can be calculated using the following formula:

[0098] Where P is the pressure on the elastic element, F is the force on the elastic element, and A is the total area of ​​the elastic element. The force F can be detected using a force detector. Using the above empirical method, the pressure P can be correlated with the volume of liquid inside the diaper. The empirical method involves injecting a known amount of liquid (up to a few liters) into the diaper. This provides an alternative method for detecting the volume inside the diaper under any given circumstances during use. Appropriate software can be compiled based on this method to generate and display numerical values ​​of the volume of urine and / or feces inside the diaper.

[0099] Filtering algorithms can be used to avoid false detections caused by the wearer's movement. For example, time sampling can be used to remove unwanted signals due to the wearer's movement. The sensing device is configured to process the output signal from the detector unit to eliminate transient features caused by the wearer's movement (e.g., when walking around or turning over in bed). Sensor data can be recorded and processed over time to determine the frequency, flow rate, and / or volume of the wearer's urination.

[0100] The sensing device may also include an output device, such as a speaker, display, or light-emitting component (e.g., LED), for providing an indication of diaper fullness. The output device may include electronic circuitry, such as a radio transmitter, configured to send a signal, for example, to a smartphone belonging to a parent, guardian, or caregiver. The indication may be binary (e.g., full or not full) or may indicate the fullness of the diaper.

[0101] The sensing device can be configured to determine when detected displacement in the diaper exceeds a predetermined threshold. An output device can be configured to provide an indication, such as sending a signal, in response to determining that the detected displacement exceeds the predetermined threshold. In this way, the sensing device can be used to provide an alert to parents, guardians, or caregivers: for example, that a diaper worn by an infant, toddler, toddler, child, adult, or animal has become filled with, for example, urine or feces and needs to be changed.

[0102] The initial expansion of the expandable component is measured shortly before or after the diaper is put on, or it may be pre-configured. This initial expansion represents the state or stretch of the diaper 1600 when it is in an unsoaked, "empty" state (i.e., unexpanded). Over time, the sensing device records further expansion measurements at regular intervals. Each further expansion measurement can be compared to the first expansion measurement. If the expansion measurement recorded by the sensing device is larger than a predetermined threshold than the first expansion measurement, indicating significant diaper expansion, the sensing device determines that the diaper is filling or has been filled, for example, with urine and / or feces. Therefore, the sensing device can be arranged to alert the parent or caregiver that the diaper is soiled and therefore needs to be changed—for example, by sending a radio message to a baby monitor device or an app on a parent's or caregiver's mobile phone. In some examples, more sophisticated processing can be performed on the expansion measurements, such as filtering out changes due to the wearer's movement.

Claims

1. A sensing device for attachment to the outer surface of a diaper, the sensing device comprising: An expandable member includes one or more elastic elements extending between a plurality of attachment points, wherein the plurality of attachment points are configured to securely attach the expandable member to the outer surface of the diaper, and wherein the one or more elastic elements are configured to stretch as the plurality of attachment points separate, such that the expandable member is configured to expand in accordance with the expansion of the diaper. as well as A detector unit coupled to the expandable member, wherein the detector unit is configured to detect expansion of the expandable member and is further configured to determine a diaper fullness parameter based on the detected expansion of the expandable member.

2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the size and shape of the expandable member are configured to cover a large portion of the outer surface of the diaper, and at least some of the attachment points are configured to be located on or near the edge of the diaper.

3. The sensing device of claim 2, wherein the size and shape of the expandable member are configured to extend across the entire width of the crotch area of ​​the diaper.

4. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the detector unit comprises one of the following: an optical detector, a resistance detector, or a capacitance detector.

5. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more elastic elements comprise a plurality of elastic elements arranged in a polygon, wherein the plurality of attachment points are located at one or more corners of the polygon.

6. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein the expandable member further comprises one or more lateral elastic elements extending between the plurality of elastic elements.

7. The sensing device of claim 6, wherein one or more lateral elastic elements are concentrated within a specific area of ​​the polygon.

8. The sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more elastic elements comprise an elastic patch, and wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise a plurality of attachment points at the periphery of the elastic patch.

9. The sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more elastic elements comprise an elastic mesh, and wherein the plurality of attachment points comprise a plurality of attachment points at the periphery of the elastic mesh.

10. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting the relative displacement between the plurality of attachment points.

11. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of attachment points includes a detector unit attachment point directly coupled to the detector unit.

12. The sensing device of claim 11, wherein the detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting the relative displacement between the detector unit attachment point and at least one other attachment point.

13. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the relative displacement between the detector unit attachment point and the at least one other attachment point is configured to cause the expandable member to pull the detector unit attachment point in a direction away from the detector unit.

14. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the detector unit comprises a light source and a photodetector, and wherein the detector unit is configured such that the amount of light reaching the photodetector from the light source varies according to the relative displacement between the detector unit attachment point and the at least one other attachment point, thereby generating a variation in the output signal from the photodetector.

15. The sensing device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the plurality of attachment points further comprises: The first attachment point is connected to the detector unit attachment point via a longitudinal elastic element; as well as One or more second attachment points, the one or more second attachment points being connected to the longitudinal elastic element via one or more lateral elastic elements.

16. The sensing device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising a central engagement point connected to the detector unit attachment point via a central elastic element; and The plurality of attachment points further include a plurality of attachment points spaced apart around the central joint point, the plurality of attachment points being connected to the central joint point via respective radial elastic elements.

17. The sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more elastic elements are conductive, and wherein the detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting a change in length of at least one of the one or more elastic elements.

18. The sensing device of claim 17, wherein the detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting the resistance change of the expandable member due to the length change.

19. The sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of attachment points are connected via a plurality of elastic elements to form a meandering pattern, the plurality of attachment points being positioned at each turn of the meandering pattern.

20. The sensing device of claim 17, wherein the detector unit is configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting a change in capacitance caused by the change in length of the at least one elastic element.

21. The sensing device of claim 20, wherein the plurality of attachment points include a first set of attachment points connected via a first set of elastic elements to form a first finger pattern, and a second set of attachment points connected via a second set of elastic elements to form a second finger pattern, wherein the first finger pattern and the second finger pattern are arranged in an interdigitated finger pattern.

22. The sensing device of claim 21, wherein the detector unit is further configured to detect the expansion of the expandable member by detecting a capacitance change caused by the cross-change of the first finger pattern and the second finger pattern.

23. The sensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a sensor element on the one or more elastic elements, the sensor element being configured to provide a sensor signal to the detector unit, wherein the sensor signal varies according to the amount of stretching of the one or more elastic elements.

24. The sensing device according to claim 23, wherein: The detector unit also includes a light source and a photodetector; The sensor element includes two optical fibers, which are arranged such that the stretching of the one or more elastic elements causes a relative displacement between the two optical fibers. and The sensing device is configured such that the relative displacement between the two optical fibers causes a change in the amount of light reaching the photodetector, thereby causing a change in the output signal of the photodetector.

25. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the detector unit comprises a gyroscope or accelerometer configured to detect motion.

26. A diaper and sensing device assembly, comprising: diaper; as well as The sensing device according to any one of the preceding claims; The sensing device includes an electronic control and power supply unit configured to supply power to the sensing device; and The plurality of attachment points of the expandable member are fixedly attached to the outer surface of the diaper.

27. The diaper and sensing device assembly of claim 26, wherein the electronic control and power unit includes the detector unit and is mounted on the waistband of the diaper.

28. The diaper and sensing device assembly of claim 26, wherein the plurality of attachment points of the expandable member are fixedly attached to one of: the front portion of the diaper, the rear portion of the diaper, the crotch area of ​​the diaper, the elastic edge of the diaper, the waistband of the diaper, or a combination thereof.

29. The diaper and sensing device combination according to any one of claims 26 to 28, further comprising one or more additional sensing devices, each of the one or more additional sensing devices being the sensing device; wherein the sensing device and the one or more additional sensing devices are configured to detect expansion at different locations on the outer surface of the diaper.

30. The diaper and sensing device combination according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the electronic control and power supply unit is further configured to calculate at least one of the following: The volume of urine and / or feces inside the diaper; The flow rate of urine within the diaper; and The frequency of urine and / or feces excreted from the diaper.

31. The diaper and sensing device combination of claim 30, wherein the electronic control and power unit is configured to use one or more software algorithms stored on the device to calculate the volume, flow rate and / or frequency, wherein the one or more software algorithms are based on previously collected empirical data.

32. The diaper and sensing device combination of claim 30, wherein the electronic control and power supply unit is further configured to display at least one of the calculated volume, flow rate and / or frequency.

33. The diaper and sensing device combination of claim 30, wherein the electronic control and power unit further includes a wireless transmitter and is further configured to: Store the calculated volume, flow rate, and / or frequency; and The calculated volume, flow rate, and / or frequency are then wirelessly transmitted to a remote device.

34. The diaper and sensing device combination according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the expandable member of the sensing device is integrated into the outer surface of the diaper.

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