A urine bag overflow monitoring device and early warning method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of medical device technology and provides a urine bag overflow monitoring device and early warning method. The device includes an adhesive part with an adhesive surface and a mounting surface arranged opposite to each other. The adhesive surface is used to attach and fix the device to the outer wall of the urine bag. Capacitive liquid level detection electrodes are disposed on the mounting surface, and all capacitive liquid level detection electrodes are arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height direction of the urine bag to detect changes in liquid level at different heights of the urine bag. This invention adheres the adhesive surface to the outer wall of the urine bag, ensuring a tight fit between the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes and the outer wall, and that they are arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height direction of the urine bag. By placing the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes on the mounting surface, the adhesive part itself has no elongation limit and can freely expand with the urine bag, thereby ensuring that the contact distance and relative position between the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes and the outer wall of the urine bag remain essentially constant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to a urine bag overflow monitoring device and early warning method. Background Technology

[0002] A urine bag is a medical bag-shaped device connected to a urinary catheter for collecting and storing urine. It is mainly used by people who cannot urinate independently or need precise urine volume measurement, such as patients who need to wear an ostomy bag for a long time after cystostomy. Common urine bags mainly rely on manual monitoring by medical staff during use. However, at night or during busy periods for medical staff, it is difficult for nurses to monitor the urine bag in real time. If the urine is not emptied in time, it will not only affect normal drainage, but also increase the risk of infection.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, Chinese Patent (Publication No.: CN116726274A) discloses an intelligent method for processing urine volume in a urine bag, relating to the field of nursing detection technology. This method involves installing electrode strips on the urine bag and determining the urine volume by detecting the capacitance between the electrode strips. Once the urine volume reaches a threshold, urination begins through a valve.

[0004] However, in this device, the electrode strips are fixed to the rear end of the circuit board, which is then glued to the urine bag using double-sided tape or similar methods. The urine bag is a flexible bag and will bulge during urine storage. Although the circuit board in this device is flexible, it can only bend and has extremely low elongation, making it unable to expand synchronously with the urine bag. This causes the contact distance and relative position between the electrode strips and the outer wall of the urine bag to constantly change, resulting in inaccurate capacitance detection signals. Therefore, a urine bag overflow monitoring device and early warning method are needed to solve these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this application is to provide a urine bag overflow monitoring device and early warning method, which solves the problem in existing technologies where the circuit board with electrode strips installed cannot expand synchronously with the bulging of the urine bag, resulting in changes in the contact distance and relative position between the electrode strips and the outer wall of the urine bag, thus leading to inaccurate detected capacitance signals.

[0006] The objective of this application can be achieved through the following technical solutions: The adhesive part has an adhesive surface and a mounting surface that are disposed opposite to each other, and the adhesive surface is used to attach and fix it to the outer wall of the urine bag. A capacitive liquid level detection electrode is disposed on the mounting surface. At least two capacitive liquid level detection electrodes are disposed thereon, and all the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes are arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height direction of the urine bag, for detecting liquid level changes at different heights of the urine bag respectively.

[0007] The principle and effect of the above technical solution are as follows: In use, attach the adhesive surface to the outer wall of the urine bag, ensuring that the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes are tightly fitted to the outer wall of the urine bag and arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height of the urine bag. By placing the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes on the adhesive surface, the adhesive part itself has no elongation limit and can expand freely with the urine bag, thus ensuring that the adhesion distance and relative position between the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes and the outer wall of the urine bag remain essentially unchanged.

[0008] In a further technical solution, the capacitive liquid level detection electrode is a flexible printed electrode, and the capacitive liquid level detection electrode is embedded inside the mounting surface.

[0009] In a further technical solution, the elastic modulus of the adhesive part is set to 0.05MPa to 5MPa, and the elastic modulus of the adhesive part is not higher than 60% of the elastic modulus of the urine bag.

[0010] In a further technical solution, the adhesive part is provided with limiting wings on both sides along the width direction of the urine bag, and the limiting wings are used to cover and adhere to the side wall of the urine bag.

[0011] In a further technical solution, the length of the limiting wing along the width direction of the urine bag is set to 15% to 30% of the width of the adhesive part.

[0012] In a further technical solution, the adhesive part is made of medical-grade elastic flexible substrate, the thickness of the adhesive part is set to 0.3mm~1.5mm, and the adhesive surface is elastic medical pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0013] A further technical solution also includes a buffer layer, wherein the adhesive part further includes a first base layer near the adhesive surface and a second base layer near the mounting surface, and the buffer layer is sandwiched between the first base layer and the second base layer.

[0014] In a further technical solution, the buffer layer adopts a compressible deformation structure, and the elastic modulus of the buffer layer is lower than the elastic modulus of the adhesive part excluding the buffer layer.

[0015] In a further technical solution, the longitudinal length of the buffer layer in the height direction of the urine bag is greater than the longitudinal distribution length of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode, and the upper end of the buffer layer extends 5mm~15mm beyond the upper end of the uppermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode, and the lower end of the buffer layer extends 5mm~15mm beyond the lower end of the lowermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode.

[0016] A method for early warning of a urine bag overflow monitoring device, comprising the following steps: S1. Attach the adhesive surface of the adhesive part to the outer wall of the urine bag, so that the limiting wing covers and is attached to the side wall of the urine bag, and at the same time, the buffer layer is in a compressed pre-tightened state to ensure that all the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes are elastically attached to the outer wall of the urine bag. S2. When the urine bag is empty, the initial capacitance value C0 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode is collected by the signal acquisition unit, and the capacitance change threshold M of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode is preset in the height direction of the urine bag. S3. During the urine storage process, the signal acquisition unit acquires the current capacitance value C of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode and calculates the capacitance change value ΔC=C1-C0 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode. S4. When the capacitance change value ΔC of a certain capacitive liquid level detection electrode is greater than or equal to the capacitance change threshold M of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode, it is determined that the urine level in the urine bag has reached the liquid level height corresponding to the capacitive liquid level detection electrode.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this application are: This invention features an adhesive part with an adhesive surface and an mounting surface that are positioned opposite each other. The adhesive surface is used to attach and fix the capacitive liquid level detection electrode to the outer wall of the urine bag. By placing the capacitive liquid level detection electrode on the mounting surface, the adhesive part itself has no elongation limit and can expand freely with the urine bag, thereby ensuring that the contact distance and relative position between the capacitive liquid level detection electrode and the outer wall of the urine bag remain essentially unchanged.

[0018] This invention incorporates a buffer layer. The adhesive portion further includes a first base layer near the adhesive surface and a second base layer near the mounting surface. The buffer layer is sandwiched between the first and second base layers and employs a compressible deformation structure. The elastic modulus of the buffer layer is lower than that of the adhesive portion excluding the buffer layer. The buffer layer is made of existing medical-grade open-cell polyurethane foam, medical-grade EVA foam, or similar materials. The buffer layer is fixed to the first and second base layers using medical-grade adhesive. When the urine bag inflates, the buffer layer can quickly compress and deform, absorbing the impact force from the inflated urine bag and providing a cushioning effect. Due to its low elastic modulus and high compressibility, the buffer layer deforms more easily and absorbs the impact force from the inflated urine bag more quickly.

[0019] This invention utilizes limiting wings, which are positioned on opposite sides of the adhesive portion along the width of the urine bag. These limiting wings cover and adhere to the sidewalls of the urine bag. After the adhesive surface is attached to the outer wall of the urine bag, the limiting wings are folded towards the sidewalls, covering both sides of the urine bag. This ensures the adhesive layer of the limiting wings adheres tightly to the sidewalls, preventing the adhesive portion from shifting along the width of the urine bag and avoiding detachment due to bag inflation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this application; Figure 2 This is a partial exploded view of this application; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation location of this application.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Adhesive part; 11. Adhesive surface; 12. Mounting surface; 13. Limiting wing; 14. First base layer; 15. Second base layer; 2. Capacitive liquid level detection electrode; 3. Buffer layer. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a urine bag overflow monitoring device and early warning method, including: The adhesive part 1 has an adhesive surface 11 and an mounting surface 12 disposed opposite to each other. The adhesive surface 11 is used to attach and fix to the outer wall of the urine bag. Capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is disposed on mounting surface 12. At least two capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 are disposed, and all capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 are arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height direction of the urine bag, for detecting liquid level changes at different heights of the urine bag respectively.

[0025] In this embodiment, the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is electrically connected to the signal acquisition unit via a flexible wire. The signal acquisition unit is used to acquire the capacitance value of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2. The signal acquisition unit uses a single-chip microcomputer of model STM32L431, which integrates a capacitance detection module. It can acquire the capacitance value of each electrode in real time and transmit the acquired signal to the subsequent early warning module.

[0026] In use, the adhesive surface 11 is attached to the outer wall of the urine bag, ensuring that the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 are tightly fitted to the outer wall of the urine bag and arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height direction of the urine bag. By setting the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 on the mounting surface 12, the adhesive part 1 itself has no elongation limit and can expand freely with the urine bag, thereby ensuring that the adhesion distance and relative position between the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 and the outer wall of the urine bag remain basically unchanged.

[0027] The capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 uses materials such as existing flexible printed electrodes and rolled annealed copper foil.

[0028] Specifically, the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is embedded inside the mounting surface 12.

[0029] In this embodiment, the mounting surface 12 has a groove that matches the size of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2. The capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is embedded in the groove, which can prevent the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 from shifting.

[0030] Specifically, the elastic modulus of the adhesive part 1 is set to 0.05MPa to 5MPa, and the elastic modulus of the adhesive part 1 is not higher than 60% of the elastic modulus of the urine bag.

[0031] In this embodiment, the elastic modulus of the most commonly used disposable plastic urine bags in clinical practice is usually 1.5MPa to 2.0MPa. Taking the elastic modulus of the urine bag as 2.0MPa as an example, the elastic modulus of the adhesive part 1 is 1.2MPa, which is 60% of the elastic modulus of the urine bag. The adhesive part 1 can elastically deform synchronously with the expansion of the urine bag, so that it will not break due to insufficient elasticity, nor will it loosen due to excessive elasticity.

[0032] Specifically, the adhesive part 1 is provided with limiting wings 13 on both sides along the width direction of the urine bag. The limiting wings 13 are used to cover and adhere to the side wall of the urine bag.

[0033] In this embodiment, after the adhesive surface 11 is attached to the outer wall of the urine bag, the limiting wing 13 is folded towards the side wall of the urine bag to cover the left and right side walls of the urine bag, so that the adhesive layer of the limiting wing 13 is tightly attached to the side wall of the urine bag, ensuring that the adhesive part 1 will not shift along the width direction of the urine bag, and at the same time preventing the adhesive part 1 from falling off due to the bulging of the urine bag.

[0034] Specifically, the length of the limiting wing 13 along the width direction of the urine bag is set to 15% to 30% of the width of the adhesive part 1.

[0035] In this embodiment, if the width of the adhesive part 1 is 40mm, the length of the limiting wing 13 can be set to 6mm to fit a narrower urine bag; if the width of the adhesive part 1 is 60mm, the length of the limiting wing 13 can be set to 18mm to fit a wider ostomy bag, ensuring that adhesive parts 1 of different sizes can be stably fixed by the limiting wing 13.

[0036] Specifically, the adhesive part 1 is made of medical-grade elastic flexible substrate, the thickness of the adhesive part 1 is set to 0.3mm~1.5mm, and the adhesive surface 11 is elastic medical pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0037] In this embodiment, if the thickness of the adhesive part 1 is less than 0.3 mm, it will be prone to breakage. If the thickness of the adhesive part 1 is greater than 1.5 mm, it will be too thick, resulting in poor adhesion and discomfort. The adhesive surface 11 of the elastic medical pressure-sensitive adhesive can deform with the adhesive part 1, ensuring that the adhesive surface 11 is always tightly attached to the outer wall of the urine bag, avoiding the adhesive layer from falling off and gaps caused by the stretching of the adhesive part 1.

[0038] Specifically, it also includes a buffer layer 3. The adhesive part 1 also includes a first base layer 14 near the adhesive surface 11 and a second base layer 15 near the mounting surface 12. The buffer layer 3 is sandwiched between the first base layer 14 and the second base layer 15.

[0039] Specifically, the buffer layer 3 adopts a compressible deformation structure, and the elastic modulus of the buffer layer 3 is lower than the elastic modulus of the adhesive part 1 excluding the buffer layer 3.

[0040] In this embodiment, the buffer layer 3 is made of existing medical-grade open-cell polyurethane foam, medical-grade EVA foam, etc., and the buffer layer 3 is fixed to the first base layer 14 and the second base layer 15 by medical-grade adhesive.

[0041] When the urine bag bulges, the buffer layer 3 can quickly compress and deform, absorbing the impact force brought about by the bulging of the urine bag and playing a cushioning role. Because the buffer layer 3 has a low elastic modulus and high compressibility, it is more likely to deform and absorb the impact force brought about by the bulging of the urine bag more quickly.

[0042] By setting the elastic modulus of the buffer layer 3 to be lower than that of the adhesive part 1 excluding the buffer layer 3, when the urine bag inflates, the buffer layer 3 will undergo compression deformation first to absorb the impact force, while the first base layer 14 and the second base layer 15 will remain relatively stable, driving the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 to move synchronously with the urine bag, thus avoiding the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 from breaking or falling off due to excessive deformation of the adhesive part 1.

[0043] Specifically, the longitudinal length of the buffer layer 3 in the height direction of the urine bag is greater than the longitudinal distribution length of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2, and the upper end of the buffer layer 3 extends 5mm to 15mm beyond the upper end of the uppermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2, and the lower end of the buffer layer 3 extends 5mm to 15mm beyond the lower end of the lowermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2.

[0044] In this embodiment, if the longitudinal distribution length of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is 50mm, the longitudinal length of the buffer layer 3 can be set to 70mm. The upper end of the buffer layer 3 extends 10mm beyond the uppermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2, and the lower end of the buffer layer 3 extends 10mm beyond the lowermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2. In this way, the buffer layer 3 covers the area of ​​the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2, making the elastic deformation of the adhesive part 1 more uniform. This avoids gaps in the adhesion caused by the absence of buffer layers 3 above and below the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2, ensuring that the adhesion pressure between all capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 and the outer wall of the urine bag is consistent.

[0045] The working principle of this invention is: In use, first attach the adhesive surface 11 vertically along the height of the urine bag to a flat area on the outer wall of the urine bag, so that the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 are arranged vertically along the urine bag, and ensure that all capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 cover the normal liquid level range of the urine bag from empty to full. Specifically, the lowermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is set at 20%~30% above the bottom of the urine bag in the height direction, and the uppermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is set at 50%~60% above the bottom of the urine bag in the height direction. The spacing between adjacent capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 in the height direction of the urine bag accounts for 10%~20% of the total height of the urine bag. In this way, the liquid level detection range of all capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 can be complete.

[0046] At the same time, the limiting wings 13 are folded over and wrapped around the two side walls of the urine bag and pasted onto the side walls of the urine bag, while the buffer layer 3 is in a compressed and pre-tightened state to ensure that all capacitive liquid level detection electrodes 2 are elastically attached to the outer wall of the urine bag.

[0047] When the urine bag is empty, the initial capacitance value C0 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is collected by the signal acquisition unit, and the capacitance change threshold M of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is preset in the height direction of the urine bag. During urine storage, the signal acquisition unit acquires the current capacitance value C1 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 and calculates the capacitance change value ΔC=C1-C0 for each capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2. When the capacitance change value ΔC of a certain capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2 is greater than or equal to the capacitance change threshold M of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2, it is determined that the urine level in the urine bag has reached the liquid level height corresponding to the capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2.

[0048] In this embodiment, the early warning module includes a main control unit, an audio-visual prompting unit, and a communication unit. The main control unit uses an existing STM32L431 microcontroller to receive the capacitance signals of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode 2. The main control unit is also connected to the audio-visual prompting unit to drive the audio-visual prompting unit. The audio-visual prompt unit includes the existing three-color LED indicator assembly and a passive piezoelectric buzzer. The different colors of the three-color LED indicator correspond to different states of the urine bag, such as safe state, mid-position warning state, high-position overflow state, and emergency fault state. The communication unit uses an existing Bluetooth BLE module or serial-to-WiFi module, and communicates with the STM32L431 microcontroller via UART serial port. The communication unit is used to wirelessly upload information such as real-time liquid level, warning level, electrode working status, and device power supply status to external devices (such as nurse station monitoring host, ward smart terminal, or medical monitoring platform). In use, users can preset different thresholds corresponding to the three-color LED indicator through external devices, thereby realizing the warning of different liquid levels of the urine bag by this device. The devices and control logic used in the above warning module all adopt existing technologies, which will not be described in detail here.

[0049] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0050] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made to this application without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A urine bag overflow monitoring device, characterized by, include: The adhesive part (1) has an adhesive surface (11) and an mounting surface (12) disposed opposite to each other. The adhesive surface (11) is used to attach and fix to the outer wall of the urine bag. A capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) is disposed on the mounting surface (12). At least two capacitive liquid level detection electrodes (2) are disposed. All capacitive liquid level detection electrodes (2) are arranged longitudinally at intervals along the height direction of the urine bag, and are used to detect the liquid level changes at different heights of the urine bag respectively.

2. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) is a flexible printed electrode, and the capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) is embedded in the mounting surface (12).

3. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic modulus of the adhesive part (1) is set to 0.05MPa to 5MPa, and the elastic modulus of the adhesive part (1) is not higher than 60% of the elastic modulus of the urine bag.

4. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adhesive part (1) is provided with limiting wings (13) on both sides along the width direction of the urine bag. The limiting wings (13) are used to cover and stick to the side wall of the urine bag.

5. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The length of the limiting wing (13) along the width direction of the urine bag is set to 15% to 30% of the width of the adhesive part (1).

6. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adhesive part (1) is made of medical grade elastic flexible substrate, the thickness of the adhesive part (1) is set to 0.3mm~1.5mm, and the adhesive surface (11) is elastic medical pressure-sensitive adhesive.

7. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a buffer layer (3), and the adhesive part (1) further includes a first base layer (14) near the adhesive surface (11) and a second base layer (15) near the mounting surface (12), and the buffer layer (3) is sandwiched between the first base layer (14) and the second base layer (15).

8. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The buffer layer (3) adopts a compressible deformation structure, and the elastic modulus of the buffer layer (3) is lower than the elastic modulus of the adhesive part (1) excluding the buffer layer (3).

9. The urine bag overflow monitoring device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The longitudinal length of the buffer layer (3) in the height direction of the urine bag is greater than the longitudinal distribution length of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2), and the upper end of the buffer layer (3) extends 5mm to 15mm beyond the upper end of the uppermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2), and the lower end of the buffer layer (3) extends 5mm to 15mm beyond the lower end of the lowermost capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2).

10. A method for early warning of a urine bag overflow monitoring device is applicable to the urine bag overflow monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The early warning method steps of the urine bag overflow monitoring device are as follows: S1. Attach the adhesive surface (11) of the adhesive part (1) to the outer wall of the urine bag, so that the limiting wing (13) covers and is attached to the side wall of the urine bag, and at the same time, the buffer layer (3) is in a compressed pre-tightened state to ensure that all the capacitive liquid level detection electrodes (2) are elastically attached to the outer wall of the urine bag. S2. When the urine bag is empty, the initial capacitance value C0 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) is collected by the signal acquisition unit, and the capacitance change threshold M of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) is preset in the height direction of the urine bag. S3. During the urine storage process, the signal acquisition unit acquires the current capacitance value C1 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) and calculates the capacitance change value ΔC=C1-C0 of each capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2). S4. When the capacitance change value ΔC of a certain capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2) is greater than or equal to the capacitance change threshold M of the capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2), it is determined that the urine level in the urine bag has reached the liquid level height corresponding to the capacitive liquid level detection electrode (2).

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