Body fluid detection system, body fluid detection method, and program

Abstract

To provide a body fluid detection system, body fluid detection method, and program that are economical, hygienic, and capable of easily identifying the absorption state of body fluid in an absorber of an absorbent article.SOLUTION: A body fluid detection system 1 for detecting the spread of body fluid in an absorber 13 of an absorbent article 10 comprises a portable terminal 2 and a sensor unit 3 communicable with the portable terminal 2. The sensor unit 3 includes a control device 4 communicable with the portable terminal 2 and a sensor structure 5 electrically connected to the control device 4. The sensor structure 5 has a band-shaped region 51 extending from the control device 4 and a detection region 52 having a plurality of detection portions 56 for detecting body fluid. The sensor structure 5 is attached to an inner surface of a crotch portion 73 of shorts 7 worn by a wearer, and the detection region 52 is positioned so as to overlap the absorber 13 in a thickness direction Z.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a body fluid detection system for detecting the spread of body fluids in absorbent articles (sanitary napkins, disposable diapers) that have a function of absorbing body fluids such as urine and menstrual blood. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, body fluid detection systems that detect the spread of body fluids in the absorbent body of an absorbent article are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a body fluid detection system in which a plurality of electrode groups are formed on the surface of one of a plurality of sheets that make up an absorbent article, and the body fluid detection system can detect the spread of body fluids based on changes in impedance between the plurality of electrode groups. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2018-118072A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The body fluid detection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 can detect the spread of body fluids with high accuracy by measuring changes in impedance between a pair of electrodes, thereby making it possible to determine when to replace an absorbent article based on its absorption performance.

[0005] However, this detection system requires inserting a sheet with an electrode group into an absorbent article, which comes into contact with body fluids. Therefore, reusing the sheet is unhygienic, and it is assumed to be discarded after one use, resulting in high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the sheet with the electrode group, which is non-combustible, must be removed from the absorbent article, which is disposed of as combustible waste, and then separated and disposed of, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, the wearer cannot visually determine when the absorbent article needs to be replaced due to the spread of body fluids, which makes it less convenient.

[0006] The present invention relates to an improvement over conventional body fluid detection systems, and relates to the provision of a body fluid detection system, a body fluid detection method, and a program that are economical, hygienic, and easy to understand the absorption status of body fluids in the absorbent body of an absorbent article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention of the present application relates to a body fluid detection system for detecting the spread of body fluids in an absorbent body of an absorbent article, the body fluid detection system comprising a mobile terminal and a sensor unit capable of communicating with the mobile terminal, the sensor unit including a control device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal and a sensor structure electrically connected to the control device, the sensor structure comprising a band-shaped region extending from the control device and a detection area having a plurality of detection elements that detect body fluids, the sensor structure being attached to the inner surface of the crotch portion of shorts worn by a wearer, and the detection area being positioned so as to overlap the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

[0008] In one embodiment of the first invention of the present application, the detection unit is a color sensor having a light receiving element and a light emitting element made up of an LED.

[0009] In one embodiment of the first invention of the present application, the sensor structure is a flexible substrate having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, a trunk extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of branch portions extending in the width direction from both sides of the trunk, and the detection portion is arranged at a predetermined interval between the trunk and the branch portions.

[0010] In one embodiment of the first invention of the present application, the mobile terminal has a terminal display unit, and when a dedicated application is launched, a distribution map showing the state in which each detection element in the detection area of ​​the sensor structure detects discoloration due to menstrual blood, and a graph showing the absorption rate of the absorbent body are displayed on the main screen of the terminal display unit.

[0011] The second invention of the present application relates to a body fluid detection method for detecting the spread of body fluids in an absorbent body of an absorbent article, comprising the steps of detecting discoloration caused by body fluids using a plurality of detection units of a sensor structure arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article, image-processing the detection results of each of the detection units and transmitting them to a mobile terminal, and displaying, on a terminal display unit of the mobile terminal, a distribution map corresponding to the detection of each of the detection units and a graph showing the absorption rate of the absorbent body.

[0012] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a program for executing steps of the body fluid detection method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the body fluid detection system, body fluid detection method, and program of the present invention, a sensor structure is placed in the crotch area of ​​the shorts worn by the wearer, and the spread and absorption rate of body fluids in the absorbent body of the absorbent article are detected, allowing the wearer to grasp the absorption status of body fluids in real time using a mobile device and to notify the wearer of the appropriate time to replace the absorbent article. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a body fluid detection system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of underwear equipped with a body fluid detection system. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the state inside the underwear in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the communication state between a mobile terminal (smartphone) and a sensor unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sensor structure disposed on the inner side of underwear. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a sensor structure relative to an absorbent article. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] 1A is a diagram showing the sensor structure and distribution map before and after the body fluid is diffused, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the sensor structure and distribution map after the body fluid is diffused. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a sensor structure is arranged on a disposable diaper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a body fluid detection system 1 for detecting the spread of body fluid in an absorbent article 10 according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal 2 such as a smartphone, and a sensor unit 3 capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 2.

[0016] Here, in the present invention, "absorbent article 10" refers to absorbent articles that absorb bodily fluids (menstrual blood, urine), such as sanitary napkins that absorb menstrual blood, as well as disposable diapers that absorb urine. In this specification, sanitary napkins will be mainly described as absorbent articles used in the bodily fluid detection system 1, but the bodily fluid detection system 1 can also be used in disposable diapers in the same way.

[0017] Furthermore, "shorts worn by a wearer" includes not only sanitary shorts for attaching a sanitary napkin, but also underwear for children, women, and men that is worn to cover a disposable diaper. Furthermore, the term "shorts worn by a wearer" is not limited to underwear, and includes any type of clothing that can be worn on the lower body while wearing a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, or the like, as long as the technical effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0018] The mobile terminal 2 downloads and executes a dedicated application from a server device (not shown) consisting of a computer, and includes a terminal communication unit, a terminal storage unit, a terminal operation unit, a terminal display unit, and a terminal processing unit. The mobile terminal 2 starts up the application and performs operations related to various settings in response to operations on the terminal operation unit (buttons, screen display, etc.) by the user (a person wearing the absorbent article).

[0019] The server device provides the mobile terminal 2 with a program relating to a dedicated application in response to a request from the mobile terminal, and includes a server communication unit, a server storage unit, and a server processing unit.

[0020] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 is assumed to be a multi-function mobile phone (smartphone) with a touch panel, but may also be a notebook personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game console, a tablet PC, or the like.

[0021] The sensor unit 3 has a control device 4 capable of communicating with a mobile terminal, a sensor structure 5 electrically connected to the control device 4, and a battery 6 that supplies power to the control device 4 and the sensor structure 5.

[0022] The sensor structure 5 is disposed between the wearer's shorts (undergarments) 7 and the absorbent article 10. The control device 4 is housed in a pocket of the wearer's sanitary shorts, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The battery 6 may be one that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and specifically may be, for example, a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery 6 is removably attached to the control device 4 via a connecting cord.

[0023] The control device 4 includes a control board 4a housed in a plastic housing, and has a control communication unit for transmitting and receiving the body fluid detection signal transmitted from the sensor structure 5, a control memory unit for recording the detection signal, and a control processing unit for processing the detection signal for BLE transmission and controlling the detection interval for detecting body fluid in the sensor structure 5. In the control board 4a, for example, detection of body fluid by the sensor structure 5 is performed by a comparator, control of the light emitting elements of the color sensor is performed by an MPU (microprocessor unit), and the detection time oscillation means is performed by a crystalline lens.

[0024] 4 and 5, the sensor structure 5 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and has a longitudinal direction Y and a width direction X perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y, a strip-shaped region 51 extending from the control device 4, and a detection region 52 having a function of detecting bodily fluids. The detection region 52 has a shape including a tip portion 53, a trunk portion 54 extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of branch portions 55 extending from both sides of the trunk portion 54. A plurality of detection portions (sensors) 56 are arranged on the flexible printed circuit of the sensor structure 5.

[0025] In this embodiment, the detection unit 56 is a color sensor. The color sensor is composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element is preferably an LED. LED light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by the coloring caused by the body fluid absorbed by the absorbent article 10, and this reflected light reaches the light-receiving element. The light-receiving element can identify the color type of the coloring based on the wavelength.

[0026] 5, the sensor structure 5 has four branches 55 extending from each side of the trunk 54, for a total of nine branches 55 including the portion forming the tip 53. A plurality of detecting units 56 are arranged at predetermined intervals between the trunk 54 and the branches 55; in the illustrated example, four are arranged on the trunk and 15 on each branch. Therefore, a total of 19 detecting units 56 are arranged. The spacing between the detecting units 56 depends on the external dimensions of the sensor structure 5, but is preferably 1.0 to 5.0 cm.

[0027] Referring to Figure 2, sanitary shorts 7, shown as an example of shorts of the present invention, have a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, a front body section 71, a back body section 72, and a crotch section 73 located between the front and back body sections 71, 72 and adapted to come into contact with the wearer's crotch region.

[0028] The outer shape of the garment is formed by a body fabric 74. The body fabric 74 is made of a stretchable fabric (two-way stretch fabric), and suitable materials for this fabric include woven rubber fabric, polyurethane fibers such as spandex, rayon fibers, cotton thread, acrylic fibers, and nylon fibers.

[0029] In the front body part 71 of the sanitary shorts, a pocket fabric 75 is sewn to the outer surface of a main fabric 74. The pocket fabric 75 is sewn around the entire periphery except for the pocket opening edge 75a, and a pocket 77 is formed between the pocket fabric 75 and the main fabric 74.

[0030] 3, the control device 4 of the sensor unit 3 is housed in the pocket 77. Specifically, the control device 4 is housed in the pocket 77 with the band-shaped region 51 of the sensor structure 5 inserted through an insertion hole 77a formed in the bottom surface of the pocket 77. In this way, because the control device 4 is safely housed in the pocket 77 of the sanitary shorts 7, there is no risk of the control device 4 interfering with the wearer's movements or falling off while the shorts are being worn.

[0031] 3 and 5, the sensor structure 5 has its non-skin-facing surface attached to the crotch region 73 of the sanitary shorts 7. Specifically, the sensor structure 5 is disposed so that its tip end is located on the rear body region 12 side of the sanitary shorts 7.

[0032] 6 and 7, the sanitary napkin 10 has a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing surface, a liquid-permeable topsheet 11, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 12, an absorbent body 13 interposed between the top and backsheets 11, 12, and a pair of wing portions 14 extending from both sides of the absorbent body 13. The skin-facing side of the wing portions 14 is provided with an adhesive region 17 made of an adhesive coated with release paper.

[0033] The topsheet 11 is made of a liquid-permeable material containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin, and suitable examples of suitable materials include air-through fiber nonwoven fabric, point-bonded nonwoven fabric, and spun-bonded nonwoven fabric. Examples of thermoplastic synthetic resins include, but are not limited to, olefin polymers such as ethylene and propylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The topsheet has a mass of, for example, about 10 to 50 g / m. 2 and has a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 2.0 mm.

[0034] The backsheet 12 is made of a material containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin that is liquid-impermeable or liquid-impermeable, and for example, a plastic film or a laminate of a plastic film and a fibrous nonwoven fabric can be suitably used. Examples of the fibrous nonwoven fabric include, but are not limited to, spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) fibrous nonwoven fabric, air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric, point-bond fibrous nonwoven fabric, and spunbond fibrous nonwoven fabric. The above-mentioned synthetic resins can be used as the thermoplastic synthetic resin. The backsheet 12 has a mass of, for example, about 10 to 50 g / m 2 and has a thickness of about 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 are preferably made of materials containing the same type of resin.

[0035] The wing sections 14 are formed by a top sheet 11, a back sheet 12, and both side sheets 15 arranged on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 11. The both side sheets 15 are joined to both longitudinal edges of the absorbent body by known means such as a hot melt adhesive or thermal welding.

[0036] The absorbent body 13 has curved front and rear edges 13a, 13b, linearly extending side edges 13c, 13d, a core wrap sheet formed from a liquid-permeable fibrous nonwoven fabric or tissue paper, and a core material wrapped in the core wrap sheet.

[0037] The core material can be composed of either or both of known absorbent polymer particles and absorbent fibers. Examples of absorbent polymers include, but are not limited to, starch-based, acrylic acid-based, and amino acid-based polymers. Examples of absorbent fibers include, but are not limited to, natural pulp fibers such as wood fluff pulp, recycled fibers such as rayon staple, and mixtures thereof.

[0038] When attaching a sanitary napkin 10 having such a configuration to sanitary shorts 7, the same as when attaching it to ordinary women's shorts, first peel off the release paper located on the non-skin-facing side of the wing portion 14 to expose the adhesive area 17, and then fold the wing portion 14 with the non-skin-facing side of the sanitary napkin 10 facing the crotch portion 73 to attach the adhesive area 17 to the outer surface of the crotch portion.

[0039] At this time, the sensor structure 5 is disposed in the crotch portion 73 of the sanitary shorts 7, and the absorbent body 13 of the sanitary napkin 10 and the sensor structure 5 are positioned so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction Z.

[0040] Specifically, the tip 53 of the sensor structure 5 is located inside the rear edge 13b of the absorber 13 in the longitudinal direction, and the detection area 52 of the sensor structure 5 is entirely disposed within the absorber 13. That is, in the detection area 52, the tip 53 is located opposite the rear edge 13b of the absorber 13, and multiple branch portions 55 extending on both sides from the trunk portion 54 are located opposite both side edges 13c, 13d of the absorber 13.

[0041] In this state, when menstrual blood is discharged onto the sanitary napkin 10, the menstrual blood first penetrates the topsheet 11 at the center of the absorbent body 13 and enters the interior. As the menstrual blood is absorbed into the absorbent body 13, the detection unit 56 determines the color type of the reddish menstrual blood in the detection area 52 of the sensor structure 5 arranged on the underside thereof, and detects the coloring caused by the absorption and diffusion of the menstrual blood.

[0042] Since menstrual blood gradually diffuses from the center of the absorbent body 13 in all directions, in the front-to-back and side-to-side directions of the sanitary napkin 10, it gradually diffuses from the detection unit 56 located in the trunk portion 54 to the portion of the absorbent body 13 located above the detection unit 56 in the branch portion 55, and discoloration is detected by the multiple detection units 56. Information on the detection of discoloration by each detection unit 56 is sent from the control device 4 to the mobile terminal 2 via the server.

[0043] Referring to Figures 8(A) and (B), when the wearer operates the mobile terminal 2 to launch a dedicated application, the main screen of the terminal display unit 2a displays a screen showing the current usage status of the sanitary napkin 10, i.e., the menstrual blood absorption level.

[0044] In the center of the main screen is a distribution diagram 61 showing the state in which each detection unit 56 in the detection area 52 of the sensor structure 5 detects coloration, and above that is a graph 62 showing the absorption rate of the absorber 13. The distribution diagram 61 has a design that corresponds to the shape of the detection area 52 of the actual sensor structure 5 and the arrangement of the detection units 56, and when each corresponding detection unit 56 detects coloration, the white dots 61a change (light up) to red, etc.

[0045] In addition, above the graph 62 is an alarm unit 63 that notifies the user by text, alarm sound, vibration, etc. when it is time to change the sanitary napkin 10 based on the absorption rate of the absorbent body 13 and the degree of diffusion of menstrual blood, and below the distribution diagram 61 are buttons 64 for starting (START) and stopping (STOP) the application, as well as application operation tabs 65 for settings, download, transmission functions, etc.

[0046] Referring to Figure 8(A), when the sanitary napkin 10 is absorbing menstrual blood MB in the central part of the absorbent body 13, only the dot 61a corresponding to the detection unit 56 located in the central part of the detection area 52 lights up in the distribution diagram 61, and the graph 62 shows that the absorption rate is 63%.

[0047] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 8(B), after a predetermined time has passed, when the menstrual blood MB has been further absorbed and diffused within the absorbent body 13, not only the central part of the detection area 52 but also the dot 61a corresponding to the detection part 56 located in the branch part 55 is lit in the distribution diagram 61, and the graph 62 shows that the absorption rate is 90%.

[0048] In this way, the terminal display unit 2a of the portable terminal 2 displays the distribution map 61 and graph 62 linked to the detection information of the coloration based on the menstrual blood MB detected by the detection unit 56 of the sensor structure 5, allowing the wearer to visually check in real time the diffusion status and absorption rate of the menstrual blood in the sanitary napkin 10. This allows the wearer to know voluntarily when to replace the sanitary napkin 10 and to replace it promptly before the absorbent body 13 exceeds its absorption capacity and menstrual blood leaks out between the topsheet 11 and the body without being absorbed.

[0049] Furthermore, if the app is running, even if the wearer is not looking at the terminal display unit 2a, when the diffusion range of menstrual blood MB and / or the absorption rate of the absorbent body 13 exceeds a predetermined level, the warning unit 63 will sound an alarm or vibrate to notify the wearer that it is time to replace the sanitary napkin 10, thereby preventing menstrual blood MB from leaking sideways to the outside.

[0050] In the detection unit 56 of the sensor structure 5, the detection interval for detecting coloring is preferably once every 10 seconds to once every 5 seconds, i.e., a detection cycle (frequency) of 0.1 to 0.2 Hz. At such a detection cycle, the light-emitting element of the LED of the color sensor emits light, and the coloring is detected by the light-receiving element.

[0051] The following experiment was carried out to confirm the accuracy of the algorithm of the body fluid detection system 1 according to the present invention.

[0052] First, a mannequin was prepared and fitted with sanitary shorts 7 with the sensor structure 5 attached and a sanitary napkin 10. Artificial menstrual blood (5 to 30 ml) was dripped onto the mannequin, and the diffusion distribution of the artificial menstrual blood in the sanitary napkin 10 was photographed. The measurement was carried out 50 times (N=50). The artificial menstrual blood was a mixture of appropriate amounts of paint (red and black) and water.

[0053] Images (50 images) of sanitary napkins 10 onto which artificial menstrual blood had been dripped were each processed and binarized, and the diffusion distribution for the required amount of artificial menstrual blood dripped and the absorption rate (partial) of the absorbent body 13 were analyzed to determine the algorithm.

[0054] Additionally, the accuracy of the algorithm was confirmed by having three adult female subjects wear six different types of sanitary napkins from different manufacturers six times each during their menstrual period. Based on data from actual subjects, the accuracy rate was calculated using the formula: Accuracy = True Positives (normal data) + True Negatives (abnormal data) ÷ Total Sample Count, which was 0.88. Therefore, the algorithm was confirmed to have a high accuracy rate.

[0055] 9 shows an embodiment of the body fluid detection system 1 according to the present invention in one example of another embodiment, in which a disposable diaper 80 is used as the absorbent article. Specifically, the disposable diaper 80 includes a front waist panel 81, a rear waist panel 82, and a liquid-absorbent structure 83 fixed to the front and rear waist panels 81, 82. A sensor structure 5 is disposed between the wearer's shorts (not shown) and the liquid-absorbent structure 83 of the disposable diaper 80, and urine absorbed and diffused in an absorber 84 within the liquid-absorbent structure 83 can be detected.

[0056] Even in such an embodiment, the detection unit (color sensor) 56 of the sensor structure 5 can distinguish the color type based on the hue of the urine and detect the discoloration. To enable the detection unit 56 to detect the discoloration, for example, an indicator element that shows a color reaction when it comes into contact with urine may be disposed on the back surface of the absorber 84. The indicator can be formed by applying an indicator (e.g., a pH indicator) or by using a hot melt adhesive containing an indicator. In addition, it is preferable that the indicator is disposed in a position overlapping the detection unit 56 of the sensor structure 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Body fluid detection system 2. Mobile devices 3 Sensor Unit 4. Control device 5 Sensor structure 7. Shorts (menstrual shorts) 10. Absorbent articles (sanitary napkins, disposable diapers) 51 zonal area 52 Detection Area 54 Executives 55 Branch 56 Detection unit 61 Distribution diagram showing how each detection part in the detection area of ​​the sensor structure detects staining caused by menstrual blood 62 Graph showing the absorption rate of absorbers X Width direction Y Longitudinal direction Z thickness direction

Claims

1. A body fluid detection system for detecting the spread of body fluid in an absorbent body of an absorbent article, the body fluid detection system including a mobile terminal and a sensor unit capable of communicating with the mobile terminal, the sensor unit includes a control device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal and a sensor structure electrically connected to the control device; the sensor structure has a strip-shaped area extending from the control device and a detection area having a plurality of detection portions for detecting bodily fluids; The body fluid detection system has the sensor structure attached to the inner surface of the crotch portion of shorts worn by the wearer, and the detection area is positioned so as to overlap the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

2. 2. The body fluid detection system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a color sensor having a light receiving element and a light emitting element made of an LED.

3. The body fluid detection system of claim 1, wherein the sensor structure is a flexible substrate having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, a trunk extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of branch portions extending in the width direction from both sides of the trunk, and the detection portions are arranged at a predetermined interval between the trunk and the branch portions.

4. 2. The body fluid detection system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal has a terminal display unit, and when a dedicated application is launched, a distribution map showing how each detection element in the detection area of ​​the sensor structure detects discoloration due to menstrual blood, and a graph showing the absorption rate of the absorbent body are displayed on a main screen of the terminal display unit.

5. A body fluid detection method for detecting the spread of body fluid in an absorbent body of an absorbent article, comprising: detecting discoloration due to bodily fluids by a plurality of detecting units of a sensor structure disposed on a non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article; a step of performing image processing on the detection results of each of the detection units and transmitting the image to a mobile terminal; A body fluid detection method comprising a step of displaying, on a terminal display unit of the mobile terminal, a distribution map corresponding to the detection of each of the detection units and a graph showing the absorption rate of the absorbent body.

6. A program for executing the steps recited in claim 5.

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