Excretion detection device

Abstract

To reduce a sense of incongruity in the abdomen of a subject and to improve detection accuracy.SOLUTION: The excretion detection device 100 includes the attachment 1 detachably attached to the upper end portion of the wearing article 92 worn on the bottom clothes 91 of the target person P or the lower body of the target person P, the main body 2 arranged inside the bottom clothes 91 of the target person P or inside the wearing article 92 and having the gas sensor 4 for detecting the excretion gas generated from the excrement of the target person P, and the connecting member 3 hanging down from the attachment 1 and connecting the attachment 1 and the main body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to an excretion detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, excretion detection devices for detecting whether or not a subject, such as a care recipient or a nursing care recipient, has excreted have been known. For example, the excretion detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is attached to the upper end of a diaper or the like when in use. The excretion detection device detects excretion gas generated from the excretion of the subject. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-59396 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the upper end of a diaper or the like is placed on the abdomen of a subject. Therefore, conventional excretion detection devices attached to the upper end of a diaper or the like may cause discomfort in the abdomen of the subject. Furthermore, if the excretion detection device makes a false detection, it may increase the burden on caregivers and nurses. Therefore, further improvement in the detection accuracy of excretion detection devices is desired.

[0005] The technology disclosed herein has been made in consideration of the above points, and its purpose is to reduce discomfort in the abdomen of a subject and improve detection accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The excretion detection device disclosed herein comprises an attachment that can be detachably attached to the upper end of the subject's bottoms or an article of wear worn on the subject's lower body, a main body that is positioned inside the subject's bottoms or the article of wear and has a gas sensor that detects excretory gases generated from the subject's excrement, and a connecting member that hangs down from the attachment and connects the attachment to the main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The excretion detection device can reduce discomfort in the abdomen of the subject and improve detection accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a subject wearing an excretion detection device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the excretion detection device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body of the excretion detection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body in a cut state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of a subject wearing an excretion detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An exemplary embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of a subject P wearing an excretion detection device 100. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the excretion detection device 100 will be described using the direction of a standing subject P wearing the excretion detection device 100. That is, the front of a standing subject P wearing the excretion detection device 100 will be referred to as "front." The same applies to "rear," "left," "right," "above," and "below."

[0010] The excretion detection device 100 is a device that detects the presence or absence of excrement from a subject P, such as a care recipient or a nursing care recipient. The excrement from the subject P is, for example, feces, urine, etc. from the subject P. The excretion detection device 100 includes an attachment 1, a main body 2, and a connecting member 3 that connects the attachment 1 and the main body 2.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the excretion detection device 100. The main body 2 has a gas sensor 4. Specifically, the main body 2 has a casing 21 with an internal storage space. The gas sensor 4 is disposed in the storage space of the casing 21. In this example, the casing 21 is formed in a substantially circular, flat shape. The main body 2 further has a protrusion 22 that protrudes outward from the main body 2. In this example, the protrusion 22 protrudes upward from the upper end of the main body 2. A battery that supplies power to the excretion detection device 100 may also be disposed in the storage space of the casing 21.

[0012] The gas sensor 4 detects excretion gases generated from the excrement of the subject P. The excretion gases include, for example, acetone, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and methyl mercaptan. The gas sensor 4 is, for example, a semiconductor gas sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, or a quartz crystal oscillator gas sensor. For example, the gas sensor 4 is a VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) gas sensor. The gas sensor 4 detects, for example, the concentration of a target excretion gas. The excretion detection device 100 transmits, for example, the concentration of the excretion gas detected by the gas sensor 4 to a smartphone or the like carried by a caregiver or nurse. In this example, the gas sensor 4 is disposed below the center of the casing 21. More specifically, the gas sensor 4 is disposed at the lower end of the casing 21.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1 , the attachment 1 is detachably attached to the upper end (in other words, the waist portion) of the subject P's bottoms 91 or a wearable item 92 worn on the lower body of the subject P. Belt loops, waist elastic, or the like are arranged at the upper end of the wearable item 92. Belt loops are also called belt loops. The attachment 1 is, for example, a clip, a safety pin, or the like. In this example, the attachment 1 is a clip. The bottoms 91 are clothing worn on the lower body, such as pants or a skirt. In this example, the bottoms 91 are pants. The wearable item 92 is an item that receives excrement from the subject P, such as a diaper or underwear worn on the lower body (e.g., pants). In other words, the wearable item 92 is underwear worn on the lower body of the subject P. In this example, the wearable item 92 is a diaper. In this example, the attachment 1 is attached to the upper end of the subject P's bottoms 91. More specifically, the attachment 1 is detachably attached to a portion of the upper end of the bottoms 91 that faces the abdomen of the subject P (specifically, the front waist of the bottoms 91).

[0014] The connecting member 3 hangs down from the attachment 1. In this example, the connecting member 3 is a flat band. More specifically, the connecting member 3 hangs down from the attachment 1 when the subject P is standing and the attachment 1 is attached to the upper end of the bottoms 91 or the wearing article 92 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "attached state"). In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the excretion detection device 100 will be described when the attachment 1 is in the attached state.

[0015] 2, the connecting member 3 extends in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal length L of the attachment 1 and the connecting member 3 is 40 mm or more and 60 mm or less. In other words, the main body 2 is positioned below the upper end of the bottoms 91 or the wearing article 92 at a distance of 40 mm or more and 60 mm or less.

[0016] Here, for example, the vertical length of a belt loop located at the top of a pair of pants is generally about 45 mm. A belt is inserted through the belt loop, and the top of the pants is pressed against the abdomen of the subject P. That is, the vertical length of the portion of the top of the pants that is pressed against the abdomen of the subject P (hereinafter referred to as the "pressing portion") is generally about 45 mm. If the bottoms are, for example, pajama pants, an elastic waistband is located at the top of the pants to tighten around the abdomen of the subject P, and the vertical width of the elastic waistband is much smaller than the vertical width of the belt loop. Therefore, if the bottoms are, for example, pajama pants, the vertical length of the pressing portion of the pants is much smaller than 45 mm. Thus, the vertical length of the pressing portion of the bottoms is generally about 45 mm or less. Since the aforementioned length L is between 40 mm and 60 mm, the main body 2 is positioned lower than the pressing portion of most bottoms. That is, in most bottoms, the main body 2 is not positioned at the pressing part. The length L is preferably 45 mm or more, more preferably 50 mm or more, and even more preferably 55 mm or more. This allows the main body 2 to be positioned below the pressing part in most bottoms. The length L is, for example, 50 mm.

[0017] The connecting member 3 extends from the main body 2 toward the attachment 1 along the protrusion 22. In this example, one longitudinal end of the connecting member 3 is attached to the attachment 1, and the other longitudinal end of the connecting member 3 is attached to the main body 2 (more specifically, to the upper end of the casing 21). More specifically, the casing 21 has a through-hole 2a that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction at the upper end. The connecting member 3 is inserted into the through-hole 2a and connected to the casing 21. Specifically, the connecting member 3 is inserted into the through-hole 2a and folded back. A folded-back portion 31 and an unfolded portion 32 of the connecting member 3 are connected via a button 35. The protrusion 22 is disposed between the folded-back portion 31 and the unfolded portion 32.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the main body 2 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the main body 2. The outer surface of the casing 21 includes a first outer surface 21a and a second outer surface 21b that face each other in the thickness direction of the casing 21. When the excretion detection device 100 is worn on the subject P, the first outer surface 21a faces the side from the casing 21 to the subject P in the front-rear direction, and the second outer surface 21b faces the side from the subject P to the casing 21 in the front-rear direction. The casing 21 is formed with ventilation holes 23 that allow excretion gas to pass through. In this example, the casing 21 is formed with a plurality of ventilation holes 23.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body 2 in a cutaway state. The casing 21 has a first storage chamber 25 that stores the gas sensor 4. The first storage chamber 25 is an example of a "storage chamber." The aforementioned ventilation hole 23 is formed in the outer wall of the first storage chamber 25. Exhaust gas flows into the first storage chamber 25 through the ventilation hole 23. The casing 21 may further have a second storage chamber 26 that stores electronic components other than the gas sensor 4. The first storage chamber 25 is partitioned by a plurality of walls 28. The wall 28 is disposed between the first storage chamber 25 and the second storage chamber 26. The first storage chamber 25 and the second storage chamber 26 are isolated from each other by the wall 28. That is, the exhaust gas that flows into the first storage chamber 25 is prevented from moving to the second storage chamber 26 by the wall 28.

[0020] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 3. Corner portion 25C formed by two of the multiple walls 28 that are connected to each other has a rounded shape. In this example, corner portion 25C formed by a wall 28 of the multiple walls 28 that is disposed between first storage chamber 25 and second storage chamber 26 and a wall 28 connected to said wall 28 has a rounded shape.

[0021] The main body 2 further includes a plate-shaped electronic board 5. The electronic board 5 is disposed so that its thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction of the subject P (see also FIG. 1). Here, "coinciding" includes not only a strict coincidence but also a general coincidence. Specifically, the thickness direction of the electronic board 5 coincides with the thickness direction of the casing 21. When the excretion detection device 100 is worn on the subject P, the thickness direction of the casing 21 coincides with the front-rear direction of the subject P. In other words, the thickness direction of the electronic board 5 coincides with the front-rear direction of the subject P. The electronic board 5 includes a first surface 5a facing the subject P and a second surface 5b facing the first surface 5a. The first surface 5a is one of the two surfaces of the electronic board 5 in the thickness direction, and the second surface 5b is the other of the two surfaces of the electronic board 5 in the thickness direction.

[0022] In this example, the electronic board 5 extends from the first housing chamber 25 through the wall 28 to the second housing chamber 26. To prevent exhaust gas from flowing from the first housing chamber 25 to the second housing chamber 26, there is no gap, or even if there is a gap, it is very small, between the electronic board 5 and the inner circumferential surface 28a of the through-hole in the wall 28 through which the electronic board 5 passes. The gas sensor 4 described above is attached to the first surface 5a of the electronic board 5. More specifically, the gas sensor 4 is attached to a portion of the first surface 5a of the electronic board 5 that is located inside the first housing chamber 25.

[0023] The above-mentioned ventilation hole 23 is formed in the outer wall of the first housing chamber 25, biased toward the side from the second surface 5b toward the first surface 5a in the thickness direction of the electronic substrate 5. In this example, the ventilation hole 23 is formed in a portion of the outer wall of the first housing chamber 25 excluding a portion 25P that faces the second surface 5b of the electronic substrate 5. In other words, the ventilation hole 23 is not formed in the portion 25P.

[0024] The electronic board 5 includes a processor, a storage device, a memory, and a communication device. The processor controls the entire excretion detection device 100. The processor performs various types of arithmetic processing. For example, the processor is formed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor may be formed of an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a system LSI, or the like. The storage device stores programs executed by the processor and various types of data. For example, the storage device stores control programs. The storage device is formed of a non-volatile memory, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The memory temporarily stores data, etc. For example, the memory is formed of a volatile memory. The communication device communicates with, for example, a smartphone carried by a caregiver, nurse, or the like.

[0025] Next, an example of how to use the excretion detection device 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a side view of the subject P wearing the excretion detection device 100. A caregiver, nurse, or the like attaches the attachment 1 to the upper end of the bottoms 91 of the subject P. In this example, the main body 2 is placed inside the bottoms 91 of the subject P. More specifically, the main body 2 is placed inside the bottoms 91 of the subject P and outside the wearing article 92. The gas sensor 4 detects, for example, the concentration of excreted gas, and the concentration of excreted gas is transmitted to a smartphone or the like carried by the caregiver, nurse, or the like via a communication device. The caregiver, nurse, or the like determines whether the subject P has excreted or not based on the concentration of excreted gas displayed on the smartphone. The caregiver, nurse, or the like may distinguish between feces and urine excretion based on the waveform of the change in the excreted gas concentration over time.

[0026] According to this excretion detection device 100, the attachment 1 is attached to the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92 of the subject P. The main body 2 is connected to the attachment 1 via a connecting member 3, which hangs down from the attachment 1. This allows the main body 2 to be positioned lower than the attachment position of the attachment 1 at the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92. The upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92 tends to be pressed against the abdomen of the subject P. By moving the main body 2 away from the abdomen of the subject P, it is possible to reduce discomfort in the abdomen of the subject P. In addition, because the main body 2 can be positioned lower than the attachment position of the attachment 1 at the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92, the gas sensor 4 can be closer to the excrement of the subject P than when the main body 2 is attached to, for example, the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92. Furthermore, since the main body 2 is positioned further inside the bottoms 91 or the wearing article 92 than when the main body 2 is attached to the upper end of the bottoms 91 or the wearing article 92, the gas sensor 4 is less susceptible to odors from the external environment. As a result, the detection accuracy of the excretion detection device 100 can be improved.

[0027] In particular, by setting the longitudinal length L of the attachment 1 and the connecting member 3 to 40 mm or more, the main body 2 can be positioned below the pressing portion in most bottoms, effectively reducing discomfort in the abdomen of the subject P. Furthermore, the aforementioned effect of improving detection accuracy can be effectively achieved. Furthermore, by setting the longitudinal length L of the attachment 1 and the connecting member 3 to 60 mm or less, discomfort in the lower abdomen of the subject P caused by the presence of the excretion detection device 100 can be reduced. Furthermore, in this example, the gas sensor 4 is positioned below the center of the casing 21, and therefore the gas sensor 4 can be brought closer to the excrement of the subject P than, for example, when the gas sensor 4 is positioned above the center of the casing 21.

[0028] Furthermore, since the main body 2 is disposed inside the bottoms 91 and outside the wearable article 92, the main body 2 will not be soiled with excrement of the subject P. As a result, the excrement detecting device 100 can be used repeatedly.

[0029] Furthermore, the attachment 1 is detachably attached to the upper end of the bottoms 91 or the wearable article 92 at a portion facing the abdomen of the subject P. This allows the main body 2 to be positioned in front of the subject P. As a result, when the subject P is lying on his / her back, the main body 2 is positioned above the subject P, and the excretion detection device 100 does not get in the way.

[0030] Furthermore, the main body 2 has a protrusion 22 that protrudes outward from the main body 2, and the connecting member 3 extends from the main body 2 toward the attachment 1 along the protrusion 22. As a result, even if the main body 2 tilts forward or backward while the excretion detection device 100 is in use, the protrusion 22 comes into contact with the connecting member 3, thereby preventing the main body 2 from tilting. In other words, the posture of the main body 2 is stabilized. In particular, in this example, the protrusion 22 is disposed between the folded portion 31 and the unfolded portion 32 of the connecting member 3. As a result, the protrusion 22 comes into contact with the connecting member 3 both when the main body 2 tilts forward and when it tilts backward, further stabilizing the posture of the main body 2.

[0031] Furthermore, because the corners 25C of the first storage chamber 25 of the main body 2 are rounded, exhaust gas that has flowed into the first storage chamber 25 is prevented from accumulating at the corners 25C. As a result, the detection accuracy of the gas sensor 4 can be further improved. Furthermore, the gas sensor 4 is attached to the first surface 5a, one of the two surfaces in the thickness direction of the electronic substrate 5, facing the subject P. This allows the gas sensor 4 to be directed toward the subject P, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of the gas sensor 4. In addition, the vent hole 23 is formed in the outer wall of the first storage chamber 25, biased toward the side facing the first surface 5a, on which the gas sensor 4 is attached, from the second surface 5b, one of the two surfaces in the thickness direction of the electronic substrate 5, on which the gas sensor 4 is not attached. This prevents exhaust gas that has flowed into the space between the outer wall of the first storage chamber 25 and the second surface 5b of the electronic substrate 5, from flowing out of the main body 2 via the vent hole 23, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of the gas sensor 4.

[0032] Other Embodiments As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Furthermore, the components described in the above embodiment can be combined to create new embodiments. Furthermore, the components described in the accompanying drawings and detailed description may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the accompanying drawings or detailed description should not be interpreted as immediately determining that these non-essential components are essential.

[0033] For example, the attachment 1 does not have to be attached to a portion of the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92 of the subject P that faces the abdomen of the subject P. For example, the attachment 1 may be attached to a portion of the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92 of the subject P that faces the waist of the subject P (more specifically, the back waist). The attachment 1 may be detachably attached to the upper end of the wearing item 92 of the subject P. In this case, the main body 2 may be disposed inside the wearing item 92 of the subject P.

[0034] The shape of the casing 21 is not limited. For example, the casing 21 may be formed in a substantially rectangular, flat shape. The main body 2 does not have to have the protrusion 22. The corner portion 25C of the first storage chamber 25 does not have to be rounded.

[0035] The connecting member 3 is not limited to a band, and may be, for example, a string-like member.

[0036] The arrangement of the gas sensor 4 relative to the casing 21 is not limited. For example, the gas sensor 4 may be arranged above the center of the casing 21. The gas sensor 4 may be attached to the second surface 5b of the electronic board 5.

[0037] [Aspect] The above embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0038] (Mode 1) The excretion detection device 100 comprises an attachment 1 that is detachably attached to the upper end of the subject P's bottoms 91 or an article of wear 92 worn on the lower body of the subject P, a main body 2 that is positioned inside the subject P's bottoms 91 or the article of wear 92 and has a gas sensor 4 that detects excretory gases generated from the subject P's excrement, and a connecting member 3 that hangs down from the attachment 1 and connects the attachment 1 to the main body 2.

[0039] According to this configuration, the attachment 1 is attached to the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92 of the subject P. The main body 2 is connected to the attachment 1 via the connecting member 3, which hangs down from the attachment 1. Therefore, the main body 2 can be positioned lower than the attachment position of the attachment 1 at the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92. The upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92 tends to be pressed against the abdomen of the subject P. By moving the main body 2 away from the abdomen of the subject P, it is possible to reduce discomfort in the abdomen of the subject P. In addition, because the main body 2 can be positioned lower than the attachment position of the attachment 1 at the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92, the gas sensor 4 can be closer to the excrement of the subject P than when the main body 2 is attached to, for example, the upper end of the bottoms 91 or wearing item 92. Furthermore, since the main body 2 is positioned further inside the bottoms 91 or the wearing article 92 than when it is attached to the upper end of the bottoms 91 or the wearing article 92, the gas sensor 4 is less susceptible to odors from the external environment. These factors contribute to improving the detection accuracy of the excretion detection device 100.

[0040] (Aspect 2) In the excretion detection device 100 according to aspect 1, the connecting member 3 extends in the longitudinal direction, and the length L of the attachment 1 and the connecting member 3 in the longitudinal direction is 40 mm or more and 60 mm or less.

[0041] According to this configuration, by setting the longitudinal length L of the attachment 1 and the connecting member 3 to 40 mm or more, the aforementioned effects of reducing discomfort in the abdomen of the subject P and improving detection accuracy can be effectively achieved. Furthermore, by setting the longitudinal length L of the attachment 1 and the connecting member 3 to 60 mm or less, discomfort in the lower abdomen of the subject P caused by the presence of the excretion detection device 100 can be reduced.

[0042] (Aspect 3) In the excretion detection device 100 described in aspect 1 or aspect 2, the main body 2 has a protrusion 22 protruding outward from the main body 2, and the connecting member 3 extends from the main body 2 toward the attachment 1 along the protrusion 22.

[0043] According to this configuration, even if the main body 2 tilts forward or backward during use of the excretion detection device 100, the protrusion 22 comes into contact with the connecting member 3, thereby preventing the main body 2 from tilting. In other words, the posture of the main body 2 is stabilized.

[0044] (Aspect 4) In the excretion detection device 100 described in any one of aspects 1 to 3, the main body 2 further has a storage chamber (first storage chamber 25) that stores the gas sensor 4, and the storage chamber is partitioned by a plurality of walls 28, and a corner portion 25C formed by two walls 28 that are connected to each other among the plurality of walls 28 has a rounded shape.

[0045] This configuration prevents exhaust gas that has flowed into the accommodation chamber from accumulating at the corner portion 25C, thereby further improving the detection accuracy of the gas sensor 4.

[0046] (Aspect 5) In the excretion detection device 100 described in any one of aspects 1 to 4, the main body 2 further has a plate-shaped electronic board 5 arranged so that its thickness direction coincides with the front-to-back direction of the subject P, and the gas sensor 4 is attached to the surface (first surface 5a) facing the subject P out of both surfaces in the thickness direction of the electronic board 5.

[0047] According to this configuration, the gas sensor 4 is directed toward the subject P, and therefore the detection accuracy of the gas sensor 4 can be further improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100 Excretion detection device 1 Attachment 2 Main unit 22 Protrusions 25 First Detention Room (Detention Room) 25C corner 3 Connecting members 4 Gas Sensors 5 Electronic board 5a First side (side facing the subject) 91 Bottoms 92 Worn items L Length of attachment and connecting member P Target Audience

Claims

1. An attachment that is detachably attached to the upper end of the subject's bottoms or an article of wear worn on the subject's lower body; a main body having a gas sensor disposed inside the bottoms or inside the wearable article of the subject, the gas sensor detecting excretory gases generated from the excrement of the subject; An excretion detection device comprising a connecting member that hangs down from the attachment and connects the attachment to the main body.

2. The excretion detection device according to claim 1, The connecting member extends in a longitudinal direction, An excretion detection device, wherein the longitudinal length of the attachment and the connecting member is 40 mm or more and 60 mm or less.

3. The excretion detection device according to claim 1 or 2, The main body has a protrusion that protrudes outward from the main body, The connecting member extends from the main body along the protrusion toward the attachment.

4. The excretion detection device according to claim 1 or 2, the main body further includes a chamber for accommodating the gas sensor; The storage chamber is partitioned by a plurality of walls, The excretion detection device, wherein a corner portion formed by two walls connected to each other among the plurality of walls has a rounded shape.

5. The excretion detection device according to claim 1 or 2, The main body further includes a plate-shaped electronic substrate arranged so that a thickness direction thereof coincides with a front-back direction of the subject, The gas sensor is attached to one of the two surfaces of the electronic board in the thickness direction that faces the subject.

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