Water rupture detection sheet

Abstract

This invention provides a rupture of membranes detection sheet that can distinguish between high rupture of membranes, urinary incontinence, and vaginal discharge. [Solution] The amniotic fluid detection sheet 1 comprises a sheet body 3, a raised portion 5 provided on the inner surface 3a of the sheet body 3 and raised in a mountain-like shape in the thickness direction of the sheet body 3, and a pH detection unit 7 provided on the raised portion 5 that changes color according to pH. The raised portion 5 has a top portion 5a, a front inclined portion 5b, and a rear inclined portion 5c, and the pH detection unit 7 is provided from the top portion 5a to the rear inclined portion 5c.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a rupture of membranes discrimination sheet capable of discriminating a high - level rupture of membranes with a small amount of amniotic fluid flowing out.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a rupture of membranes discrimination pad that allows a pregnant woman to know the rupture of amniotic fluid by wearing it in the same way as a sanitary pad (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This rupture of membranes discrimination pad includes a pH indicator sheet, and by the discoloration of the pH indicator sheet that has absorbed amniotic fluid, the rupture of membranes can be discriminated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional technology described above, rupture of membranes is detected by the color change of a pH indicator sheet. Generally, amniotic fluid is weakly alkaline, for example, with a pH of around 7.0 to 7.5, and vaginal discharge is weakly acidic, for example, with a pH of around 4.5 to 5.5, so it is possible to distinguish between rupture of membranes and vaginal discharge by looking at the pH. However, urine is a neutral or weakly acidic liquid, and the pH of urine fluctuates greatly depending on diet and health condition, for example, within a range of around 5.0 to 8.0. Therefore, there was a problem in that it was difficult to distinguish high rupture of membranes by looking at the pH alone.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a rupture of membranes detection sheet that can distinguish between high rupture of membranes, urinary incontinence, and vaginal discharge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a rupture of amniotic fluid detection sheet, which is worn by a user, comprising: a sheet body; a raised portion provided on one side of the sheet body, which is raised in a mountain-like shape in the thickness direction of the sheet body; and a pH detection portion provided on the raised portion, which changes color according to pH.

[0008] In the amniotic rupture detection sheet of the present invention, a raised portion is provided on one side of the sheet body, which is raised in a mountain-like shape in the thickness direction, and a pH detection unit that changes color according to pH is provided on the raised portion. The user attaches the amniotic rupture detection sheet so that the raised portion is in contact with the vaginal opening. At this time, the mountain-like raised portion allows the user to intuitively and easily position the amniotic rupture detection sheet so that the raised portion is in contact with the vaginal opening. As a result, the vaginal opening from which amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge flows is covered by the raised portion, and the urethral opening from which urine flows is located in front of the raised portion. As a result, the amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge flowing from the vaginal opening comes into contact with the pH detection unit provided on the raised portion, and since amniotic fluid is weakly alkaline (for example, pH 7.0 to 7.5) and vaginal discharge is weakly acidic (for example, pH 4.5 to 5.5), they can be distinguished by the color change of the pH detection unit. On the other hand, since the urethral opening is located in front of the raised portion, the urine flowing from the urethral opening is absorbed into the sheet body without coming into contact with the pH detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pH detection unit from changing color due to urine leakage.

[0009] Based on the above, if the pH detection unit changes color to indicate alkalinity, it indicates high rupture of membranes; if the pH detection unit changes color to indicate acidity, it indicates vaginal discharge; and if the pH detection unit does not change color but the sheet absorbs liquid, it indicates urinary incontinence. Therefore, high rupture of membranes, urinary incontinence, and vaginal discharge can be distinguished. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between high rupture of membranes, urinary incontinence, and vaginal discharge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a simplified plan view showing the external appearance of the water rupture detection sheet according to the embodiment, as seen from the inside. [Figure 2] This is a simplified side view showing the appearance of the water rupture detection sheet according to the embodiment, as seen from the side. [Figure 3]This is a simplified cross-sectional view of the water rupture detection sheet according to the embodiment, corresponding to the III-III section in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a simplified side cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the body and the amniotic rupture detection sheet to illustrate the state in which the amniotic rupture detection sheet according to the embodiment is attached. [Figure 5] This is a simplified side view showing the lateral appearance of a modified water rupture detection sheet, in which the pH detection unit is provided only at the top of the raised portion. [Figure 6] This is a simplified side view showing the lateral appearance of a modified water rupture detection sheet, in which the pH detection unit is provided only on the rearward sloping portion of the raised section. [Figure 7] This is a simplified plan view showing the appearance of a modified water rupture detection sheet, as seen from the inside, with the raised portion having a roughly oval shape. [Figure 8] This is a simplified plan view showing the appearance of a modified water rupture detection sheet, as seen from the inside, with a roughly circular raised section. [Figure 9] This is a simplified side cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the body and the amniotic rupture detection sheet, illustrating the state of attachment of the amniotic rupture detection sheet in a modified example where the raised portion is approximately circular. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a simplified plan view showing the external appearance of the amniotic rupture detection sheet as seen from the inside according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is a simplified side view showing the external appearance of the amniotic rupture detection sheet as seen from the side according to the embodiment; Figure 3 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the amniotic rupture detection sheet according to the embodiment, corresponding to the III-III section in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a simplified side cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional structure of the body and the amniotic rupture detection sheet to represent the state in which the amniotic rupture detection sheet according to the embodiment is worn.

[0013] <Structure of the amniotic rupture detection sheet> The amniotic fluid rupture detection sheet 1 of this embodiment is a sheet worn by the user to detect high rupture of membranes, which is the rupture of a small amount of amniotic fluid. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the amniotic fluid rupture detection sheet 1 has a sheet body 3, a raised portion 5 provided on the inner surface 3a of the sheet body 3 (an example of one side surface) that is raised in a mountain-like shape in the thickness direction of the sheet body 3, and a pH detection portion 7 provided on the raised portion 5 that changes color according to pH. The inner surface 3a is the surface that comes into contact with the user's body when worn.

[0014] The sheet body 3 has a shape in which the length in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in Figure 1; horizontal direction in Figure 2) is longer than the length in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction in Figure 1; direction perpendicular to the paper plane in Figure 2), and the front and back sides, which are the orientation when the user installs it, are set on one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction. In Figure 1, the top side corresponds to the front side and the bottom side to the back side, and in Figure 2, the left side corresponds to the front side and the right side to the back side.

[0015] The raised portion 5 has a apex 5a, which includes a peak, and the peak 5a is positioned behind the central position Pc in the longitudinal direction of the sheet body 3. Furthermore, the raised portion 5 has an elongated shape in which its longitudinal length L is longer than its width length W. Specifically, the width W of the raised portion 5 is greater at the rear than at the front, forming a roughly rice-ball shape. As a result, the raised portion 5 is shaped to match the female external genitalia. The height H of the raised portion 5 is, for example, about 1 to 2 cm.

[0016] The raised portion 5 has a front inclined portion 5b that slopes forward from the top portion 5a and a rear inclined portion 5c that slopes backward from the top portion 5a. The inclination of the front inclined portion 5b is smaller than the inclination of the rear inclined portion 5c, and the dimension of the front inclined portion 5b in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the rear inclined portion 5c in the front-rear direction. The pH detection portion 7 is provided from the top portion 5a to the rear inclined portion 5c. Note that the rear end of the pH detection portion 7 is spaced apart from the sheet body 3. The pH detection portion 7 is a sheet-like member impregnated with a pH indicator whose color changes according to pH, for example, litmus test paper. As shown in FIG. 3, the pH detection portion 7 is embedded inside the raised portion 5 near the surface. Note that, as long as it is a sheet whose color changes according to pH, a sheet other than litmus test paper may be used. Further, the pH detection portion 7 does not necessarily have to be a sheet-like member. For example, the material of the raised portion 5 may be impregnated with a liquid or powder pH indicator, or fibers impregnated with a pH indicator may be woven into the material of the raised portion 5.

[0017] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wings may be provided on both the left and right sides of the sheet body 3 for fixing the rupture discrimination sheet 1 to the user's underwear. Further, guard portions (such as gathers) for preventing lateral leakage of amniotic fluid or urine may be provided on both the left and right sides of the sheet body 3.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the sheet body 3 has an inner surface 3a, a surface material 3b that contacts the user's body, an absorber 3c that absorbs liquid, and a leakage prevention material 3d that covers the outer periphery of the absorber 3c. The surface material 3b is composed of, for example, a non-woven fabric or a mesh-like film sheet. The absorber 3c is composed of a highly absorbent synthetic material 3e (an example of the first material) such as a polymer absorbent polymer. The leakage prevention material 3d is, for example, a film material or a water-repellent non-woven fabric, etc., and prevents the liquid absorbed by the absorber 3c from leaking to the outside. The raised portion 5 is composed of a material different from the sheet body 3, for example, a natural material 5d (an example of the second material) such as organic cotton. The synthetic material 3e that constitutes the absorber 3c of the sheet body 3 has higher water absorption than the natural material 5d that constitutes the raised portion 5. The raised portion 5 is fixed to the surface material 3b of the sheet body 3 by, for example, adhesion.

[0019] Although illustration is omitted, a fixing material (such as an adhesive tape) for fixing the rupture discrimination sheet 1 to the underwear may be provided outside the leak-proof material 3d of the sheet body 3. Further, a surface material covering the natural material 5d may be provided on the surface of the raised portion 5.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the rupture discrimination sheet 1 is worn so that the raised portion 5 abuts against the vaginal opening 11 by the user 9. At this time, due to the presence of the mountain-shaped raised portion 5, the user 9 can position the rupture discrimination sheet 1 easily and by feeling such that the raised portion 5 abuts against the vaginal opening 11. The rupture discrimination sheet 1 is configured such that, when worn by the user 9, the top portion 5a of the raised portion 5 faces the vaginal opening 11, and the front inclined portion 5b of the raised portion 5 faces the urethral opening 13. In addition, in FIG. 4, the sheet body 3 is shown as being sized to cover the anus 15 of the user 9, but it may be sized not to cover the anus 15.

[0021] <Effect of the embodiment> As described above, in the rupture discrimination sheet 1 according to the present embodiment, a raised portion 5 that bulges in a mountain shape in the thickness direction is provided on the inner surface 3a of the sheet body 3, and a pH detection portion 7 whose color changes according to pH is provided on the raised portion 5. The user wears the rupture discrimination sheet 1 so that the raised portion 5 abuts against the vaginal opening 11. At this time, due to the presence of the mountain-shaped raised portion 5, the user can position the rupture discrimination sheet 1 easily and by feeling such that the raised portion 5 abuts against the vaginal opening 11. As a result, the vaginal opening 11 from which amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge flows out is covered by the raised portion 5, and the urethral opening 13 from which urine flows out is located on the front side of the raised portion 5. As a result, the amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge flowing out from the vaginal opening 11 comes into contact with the pH detection portion 7 provided on the raised portion 5. Since amniotic fluid is weakly alkaline (for example, about pH 7.0 to 7.5) and vaginal discharge is weakly acidic (for example, about pH 4.5 to pH 5.5), it can be discriminated by the color change of the pH detection portion 7. On the other hand, since the urethral opening 13 is located on the front side of the raised portion 5, the urine flowing out from the urethral opening 13 is absorbed by the sheet body 3 without coming into contact with the pH detection portion 7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pH detection portion 7 from changing color due to urine leakage.

[0022] Based on the above, if the pH detection unit 7 changes color to indicate alkalinity, it indicates high rupture of membranes; if the pH detection unit 7 changes color to indicate acidity, it indicates vaginal discharge; and if the pH detection unit 7 does not change color but the sheet body 3 absorbs liquid, it indicates urinary incontinence. Therefore, high rupture of membranes, urinary incontinence, and vaginal discharge can be distinguished.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the raised portion 5 is positioned such that its top 5a is located behind the central position Pc in the longitudinal direction of the sheet body 3. As a result, the area of ​​the sheet body 3 is larger on the front side of the raised portion 5 than on the rear side of the raised portion 5. Therefore, when the user attaches the amniotic rupture detection sheet 1 so that the raised portion 5 is in contact with the vaginal opening 11, it is possible to cover the entire external genitalia of the woman and to have a larger area for absorbing urine. Consequently, urine that leaks out due to urinary incontinence can be reliably absorbed on the front side of the raised portion 5 and prevented from coming into contact with the pH detection unit 7.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the raised portion 5 has a vertically elongated shape in which its length L in the longitudinal direction is longer than its length W in the width direction. This allows the raised portion 5 to be shaped to match the shape of a woman's external genitalia. Therefore, the user can intuitively and easily attach the amniotic fluid detection sheet 1 so that the top 5a of the raised portion 5 abuts against the vaginal opening 11.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the raised portion 5 has a top portion 5a, a front inclined portion 5b, and a rear inclined portion 5c, and the pH detection portion 7 is provided from the top portion 5a to the rear inclined portion 5c. As a result, when the amniotic fluid detection sheet 1 is attached so that the raised portion 5 abuts against the vaginal opening 11, amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge flowing from the vaginal opening 11 can be more reliably brought into contact with the pH detection portion 7. In addition, since the urethral opening 13 is located at the front inclined portion 5b of the raised portion 5, urine flowing from the urethral opening 13 is guided forward by the inclination of the front inclined portion 5b, preventing it from coming into contact with the top portion 5a and the rear inclined portion 5c. Therefore, discoloration of the pH detection portion due to urine leakage can be more reliably prevented.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the raised portion 5 is configured such that when the user 9 puts it on, the top portion 5a faces the vaginal opening 11 and the front inclined portion 5b faces the urethral opening 13. This three-dimensional structure of the raised portion 5 allows the urine absorption area (front side of the raised portion 5) to be separated from the installation area of ​​the pH detection unit 7 (upper and rear sides of the raised portion 5). Therefore, discoloration of the pH detection unit 7 due to urine leakage can be prevented more reliably.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sheet body 3 is made of a synthetic material 3e, and the raised portion 5 is made of a natural material 5d that is different from the synthetic material 3e, with the synthetic material 3e having higher water absorption than the natural material 5d. As a result, urine flowing out from the urethral opening 13 located in front of the raised portion 5 is guided forward by the front inclined portion 5b, instantly absorbed and held by the highly absorbent synthetic material 3e of the sheet body 3, and prevented from flowing over or behind the raised portion 5. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent urine from coming into contact with the pH detection unit 7.

[0028] <Variation> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical concept.

[0029] In the above embodiment, the pH detection unit 7 is provided from the top 5a of the raised portion 5 to the rear inclined portion 5c. However, as shown in Figure 5, for example, the pH detection unit 7 may be provided only on the top 5a of the raised portion 5. In this case, amniotic fluid or vaginal discharge flowing out from the vaginal opening 11 can be reliably brought into contact with the pH detection unit 7, and the rear end of the pH detection unit 7 can be separated more widely from the sheet body 3, thereby suppressing the pH detection unit 7 from reacting with urine absorbed by the sheet body 3. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, for example, the pH detection unit 7 may be provided only on the rear inclined portion 5c of the raised portion 5. In this case, the pH detection unit 7 can be separated more widely from the front inclined portion 5b of the raised portion 5, thereby suppressing the pH detection unit 7 from reacting with urine absorbed on the front side of the raised portion 5.

[0030] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the length W in the width direction of the raised portion 5 is made larger on the rear side than on the front side. However, as shown in Figure 7, for example, the length W in the width direction of the raised portion 5 may be approximately the same on the front and rear sides, resulting in a roughly oval shape (roughly elliptical shape). In this case, the shape of the raised portion 5 can be made thinner overall, making it easier to insert into the female vulva.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the raised portion 5 is made vertically elongated, and the front inclined portion 5b of the raised portion 5 is configured to face the urethral opening 13. However, as shown in Figure 8, for example, the raised portion 5 may be made substantially circular, and the length L in the longitudinal direction and the length W in the width direction may be substantially the same. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, the raised portion 5 is configured such that when worn by the user 9, the top portion 5a faces the vaginal opening 11 and the front end of the front inclined portion 5b is positioned behind the urethral opening 13. This three-dimensional structure of the raised portion 5 allows the urine absorption area (the sheet body 3 in front of the raised portion 5) to be separated from the installation area of ​​the pH detection unit 7 (the upper and rear sides of the raised portion). Therefore, discoloration of the pH detection unit 7 due to urine leakage can be prevented more reliably.

[0032] In addition to what has already been described above, the methods according to the above embodiments and the methods according to the modified embodiments may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0033] Furthermore, although not to be exemplified individually, the present invention may be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Water rupture detection sheet 3 Seat Body 3a Inner surface (an example of one side surface) 3b Surface material 3c absorbent 3d leak proof material 3e. Synthetic material (an example of the first material) 5 Protuberance 5a Top 5b Front slope 5c Posterior slope 5d Natural materials (an example of a second material) 7 pH detection unit 9 users 11 Vaginal opening 13 Urethral meatus PC center position

Claims

1. A rupture of amniotic fluid detection sheet, which is attached by the user, The seat body and A raised portion is provided on one side of the sheet body, and is raised in a mountain-like shape in the thickness direction of the sheet body, A pH detection unit is provided in the aforementioned raised portion, and its color changes according to the pH. A sheet for determining whether water has ruptured.

2. The aforementioned seat body is The shape has a length in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the length in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the front and rear sides, which are the orientation when the user attaches it, are set to one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction. The aforementioned raised portion is, It has a vertex including a top, and the top is positioned further back than the center position in the longitudinal direction of the sheet body. The amniotic fluid rupture detection sheet according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned raised portion is, The shape is elongated vertically, with the length in the longitudinal direction being longer than the length in the width direction. The amniotic fluid rupture detection sheet according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned seat body is The shape has a length in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the length in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the front and rear sides, which are the orientation when the user attaches it, are set to one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction. The aforementioned raised portion is, The vertex, including the top, A front inclined portion that slopes from the top toward the front, It has a rearward inclined portion that slopes from the top toward the rear, The pH detection unit is At least one of the aforementioned top and the aforementioned rearward inclined portion is provided, A rupture of membranes detection sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned raised portion is, The device is configured such that, when worn by the user, the top portion faces the vaginal opening and the front inclined portion faces the urethral opening. The amniotic fluid rupture detection sheet according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned raised portion is, When the user inserts the device, the top portion is positioned opposite the vaginal opening and the front end of the front inclined portion is positioned behind the urethral opening. The amniotic fluid rupture detection sheet according to claim 4.

7. The aforementioned seat body is It is composed of the first material, The aforementioned raised portion is, It is composed of a second material different from the first material mentioned above. The first material has higher water absorption than the second material. A rupture of membranes detection sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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