Absorbent article and method for determining defecation and urination

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that can accurately determine whether excrement is defecation or urination.SOLUTION: An absorbent article (1) includes: a liquid absorptive absorber (2); a liquid permeable sheet (3) disposed on a skin side in a thickness direction as compared to the absorber (2); and a liquid impermeable sheet (4) disposed on a non-skin side in the thickness direction as compared to the absorber (2). The absorbent article includes: a skin-side electrode (11) between the liquid permeable sheet (3) and the absorber (2); and a non-skin-side electrode (12) between the liquid impermeable sheet (4) and the absorber (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article and a method for determining defecation and urination. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known absorbent articles equipped with an excretion detection function that detects the excretion of urine and notifies the user, such as disposable diapers. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a moisture sensor equipped with a pair of electrodes is disposed inside the absorbent body of the diaper, and electricity flows between the electrodes due to moisture when urine is excreted, thereby making it possible to detect urination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-223386 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, in situations where bedridden elderly people wear diapers in nursing facilities, there has been a demand for accurate determination of the presence or absence of excretion and whether the excretion is feces or urine, even when the diaper is still on, from the viewpoint of reducing the burden on caregivers. However, while conventional absorbent articles with an excretion detection function such as that in Patent Document 1 can detect the presence or absence of excretion, they cannot determine whether the excretion is feces or urine, and caregivers have to take the trouble of opening the diaper to check every time excretion occurs.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its object is to provide an absorbent article that is capable of accurately determining whether excrement is feces or urine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention to achieve the above object is: In a stretched state, the sheet has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which intersect with each other, A liquid-absorbing absorbent body; A liquid-permeable sheet disposed closer to the skin in the thickness direction than the absorbent body; A liquid-impermeable sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction; An absorbent article having a skin-side electrode is provided between the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorbent body; a non-skin-side electrode is provided between the liquid-impermeable sheet and the absorbent body, the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each include a conductive part and a liquid-impermeable sheet member arranged to be laminated on the conductive part in the thickness direction, The skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each have a liquid-impermeable region in at least a portion of the side opposite to the side where the liquid-impermeable sheet member is provided in the thickness direction. We have At least a pair of the non-skin-side electrodes are provided and spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, at least one pair of the skin-side electrodes is provided spaced apart from each other by a distance different from the predetermined distance in the width direction, a distance between the pair of skin-side electrodes in the width direction is wider than a distance between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes in the width direction; The absorbent article is characterized by the above. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that makes it possible to accurately determine whether excrement is feces or urine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a developed state of a diaper 101. Fig. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line XX in Fig. 1A. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent pad 1. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are schematic plan and cross-sectional views for explaining an example of the configuration of a pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an excrement detection circuit using an absorbent pad 1. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the principle of detecting urine when it is excreted. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the principle of detecting feces when the feces is excreted. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an example of a process for determining whether a patient is defecate or urinates using the absorbent pad 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of a process for determining feces / urination using the absorbent pad 1 in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] At least the following points will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which intersect with each other when stretched, the absorbent article comprising a liquid-absorbing absorbent body, a liquid-permeable sheet arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction, and a liquid-impermeable sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction, the absorbent article being characterized in that it has a skin-side electrode between the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorbent body, and a non-skin-side electrode between the liquid-impermeable sheet and the absorbent body.

[0010] With such an absorbent article, it is possible to measure changes over a predetermined period of time between the skin-side capacitance value detected by the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side capacitance value detected by the non-skin-side electrode. Since the behavior of the changes in the skin-side capacitance value and the non-skin-side capacitance value differs between when urinating and when defecation occurs, by monitoring the behavior of these changes, it is possible to accurately determine whether the excrement is feces or urine.

[0011] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that at least a pair of the non-skin side electrodes are provided, spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction.

[0012] In such an absorbent article, when moisture such as urine adheres between a pair of non-skin-side electrodes spaced apart in the width direction, a current flows between the electrodes, causing a change in the capacitance or resistance value detected between the electrodes. By measuring the amount of this change, it is possible to accurately determine whether urine or feces has been excreted.

[0013] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that at least a pair of the skin-side electrodes are provided in the width direction, spaced apart by a distance different from the predetermined distance.

[0014] With such an absorbent article, it is possible to determine whether urine or feces has been excreted by measuring the amount of change in capacitance or resistance, just as with the non-skin-side electrodes. In addition, because the skin-side electrodes and the non-skin-side electrodes are positioned at positions offset from each other in the width direction, it is easy to connect detection devices, etc. to each electrode.

[0015] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the distance between the pair of skin-side electrodes in the width direction be greater than the distance between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes in the width direction.

[0016] With such an absorbent article, the spacing of the skin-facing electrodes, which are more easily reached by urine, is wider, which makes it possible to suppress the increase in capacitance and the decrease in resistance relative to the non-skin-facing electrodes, thereby preventing the limit value of the skin-facing electrodes from being exceeded first, which makes it impossible to make a judgment based on a combination of fluctuations in the skin-facing and non-skin-facing sides.

[0017] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the distance between the pair of skin-side electrodes in the width direction is 40 mm or more.

[0018] According to such an absorbent article, the widthwise spacing of the skin-side electrodes is not too narrow, so that, for example, when the diaper is placed on the narrow crotch area, noise caused by contact between the electrodes is suppressed, making it difficult for erroneous detection to occur. Also, it is easy to appropriately adjust the upper and lower limits of the capacitance and resistance values ​​detected between the electrodes.

[0019] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the distance between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes in the width direction is 40 mm or more.

[0020] In such an absorbent article, the widthwise spacing of the non-skin-side electrodes is not too narrow, which reduces noise generation during use and makes it difficult for erroneous detection to occur. Also, it is easy to appropriately adjust the upper and lower limits of the capacitance and resistance values ​​detected between the electrodes.

[0021] In such an absorbent article, it is preferable that the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each detect the presence or absence of excrement by coming into contact with excrement.

[0022] In such an absorbent article, the direct contact between the excrement and the electrodes facilitates the flow of current between the electrodes via the moisture contained in the excrement, and therefore, compared to a case where the excrement and the electrodes are not in contact, the change in capacitance and resistance detected between the electrodes becomes clearer, making it easier to assess the excrement more accurately.

[0023] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each include a conductive part and a liquid-impermeable sheet member arranged and laminated on the conductive part in the thickness direction.

[0024] In such an absorbent article, the liquid-impermeable sheet member limits contact between the conductive part and excrement on one side of the conductive part in the thickness direction, while the conductive part is more likely to come into contact with excrement on the other side of the conductive part in the thickness direction. In other words, the effect of contact between the conductive part and excrement can be limited to one side in the thickness direction. This makes it possible to select, for example, whether to detect the effect of the skin side (top sheet side) of the skin-side electrode or the effect of the non-skin side (absorbent body side) of the skin-side electrode.

[0025] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that both the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode are provided with the liquid-impermeable sheet member on the same side in the thickness direction.

[0026] In such an absorbent article, the conductive parts of the electrodes are exposed on the same side in the thickness direction, so that when connecting a detection device or the like to each electrode, it is possible to connect the connection parts to the same side in the thickness direction, facilitating the installation of the detection device or the like.

[0027] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that both the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode include the liquid-impermeable sheet member on the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

[0028] In such an absorbent article, the conductive parts of each electrode are exposed on the skin side in the thickness direction, which makes it easier for the conductive parts of each electrode to come into contact with the excrement excreted on the skin side of the absorbent article, making it easier to detect the excrement more accurately.

[0029] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the width of the liquid-impermeable sheet member is greater than the widths of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode.

[0030] Such an absorbent article can easily prevent contact between the conductive part and excrement on the side in the thickness direction where the liquid-impermeable sheet member (base sheet) is provided. In other words, it is easy to prevent the excrement from reaching the conductive part by wrapping around both sides in the width direction of the liquid-impermeable sheet member. This makes it easy to limit the effect of contact between the conductive part and excrement to one side in the thickness direction (the side where the liquid-impermeable sheet member is not provided).

[0031] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode have a liquid-impermeable region in at least a portion of the thickness direction opposite to the side on which the liquid-impermeable sheet member is provided.

[0032] According to such an absorbent article, the area through which electricity can pass in each electrode can be limited. This makes it possible to suppress the amount of change in capacitance and resistance detected between the electrodes to a low level, compared to when all areas between the electrodes are electrically conductive. Therefore, even if the amount of urine or other liquid absorbed by the absorbent increases, it is difficult for the lower limit of the resistance value or the upper limit of the capacitance value to be exceeded, and accurate measurements can be performed.

[0033] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the area of ​​the liquid impermeable region on the front side of the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the liquid impermeable region on the rear side of the center.

[0034] According to such an absorbent article, by increasing the area of ​​the liquid impermeable region in the longitudinal front (ventral) region where a large amount of urine is easily discharged and electricity is easily conducted between the electrodes, the change in capacitance and resistance detected between the electrodes can be suppressed to a low level. As a result, even if the amount of urine absorbed by the absorber increases, it is difficult for the lower limit of the resistance value or the upper limit of the capacitance value to be exceeded, and more accurate measurements can be performed.

[0035] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the thickness of the liquid permeable sheet is greater than the thicknesses of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode.

[0036] In such an absorbent article, by making the thickness of the liquid impermeable sheet (top sheet) as thick as possible, it becomes easier to prevent direct contact between the wearer's body (skin) and the skin-side electrodes when the absorbent article is worn, and this can reduce the probability of erroneous detection of resistance values ​​and capacitance values.

[0037] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the ends of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode are located outside at least one of the ventral end and the dorsal end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] In such an absorbent article, both the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode are disposed to extend to the longitudinal end region of the absorbent article. Therefore, when connecting a detection device or the like to each electrode, the connection work with each electrode can be performed in the longitudinal end region. This makes it possible, for example, to easily attach and detach the detection device even when the wearer is wearing the absorbent article.

[0039] Furthermore, a method for determining defecation / urination has been revealed, which is characterized in that in an absorbent article having a liquid-absorbent absorbent, a liquid-permeable sheet arranged on the skin side of the absorbent in the thickness direction, and a liquid-impermeable sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent in the thickness direction, the method comprises: a skin-side capacitance detection process for detecting the magnitude of capacitance using a skin-side electrode provided between the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorbent; a non-skin-side capacitance detection process for detecting the magnitude of capacitance using a non-skin-side electrode provided between the liquid-impermeable sheet and the absorbent; and a determination process for determining whether the excrement excreted in the absorbent article is feces or urine based on the amount of change in capacitance detected during a predetermined period in the skin-side capacitance detection process and the amount of change in capacitance detected during the predetermined period in the non-skin-side capacitance detection process.

[0040] According to this method for determining defecation / urination, it is possible to detect changes over a predetermined period of time between the skin-side capacitance value detected by the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side capacitance value detected by the non-skin-side electrode. Since the behavior of changes in the skin-side capacitance value and the non-skin-side capacitance value differs between when urinating and when defecation occurs, by measuring the behavior of these changes, it is possible to accurately determine whether the excrement is feces or urine.

[0041] In such a method for determining defecation / urination, it is desirable to determine that urine has been excreted if the amount of change in capacitance detected by the skin-side electrode during the specified period is greater than or equal to a specified value and the amount of change in capacitance detected by the non-skin-side electrode during the specified period is greater than or equal to the specified value, and to determine that feces has been excreted if the amount of change in capacitance detected by the skin-side electrode during the specified period is greater than or equal to a specified value and the amount of change in capacitance detected by the non-skin-side electrode during the specified period is less than the specified value.

[0042] According to this method for determining defecation / urination, since urine permeates the absorbent body, when the person urinates, both the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode are electrically conductive, and the capacitance is likely to change significantly. On the other hand, since feces does not permeate the absorbent body much, when the person urinates, the skin-side electrode is electrically conductive and the capacitance changes significantly, but the non-skin-side electrode is less likely to be electrically conductive, and the capacitance is less likely to change. Therefore, by utilizing this property, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the excrement is feces or urine.

[0043] In such a method for determining defecation / urination, it is desirable to utilize the difference between the timing at which the capacitance detected by the skin-side electrode changes and the timing at which the capacitance detected by the non-skin-side electrode changes during the specified period as an additional indicator for determining urination.

[0044] According to this method for determining defecation / urination, when urination occurs, there is a certain time difference between when the urine reaches the skin-side electrode provided on the skin side of the absorbent, when it permeates the absorbent, and when it reaches the non-skin-side electrode provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent. Therefore, by taking into account the difference in the timing at which the capacitance detected by each electrode changes, it is possible to perform a more accurate urination determination.

[0045] In such a method for determining defecation / urination, if the timing at which the capacitance detected by the skin-side electrode changes is the same as the timing at which the capacitance detected by the non-skin-side electrode changes during the specified period, it is desirable to determine that this is noise.

[0046] According to this method for determining whether or not a person is urinating, the non-skin-side capacitance should normally start to change a certain amount of time after the skin-side capacitance starts to change. Therefore, if the timing at which the skin-side capacitance and the non-skin-side capacitance start to change is the same, this is different from normal urination behavior, and so erroneous determinations can be suppressed by treating this as noise.

[0047] It is desirable for such a method for determining defecation and urination to include a skin-side resistance detection process that detects the magnitude of the resistance value using the skin-side electrode, and to utilize the degree to which the resistance value detected by the skin-side electrode recovers after a change during the specified period as an additional indicator for determining urination.

[0048] According to this method for determining defecation and urination, the resistance value detected by the skin-side electrodes when urination occurs is low immediately after urination because electricity is conducted between the skin-side electrodes, and tends to become high after a certain time has passed because the urine is absorbed by the absorbent and electricity is no longer conducted between the skin-side electrodes. Therefore, by considering the degree of change over time (degree of recovery) of the resistance value detected by the skin-side electrodes, it is possible to perform urination determination more accurately.

[0049] In such a method for determining defecation / urination, it is desirable to utilize the degree to which the capacitance value detected by the skin side electrode recovers after a change during the specified period as an additional indicator for determining defecation / urination.

[0050] According to this method for determining whether or not a person has defecates, the feces adhering to the skin side of the absorbent body remains there without being absorbed, and the capacitance detected by the skin-side electrode is unlikely to change even after a predetermined time has passed. Therefore, by considering the degree of change over time in the capacitance detected by the skin-side electrode (degree of recovery), it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not a person has defecates.

[0051] ===First embodiment=== As an example of an absorbent article according to the first embodiment, an absorbent pad 1 that absorbs excrement such as urine and feces will be described. The absorbent pad 1 is attached to the inside of a general disposable diaper (for example, disposable diaper 101 described later) when in use.

[0052] <Basic configuration> (Disposable Diapers 101) First, a disposable diaper 101 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "diaper 101") to which the absorbent pad 1 is to be attached will be described. Fig. 1A is a schematic plan view showing the diaper 101 in an unfolded state. Fig. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the XX cross section in Fig. 1A. Note that although the diaper 101 shown in Fig. 1A is a so-called tape-type disposable diaper, the absorbent pad 1 can also be attached to other types of disposable diapers (for example, pants-type disposable diapers) for use.

[0053] 1A and 1B, the diaper 101 has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that intersect with one another. The front side in the longitudinal direction is the portion that is located on the abdominal side of the wearer when the diaper 101 is worn, and the rear side in the longitudinal direction is the portion that is located on the dorsal side of the wearer. The skin side in the thickness direction is the side that comes into contact with the wearer's body (skin) when the diaper 101 is worn, and the non-skin side in the thickness direction is the side that does not come into contact with the wearer's body (skin).

[0054] The diaper 101 has an absorbent core 111 formed containing a liquid-absorbent material such as pulp fiber, a liquid-permeable top sheet 121 covering the absorbent core 111 from the skin side in the thickness direction, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 131 covering the absorbent core 111 from the non-skin side, and a pair of fastening tapes 141 provided on both ends in the width direction on the rear side (back side) in the longitudinal direction. The developed shape of the diaper 101 is a substantially hourglass shape having a longitudinal direction and a width direction, as shown in Fig. 1A. In other words, the central part in the longitudinal direction is narrowed inward in the width direction. The narrowed portion is applied to the wearer's crotch as the crotch portion, the portion longitudinally on the ventral side of the crotch portion is applied to the wearer's lower abdomen as the front body, and the portion longitudinally on the dorsal side of the crotch portion is applied to the wearer's buttocks as the back body, and the front body and the back body are fastened together by fastening tapes 141. In this way, diaper 101 is fitted around the wearer's lower body.

[0055] The absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment is placed and attached to the skin side of the topsheet 121 of the diaper 101. Then, when the wearer puts on the diaper 101 in this state, the absorbent pad 1 is attached to the lower body of the wearer together with the diaper 101. In some cases, an anti-skin adhesive part made of a hot melt adhesive or a male member of a hook-and-loop fastener may be provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent pad 1 to fix the absorbent pad 1 so that it does not move relative to the diaper 101 after being placed thereon.

[0056] (1 absorbent pad) Next, the absorbent pad 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent pad 1. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the absorbent pad 1 has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction as three directions perpendicular to each other. These directions correspond to the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the thickness direction in Fig. 1, respectively.

[0057] The absorbent pad 1 is an absorbent article attached to the skin side of a diaper 101 when used, and has a generally hourglass shape with the longitudinal center narrowed inward in the width direction as shown in Fig. 2. The absorbent pad 1 has an absorbent body 2, a top sheet 3 arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body 2 in the thickness direction, a leakproof sheet 4 arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 2 in the thickness direction, and a back sheet 5 arranged on the non-skin side of the leakproof sheet 4. The absorbent pad 1 is also provided with electrodes 10 for detecting urination and defecation. Materials adjacent to each other in the thickness direction are joined to each other by a bonding material such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0058] The absorbent body 2 is a liquid-absorbent member having an absorbent core 21 and a core wrap sheet 22. The absorbent core 21 contains a polymer absorbent (super absorbent polymer, hereinafter also referred to as "SAP") and liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers, and is formed in a generally hourglass shape with the center in the longitudinal direction narrowed inward in the width direction, similar to the absorbent pad 1 (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent core 21 has a two-layer structure having a skin-side core layer 21A provided on the skin side in the thickness direction and a non-skin-side core layer 21B laminated on the non-skin side of the skin-side core layer 21A. However, the absorbent core 21 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure having three or more core layers. The core wrap sheet 22 is a liquid-permeable sheet member that covers the absorbent core 21, and is made of, for example, tissue paper or the like.

[0059] The configuration of the absorbent body 2 is not limited to the above, and examples include a SAP sheet in which a SAP layer is attached to a hydrophilic sheet, and an airlaid sheet in which liquid absorbent fibers are formed into a sheet by an airlaid method.

[0060] The top sheet 3 is a liquid-permeable sheet member (liquid-permeable sheet) disposed closest to the skin in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1, and is a member that comes into direct contact with the wearer's skin when the absorbent pad 1 is worn. The top sheet 3 receives urine and feces excreted from the human body, quickly absorbs them in the thickness direction, and guides them to the absorbent body 2 (absorbent core 21), and a sheet larger than the planar shape of the absorbent body 2 is used. Examples of sheet members constituting the top sheet 3 of this embodiment include air-through nonwoven fabrics and spunbond nonwoven fabrics.

[0061] The leakproof sheet 4 is a liquid-impermeable sheet member (liquid-impermeable sheet) arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 2 in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1. A sheet larger than the planar shape of the absorbent body 2 is used for the leakproof sheet 4, and the provision of the leakproof sheet 4 prevents liquids such as urine absorbed by the absorbent body 2 from penetrating into the wearer's clothing side (non-skin side). Examples of the sheet member constituting the leakproof sheet 4 of this embodiment include resin films such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0062] The back sheet 5 is disposed on the non-skin side of the leakproof sheet 4 in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1, is a member (exterior sheet) constituting the exterior of the absorbent pad 1, and has approximately the same size as the leakproof sheet 4. An example of a sheet member constituting the back sheet 5 of this embodiment is an air-through nonwoven fabric. In addition, the non-skin side of the back sheet 5 may be provided with an anti-slip adhesive portion or the like for attaching and fixing the absorbent pad 1 to the skin side of the diaper 101.

[0063] 2 and 3, a pair of leakage prevention walls for suppressing lateral leakage of urine, etc. may be provided on the skin side in the thickness direction and on both ends in the width direction of the absorbent body 2. Since leakage prevention walls are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] (electrode 10) The electrode 10 is a detection unit for detecting excretion by contacting with excrement such as urine and feces excreted by the wearer. The electrode 10 of this embodiment has a skin-side electrode 11 arranged between the top sheet (liquid-permeable sheet) 3 and the absorbent body 2 in the thickness direction, and a non-skin-side electrode 12 arranged between the leakproof sheet (liquid-impermeable sheet) 4 and the absorbent body 2 (see FIG. 3). The skin-side electrode 11 is a pair of strip-shaped electrodes arranged along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the width direction (see FIG. 2). Similarly, the non-skin-side electrode 12 is a pair of strip-shaped electrodes arranged along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart at a predetermined interval (different from the interval between the skin-side electrodes 11) in the width direction. However, multiple pairs of each of the electrodes 11 and 12 may be provided.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view and a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the configuration of a pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11. The skin-side electrode 11 has a conductive portion 111, a base sheet 112, and a covering portion 113. The conductive portion 111 is formed by continuously applying conductive ink in a strip shape over the entire length of the absorbent pad 1 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, as shown in the CC cross section of FIG. 4, the conductive portion 111 is formed by applying conductive ink to one side surface in the thickness direction of the base sheet 112 (the skin side surface in FIG. 4). The conductive ink is, for example, made by kneading a binder, conductive metal powder, and other fillers, and as the binder, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyacrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyacrylic urethane resin, polyolefin resin, polyurethane resin, phenol resin, etc. can be used. As the conductive metal powder, silver, gold, copper, nickel, aluminum, conductive carbon, etc. can be used. As the filler, a viscosity adjuster, a dispersant, etc. can be used. The composition of the conductive ink is not limited to these examples, but it is desirable that the conductive ink be made of a material that allows electricity to flow easily and has as low a resistance as possible from the viewpoint of detection accuracy.

[0066] The base sheet 112 is a flexible, liquid-impermeable sheet member, and is made of a material having a lower conductivity than the conductive portion 111. Examples of materials that can be used for the base sheet 112 include biaxially oriented films of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, polyamideimide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and the like. In this embodiment, an annealing process (heat treatment) is performed on a PET sheet having a thickness of about 25 μm to impart flexibility to the base sheet 112 (liquid-impermeable sheet member), so that the wearer is less likely to feel uncomfortable when wearing the absorbent pad 1.

[0067] Since the base sheet 112 is laminated and disposed on one side of the conductive part 111 in the thickness direction, the influence of contact between the conductive part 111 and excrement can be limited to one side in the thickness direction. That is, the contact of the conductive part 111 with excrement is restricted by the base sheet 112 on one side in the thickness direction, and the conductive part 111 is exposed on the other side in the thickness direction, making it easy to come into contact with excrement. Therefore, when the conductive part 111 is provided on the skin side of the base sheet 112 (liquid-impermeable sheet member) (see FIG. 4), the skin-side electrode 11 can easily detect the influence of excrement adhering to the top sheet 3 (liquid-permeable sheet) side. On the other hand, when the conductive part 111 is provided on the non-skin side of the base sheet 112 (not shown), the skin-side electrode 11 can easily detect the influence of excrement adhering to the skin-side surface of the absorbent body 2. In this way, by limiting the exposed surface of the conductive portion 111 of the skin-side electrode 11 to only one side in the thickness direction, it is possible to select whether to detect the influence of the top sheet 3 (liquid-permeable sheet) side or the absorbent body 2 side.

[0068] In addition, both ends of the base sheet 112 in the width direction are located outside both ends of the conductive portion 111 in the width direction. That is, the width of the base sheet 112 is wider than the width of the conductive portion 111, and the conductive portion 111 is not disposed at both ends of the base sheet 112 in the width direction. With this configuration, it is possible to more easily prevent contact between the conductive portion 111 and the excrement on the side where the base sheet 112 is provided in the thickness direction. For example, it is possible to prevent the excrement from reaching the conductive portion 111 by wrapping around both sides of the base sheet 112 in the width direction. That is, it is possible to limit the influence of contact between the conductive portion 111 and the excrement to only one side in the thickness direction (the side where the base sheet 112 is not provided).

[0069] The covering portion 113 is a liquid-impermeable member that covers at least a part of the conductive portion 111 from the side where the base sheet 112 is not provided (the skin side in FIG. 4) in the thickness direction, as shown in the DD cross section in FIG. 4. The covering portion 113 can be formed, for example, from a film of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PE), or the like. Such covering portion 113 forms a liquid-impermeable region in at least a part of the thickness direction of the skin-side electrode 11 on the side opposite to the side where the base sheet 112 (liquid-impermeable sheet member) is provided. In this liquid-impermeable region, moisture such as urine is prevented from coming into contact with the conductive portion 111. Therefore, in the liquid-impermeable region of the skin-side electrode 11 where the conductive portion 111 is covered by the covering portion 113 on the skin side, a current is unlikely to flow between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11. On the other hand, in the area of ​​the skin-side electrode 11 where the conductive portion 111 is exposed and not covered by the covering portion 113 (hereinafter also referred to as the "liquid-permeable area"), when moisture such as urine is present between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11, the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 becomes conductive through the moisture, making it easier for current to flow.

[0070] In the skin-side electrode 11 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, liquid-permeable regions and liquid-impermeable regions are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction, thereby limiting the region through which electricity can pass. If the skin-side electrode 11 does not have a liquid-impermeable region, the entire region between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 becomes conductive, and current flows easily. That is, the resistance value detected between the electrodes is likely to be low, and the capacitance value detected between the electrodes is likely to be high. In this case, as the amount of urine or the like absorbed by the absorbent 2 increases, the lower limit of the resistance and the upper limit of the capacitance that can be detected tend to be exceeded, and accurate measurement may not be possible. In contrast, in this embodiment, the liquid-impermeable region is provided to partially limit the current flowing between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11, making it difficult to exceed the lower limit of the resistance and the upper limit of the capacitance, and therefore accurate measurement can be performed even when the amount of urine or the like absorbed increases.

[0071] In addition, when the length of the liquid-permeable region in the longitudinal direction is L111 and the length of the liquid-impermeable region in the longitudinal direction is L113, it is desirable that the total length of L113 in the region in front of the center (ventral side) in the longitudinal direction is longer than the total length of L113 in the region behind the center (dorsal side). In other words, it is desirable that the area of ​​the liquid-impermeable region in front of the center in the longitudinal direction is larger than the area of ​​the liquid-impermeable region behind the center in the longitudinal direction. In the region in front of the longitudinal direction (ventral side), a large amount of urine is easily discharged, and electricity is easily conducted between the electrodes 11, 11. Therefore, by increasing the area of ​​the liquid-impermeable region in this region, it is possible to make it difficult to exceed the lower limit of the resistance value and the upper limit of the capacitance value even if the amount of urine absorbed increases. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier to perform more accurate measurements.

[0072] The widthwise spacing between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is designated as W11. W11 is the distance between the inner ends of the pair of conductive parts 111, 111 in the widthwise direction (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the skin-side electrode 11 is configured so that the spacing W11 is 40 mm or more. If the spacing W11 is less than 40 mm, excessive current tends to flow between the electrodes, which may result in noise and false detection. Furthermore, by setting the spacing W11 between the electrodes to 40 mm or more, it becomes easier to appropriately adjust the upper and lower limits of the capacitance and resistance values ​​detected between the electrodes.

[0073] The configuration of the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is also substantially the same as that of the pair of skin side electrodes 11, 11 shown in Fig. 4. That is, the non-skin side electrode 12 has a conductive part 121, a base sheet 122 (a liquid-impermeable sheet member), and a covering part 123. For the same reasons as for the skin side electrode 11, the widthwise spacing W12 of the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is desirably 40 mm or more. However, in this embodiment, the widthwise spacing W12 of the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is different from the widthwise spacing W11 of the pair of skin side electrodes 11, 11. More specifically, the spacing W12 is smaller than the spacing W11 (W11>W12, see Fig. 2, etc.). When urination occurs, the skin side of the absorber 21 is likely to get wet, so by widening the interval W11 between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 where urine can easily reach, it is possible to relatively suppress an increase in capacitance value and a decrease in resistance value compared to the non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12. This makes it possible to suppress the inability to make a judgment (described in detail later) based on a combination of fluctuations in the detection values ​​by both electrodes 11, 12.

[0074] In this embodiment, the thickness of the top sheet 3 (liquid-permeable sheet) is preferably thicker than the thickness of each of the electrodes 11, 12. Specifically, the thickness of the base sheets 111, 112 constituting the electrodes 11, 12 is about 25 μm, while the thickness of the top sheet 3 is preferably about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn, the top sheet 3 is located between the wearer's body (skin) and the skin-side electrode 11. Therefore, by making the top sheet 3 as thick as possible, it becomes easier to suppress the influence of the wearer's body coming into contact with the skin-side electrode 11, the wearer's body being pressed against the skin-side electrode 11, and the like. This can reduce the probability of erroneous detection of the resistance value or capacitance of the electrodes 11, 12.

[0075] <Method of detecting excrement> A method for detecting excrement using the absorbent pad 1 will be described. Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram of an excrement detection circuit using the absorbent pad 1. When detecting excrement, the absorbent pad 1 is connected to a detection device 50 and an information processing device 60 to measure various data.

[0076] The detection device 50 is a device that applies an AC current to the electrodes 10 (skin-side electrode 11 and non-skin-side electrode 12) of the absorbent pad 1, and measures the capacitance and resistance values ​​detected between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 and between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12. The detection device 50 has a main body section 51, a connection section 52, and a data transmission / reception section 53.

[0077] The main body 51 includes at least a power supply unit (such as a battery or cell) for applying a current to the electrode 10, and a measurement unit for measuring the capacitance and resistance values ​​detected by the electrode 10 (both not shown). The main body 51 may also include an earth or the like for discharging electricity charged in the electrode 10. When applying a direct current to the electrode 10, it is desirable to provide a polarity reversal circuit for applying currents of different polarities to the pair of left and right electrodes 11, 11 (12, 12).

[0078] The connection portion 52 is a connector that connects the main body portion 51 and the electrodes 11, 12 of the absorbent pad 1, and applies a current to the electrodes 10 via the connection portion 52, and detects the capacitance and resistance between the electrodes. In this embodiment, the spacing W11 in the width direction of the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is different from the spacing W12 in the width direction of the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12, so that the electrodes 11, 12 are disposed at different positions in the width direction. In other words, the positions of the electrodes do not overlap in the width direction, so that the connection portion 52 can be easily connected to the electrodes 11, 12, as shown in FIG. 5, and the detection device 50 can be easily attached.

[0079] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the base sheets 112, 122 are provided on the same side in the thickness direction of both the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12. In other words, the conductive parts 111, 121 are exposed on the same side in the thickness direction. This makes it possible to connect the connection parts 52 to the same side in the thickness direction of each electrode 11, 12, making it easier to attach the detection device 50.

[0080] Furthermore, it is desirable that the ends of the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12 are located outside at least one of the ventral end and the dorsal end of the absorbent body 2 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, the ventral ends of the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12 are located outside the ventral end of the absorbent body 2 in the longitudinal direction. That is, both the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12 are arranged to extend to the ventral end region in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Therefore, the connection work between each electrode 11, 12 and the connection part 52 can be performed in the ventral end region in the longitudinal direction. Since the connection position is the ventral end in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to easily attach and detach the detection device 50 even when the wearer is wearing the absorbent pad 1.

[0081] The information processing device 60 is, for example, a workstation or a personal computer, and has a function as a so-called server. In this embodiment, the information processing device 60 accumulates various data transmitted from the detection device 50, and performs a process of detecting excretion based on the data, determining whether the excretion is feces or urine, and determining the amount of excretion (for example, the amount of urine excreted). The various processes performed by the information processing device 60 will be described later.

[0082] The information processing device 60 is communicably connected to a plurality of different absorbent pads 1 (and the detection device 50) to detect the excretion status of a plurality of users (people wearing the absorbent pads 1). In addition, by connecting to an external terminal such as a smartphone, it may be possible to transmit and receive information regarding the excretion status to the terminal. In addition, the detection device 50 may be provided with the functions of the information processing device 60, and the detection device 50 itself may be configured to detect excretion and perform various determination processes.

[0083] The information processing device 60 may also separately obtain the detection results of urination and defecation, and perform various inferences from the separately obtained detection results. Details will be described later, but in this embodiment, on the skin-facing side of the absorbent 2, the skin-side electrode 11 detects a capacitance value and an electrical resistance value from the excrement attached to the top sheet 3, and these electrical characteristic values ​​are mainly used to infer the presence or absence of defecation. On the other hand, on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent 2, the non-skin-side electrode 12 detects a capacitance value and an electrical resistance value from the excrement absorbed in the absorbent core 21, and these electrical characteristic values ​​are mainly used to infer the presence or absence of urination. That is, the electrical characteristic value mainly used for defecation determination and the electrical characteristic value mainly used for urination determination are detected separately, and are transmitted separately to the information processing device 60. In this case, it can be said that the information processing device 60 separately obtains defecation information, which is information on the user's defecation, and urination information, which is information on the user's urination.

[0084] That is, structures (electrodes) for measuring capacitance and electrical resistance are provided at different positions on the absorbent article, and the electrical characteristic values ​​(capacitance value and electrical resistance value) detected by each structure (electrode) are associated with information indicating which structure detected the information, and are transmitted individually to the information processing device 60. Then, the information processing device 60 that has acquired the information may estimate defecation and urination.

[0085] When the information processing device 60 acquires information separately as described above, it becomes easier to perform appropriate processing for each of the cases of urination and defecation. For example, when defecation information is acquired, an alert is issued to prompt the caregiver to immediately replace the absorbent pad 1. On the other hand, when urination information is acquired, an alert is issued when it is determined that the absorption capacity (capacity capable of absorbing urine) of the absorbent core 21 has reached its limit. In this way, the caregiver can easily recognize the appropriate timing to replace the absorbent pad 1, and the burden of checking to replace the absorbent pad 1 and cleaning up after excretion leakage can be reduced.

[0086] Also, the electrical characteristic values ​​(capacitance value or electrical resistance value) detected by each structure (electrode) may be periodically transmitted to the information processing device 60, and the information processing device 60 may perform various inferences based on changes in the electrical characteristic values. For example, the information processing device 60 may accumulate periodically acquired information to generate an excretion history for each user, and by using the excretion history, the accuracy of inferring defecation and urination may be improved. Also, by monitoring the fluctuations in the electrical characteristic values, it may be possible to infer the amount of excrement and, if the excrement is feces, the quality of the feces.

[0087] Next, the principle of urine detection using the absorbent pad 1 will be described. Figures 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the principle of urine detection when urine is excreted. Figure 6A shows the schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 shown in Figure 3 in a state immediately after urine is excreted on the skin side. Also, Figure 6B shows the state after a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the state of Figure 6A.

[0088] When a wearer urinates while wearing the absorbent pad 1, the excreted urine first adheres to the skin side of the top sheet 3, passes through the top sheet 3 from the skin side to the non-skin side in the thickness direction, and moves to the absorbent body 2. At this time, depending on conditions such as the amount of urine excreted, the skin-side electrode 11 disposed between the top sheet 3 and the absorbent body 2 may come into contact with the urine. In Fig. 6A, urine is excreted so as to straddle a pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 spaced apart by an interval W11 in the width direction. Therefore, the moisture contained in the urine causes electricity to flow between the conductive parts 111, 111, and a current flows more easily between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 than in the state before urination (i.e., the state in which the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 are dry and insulated).

[0089] Therefore, the resistance value R11 detected between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is large (current does not flow easily) before electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in urine, and becomes small (current flows easily) when electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in urine. On the other hand, the capacitance value C11 detected between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is small (charge is not easily stored) before electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in urine, and becomes large (charge is easily stored) when electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in urine.

[0090] When a predetermined time has passed since urine was excreted, the urine that has passed through the top sheet 3 is absorbed by the absorbent body 2 and permeates the inside of the absorbent body 2 from the skin side to the non-skin side. At this time, the urine may come into contact with the non-skin side electrode 12 arranged between the absorbent body 2 and the leakproof sheet 4. In Fig. 6B, the urine absorbed by the absorbent body 2 (shown by the hatched area in Fig. 6B) is diffused across a pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 that are spaced apart by an interval W12 in the width direction. Therefore, the moisture contained in the urine causes the conductive parts 121, 121 of the non-skin side electrodes 12 to become conductive, and a current flows more easily between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 compared to the state before urination (a state in which the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 are dry and insulated from each other).

[0091] The behavior of the resistance value R12 and the capacitance value C12 detected by the non-skin side electrode 12 is substantially the same as that of the skin side electrode 11. That is, the resistance value R12 detected between the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is large (current does not flow easily) before electricity is passed between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 due to the moisture in urine, and becomes small (current flows easily) when electricity is passed between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 due to the moisture in urine. On the other hand, the capacitance value C12 detected between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is small (charge is not easily stored) before electricity is passed between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 due to the moisture in urine, and becomes large (charge is easily stored) when electricity is passed between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 due to the moisture in urine.

[0092] In this embodiment, both the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12 have liquid-impermeable base sheets 112, 122 provided on the non-skin side in the thickness direction, and both conductive parts 111, 121 are exposed to the skin side. Therefore, excrement such as urine excreted on the skin side easily comes into contact with the conductive parts 111, 121 of the electrodes 11, 12, making it easy to detect the excrement.

[0093] Next, the principle of feces detection using the absorbent pad 1 will be described. Figures 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the principle of detecting feces when the feces is excreted. Figure 7A shows the schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 shown in Figure 3 in a state immediately after feces is excreted on the skin-side surface. Also, Figure 7B shows the state after a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the state of Figure 7A.

[0094] When a wearer defecates while wearing the absorbent pad 1, the excreted stool adheres to the skin side of the top sheet 3. Then, moisture contained in the stool may soak into the top sheet 3 and come into contact with the skin side electrode 11 arranged between the top sheet 3 and the absorbent body 2. In Fig. 7A, the stool is excreted so as to straddle the pair of skin side electrodes 11, 11 in the width direction. Therefore, the moisture contained in the stool causes electricity to flow between the conductive parts 11, 111, and a current flows more easily between the skin side electrodes 11, 11 compared to the state before defecation (i.e., the state in which the skin side electrodes 11, 11 are dry and insulated).

[0095] Therefore, the resistance value R11 detected between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is large (current does not flow easily) before electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in the stool, and becomes small (current flows easily) when electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in the stool. On the other hand, the capacitance value C11 detected between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is small (charge does not easily accumulate) before electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in the stool, and becomes large (charge does not easily accumulate) when electricity is passed between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 due to the moisture in the stool.

[0096] On the other hand, feces contains less water than urine and does not easily permeate the absorbent body 2, so that even after a certain time has passed since the feces was excreted, the water contained in the feces is unlikely to reach the non-skin side of the absorbent body 2. In other words, there is little possibility that the water in the feces will come into contact with the non-skin side electrode 12 arranged between the absorbent body 2 and the leakproof sheet 4. In FIG. 7B, the water contained in the feces remains on the surface portion on the skin side of the absorbent body 2 (shown by the shaded area in FIG. 7B) and is not in contact with the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12. Therefore, the conductive parts 121, 121 of the non-skin side electrodes 12 are not conductive and current is unlikely to flow between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12.

[0097] In other words, the non-skin side electrodes 12 are not easily affected by the moisture in stool, and the state between the electrodes is not likely to change before and after defecation. Therefore, the resistance value R12 detected between the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is not likely to change before and after defecation. Similarly, the capacitance value C12 detected between the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is also not likely to change before and after defecation.

[0098] In this way, when defecation occurs, the resistance value R11 and capacitance value C11 detected by the skin side electrode 11 change, but there is almost no change in the resistance value R12 and capacitance value C12 detected by the non-skin side electrode 12. Therefore, by monitoring the changes over time in the resistance and capacitance values ​​detected by the skin side electrode 11 and the non-skin side electrode 12, it is possible to accurately determine whether the excrement is feces or urine.

[0099] 8 is a flow diagram showing an example of a process for determining whether a user defecates or urinates using the absorbent pad 1. Various processes in determining whether a user defecates or urinates are performed mainly by the information processing device 60, but for the sake of simplicity, the following description will be given assuming that various processes are performed by the detection device 50.

[0100] When excrement detection is started, the detection device 50 intermittently applies a current to each of the electrodes 11, 12 of the absorbent pad 1. Then, a non-skin-side capacitance detection process is performed to detect the magnitude of the capacitance value C12 between the non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12, and a skin-side capacitance detection process is performed to detect the magnitude of the capacitance value C11 between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 (S101).

[0101] Next, the detection device 50 (information processing device 60) determines the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 over a predetermined period (for example, a measurement period of about 1 to 30 seconds) based on the detection result of the non-skin-side capacitance detection process (S102). As a result, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude (Yes in S102), the process proceeds to step S103. As described in FIG. 6B, a case in which the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude indicates a state in which moisture such as urine has reached between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12, causing electricity to flow between the electrodes. In other words, this indicates a high possibility that urination has occurred.

[0102] On the other hand, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 is less than the predetermined amount (S102: No), the process proceeds to step S104. When the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 is less than the predetermined amount, this indicates a state in which no moisture reaches between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12 and no current flows between the electrodes, as described in Fig. 7B. In other words, this indicates that it is highly likely that defecation has occurred or that neither urine nor feces has been excreted.

[0103] In step S103, the detection device 50 determines the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 over a predetermined period based on the detection result of the skin-side capacitance detection process (S103). As a result, when the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude (Yes in S103), the process proceeds to step S105. When the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is equal to or greater than the predetermined magnitude, as described in FIG. 6A, this indicates a state in which moisture such as urine reaches between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 and electricity flows between the electrodes. That is, this is a state in which electricity flows between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12 in S102 and electricity flows between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 in S103.

[0104] In this way, the fact that both the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12 are energized indicates that an amount of liquid (urine) that reaches both between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 and between the non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12 has been absorbed by the absorbent 2. Therefore, in this case, the detection device 50 determines that urination has occurred (S105).

[0105] When urination is determined in S105, the detection device 50 issues an alarm to inform the user (the wearer or his / her caregiver) that urination has occurred (S109). The alarm is issued, for example, by the detection device 50 sounding a buzzer or transmitting alarm information to the information processing device 60 to display a screen on the display unit (e.g., a display) of the information processing device 60 to inform that urination has occurred. The alarm information may also be transmitted to another terminal via the information processing device 60 and displayed on the display unit of the other terminal. For example, the alarm may be output on the display screen of a facility terminal installed in a nurse's center and capable of linking with a nurse call system, or a terminal device used by a nurse. This makes it easier for the user to appropriately determine the timing of replacing the absorbent pad 1. However, the alarm (S109) does not necessarily have to be issued.

[0106] On the other hand, in S103, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is less than the predetermined amount (S103: No), the process proceeds to step S106. A case in which the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is less than the predetermined amount indicates a state in which no current flows between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11. That is, a state in which current flows between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12 in S102, and no current flows between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 in S103.

[0107] In this case, the detection device 50 (information processing device 60) determines that a small amount of urine has been excreted (S106). When the amount of excreted urine is small, only the non-skin side electrodes 12 facing the absorber 21 may come into contact with the urine, and electricity may flow between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12. In such a case, it is determined that a small amount of urine has been excreted.

[0108] When urination (small amount) is determined in S106, the detection device 50 issues an alarm to inform the user (the wearer or his / her caregiver) that a small amount of urine has been urinated (S110). The alarm can be issued in a manner similar to that of S109, but it is preferable to change the warning sound or screen display so that the user can easily recognize the amount of urine excreted.

[0109] Next, the detection of defecation will be described. Returning to S102 in Fig. 8, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 between the non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 is less than a predetermined amount (S102: No), the detection device 50 determines the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 during a predetermined period based on the detection result of the skin side capacitance detection process (S104). As a result, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (S104: Yes), the process proceeds to step S107. The case where the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount indicates a state in which electricity is conducted between the pair of skin side electrodes 11, 11. That is, this indicates a state in which electricity is not conducted between the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 in S102, and electricity is conducted between the pair of skin side electrodes 11, 11 in S103.

[0110] In this manner, only the skin-side electrode 11 is energized and the non-skin-side electrode 12 is not energized. 7B, this indicates that feces has been excreted onto the absorbent pad 1. Therefore, in this case, the detection device 50 determines that defecation has occurred (S107).

[0111] If defecation is determined in S107, the detection device 50 issues an alarm to inform the user (the wearer or his / her caregiver) that defecation has occurred (S111). The alarm can be issued in a manner similar to that of S109 and S110, but it is preferable to change the warning sound or screen display to make it easier for the user to recognize that the excrement is feces and that it is highly likely that the absorbent pad 1 needs to be replaced.

[0112] On the other hand, in S104, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is less than the predetermined amount (S104: No), the process proceeds to step S108. A case in which the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 is less than the predetermined amount indicates a state in which moisture such as urine does not reach between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11 and no current flows between the electrodes. In other words, this indicates a state in which no current flows between either the pair of non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12 or the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11.

[0113] The reason why neither the skin-side electrode 11 nor the non-skin-side electrode 12 is conducting is because no excretion has occurred or the amount of excretion is so small that it cannot be detected by the electrodes. In this case, the detection device 50 therefore determines that no excretion has occurred (S108). Note that when the amount of excretion is very small, the effect on the absorption performance of the absorbent pad 1 (absorbent body 2) is negligible, so determining that no excretion has occurred is unlikely to cause a problem. Furthermore, when it is determined that no excretion has occurred, no alarm or the like is issued, so the user is not bothered.

[0114] In this way, the absorbent pad 1 can accurately determine whether the excrement is feces or urine based on the amount of change in the data (capacitance values ​​C11, C12) detected from the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12 within a predetermined period. In addition, when urine is excreted, the amount of excretion can also be determined. This allows the user to appropriately determine the timing of changing the absorbent pad 1, etc., without having to take the time to open and check the diaper 101 (absorbent article) worn by the wearer every time excretion occurs.

[0115] ===Second embodiment=== In the second embodiment, a method for determining excrement (determining whether the excrement is urine or feces) with higher accuracy will be described using the absorbent pad 1 described in the first embodiment. Note that the configuration of the device including the absorbent pad 1 (see Figs. 1 to 5) and the principle of excrement detection by the electrodes 11, 12 (see Figs. 6 to 7) are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0116] <Method of detecting excrement> 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a process for determining defecation / urination using the absorbent pad 1 in the second embodiment. When excrement detection is started, the detection device 50 intermittently applies a current to each electrode 11, 12 of the absorbent pad 1. Then, a non-skin-side capacitance detection process is performed to detect the capacitance value C12 between the non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12, and a non-skin-side resistance detection process is performed to detect the resistance value R12 between the non-skin-side electrodes 12, 12. In addition, a skin-side capacitance detection process is performed to detect the capacitance value C11 between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11, and a skin-side resistance detection process is performed to detect the resistance value R11 between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 (S201).

[0117] Next, the detection device 50 determines the amount of change in the capacitance value C12 and the capacitance value C11 detected at each of the electrodes 11, 12 during a predetermined period (S202 to S204) in the same manner as in S102 to S104 of the first embodiment. The contents of the determination are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0118] 9 is Yes, that is, when the amount of change in both the capacitance value C12 and the capacitance value C11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the detection device 50 determines whether or not a predetermined time difference occurs between the timing at which the capacitance value C12 changes and the timing at which the capacitance value C11 changes (S205). For example, it determines whether or not a difference of a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) or more occurs between the timing at which the capacitance value C11 starts to change and the timing at which the capacitance value C12 starts to change.

[0119] As explained in S103 of the first embodiment, if the determination in S203 is Yes, there is a high possibility that urination has occurred on the absorbent pad 1. Here, when urine is excreted on the skin side surface of the absorbent 2, there should be a predetermined time difference before the urine penetrates from the skin side to the non-skin side of the absorbent 2. In other words, urine excreted on the absorbent pad 1 should come into contact with the skin side electrode 11 on the skin side of the absorbent 2 and then come into contact with the non-skin side electrode 12 on the non-skin side of the absorbent 2 a predetermined time after the urine comes into contact with the skin side electrode 11 on the skin side of the absorbent 2.

[0120] Therefore, if there is no predetermined time difference between the timing at which the capacitance value C12 changes and the timing at which the capacitance value C11 changes, and the two change at the same time (No in S205), this indicates a behavior different from that of normal urination. In this case, the detection device 50 determines that the changes in the capacitance values ​​C11 and C12 are noise, and determines that urination has not occurred (S208).

[0121] For example, even when urination is not occurring, the capacitance values ​​C11 and C12 may change simultaneously due to the wearer's body movement, which may temporarily apply the wearer's weight (the wearer's skin is pressed against) to the skin-side electrode 11 and the non-skin-side electrode 12. If urination is determined based on such a detection result, there is a high possibility of an erroneous determination. Therefore, when abnormal behavior is detected, the detection device 50 does not perform a urination determination, but instead processes the detection result as noise. This can improve the accuracy of urination detection and suppress erroneous determination.

[0122] On the other hand, if there is a predetermined time difference between the timing at which the capacitance value C12 changes and the timing at which the capacitance value C11 changes (Yes in S205), it is assumed that normal urination behavior is being exhibited, and the process proceeds to step S207.

[0123] In S207, the detection device 50 determines whether the resistance value R11 detected between the skin side electrodes 11, 11 returns to its original value within a predetermined time (S207). For example, when urination occurs, the detected value of the resistance value R11 decreases, and after a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed, the detection device 50 determines whether the resistance value R11 has recovered to, for example, about 20% of the minimum detected value that was lowered when urination occurred.

[0124] When urination occurs, the urine excreted on the skin side of the absorbent 2 is absorbed by the absorbent 2 over time. Therefore, immediately after urination, current flows between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11, causing the resistance value R11 to decrease, but when the urine is absorbed by the absorbent 2 after a predetermined time has passed, current flows again between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11, and the resistance value R11 returns to its original value (resistance value R11 recovers). Therefore, the degree of recovery of the resistance value R11 can be used as an additional indicator for urination determination.

[0125] In S207, if the resistance value R11 does not recover after a predetermined time has elapsed (S207: No), this indicates that a behavior different from that of normal urination has been exhibited. In this case, the detection device 50 determines that the change in the resistance value R11 is noise, and determines that urination has not occurred (S209).

[0126] As explained in S208, even if urination is not occurring, when the wearer moves his / her body, the weight of the wearer is applied to the skin-side electrode 11 (the wearer's skin is pressed against it), etc., which may cause the skin-side electrode 11 to conduct electricity and reduce the resistance value R11, which may not recover. If urination is determined based on such a detection result, there is a high possibility that an erroneous determination will be made. Therefore, when such an abnormal behavior is detected, the detection device 50 processes the detection result as noise. This can further improve the accuracy of urination detection.

[0127] On the other hand, if the resistance value R11 recovers after the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in S207), this indicates normal urination behavior, and the detection device 50 determines that urination has occurred (S210).

[0128] When urination is determined in S210, the detection device 50 issues an alarm to inform the user (the wearer or his / her caregiver) that urination has occurred (S215). The alarm can be issued in a manner substantially similar to that described in S109 of the first embodiment.

[0129] 9, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 between the skin-side electrodes 11, 11 is less than the predetermined amount (No in S203), the detection device 50 determines that a small amount of urine has been excreted (S206). The reason for this is the same as that explained in S106 in the first embodiment.

[0130] If urination (small amount) is determined in S206, the detection device 50 issues an alarm to inform the user (the wearer or his / her caregiver) that a small amount of urination has occurred (S216). The alarm can be issued in a manner similar to that of S215, but it is preferable to change the warning sound or screen display so that the user can easily recognize the amount of urine excreted.

[0131] Next, the detection of defecation will be described. Returning to S204 in Fig. 9, when the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 between the skin side electrodes 11, 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (Yes in S204), the detection device 50 judges whether the capacitance value C11 returns to its original value within a predetermined time (S211). For example, when defecation occurs, the detected value of the capacitance value C11 increases, and after a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds) has elapsed, it is judged whether the capacitance value C11 has returned to about 120% of its original value.

[0132] When defecation occurs, the feces excreted on the skin side of the absorbent body 2 is not easily absorbed by the absorbent body 2 and therefore continues to remain on the skin side even after time has passed. Therefore, immediately after defecation, the capacitance value C11 increases as a result of current passing between the pair of skin-side electrodes 11, 11, and the capacitance value C11 is unlikely to change even after a predetermined time has passed. In other words, when defecation occurs, the capacitance value C11 is unlikely to recover to its original size. Therefore, the degree of recovery of the capacitance value C11 can be used as an additional indicator for determining defecation.

[0133] In S211, if the capacitance value C11 recovers after a predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in S211), this indicates that a behavior different from that of normal defecation has been exhibited. In this case, the detection device 50 determines that the change in the capacitance value C11 is noise, and determines that defecation has not occurred (S213).

[0134] On the other hand, if the capacitance value C11 does not recover even after the predetermined time has elapsed (No in S211), this is considered to be a normal defecation behavior, and the detection device 50 determines that defecation has occurred (S214).

[0135] Then, when it is determined in S214 that defecation has occurred, the detection device 50 issues an alarm to inform the user (the wearer or his / her caregiver) that defecation has occurred (S217).

[0136] Furthermore, in S204, if the amount of change in the capacitance value C11 between the skin side electrodes 11, 11 is less than a predetermined amount (No in S204), this indicates that no current is flowing between the pair of non-skin side electrodes 12, 12 and between the pair of skin side electrodes 11, 11. In this case, the detection device 50 determines that no excretion has occurred (S212). As described in S108 of the first embodiment, the fact that no current is flowing between the skin side electrodes 11 and the non-skin side electrodes 12 indicates that no excretion is occurring or that the amount of excreta is so small that it cannot be detected by each electrode.

[0137] In this way, in the second embodiment, the timing at which the capacitance values ​​C11, C12 and the resistance values ​​R11, R12 change and the amount of change (degree of recovery) after a predetermined time has elapsed are used as indices for excretion determination. This makes it possible to remove detected data as noise under predetermined conditions, allowing for more accurate excretion determination. ===Other embodiments===

[0138] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0139] In the above-described embodiment, the non-skin-side electrode 12 is formed by applying a conductive ink in a strip shape to the surface of the base sheet 122, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the non-skin-side electrode 12 may be formed by directly applying a conductive ink to the skin-side surface of the leakproof sheet 4 arranged on the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent 2. That is, the leakproof sheet 4 may have the function of the base sheet 122. Since the leakproof sheet 4 itself is a liquid-impermeable sheet member, even with this configuration, it is possible to detect excrement in the same way as when the base sheet 122 is separately provided. With this configuration, there is no need to separately prepare the base sheet 122, and the manufacturing process can be simplified, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1 Absorbent pads (absorbent articles), 2 absorber, 21 absorbent core, 21A skin side core layer, 21B non-skin side core layer, 22 Core wrap sheet, 3 Top sheet (liquid-permeable sheet), 4. Leak-proof sheet (liquid-impermeable sheet), 5 Back seat (exterior seat), 10 electrodes, 11 Skin side electrode, 111 conductive portion, 112 base sheet (liquid-impermeable sheet member), 113 covering portion, 12 non-skin side electrode, 121 conductive part, 122 base sheet (liquid-impermeable sheet member), 123 covering part, 50 detection devices, 51 main body unit, 52 connection unit, 53 data transmission / reception unit, 60 Information processing device, 101 Diapers (disposable diapers, absorbent articles), 111 absorbent core, 121 top sheet, 131 back sheet, 141 fastening tape

Claims

1. In a stretched state, the sheet has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which intersect with each other, A liquid-absorbing absorbent body; A liquid-permeable sheet disposed closer to the skin in the thickness direction than the absorbent body; A liquid-impermeable sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction; An absorbent article having a skin-side electrode is provided between the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorbent body; a non-skin-side electrode is provided between the liquid-impermeable sheet and the absorbent body, the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each include a conductive part and a liquid-impermeable sheet member arranged to be laminated on the conductive part in the thickness direction, the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each have a liquid-impermeable region in at least a part of a side opposite to a side on which the liquid-impermeable sheet member is provided in the thickness direction, At least a pair of the non-skin-side electrodes are provided and spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, at least one pair of the skin-side electrodes is provided spaced apart from each other by a distance different from the predetermined distance in the width direction, An absorbent article, characterized in that the distance between the pair of skin-side electrodes in the width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes in the width direction.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, An absorbent article, characterized in that the distance between the pair of skin-side electrodes in the width direction is 40 mm or more.

3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, An absorbent article, characterized in that the distance between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes in the width direction is 40 mm or more.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The absorbent article, wherein the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each detect the presence or absence of excrement by coming into contact with the excrement.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an absorbent article, characterized in that the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode are both provided with the liquid-impermeable sheet member on the same side in the thickness direction.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5, an absorbent article, characterized in that each of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode is provided with the liquid-impermeable sheet member on the non-skin side in the thickness direction.

7. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An absorbent article, characterized in that the width of the liquid-impermeable sheet member is greater than the widths of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, An absorbent article, characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, an area of ​​the liquid impermeable region on a front side from the center is larger than an area of ​​the liquid impermeable region on a rear side from the center.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An absorbent article, characterized in that the thickness of the liquid permeable sheet is greater than the thicknesses of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, An absorbent article characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, the ends of the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode are located outside at least one of the ventral end and dorsal end of the absorbent body.

11. A method for determining defecation and urination using an absorbent article having a liquid-absorbent body, a liquid-permeable sheet arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body in a thickness direction, and a liquid-impermeable sheet arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent body in the thickness direction, comprising: a skin-side capacitance detection process for detecting a magnitude of capacitance by a skin-side electrode provided between the liquid-permeable sheet and the absorbent body; a non-skin-side capacitance detection process for detecting a magnitude of capacitance by a non-skin-side electrode provided between the liquid impermeable sheet and the absorbent body; a determination process for determining whether the excrement excreted in the absorbent article is feces or urine based on an amount of change in the capacitance detected during a predetermined period in the skin-side capacitance detection process and an amount of change in the capacitance detected during the predetermined period in the non-skin-side capacitance detection process; Run the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each include a conductive part and a liquid-impermeable sheet member arranged to be laminated on the conductive part in the thickness direction, the skin-side electrode and the non-skin-side electrode each have a liquid-impermeable region in at least a part of a side opposite to a side on which the liquid-impermeable sheet member is provided in the thickness direction, At least a pair of the non-skin side electrodes are provided in a width direction of the absorbent article and spaced apart by a predetermined distance, at least one pair of the skin-side electrodes is provided spaced apart from each other by a distance different from the predetermined distance in the width direction, A method for determining defecation / urination, characterized in that the distance between the pair of skin-side electrodes in the width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of non-skin-side electrodes in the width direction.

Images