Urinary incontinence detection device and urinary incontinence detection system

Abstract

To provide a urinary incontinence sensor capable of detecting urinary incontinence without causing discomfort and unpleasantness while worn even when a urinary incontinence diaper or the like to which urine leakage countermeasure is applied is used.SOLUTION: A urinary incontinence sensor 14 fitted outside a diaper 22 is of a capacitance system detecting a change of dielectric constant of an inner area of the diaper 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an incontinence sensor for detecting incontinence.

Background Art

[0002] A general incontinence sensor is attached to the outside of a diaper, and when incontinence occurs, it captures changes in the temperature and humidity of the urine leaked from the diaper. A general incontinence sensor can be used for general diapers where urine leakage occurs on the outside, but it cannot be used for incontinence countermeasures such as incontinence diapers and incontinence pants that prevent urine leakage on the outside of the diaper when incontinence occurs. However, from the perspective of caregivers suffering from incontinence, incontinence diapers are more effective than general diapers that have urine leakage from the diaper during incontinence, and there is a sense of security that there is no urine leakage on the outside of the diaper.

[0003] As another existing technology, there is also a cheap version of an incontinence sensor equipped with electrodes that are attached to the inside of the diaper and capture changes in impedance when urine leakage occurs (for example, Patent Document 1). This incontinence sensor captures the change in the impedance value before incontinence and the impedance value during incontinence, and the impedance value does not surely change unless the urine leaked during incontinence contacts the electrodes. Also, due to the method of attaching electrodes to the inside of the diaper, there are a sense of discomfort and unpleasantness during wearing, which is one of the reasons for its lack of popularity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional urinary incontinence sensors attempt to detect urinary incontinence from the outside of the diaper, requiring them to be aware of the phenomenon of urine leaking outside the diaper and to capture the temperature of the leaked urine and the change in humidity around it. From the perspective of the person receiving care, this creates a source of anxiety and poses a significant risk in terms of usability. Furthermore, people receiving care are more likely to choose urinary incontinence diapers than general diapers, and urinary incontinence diapers are designed to prevent urine leakage, with waterproof seals on the outermost surface and many products having a leak-proof structure. Even when using such urinary incontinence diapers or pants with these leakage prevention measures, there is a need for a urinary incontinence sensor that can detect urinary incontinence without causing discomfort or unpleasantness during wear.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a urinary incontinence sensor that overcomes the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a result of diligent research, the inventor discovered that the above problem could be solved by detecting urinary incontinence by detecting changes in capacitance, even when there is no external leakage of urine, as in incontinence diapers, rather than by detecting changes in the temperature and humidity of urine that has leaked onto the outside of the diaper.

[0008] The present invention has the following aspects. Section 1. A urinary incontinence sensor that is attached to the outside of a diaper, A capacitance-type urinary incontinence sensor that detects changes in the dielectric constant of the inner region of the diaper. Section 2. It comprises a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate to which a pulsed current is applied, The urinary incontinence sensor according to item 1, wherein the frequency of the pulsed current changes in accordance with the change in dielectric constant. Section 3. A urinary incontinence sensor as described in item 1 or 2, A detection unit connected to the aforementioned urinary incontinence sensor detects urinary incontinence in the user of the diaper, A urinary incontinence detection device equipped with this device. Section 4. The urine incontinence detection device according to item 3, wherein the detection unit applies a pulsed current to the urine incontinence sensor, determines the change in dielectric constant from the change in the frequency of the pulsed current from the urine incontinence sensor, and detects urine incontinence based on the change in dielectric constant. Section 5. The urinary incontinence detection device according to item 4, wherein the detection unit detects the amount of urine due to urinary incontinence based on the amount of change in dielectric constant. Section 6. A urinary incontinence detection device as described in any of items 3 to 5, A receiver that receives the detection result from the detection unit, A urinary incontinence detection system equipped with [a specific feature]. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a urinary incontinence sensor can be provided that can detect urinary incontinence without causing discomfort or unpleasantness when worn, even when using urinary incontinence diapers or the like that are designed to prevent urine leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] (a) and (b) are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating the procedure for manufacturing a urinary incontinence sensor. [Figure 2] (a) and (b) are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating the procedure for manufacturing a urinary incontinence sensor. [Figure 3] (a) and (b) are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating the procedure for manufacturing a urinary incontinence sensor. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating the procedure for manufacturing a urinary incontinence sensor. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating the procedure for manufacturing a urinary incontinence sensor. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, illustrating the procedure for manufacturing a urinary incontinence sensor. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a urinary incontinence detection device. [Figure 8]It is a perspective view showing a state in which an incontinence detection device is attached to a diaper for incontinence. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the principle of detecting urinary incontinence. [Figure 10] It is a plan view for explaining the principle of detecting urinary incontinence.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

[0012] (Procedure for fabricating the device) FIGS. 1 to 6 show the manufacturing procedure of the urinary incontinence sensor according to this embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a + electrode plate 1 and a - electrode plate 2 obtained by cutting out or die-cutting an aluminum foil, which is an electrode material, into a comb shape are prepared, and the comb-shaped portions of the electrode plates 1 and 2 are arranged concentrically. The thickness of the aluminum foil may generally be 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm like commercially available aluminum foil, preferably 0.1 mm to 0.05 mm, and assuming it is to be worn on a diaper, a thickness of 0.05 mm can be said to be optimal. Also, the surfaces of the electrode plates 1 and 2 may be subjected to surface treatment such as anodizing. The lengths in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the electrode plates 1 and 2, as well as the shape and interval of the comb-shaped portions, can be freely set according to the size of the diaper. A hole 3 is provided at one end of the electrode plate 1, and a hole 4 is provided at one end of the electrode plate 2.

[0014] Next, as shown in Figure 2, insulating sheets 5 and 6 are attached to both sides of electrode plates 1 and 2. If the conductive electrode plates 1 and 2 come into direct contact with the skin, a weak electric current may flow from the electrode plates 1 and 2 to the living body. By covering both sides of electrode plates 1 and 2 with insulating sheets 5 and 6, a structure is created that ensures safety for the living body. In addition, holes 7 are provided in the insulating sheets 5 and 6 at positions corresponding to holes 3 and 4 in electrode plates 1 and 2. It is preferable that holes 7 are larger than holes 3 and 4, and preferably 2 to 4 mm or more larger than the outer diameter of the snapper genko 8 and 9 and snapper head 10, which will be described later.

[0015] Next, as shown in Figure 3, the snapper prongs 8 and 9 are inserted through holes 3, 4 and 7, and the snapper head 10 is then inserted from the back and pressed into place. This electrically connects the snapper prongs 8 and 9 and the snapper head 10 to the electrode plates 1 and 2.

[0016] Next, as shown in Figure 4, an insulating seal 11 for the snapper head is attached to the metal part of the pressed snapper head 10. The insulating seal 11 prevents the metal part of the snapper head 10 from coming into contact with the body and causing an electric current to flow through the body, thus ensuring safety.

[0017] Next, as shown in Figure 5, double-sided adhesive tape 12 is attached to the side of the work-in-progress shown in Figure 4 that has an insulating seal 11.

[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the capacitance-type urinary incontinence sensor 14 according to this embodiment is completed by attaching the release liner 13 to the double-sided adhesive tape 12. When using the urinary incontinence sensor 14, the release liner 13 is peeled off and the double-sided adhesive tape 12 is pressed against the outside of the diaper to attach the urinary incontinence sensor 14 to the diaper.

[0019] (Overall structure) Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the urinary incontinence detection device 30 according to this embodiment. The urinary incontinence detection device 30 comprises a urinary incontinence sensor 14 shown in Figure 6 and a wireless transmitting / receiving unit (detection unit) 21, the wireless transmitting / receiving unit 21 being connected to the urinary incontinence sensor 14 by a connecting cord 18. In the urinary incontinence sensor 14, the connecting cord 18 is attached to snapper genbos 8 and 9.

[0020] The wireless transceiver unit 21 is a device that detects urinary incontinence in the user of the diaper 22 based on an electrical signal from the urinary incontinence sensor 14, and comprises a lithium primary battery 15, a frequency / voltage converter 16, a pulse oscillator 17, a microprocessor unit 19, and a wireless transceiver communication module 20. The lithium primary battery 15 is a power source for driving the wireless transceiver unit 21, and can be a button cell battery (part number: CR2032), for example. The pulse oscillator 17 applies a pulse current of a predetermined frequency to the electrode plates 1 and 2 of the urinary incontinence sensor 14. As will be described later, when urinary incontinence occurs, the frequency of the pulse current changes according to the amount of urine leakage. The frequency / voltage converter 16 converts the frequency of the pulse current received from the urinary incontinence sensor 14 into an analog voltage and inputs the converted analog voltage to the microprocessor unit 19. The microprocessor unit 19 performs an A / D conversion on the analog voltage and detects the presence or absence of urinary incontinence and the amount of urine leakage based on the change in the frequency of the pulse current.

[0021] Furthermore, the data on the presence or absence of detected urinary incontinence and the amount of urine leakage can be wirelessly transmitted in real time to a receiver such as a smartphone via the wireless transmission / reception communication module 20. The wireless transmission / reception communication module 20 may also transmit the above data if the detected amount of urine leakage is above a threshold.

[0022] The wireless transceiver unit 21 is power-saving, allowing it to be powered by a small lithium primary battery 15, thereby contributing to the miniaturization of the device. In this embodiment, the wireless transceiver unit 21 can be used continuously for 200 hours, or for one month if used for 8 hours a day. Furthermore, the operating time of the wireless transceiver unit 21 can be extended even further by using a battery with a larger capacity as the lithium primary battery 15.

[0023] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the incontinence diaper 22 with the urine incontinence detection device 30 attached. The incontinence diaper 22 is sealed in such a way that urine does not leak out even if urine incontinence occurs, and the urine incontinence sensor 14 and the connecting cord 18 are attached to the outside of the incontinence diaper 22.

[0024] Figures 9 and 10 are cross-sectional and plan views, respectively, illustrating the principle by which the urinary incontinence sensor 14 detects urinary incontinence. The incontinence diaper 22 has a waterproof urine leak-proof seal 25 on the outside, and the urinary incontinence sensor 14 is attached to the urine leak-proof seal 25 of the incontinence diaper 22.

[0025] The dielectric constant of the inner region (urine detection area) of the incontinence diaper 22 where the urine incontinence sensor 14 is attached changes depending on the presence or absence of liquid. When the dielectric constant of the urine detection area changes, the frequency of the pulse current supplied from the pulse oscillator 17 changes. Specifically, when urinary incontinence occurs, the dielectric constant of the urine detection area increases as the amount of urine 24 increases, the capacitance of the stray capacitor 23 between the comb-shaped portions of electrode plates 1 and 2 increases, and the frequency of the pulse current decreases. Therefore, the wireless transceiver 21 can detect the presence or absence of urinary incontinence and the amount of urine based on the change in the frequency of the pulse current from the urine incontinence sensor 14. In other words, by considering the urine 24 as a dielectric and measuring the amount of dielectric using the capacitance measurement method, which is a dielectric constant measurement method, the urine incontinence sensor 14 can detect the presence or absence of urinary incontinence and the amount of urine without directly touching the urine. Furthermore, urine volume can be detected by covering the thickness of absorbent cloth, deodorizing nonwoven fabric, and waterproof cloth that store urine, as in an incontinence diaper.

[0026] Furthermore, in order to reduce the power consumption of the wireless transceiver 21, the device may be configured to measure the dielectric constant once every second and send the average value of four measurements wirelessly to a smartphone or the like in real time once every four seconds.

[0027] (Additional notes) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. In other words, embodiments obtained by combining technical means that have been appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 Electrode plate (+) 2 Electrode plate(-) 3 holes (connection holes for snapper studs) 4 holes (connection holes for snapper studs) 5. Insulating sheet (front side) 6. Insulating sheet (back side) 7 holes (Snapper Genko escape hole) 8 Snapper Genko 9 Snapper Genko 10 Snapper Head 11. Insulating seal for snapper head 12 Double-sided adhesive tape 13 Release sheet 14. Capacitance-type urinary incontinence sensor 15 Lithium primary battery 16 Frequency / Voltage Converter 17. Pulse Oscillator 18 Connection Code 19 Microprocessor Units 20 Wireless communication module for transmission and reception 21 Wireless Transceiver Unit (Detection Unit) 22 Incontinence diapers 23. Floating Capacitance 24 Urine 25. Incontinence prevention seals 30. Urinary incontinence detection device

Claims

1. A capacitance-type urinary incontinence sensor is attached to the outside of the diaper and detects changes in the dielectric constant of the inner region of the diaper. A detection unit connected to the aforementioned urinary incontinence sensor detects urinary incontinence in the user of the diaper, A urinary incontinence detection device equipped with, The detection unit applies a pulsed current to the urine incontinence sensor, determines the change in dielectric constant from the change in the frequency of the pulsed current from the urine incontinence sensor, and detects the amount of urine due to urine incontinence based on the change in dielectric constant, in the urine incontinence detection device.

2. The urinary incontinence detection device according to claim 1, wherein a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate to which a pulsed current is applied are provided in a planar manner on the same surface.

3. A urinary incontinence detection device according to claim 1 or 2, A receiver that receives the detection result from the detection unit, A urinary incontinence detection system equipped with [a specific feature].

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