Absorbent Article Conductive Pattern Sensing for Reliable Exudate Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles lack effective systems for automatic and reliable detection of exudate location and amount, as well as product recognition, which are often costly and not suitable for disposable use.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensor with conductive patterns on the absorbent article to detect exudate location and amount, combined with a clip-on device for data acquisition and processing, using binary strings and error correction algorithms to ensure accurate data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor with signal processing unit, transmitter and battery is used to monitor exudate conditions, then monitoring capability is improved, but cost increases and the device becomes unsuitable for disposable use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the complex sensor system and implements it using simple conductive patterns printed directly on the absorbent article. This separates the detection function (conductive patterns) from the processing function (external device), enabling the absorbent article to be disposable while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements disposable conductive patterns that can be integrated into single-use absorbent articles. These patterns are inexpensive to manufacture and can be discarded with the article after use, eliminating the need for reusable expensive sensors while maintaining detection functionality.
2Reliability
If a reusable sensor is used to monitor exudate, then monitoring capability is improved, but the sensing area becomes exposed to moisture making simple usage impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive patterns are designed as disposable components that are discarded with the absorbent article after a single use. This eliminates the moisture contamination problem for reusable sensors while maintaining monitoring capability during the usage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into a disposable part (conductive patterns on absorbent article) and a reusable part (external processing device). This allows the sensing area to be disposable and moisture-exposed while the processing electronics remain protected and reusable.
3Measurement precision
If complex mathematical and statistical manipulations are used to determine wetness events, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex processing functions from the sensor itself and relocates them to an external device. The conductive patterns only perform simple sensing, while all mathematical and statistical manipulations are performed externally, significantly reducing on-board processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex on-board signal processing with simple conductive pattern sensing. The complex mathematical operations are substituted by external processing capabilities, reducing the computational burden on the embedded system.
4Reliability
If binary strings with error correction are used for data transmission, then data reliability is improved, but data processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Error correction codes are pre-calculated and embedded in the binary string structure before transmission. This allows for quick verification and correction at the receiving end without requiring complex real-time processing, reducing data processing time while maintaining reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise detection of exudate location and amount within absorbent articles, with automated product recognition, reducing errors and power consumption, suitable for disposable use.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor comprises a conductive pattern arranged to sense the presence of exudates in different locations of the absorbent article
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for monitoring at least one of exudate data and absorbent article data, wherein said exudate data is associated with at least one absorbent article and a person wearing said at least one article, and wherein said absorbent article data is associated with one or more primary article characteristics, the method comprising the steps of: - acquiring at least one of: ∘ exudate data comprising exudate information for one or more voiding events, within a time period corresponding to a monitoring period, the one or more voiding events corresponding to at least a first voiding event, wherein the first, voiding event occurs at an absorbent article position; and ∘ absorbent article data according to the one or more primary article characteristics that are selected from the group consisting of: absorbency of said article; size of said article; construction of said article; brand of said article; material specification of said article, and combinations thereof; and - wherein each said acquired data comprises, preferably consists of, a binary string comprising a plurality of bits that uniquely distinguishes each said acquired data; and - identifying the presence or absence of an anomaly in the said acquired data by comparing the plurality of bits of said acquired data with bits of a plurality of pre-set binary strings comprised in a code book, each said pre-set binary strings corresponding to actual exudate and/or absorbent article data; and wherein the method further comprises the step of carrying out a data correction step, wherein said data correction step comprises the step of replacing the acquired data corresponding to said identified anomaly with the most likely actual exudate and/or absorbent article data.