Wearable Absorbent Article With Color-Changing Reagents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine testing methods are not feasible for infants, children, elderly adults, and non-ambulatory individuals, as they require voluntary urine sample collection, making it difficult to detect medical conditions in these groups.
Innovation Solution
A wearable absorbent article, such as a diaper, with a liquid-permeable top sheet, an intermediate liquid-absorbent layer, and a bottom sheet containing chemical reagents that change color upon contact with urine, allowing for visible indication of medical conditions through color changes associated with specific substances or their levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional urine testing methods are used, then medical conditions can be detected through urine analysis, but the method requires voluntary urine sample collection which cannot be performed on infants, children, elderly adults, and non-ambulatory individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the urine collection function with the medical testing function by integrating chemical reagents directly into the absorbent article structure. The reagents are incorporated into the liquid-absorbent layer or bottom sheet, merging the diaper's absorbency function with the diagnostic function, allowing simultaneous urine collection and analysis without requiring separate sample collection steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent article is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a standard absorbent product for urine containment and as a diagnostic device for detecting medical conditions. This multi-functionality allows the same product to be used across different population groups (infants, children, elderly, non-ambulatory individuals) without requiring different testing methodologies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If chemical reagents are integrated into the absorbent article, then detection of medical conditions becomes feasible in non-ambulatory individuals, but the article structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical reagents are not distributed throughout the entire absorbent article but are localized to specific regions such as the liquid-absorbent layer or bottom sheet where urine contact occurs. This localized placement provides the necessary diagnostic function while minimizing the overall complexity of the article structure and maintaining the simplicity of other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates chemical reagents into the existing materials of the absorbent article, creating composite structures where the reagents are integrated with the absorbent layers or bottom sheet materials. This approach combines the diagnostic functionality with the structural materials rather than adding separate complex components.
3Loss of information
If multiple chemical reagents are used to detect various substances, then comprehensive medical condition detection is achieved, but the cost of manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects and incorporates only the specific chemical reagents needed to detect the most clinically relevant substances in urine (such as pH indicators, protein detectors, glucose detectors, ketone detectors, and nitrite detectors). This partial action approach provides comprehensive detection of the most important medical conditions without including unnecessary reagents that would increase manufacturing cost and complexity.
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 quick and easy detection of medical conditions like urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, and dehydration by providing a visible color change within minutes, facilitating timely intervention without the need for urine sample collection.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least one chemical reagent is configured to undergo a change in color or shade from a plurality of different possible color or shade changes of the reagent upon contact with the discharged urine
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article is worn to receive discharged urine of the wearer. The article includes a liquid-permeable top sheet, an intermediate liquid-absorbent layer, a bottom sheet including at least one indicator and a liquid-impermeable backing layer. Each of the at least one externally visible indicator is coated or impregnated with at least one chemical reagent facing the liquid-absorbent layer. Each of the at least one chemical reagent is configured to undergo a change in color or shade from a plurality of different possible color or shade changes of the reagent upon contact with the discharged urine. Each color or shade is associated with a corresponding level of an analyzed component or with the presence or absence of the analyzed component and the change in color or shade of the at least one chemical reagent is externally visible on the indicator through the bottom sheet and the backing layer.