Absorbent Pad with Calibrated Color Indicators for Urine Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incontinence pads lack the capability to monitor urine output, which is a barrier to their use in ICU settings where catheter-related complications are a concern, as they do not provide clinically useful information about urinary output.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent liquid measurement article with a marking cluster and absorbent wicking layer that indicates the quantity of liquid deposited on the pad, featuring calibrated marks and a label to quantify the liquid volume, allowing for non-invasive urine output monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an incontinence pad is used instead of a catheter, then catheter-related complications are avoided, but the capability to monitor urine output is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change indicators that react with urine to produce visible color changes at different levels, allowing caregivers to monitor urine output volume without catheterization. The absorbent article includes indicator layers that change color based on urine concentration and volume, providing the lost monitoring capability while maintaining the benefit of avoiding catheter-related complications.
2Loss of information
If calibrated marks are added to indicate liquid quantity, then urine output monitoring capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring function with the absorbent structure itself by integrating indicator layers directly into the absorbent matrix. The calibrated marks and color change indicators are incorporated into the existing layers of the absorbent article, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices and reducing overall system complexity while providing urine output monitoring capability.
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 the measurement of urine volume without the need for catheterization, providing clinically useful information and reducing catheter-related complications by allowing caregivers to track urinary output effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent wicking layer and a marking cluster. The marking cluster includes at least one mark calibrated to correspond to a particular quantity of liquid which has been deposited on the article at a liquid receiving site thereof and which has wicked toward the mark
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid measurement article includes an absorbent wicking layer and a marking cluster having at least one mark whose location on the article is calibrated to correspond to a particular quantity of liquid having been deposited on the article at a liquid receiving site thereof and having wicked toward the mark. A label associated with at least one of the marks indicates the particular quantity.