Adhesive Tape Urine Sensor with Parallel Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for detecting urine incontinence in vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly, often require expensive specialized diapers and lack a simple, cost-effective means for caregivers to monitor dampness levels and sensor placement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A urine-detection device using an adhesive tape with parallel electrical conductors and an emitter sensor, which measures ohmic resistance to indicate dryness, wetness, and sensor placement, allowing for remote monitoring and reducing the need for high-priced absorbent products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized diapers with sensing lines are used, then urine detection capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a simple adhesive tape with conductors applied to the diaper, and a separate emitter sensor unit. This segmentation allows the detection function to be distributed across inexpensive, easily replaceable components rather than requiring a complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive tape with conductors is designed as a disposable component that can be easily applied and removed. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex reusable sensing lines integrated into the diaper structure, reducing both initial cost and long-term complexity.
2Measurement precision
If specialized diapers with integrated sensors are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the adhesive tape application from the emitter sensor unit, the system allows caregivers to independently apply the tape and then attach the sensor. This modular approach simplifies operation compared to integrated systems where sensors must be precisely positioned during diaper manufacturing or application.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive tape with conductors is designed to be self-aligning and easy to apply to the diaper surface. The conductors are positioned to automatically establish proper electrical contact when the emitter sensor is attached, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and simplifying the overall operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive tape with conductors is applied to any nappy, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive tape is designed with conductors positioned at specific locations and orientations that are optimized for measuring urine dampness in the typical usage position. This local optimization ensures that despite the tape's adaptability to different nappy types, the measurement precision is maintained at the critical detection location.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive tape with conductors is designed to work with various types of nappies, sanitary towels, and pads, providing universal adaptability. The conductor configuration is designed to maintain proper electrical contact and measurement precision across different product types and sizes.
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
The device effectively reduces urinary infections, hospital stays, and caregiver stress by providing accurate and remote monitoring of incontinence, enabling efficient resource allocation and preserving patient dignity.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, by means of the emitter sensor, the ohmic resistance between said two parallel conductors
Implementation Method 2
detecting changes in the resistor or in the capacitive value between conductors
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a urine-detection device with adhesive tape and an emitter sensor, which allows the easy provision of a urine detector, preventing the need for special nappies or sanitary towels, the device being characterised in that it comprises: a strip of tape equipped with two parallel, longitudinal metallic conductors to which a 90 kQ resistor is connected by means of superposition, adhesion or printing, the resistor being situated at one end of the tape strip, close to a pre-marked fold, near to an area intended to connect a unit formed by a supporting member and the emitter sensor, which produces in-situ visual warnings by means of LEDs when a control button is pressed and which is programmed to continually transmit data to a control centre panel by means of a wireless connection, to facilitate normality information and information regarding the need for attention because of a wet nappy.