Bed Pan Assembly with Integrated Excretion Analysis Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bedpan assemblies do not consolidate the functions of collecting, testing, analyzing, and notifying users of targeted properties in urine or stool samples, such as bacteria, viruses, or occult blood, which are indicative of medical conditions, particularly for bedridden patients.
Innovation Solution
A bedpan assembly with integrated analyzing sensors, including cameras, light spectroscopy units, microphones, and weight sensors, that detect targeted properties and communicate results wirelessly to a remote device, enabling real-time analysis and notification of medical professionals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate devices are used for collecting and testing samples, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity is worsened due to multiple separate processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bedpan collection device with integrated sensors, processors, and notification systems into a single unified assembly. The bedpan housing contains sensors for detecting targeted properties in urine and stool samples, a processor for analyzing sensor data, and a notification system for alerting medical professionals, thereby consolidating collection, testing, and notification functions into one device that improves workflow efficiency without requiring separate collection and testing devices
Solution Approach 2:
The bedpan assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it collects urine and stool samples, detects targeted properties through integrated sensors, processes the sensor data to identify medical conditions, and notifies medical professionals of results. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate collection and testing devices while maintaining manageable complexity through modular sensor integration
2Device complexity
If manual testing processes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time is worsened due to separate testing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The bedpan assembly performs preliminary detection and analysis of targeted properties immediately when samples are deposited, without requiring separate subsequent testing steps. The sensors continuously monitor for targeted properties as samples are collected, and the processor immediately analyzes the data to identify medical conditions, thereby eliminating delays associated with manual testing procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through continuous sensor monitoring of samples and immediate notification to medical professionals when targeted properties are detected. The notification system provides instantaneous feedback about medical conditions, eliminating the time delay between sample collection and result communication that characterizes manual testing processes
3Productivity
If integrated sensors are added to the bedpan, then productivity is improved through consolidated functions, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the integrated system into distinct functional modules: sensor modules for detecting targeted properties, a processor module for analyzing sensor data, and a notification module for alerting medical professionals. Each sensor type (for urine and stool) is implemented as a separate detectable property module, allowing the system to maintain consolidated functionality while managing complexity through modular, independently replaceable components
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
Facilitates efficient and effective sampling, analysis, and notification of medical conditions, improving patient monitoring and care by integrating detection and communication capabilities within the bedpan assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a light spectroscopy unit operably configured to detect reflected light energy from a user's skin and relative or absolute concentration of at least one of oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb), deoxyhemoglobin (deoxyHb), and melanin therein
Implementation Method 2
a camera oriented at least partially toward the bottom inner surface, wherein the least one analyzing sensor is operably configured to detect excreta occult blood as the targeted stool property
Implementation Method 3
a microphone operably configured to detect vibration within the at least one of the bottom wall and the sidewall of the bed pan housing to measure flowrate of urine within the excretion storage cavity as the targeted urine property
Implementation Method 4
weight sensors, that detect targeted properties
Data Source
AI summary
A bed pan assembly with excretion analyzation beneficially configured to collect, read, sample, analyze, and/or notify one or more desired users of one or more targeted properties of a stool or urine sample and comprising a portable bed pan housing with a bottom wall, a sidewall, an excretion storage cavity, and at least one analyzing sensor operably configured to detect at least one of a targeted stool or urine property from a stool or urine specimen received within the excretion storage cavity, communicatively couplable to a remote electronic communication device over a wireless network, and operably configured to communicate an electronic notification of the at least one of the targeted stool or urine property to the remote electronic communication device over the wireless network. The analyzing sensors may be specifically, operably configured to detect excreta occult blood, urine flowrate, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, melanin, weight, or movement as the targeted properties.