Body Fluid Discriminating Sensor for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles, such as diapers, fail to effectively discriminate between urine and feces insults, leading to prolonged skin contact with feces, which can cause irritant diaper dermatitis, especially in infants, and existing wetness indicators are unable to accurately differentiate between these body fluids, misleading caregivers.
Innovation Solution
A signaling device with sensors, including impedance, induction coil, and capacitive sensors, coupled with an electronic circuit that analyzes changes in electrical properties to distinguish between urine and feces insults, providing clear notification to caregivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional wetness indicators are used to detect body fluids, then urine detection sensitivity is improved, but the ability to discriminate between urine and feces is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple independent sensor types, each detecting different electrical properties (impedance magnitude for urine presence, impedance rate of change for fluid type). This segmentation allows simultaneous detection of urine presence and fluid discrimination without cross-interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in electrical impedance parameters over time, specifically the magnitude and rate of change. By analyzing these parameter dynamics rather than static values, the system can distinguish between urine and feces while maintaining high urine detection sensitivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophobic liquid permeable inner layers are used to prevent urine contact with skin, then urine protection is improved, but feces absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic inner layer acts as an intermediary that allows urine to pass through while blocking feces. This mediator enables selective fluid management, protecting skin from urine while allowing feces to be detected and managed separately through the sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces reliance on passive material absorption properties with an active electrical sensing mechanism. Instead of depending on the inner layer to absorb or block specific fluids mechanically, electrical sensors detect the presence and type of fluids, providing reliable information regardless of the layer's absorption characteristics.
3Quantity of substance
If existing wetness indicators are used, then urine presence detection is achieved, but accurate fluid type identification is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static impedance measurement to dynamic monitoring of impedance changes over time. By measuring the rate of change of electrical properties, the system can identify fluid type based on the temporal dynamics of the response, enabling accurate identification while maintaining presence detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system continuously monitors impedance changes and uses this feedback to distinguish between different fluid types. The real-time analysis of impedance dynamics provides feedback that enables accurate fluid identification while confirming urine presence, resolving the contradiction between quantity detection and precision identification.
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 accurately identifies the type of insult, reducing the risk of irritant diaper dermatitis by providing timely and accurate information to caregivers, thereby improving skin health and reducing the burden on caregivers.
Implementation Method 1
These wetness indicators detect a change in an electrical property, such as impedance, due to the presence of an ionic liquid such as urine.
Implementation Method 2
In another variation, the sensor can be an induction coil sensor configured to detect a change in an electrical impedance of the induction coil sensor.
Implementation Method 3
In yet another variation, the sensor can be a capacitive sensor configured to detect a change in capacitance due to the presence of an insult.
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to absorbent articles and signaling devices for use therewith. The signaling device can be configured to detect the presence of an insult in the absorbent article and/or in an undergarment. The signaling device can be further configured to determine whether the insult is a urine insult or a feces insult. The signaling device can provide a notification to a user that an insult has occurred and can inform the user whether the insult is a urine insult or a feces insult.