Bowel Movement Sensing With Hydrogen Sulfide Gas and Urine Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately distinguish between urine and solid waste saturation in absorbent articles, leading to inefficiencies in determining the type of excrement present, which is crucial for timely replacement and hygiene maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system with a gas sensor attached to an absorbent article that detects hydrogen sulfide gas to identify bowel movements, utilizing a flexible pipe to collect gaseous emissions and prevent liquid ingress, combined with a pod device and humidity sensor to reduce false positives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wetness indicator is added to detect urine presence, then urine detection capability is improved, but the ability to distinguish between urine and solid waste remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into multiple specialized sensors: a wetness indicator for urine detection and a gas sensor for solid waste detection. Each sensor targets specific characteristics of different excrement types, allowing the system to distinguish between urine and solid waste by analyzing signals from both sensors simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent article incorporates a multi-functional sensing system that can detect both liquid (urine) and gaseous (solid waste) indicators. The combination of wetness indicator and gas sensor creates a universal detection capability that covers multiple types of excrement monitoring in a single integrated system.
2Measurement precision
If a gas sensor is added to detect solid waste, then solid waste detection capability is improved, but false alarms from urine detection may increase
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic membrane serves as an intermediary element that selectively allows gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid urine. This membrane mediates between the gas sensor and the absorbent article interior, enabling solid waste detection through gas detection while preventing false alarms caused by direct urine contact with the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic membrane introduces local quality differentiation to the system - it is permeable to gases at the molecular level while impermeable to liquids. This localized property allows the gas sensor to detect solid waste indicators without being contaminated by urine, thereby reducing false alarms while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the gas sensor is exposed directly to the absorbent article interior, then detection sensitivity is improved, but liquid contamination of the sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic membrane acts as a protective intermediary between the gas sensor and the absorbent article interior. It allows gas molecules containing solid waste indicators to reach the sensor while blocking liquid urine from causing contamination or damage to the sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin hydrophobic membrane film is used to create a selective barrier. This flexible film is sufficiently permeable to allow gas diffusion for detection purposes while being impermeable to liquids, thus protecting the gas sensor from liquid contamination while maintaining detection sensitivity.
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
Effectively alerts caregivers to the presence of solid waste by accurately detecting bowel movements, minimizing false alarms, and ensuring timely intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the gas sensor is disposed in a pod device and detects a presence of hydrogen sulfide gas to determine an occurrence of a bowel movement or defecation
Implementation Method 2
a cover sheet preferably made of made of a hydrophobic non-woven material is attached to the pipe
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic material may be applied to one or both ends of the pipe for preventing liquids such as urine from entering the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A bowel movement detection and alerting system including a sensing device attached to an absorbent article for alerting a caregiver to the presence of solid waste by analyzing the gasses expelled in the absorbent article during a bowel movement. The system comprises an elongated pipe made of a flexible material and attached to the absorbent article. The pipe is connected to a gas sensor disposed in a pod device that detects a presence of hydrogen sulfide gas to determine an occurrence of a bowel movement or defecation in the absorbent article.