Disposable Diagnostic Sheet with RFID for Absorbent Garments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable absorbent garments lack effective diagnostic capabilities to monitor and diagnose conditions of wearers, such as urinary tract infections or dehydration, and do not provide timely notifications to caregivers when soiled, which can lead to inaccurate or delayed medical interventions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a diagnostic sheet with RFID technology into disposable absorbent garments, which includes diagnostic elements that react to bodily fluids and provide alerts to caregivers through a backscatter signal, allowing for timely monitoring and diagnosis of wearer conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If disposable absorbent garments are made simple and disposable, then ease of manufacture and disposal is improved, but diagnostic capabilities and monitoring functions are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds diagnostic elements, RFID tags, and sensor components within the disposable absorbent garment structure. These diagnostic components are nested inside the garment layers, allowing the simple disposable garment to contain complex monitoring functions without compromising its disposable nature or ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent garment is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides its primary absorbent function while also incorporating diagnostic capabilities for detecting bodily fluid conditions, RFID tracking for inventory management, and alert notification systems. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by integrating information retention capabilities into the disposable structure
2Measurement precision
If diagnostic elements are integrated into the garment, then monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable diagnostic elements and single-use RFID tags that are integrated into the absorbent garment. These components are designed to be low-cost, simple, and disposable, matching the lifecycle of the garment itself. This approach provides monitoring capability without requiring complex, expensive, or reusable diagnostic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic elements automatically detect and analyze bodily fluid conditions without requiring external intervention or complex processing systems. The RFID tags automatically transmit information when interrogated, and the garment itself serves as the containment and delivery mechanism, reducing the need for additional complex monitoring infrastructure
3Loss of information
If RFID and diagnostic elements are added to the garment, then information retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into unified components: the diagnostic elements are integrated with the absorbent layers, the RFID tags are incorporated into the garment structure, and the alert notification system is merged with the existing garment components. This consolidation reduces manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for separate assembly processes for each functional element
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 system enables accurate and timely monitoring of wearer conditions, improving medical treatment and reducing the risk of delayed interventions by providing notifications and allowing for early diagnosis and intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the RFID device may be configured to provide power in response to receiving a wireless signal and generate a backscatter signal
Implementation Method 2
The diagnostic sheet may be configured for wicking fluid vertically
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic sheet for use in conjunction with a disposable absorbent garment is disclosed. The diagnostic sheet may be operable to wick fluid vertically, and includes one or more diagnostic elements and a radio frequency identification device (RFID). The one or more diagnostic elements may be integrated with the diagnostic sheet and positioned at a first region of the diagnostic sheet, and the RFID may be integrated with the diagnostic sheet and positioned proximate the first region. In the presence of the fluid, each of the one or more diagnostic elements may be configured to indicate a result of a particular diagnostic test. In the presence of the fluid, the RFID may be configured to provide an indication that the fluid wicked by the diagnostic sheet has reached the one or more diagnostic elements.