Infant Diaper with Segmented Urine Capture and Stool Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting urine and stool samples from infants are often cumbersome, invasive, and unsuitable for medical diagnosis or research due to contamination and absorption issues, particularly in premature and young infants with sensitive skin.
Innovation Solution
A diaper design featuring a liquid control structure with a hydrophilic topsheet and impermeable backsheet, including pass-through ports and receptacles for stool samples, and a urine capture layer to prevent contamination and absorption, facilitating non-invasive sample collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional absorbent diapers are used to collect urine samples, then urine absorption occurs quickly, but the urine becomes contaminated and non-representative due to absorption into the absorbent structure
Solution Approach 1:
The diaper is divided into distinct functional zones: a urine collection area with a urine collection layer that has reduced absorbency, and a separate fecal matter containment area. This segmentation allows urine to be collected without immediate absorption into the main absorbent core, preserving sample integrity while preventing contamination from fecal matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The urine collection layer is specifically designed with different absorbent properties than the rest of the absorbent core. This local modification creates a zone where urine can be collected and stored without being immediately absorbed, while other parts of the diaper maintain normal absorbent functionality for routine urine management.
2Reliability
If conventional diapers are used for stool sample collection, then liquid content is absorbed rapidly, but the stool sample becomes non-representative due to loss of liquid constituents
Solution Approach 1:
The diaper structure separates stool collection and urine absorption functions into different zones. The fecal matter containment area is positioned to receive stool samples without immediate contact with the absorbent core, preventing loss of liquid constituents while the urine collection layer manages urine separately.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier layer or containment structure acts as an intermediary between the stool collection area and the absorbent core, allowing stool to be collected and retained without direct contact with absorbent materials that would otherwise absorb liquid content and alter sample composition.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive devices are used for sample collection in premature infants, then sample collection is achieved, but skin irritation and damage occur due to sensitive and delicate skin
Solution Approach 1:
The diaper is designed as a disposable product that is applied and then removed as a single unit for sample collection. This eliminates the need for adhesive removal from sensitive infant skin, as the entire diaper including the sample collection components is discarded after use, preventing skin irritation and damage.
4Ease of operation
If extra absorbent material is inserted into the diaper for urine collection, then urine can be collected, but the process becomes cumbersome and messy requiring removal and compression of the material
Solution Approach 1:
The urine collection layer is integrated directly into the diaper structure as a built-in component rather than requiring separate insertable materials. This merging of functions allows urine to be collected and stored within the diaper's normal structure, eliminating the need to insert, remove, and compress separate absorbent materials for sample collection.
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
Enables the collection of uncontaminated and intact urine and stool samples, reducing skin irritation and improving the reliability of medical diagnostics and research samples.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid control structure adapted to receive and control liquid exudates
Implementation Method 2
impermeable backsheet
Data Source
AI summary
Diapers adapted for use in the collection of stool samples from infants are disclosed. Such diapers may include a backsheet comprising an effectively liquid impermeable material, a liquid control structure disposed over the backsheet, and a pass-through port disposed at least partially in the rear portion of the diaper. The diaper may include other features adapted to contain exudates, isolate urine from fecal material following discharge, avoid absorption of liquid components of fecal material and enhance likelihood of collecting a fecal sample that is sufficiently representative of its composition immediately following discharge.