Feminine Care Pad with pH Sensor for Microbial Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Feminine care absorbent articles in warm climates face challenges in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms due to increased moisture, which can neutralize antimicrobial agents, leading to concerns about their efficacy and user confidence.
Innovation Solution
A feminine care absorbent article incorporating an antimicrobial composition with acidic compounds and a pH-sensitive sensor that changes color when the antimicrobial efficacy is compromised, allowing users to visually determine when to replace the article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If feminine care absorbent articles are used in warm climates, then moisture absorption increases, but antimicrobial efficacy decreases due to neutralization by moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pH sensor that provides real-time feedback to the user about the antimicrobial efficacy status. The sensor detects pH changes that indicate neutralization of the acidic antimicrobial agents and triggers a visual signal (color change) to alert users when replacement is needed, enabling them to maintain reliable protection by replacing articles at appropriate intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The feminine care article performs self-monitoring of its antimicrobial efficacy through the integrated pH sensor system. The sensor automatically detects when the acidic environment is compromised by moisture neutralization and signals the user without requiring manual testing or assessment, allowing the product to serve itself in monitoring its own functional status.
2Reliability
If pH sensor is added to monitor antimicrobial efficacy, then user confidence increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pH-sensitive chromogen that undergoes a visible color change in response to pH alterations caused by moisture neutralization. This colorimetric indicator provides an intuitive, easy-to-understand visual signal to users about antimicrobial efficacy status, requiring no technical knowledge or interpretation while effectively communicating product status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensing and signaling systems with a simple chemical pH indicator system. The chromogen-based pH sensor uses chemical reactions to detect pH changes and produces visual signals through color changes, eliminating the need for batteries, electronic circuits, or complex mechanical components while maintaining reliability monitoring functionality.
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 combination effectively maintains a low pH to inhibit microorganism growth and provides a visual indicator for users to replace the article when antimicrobial efficacy is reduced, ensuring continuous protection against pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
The pH-sensitive composition includes a chromogen that undergoes a visible color change upon contact with the bodily fluid, the visible color change occurring at a pH level of from about 3 to about 9.
Implementation Method 2
The antimicrobial composition comprises an acidic compound. The pH-sensitive composition exhibits a first color at pH values of less than about 3 and a second color at pH values of about 9 or more.
Data Source
AI summary
A feminine care absorbent article (e.g., feminine care pad, sanitary napkin, tampon, etc.) is provided that employs a synergistic combination of an antimicrobial composition for inhibiting thegrowth of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, etc.) and a pH sensor for signaling to the user when the antimicrobial composition is no longer operating at its full capacity. In this manner, the user can initially wear the article without fear of infection. After a certain period of time, the user can visually inspect the color of the pH sensor to obtain an indication of whether the antimicrobial composition is still active and effective in inhibiting microorganism growth, or whether it is time to replace or remove the article.