Galvanic Wetness Sensor With Segmented Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid sensors for urinary incontinence lack effective signal transmission and liquid flow management, failing to determine the degree of wetness or type of liquid, leading to inadequate care and increased risk of skin damage in patients.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered wetness sensor system that uses electrodes and a galvanic cell to generate power from liquid contact, transmitting electromagnetic signals with data packets indicating wetness degree and type, integrated with a liquid management layer to prevent false activations and ensure substantial wetness events are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid sensors are used for urinary incontinence monitoring, then basic wetness detection is achieved, but signal transmission reliability and liquid flow management are insufficient, failing to determine degree of wetness or liquid type
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into multiple functional components: galvanic cell electrodes for power generation, capacitive sensors for wetness detection, and hierarchical signal transmission stages. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific functions, improving overall reliability and information capture capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate signal processing and transmission mechanisms, including wireless transmitters that relay data from the sensor to external monitoring systems. This intermediary layer ensures reliable signal transmission while preserving detailed wetness information that would otherwise be lost.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are activated by any liquid contact, then sensitivity is improved, but false activations from minor wetness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system implements local quality differentiation through multiple sensor elements positioned at different locations and depths. Each sensor has different activation thresholds, allowing the system to distinguish between minor surface wetness and substantial liquid events, reducing false activations while maintaining sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hierarchical activation approach where multiple sensor elements must be activated to a certain degree before triggering an alert. This partial action requirement filters out minor wetness events while still detecting substantial liquid contact, balancing sensitivity and reliability.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery-powered sensors are used, then continuous operation is achieved, but device complexity and power management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system employs self-service power generation through galvanic cells that convert chemical energy from liquid contact into electrical power. This eliminates the need for external batteries and complex power management circuits, simplifying the device while enabling continuous operation during wetness events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/battery-based power systems with electrochemical energy conversion. The galvanic cell substitutes for traditional battery mechanisms, providing power on-demand through chemical reactions triggered by liquid contact, thereby reducing device complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent patient checking is performed, then skin damage risk is reduced, but staff time and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides continuous feedback about patient wetness status to caregivers through wireless transmission. This real-time feedback eliminates the need for frequent manual checking, allowing staff to respond only when actual wetness events occur, thereby reducing both skin damage risk and time waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor detects and reports wetness events before they cause skin damage, enabling preliminary intervention. Caregivers can be alerted immediately upon detection, allowing timely response that prevents skin breakdown without requiring proactive frequent checking.
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 provides reliable, remote detection of wetness events, reducing skin damage risk and improving care efficiency by accurately transmitting wetness data to caregivers, enabling timely interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of electrodes are coupled to generate electrical power when in contact with liquid
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter is electrically coupled to the circuit to receive the plurality of data packets and transmit representations of the plurality of data packets as electromagnetic signals
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the invention is a liquid sensor having a galvanically energizable power source capable of activating a remotely detectable signal in response to liquid. In a preferred embodiment, a liquid sensor includes a plurality of electrodes, a circuit, and a transmitter thereon. The electrodes are coupled to generate electrical power when in contact with liquid. The circuit is electrically connected to the electrodes so as to be activated by the electrical power, detect an electrical parameter of the electrical power, and generate a plurality of data packets indicating a degree of wetness corresponding to the detected electrical parameter. The transmitter is electrically coupled to the circuit to receive the plurality of data packets and transmit representations of the plurality of data packets as electromagnetic signals. Other aspects include a liquid absorbent wetness sensor and a computer-based wetness monitoring system, and method of detecting liquid.