Mobile Device Movement Monitoring for Absorbent Product Voiding Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for monitoring absorbent products, such as incontinence pads and diapers, are often complex and expensive, making them inaccessible to the public and failing to provide timely notifications for changes, especially during sleep when incontinence incidents are more likely.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a mobile device with a movement sensing device, like an accelerometer, to register and evaluate sleep movements, providing product-related information to the wearer or caregiver, including recommendations for changing the absorbent product based on the comparison between the amount voided and the product's capacity, using an App downloadable on existing mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex sensor systems with multiple sensors (impedance, strain gauge, temperature, pH, chemical sensors) are used to monitor absorbent products, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from complex sensor systems and implements it using only the movement sensing device already integrated in mobile devices. By taking out the monitoring task from specialized medical equipment and placing it in consumer mobile devices, the solution achieves adequate monitoring precision without the complexity and cost of multiple specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using a mobile device's existing movement sensing device for multiple purposes - primarily for monitoring absorbent product usage, but also potentially for other health and wellness applications. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for dedicated complex sensor systems while maintaining monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If specialized monitoring systems are deployed to provide timely change notifications, then reliability of timely detection is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate due to cost and availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the wearer's own mobile device to perform the monitoring function. The movement sensing device in the wearer's personal mobile device automatically detects voiding events and provides notifications, eliminating the need for external monitoring infrastructure or specialized equipment that would reduce accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the wearer and the monitoring function. Rather than requiring direct connection to complex sensor systems, the mobile device's movement sensing device serves as an intermediary that translates physical movements into meaningful monitoring data, making the system accessible to anyone with a mobile device.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring during sleep is implemented to detect voiding events, then timely detection reliability is improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous sensor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by analyzing movement data at intervals rather than continuously monitoring. The processing unit evaluates movement patterns periodically to detect voiding events, which maintains detection reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring of multiple sensors.
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
This approach provides a cost-effective, accessible method for monitoring absorbent products, ensuring timely changes and reducing urinary and fecal leakage, thereby alleviating the shame and humiliation associated with incontinence incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a mobile device comprising a movement sensing device, such as an accelerometer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method for monitoring use of an absorbent product, such as an incontinence pad or a diaper, worn by a wearer. The method comprises the steps of registering (S4) a movement of the wearer by means of a mobile device (1) comprising a movement sensing device (2), evaluating (S5) whether the registered movement is indicative of urinary and/or faecal voiding by the wearer, and providing (S6) product-related information to the wearer or a caregiver of the wearer based on said evaluation. In this way, the product-wearer or his caregiver can be provided with valuable information related to the use of the product, for example recommendations on when to change the product, displayed on the mobile device or a mobile device of the caregiver.