Mobile App Predicts Voiding to Reduce Absorbent Leakage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

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 fail to provide timely changes, leading to urinary and faecal leakage and associated social issues.

Innovation Solution

A method using a mobile device to collect intake and voiding information, predict future voiding behavior, and provide product-related recommendations to users or caregivers, allowing for timely changes based on the absorbency capacity of the product, utilizing a downloadable App that can be executed on existing mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex sensor-based monitoring systems are used, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as a copy or alternative to complex dedicated sensor systems. The mobile device runs an application that performs monitoring functions using the device's existing sensors and processing capabilities, thereby avoiding the need for specialized expensive monitoring equipment while maintaining adequate monitoring precision through software-based algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If sensor-based monitoring systems are deployed, then monitoring reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universality of mobile devices that already exist in most people's pockets. Instead of deploying dedicated expensive monitoring systems, the solution uses universally owned mobile devices to perform multiple functions including monitoring, data processing, and alert generation. This multi-functional approach significantly reduces cost while maintaining reliability through the use of proven mobile device hardware and software platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If timely voiding monitoring is implemented, then harmful effects are reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage riskVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback loops where the mobile device monitors voiding parameters, processes the data through algorithms, and provides real-time feedback to the user through alerts and notifications. This automated feedback system reduces leakage risk by enabling timely detection and response without requiring the user to manually assess complex parameters, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving monitoring effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2793785B1Method and computer program for monitoring use of an absorbent product
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB
  • EP2793785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2793785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2793785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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 at least the steps of obtaining (S3), by means of a mobile device (1), intake information indicative of intake of fluid and/or solid edible material by the wearer,obtaining (S4), by means of the mobile device (1), voiding information indicative of urinary and/or faecal voiding by the wearer, predicting (S5), based on the intake and voiding information, future voiding by the wearer, and providing (S6), by means of the mobile device (1), product-related information based on said prediction.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 whent o change the product.