Reusable Sensor Substrate for Disposable Absorbent Article Inventory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles for personal hygiene lack effective monitoring systems for automatically managing stock inventory and detecting voiding patterns, requiring caregiver intervention and manual record-keeping, and existing sensors are costly and not suitable for disposable use.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article system with a liquid permeable topsheet, impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core, featuring a color-changing or electrically conductive indicator and a detection device that can be removably attached, which sends signals to a computing device to track inventory and trigger alerts or automatic orders when the absorbent article changes state from dry to wet, forming an integral unit with optical sensors and light sources for accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a sensor with signal processing unit, transmitter and power supply is integrated into the absorbent article for monitoring, then monitoring functionality is achieved, but cost increases and the sensor becomes unsuitable for disposable use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensor from the disposable absorbent article and places it on a separate reusable substrate. The sensor is detached from the single-use product, allowing the absorbent article to remain inexpensive and disposable while the monitoring function is handled by a separate, investable device that can be reused across multiple articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is segmented into two distinct parts: a reusable sensor component on a substrate that can be reused across multiple absorbent articles, and the disposable absorbent article itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the sensor for reusability and the absorbent article for single-use convenience.
2Quantity of substance
If a sensor is reused after exposure to moisture, then cost is reduced, but reliability of sensing deteriorates due to moisture exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is extracted from the disposable absorbent article and placed on a separate reusable substrate. This separation allows the sensor to be protected from direct contact with moisture and exudates that occur during normal use of the absorbent article, maintaining sensing reliability while enabling reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary arrangement where the sensor on the reusable substrate monitors the absorbent article without direct contact with the moisture and exudates. The sensor detects changes in the absorbent article through non-invasive means, acting as an intermediary that preserves sensing reliability while enabling reuse.
3Device complexity
If manual record keeping and caregiver intervention are used for stock management, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service stock management by automatically tracking the number of absorbent articles used through sensor detections. The reusable substrate with sensor autonomously monitors and reports stock levels, eliminating the need for manual record-keeping by caregivers and improving stock management efficiency without requiring complex centralized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the sensor detects usage events (such as wetness events) and provides real-time information about absorbent article usage. This feedback loop automatically updates stock levels and can trigger replenishment alerts, enabling efficient stock management through automated information flow rather than manual tracking.
4Measurement precision
If optical sensors and light sources are integrated into the detection device for accurate indicator detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reusable substrate with optical sensors and light sources is designed to be universally compatible with multiple absorbent articles. The same detection device can be reused across many different articles, amortizing the complexity and cost over numerous uses. The sensor system performs multiple functions including detecting color changes, tracking usage, and providing feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical sensor, light source, and processing electronics into an integrated reusable substrate unit. This merging of components into a single cohesive device simplifies the overall system architecture and allows the detection device to be reused across multiple absorbent articles, making the complexity worthwhile.
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 seamless and automatic stock management, reducing caregiver intervention and enabling environmentally friendly, usage-based inventory tracking, ensuring timely replenishment and optimizing absorbent article usage.
Implementation Method 1
The indicator comprises a color-changing indicator
Implementation Method 2
a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article and arranged to detect a change in condition of said indicator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for monitoring an absorbent article and providing stock management functionality, the system comprising: an absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet; an indicator for indicating the presence of exudates, said indicator being positioned on a body-facing side of said backsheet, the indicator comprising a color- changing indicator and/or an electrically conductive indicator; a detection device that can be removably attached to the absorbent article and arranged to detect a change in condition of said indicator; a computing means, such as a computing device or a computing algorithm arranged to deduct a one integer from an inventory value n to generate a new number n-1 representing an actual inventory value, in response to at least one of the following: a signal from the detection device triggered by a change in the state of the absorbent article such as from dry to wet; a signal from the detection device triggered by a first-time connection to an absorbent article; and a signal from the detection device triggered by disconnection of the detection device from an absorbent article after a first-time connection to the absorbent article, and wherein the computing means is arranged to send a signal once the actual inventory value reaches a predefined threshold, wherein said signal triggers at least one of: a warning alarm; an automatic order of new stock comprising a plurality of absorbent articles; and combinations thereof.