Reusable Sensor Kit for Absorbent Article Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles for personal hygiene, such as diapers and incontinence products, often incorporate costly sensors that are not suitable for disposable use and can be compromised by moisture, lacking an efficient and cost-effective solution for monitoring the presence of bodily exudates.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising absorbent articles with a color-changing indicator and a removably attached indication device featuring a color sensor, allowing for accurate detection of bodily exudates through a translucent backsheet, enabling reusable sensors and efficient production on commercial equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a costly sensor is integrated into the absorbent article to monitor bodily exudates, then the measurement precision and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the article becomes unsuitable for disposable use
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two segments: a reusable indication device containing the costly color sensor, and a disposable absorbent article containing the color-changing indicator. This segmentation allows the expensive sensing component to be reused across multiple articles while the article itself remains inexpensive and disposable, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
A color-changing indicator serves as an intermediary between the bodily exudates and the color sensor. The indicator chemically reacts with exudates to produce color changes, which are then detected optically by the sensor. This intermediary approach enables accurate detection using a reusable sensor without requiring direct contact between the sensor and moisture, protecting the sensor while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sensor is reduced in size or simplified to lower cost, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the sensing area becomes exposed to moisture which compromises reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The color-changing indicator acts as a protective intermediary that chemically interacts with moisture while the optical sensor remains protected from direct moisture exposure. The sensor detects color changes through optical means without being in contact with bodily exudates, maintaining reliability while allowing for a simpler, more cost-effective sensor design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical/electrical contact sensing with optical detection. Instead of using a sensor that physically contacts the moisture environment, an optical sensor detects color changes through light interaction, eliminating the reliability issues associated with moisture exposure while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If a reusable sensor is used across multiple absorbent articles, then the manufacturing cost per article decreases and sustainability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sensing function (reusable indication device) from the absorbent article (disposable). This clear segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture by defining distinct roles for each component, reducing device complexity while enabling cost-effective reuse of the sensor across multiple articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The indication device is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can be attached to and reused across multiple different absorbent articles. This universality reduces per-article costs and improves sustainability while the modular design keeps the system manageable and not overly complex.
4Measurement precision
If the indicator is placed in direct contact with the absorbent core for accurate detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the indicator is exposed to moisture which may affect its stability
Solution Approach 1:
The color-changing indicator serves as a chemical intermediary that is deliberately designed to be moisture-reactive while the optical sensor remains protected. The indicator's exposure to moisture is intentional and functional - it undergoes controlled color changes that are detected optically, maintaining both measurement precision and indicator stability through this controlled interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical detection to replace direct electrical or mechanical sensing in the moisture environment. The indicator can be freely exposed to moisture for accurate detection, while the optical sensor remains in a stable, dry environment, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and indicator stability.
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
Provides a cost-effective and reliable method for monitoring the presence of bodily exudates, allowing for the reuse of sensors and efficient production, while maintaining accuracy in detecting changes in the absorbent article's state.
Implementation Method 1
an indicator for indicating the presence of such bodily exudates is provided between the backsheet and the core, the indicator comprising a color-changing indicator
Implementation Method 2
the back sheet is translucent to allow light which is reflected from the indicator to reach the indication device which is positioned on the opposite side of the back sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a kit comprising an absorbent article and an indication device (70) wherein the kit comprises at least one indication device (70) which is removably attached to the absorbent articles. The absorbent article comprises a color-changing indicator (60). The indication device (70) comprises a color sensor.