Stool Detector With Conductive Sheets For Diaper Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wetness indicators in diapers are inadequate for detecting defecation, leading to potential health issues and quality of life concerns for elderly patients in care homes, as they do not reliably notify caregivers of the need to change soiled diapers.
Innovation Solution
A stool detection device with a positioning member, mounting seat, transmitter module, and stool detector is integrated into the diaper, featuring hydrophobic materials and conductive sheets that establish an electrical connection upon stool contact, triggering a wireless notification to a receiver when defecation occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wetness indicator is used on the diaper, then the caregiver can be notified of urination, but the indicator cannot reliably detect defecation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two distinct detection mechanisms: a wetness indicator for urine detection and a stool detector with conductive sheets for stool detection. Each segment is optimized for its specific detection purpose, allowing the system to reliably detect both urination and defecation events independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaper detection system is enhanced to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously. The original wetness indicator continues to function for urine detection while the added stool detector with conductive sheets provides stool detection capability, making the overall system universal for detecting both types of bodily waste.
2Reliability
If the diaper is not changed promptly after defecation, then the patient's health may deteriorate and quality of life is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The stool detector with conductive sheets is positioned in advance within the diaper structure to detect stool contact immediately upon occurrence. The transmitter module is pre-configured to send alerts to the receiver, enabling preliminary notification before health deterioration can occur, allowing caregivers to respond promptly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the stool detector continuously monitors for stool contact, and upon detection, the transmitter module sends a signal to the receiver to notify the caregiver. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures timely response to defecation events, preventing health deterioration.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conductive sheets are placed in the receiving space, then stool detection is enabled through electrical connection, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive sheets are implemented as thin, flexible conductive layers positioned within the receiving space of the diaper. These thin-film conductive elements can conform to the diaper's structure and provide effective electrical connection for stool detection without adding significant structural complexity or bulk to the overall diaper design.
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 device effectively detects defecation and notifies caregivers, ensuring timely diaper changes and improving patient health and quality of life by providing reliable detection of stool presence.
Implementation Method 1
The main body is coated with hydrophobic material except for on the first adhesive surface. The long board-member is coated with hydrophobic material except for on the second adhesive surface. The short board-member is coated with hydrophobic material.
Implementation Method 2
When the stool gets into the receiving space of the stool detector and contacts both the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet to establish an electrical connection between the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
A stool detection device is for detecting and notifying defecation of stool (81) in a diaper (7), and communicates with a receiver (4). The stool detection device includes a transmitter module (6), and a stool detector (5). The stool detector (5) is mounted on the mounting seat (2), and includes a main body (56), a long board-member (57), a short board-member (58), a first conductive sheet (51), a second conductive sheet (52)). The short board-member (58) co-operates with the main body (56) and the long board-member (57) to define a receiving space (59). When the stool gets into the receiving space (59) and contacts both the first conductive sheet (51) and the second conductive sheet (52) to establish an electrical connection, the transmitter module (6) is activated to wirelessly transmit a detection signal to the receiver (4) to allow the receiver (4) to output a notification.