Toilet Seat Sensor Ring for Unobtrusive Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing health monitoring systems for patients are often obtrusive and provide inaccurate results due to the lack of unobtrusive and comprehensive measurement of loads and forces on a toilet seat, which is essential for monitoring physiological conditions such as cardiac and vascular health.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems, devices, and methods that include a ring with sensors attached to a base of a toilet, allowing for the measurement of forces and loads on the toilet seat, including ballistocardiogram (BCG) data and posture analysis, to provide accurate and unobtrusive monitoring of a seated individual's health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional health monitoring devices are used, then physiological data can be obtained, but the monitoring becomes obtrusive and requires active patient participation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic health monitoring without requiring active patient participation. Sensors embedded in the toilet seat and base automatically detect physiological parameters (weight, BCG, posture) when the patient uses the toilet, transforming the monitoring process into a self-service operation that occurs naturally during daily activities.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive force measurement is implemented, then physiological monitoring accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toilet seat and base structure serves multiple functions: it provides the primary toilet function while simultaneously housing sensors that measure weight, ballistocardiogram (BCG), and posture. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive physiological monitoring without adding separate dedicated monitoring equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the toilet structure with the monitoring system by embedding sensors within the seat and base components. The seat and base become both the functional toilet element and the measurement platform, combining two systems into one integrated solution that reduces overall complexity compared to separate monitoring devices.
3Loss of information
If multiple sensors are deployed to measure all forces, then measurement completeness improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into distinct functional groups: weight sensors in the base, BCG sensors in the seat, and posture sensors positioned to detect angular changes. This segmentation allows each sensor type to be optimized for its specific measurement function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by enabling modular assembly and testing of sensor subsets.
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 solution enables accurate monitoring of physiological data such as weight, BCG, and posture, providing valuable insights into the health conditions of individuals, such as cardiac and vascular health, while being non-intrusive and applicable to various types of toilets.
Implementation Method 1
a set of sensors collectively configured to measure forces present on the ring when the subject is seated on the surface of the ring
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for monitoring physiological data of subjects seated on a toilet, including systems, devices, and methods for monitoring loads and forces on a toilet seat. In some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein include a set of sensors that can measure loads and forces present at coupling points between a toilet seat and a base or other components of a toilet.