Adhesive Urine Interface Device with Capacitive Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine aspiration systems face challenges such as nosocomial infections from catheters, cumbersome manual collectors, and difficulties in achieving a comfortable, discrete, and secure urine detection and removal, especially for female wearers, with existing designs being expensive and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A body interface device with an adhesive gel pad, a flexible cover, and a non-contact liquid sensor that uses a liquid acquisition material for reliable urine detection and distribution, providing a secure seal and rapid detection without electrical contact, allowing for a compact and comfortable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If catheterization is used to monitor urine output, then urine monitoring is easier, but nosocomial infections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical catheter system with an aspiration system that uses a collection device positioned at the genital area. Urine is drawn through capillary action and suction into a collection chamber, eliminating the need for catheterization and its associated infection risks while maintaining urine monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary collection device that interfaces with the body at the genital area without penetrating the urethra. This intermediary device captures urine discharge and transfers it to a collection chamber, providing a safe alternative to direct catheterization
2Reliability
If manual collectors are used for non-ambulatory patients, then urine containment is achieved, but device complexity and caregiver burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the collection device automatically detects urine presence via capacitive sensing and activates suction without caregiver intervention. The device manages urine collection and emptying autonomously, reducing caregiver burden while maintaining reliable containment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses strong suction force to rapidly draw urine from the collection chamber, ensuring complete and quick emptying. This accelerated removal prevents overflow and maintains containment reliability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If optical sensors are used for urine detection, then electrical current leakage is avoided, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical sensing systems with a simpler capacitive sensing mechanism. The sensor detects urine presence by measuring changes in electrical capacitance caused by the conductive properties of urine, achieving non-contact detection without the complexity and cost of optical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties to electrical capacitance. By measuring capacitance changes in the presence of conductive urine, the system achieves reliable detection without requiring optical alignment, transparent windows, or expensive optical fibers
4Reliability
If a secure seal is provided around the genital area, then urine leakage is prevented, but wearer comfort and discreteness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible adhesive pad with a thin profile that conforms to the body contours. The pad provides a secure seal through adhesion rather than rigid constriction, preventing urine leakage while maintaining wearer comfort and discreteness under clothing
5Ease of operation
If a compact design is used for the body interface device, then wearer comfort is improved, but urine detection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses capacitive sensing that detects urine through the wall of the collection chamber without requiring direct contact or large sensor surfaces. This allows reliable detection in a compact device design that maintains wearer comfort
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 solution effectively prevents urine leakage, ensures rapid detection, and reduces the risk of nosocomial infections by providing a comfortable, secure, and cost-efficient urine aspiration system that is suitable for various applications, including acute and long-term care settings.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive pad (also referred to herein as a gasket) for contacting skin
Implementation Method 2
The three patents all describe liquid-contact sensors in the form of electrodes forming a normally open circuit that is closed by electrical conduction through liquid, when the sensor is contacted by liquid
Implementation Method 3
A liquid acquisition material is provided within the chamber. The liquid acquisition material provides distribution or wicking of the urine to enable reliable sensing by the liquid sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A body interface device for a urine aspiration system comprises a skin contact pad with gel adhesive for adhering to the skin, and a flexible cover attached to the pad. The pad includes at least one aperture for admitting urine through the pad into the body interface device. The flexible cover has a bulged form projecting away from the gasket. The flexible cover defines a urine receiving chamber facing towards the gasket, and recess facing away from the chamber for receiving at least a portion of a non-contact liquid sensor. The recess and chamber have a wall portion in common that separates the recess and the chamber. A liquid acquisition material in the chamber receives and transports urine for rapid sensing by the non-contact sensor. An aspiration unit is responsive to the non-contact liquid sensor to apply aspiration suction to the body interface device, upon detection of urine.