Urine and Stool Volume Sensing for Automated Toilet Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking patient urine and stool output in hospitals involve manual handling of collection hats, leading to errors in volume estimation, exposure of nurses to hazardous waste, and increased health risks, particularly when urine and stool are mixed.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a waste receptacle with a sensor, such as a load cell, coupled to a toilet to automatically quantify excretions, including separate receptacles for urine and stool, with a controller to evaluate and transmit data to an electronic health system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling of collection hats is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to visual estimation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection method with an automated sensor-based measurement system. Sensors (such as weight sensors, optical sensors, or level sensors) automatically detect and measure the volume of urine and stool in collection containers, eliminating human visual estimation errors while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through integration of sensing elements in the toilet seat or collection hat structure.
2Device complexity
If manual handling of collection hats is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to nurse exposure to hazardous waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated sensor system performs measurement and data transmission without requiring nurse intervention. The collection hats remain in place, sensors automatically detect excretion volumes, and data are transmitted electronically to healthcare systems, completely eliminating nurse exposure to hazardous waste while maintaining operational functionality.
3Measurement precision
If separate receptacles for urine and stool are used, then measurement precision is improved for separate volume estimation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collection system into separate receptacles for urine and stool, each with dedicated sensors for independent measurement. This segmentation allows precise separate volume estimation by preventing mixing of excretions and enabling independent detection of each type, while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable through standardized sensor integration in each separate container.
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 accurate, automated measurement of urine and stool volumes, reducing human error, protecting nurse health, and improving patient care by enhancing fluid balance tracking.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor includes at least one load cell that interfaces with the at least one waste receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
An excretion collection and evaluation system including at least one waste receptacle including a waste collection area. and a sensor configured to be coupled to a toilet, selectively coupled to the at least one waste receptable, and configured to generate a signal indicative of a quantity of waste deposited in the waste collection area.