Incontinence detection pad manufacturing method

• US 10,500,105 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2018
• Issued: 12/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Monson, Gavin M., O'Neal, Todd P., Ribble, David L., Tallent, Dan R., Christie, John D., Emmons, Kirsten M., Fu, Yongji, Hood, Michael S., Seim, Douglas A., Severns, Ryan S., Voll, James D., Wiley, Gregory, Dixon, Steven A., Weidman, Bryan, Benz, Eric D., Knittle, Brett, Nusair, Marwan, Wiggermann, Neal, Harmeyer, John V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haile, Benyam
• Application Number:
  US16/202,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20190091074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/08 Elderly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/202 Assessing bladder functions, e.g. incontinence assessment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/207 Sensing devices adapted to collect urine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6808 Diapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/30 characterised by sensor means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/70 with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/045 with electrical detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07718 : the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0095 : Testing the sensing arrangement, e.g. testing if a magnetic card reader, bar code reader, RFID interrogator or smart card reader functions properly testing of electrical circuits G01R31/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10069 : the collision being resolved in the frequency domain, e.g. by hopping from one frequency to the other frequency hopping or spread spectrum techniques H04B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10168 : the powering being adversely affected by environmental influences, e.g. unwanted energy loss in the interrogation signal due to metallic or capacitive objects in the proximity of the interrogation device or in the proximity of the interrogated record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10356 : using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 : the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 : responsive to moisture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 : used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0407 : Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna dipole H01Q9/285; monopole H01Q9/40
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0457 : electromagnetically coupled to the feed line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 : with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1056 : Perforating lamina

Abstract

An incontinence detection system monitors an area for moisture events and wirelessly transmits moisture-related information to one or more notification devices. The system has a pad that includes a substrate and one or more sensors supported by the substrate. The sensor(s) emit wireless signals indicative of the moisture-related information. A sensor event communication system forwards the sensor signals to another device, such as a notification device. Portions of the system are included in a patient support apparatus, such as a bed.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an incontinence detection pad, the method comprising

unrolling a continuous roll of backsheet material having a series of electrode traces printed thereon, each electrode trace on the continuous roll having a sacrificial trace portion,

attaching an RFID tag to a pair of terminal ends of a first trace electrode of the series of electrode traces,

testing the first electrode trace by exciting the RFID tag with energy to confirm that the first electrode trace forms a completed short circuit between the terminal ends of the first electrode trace, and

cutting the backsheet material at a location which severs the sacrificial trace portion from the rest of the first electrode trace, thereby leaving a pair of spaced moisture detection electrode traces on a first backsheet for a first incontinence detection pad and leaving the sacrificial trace portion behind on a trailing, second backsheet for a second incontinence detection pad.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising laminating an absorbent core to a top sheet to form a laminate and attaching the laminate to the backsheet to sandwich the absorbent core between the top sheet and the backsheet.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the laminate is attached to the backsheet after testing the first electrode trace by exciting the RFID tag with energy.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the laminate is attached to the backsheet before testing the first electrode trace by exciting the RFID tag with energy.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein laminating the absorbent core to the top sheet comprises using a lined, combed, slot coating process to deposit glue in substantially parallel rows on the top sheet.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the substantially parallel rows of glue deposited on the top sheet are each about 1 mm wide with a spacing between the parallel rows of about 4 mm.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the RFID tag to the pair of terminal ends of the first trace electrode of the series of electrode traces comprises removing the RFID tag from a roll of material carrying a series of RFID tags and adhering the RFID tag to the backsheet material.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an identifier of the RFID tag of any incontinence pad for which the first electrode trace does not form a completed short circuit between the terminal ends of the first electrode trace as determined by the testing, whereby the identifier indicates a rejected incontinence detection pad.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising exciting the RFID tag with energy a second time to read the identifier of the rejected incontinence detection pad and scrapping the rejected incontinence detection pad by removing it from a manufacturing line.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising folding the backsheet, the absorbent core, and the top sheet before exciting the RFID tag with energy the second time.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein cutting the backsheet material at the location which severs the sacrificial trace portion from the rest of the first electrode trace occurs after the backsheet, absorbent core, and top sheet are folded and before exciting the RFID tag with energy the second time.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding a mark to any incontinence pad for which the first electrode trace does not form a completed short circuit between the terminal ends of the first electrode trace as determined by the testing, whereby the mark indicates a rejected incontinence detection pad.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the mark becomes visible when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.