Method for recommending disposable absorbent incontinence articles

• US 20040122744A1
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kato, Tsutomu, Heki, Yukio
• Granted Patent: US 7,392,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/001 Packages or dispensers for bandages, cotton balls, drapes, dressings, gauze, gowns, sheets, sponges, swabsticks or towels A61F15/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving information, from a user, about incontinence devices which are currently used by the incontinent person; (b) receiving information about the situation which is experienced by the user; and (c) selecting at least one article, based on the information received, among predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles. By this method, an appropriate disposable absorbent incontinence article(s) to be used are recommended depending on the user'"'"'s situation. The present invention is also directed a method for evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person.

Claims

1. A method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving information, from a user, about incontinence devices which are currently used by the incontinent person;

(b) receiving information about the situation which is experienced by the user; and

(c) selecting at least one article, based on the information received, among predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step for selecting at least one article comprises the step of selecting a combination of two articles, based on the information received, among the predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of;

(d) evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of the incontinent person, and

(e) repeating the steps (a), (b) and (c).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving information comprises the step of indicating a question and a plurality of possible answers for selection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the question for the information about the user'"'"'s situation is on the ability of body action of the incontinent person.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the question for the information about the user'"'"'s situation is on the ability of hand/finger activity of the incontinent person.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the question for the information about the user'"'"'s situation is on the content(s) of leakage of the incontinent person.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the question for the information about the user'"'"'s situation is on the availability and/or the quality of the caregiving.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the question for the information about the user'"'"'s situation is on the amount of urine discharged by the incontinent person for a time period specified by the user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles include at least two articles which are selected from the group consisting of a disposable taped diaper, a disposable pull-on diaper, a disposable urine incontinence pad, a disposable flat pad, a disposable faecal collector pouch, and a disposable urine collector pouch.

11. A method for evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving information about an average free time the caregiver can have within a day;

(b) receiving information about a degree of physical burden the caregiver has for taking care of the incontinent person;

(c) receiving information about a degree of mental burden the caregiver has for taking care of the incontinent person; and

(d) calculating a value of the quality of life based on the received information in accordance with a predetermined algorism.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving information comprises the step of indicating a question and a plurality of possible answers for selection.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the question for the information about an average free time is on how long, on average, the caregiver can be apart from the incontinent person within one day.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the question for the information about an average free time is on how long, on average, the caregiver can sleep continuously without being disturbed by the incontinent person within one day.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the question for the information about a degree of physical burden is on a physical fatigue the caregiver has.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the question for the information about a degree of mental burden is on an odor generated from the incontinent person, or a lack of confidence about the manner for taking care of the incontinent person.