Toilet training using sensor and associated articles

• US 20080082063A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Allen, Ansley, Olson, Christopher P., Long, Andrew M., Cohen, Jason C., Weber, Shirlee A., Ales, Thomas M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,697,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/361
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/425 being also a toilet training aid
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Presented is a method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method including providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor having a signaling device, and wherein the signaling device provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and teaching the caregiver an appropriate response to the feedback mode as a training opportunity. Also presented is a method for toilet training a subject, the method including providing a wetness sensing system to a caregiver, the wetness sensing system including an insult indicator; indicating to the caregiver the occurrence of the insult contemporaneous with the insult; and instructing the caregiver to immediately intervene to teach the subject about the physical sensations experienced by the subject prior to and during the insult.

Claims

1. A method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method comprising:

providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor having a signaling device, and wherein the signaling device provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and

teaching the caregiver an appropriate response to the feedback mode as a training opportunity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the appropriate response is one of:

discussing physical sensations with the subject;

informing the subject with respect to the relation between the physical sensations and the imminence of the insult;

taking the subject to a bathroom;

positioning the subject on a toilet;

encouraging the subject to produce an insult;

recognizing positive actions by the subject; and

recognizing toilet training progress by the subject.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising instructing the caregiver to track and assess toilet training progress.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of feedback modes, and wherein caregiver is further instructed to select between the plurality of feedback modes if toilet training does not show progress.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of feedback modes, and wherein caregiver is further instructed to combine feedback modes from the plurality of indications if toilet training does not show progress.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of feedback modes includes a sound, a verbal cue, a lighting cue, a wireless signal, a fading graphic, an appearing graphic, a temperature-change member, or a tactile member.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling device includes positive and negative feedback modes, and further comprising instructing the caregiver to select between the positive and negative feedback modes.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the positive feedback mode is a song.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the positive feedback mode is verbal.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the negative feedback mode is an unpleasant sound.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the negative feedback mode is verbal.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling device further provides to the subject and/or the caregiver a feedback mode that an insult has not occurred.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling device further provides encouragement to the subject when an insult has not occurred.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling device further provides encouragement to the subject when the subject successfully uses a toilet.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of feedback modes, and wherein the caregiver selects a feedback mode.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of feedback modes, and wherein a dynamic feedback mode system selects a feedback mode.

17. A method for toilet training a subject, the method comprising:

providing a wetness sensing system to a caregiver, the wetness sensing system including an insult indicator;

indicating to the caregiver the occurrence of the insult contemporaneous with the insult; and

instructing the caregiver to immediately intervene to teach the subject about the physical sensations experienced by the subject prior to and during the insult.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising instructing the caregiver to question the subject regarding the subject'"'"'s perceived physical sensations and training the subject to associate the physical sensation with the insult.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising instructing the caregiver to inform the subject that an insult is possible or imminent to train the subject to associate the physical sensation with insult control.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining that an insult is possible or imminent based on historical trends and/or behaviors.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising instructing the caregiver to take the subject to a desired location to finish the insult to train the subject to associate the physical sensation with insult control.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising instructing the caregiver to place the subject in a proper position to urinate into a designated receptacle to train the subject to associate the physical sensation with insult control.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising instructing the caregiver to encourage the subject to attempt urination to train the child to associate the physical sensation with insult control.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

using the insult indicator to indicate an insult; and

using the insult indicator to store data for tracking and assessment of progress toward achievement of toilet training.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising displaying the data.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising downloading the data to a computer.

27. A method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method comprising:

providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor, and wherein the wetness sensor provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and

teaching the caregiver appropriate responses to the feedback mode as a training opportunity, wherein appropriate responses include;

discussing physical sensations with the subject;

informing the subject with respect to the relation between the physical sensations and the imminence of the insult;

taking the subject to a bathroom;

positioning the subject on a toilet; and

encouraging the subject to produce an insult.