Electronic Discriminating Device for Body Exudate Detection

• US 20130110061A1
• Filed: 10/28/2011
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Abraham, Jose K., Nhan, Davis Dang Hoang, Tower, Theodore T., Krautkramer, Candace Dyan, Richardson, Kathy Geralyn, MacDonald, John Gavin
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/342
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/424 having an electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0073 Control unit therefor

Abstract

An electronic discriminating device incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controller, and a signaling device that may indicate the presence of urine and/or bowel movement is disclosed. In particular, the electronic discriminating device can discriminate between an insult of urine only and an insult containing bowel movement. The device can then generate different alerts based on the type of insult. The electronic discriminating device may also emit a signal at or near the opening of an absorbent article or transmit the alert wirelessly to a radio, computer device, or smartphone.

Claims

1. An electronic discriminating device comprising:

a non-contact electronic sensor array, the non-contact electronic sensor array comprising a plurality of gas sensors, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels of gases emitted by two or more volatile compounds within an absorbent article;

a controller configured to receive information from the non-contact sensor array, the controller, based on the information received from the non-contact sensor array, being configured to determine whether an insult of urine or bowel movement has been detected and wherein the controller is further configured to discriminate between an insult of urine only or an insult containing bowel movement; and

a signaling device in communication with the controller, the signaling device emitting a first signal when the controller determines an insult of urine only is present and emitting a second signal when the controller determines an insult containing bowel movement is present within the absorbent article.

2. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a housing unit.

3. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels of fatty alcohols, small chain fatty acids, and sulfur compounds.

4. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 3, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels associated with ammonia, thiols, and indole.

5. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels of a gas emitting substance, wherein the gas emitting substance emits a gas after an insult within the absorbent article.

6. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors changes in humidity and temperature within the absorbent article.

7. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the signaling device generates an alert selected from an auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal, or combinations thereof.

8. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 7, wherein the signaling device generates an alert that is transmitted wirelessly to a radio at a remote location.

9. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the signaling device generates an alert that is transmitted to at least one computer device or smart phone, wherein the computer device or smart phone is adapted to receive data from the signaling device, generate at least one report utilizing at least a portion of the data, and provide a user access to the data and the at least one report.

10. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 7, wherein the alert can be deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely.

11. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the housing unit is connected to an absorbent article about the waist opening of the absorbent article, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array faces the interior of the absorbent article.

12. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds are acetic acid, ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, skatole, thiols, indole, or combinations thereof.

13. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels by normalizing for ambient conditions, wherein the controller detects any deviations in gas concentration levels from pre-determined ambient condition values recorded in the controller.

14. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein a multicomponent data analyzer discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult.

15. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 14, wherein the multicomponent data analyzer is trained to discriminate between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult by receiving data from known urine and bowel movement insults over time.

16. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 15, wherein the multicomponent data analyzer classifies an insult as a urine insult or a bowel movement insult by comparing data from an insult within the absorbent article with the data from insults known to be urine insults or bowel movement insults.

17. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array uses a watchdog sensor.

18. An electronic discriminating device as defined in claim 17, wherein the watchdog sensor activates at least one sensor within the non-contact electronic sensor array when a pre-defined threshold gas concentration level is detected by the watchdog sensor for at least one gas being measured.