Bladder and bowel training system

• US 5,845,644 A
• Filed: 08/26/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles B. Hughes, Emory D. Hughes
• Original Assignee: Charles B. Hughes, Emory D. Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Charles B., Hughes, Emory D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/918,455
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 128/885, 128/886, 128/869, 340/573, 340/539, 340/604, 340/620
• US Class Current: 128/885
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/48 Devices for preventing wetting or pollution of the bed

Abstract

A bowel and bladder training system is provided. A sensor strip is constructed of a tissue paper-type or other woven or sheet material having conductive sensor threads longitudinally positioned in the strip. A pocket may be formed at one end of the strip for holding a microprocessor-based indicator which is coupled to the sensor threads. The microprocessor may have several modes of operation including a vibration mode, an audio mode, and a visible mode, these modes activated when the sensor threads are bridged by bodily fluids containing electrolytes. Additionally, one of the modes may activate a voice module that is replacable or rerecordable with a personalized instructional or educational message.

Claims

1. An incontinence training system comprising:

a rectangular pad of sheet construction covering the urogenital area of a user, said pad further comprising;

a pocket at one end of said pad,

first and second sensor threads positioned lengthwise in spaced relation in said pad, said threads comprising an electrically conductive material, with ends of said first and second sensor threads extending into said pocket, and opposite ends of said threads terminating near an opposite end of said pad,

an indicator unit in said pocket and connectable to said ends of said first and second sensor threads, said indicator unit further comprising;

a microcontroller containing a storage register provided with instructions so that said indicator unit is operable to provide a signal responsive to said sensor threads being bridged by body fluids containing electrolytes.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said signal includes, in a predetermined sequence and for predetermined time intervals, a vibration signal, an audible signal, and a visible signal.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said vibration signal persists for about 5 seconds, followed by a pause of about 5 seconds, after which said audible signal persists for about 5 seconds, followed by a pause of about 5 seconds, after which said visible signal persists for about 5 minutes, followed by said indicator unit being placed in a standby mode.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator unit provides said vibration signal for about 10 seconds, after which said indicator unit is placed in a standby mode.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said indicator unit is configured as an audio recorder and playback device, with a playbeck mode thereof responsive to said sensor threads being bridged by said body fluids.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said signal further comprises a vibration signal, a visible signal, and an audible signal.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein after expiration of a predetermined period of time, said signal is terminated and said indicator is placed in a standby mode of operation.

8. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said indicator unit is reset and enabled for operation when said sensor threads of a said pad containing body fluids are disconnected from said indicator unit.