Device having fecal component sensor

• US 6,342,037 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1999
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Khomiakov, Oleg N., Kruchinin, Mikhail L., Fedosov, Yury I., Roe, Donald C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/342,754
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 600/345-350, 600/306, 422/82-1-
• US Class Current: 600/306
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/42 with wetness indicator or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/495 with faecal cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/82 with means for attaching to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8473 for diagnostic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/8479 including electric or magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/18 containing inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/20 containing organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/24 Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/26 Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof A61L15/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 15/56 Wetness-indicators or colourants
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5308 for analytes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. nucleic acids, uric acid, worms, mites

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device that comprises a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific health and/or nutrition markers in the subject'"'"'s feces. The device may also signal the caretaker, the subject, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a microchip operatively associated with a sensor adapted to detect health markers in feces, the sensor further comprising a biosensor having a bio-recognition element and wherein the sensor is chemical, electrochemical, biochemical, or biological.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor provides a signal to the subject, caregiver, or an actuator.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the signal is a visible indication.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the signal is qualitative or quantitative.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the signal is durable throughout at least the usage life of the device.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the health marker is selected from the group of:

heavy metals, radioactive substances, fats, enzymes, endogenous secretions, proteinaceous matter, mucous and microorganisms.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the heavy metals are lead or mercury.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor detects the target health marker associated with a health condition prior to the onset of clinically observable symptoms of the condition.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor detects the health marker only above a pre-defined threshold level.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor additionally comprises a transducer.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the transducer is selected from the group including electrochemical, optical, thermal, and acoustic transducers.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the device additionally comprises a disposable probe cover.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor is affixed to a support element.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the support element is an adhesive tape.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the microchip comprises an array of sensors.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the device includes a controller and wherein the sensor is detachable from the device.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the sensor may be adhered to a wearer'"'"'s skin.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising an actuator that performs a responsive function when the sensor detects the health marker.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the actuator transforms a potential energy to perform the responsive function, the potential energy being one or more selected from the group of mechanical energy, electrical energy, chemical energy.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the device is capable of being worn by a wearer.

21. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is handheld.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is powered by electrical power.

23. The device of claim 1 wherein the device treats the waste with a material selected from the group including:

a reagent, a buffer, an indicator.

24. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a laser diode sensor.

25. A device comprising a sensor adapted to detect nutritional markers and health markers in bodily waste or on human skin, the sensor further comprising a biosensor having a bio-recognition element and wherein the sensor is chemical, electrochemical, biochemical, or biological.