Absorbent article with sensor array for body exudate detection
First Claim
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1. An absorbent article comprising:
- a chassis comprising an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover;
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 the absorbent article, wherein each sensor in the non-contact electronic sensor array identifies a particular gas;
a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult is a urine insult, a bowel movement insult, or a combination thereof; and
a signaling device that alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by the controller via an alert and discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult, wherein the alert is deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely from a smart phone or computer.
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Abstract
An absorbent article incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array that may indicate the presence of a body exudate is disclosed. In particular, the absorbent article includes at least a non-contact electronic sensor array that may include one or more gas sensors, a controller and a signaling device. The signaling device is capable of alerting a user (wearer or caregiver) that an insult of urine or bowel movement has occurred. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller and signaling device to an absorbent article.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An absorbent article comprising:
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a chassis comprising an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover; 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 the absorbent article, wherein each sensor in the non-contact electronic sensor array identifies a particular gas; a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult is a urine insult, a bowel movement insult, or a combination thereof; and a signaling device that alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by the controller via an alert and discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult, wherein the alert is deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely from a smart phone or computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An absorbent article comprising:
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a chassis comprising an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover; a gas emitting substance, wherein the gas emitting substance emits a gas after an insult within the absorbent article; 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 the gas emitting substance within the absorbent article, wherein each sensor in the non-contact electronic sensor array identifies a particular gas; a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult is a urine insult, a bowel movement insult, or a combination thereof; and a signaling device that alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by the controller via an alert and discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult, wherein the alert is deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely from a smart phone or computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A signaling device comprising:
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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 volatile compounds, a gas emitting substance, or combinations thereof within an absorbent article, wherein each sensor in the non-contact electronic sensor array identifies a particular gas; and a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult is a urine insult, a bowel movement insult, or a combination thereof; wherein the signaling device alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by the non-contact electronic sensor array; wherein the signaling device is contained in a housing unit, wherein the housing unit is in close proximity to the absorbent article; wherein the signaling device generates at least one alert selected from an auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal, or combinations thereof and discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult; wherein the signaling device transmits the at least one alert remotely to a radio, a computer device, a smart phone, or combinations thereof, 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; and wherein the at least one alert is deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely from a smart phone or computer.
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Specification