Method for recommending disposable absorbent incontinence articles

• US 8,015,027 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Kato, Tsutomu, Heki, Yukio
• Primary Examiner(s): Morgan; Robert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): BURGESS, JOSEPH D
• Application Number:
  US12/118,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20080222007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 3
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/84 Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/001 Packages or dispensers for bandages, cotton balls, drapes, dressings, gauze, gowns, sheets, sponges, swabsticks or towels A61F15/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/20 relating to practices or guidelines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person. The method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving information, from a user, about incontinence devices which are currently used by the incontinent person; (b) receiving information about the situation which is experienced by the user; and (c) selecting at least one article, based on the information received, among predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles. By this method, an appropriate disposable absorbent incontinence article(s) to be used are recommended depending on the user'"'"'s situation. The present invention is also directed a method for evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person.

Claims

1. A method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person, comprising the steps of:

(a) Providing a product recommendation device comprising a central processing unit, a data storage means, and an output means;

(b) Inputting information into the product recommendation device about absorbent incontinence articles which are currently used by the incontinent person;

(c) Processing the information using the product recommendation device;

(d) Providing output in the form of a selection of at least one disposable absorbent incontinence article from a database of predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles based on the information processed by the product recommendation device;

(e) Inputting information into the product recommendation device about the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person, wherein the step of inputting information comprises the step of indicating a question and a plurality of possible answers for selection and inputting one or more answers to the question;

(f) Processing a value of the quality of life based on the received information in accordance with a predetermined algorithm using the product recommendation device;

(g) Providing output in the form of the value of the quality of life;

(h) Providing a predetermined level of the value of the quality of life; and

(i) repeating steps (a)-(d) if the value of the quality of life is less than the predetermined level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises inputting information about a free time the caregiver can have within a day.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises inputting information about a degree of physical burden the caregiver has for taking care of the incontinent person.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises inputting information about a degree of mental burden the caregiver has for taking care of the incontinent person.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the question for step (e) about the free time is on how long the caregiver can be apart from the incontinent person within one day.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the question for step (e) about the free time is on how long the caregiver can sleep continuously without being disturbed by the incontinent person within one day.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the question for step (e) about a degree of physical burden is on a physical fatigue the caregiver has.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the question for step (e) about a degree of mental burden is on an odor generated from the incontinent person, or a lack of confidence about the manner for taking care of the incontinent person.