MXPA00012988A - Disposable article having proactive sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable article (20) having a sensor (60) that predicts an impending event such as an elimination of bodily waste. The article (20) may also include an actuator (70) that performs a responsive function when the sensor predicts the impending event, such as signaling the wearer or a caregiver of the impending event.

Description

DISPOSABLE ITEM THAT HAS PROACTIVE SENSOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable articles and more particularly to disposable articles having a proactive sensor that can predict the occurrence of an event related to the user, article or waste.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, disposable items, such as diapers, tioo calf diapers, training pants, adult incontinence briefs, sanitary napkins and tampons, are widely used in the care of infants and toddlers who walk and on the road. given of incontinent adults as means of containment, isolation and elimination of corporal waste. These articles have generally washable and reusable garments that are replaced as the preferred means for those applications due to their convenience and reliability. The disposable items respond to a defecation, urination or discharge event absorbing or containing the corporal waste deposited on the article. Some disposable items also indicate the event of defecation, urination or discharge after it has occurred (eg, wet indicators, temperature change detection). The articles, however, do not predict when an event is about to occur and prepare the article, the user or the person seeking care for the occurrence of the predicted event. The current absorbent articles have absorbent material in a ready-to-use configuration at the time of application to the user or have a configuration that is not available until the moment of a body waste discharge or briefly after it. The barrier folds, for example, are in position when the article is applied to the user. Signaling devices such as thermal or visual indicators indicate an event of urination only after the urination has begun. For example, known bench-type training devices, however, detect and signal the user once the defecation or urination has begun and do not give the user the ability to reach the bathroom in time and avoid an accident.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a disposable article that predicts the occurrence of an event related to the body waste, the user, the article or a component or components thereof, using an active sensor and responds to this prediction by executing a function on the article or the user to prepare or. delay the occurrence of the predicted event, or by giving a signal to the person seeking care or to the user that the predicted event is about to occur. In a specific embodiment, the disposable article may comprise a sensor or sensing system operatively connected to the article wherein the sensor is adapted to detect changes in electrical activity of the external sphincter muscle that is correlated with an elimination of body waste. imminent and provide a signal to the user, the person seeking care or an item of the article notifying the user, the person seeking care or the item of the imminent event item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of the article made in accordance with the present invention in a planar state with portions of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the article, wherein the article is a diaper. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a body waste isolation device of the present invention in a compressed state before activation. Figure 2A shows a view taken along line 2A-2A of the Figure 2. Figure 3A shows a block diagram of an open cycle sensitive system illustrative. Figure 3B shows a block diagram of an illustrative closed loop responsive system. Figure 3C shows a block diagram of an illustrative open cycle sensitive system including a controller. Figure 3D shows a block diagram of an illustrative closed loop responsive system including a controller. Figure 4a shows an ideal output function of a discontinuous sensitive system of the present invention having an individual threshold level. Figure 4B shows an ideal output function of a discontinuous sensitive system of the present invention having multiple individual threshold levels. Figure 5A shows an exemplary output function of a discontinuous responsive system of the present invention together with first, second and third derivatives of the output function.

Figure 5B shows a transfer function of a control system having a series of first order intervals having an identical time constant. Figures 6A and 6B show an embodiment of a sensitive system of the present invention that includes an electrically sensitive gel. Figures 7A, 7B and 7C show another embodiment of a sensitive system of the present invention that includes an electrically sensitive gel. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a waste bag embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modality of a diaper that includes a waste bag. Figure 10A is a graphic example of an increase in basic electrical activity of the external sphincter muscle related to defecation. Figure 10B is a graphic example of a decrease in basic electrical activity of the external sphincter muscle related to defecation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the user's body to absorb and contain the different exudates discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not generally intended to be washed or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and preferably , to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). (As used herein, the term "discarded" is used to imply that a diaper element or elements are formed (attached and placed) in a particular location or location as a unitary structure with other diaper elements or as a separate element joined to another element of the diaper As used herein, the term "attached" encompasses configurations in which one element is directly configured to another element by fixing the element directly to the other element and configurations in which one element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing the other element to a member or intermediate members which in turn are attached to the other element). A "unitary" absorbent article refers to absorbent articles that are formed of separate parts joined to form a coordinated entity so that they do not require separate handling portions such as a support and a separate liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of Sa present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, article 20, shown in Figure I. As used in the present, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons around the lower torso. The present invention is also applicable to other absorbent or non-absorbent articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments, absorbent inserts, diaper supports and linings, colostomy-type bags for a natural or artificial anus, feminine hygiene garments, tampons, cleansers, disposable towels, facial tissues, water absorbent articles, oil absorbing articles, spill clean bags, disposable bags, disposable isotopes, bandages, therapeutic wraps, disposable heating pads and the like. Figure 1 is a plan view of a diaper 20 of the present invention, in a flattened state with portions of the structures that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 20. The portion of the diaper 20 facing the wearer is oriented towards the observer. As shown in Figure 1, diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable top cover 24; a back cover impermeable to liquid 26; an absorbent core 28, which is preferably positioned between at least a portion of the top cover 24 and the back cover 26; side panels 30; Elastic leg cuffs 32; a characteristic of elastic waist 34; and a generally designated fastening system 40; the diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38 opposite the first waist region 36 and a crotch region 37 located between the first waist region and the second waist region. waist.

The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in which the longitudinal edges 50 move generally parallel to the longitudinal center line 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 move between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral central line 110 of the diaper 20. The structure 22. of the diaper 20 comprises the main body of the diaper! 20. The structure 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably an outer cover layer that includes the upper cover 24 and the rear cover 26. If the absorbent article comprises a separate support and a liner, the structure 22 comprises generally the support and the lining. For example, the support may comprise one or more material capable of forming the outer cover of the article and the liner may comprise an absorbent assembly that includes a top cover, a back cover and an absorbent core. In such cases, the support and / or the liner may include a fastener that is used to hold the liner in place throughout the time of use. For unitary absorbent articles, structure 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper with other added features to form the structure of the composite diaper. While the top cover, the back cover 26 and the absorbent core 26 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, the preferred diaper configurations are generally described in US Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractible side".

Portions for Disposable Diaper "which was issued to Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975, US Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992, and US Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; and U.S. Patent No. 5,554,145 entitled "Absorbent Articule With Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-Líke Film Web Extensible Waist Feature "which was issued for Roe et al., September 10, 1996; North American Patent No. ,569,234 entitled "Disposable Pull-On Pant" which was issued to Buell et al. On October 29, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,580,411 entitled "Zero Scrap Method For Manufacturing Side Panels For Absorbent Articles "which was issued to Nease and others, December 3, 1996, and US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 915,471 entitled" Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels "filed on August 20, 1997 in the name of Robles et al., each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.The back cover 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 placed adjacent to the confronting surface of the garment. of the absorbent core 48 which prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soiling articles that may be in contact with the diaper 20, such as bedding and underwear In the preferred embodiments, the back cover 26 is waterproof to liquids (eg, urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as thermoplastic film having a thickness of approximately 0.012 mm (0.5 ml) l) up to approximately 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). The back cover films include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, IN and sold under the trade names of X15306, X10962 and X10964. Other back cover materials may include breathable materials that allow vapors to escape from the diaper 20 while preventing exudates from passing through the back cover 26. Illustrative breathable materials may include materials such as woven wefts, non-woven wefts , composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs and microporous films such as those manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIR No and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, TX, under the designation EXXAIRE. Such suitable breathable composites comprising polymer blends are available with Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH named the HYTREL combination P19-3097. Such , breathable composite materials are described in more detail in the PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995 in the name of E.l. DuPont and the Patent No. 5,865,823 issued to Curro on February 2, 1999. Other breathable back covers including non-woven webs and apertured films are described in US Pat. No. 5,571,096 issued to Dobrin et al.

November 5, 1996. Each of these referenis incorporated herein by reference. The back cover 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the back cover 26 may comprise a weft similar to structural elastic film ("SELF"). A film similar to structural elastic is an extensible material that exhibits a similar elastic behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of elastic materials added. The SELF frames suitable for the present invention are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled Web Materials Exhibiting Elastic-Like Behavior, which was issued to Chappell, and others, on May 21, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. In alternative embodiments, the back cover 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, filaments or combinations of these or other suitable materials with non-woven or synthetic films. The back cover 26 may be attached to the top cover 24, the absorbent core 28 or any other element of the diaper 20 by any joining means known in the art. For example, the joining means may include a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a layer of decorated adhesive or an arrangement of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive. Preferred joining means comprise an open-pattern network of filaments of adhesive as described in US Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986.

Other suitable joining means include several strands of adhesive filament that are twisted in a spiral pattern, as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in US Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7. of 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al., e! November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent 4,842,666 issued to Werenciz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota and marketed as HL-620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise thermal joints, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, dynamic mechanical joints or any other suitable joining means or combinations of these joining means as is known in the art. The top cover 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and can be attached thereto and / or to the back cover 26 by any joining means known in the art. The attachment means are described above with respect to the means for attaching the back cover 26 to two elements of the diaper 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top cover 24 and the back cover 26 are directly bonded together in some locations and are indirectly attached in other locations by attaching them directly to other elements of the diaper 20. The top cover 24 is preferably compatible, soft-touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, at least a portion of the top cover 24 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids to penetrate quickly through its thickness. A suitable top cover 24 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, plastic films with openings or woven or non-woven webs of natural fibers (for example wood or cotton fibers), fibers synthetic (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of synthetic or natural fibers. If the top covers include fibers, the fibers may be spin-spun, carded, wet-stretched, melt-blown, hydroentangling, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. A suitable top cover 24 comprising a fiber length polypropylene fiber web is manufactured by Verateo, Inc., a Division of International Paper Company, of Walpole, Massachusetts under the designation P-8. Suitable formed top film covers are described in US Patent No. 3,929,135 entitled "Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries", which was issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having a Stain Resistant Topsheet ", which was issued by Mullane and others, on April 13, 1982; US Patent 4,342,314 entitled" Resilient Plástic Web Wxhibiting Fiber-Like Properties ", which was issued for Radel, and others, on August 3 of 1982; US Patent No. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plástic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression", which was issued for Ahr, and others, on December 31, 1984; Do not. ,006,394"Multilayer Polymeric Film issued for Baird on April 9, 1991. Other suitable top covers 30 are made in accordance with the Patents North American Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 which were issued for Curro and To others, on September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986, respectively, and Both are incorporated herein by reference. Such formed films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI- WEAVE" and of Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana as "CLIFF-T". Preferably, the top cover 24 is made of hydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate the user's skin from liquids O contained in the absorbent core 28. If the top cover 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least the top surface of the top cover 24 is treated to be hydrophilic so that liquids will be transferred through the cover higher more quickly. This decreases the likelihood that the body exudates will flow out of the upper layer 24 instead of being drawn through. of the top layer 24 and which are absorbed by the absorbent core 28. The top cover 24 can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant or by incorporating a surfactant into the top shell. Suitable methods for treating the top cover 24 with a surfactant include spraying the top cover 24 with the surfactant and immersing the material in the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such treatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent Articles wint Multiple Layer Absorbent Layers" issued to Reising, et al., January 29, 1991 and U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345 entitled "Absorbent. Articles with Rapid Acquiring Absorbent Cores "issued for Reising on January 29, 1991. A discussion More detailed of some methods suitable for incorporating the surfactant into the top cover can be found in the American Statutory Inventions Register No. H1670, published July 1, 1997 in the name of Azis et al.

Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, the top cover 24 may include a screen with apertures or film which is hydrophobic. This can be achieved by removing the hydrophilization treatment step from the production process and / or by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the top cover 24 such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound similar to SCOTCHGUARD or a hydrophobic lotion composition, as described below. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the openings be large enough to allow the penetration of aqueous fluids such as urine without significant resistance. Any portion of the top cover 24 can be coated with a lotion as is recognized in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Lotioned Topsheet Containing an Emollient and a Polyol Polyester Innobilizing Agent" which was issued to Roe on March 4, 1997; Patent North American No. 5,609,587 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotion Topsheet Comprising A Liquid Polyol Polyester Emollient And An Immobilizing Agent" which was published for Roe on March 11, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotioned Topsheet Containing A Polysiloxane Emollient" which was issued to Roe et al. On June 3, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588 entitled "Diaper Having A Lotioned Topsheet" which was issued to Roe et al., July 1, 1997. The lotion can work alone or in combination with another agent such as the hydrophobic conversion treatment described above. The top cover may include or be treated with antibacterial agents, some examples of which are described in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173 entitled "Absorbent Articles Containing Antibacterial Agents in the Topsheet for Odor Control "which was published on September 14, 1995 in the name of Theresa Johnson. 24, the back cover 26 or any portion of the top cover or the back cover can be etched and / or matte finished to provide a more fabric-like appearance. The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin and capable of retaining liquids such as urine and other body exudates. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass-shaped, T-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and can comprise a wide variety of commonly used liquid-absorbing materials used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, which include shape; chemically stiffened, modified or interlaced cellulose fibers; tissue paper, which includes tissue paper covers and tissue paper laminate; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or any other known absorbent materials or combinations of materials. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also be varied (e.g., the core or absorbent cores or other absorbent structures may have zones of different caliber, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or a lower average density and weight acquisition zones lower average base, or may comprise one or more capable or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must be compatible with the design load and intended use of the diaper 20. Illustrative absorbent structures for use as the absorbent assemblies are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High- Density Absorbent Structures "issued to Weisman and others, on September 9, 1986;U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles With Dual-Layered Cores "issued to Weisman and others, June 16, 1987; US Patent No. 4,834,735 entitled" High Density Absorbing Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones "issued for Alemany et al., May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled "Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer" issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; US Patent No. 5,137,537 entitled "Absorbent Structure Containing Individualized, Polycarboxylic Acid Crosslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers" which was issued to Herron et al., On August 11, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled "High Efficiency Absorbent Articles For Incontinence Management "issued to Young and others, September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article For Low-Viscosity Fecal Material" issued by Roe on August 30, 1994; U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345 entitled "Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles Containing Such Materials "issued for DesMarais et al., November 9, 1993; US Patent No. 5,387,207 entitled" Thin-Until-Vet Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids and Process for Making Same "issued to Dyer and others, on February 7, 1995; and U.S. Patent No. 5,625,222 entitled "Absorbent Foam Materials For Aqueous Fluids Made From Hing Intemal Phase Emulsions Having Very High Water-To-Oil Ratios "issued to DesMarais et al., July 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one characteristic. of elastic tape 34 which helps to provide improved fit and containment Elastic waist feature 34 is generally intended to expand and contract elastically to dynamically adjust to the wearer's waist.The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least one waist edge 62 of absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least a portion of end edge 62 of diaper 20. Disposable diapers are often constructed to have two elastic waist features, one placed in the first waist region 36 and one placed in the second waist region 38. In addition, while the elastic waist feature 34 or any of its constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elements secured to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 may be constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20, such as the cover rear 26 the upper cover 24 or both the rear cover 26 and the top cover 24. The elastic waist feature 34 can be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in US Pat. No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al. May 1985; North American Patent No. 4,710,189 issued to Lash on December 1, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist configurations may include waist features such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364 issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991 and U.S. Patent No. 4,816,025 issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All of the patents mentioned above are incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first region 36 and the second region 38 in an overlapped configuration to overlap lateral stresses around the circumference of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 in the diaper 20. user. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises tape tabs and / or hook and loop fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some fastening systems are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening System for Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; US Patent No. B1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbent Article" issued to Hirotsu and others, on May 5, 1987; Patent American No. 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having An Improved Fastening Device "issued for Scripps on July 11, 1989; US Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled" Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Portion "issued for Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527 entitled "Presure-Sensitive Adhesive Fastener And Method of Making Same" issued for Battrell on August 7, 1990; and in the aforementioned US Patent No. 5,151, 092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992 and US Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The fastening system may also provide means for retaining the article in a disposal configuration as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al. on October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. In alternative embodiments, opposite sides of the garment may be sewn or welded to form a brief. This allows the article to be used as a quick-setting diaper, such as a training underpants. The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 may be elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and adaptable fit initially adjusting the diaper 20 initially to the wearer and holding this adjustment through the time of use after which. the diaper 20 has been loaded with the exudates since the elasticized side panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to be extracted and contracted. The side panels 30 can also provide a more effective application of the diaper 20 even if the wearer of the diaper pulls one of the elasticized side panel 30 past the other during the application, the diaper 20 will self-adjust during use. While the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the side panels 30 positioned in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 may be provided with side panels 30 placed in the first waist region 36 or both of the first region. of waist 36 and second waist region 38. Side panels 30 may be constructed in any suitable configurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are described in U.S. Patent 4,857,067, entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Shirred Ears" issued to Wood, et al., Aug. 15, 1989; US Patent 4,381, 781 issued to Sciaraffa, and others, May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent 4,938,753 issued to Van Gompel, and others, July. 3, 1990; US Patent referred to above No. ,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897 issued to LaVon, and others, September 23, 1997 entitled "Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit"; US Patent Application No. 08 / 915,471 entitled "Absorbent Article With Multi-Directional Extensible Side Panels" filed on August 20, 1997 in the name of Robles, et al .; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 20 preferably includes leg cuffs 32 that provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Leg folds can be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier folds or elastic folds. US Patent 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a contractile leg opening having a side flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticated leg fold (one pair of gaskets). The North American Patents Nos. 4, 808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al., On February 28, 1989 and March 20, 1990, respectively, describe disposable diapers having "vertical" elastified fins (barrier folds) that improve the containment of the leg regions. . U.S. Patent Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454 issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on January 3, 1989, respectively, describe disposable diapers having double folds that include packing folds and barrier folds. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat all or a portion of the leg folds with a lotion, as described above. The embodiments of the present invention may also include bags for receiving and containing waste, separators that provide voids for waste, barriers for limiting the movement of waste in the article, compartments or voids that accept and contain the waste materials deposited in the diaper and similar, or any combination of them. Examples of bags and separate for absorbent products are described in the Patent North American 5,514,121 issued to Roe et al. On May 7, 1996, entitled "Diaper Having Expulsive Spacer"; U.S. Patent 5,171, 236 issued to Dreier et al on December 15, 1992, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having Core Spacers"; U.S. Patent 5,397,318 issued to Dreier on March 14, 1995, entitled "Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff; U.S. Patent 5,540,671 issued to Dreier on June 30, 1996, entitled" Absorbent Article Having A Pocket Cuff With An Apex; "and Application PCT WO 93/25172 published December 3, 1993, entitled "Spacers For Use In Hygienic Absorbent Articles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Spacer"; and US Patent 5,306,266 entitled "Flexible Spacers For Use In Disposable Absorbent Articles ", issued for Freeland on April 26, 1994. The examples of behavior or gaps are described in the Patent North American 4,968,312, entitled "Disposable Fecal Compartmenting Diaper", issued to Khan on November 6, 1990; US Patent 4,990,147 entitled "Absorbent Article With Elastic Liner For Waste Material Isolation", issued for Freeland on February 5, 1991; U.S. Patent 5,692,840, entitled "Disposable Diapers," issued to Holt et al., November 5, 1991; and the North American Patent ,269,755 entitled "Trisection Topsheets For Disposable Absorbent Articles And Disposable Absorbent Articles Having Such Trisection Topsheets", issued to Freeland et al., December 14, 1993. Examples of suitable transverse barriers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,142 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Multiple Effective Height Transverse Partition "issued on September 10, 1996 in the name of Dreier et al .; PCT Patent WO 94/14395 entitled 'Absorb! Article Having An Upstanding Transverse Partition "published on July 7, 1994 on behalf of Freeland, et al :, and U.S. Patent 5,653,703"Absorbent Article Having Angular Upstanding Transverse Partition, issued August 5, 1997 to Roe, et al. All of the aforementioned patents are incorporated herein by reference. invention may also include a waste management device 110 as shown in Figure 8. The waste management device 110 may include a waste bag 111 for collecting faeces, urine or both. it may have an opening 121 and a flange 112 surrounding the aperture for attachment preferably adhesive to the perianal area of a user.In addition it has been found that the waste management device 110 is particularly useful and beneficial when used in combination with a garment, or a diaper, preferably a disposable diaper An example of a diaper 120 that includes a waste bag 111 is shown in Figure 9. If associated with a diaper 120 or other garment, the waste bag 111 may be disposed on or attached to any surface of the article. The bag 111 may be attached to the article by any known means, including any of the attachment or attachment means described herein and / or any other means of attachment such as adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, belts, loops, straps, snaps, etc. In one embodiment, the waste bag 111 is attached to the upper cover 124 of the diaper 120. The waste bag 111 is preferably a flexible receptacle waste 111 is preferably impermeable to liquid, and can still be breathable. In addition, the waste bag 111 is designed with suiicient resistance to withstand typical conditions of use, such as sitting.

The waste bag 111 may comprise one or multiple layers. In one embodiment, the waste bag 111 may comprise three layers, preferably one film and two nonwoven layers. The layers of the bag material may comprise any material, preferably in such a way that the bag is impermeable to the liquid. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a laminate can be formed from a non-woven layer and a film. Suitable film materials for any of the film layers preferably comprise a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material may be vapor permeable or vapor impermeable and may be selected from among all types of thermal melt adhesives, polyolefins especially polyethylene, polypropylene, amorphous polyolefins, and the like, material containing melt-comprising components comprising fibers or polymeric binders including natural fibers such as cellulose wood pulp, cotton, jute, hemp, synthetic fibers such as glass fiber, rayon, polyester, polyolefin, acrylic, polyamide, aramid, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, binders such as polymer of two high melting / low melting components, polyester copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate / polyvinyl chloride copolymer, polyamide copolymer, materials comprising mixtures where any of the constituent materials are not capable of melting; air and vapor permeable materials including microporous films such as those described above with respect to the backsheet and breathable monolithic materials such as HYTREL ™ available from DuPont and Pebax ™ available from ELF Atochem, France. The waste bag 111 can have any shape or size. Preferred forms include flat circular-type bags, cone-shaped bags, truncated cone-shaped bags and pyramidal and truncated pyramidal bags and flat T-shaped bags. In addition, the waste bag 111 may be provided from a piece of unitary material or a number of separate pieces of material which may be identical or different, and which may be sealed at their respective peripheries. The waste bag 111 may also contain absorbent material. The absorbent material can comprise any absorbent material that is capable of absorbing and retaining liquids. The absorbent material may comprise a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles. Some examples are described herein with respect to the absorbent core. The waste bag 111 is provided with an opening 121 through which fecal matter or urine from the body is received prior to storage within the pocket of the bag. The opening 21 is preferably surrounded by a flange 112 and can be provided in any shape or size, such as circular, oblong, heart-shaped and can be symmetrical or asymmetric, preferably the opening has an oblong configuration either in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction. The tab may comprise projections designed to fit the perianal, genital and / or coccygeal area of the user. The tab 112 should be made of soft, flexible and malleable material to allow easy placement of the tab 112 to the perianal or genital area. Typical materials include non-woven materials, woven materials, open-cell thermoplastic foams, closed-cell thermoplastic foams, open cell foam composites and nonwoven stretch materials, and films. The waste bag 111 preferably also comprises a means of attachment or securing to secure the device to the user. These means may comprise any of a joining or fastening means described herein or any other suitable attachment or fastening means known in the art such as belts, bands, hook and loop fasteners, fasteners, loops, snaps and / or adhesive. compatible to the body applied to the portion that gives the user the waste bag 111 or the tab. Any water-resistant pressure sensitive adhesive, benevolent to the skin, can be used to attach the device to the user's perianal or urinary area, such as hydrocolloid adhesives and hydrogel adhesives. The adhesives particularly effective in providing the desired adhesion properties to secure the flange to the user's skin in the sensitive perianal area, while providing relatively painless application and removal, are formed from crosslinking polymers with a plasticizer to form a three-dimensional matrix. The diaper 20 may also include one or more "proactive sensors" 60. As used in this application, the term "proactive sensor" refers to a sensor or sensing system that is capable of detecting or monitoring changes or signals within or on the the user's body, in the article or in the waste, that is, entries, which are directly related or, at a minimum, correlate with the occurrence of an imminent event related to the corporal waste, the user, the article or a component or components of it. Proactive sensors can respond to one or more specific inputs. Examples of the inputs that can be detected by the sensor of the present invention include but are not limited to, attitude, pressure, movement, humidity, enzymes, bacteria, pH, conductivity, resistance, capacitance, inductance or other chemical, biochemical, biological, mechanical or electrical properties and / or components of body wastes. For example, the sensor 60 can be chemical, mechanical, electrical, etc. A chemical sensor can respond to chemical and / or biochemical inputs such as enzymes that are typically present in body wastes, pH, water, biological inputs such as bacteria, blood or any of one or more different components of body wastes such as feces , urine, or menstrual fluids,., etc. Examples of chemical or biochemical sensors include dissolution or tear films. capsules, cells, stamps, etc. that dissolve or tear in response to a specific biochemical or biological or chemical input or to a specific class of chemical, biochemical or biological inputs. A mechanical sensor can also respond to movement, attitude, pressure, etc. An example of a mechanical sensor is a bellows-type sensor in which when the pelvic surface falls before defecation and the pressure descends on the bellows to inflate a portion of the sensor. A mechanical sensor may also include a sensor or a portion of the sensor that is separated or broken under a predefined applied pressure. An electrical sensor can also be used to respond to moisture, urine, feces, menstrual fluids, pressure, heat, temperature, conductance, resistance, capacitance, inductance, etc. An electrical sensor may, for example, include a sensor in which a conductive inlet such as urine or feces complete an electrical circuit; a sensor in which the input such as pressure or voltage closes an electrical contact to complete a circuit, a piezoelectric sensor that generates a signal by means of pressure induced by the user or a part of the user (for example from movement or muscle tone); a sensor in which the resistance, capacitance or inductance varies in the presence of the input to which the sensor responds (for example, conductance of the user's skin); or a sensor that receives electrical signals from the body (e.g., from the subcutaneous muscles) of the user through a contact such as the skin contact sensor.

A thermal sensor can also be used to detect temperature changes. Optionally, the sensor can be a biosensor as is known in the art (e.g., an enzyme sensor, an organelle sensor, a tissue paper sensor, a microorganism sensor or an electrochemical sensor). The sensor can be adapted to detect proteins, sugars, biliary components, etc. as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,636,474 entitled "Toilet Apparatus" issued to Kenji Ogura et al., on January 13, 1987. Biosensors may comprise biorecognition systems, typically enzymes or binding proteins such as antibodies immobilized on the surface of the physico-chemical transducers. The biosensors can detect components of body wastes, such as ammonium and phenol (for example through biosensors comprising enzyme electrodes). A specific strain of the bacterium can be detected by means of biosensors using antibodies harvested against the bacterial strain. Illustrative enzyme electrodes that can be used to detect phenols, (for example in urine or faeces) include tyrosinase-based electrodes or polyphenol oxidase enzyme electrodes described in US Patent No. 5,676,820 entitled "Remote Electrochemical Sensor", issued by Joseph Wang and others, on October 14, 1997 and the Patent American No. 5,091, 299 entitled "An Enzyme Electrode For Use In Organic Solvents", issued to Anthony P. F. Turner and others, on February 25, 1992, respectively. In addition, a sensor of the present invention can also be reversible or irreversible. A dissolution film or capsule is an example of an irreversible sensor, while an electrical sensor that receives electrical signals from a user's body that can receive multiple signals in succession. A proactive sensor 60 can detect an impending event or detect a parameter that is directly related, or at a minimum that correlates with the occurrence of an impending event. An impending event that can be detected or predicted by a proactive sensor of the present invention may include, for example, urination, defecation, heat rash, skin rash or irritation, pressure skin marks, or a disease or condition medical condition such as internal infection (for example, jaundice), a deficiency of vitamins, a blockage of bile duct, capidiasis, a parasite, a condition or potential irritation of chronic skin, etc. A parameter that is correlated in an event in any measurable input signal, such as one or more of the potential inputs listed above, that correlates with the occurrence of the event within the reference structure and the system (ie, a signal caused by the waste or the user). The proactive sensor 60 may, for example, predict the occurrence of a defecation, urine or discharge of body waste or may detect signals that may precede skin rash or skin irritation. Proactive sensors 60 in an article can measure many different inputs in order to forecast an event. For example, the proactive sensor 60 can monitor the external rectal sphincter muscle for a relaxation or contraction in the rectal sphincter that precedes the release of stool and / or urine, a separation of the buttocks, a change in pressure in the the abdomen, a concentration of gas in the article, a fall on the pelvic surface, or any other concentration that can be used to predict or anticipate the occurrence of an event such as a bowel movement, discharge of urine, or discharge of bodily waste. Alternatively, a proactive sensor 60 of the present invention can detect signals that precede skin irritation. For example, the sensor can detect residual fecal contamination of the user's skin (e.g., faecal enzyme residue left after cleaning a stained diaper) that can, over time, lead to irritated skin. The detection of a high pH, a high hydration of the skin that results in a measurable increase in conductance or decrease in skin impedance, etc., can also be used to predict the potential irritation of the skin. The proactive sensor 60 can be placed on and / or operatively connected to any portion of a disposable article that will be exposed to the input that the sensor is designed to detect. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "operatively connected" refers to communication means such as the proactive sensor 60 which may indicate some portion of the article 20 when the proactive sensor 60 detects an input. The proactive sensor 60 can be separated and operatively connected to another portion of the proactive sensor 60, another sensor 60, an actuator 70, a controller 80 or some other portion or component of the article 20. "Operationally connected" can, for example, include a means of communication such as an electrical connection by means of a wire or conductive member, by means of a transmitted signal such as radio frequency, infrared or other transmitted frequency communication. Alternatively, the proactive sensor 60 may be operatively connected by means of a mechanical connection such as a pneumatic or hydraulic connection. In article 20, for example, the proactive sensor 60 may be located in the front waist region 36, the rear waist region 38, or the crotch region 37 of article 20 and may be integral with, placed adjacent to, attached a, or comprise a portion of the structure 22, the upper cover 24, the rear cover 26, the absorbent core 28, the side panels 30, the leg cuffs 32, a waist feature 34, a fastening system 40, the longitudinal 50 or end 52 edges, etc. The proactive sensor 60 may be integral with article 20 or may be installed by the person providing the care or the user. The proactive sensor 60 may be contained entirely within the article such as article 20 or may have a receiving portion located in the article so that they come into contact with the desired entry and another portion such as a transmission portion located either in the article or outside it. The proactive sensor 60 may be external to the article 20 and operatively connected to some portion of the article 20 so that the proactive sensor 60 can detect an input external to the article 20 and provide a signal to a controller 80 and / or an actuator 70. In some embodiments, the sensor may be separate from the article, for example applied separately to some portion of the user, and / or may have one or more separate components of the article. The proactive sensor 60 may further comprise a detection "system" that includes two or more sensors, each of which can detect identical or different signals from identical or different sources. The detection system may include components that are located within, external, and / or separated from the article. For example, the detection system may include a sensor within the article that detects electrical signals in the user's external rectal sphincter and a sensor external to the article that detects movement, tension or muscle activity in the user's abdomen. The detection system may also or alternatively include different components of the detection elements within, external to, and / or separate from the article. The detection system, for example, may include a transmitter that is external to the article and transmit a signal to another part of the detection system that is attached or placed in article 20.

The article 20 preferably also comprises an actuator 70. As used in this application, the term "actuator" refers to a device comprising "potential" and means of transforming that potential to execute or activate a "sensitive function". The potential of the actuator 70 may comprise a stored or potential energy or stored material. The actuator 70 can therefore execute or activate a sensitive function by transforming the potential energy into kinetic energy or by releasing or supplying a stored material. A "sensitive function" is defined for the purposes of the present invention as a function performed on the body waste, the user, the article, or a component or components thereof, or a signal to the user or the person seeking care . A component of body wastes may include, for example, moisture, electrolytes, enzymes, volatile gases, bacteria, blood, etc. A user component may also include skin, genitals, rectum, rectal sphincter muscle, etc. A component of the article may also include leg cuffs, waist cuffs or other waste barriers and / or containment components, side panels, tabs, a structure, an absorbent core, an acquisition component, a restraint system, the longitudinal or end edges, etc. Potential energy can be stored as mechanical, electrical, chemical or thermal energy. The "kinetic energy" as used in this application refers to the ability to do work or to perform a sensitive function as described above (e.g., the expansion of a compressed device, the rotation of a rotated device, a gel that moves as the phases change, coating or treatment of the skin or stool, inhibition of an enzyme, pH adjustment, etc.). The activation of the creation of a three-dimensional structure to trap waste, for example, involves the sensitive functions executed on a component of the article and, finally, on the waste. The trapping of waste, the cleaning of the user's skin, treating feces with a stool modification agent, or the treatment of the skin with a composition of care for it, for example, are sensitive functions performed on the skin. waste and / or the user. The adjustment of the geometry of the article (in one, two or three dimensions) or physical properties (for example, flexural modulus, geometry, etc.) are examples of sensitive functions, which can be executed on the article. The indication to a person providing care and / or to the user that an event is about to occur is also considered a sensitive function for the purposes of the present invention.

An actuator of a disposable article can, for example, deliver or deliver a deodorant, enzyme inhibitor, skin care composition or pH control agent; capture, clean, cover, trap, immobilize, seal, pump or store body waste; or activate the release or creation of a structure or element designated to execute one or more of those functions or any other sensitive function on the waste, the user or the article or a component thereof. An action 70 of the present invention can release the potential energy to execute or activate a sensitive function on the waste, the user, the article or a component thereof. The release of potential energy can transform mechanical, electrical, chemical or thermal energy into mechanical, electrical or chemical kinetic energy to perform the sensitive function. The actuators can be activated by a threshold level of one input to release the potential energy in order to execute a sensitive function on the input or can respond continuously on the input as described below. For example, a compressed foam has stored compressive mechanical potential energy and can provide mechanical kinetic energy when it is released. A twisted foam has stored mechanical torsional potential energy that can provide mechanical kinetic energy, that is, rotation, when it is released. In addition, stored chemical, electrical or thermal energy can be used to release kinetic, electrical, mechanical, chemical or thermal energy. An actuator of a disposable article, for example, may include one or more of the following: stored lotion, stool modification agents, enzyme inhibitors, pH regulators, dyes, pressurized gas, a compressed foam, a pump, a closed system liquid transport member, an electrically sensitive gel, a pH-sensitive gel, a gel sensitive to salt concentration, etc. The potential energy can be stored in any form sufficient to maintain / restrict until required. Examples include batteries and / or capacitors, elastic, torsional or compressively stretched materials or structures, in the form of unreacted reagents, and materials capable of performing physical or chemical functions (eg, absorbents, emollients, pH regulators, inhibitors of enzyme, fecal modification agents, compressed gases, etc.). Alternatively, an actuator 70 of the present invention may comprise an amount of stored material that has the ability to execute or activate a sensitive function on body waste, the user, the article, or any component or components thereof. In one embodiment, for example, the actuator 70 may release or supply a stored material that performs a sensitive function. In this embodiment, the actuator 70 may be activated by a threshold level of an input to release or discontinuously provide the stored material at a given time or may release or supply the material in a continuous manner. The actuator 70 may, for example, include stored lotion, skin care compositions, stool modification agents, enzyme inhibitors, pH regulators, dyes, etc. In certain preferred embodiments, the material may be supplied by an actuator 70 such as an expanding elastic material, a high pressure gas released, etc. In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the article includes an actuator comprising a compressed foam separator 94 vacuum sealed under a water soluble film 92 (eg, a PVA film). Upon receiving the appropriate signal from the proactive sensor, the actuator closes a switch that releases a small amount of stored water to contact and dissolve the water soluble film. This results in the supply of mechanical energy stored in the compressed foam. The foam expands and forms a separator to provide hollow volume for the incipient feces. Alternately, the interruption closure can supply two chemicals that combine and create a foaming system, which can protectively coat the skin and / or sink the stool when it is excreted. Similar systems for preparing imminent urination events are also included within the scope of this invention. In other embodiments, the responsive system may include an actuator that alerts the person seeking care or the user of an impending event such as defecation or urination. If the sensitive system alerts the person seeking care, for example, the caregiver can prepare the change of the item to minimize the amount of time the body waste is in contact with the user's skin. ensure that the pot or an absorbent article is in place to contain body waste when it is removed, or can assist the user in reaching the bathroom before the elimination of body waste. If the sensitive system alerts the user, alternatively, the sensitive system can act as an indicating device that alerts the user of an imminent defecation or urination before the actual event. Alternatively, the sensor and / or the actuator may comprise a closed system liquid transport member. A "closed system liquid transport" member or "transport member" comprises a member filled with liquid containing an inlet port and an outgoing port which upon reception of even a small amount of the liquid in the port of entrance virtually immediately releases the liquid at the port of exit. The liquid released from the outlet port can serve as an input signal for a sensor. For example, the liquid may be water, which is released when the transport member absorbs the fecal moisture at the inlet port, which acts to dissolve a seal in order to release the stored mechanical energy to create a gap space for stool Alternatively, the transport member can autoactivate an actuator (e.g., mixing with agents to perform a chemical reaction), or it can execute at least a portion of the function of the actuator (e.g., the released water is absorbed by a superabsorbent polymer placed in a particular geometry, which expands and forms a hollow volume for stool). The transportation of liquid through such transport members is based on direct suction instead of capillary action. The liquid is transported through a region within which a significant amount of air (or other gas) can not enter. The driving force for the liquid flowing through such a member can be held by a liquid weir (e.g., a capillary or osmotic absorbent structure) or source in liquid connection with the member. Therefore, a liquid transport member must have a relatively high liquid permeability. Preferably there are at least two regions within the transport medium with different pore sizes, i.e. one or more port regions having smaller pores and the inner region having a much larger pore size. The internal region of the transport member has a permeability that is relatively high compared to the permeability of a port region (a higher liquid permeability provides less flow resistance), which may be a part of an external region / wall circumscribing the internal region / volume. Non-limiting examples of porosity materials suitable for use as an internal region material include fibrous structures comprising polyolefin, PET, cellulose, and cellulose-based fibers, and open cell foam pores such as cross-linked cells, cellulose sponges , polyurethane foams and HIPE foams. In one embodiment, the gaps in the inner region are almost completely filled with an essentially non-compressible fluid. The term "essentially complete" refers to the situation, when the sufficient hollow volume of the inner region is filled with the liquid so that a continuous flow path between the inlet and outlet ports can be established. Port regions of the transport member comprise materials that are permeable for liquid transport, but not for environmental gas (such as air) once they are moistened with the transport liquid. Frequently, such materials are described as membranes, which are defined as regions that are permeable to the liquid, gas or a suspension of particles in a liquid or gas.

The membrane can for example comprise a microporous region to provide permeability to the liquid through the capillaries. In an alternative embodiment, the membrane may comprise a monolithic region comprising a block copolymer through which liquid is transported by means of fusion. Illustrative membranes for port regions include cellulose acetate membranes, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,108,383 entitled "Membranes For Absorbent Articles" issued to White on April 28, 1992, PET films as described in US Pat. EP-A-0451797, nitrocellulose membranes, cellulose nitrate membranes, PTFE membranes, polyamide and polyester membranes. Other suitable materials are woven polymer meshes, such as polyamide or polyethylene meshes as available from Verseidag in Geldern-Waldbeck, Germany or SEFAR in Rüschlikon, Switzerland. The actuator 70 may alternatively comprise an electrically sensitive gel. The electricity-sensitive gels are polymer gel networks that, when at least partially expanded with water, change the volume and / or the geometry under the application of a current or electric field. For example, certain partially ionized polyacrylamine gels will undergo anisotropic shrinkage of about 50% under weak electrical fields (eg, 0.5 volts / cm) when immersed in acetone and water, alternative electrically sensitive gels can undergo electrically induced flexion in presence of water and a surfactant or may undergo an undulating oscillatory movement when subjected to an oscillating electric field. It is considered that local shrinkage can be induced in a portion of the gel, for example one side of a gel element by the concentration of positively charged surfactant molecules in the gel polymer negatively charged in an electric field. The change in the intensity and / or the polarity of the field induces a movement in the gel as one side decreases in length (for example a gel formed in a strip can be twisted). The gels sensitive to electricity can comprise variable energies? such as rectangular, circular, reticulated grid, etc. patterns in order to provide a valve for release of a material, allow a body waste to flow through it, prevent a body waste from flowing through it, encapsulate a body waste, etc. as they change volume and / or geometry. An electrically sensitive gel formed in a strip, for example, can be flexed to provide a hollow space available for when an electrical activity is detected in an external rectal sphincter muscle that predicts defecation or urination. In Figures 6a and 6b for example, an electrically sensitive gel strip is shown in a circuit in which the fecal moisture can bind the contacts 485 and allow the current to flow towards the electrically sensitive gel by binding or reinforcing the strip. Alternatively, an electrically sensitive one formed in a lattice grid pattern, as shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, can be electrically induced to expand or comprise when an imminent urination is detected to form a valve allowing and / or prevents urine from flowing to another portion of article 20. Figure 7A, for example, shows a circuit that includes a grid pattern of an electrically sensitive gel. Figures 7B and 7C further show a microscopic view of the grid in a contracted and an expanded configuration respectively. An illustrative material is a weakly interlaced PAMPs gel (polyacrylamido-2-methyl propane acid). This type of gel can perform various functions such as applying or supplying a chemical agent for stool treatment. Other illustrative electrical sensitive gels are described in US Pat. No. 5,100,933 issued to Tanaka on March 31, 1990 and WO 9202005. Alternatively, pH-sensitive gels or gels sensitive to the exit concentration that change the volume and / or geometry at specific pH or salt concentrations, respectively, can be used as an actuator of the present invention. The actuator 70 may be positioned in and / or operatively connected to any portion of the disposable article that will allow the actuator to perform a sensitive function on the body waste, the user, the article or a component thereof. In article 20, for example, the actuator 70 may be located in the front waist region 36, the rear waist region 38 or the crotch region 37 of article 20 or may be integral with, placed adjacent to, or joined to. a component of the structure 22, the top cover 24, the back cover 26. the absorbent core 28, the side panels 30, the leg cuffs 32, a waist feature 34, a fastening system 40, the longitudinal edges 50 or from end 52, etc. The actuator 70 may be completely contained within the article such as the article 20, may have a portion located in the article and a portion located outside the article 20, or may be completely external to the article 20. An actuator 70 or a portion of a actuator 70 may be operatively connected to one or more sensors 60, one or more controllers 80, another portion of actuator 70 or another portion of article 20.

In addition, the actuator 70 may be integral with article 20, or it may be installed by the person providing the care or the user. Article 20 may also include a controller 80. A "controller" is defined for the purposes of this application as a device that receives an input from a sensor and determines whether one or more actions are to be taken. The controller can receive a signal from the sensor 60 and direct the actuator 70 to execute a sensitive function on the body waste, the user, the article or a component thereof. Alternatively, the actuator 70 may receive the signal directly from the sensor 60 and perform a sensitive function on the body waste, the user, the article or a component thereof. A controlled! - can include materials that undergo a chemical or physical change, can be a chemical, mechanical or electrical device that processes information from a sensor, etc. For example, in an article having a compressed plastic foam material encapsulated and restricted under vacuum-by means of a moisture-soluble bag, the sensor 60 may comprise the moisture-soluble bag. The physical and chemical characteristics of the film, ie the type of polymer, the thickness, etc., which determines how much of the input may be present before the film dissolves, act as the controller 80 and determine the threshold level of the film. the input that can be found before the controller 80 allows the actuator 70 to release the stored energy to execute a sensitive function. The actuator 70 is the combination of the compressed foam and the vacuum loss, which allows the release of the stored mechanical energy from the compressed foam. In this example, the controller 80 acts as a one-time switch. The electric controller 80 that receives the signals from the sensor 60 such as the electrical activity of the user's muscles, however, can receive and monitor multiple electrical signals and can repeatedly actuate the actuator. The controller may be integral with the sensor component, integral with the actuator component or a separate component of the system. The controller 80 may be positioned in and / or operatively connected to any portion of a disposable article which will allow the controller 80 to receive a signal from the sensor 60 and provide a signal to the actuator 70. In article 20, for example, the controller 80 may be located in the front waist region 36, the rear waist region 38, or the crotch region 37 of the article 20 and may be integral with, placed adjacent to, attached to the structure 22, or a component of the upper cover 24, the rear cover 26, the absorbent core 28, the side panels 30, the leg folds 32, a waist feature 34, a fastening system 40, the longitudinal 50 or end 52 edges. , etc. The controller 80 may be integral with article 20 or may be installed by the person providing the care or the user. The controller 80 may be contained entirely within the article as in article 20 or may have a portion located in the article and a portion located outside the article or may be completely outside the article 20. A controller 80 or a portion of the controller 80 may operatively located to one or more sensors 60, one or more actuators 70, another portion of the controller 80 or another portion of the article 20. The controller 80, for example, can receive a signal from the sensor 60 and provide a signal to the actuator 70 , for example, by means of a radio frequency (rf) transmission. Although the different structural elements can execute the functions of the sensor 60, the actuator 70 and the controller 80, the functions of the sensor 60, the actuator 70 and / or the controller 80 of the present invention do not need to be executed by different structural elements. The functions of the sensor 60 and the controller 80, for example, may be executed by the same structural element such as a film which dissolves upon contact with a component of a body waste. In this example, the film acts as a sensor and responds to the input component of body waste. The physical and chemical characteristics of the film, ie the type of polymer, the thickness, etc., which determine how much of the input must be present before the film dissolves act as the controller and determine the threshold of the input that it must be covered before the controller allows the actuator to release the stored energy to perform a sensitive function. A "sensitive system" is defined for the purposes of this application for a system that includes a sensor 60 and an actuator 70 that acts on the body waste, the user, the article, or a component thereof when the sensor 60 detected the appropriate activation input. Upon detection of a given input parameter, the actuator 70 effects the release of stored energy or the material to execute a sensitive function. When a proactive sensor 60 detects an impending event, the actuator effects the release of the stored energy. By detecting an input signal before the impending event, a sensitive system within the article-may be triggered to prepare the event or to indicate the person seeking care or the user of the impending event. This allows for the construction of items in which the waste management technology is initially concealed or non-obstrusive, but which is available at, or just before, the time of need and / or in which the item can provide the person who seeks care or the user of the opportunity to prepare an event by advance. Without considering the specific approach, the proactive sensor 60 in these modalities can trigger an actuator to execute an action on the article, the user or the environment to prepare for the occurrence of the event or to provide a signal to the person seeking care. the impending event is about to occur. For example, if an impending defecation or urination is to be detected via the electrical activity of the external muscles of the anal sphincter, the system is preferably triggered (ie, the sensitive system is activated) by a signal related to the reflexive contraction. of or relaxation of the anal sphincter. The actuator can then perform a function such as treating the user's skin to avoid or minimize skin irritation; preparation of a body waste management device by activating a fecal gap separator; opening a valve to allow urine to flow to a storage device; releasing an enzyme inhibitor, skin care composition, pH control agent, or other skin treatment aids as are known in the art; or provide an audible, palpable or visual warning signal to the person seeking care or the user. If the sensor 60 comprises a sensitive system, an actuator can be operated by different sensors and / or indicators, or different actuators can be operated by different sensors and / or signals. Alternatively, a sensor and / or a signal can drive multiple actuators. A sensitive system can respond in a "continuous" or a "discontinuous" way. As used in this application, a "continuous sensitive system" refers to a sensitive system in which the output is quantitatively dependent on the amount of the input, i.e., quantities that increase coninuously from the input are required to effect the continuously increasing quantities of the output, or where the output of the sensitive system comprises a passive release of a stored material. A superabsorbent polymer placed in an absorbent core of an article, for example, provides a continuous response in which the output is quantitatively dependent on the amount of the input, i.e. as the amounts of the liquid waste in contact with the polymer increase. superabsorbenie, a growing quality of the polymer that contains that liquid up to the capacity of! polymer is depleted. A stequeometric chemical reaction is another example of a system that has a continuous response to the rising output. In the reaction A + excess B? C, for example, the amount of excess B converted to C is stoichiometrically and therefore "continuously," related to the amount of A available in the system. An example of a continuous sensitive system in which the inflatable separator is inflated to provide a hollow volume for storing fecal stool by means of a chemical stoqueometric reaction when a liquid such as urine makes contact with a gas wrapping material, is say, a continuous sensitive system, is described in the U.S. Patent No. 5,330,459 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having An Inflatable Spacer, "issued to Gary D. Lavon and others on July 19, 1994, which is incorporated herein by reference." Another example of a continuous sensitive system in which a disposable article improves the fit. on the user by a liquid such as urine dissolving a film that releases a leg fold that has been held in an expanded state is described U.S. Patent No. 4,246,900 entitled "Diaper Including Moisture-responsive Seal Means," issued to Scf? Der et al. On January 27, 198 1. A sensitive subject that passively releases a stored material generally provides a continuous response regardless of how the material itself is released due to the actual sensitive function performed on the bodily waste, the user, the item or a component thereof that is executed by the material, not the release of the material. Therefore, if the material is released or not continuously in response to a predetermined input, or released discontinuously at a single time when a threshold of a given input is detected, the sensitive function executed by the released material is executed in such a way that the Continuously increasing amounts of input are required to effect continually increasing quantities of output until the released material runs out. However, a "discontinuous sensitive system" refers to a sensitive system that has an output function that is essentially independent of the amount of the input beyond a threshold level. For example, when one or more threshold levels of a given input are met, the sensing system can release all or a predesignated portion of its stored energy or supply, that is, actively transport, all or a predesigned portion of its stored material to execute a specific sensitive function. In an ideal embodiment of the present invention, the output function, f (x), includes a "step" function as shown in Figure 4A.

In this mode, the speed of change in the output with increasing levels of input (d (output) / d (input)), that is, the inclination or first derivative f (x) of the output function f (x) is essentially preferably zero when the amount of the input is above or below the threshold level. However, at the threshold level, the rate of change d (output) / d (input) preferably approaches infinity. Therefore, in the ideal discontinuous response, the limit of the function f (x-e) as e? 0 is not equal to the limit of the function f (x + e) as e? O, that is, lim f (x-e)? lim f (x + e). However, the present invention recognizes that in the physical world an instantaneous change of stage at the threshold level is not necessary and may not be possible in many instances. In a preferred embodiment, it is only necessary that the output function has a virtual cover change with each small change in the input at or around the threshold level of the input. Therefore, the present invention contemplates a discontinuous sensitive system of the present invention having an output function that responds in a sufficiently discontinuous fashion to the transition region so that the output function has at least a minimum relative degree of inclination in the transition region. While not wishing to be limited to a particular method of describing or modeling a discontinuous system, in a preferred method of determining whether or not a given output function is executed in a sufficiently discontinuous fashion as defined for the purposes of present invention, the inclination of the output curve at the inflection point is compared with the relative inclination of a line between the first and the last points of the transition region. For example, Figure 5A shows a graph of an illustrative output function, f (x) together with aligned graphs of I first, f '(x), second f "(x), and third, f" (x), derived from the illustrative output function. The output function f (x) describes the effect of the input (x or I) on the output or the response (R (l)). For the purposes of the present invention, the transition region is defined as the region between the relative maximum, R (7f?) And the minimum, R (IX) of the second derivative, f '(x), of the output function, f (x), the relative maximum, R (l-,), and the relative minimum, R (IX) are points at which the third derivative, f '"(x), is equal to zero. l0, is defined as the point in the transition region in which the second derivative, f "(x), is equal to zero, that is, d2R | - I = 0. di2! I = l" The comparison of the The inclination of the output function at the inflection point for the inclination of a line between the first and the last points of the transition region can be described by the equation: dR I (? RT) - I = k di I l = l0 (? lt) In this equation dR / dl at the point of inflection is the first derivative of the output function at that point.The term? lt is the change in input for the sensitive system between the first l ?, and the last, 12, points of the transition region, that is, 12 - li and the term? Rt is the change in the response of the output function between the first and last points of the transition region, that is, R (l2) - R (l?). The coefficient k is a proportional constant that describes the relative inclination of the inclination of the exit function at the inflection point, l0, compared to the inclination of a line between the first and last points of the transition region. In order for the responsive system to have a discontinuous output function, the proportional constant k must be at least about 2.0, preferably at least about 3.0, more preferably at least about 5.0, and even about most preferable way of at least about 10.0, with at least about 100.0 being most preferred. In certain modalities, the relative degree of inclination in the region of Iransition of a discrete responsive system can also be modeled by a transfer function of a control system having a series of an integer, n, first order intervals with an identical time constant. The transfer function of! sensitive system is defined for the purposes of. the present invention as the Laplace relation that transforms the outputs (response variable) to the input (disturbance variable). See, for example, Robert H. Perry & Don Green, Perry's Chemical Enqineer's Handbook. Sixth Ed., Chap.22 (McGraw Hill, Inc. 1984). As shown in Figure 8B, the relative degree of inclination of an output function can be approximated by the formula: KG. (S) = K / (Ts + 1) p in which KG. (S) is the function of transfer, k is a proportional element, T is the time constant of the system, and n is the integer of the time intervals of first order. In this model, as the number n increases, the inclination of the output function in the transition region also increases and the model begins to approach a discontinuous sensitive system. Certain discrete sensitive systems of the present invention can be modeled preferably by the above formula when n is greater than or equal to about 25, with n being greater than or equal to about 50 being more preferred and n being greater than or equal to about 100 that is the most preferred. As shown in Figure 4A, a sensitive system of the present invention can include an individual threshold level at which the sensitive system can release all of its stored energy to execute a specific sensitive function or can include multiple threshold levels at which the system can release a predesigned portion of its stored energy to execute one or more specific sensitive functions at each of the threshold levels. In a mode that has an individual threshold level, it has all its stored energy to execute the full sensitive function when that threshold level is reached. In such an individual threshold mode, in this example, the discontinuous sensitive system includes a system having two states such as active or inactive. A threshold amount of an entry such as ??? The absorbent article is present in the absorbent article, the sensitive system can execute an individual sensitive function on the waste, the user, the article or a component of the m: smo, such as the wrapping of the waste away from the skin of the user. Therefore, the discontinuous sensitive system can perform a function similar to a one-time switch that changes from one state to another in the presence of a threshold level of one input. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4B, the sensitive system may have multiple threshold levels at which when each threshold level is reached the system may release a certain "quanta" of energy or provide a certain amount of material to perform a function of specific response. In this embodiment, when each threshold level is reached, a portion of the full sensitive function can be executed and / or different different independent sensitive functions can be executed in response to different threshold levels being reached. For example, a sensitive system can monitor a faecal enzyme and when each level of threshold enzyme is met it can provide an equal or different amount of enzyme inhibitor or inhibitor or lotion, or supply a pH regulator at a first threshold level and performing another sensitive function such as providing a quantity of inhibitor or enzyme inhibitors at the second threshold level. In each transition region, the responsive system responds essentially to the same region of transition in the same individual mode as described above. In addition, a sensitive system can monitor multiple inputs such as humidity and / or one or more faecal enzymes and execute one or more sensitive functions when the threshold levels of the different inputs are reached or can execute a sensitive function only when two or more of The threshold levels of JO different tickets meet. A controller can monitor multiple different inputs and execute a different sensitive function when the threshold level of different inputs is reached. Alternatively, the control can execute a mare logic OR function such that a sensitive function can be executed when one or more threshold levels of the multiple inputs are reached. The controller can also execute a function of logical AND type of link so that a sensitive function can be executed when each threshold level of two or more different inputs are reached. A sensitive system may also comprise a "closed cycle" or "open cycle" system. A "closed cycle" system which is also referred to as a "feedback control loop" system includes various sensor 60 and actuator 70 components and performs a sensitive function on the input. In some preferred embodiments, the system may also use a detection or measurement of an element or a parameter of the output condition as at least one trigger of the sensitive function that is executed on the input. The exit condition can being the state of the input condition after the actuator 70 has had the opportunity to execute a sensitive function on the input condition. For example, if the sensor 60 is monitoring the hydration level of the skin and the hydration level reaches a threshold level, i.e. the exit condition of the sensitive system, the sensitive system can supply a predetermined amount of a desiccant for bring the skin hydration back to the target hydration or desired hydration interval or they can release a desiccant until the hydration returns to the target hydration or hydration interval. An absorbent material such as a superabsorbent polymer continuously absorbs a liquid inlet until the liquid has been fully absorbed or the capacity of the polymer has been reached, it is not considered to comprise a closed loop system since the absorbent material does not have components other than sensor 60 and actuator70. The sensitive function can be executed when the output condition reaches a threshold level, or it can be executed only when the output condition and one or more conditions are met. Acting on the entry may include acting on the detected element, for example, detecting the pH and acting on the pH, or may include acting on a composition of which the detected element is an integral component, for example, detecting a fecal enzyme or fecal moisture and act on stool. The feedback control cycle includes at least two different components: the sensor 60 and the actuator 70. The sensor 60 detects an event, or a parameter associated with that event. The actuator 70 receives a signal and performs a sensitive function on the input condition detected by the sensor 60. As described above, the feedback control cycle may further include a controller 80. In this case, the sensor 60 may provide a signal to the controller 80 and the controller 80 can direct the actuator 70 to execute a sensitive function on the input condition. The controller 80 may be a separate component of the sensitive system or the function of the controller may be executed by the sensor 60 and / or the actuator 70. A preferred embodiment of a closed cycle control system of the present invention comprises an electrical sensor capable to detect changes in the magnitude of the electrical activity of the sphincter muscles, particularly the external anal sphincter, related to the imminent release or potential for the release of body waste and a means to supply an electrical impulse (or electrical stimulation) as required in the user's perianal skin to induce a temporary contraction of the sphincter muscle to function as a continence aid. (This process can be alternatively referred to as the dynamic stimulation of the graciloplastic nerve in the medical literature). For the purpose of this invention, the electrical activity referred to herein as the electrical activity of the external anal sphincter may additionally include electrical activity from other pelvic surface muscles associated with the external anal sphincter. Optionally, an audible, visible and / or palpable (ie, vibrating) signal is provided to the user and / or the caregiver, alerting them to the potential for waste disposal. This approach can also be applied to the external urethral sphincter. The electrical impulse can consist of one or more pulses of electricity or it can be a continuous impulse. Although the maximum resistance of the electric impulse can be as high as approximately 35 volts. The electric pulse preferably has a voltage in the range of about 0.05 to about 5 Volts and most preferably in the range of about 0.3 to about 1 Volt. Preferably, the electric pulse current is in the range of about 0.1 to about 100 mA. Preferably, the stimulation frequency is within the range of about 10 to about 100 Hz, more preferably in the range of about 20 to about 80 Hz, and still more preferably within the range of about 60 to about 80 Hz. Pulse is a pulse (one or a multiplicity of pulses), the duration of each pulse is preferably within the range of about 0.1 to about 5 ms and most preferably within the range of about 0.5 to about 1 ms. In certain embodiments where the pulse comprises a multiplicity of pulses, the total pulse series, or "pulse train", may have a duration of about 0.1 second to about 15 seconds with a pulse train interval of between about 1 second and approximately 60 seconds. Preferably, the electrical stimulation voltage, the frequency, the number and frequency of pulses in a train of pulses, and the number and duration of and spacing between the pulse trains can be modified and / or controlled by the user or the person who procures the care. Any electrical circuit can be used as is known in the art capable of satisfying these parameters to supply or control the electrical stimulation for the external anal sphincter or other body site. For example, a 3 volt clock battery with a pulse generating system can be operatively connected to a proactive sensor, such as an EMG surface electrode as described herein, and used to supply one or more electrical pulses to the skin of the patient. user in the perianal region. An illustrative electrical stimulation device is the Prosper e.i. 5000 available from Dr. Rowedder Biomedizinische Geraete in Muehbrook, Germany. This device can alternatively be used with the adhesive EMG surface electrode as described herein. In the alternative modes of stimulation (i.e., contraction) of the external sphincter muscles as a continence aid, the signal from the sensor can be directed to another site on the user's body to produce the anus rectal reflex. For example, the sensor may trigger electrical or mechanical stimulation of the perianal skin, the skin on the back of the user's neck, the sole of the foot, or any other site that results in the expression of the anal rectal reflex. The feedback control cycle can be "non-modulator" or "modulator". In a sensitive system in a "non-modulator" feedback control cycle the sensing system acts as a switch of a time in which the actuator executes a sensitive function of the input when the threshold level of the output condition is met. For example, the sensor 60 can detect a specific microorganism, and the actuator 70 can indicate to the person seeking care of a potential incipient infection. In this example, the actuator 70 acts on the input detected by the sensor 60. If the sensor 60 detects electrical signals in the user's external anal sphincter to predict imminent defecation and the actuator 70 releases a compressed foam to create a configured gap of sufficiently large to contain the feces, however, the actuator 70 acts on another part of the inlet detected by the sensor 70, ie acts on the feces instead of the electrical activity of the sphincter muscle and therefore is not a feedback control cycle. However, a "modulator" feedback control cycle includes a sensor 60, an actuator 70 and a controller 80. In a modulator feedback control cycle, the output condition is constantly or repeatedly monitored and the controller 80 detects the actuator to execute a sensitive function on the input in order to maintain the output condition at a desired fixed point or within of a desired scale. A sensitive modulator system can consistently or repeatedly measure the electrical activity of the sphincter and send a signal to the sphincter muscles to keep the anal sphincter closed for a desired period of time to provide a responsive system of feedback control cycle. However, an "open cycle" system is a system that responds to the input to execute a sensitive function without using the feedback, that is, the output has no effect on the detected input recorded by the system. An open cycle system can include a sensitive system having an individual device that executes the functions of both the sensor 60 and the actuator 70 or can have different sensor components 60 and actuator 70 in which the actuator acts on a different part of the liquid . A superabsorbent polymer placed in an absorbent core of a disposable absorbent article, for example, provides an open cycle response because the polymer only includes a single device that performs the functions of the sensor 60 and the actuator 70. Alternatively, a sensitive system The open cycle may include a sensor 60 that detects body waste or a component of that body waste and an actuator 70 that executes a sensitive function in a continuous or discontinuous manner over another part of the input detected by the sensor 60. For example, the sensor 60 can detect the urine and the actuator 70 can capture or store the feces. A block diagram of an illustrative open cycle response system having a sensor 60 and an actuator 70 is shown in Figure 6A. A block diagram and an alternative open cycle sensitive system includes a sensor 60, an actuator 70 and a controller 80 are shown in Figure 6C. A block diagram of an illustrative open cycle responsive system having a sensor 60 and an actuator 70 is shown in Figure 6B. A block diagram of an alternative closed cycle sensitive system including a sensor 60, an actuator 70 and a controller 80 is shown in Figure 6D. Other sensitive systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent Applications Serial Nos. 09 / 106,424 entitled "Disposable Item Having Discontinuous Sensitive System" filed June 29, 1998 (Case No. P &G 7197); 09 / 107,563 entitled "Disposable article having a sensitive system including a feedback control cycle" filed on June 29, 1998 (Case No. P &G 7198), and in 09 / 106,225 entitled "Disposable article that has a sensitive system that includes a mechanical actuator "filed on June 29, 1998 (Case No. P &G) 7199), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

An example of a diaper 20 of the present invention that includes a proactive sensor is shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, a skin contact sensor system comprises an electrical sensor 60 that includes three electrodes 64, 65 and 66. A electrical sensor 60 of the present invention may include two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, the electrodes 64 and 65 can be active and the electrode 66 can be a reference electrode. This allows for bimodal electrical uptake. The skin contact sensor system can be detachably secured to the wearer's skin in order to receive the electrical signals coming from a muscle or muscle group of the user. For example, the skin contact sensor can be placed as close as possible to the user's anus in such a way that the probe can detect the signals coming from the anal sphincter muscle! external, which is automatically close to the foot! at the point of the anus hole. If the sensor is not self-adhesive, a ge! adhesive, electroconductive, on the electrode of the probe in contact with the skin before it is placed on the skin. In this mode, the contact sensors with the piei can be placed on e! user by the person who procures the care, or they can be integral with the article so that these are automatically aligned and fixed to the user's skin near the anal perimeter when the article is placed on the user. A 7mm adhesive disposable surface electrode manufactured by Dantec Medical A / S of Skovlunde, Denmark, which can be connected to a Dantec EMG receiving unit (type 14 D11), for example, is believed to be useful for the present invention . In this example the Dantec EMG unit can be set, for example, on a time base of 20 msec / division resulting in a screen scan time of 0.2 seconds. The gain amplifier can be set at 20 μ V / division. A proactive sensor in this mode can vary in size and manufactured and can optionally be integral with the body of the article. The unit that receives the signal from the sensor or sensors may be separate from the article or may be integral with the article.

If the receiving unit is separate from the article (i.e., a telemetry-based system), the article may additionally comprise a transmitter for transmitting the signal to the receiver. This can be achieved, for example, via an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) telemetry device. The values for the sensor, transmitter (if required), and the receiver can vary with the type of specific signal, sensor mode, and function to be executed. The surface electrodes 64, 65 and 66 of the skin contact sensing system in the above embodiment measure electrical signals in a fiber of the muscle or a group of muscle fibers. If the electrodes measure the electrical activity of a group of muscle fibers, the potential total change involves a higher frequency mix.

Preferably, the contact sensor with the skin or sensor system is capable of detecting electrical activity over a whole frequency range including from about 5 Hz to about 500 Hz, and most preferably including from about 10 to about 350 Hz. Preferably, The electrodes use two active electrodes 64 and 65 and a reference electrode 66 for bimodal electrical uptake. The electrical activity measured by the surface electrodes includes a combination of EMG signals, other physiological signals present on the surface of the skin such as EKG and electrodermal activity, and environmental artifacts such as 60 Hz from electronic equipment or radio frequency interference. When using bimodal electrodes in combination with a differential amplifier, only those signals that are not detected in common by the two active electrodes are allowed to pass. Because a substantial portion of the common mode signals picked up by the electrodes are not EMG signals, it may be advantageous to reject common signals for both active electrodes. This rejection of the common mode provides a clearer, more discrete signal coming from the sensor. In alternative embodiments, the electrical skin contact sensor of the present invention can be any other measuring system and / or electrode EKG (electrocardiogram) or EMG (electromyogram). For example, the MyoTrace 200, available from Noraxon USA, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ, comprises a broadband electrode capable of sensing the electrical activity of the muscle within the range of 16 Hz to 500 Hz (this is appropriate for low muscle). contraction of the pelvic surface). Other EMG sensor systems is the MyoSense system commercially available from MIÉ Medical Research Ltd., of Leeds, UK. Other suitable adhesive surface electrodes include the electrodes available from Medicotest A / S of Olstykke, Denmark as M-00-S, N-00-S, M-00-A / F, BS 3400, BS3500, BR, and BRS, as well as available electrodes from Multi Bio Sensor, Inc. of El Paso, TX, such as 3ST3, 3SG3-N, and 2DT2. Other suitable electrical sensors are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,785,040; 5,727,549; 5,337,748; 5,203,330; 5,255,677, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The electrodes of the present invention preferably comprise an electrically conductive adhesive to maintain uninterrupted contact with the wearer's skin. In the further alternative embodiments of the present invention, the telemetry system can be any commercially available EMG or EKG telemetry system. A suitable telemetry system is available from Noraxon U.S.A., Inc. as a Telemyo system, comprising a portable transmitter operated by battery. Another suitable telemetry system is available from MIÉ Medical Research Ltd. as the MT8 telemetry system. Another suitable telemetry system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,704,351. For the modalities in which the defecation or imminent urination is to be detected via the electrical activity of the external anal sphincter muscles, the proactive sensor 60 can respond to a signal related to either the reflex contraction or the relaxation of the external anal sphincter. Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention detect the contraction of the external anal sphincter as a signal of potential defecation or imminence. In adult continents and older children and infants, rapid filling of the rectum with the stool of the sigmoid junction (ie, the lower region of the colon) causes the external anal sphincter to contract reflexively (ie involuntarily). This reflex is referred to as the anorectal reflex. An acute increase in the activity of the external anal sphincter muscle accompanies the contraction of the external anal sphincter and is detectable as a signal EMG through the sensors of the present invention. This reflex is absent in a newborn human infant and usually begins to develop after approximately one year of age. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention intended to detect increased activity of the external anal sphincter as a precursor to defecation may be more generally applicable to larger babies (larger than about 1 year of age. the electrical activity of the sphincter of the external anus which signals the rectal filling is preferably at least about twice the basic activity of the sphincter of the external anus, but it may be at least three times approximately the basic electrical activity, so less than five times the basic or greater electrical activity.In another preferred embodiment, the sensor detects an acute decrease in, or absence of, the electrical activity of the sphincter muscle.This decrease occurs when the external anal sphincter muscle relaxes to open the rectal neck just before, or during, defecation, usually the electrical activity of the muscle The sphincter of the external anus will fall sharply for at least several seconds as the muscle relaxes. The activity is at or near zero immediately after and during the elimination process. In these modalities, a sensor 60 can be triggered by the precipitous falls of muscle electrical activity, preferably decreases greater than or equal to about 50%. More preferably, the sensor can be driven by decreases of greater than or equal to about 75%, or equal to about 95%. Muscular electrical activity is typically "loud", an averaged value of the amplitude (ie, the absolute value of the signal) should be used for comparing the activity of the external anal sphincter under various conditions (eg, conditions of state). basic and simulated). Figure 10a is a graphical representation (Anal Sphincter Electrical activity versus time) of an acute increase in electrical activity of the external anal sphincter related to the extension of the rectum (ie, for a normal adult) which is useful as a signal of imminent or potential defecation. The figure shows a level of basic activity of the anal sphincter muscle (a) followed by rectal filling resulting in an increase in the magnitude of the electrical activity of the sphincter muscle related to the anorectal reflex (b). The Figure 10b is a graphic representation of an acute decrease in electrical activity of the external anal sphincter muscle related to imminent or potential defecation. The activity of the sphincter muscle during defecation (c) is shown by the electrical activity of the anorectal reflex (b) and the basic electrical activity (a), which is typical. Preferably, the target level or "trigger" of the increase or decrease in the electrical activity of the muscle that results in the indication of the user or the person seeking the care or application of an electrical stimulus can be varied or controlled by the user or the user. person who seeks care based on the differences between individual users. In certain embodiments, one or more sequences of electrical stimuli that are to be delivered to a portion of the user's anatomy (eg, perianal skin) based on the particular electrical signal of the detected muscle can be pre-programmed in an associated controller of operative way with the sensor / actuator (ie, the stimulation device).

While particular embodiments and non-limiting examples of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be apparent that all combinations of these embodiments and features are possible and may result in preferred embodiments of the invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to protect all these changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. For example, although the present invention is illustrated and described primarily with respect to a dsable diaper, the present invention is not limited to that embodiment. The present invention can also be used, for example, in articles that are applied directly before the application of a dsable diaper, or instead of a dsable diaper, a placeable diaper, a diaper insert, a sanitary napkin, a tampon, etc. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all those changes and modifications which are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. A disposable article to be adjusted to a user having an external anal sphincter muscle, the external anal sphincter muscle having a basic electrical activity, the disposable article comprising: a sensor operatively connected to the article, the sensor that is adapted to detect the electrical activity of the user's external anal sphincter muscle that correlates with an impending elimination of body waste and to provide a signal to the user, the person who procures the care or an item of the item.

The disposable article according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects the electrical activity of the external anal sphincter muscle of the user in the range of about 5 Hz to about 500 Hz.

3. The disposable article according to the claims 1-2, wherein the sensor detects an increase in the electrical activity of the user's external anal sphincter muscle activity of at least about twice the basic electrical activity of the external anal sphincter muscle, preferably at least about 3 times. times the basic electrical activity of the external anal sphincter muscle, more preferably at least about five times the basic electrical activity of the external anal sphincter muscle.

The disposable article according to claims 1-3, wherein the sensor detects a decrease in the electrical activity of the user's external anal sphincter muscle activity of at least about 50% the basic electrical activity, preferably approximately at least 75% of the basic electrical activity, more preferably at least about 95% of the basic electrical activity.

5. A disposable article to be adjusted to a user comprising: a sensor operatively connected to the article, the sensor adapted to detect an entry that correlates with an imminent elimination of the user's body waste; and means for signaling to the user, a person seeking care or a component of the disposable article from the imminent elimination of body waste.

6. A disposable article that is to be adjusted to a user having an external anal sphincter muscle, the external anal sphincter muscle having a basic electrical activity, the disposable article comprising: a sensor operatively connected to the article, the sensor being adapted to detect an entry that correlates with an imminent body waste elimination and to provide a signal to a portion of the user's anatomy, the signal resulting in temporary contraction of the user's external anal sphincter muscle.

7. The disposable article according to claims 5-6, wherein the signal is an electrical stimulation of the perianal skin. The disposable article according to claim 7, wherein the electrical stimulation has a voltage within the range of about

0. 1 volts at about 5 volts, and / or a current between about 0.1 mA to about 100 mA, and / or a frequency between about 10 Hz to about 100 Hz. The disposable article according to claims 7 - 8 , wherein the electrical stimulation comprises one or more pulses, preferably a train of pulses having a duration of about 0.1 to about 15 seconds. 10. A disposable article that is to be adjusted to a user, characterized in that the article comprises: (a) a sensitive system that includes 5 (i) a sensor operatively connected to said article, the sensor being adapted to detect an input that it correlates with an elimination of imminent body waste such as defecation, urination or discharge of menstruation; and (ii) an actuator operatively connected to said sensor, jJO the actuator being adapted to execute a sensitive function when the sensor detects said input. The disposable article according to claims 5 to 10, wherein the entry is one or more of the group selected from: a pressure, a change in pressure, a concentration of gas, a moisture, an enzyme, a 15 temperature, a movement, a separation of the buttocks, an electrical signal, an electrical activity of the sphincter muscles, a change in the electrical activity of the sphincter muscles, electrical activity of the external muscles of the anal sphincter, a change in the electrical activity in the muscles of the external anal sphincter, a biological activity and a chemical activity. 12. The disposable article according to any of claims 10 - 11, wherein the actuator transforms a potential energy to execute the sensitive function, the potential energy being one or more selected from the group of: mechanical energy, electric power, energy chemistry. 13. The disposable item in accordance with any of the 25 claims 10 to 12, wherein the sensitive function is one or more selected from the group of: creation of a hollow volume, treatment of the skin, creation of a foaming system, indication to a person seeking care, or a signal for the user. The disposable article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor includes an adhesive surface electrode which can be adhered to the wearer's skin. 15. The disposable article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a waste bag associated with the top cover, the waste bag arranged to receive at least a portion of the user's body waste. 16. The disposable article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the disposable article is a waste receiving article that is adhesively applied to the user to collect faeces or urine from an artificial stoma, anus or urethra. 17. The disposable article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a receiver and / or a transmitter. 18. The disposable article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor is an electrical sensor adapted to be attached to the external sphincter of the user's anus to detect electrical signals that correlate with an elimination of imminent body waste. 19. The disposable article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a) a top cover; b) a back cover attached to at least a portion of the top cover; and c) an absorbent core disposed between the top cover and the back cover.