NZ782339A - Alarm generating system for a collection bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an alarm generating system for use with a collection bag for collecting a material. The system comprises at least one sensor attached to the collection bag to detect the shape of the bag; a control system to receive signals from the at least one sensor; and at least one alarm generating device. Upon receipt of one or more signals from the at least one sensor indicate that the bag is nearly full, the control system activates the at least one alarm generating device to cause the at least one alarm generating device to generate a vibratory alarm. one alarm generating device. Upon receipt of one or more signals from the at least one sensor indicate that the bag is nearly full, the control system activates the at least one alarm generating device to cause the at least one alarm generating device to generate a vibratory alarm.

Description

ALARM GENERATING SYSTEM FOR A COLLECTION BAG FIELD OF ION This invention relates to an alarm generating system for a collection bag, such as an ostomy bag, catheter bag or drainage bag. The system senses the fullness of the bag and generates an alarm/alert when the bag is nearly full and is therefore ready to be emptied or changed.

BACKGROUND A stoma is a temporary or permanent body opening, either naturally or surgically created, which connects a portion of the abdominal cavity to the outside nment, via a stoma, to allow bodily waste to leave the body. The point of exit, or stoma, is ted to a collection bag, via an opening or inlet of the bag, which collects and contains the waste output from the stoma for later disposal.

In the case of a colostomy, the stoma is formed by drawing the healthy end of the large intestine or colon through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing the end of the large intestine in place.

In the case of an ileostomy, the stoma is formed by drawing the healthy end of the small intestine, usually on the lower right side of the abdomen, through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and ng the end of the small intestine in place.

The tion bag is le and can cause leaks at the tion points between the bag inlet and the stoma. Leaks are more common as the fullness of the collection bag increases such that the downward weight of the singly heavy bag pulls on the connection point with the stoma, breaking the seal between the stoma and the collection bag.

The liquid nature of the ileostomy or urostomy effluent can cause a tion bag to rapidly overfill, resulting in leaks from the stoma and/or from the bag.

Patients with an ileostomy or colostomy tend to have an impaired quality life as a result of the difficulties resulting from having a collection bag and from the fact that patients with a stoma have no control over the timing or volume of waste matter released into the collection bag.

Overfilling and ge or leakage of the collection bag can affect the patient's ability to function in social environments, go out in public, have intimate relationships with significant others, and can interfere with sleep patterns, due to the high waste output and night-time overfilling of the collection bag. There is therefore a need for a convenient device that can prevent unexpected bag overfilling and time accidents.

It is an object of the t invention to provide an alarm generating system for a collection bag that goes at least some way towards overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art or that at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In a first aspect, the ion provides an alarm generating system for use with a collection bag for collecting a material, the system comprising: at least one shape detection sensor attached to the collection bag to detect the shape of the bag; a control system to receive signals from the at least one sensor; and at least one alarm generating device, wherein upon receipt of one or more signals from the at least one sensor indicate that the bag is nearly full, the control system activates the at least one alarm generating device to cause the at least one alarm generating device to generate a vibratory alarm.

The alarm generating device may generate both a vibratory alarm and an audio alarm. In some forms, the alarm ting device generates both a ory alarm and a visual alarm.

In some forms, the alarm generating device comprises at least one moving ent that is locatable on a person’s skin and that vibrates when the alarm generating device tes a vibratory alarm.

Preferably, the at least one moving component is located on a portion of the collection bag that s the person’s skin. Alternatively, the at least one moving component is located on a portion of a wearable device, to be worn by a wearer of the bag.

In some forms, the alarm generating device is remote from the collection bag and comprises a speaker through which the audio alarm is provided.

In some forms, the alarm generating device is remote from the collection bag and comprises a display screen on which the visual alarm is provided.

Preferably, the remote alarm generating device is located on a wrist strap for wearing by a person.

In some forms, the alarm generating device engages with a hospital call alarm that is activated by the control system upon receipt of one or more signals from the at least one sensor indicate that the bag is nearly full.

In some forms, the shape detection sensor comprises a bend sensor, which may otherwise be referred to as a hinge sensor.

In other forms, the shape detection sensor comprises a capacitive sensor.

In yet other forms, the shape detection sensor comprises an inductive . In some forms, the alarm generating system comprises two or more shape detection sensors consisting of any one or more of a bend sensor, a stretchy le ance sensor, a capacitive sensor, and an inductive sensor.

In some forms, the alarm generating system comprises an accelerometer to sense the orientation of the bag and r a person wearing the bag is active or sedentary. Optionally, the l system, upon receiving one or more signals from the accelerometer and the shape detection sensor, determines whether or not to generate the alarm.

Optionally, the system is configured to provide manual selection of at least one type of alarm to be generated, the type of alarm being selected from the group comprising a vibratory alarm, an audio alarm, or a visual alarm.

Preferably, the collection bag is an ostomy bag, a catheter bag or a ge bag.

Unless the context y requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an ive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of our in any country in the world.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example and with nce to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic front view of one form of an alarm generating system according to the present invention and in which the system comprises two bend sensors to sense the fullness of the bag; Figure 2 is a schematic front view of another form of an alarm generating system according to the present invention and in which the system ses a capacitive sensor to sense the fullness of the bag; Figure 3 is a tic front view of another form of an alarm generating system according to the present invention and in which the system comprises inductive sensors to sense the fullness of the bag; Figure 4 is a schematic front view of another form of an alarm generating system according to the present invention and in which the system comprises two bend sensors, as shown in Figure 1, in cooperation with a communication system that icates signals from the sensor to a remote device to generate an alert; Figure 5 is a schematic front view of another form of an alarm ting system according to the t invention and in which the system comprises a capacitive sensor, as shown in Figure 2, in cooperation with a communication system that communicates signals from the sensor to a remote device to generate an alert; Figure 6 is a schematic front view of another form of an alarm generating system according to the present invention and in which the system comprises inductive s, as shown in Figure 3, in cooperation with a communication system that communicates s from the sensor to a remote device to generate an alert; Figure 7 is a diagram showing one form of an alarm generation method using the system of the present invention; Figure 8 is a diagram showing another form of an alarm generation method using the system of the t invention; and Figure 9 is a diagram showing one form of alarm generating system of the invention in which the system is connected to a hospital call alarm via an adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is r described with reference to the ing examples. It will be appreciated that the invention as claimed is not intended to be limited in any way by these examples.

As exemplified by embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 9, the present invention relates to an alarm generating system 100 for use with a collection bag 200 for collecting a material, such as a waste material or any other material where it is important to prevent leakage and overflow from the bag 200. In preferred forms, the collection bag 200 comprises an ostomy bag, drainage bag or catheter bag for collecting waste material. The invention will be described in relation to an ostomy bag, for the sake of simplicity, but it should be appreciated that the invention may be used with any form of collection bag for ting any form of material during a collection ure that is not consistently visually monitored and for which it is useful for a warning or alert to be generated as the bag nears full capacity.

The system 100 comprises at least one sensor 10 that is attached to the collection bag 200 to detect the shape or change in shape of the bag 200. Preferably, the sensor is removably attached to the collection bag 200. The system 100 also comprises a control system 20 to receive signals from the sensor(s) 10, a power supply 25 connected to the sensor(s) 10 and to the control system 20, and at least one alarm generating device 30 that is activated by the control system 20 to generate an alarm 50 when the control system es one or more signals from the sensor(s) 10 that indicate that the bag 200 is nearly full.

Optionally, the alarm generating device 30 is also ted to the power supply 25.

The power supply 25 may be any suitable power supply, but is typically a battery, such as a rechargeable battery, or a slow release capacitor.

In some forms, the system 100 comprises a monitoring unit located on the tion bag 200. The monitoring unit may comprise the at least one sensor 10 and the control system 20. In some forms, at least one alarm generating device 30 may also form part of the monitoring unit located on the collection bag 200 so that the monitoring unit may comprise the at least one sensor 10, the control system 20, and at least one alarm generating device 30. The ring unit is preferably removably able to a collection bag 200. In other forms, the control system 20 may be remotely located from the bag 200, such that only the at least one sensor 10 and optionally also at least one alarm generating device 30 forms part of the monitoring unit located on the bag 200. In other forms, the alarm generating device 30 may be remote from the collection bag 200 and may be connected to the control system 20 via a wired or ss tion, (such as a Bluetooth or radio frequency, RF communication connection). Preferably, Bluetooth is used to connect a remote alarm generating device 30 to the control system 20. ent forms of the invention comprise different sensors 10 and/or different forms of alarm 50 to notify the wearer of a collection bag 200, or a caregiver/nurse attending to a wearer of a collection bag, that the bag 200 is nearing full capacity and needs to be emptied or changed. By providing such a notification, the alarm generating system 100 of the invention reduces the risk of overflow and leaks from the bag 200 and reduces the risk of leaks from the connection points between the bag and the stoma.

A collection bag 200 typically ses a first surface and an opposing second surface that are sealed together to form an internal bladder that may configured to be filled with material, such as waste material for example. In some forms, the first and second surfaces are joined together at opposing side edges to form sealed edges of the bladder. The first and second surfaces of the bag 200 are also sealed er at the top and bottom of the bladder. ably, the side seals of the bladder form side edges of the bag 200 and preferably the bottom seal of the r forms a bottom edge of the bag. The bladder ses an g or inlet that attaches to a stoma located on the patent. The opening/inlet es a fluid connection from the stoma to an interior of the bladder of the bag 200. In some forms, a flanged n extends above the top seal of the bladder and may optionally comprise an g, such as an eyelet, from which the bag 200 can be hung or to which components of the system 100 of the invention may be removably attached (such as the control system 20 and/or user interface 40 and/or alarm generating device 30). In some forms, the bag 200 comprises a flanged portion that extends partially or entirely around the sealed perimeter of the bladder.

In some forms, as shown in Figure 1, the alarm generating system 100 of the invention comprises at least one shape detection sensor 10 that is electrically connected to the power supply 25. In some forms, the sensor 10 is located on or around at least one side edge of the bag 200. Preferably, the system 100 comprises at least two sensors 10, one of which is located on or around opposing side edges of the bag In a preferred form, the at least one sensor 10 is a hinge sensor/bend sensor. A bend sensor is a form of resistive sensor that is used to sense the fullness of the bag 200. Each bend sensor 10 comprises a first part and a second part hinged together at a corner. The bend sensor 10 is located on the bag 200 so that the corner of the hinge sits adjacent to a side edge of the bag 200.

In another form, the sensor may comprise a stretchy variable resistance fabric that wraps around at least a portion of the bag 200, such as around a side edge of the bag so that part of the sensor 10 extends across a front surface of the bag 200 and part of the sensor 10 extends across a rear surface of the bag 200, or that extends across at least half of the front or rear surface of the bag 200.

The sensor 10 may be attached to the bag 200 by any suitable form of attachment, such by as using clips, hook and loop fasteners or a custom-made sheath. The sensor is attached so that an inner surface of the first part of the sensor 10 overlays and contacts a portion of the first surface of the bag 200. An inner e of the second part of the sensor 10 ys and contacts a portion of the second surface of the bag 200.

As the bag fills, the shape of the bag changes, causing the first and second side surfaces of the bag to move away from each other, pushing the first and second parts of the bend sensor 10 away from each other. Optionally, each bend sensor 10 is located at a side edge of the bag 200 near the bottom of the collection bag. In other forms, the bend sensor is attached within or proximate to the top one third of the bag 200 to detect the greatest deformation when the bag 200 is full. Positioning the sensor in the top one third of the bag also minimises any interference with the sensor 10 by ng or other apparatus for managing stoma bags that the person might be wearing.

Each bend sensor 10 senses the fullness of the collection bag 200 and sends a signal to the l system when the fullness reaches a predetermined level, i.e. when the bag 200 forms a ermined shape, which is sensed by the extent to which the first and second parts of the bend sensor 10 are pushed apart from each other as the bag 200 fills. The l system 20 continuously measures the resistance value produced by the sensor(s) 10 to determine the degree of deformation, and thus calculate the fullness of the stoma bag 200.

Each bend sensor 10 may comprise a resistive potentiometer/rotary encoder to measure the extent that the hinged first and second parts of the sensor 10 have hinged away from each other as the bag 200 fills.

Once the hinged first and second parts of the bend sensor 10 are opened to a predetermined extent, such as when a ermined angle is formed between the first and second parts, an electrical circuit is closed within the bend sensor 10, which causes the sensor 10 to generate at least one signal that is sent to the control system 20. In preferred forms, the maximum angle formed between the first and second parts of the sensor 10 is an acute angle and is typically between 45 and 70 degrees, preferably between 50 and 60 s, such as 55 degrees. In some forms, each bend sensor 10 may be connected to a microcontroller to smooth the sensor signals.

In some forms, each bend sensor 10 ses an integrated switch or potentiometer. ably, the switch or potentiometer is enclosed in a 3D-printed housing.

In other forms, as shown in Figure 2, the system 100 comprises at least one capacitive sensor 10 that is electrically connected to the power supply 25 and that comprises at least one flexible strip that is attached diagonally across the first or second surface of the collection bag 200. Preferably, the capacitive sensor comprises at least two flexible strips 11, each attached on the opposite diagonal on the same first or second surface of the bag 200 to form a cross-shape, as shown in Figure 2. The capacitive sensor 10 measures the change in resistance as the flexible strip 11 bends around the increasing curve of the bag 200 as the bag fills. In some forms, the capacitive sensor 10 may comprise three or more flexible strips attached to one or both of the first and second surfaces of the bag 200 to detect the bend radius of the bag and therefore the extent of ss of the bag. The use of le strips 11 enables sensing in multiple directions and ore provides for a more accurate sensing system. When the resistance exceeds a predetermined threshold (i.e. a minimum resistance), because the bag 200 has reached a predetermined level of fullness, the tive sensor 10 sends a signal to the control system 20 to activate the alarm generating device 30.

In yet other forms, as shown in Figure 3, the system 100 comprises at least one Inductive sensor 10 that is electrically connected to the power supply 25 and that detects the distance between the first surface of the bag 200 and the second e of the bag 200 as the collection bag 200 fills, i.e. the inductive sensor detects the width of the bladder, which increases as the bag fills. The inductive sensor 10 ses two or more inductive-sensing strips to enable sensing of the bag 200 in le ons. In preferred forms, at least one inductive-sensing strip is located in the bottom one-third of the bag 200 because this is where maximum ation of the bag typically occurs. The inductive sensor 10 sends a signal to the l system 20 when the distance between the first and second surfaces of the bag 200 at particular locations exceeds a predetermined threshold, therefore indicating that the collection bag 200 is nearly full. The maximum distance between the first and second surfaces of the bag at which the sensor will signal that the bag is nearly full will depend on the dimensions of the bag. For commonly found ostomy bags, the distance between the first and second surfaces at which the sensor signals that the bag is nearly full may be between 8cm to 12cm and is typically about 10cm.

In some forms, the system 100 of the invention may se multiple sensors 10 that may be of the same type or of any combination of two or more types of sensor, including but not limited to a bend sensor, a stretchy variable resistance sensor, a capacitive sensor, and an inductive sensor.

In all forms, the sensor signal is sent to the control system 20, which may be located on the bag 200 or on a remote device. The control system 20 continuously measures the resistance value produced by the sensor 10 to determine the degree of deformation, and thus calculate the fullness of the stoma bag 200.

Upon receiving a sensor signal, the control system 20 then tes the alarm generating device(s) 30 to generate an alarm 50 to notify the bag wearer and/or to notify a ver of the person wearing the bag that the bag needs to be emptied or replaced.

In some forms, the control system 20 comprises a micro-controller configured to smooth false signals received from the (s) 10, such as when a wearer of the collection bag is running, to prevent triggering a false alarm. The micro-controller comprises a processor and is preferably programmed to assess all signals received from the sensor(s) 10 and to determine r the signal(s) is/are accurate and to activate the alarm generating device 30 when the signal(s) is/are determined to be an accurate signal that the collection bag 200 needs to be emptied or replaced.

For example, as shown in Figure 7, the system 100 may comprise an accelerometer 15 to sense movement of the person wearing the bag (i.e. is the person sedentary or active) and to sense the orientation of the bag, which will vary depending on person’s position (i.e. is the person standing upright or lying down).

The accelerometer 15 may generate signals that are sent to the control system 20. The control system 20 comprises a processor that, upon receiving one or more signals from the accelerometer and at least one signal from the shape detection sensor(s) uses the signals to identify the activity of the bag user and the orientation of the bag and to then determine r or not to generate an alarm. Otherwise, there is a risk that false alarms will be ted as the shape of the bag 200 will vary depending on the bag ation, pressure on the bag from the person’s body position, and the extent of physical activity.

When the collection bag 200 is nearing full capacity, the bag will adopt a particular shape, at which point the sensor(s) 10 will send a signal to the control system 20, as discussed above. The control system 20 will, upon receiving such a signal, te the alarm generating device 30 to generate an alarm 50. The alarm generating device 30 may be removably attachable to a tion bag 200 or to the wearer of a collection bag, such as by adhering the device 30 to the wearer or locating the device on or within a wearable device that is then worn by the bag wearer, or the system may se a remote alarm generating device that generates an alarm for a caregiver of the wearer. In some forms, the system 10 may comprise at least two alarm generating devices 30, one device 30 being located on the bag 200 or attached to or worn by the wearer, and the other device 30 being a remote device that generates an alarm 50 for a ver.

The alarm ting device 30 may generate any suitable form of alarm 50 to notify a bag wearer (where the tion bag is an ostomy bag, catheter bag or drainage bag) and/or a caregiver attending to the bag wearer that the bag 200 is nearly full. For example, the alarm 50 may be a vibratory alarm, a visual alarm or an audible alarm. In some forms, a single alarm generating device 30 may generate more than one type of alarm 50. For example, a single alarm generating device 30 may provide both a vibratory alarm and an audio alarm. In other forms, a single alarm generating device 30 may provide both a vibratory alarm and a visual alarm. Typically, a device 30 worn by a bag wearer may provide a vibratory alarm in addition to an audio alarm or a visual alarm, as shown in Figure 7. A remote alarm generating device 30 typically provides an audio alarm and a visual alarm. In some forms, the remote device 30 may be worn by a caregiver and may comprise a vibratory alarm. In some forms, the system 100 comprises at least one alarm generating device 30 attached to the collection bag or worn by a bag wearer and at least one remote alarm generating device 30 to generate an alarm for a caregiver.

In some forms, the control system comprises a transmitter to transmit a wireless alarm command to a remote alarm generating device 30, as shown in Figures 4 – 6 and 8. The control system 20 sends an alarm command to the at least one alarm generating device 30 upon receipt of one or more signals from the sensor(s) 10 that indicate that the collection bag 200 is nearly full. The remote alarm generating device comprises a receiver to e the command transmission. Preferably, the transmission is via Bluetooth or any other suitable form of wireless communication. The remote alarm generating device 30 may also comprise a processor that causes the alarm 50 to be generated after the alarm d is received. The remote alarm device 30 may comprise a mobile phone, a er, a wearable device or any other device that comprises an interface such as a speaker to generate an audio alarm and/or a display screen to generate a visual alarm and/or at least one moveable ent to generate a ory alarm, as shown in Figure 8. In some forms, the remote alarm generating device 30 ses a user interface 35 for receiving one or more inputs from a user to select the type of alarm 50 to be generated by the remote alarm generating device 30. A remote alarm ting device 30 may be used to generate an alarm to notify a caregiver that a patient’s collection bag 200 needs to be emptied or replaced. In other forms, the remote alarm generating device 30 comprises a wearable device that is worn by a wearer of the bag 200.

This arrangement is useful as it means that the alarm generating device 30 does not need to be wired to the bag.

In some forms, the remote alarm generating device 30 comprises a hospital call button/member that is activated by the control system upon t of one or more signals from the at least one sensor 10 indicate that the bag 200 is nearly full. In this form, the system may need to be wired to the call button/member electrical circuit so that a caregiver or nurse can correctly fy the bed and therefore the patient whose collection bag 200 needs to be emptied or replaced. Optionally, as shown in Figure 9, the patient is provided with an existing hospital call button 60 that comprises a plug-in connector 65 that typically plugs into a wall-mounted socket 80. The socket 80 is connected to an alarm ting device via a wired connection to generate an alarm 50 when the patient presses the call button 60. The system 100 of the present invention aims to work with this existing arrangement and comprises a programmable control system 20 that receives one or more signals from one of more sensors 10 of the system 100 when the collection bag 200 is nearly full. The control system 20 is connected to a plug-in connector 70 that can be plugged directly into the wall-mounted socket 80, as discussed above. Alternatively, the system 100 may comprise a two-plug input adaptor 90 comprising two sockets 90a, 90b for ing each of the tors 65 and 70. The adaptor 90 also comprises a single output plug 90c configured to be received within the wall-mounted socket 80, so that both the call button 60 and the system 100 of the invention can be plugged into the wall-mounted socket 80 at the same time. In this arrangement, the t can call for assistance with the call button 60, as usual, which will cause the alarm generating device 30 to generate an alarm 50 to a nurse or caregiver. The system 100 of the invention may also result in an alarm 50 being generated where the control system 20 sends a command signal to the alarm generating device 30 (the signal passing though the connector 70, the r 90, and the wall-mounted socket 80 before reaching the alarm generating device 30) to generate an alarm 50 to alert a nurse or caregiver that the patient’s collection bag/ostomy bag 200 needs to be emptied or replaced when the control system 20 receives one or more signals from one or more s 10 that indicate that the collection bag 200 is nearly full.

In some forms, the system 100 may comprise a user interface 40 and the control system 20 may be programmed to allow the type of alarm to be selected by a user of the system 100, via the user interface 40. For example, a wearer of an ostomy bag 200 may select a vibratory alarm when the wearer is in public and may select an audio alarm when the wearer is at home. In other forms, the control system 20 may be programmed to allow more than one type of alarm 50 to be produced by the alarm generating device 30 at the same time. For example, a caregiver of a person wearing an ostomy bag 200 may select both an audio and a visual alarm, via the user ace 40. In this arrangement, when the tion bag 200 is nearing full capacity, the caregiver will simultaneously e a visual alarm and an audio alarm. The user interface 40 may comprise one or more manual or electronic inputs or es to enable the type of alarm 50 to be selected.

Where the system 100 comprises a vibratory alarm, the alarm ting device 30 comprises at least one le component that contacts a person’s skin and that vibrates when the alarm generating device 30 generates a vibratory alarm upon receipt of an alarm command from the control system 20.

To generate a vibratory alarm, the at least one moveable component may be located on a portion of the tion bag 200 that touches the bag wearer’s skin. In some forms, the collection bag may need to be positioned or manipulated so that the moveable component is in contact with the wearer’s skin. atively, the moveable component may be tethered to the collection bag and may be located at any desired location on the wearer’s skin such as by adhering the moveable component to the skin with adhesive tape, a ng plaster or the like. In yet other forms, the moveable component forms part of a remote alarm generating device located on a le device that is wired or ssly connected to the control system and that vibrates when the alarm generating device 30 receives an alarm command from the l system 20. In some forms, the wearable device may be a wrist band, thigh band, arm band, waist band or any other suitable wearable . Where a wireless connection is used n the control system 20 and the alarm generating device 30, any means of wireless ication may be used to communicate between the two components 20, 30, such as Bluetooth or RF communication.

In some forms, the sensor 10 may be removably attached to the first and/or second surface of the bag.

For example, the sensor 10 may be attached with one or more adhesive strips or hook and loop fasteners.

The control system 20 and/or user interface 40 and/or an alarm generating device 30 may also be removably attached to the bag 200, such as by one or more adhesive strips or by the use of hook and loop fasteners. In other forms, the control system 20 and/or user interface 40 and/or alarm generating device may be clipped onto, clamped onto or hooked onto the collection bag 200 or otherwise be removably attached to the collection bag using any suitable method that does not involve or risk piercing the r portion of the bag 200.

In preferred forms, any components of the system that are attached to the bag or the wearer are washable and/or able to be sterilized and re-used. In some forms, the control system 20 and any sensitive components of the user interface 40 or alarm generating device 30 may each or er be d within a housing, such as a plastic housing, that is waterproof or at least resistant to fluids.

The alarm generating system 100 of the invention therefore provides a system and method for a collection bag wearer, or a caregiver of a collection bag wearer (such as a nurse), to manage filling of the collection bag in order to reduce leakage and overflows. Such a system can provide a sense of comfort to the wearers of collection bags, especially wearers of ostomy bags, drainage bags and catheter bags.

The system 100 is adaptable for use with various sizes of tion bag 200, including ostomy pouches, drainage bags and catheter bags.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features ed to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where, in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made t ing from the scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant ages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the invention.

For example, although the system of the invention has been described in relation to ostomy bags, drainage bags and er bags in the medical environment, it is envisaged that the system may be used to manage the filling of any bags where a supervisor of the filling may not be actively watching the filling of the bag at all times.

WHAT WE

Claims (17)

CLAIM IS

1. An alarm generating system for use with a collection bag for collecting a material, the system sing: at least one shape detection sensor attached to the collection bag to detect the shape of the bag; a control system to receive signals from the at least one sensor; and at least one alarm generating device, wherein upon receipt of one or more signals from the at least one sensor indicate that the bag is nearly full, the control system tes the at least one alarm generating device to cause the at least one alarm generating device to generate a vibratory alarm.

2. The alarm generating system of claim 1, n the alarm generating device generates both a vibratory alarm and an audio alarm.

3. The alarm generating system of claim 1, wherein the alarm generating device tes both a vibratory alarm and a visual alarm.

4. The alarm generating system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm generating device comprises at least one moving component that is locatable on a collection bag and that vibrates when the alarm generating device tes a vibratory alarm.

5. The alarm generating system of claim 4, wherein the at least one moving component is located on a portion of the collection bag that touches the person’s skin.

6. The alarm generating system of claim 2, wherein the alarm generating device is remote from the collection bag and comprises a speaker through which the audio alarm is provided.

7. The alarm generating system of claim 3, wherein the alarm generating device is remote from the collection bag and comprises a y screen on which the visual alarm is provided.

8. The alarm generating system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the remote alarm generating device is located on a wrist strap for wearing by a person.

9. The alarm generating system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alarm generating device comprises a hospital call alarm that is activated by the control system upon t of one or more signals from the at least one sensor to indicate that the bag is nearly full.

10. The alarm ting system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape detection sensor comprises a bend sensor.

11. The alarm generating system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shape detection sensor ses a tive sensor.

12. The alarm generating system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shape detection sensor comprises an inductive sensor.

13. The alarm generating system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the alarm generating system comprises two or more shape detection sensors consisting of any one or more of a bend sensor, a stretchy variable resistance sensor, a capacitive sensor, and an inductive sensor.

14. The alarm generating system of any one of the preceding , wherein the alarm generating system ses an accelerometer to sense the orientation of the bag and whether a person wearing the bag is active or sedentary.

15. The alarm generating system of claim 14, wherein the control system, upon receiving one or more signals from the rometer and the shape detection sensor, determines whether or not to generate the alarm.

16. The alarm generating system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is configured to provide manual selection of at least one type of alarm to be generated, the type of alarm being selected from the group sing a vibratory alarm, an audio alarm, or a visual alarm.

17. The alarm generating system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection bag is an ostomy bag, a catheter bag or a drainage bag. 200 100