SE543722C2 - A bedwetting system comprising a garment, a control device, an alarm unit and a method for the use of the bedwetting system - Google Patents

Abstract

A bedwetting system (900) configured to monitor if bedwetting occurs for a person using the system, the system comprising a washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable of absorbing liquids and configured to be worn the user, a bedwetting control device (100) connected to the lower body garment (200) and being configured to determine based on a parameter if bedwetting occurs, at least one bedwetting alarm unit (300) configured to receive the signal from the bedwetting control device (100) and a method (1000) for operating a bedwetting system (900).

Description

A BEDWETTING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GARMENT, A CONTROLDEVICE, AN ALARM UNIT AND A METHOD FOR THE USE OF THEBEDWETTING SYSTEM Field of the invention The present invention relates to devices for preventing and helping personswho suffer from problems with urine incontinence and bedwetting. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a bedwetting system configuredto monitor if bedwetting occurs for a person using the system, the systemcomprising a wearable garment, a bedwetting control device and at least one bedwetting alarm unit.

Background artBedwetting is a common issue for children who are learning how to sleep without a diaper. Some children learn relatively quickly to stay dry all nightand to wake up if they need to go to the bathroom. However, some childrenstruggle with bedwetting for a long time which not only causes discomfort forthe child but also interrupts the sleep cycle for the entire family. Bedwettingmay also add psychological stress for the child, which could result in the childtending to avoid certain social activities with friends such as sleep-overs etc.

While bedwetting issues for children normally passes with time, theyare nevertheless problematic during the time that they occur, and it isnaturally desired for the child to learn how to stay dry at night as rapidly aspossible.

Additionally, bedwetting may have causes which are of a morepathological nature. People of all ages may for a number of reasons becomeurine incontinent, for instance by disease, by injury or from a surgicalprocedure. Some persons who suffer from urine incontinence can rehabilitateand regain control of the urination, while others are permanently disabled andthus incontinent to a various degree for the rest of their lives.

Regardless of the nature of the cause of the bedwetting problem or theage of the person suffering, many different aids are available to make living with such problems and rehabilitation thereof easier. For instance, diapersexist both for children and adults which can be used during sleeping.

Furthermore, bedwetting detection systems are available, which areoften in the shape a blanket or a bed sheet of some sort that can detectmoisture and then provide a signal to the user which causes them to wake upand be made aware of the problem.

Manufacturers of such aids continuously strive to provide productswhich improve the quality of life and which helps persons to overcome ormanage the problem as best as possible. lt is desired to provide a bedwettingmonitoring system that not only is comfortable, reliable and discrete for theuser to use, but that also improves the actual care and diagnostic possibilitiesthat are available for the suffering person.

Summary of the invention ln view of that stated above, the object of the present invention is toprovide a bedwetting system comprising a washable and reusable lower bodygarment capable of absorbing liquids, a bedwetting control device and at leastone bedwetting alarm unit which alleviates some of the problems with orimproves on prior art solutions. lt also an object to provide a method foroperating such a system.

More specifically, there is provided according to a first aspect awashable and reusable lower body garment capable of absorbing liquids. Thelower body garment comprising: a main material having at least one layer and which is permeable toliquids and defining the exterior of the garment, an absorbing element being configured to be attached to the mainmaterial covering at least a pelvic area of the garment. The absorbingelement comprises an absorbing material layer and a laminated material layerbeing arranged exteriorly of the absorbing material layer and beingimpermeable to liquids. The absorbing element further comprises elastic cuffsat the waist and at each leg portion of the absorbing element, forming a tightseal and keeping liquid from leaking outside of the absorbing element. Thegarment further comprises a first and a second conductive lead positioned in connection with the absorbing material layer such that a parameterassociated with liquid being present in the absorbing material layer can bedetected by a bedwetting control device removably connected to the first andsecond conductive leads. The leads are formed into conductive threads thatare sewn into the material of the absorbing element. An improved garment isthus provided which is comfortable to wear, which can securely hold urine and prevent leakage outside of the absorbing element and which allowsdetection of urine is present in the absorbing element. The care for the user ofthe garment can thus be improved.

The garment may further comprise a first and a second connectorbeing connected to the first and second lead respectively, being connectableto the control device for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection.The garment thus provides an easy and reliable way of supporting andelectrically connecting the control device to the conductive leads. ln one embodiment, the first and second lead extend side by side froman upper lateral first position on the front of the absorbing element to a crotcharea where the leads form a loop and from the crotch area to a second upperposition on the other lateral side opposite the first position on the front of theabsorbing element. Urine can thus be reliably detected over a large area ofthe absorbing element, with the leads covering especially the areas which areof high probability to be subjected to urine initially. The above extension of theconductive leads also provides equally high reliability of urine detectionregardless of the gender of the person using the garment.

One of the leads may further still extend past the second position into athird position being centrally located on the front of the absorbing element,providing an even larger coverage without having to extend both leads. ln one embodiment, the first and second lead extend with anessentially constant distance between the first and second leads, providingequal measurement of the parameter over the entire extension of the leads.

The washable and reusable lower body garment may further comprisean electrically insulating element being arranged and extending between thefirst and second lead. The electrically insulating element preventingunintentional short-circuiting of the conductive leads. ln a second aspect is a bedwetting control device provided. Thebedwetting control device being configured to detect a parameter associatedwith whether or not liquid is present in an absorbing material layer of awashable and reusable lower body garment capable of absorbing liquidsaccording to the first aspect. The control device comprises: at least one connector being removably connectable to the first andsecond conductive lead, an electrical power source configured to supply the components of thecontrol device and the first and second conductive lead via the at least oneconnector with electrical power, a control unit being connected to the at least one connector and beingconfigured to detect the parameter by monitoring the at least one connectorand to determine an action based on the detected parameter and optionally toperform said action, and a communication unit configured to transmit signals indicative of thedetermined action to a bedwetting alarm unit. The bedwetting control devicethus serves as an intelligent interface between the garment and a bedwettingalarm unit and provides accurate measuring and monitoring if liquid is presentin the absorbing element.

The bedwetting control device may further comprise a first and asecond connector being connected to the control unit and configured toestablish a mechanical and electrical connection between the bedwettingcontrol device and the first and second conductive leads. The bedwettingcontrol device can thus be easily and securely be both electrically connectedand supported by the same connectors.

The bedwetting control device may generate an electric potentialdifference to the first and second leads and the parameter may be associatedwith the electrical resistance detected between the first and second leads.

The communication unit may in one embodiment be configured totransmit wireless RF signals indicative of the determined action to thebedwetting alarm unit and the communication unit may further be configuredto receive wireless RF signals from the bedwetting alarm unit. ln a third aspect is a bedwetting alarm unit provided, the alarm unit isconnectable to a bedwetting control device according to the second aspect.The bedwetting alarm unit comprises: a communication unit configured to receive signals from the bedwettingcontrol device indicative ofthe action determined by the bedwetting controldevice, a control unit configured to interpret the received signal and to performthe determined action, a user interface which may be used to perform the determined action.The bedwetting alarm unit can thus effectively communicate, via the userinterface, the action determined by the bedwetting control device to the userand/or caregiver. The bedwetting alarm unit being provided as a stand-aloneunit in communication with the bedwetting control device is beneficial, as oneor more bedwetting alarm units may be connected to one bedwetting controldevice which increases the quality of care available for the user.

The user interface may be provided as a light signal and/or as anaudible signal and/or and/or as haptic feedback and/or by means of agraphical display unit. ln one embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receivewireless RF signals indicative of the determined action, which improves theflexibility and usability of the bedwetting alarm unit as well as improving thesleep quality for the user as no cords as necessary between the bedwettingcontrol device and the alarm unit.

The communication unit may further comprise a wireless transceiverconfigured to wirelessly communicate with the bedwetting control deviceand/or with an external device and/or with a database. The bedwetting alarmunit can thus relay the information to an external device, such as a mobiledevice or a computer which thus may facilitate presentation of information tothe user and/or caregiver. lf providing information to a database, for instancea cloud internet accessible database, such information could be accessed forinstance from a client portal on any device by providing applicableauthorization information. This would for instance permit a remotely located caregiver to provide care to the user by having access to the information inthe database. ln a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a bedwetting system isprovided which is configured to monitor if bedwetting occurs for a personusing the system. The system comprises a washable and reusable lowerbody garment capable of absorbing liquids according to the first aspect, abedwetting control device according the second aspect connected to thelower body garment and being configured to determine based on theparameter if bedwetting occurs and to transmit a signal indicative of the actiondetermined by the bedwetting control device, and at least one bedwettingalarm unit according to the third aspect configured to receive the signal fromthe bedwetting control device, the bedwetting control device and/or thebedwetting alarm unit being configured to perform the action.

The system provides a convenient, secure and comfortable system formonitoring if bedwetting occurs. The therapeutic possibilities are improved asthe information can be shared amongst the components of the system. ln a fifth aspect is a method provided for operating the bedwettingsystem according to the fourth aspect. The method comprises: monitoring by the bedwetting control device the parameter measuredthrough the first and second conductive leads in the lower body garment, determining an action based on the parameter's relationship to at leastone threshold value, performing the action by the bedwetting control device and/or thebedwetting alarm unit. ln one embodiment of the method for operating the bedwetting system,the parameter is indicative of an electrical resistance detected by thebedwetting control device and the bedwetting control device and thebedwetting alarm unit are configured for wireless communication, the actionbeing at least one of: initiating a wireless connecting mode by the bedwetting control deviceand/or the bedwetting alarm unit if the resistance is below a threshold valueand if the bedwetting control device and the bedwetting alarm unit are notalready in a connected state, triggering an alarm by transmitting a signal from the bedwetting controldevice to the at least one bedwetting alarm unit at least instructing thebedwetting alarm unit to activate the user interface if the resistance is belowthe threshold value if the bedwetting control device and the bedwetting alarmunit are in a connected state. The bedwetting control device can thus becontrolled by using a parameter indicative of the resistance in order to initiate a connecting mode and/or to trigger the alarm from the bedwetting alarm unit. ln one embodiment, the threshold value is between 150 kQ and 250kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ.

The bedwetting control device may further be configured to transmit asignal indicative of the resistance between the first and second conductiveleads to the bedwetting alarm unit at least when the action of trigger alarm isperformed. The transmittal of information indicative of the resistance can beused to determine an amount of liquid in the absorbing element, which maybe beneficial for therapeutic purposes. ln one embodiment, the action of triggering alarm is performed afterthe step of initiating a connecting mode has been completed.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly definedotherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component,means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least oneinstance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unlessexplicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do nothave to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawinqsThe above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages ofthe present invention, will be better understood through the followingillustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where thesame reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:Fig. 1 shows a front view of an underbody garment according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of an absorbing element according toone embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of a part of an absorbing elementaccording to one embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows a waist portion and a waist cuff on an absorbingelement according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a leg portion and a leg cuff on an absorbing elementaccording to one embodiment.

Fig. 6 shows a bedwetting control device according to oneembodiment.

Fig. 7 shows a bedwetting alarm unit according to oneembodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a bedwetting monitoring system according to oneembodiment.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for operating abedwetting monitoring system according to one embodiment.

Description of embodiments The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferredembodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited tothe embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided forthoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the inventionto the skilled person. ln the present disclosure, it will be referred to bedwetting in differentcontexts. Bedwetting in relation to the teachings herein relate to unintentionalurine release in general. lt does not necessarily have to involve actualleakage of urine into/onto the bed, as might be construed by the term, as thepresent invention prevents this from occurring. Bedwetting in relation to aperson using the system disclosed herein relates to unintentional release ofurine into a garment 200, which will be further elaborated on below.

With simultaneous reference firstly to figs 1-3, in which a lower bodygarment 200 is shown in Fig. 1 and an absorbing element 204 in figs 2 and 3.The lower body garment 200 is illustrated as a pair of pants, but it is to berealized that they could equally well be embodied as for example a pair ofshorts. The garment 200 comprises an absorbing element 204, which isattached, preferably by sewing or gluing, onto/into the main material 202 ofthe garment 200. Preferably, the absorbing element 204 is attached at leastat the waist and to each leg of the garment 200 but it may also be attached atother positions to the garment 200. The absorbing element 204 is shown ashaving a shape with shorter legs than the garment 200 to which it is attachedwhich is preferred. However the absorbing element 204 could also beprovided with a shape that corresponds to the garment 200 to which it isattached. As it is the absorbing element 204 which is configured to absorband retain eventual urine, it is of importance that the absorbing elementcovers the pelvic area of the person wearing it. The shape ofthe absorbingelement shown in Fig. 2 is thus preferred as it sufficiently covers the importantareas needed for avoiding that urine leaks outside of the absorbing element204.

The absorbing element 204 is further comprises elastic cuffs 208, 210at the waist and at each leg portion of the absorbing element, forming a tightseal and keeping liquid from leaking outside of the absorbing element 204.The absorbing element 204 is preferably attached to the main material 202 inthe region of the elastic cuffs 208, 210. The elastic cuffs 208, 210 will beexplained in further detail in relation to figs 4 and 5.

What is further shown in Fig. 1 is that the garment 200 comprises abedwetting control device 100. The bedwetting control device 100 is aseparate device which is removably connectable to the garment 200. Thebedwetting control device 100 is connectable to a first and a secondconductive lead 214a, 214b positioned in connection with the absorbingmaterial layer 206, or alternatively in a material layer which is permeable toliquids present in the absorbing material layer 206, such that a parameterassociated with liquid being present in the absorbing material layer 206 canbe detected by the bedwetting control device 100. lt is to be noted that while only two conductive leads 214a, 214b are shown, the garment 200 maycomprise three, four or even more leads 214a, 214b as would be realized bythe skilled person, whereby the parameter could be detected between each ofthe leads. This further naturally applies in extension to eventualcorresponding connectors on both the garment 200 and on the bedwettingcontrol device 100. The garment 200, or more specifically, the control device100 is thus able to accurately detect if a person wearing the garment 200 hashad urine leakage.

As the leads 214a, 214b preferably are sewn into the the material ofthe absoring element 204, the user of the garment 200 will not have to lie onany particular detecting sheet which could make sleeping difficult. Thegarment 200 should not feel any different to wear than a regular pair ofpants/shorts and thus facilitates comfortable and secure sleep as the user notonly will not have worry about wetting the bed but will also be alerted if urineleakage occurs into the absorbing element 204. ln Fig. 2, the absorbing element 204 is shown removed from thegarment 200, and in Fig. 3 the absorbing element 204 is shown with thecrotch/rear area of the absorbing element 204 folded out for illustrativepurposes. The conductive leads 214a, 214b are shown, and the extension ofthe leads 214a, 214b through the absorbing element 204. The conductiveleads 214a, 214b are sewn preferably into an absorbing material layer 206 inthe absorbing element 204 or into a material layer which is permeable toliquid which is present in the absorbing material layer 206. lt is the absorbingmaterial layer 206 which is configured to hold the urine in the absorbingelement 204, and it is thus in this part of the absorbing element 204 that it ismost relevant for the conductive leads 214a, 214b to measure for urine.

The conductive leads 214a, 214b may be formed out of any conductivematerial suitable for forming conductive leads. Preferably however, thematerial should be resistive against the slightly acidic urine and thus notprone to oxidation. ln one preferred embodiment, the leads 214a, 214b aremade out of silver coated nylon. They may also be formed by stainless steelor other corrosion resistant materials. The leads 214a, 214b are preferablyformed into conductive threads that can be attached/sewn into the material(s) 11 of the absorbing element 204. The conductive leads 214a, 214b arepreferably used to measure the electrical resistance between the leads 214a,214b, which is indicative of the amount of liquid present in the materialbetween the leads 214a, 214b. As urine conducts electricity better than thematerials of the absorbing element 204, a decrease in resistance will bedetected by the bedwetting control device 100 when urine is present in theabsorbing material layer 206. ln order to detect the resistance between theconductive leads 214a, 214b, the bedwetting control device 100 is configuredto apply an electrical potential difference to the first and second electrical lead214a, 214b. lf the conductivity of the absorbing element 204 between the firstand second lead 214a, 214b increases due to increased urine content, thebedwetting control device 100 can detect this as a change in resistance whichcan be measured preferably by measuring a current between the leads 214a,214b. lt could also be achieved by measuring a potential difference betweenthe leads 214a, 214b.

As it is desired that the conductive leads 214a, 214b are placed wherethe urine is most likely to be introduced into the absorbing element 204, theymay extend as shown in figs 2 and 3.

The absorbing material layer 206 is preferably an super absorbentmaterial. This facilitates that the urine is quickly dispersed throughout theabsorbing material layer 206, which is beneficial when it comes to the actualmeasuring of the urine content of the absorbing material layer 206. lf the urineis spread out evenly in the absorbing material layer 206 quickly in a repetitiveand reliable manner, this can be utilized by the bedwetting control device 100to more reliably determine not only if urine is present but also how much urineis present as will be elaborated further on below.

A preferred superabsorbent material can absorb liquids many times itsown weight and retain fluids in an amount of at least 10-45 times the weight ofthe material itself. Preferably the superabsorbent material of the absorbingmaterial layer can absorb liquid weighing at least 70 or 80 times its ownweight. An example of such a superabsorbent material is BELL OASIS®.

For the bedwetting control device 100 to be able to reliably determine aresistance between the leads 214a, 214b, it is preferred that the conductive 12 leads 214a, 214b are sewn into the absorbing element 204 with equaldistance between the leads 214a, 214b along the extension of the leads214a, 214b. The distance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b affectsthe resistance, and it is desired for measurement accuracy that the built-inresistance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b is essentially constantover the length of the leads 214a, 214b. The distance between the conductiveleads 214a, 214b may be approximately 31 mm. Other distances could alsobe applied, where a reduced distance leads to an increase in sensitivity andvice versa.

The first and second conductive lead 214a, 214b preferably extendside by side from an upper lateral first position 226 on the front of theabsorbing element 204 to a crotch area 228 where the leads 214a, 214b forma loop. From the crotch area 228, the leads 214a, 214b extend to a secondupper position 230 on the other lateral side opposite the first position 226 onthe front of the absorbing element 204. The above extension of the leads214a, 214b provide a satisfactory urine detection coverage in the absorbingelement 204, and will accurately and rapidly detect urine in the absorbingmaterial layer 206 regardless of the gender of the person wearing thegarment 200. ln one embodiment, shown in Fig. 3, the first lead 214a, whichis the laterally extending lead, extends past the second position 230 into athird position 232 which is centrally located on the front of the absorbingelement 204, further improving the coverage of the urine detection in the frontof the absorbing element 204. ln Fig. 3, an electrically isolating element 214c is shown. This element214c is schematically shown as a thread extending between the first andsecond conductive lead 214a, 214b, the purpose of which is to shield theconductive leads 214a, 214b from unintentional short circuiting.

As can be seen in figs 2 and 3, the conductive leads 214a, 214b maybe connected to a first and a second garment connector 212a, 212brespectively. The garment connectors 212a, 212b in turn are connectable tocorresponding first and second control device connectors 110a, 110b on thebedwetting control device 100, which are shown in Fig. 6. The connectors212a, 212b, 110a, 110b on the garment 200 and on the bedwetting control 13 device 100 respectively are preferably arranged at a distance ofapproximately 31 mm as measured centre-to-centre.

The garment connectors 212a, 212b forms the electrical connectionbetween the conductive leads 214a, 214b and the bedwetting control device100. They may further be configured to form the mechanical connection aswell, supporting the bedwetting control device 100 and holding it in place onthe garment 200. ln one embodiment, the garment connectors 212a, 212b arearranged in a closeable pocket formed in the main material 202 on the insideof the garment 200. The garment connectors 212a, 212b on the garment 200and the control device connectors 110a, 110b on the bedwetting controldevice 100 may be formed by studs and corresponding receiversrespectively. The garment connectors 212a, 212b may form the studs and thecontrol device connectors 110a, 110b may form the receivers, or vice versa.

Turning now to figs 4 and 5 which show an elastic cuff 208 at the waistand an elastic cuff 210 for a leg respectively of the absorbing element 204.

The cuffs 208, 210 are configured to form seals which prevent urinefrom leaking out of the absorbing element 204. Furthermore, the cuffs 208,210 may form reservoirs for holding excess urine for instance if the absorbingmaterial layer 206 is oversaturated or cannot absorb urine as fast as it isreleased. ln Fig. 4, is also shown how the cuff 208 may be attached to the mainmaterial 202 of the garment 200 which may also be applied to the cuff 210shown in Fig. 5.

Adjacent to each cuff 208, 210 it is shown that the absorbing elementcomprises an innermost arranged permeable material layer 220 which allowsliquid to be absorbed by the absorbing material layer 206. Outside of theabsorbing material layer 206 is a laminated material layer 216 arranged, thelaminated material layer 216 being impermeable to liquids such as urine andwill thus not release the urine in the absorbing material layer 206 to the mainmaterial 202 of the garment 200. The laminated material layer 216 and theabsorbing material layer 206 may form a single material layer in practice, forinstance if the exterior of the absorbing material layer 206 is laminated. ln onepreferred embodiment however, the absorbing material layer 206 and the 14 laminated material layer 216 are provided as separate layers. The laminatedside of the laminated material 216 layer faces the absorbing material layer206, such that a permeable side of the laminated material layer 216 facesaway from the absorbing material layer 206. ln each cuff 208, 210 towards the respective end of the absorbingelement 204, the laminated material layer 216 is folded two times such thatonly the laminated side of the laminated layer 216 faces the inside and comesinto contact with the absorbing element 204 or portions of the absorbingelement 204 where urine may be present. ln each cuff 208, 210, the permeable material layer 220 transitions toan innermost impermeable material layer 218. The impermeable innermostmaterial layer 218 may be formed out of nylon. The laminated material layer216 may be sewn, with stitches 224, into the innermost impermeable materiallayer 218 through at least two of the layers of the laminated material layer 216formed by the double fold in each cuff 208, 210.

The innermost impermeable material layer 218 and the laminatedmaterial layer 216 together forms reservoirs at each cuff 208, 210 which maytemporarily hold urine if, as mentioned above, the absorbing material layer206 in certain areas becomes oversaturated and/or cannot absorb at thesame rate as urine is being expelled. This urine may then subsequently beabsorbed by the absorbing material layer 206 as urine spreads out moreevenly in the absorbing material layer 206. lt is further shown that each cuff 208, 210 comprises an elastic element222 providing an elastic force keeping the cuffs 208, 210 tightly held aroundthe waist/legs of the user to provide leakage of urine from the absorbingelement 204. As shown, the elastic element 222 may be attached either to themain material 202 of the garment 200 as in Fig. 4, or to the absorbingelement 204, or more specifically to the laminated material layer 216, as inFig. 5.

Turning now to Fig. 6, in which a bedwetting control device 100 isshown. The bedwetting control device 100 is preferably a separate devicewhich is connectable to the garment 200 however, as mentioned, it may beintegrated into the garment 200 as well. The bedwetting control device 100 should preferably be sealed such that urine, water or other fluids cannot enterit and damage the interior components thereof.

The bedwetting control device 100 is configured to detect a parameterassociated with whether or not liquid is present in the absorbing material layer206 of the washable and reusable lower body garment 200. The parameter,as mentioned, is preferably indicative of the resistance between theconductive leads 214a, 214b. lt is thus provided with at least one control device connector 110a,110b which is connectable to the first and second conductive lead 214a, 214band comprising an electrical power source 102 configured to supply thecomponents of the control device 100 and the first and second conductivelead 214a, 214b via the at least one control device connector 110a, 110b withelectrical power. The electrical power source preferably being an integratedlithium-ion battery or other similar battery capable of storing electrical power.

The bedwetting control device 100 further comprises a control unit 104being connected to the at least one control device connector 110a, 110b andbeing configured to detect the parameter by monitoring the first and secondlead 214a, 214b through the at least one control device connector 110a, 110band to determine an action determined based on the detected parameter. Thecontrol unit 104 may further optionally be configured to perform the action aswill be explained below. The control unit 104 generates an electric potentialdifference to the first and second leads 214a, 214b through, preferably, thefirst and second control device connector 110a, 110b of the control device100. The parameter which is monitored by the control device 100 is asmentioned associated with the electrical resistance detected between the firstand second leads 214a, 214b, whereby the bedwetting control device 100can determine if urine is present.

The control unit 104 is configured to carry out overall control offunctions and operations of the bedwetting control device 100 and may beassociated with a memory 106. The control unit 104 may include a processor,such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, or microprocessor.The processor is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 16 106, in order to carry out functions and operations of the bedwetting controldevice 100.

The memory 106 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, ahard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, arandom access memory (RAM), or another suitable device. ln a typicalarrangement, the memory 106 may include a non-volatile memory for longterm data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory forthe control unit 104. The memory 106 may exchange data with the controlunit 104 over a data bus. Accompanying control lines and an address busbetween the memory 106 and the control unit 104 also may be present.

The bedwetting control device 100 further comprising a communicationunit 108, connected to the control unit 104, configured to transmit signalsindicative of the determined action to a bedwetting alarm unit 300. Thecommunication unit 108 may take the shape of a wireless RF transceiver 108,capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals, preferably Bluetooth®,however other wireless communication standards such as Wl-Fl are alsocontemplated and considered to lie within the realm of what can be realizedby a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 7 shows a bedwetting alarm unit 300. The bedwetting alarm unit300 is configured to communicate with the bedwetting control device 100 inorder to alert the user or caregiver of presence of urine in the absorbingelement 204. The bedwetting alarm unit 300 may take the shape of apurpose-built dedicated alarm unit. However, it may also be embodied by amobile phone or a computer or a similar device that can be connected to thebedwetting control device 100.

The bedwetting alarm unit 300 should preferably be wirelesslyconnectable to the bedwetting control device 100, and thus comprisescommunication unit 308. The communication unit 308 is configured tocommunicate with the bedwetting control device 100 and to receive signalsindicative of a determined action by the bedwetting control device 100. Thecommunication unit 108 may take the shape of a wireless RF transceiver 308,capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals, preferably Bluetooth®.The communication unit 308 may further be configured to communicate with 17 an external device 400, 500 either directly via a wireless connection such asB|uetooth® or Wl-Fl or via a database 600 accessible via the internet forinstance by connection of the alarm unit 300 via WLAN to an internet accesspoint.

The bedwetting alarm unit 300 may further comprise an electricalpower source 302, which may be constituted by a replaceable lithium-ionbattery or other similar battery capable of storing electrical power. However,the bedwetting alarm unit 300 may also be configured to be connected to anelectrical mains socket.

The bedwetting alarm unit 300 further comprises a control unit 304configured to interpret the received signal from the bedwetting control device100 and to perform the determined action. The control unit 304 is configuredto carry out overall control of functions and operations of the bedwetting alarmunit 300 and may be associated with a memory 306. The control unit 304 mayinclude a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller,or microprocessor. The processor is configured to execute program codestored in the memory 306, in order to carry out functions and operations ofthe bedwetting alarm unit 300.

The memory 306 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, ahard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, arandom access memory (RAM), or another suitable device. ln a typicalarrangement, the memory 306 may include a non-volatile memory for longterm data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory forthe control unit 304. The memory 306 may exchange data with the controlunit 304 over a data bus. Accompanying control lines and an address busbetween the memory 306 and the control unit 304 also may be present. ln order for the bedwetting alarm unit 300 to be able notify the user ofthe garment or the caregiver of that urine is present in the absorbing element204, a user interface 310 is provided. The user interface 310 may thus beused to perform the determined action. The user interface 310 may beprovided as a light signal from a light source on the bedwetting alarm unit300. lt may in addition or alternatively be provided as an audible signal from aspeaker on the alarm unit 300. lt may be provided as haptic feedback, such 18 as by means of vibrations or similar and/or by means of a graphical displayunit which could also provide additional information such as an estimate onhow much urine that is present in the absorbing element 204 etc. ln Fig. 8, a bedwetting system 900 is shown which is configured tomonitor if bedwetting occurs for a person using the system. The systemcomprises a washable and reusable lower body garment 200 which is wornby the user and which is capable of absorbing liquids. lt further comprises abedwetting control device 100 connected to the lower body garment 200, thebedwetting control device 100 is configured to determine based on theparameter if bedwetting occurs and to transmit a signal indicative of the actiondetermined by the bedwetting control device 100 to at least one bedwettingalarm unit 300.

The bedwetting system may comprise several bedwetting alarm units300 all being connected to the bedwetting control unit 100. For instance, onebedwetting alarm unit 300 may take the form a dedicated purpose-built alarmunit 300 placed in the room of the person wearing the garment 200. lt canthus alert the user of that bedwetting has occurred. Another bedwetting alarmunit 300 could be embodied as another dedicated purpose-built alarm unit oralternatively/additionally as a mobile device or alternatively/additionally as acomputer which is used by a caregiver and which simultaneously alerts thecaregiver that bedwetting has occurred.

As already mentioned, the at least one alarm unit 300 may also beconfigured to communicate with a mobile device 500 and/or a computer 500directly or via an internet accessible database 600.

Turning lastly to Fig. 9 in which a schematic outline of a method 1000for operating the bedwetting system 900 is shown. The method 1000comprises monitoring S1001 by the bedwetting control device 100 theparameter measured through the first and second conductive leads 214a,214b in the lower body garment 200, which are connected to connectors110a, 110b on the control device 100. The parameter is preferably associatedwith the electrical resistance between the two conductive leads 214a, 214bwhich can then be used to determine an amount of urine which is present in the absorbing material layer 206 of the absorbing element 204. 19 The bedwetting control device 100 is configured to determine S1002an action based on the parameter's relationship to a threshold value. lf theparameter drops below the threshold value, the bedwetting control device 100may be configured to initiate a wireless connecting mode S1003a if thebedwetting control device 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are notalready in a connected state. ln other words, if no alarm unit 300 is connectedto the bedwetting control device 100 and the parameter drops below thethreshold value, the bedwetting device 100 will initiate 1003a a connectingmode. ln one embodiment, the bedwetting control device 100 may beconfigured to determine the action based a plurality of threshold valuescorresponding to different resistances. For instance, a low resistance, beinglower than that used for triggering S1003b the alarm indicating thatbedwetting has occurred, can be used for initiating the connecting modeS1003a or alternatively a wireless pairing mode (not shown) withoutsubsequent performing of the action of triggering S1003b the alarm. Such alow resistance value could for instance be achieved by manually connectingan electrically conductive item between the connectors 110a, 110b on thebedwetting control device 100. A second higher resistance, between 150 kQand 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ could then be used as athreshold value for triggering S1003b the alarm and for initiating S1003a theconnecting mode if the bedwetting control device 100 and the bedwettingalarm unit 300 are not already connected.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the same threshold value,corresponding to the resistance between the leads 214a, 214b, is used forinitiating S1003a the connecting mode and triggering S1003b the alarm. Thethreshold value would then correspond to a resistance between 150 kQ and250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ.

The resistance detected by the control device connectors 110a, 110bon the bedwetting control device 100 can, as mentioned, be reducedsufficiently to initiate S1003a the connecting mode, if the bedwetting controldevice 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are not already connected, forinstance by short circuiting them with a conductive object of some sort. This may also be used for connection of another alarm unit 300 to the bedwettingcontrol device 100. The threshold value may be between 150 kQ and 250 kQ,preferably approximately 200 kQ.

When the connecting mode is initiated S1003a, the bedwetting controldevice 100 enters a scan mode. The connecting mode must also be initiatedon the bedwetting alarm unit 300 that is to be connected, which may beperformed upon reception of a signal from the bedwetting control device 100.lt may also in one embodiment be achieved by the press of a button on thebedwetting alarm unit 300 making it connectable with the bedwetting controldevice 100. When one bedwetting alarm unit 300 is already connected to thebedwetting control device 100 and another bedwetting alarm unit 300 is to beadded to the system 900, the connected bedwetting alarm unit 300 is firstlyturned off before the connecting mode is activated on the bedwetting controldevice 100 and also activated on the additional bedwetting alarm unit 300.When the additional bedwetting alarm unit 300 is connected can the firstbedwetting alarm unit 300 also be switched on, whereby both units 300 areconnected to the bedwetting control device 100.

Upon successful connection of a bedwetting alarm unit 300 to thebedwetting control device 100 could the bedwetting alarm unit 300 beconfigured to activate the user interface 310, for instance by sounding anaudible signal to the user and thus triggering S1003b the alarm. l.e. themethod could comprise, when no connected bedwetting alarm unit 300 isfound by the bedwetting control device 100, to firstly initiate 1003a theconnection mode and then subsequently trigger 1003b alarm once theconnection is established between the bedwetting control device 100 and thebedwetting alarm unit 300.

The threshold value for triggering S1003b the alarm corresponds to aresistance between 150 kQ and 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQwhich is a resistance expected when liquid, urine, is present in the absorbingmaterial layer 206 of the absorbing element 204. When the parameter, i.e. theresistance detected by the bedwetting control device 100 drops below thethreshold value, the action 1003b of triggering an alarm is performed if thebedwetting control device 100 is connected to a bedwetting alarm unit 300. ln 21 one preferred embodiment, the threshold value, corresponding to theresistance between the leads 212a, 212b, for initiation S1003a of theconnection mode is equal to the threshold value for triggering S1003b analarm, whereby the connection mode is initiated S1003a if the control device100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are not already connected.

The triggering S1003b of the alarm comprises the bedwetting controldevice 100 transmitting a signal from the bedwetting control device 100 to theat least one bedwetting alarm unit 300 at least instructing the bedwettingalarm unit 300 to activate the user interface 310. ln one embodiment, the method 1000 may further comprisetransmitting a signal from the bedwetting control device 100 indicating thevalue of the parameter (corresponding to the resistance) to the bedwettingalarm unit 300. The signal can be sent intermittently or continuously, withoutthe parameter having sunken below the threshold value and/or when theparameter sinks below the threshold value. The bedwetting alarm unit 300can then interpret the signal (this could alternatively be performed in thecontrol device 100) and translate it to a corresponding amount of urine beingpresent in the absorbing element 204, the information could further betimestamped which could further improve the information available to theuser/caregiver for analysis.

The correspondence between the parameter and the amount of urinepresent in the absorbing material layer 206/the absorbing element 204 can bedetermined empirically, and then be programmed into the bedwetting controldevice 100 and/or the bedwetting alarm unit 300. The provision of thesuperabsorbent material layer 206 into which the conductive leads 214a,214b preferably are sewn provides a high reliability to the relationshipbetween the parameter and actual urine content of the absorbing materiallayer 206, and thus bodes for that the correspondence is repeatable inpractice. To be able to analyze whether the bedwetting occurs in oneoccurrence during the night or over longer time period, at which rate andwhen it occurs is beneficial for therapeutic purposes and for providing thecorrect treatment. 22 The method may further comprise transmitting S1004b by thebedwetting alarm unit 300 a signal to a further device such as a mobile device500 and/or a computer 400 directly or via an internet accessible database600. The signal could comprise information regarding the time that thebedwetting occurred, how much urine that was present in the absorbingelement 204 and characteristics regarding how the urine was released suchas rate, time-periods etc. The information could be stored in the database 600and be accessed from another device 400, 500 via the internet by for instancelogging in with a userid and password. lt can also be stored locally in eachdevice 400, 500. lt will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments shown. Several modifications and variations are thusconceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is exclusively definedby the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids, the lower body garment (200) comprising: a main material (202) having at least one layer and being permeable toliquids and defining the exterior of the garment, characterized by an absorbing element (204) being configured to beattached to the main material (202) covering at least a pelvic area thereof,wherein the absorbing element (202) comprises an absorbing material layer(206) and a laminated material layer (216) being arranged exteriorly of theabsorbing material layer (206) and being impermeable to liquids, the absorbing element (204) further comprising elastic cuffs (208, 210)at the waist and at each leg portion of the absorbing element, forming a tightseal and keeping liquid from leaking outside of the absorbing element (204),and wherein the garment (200) further comprises a first and a secondconductive lead (214a, 214b) positioned in connection with the absorbingmaterial layer (206) such that a parameter associated with liquid beingpresent in the absorbing material layer (206) can be detected by a bedwettingcontrol device (100) removably connected to the first and second conductiveleads (214a, 214b), wherein the leads (214a, 214b) are formed intoconductive threads that are sewn into the material of the absorbing element204.

2. The washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids according to claim 1, further comprising a first and secondgarment connector (212a, 212b) being connected to the first and second lead(214a, 214b) respectively, being connectable to the control device (100) forestablishing a mechanical and electrical connection.

3. The washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thefirst and second lead (214a, 214b) extend side by side from an upper lateral 24 first position (226) on the front of the absorbing element (204) to a crotch area(228) where the leads (214a, 214b) form a loop and from the crotch area(228) to a second upper position (230) on the other lateral side opposite thefirst position (226) on the front of the absorbing element (204).

4. The washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids according to claim 3, wherein one of the leads (214a, 214b)extends past the second position (230) into a third position (232) beingcentrally located on the front of the absorbing element (204).

5. The washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein thefirst and second lead (214a, 214b) extend with an essentially constantdistance between the first and second leads (214a, 214b).

6. The washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids according to any one of the preceding claims, furthercomprising an electrically insulating element (214c) being arranged andextending between the first and second lead (214a, 214b).

7. A bedwetting control device (100) configured to detect a parameterassociated with whether or not liquid is present in an absorbing material layer(206) of a washable and reusable lower body garment (200) capable ofabsorbing liquids according to claim 1, the control device (100) comprising: at least one control device connector (110a, 110b) being removablyconnectable to the first and second conductive lead (214a, 214b), an electrical power source (102) configured to supply the componentsof the control device (100) and the first and second conductive lead (214a,214b) via the at least one control device connector (110a, 110b) withelectrical power, a control unit (104) being connected to the at least one control deviceconnector (110a, 110b) and being configured to detect the parameter bymonitoring the at least one control device connector (110a, 110b) and to determine an action based on the detected parameter and optionally toperform said action, and a communication unit (108) configured to transmit signals indicative ofthe determined action to a bedwetting alarm unit (300).

8. The bedwetting control device (100) according to claim 7, furthercomprising a first and a second control device connector (110a, 110b) beingconnected to the control unit (108) and configured to establish a mechanicaland electrical connection between the bedwetting control device (100) andthe first and second conductive leads (214a, 214b).

9. The bedwetting control device (100) according to claim 7 or 8,wherein the bedwetting control device (100) generates an electric potentialdifference to the first and second leads (214a, 214b) and wherein theparameter is associated with the electrical resistance detected between thefirst and second leads (214a, 214b).

10. The bedwetting control device (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the communication unit (108) is configured to transmitwireless RF signals indicative of the determined action to the bedwettingalarm unit (300) and wherein the communication unit (108) further isconfigured to receive wireless RF signals from the bedwetting alarm unit(300).

11. A bedwetting alarm unit (300), wherein said alarm unit isconnectable to a bedwetting control device (100) according to claim 7, thebedwetting alarm unit (300) comprising: a communication unit (308) configured to receive signals from thebedwetting control device (100) indicative of the action determined by thebedwetting control device (100), a control unit (304) configured to interpret the received signal and toperform the determined action, 26 a user interface (310) which may be used to perform the determinedaction.

12. The bedwetting alarm unit according to claim 11, wherein the userinterface (310) is provided as a light signal and/or as an audible signal and/orand/or as haptic feedback and/or by means of a graphical display unit.

13. The bedwetting alarm unit (300) according to claim 11 or 12,wherein the communication unit (308) is configured to receive wireless RFsignals indicative of the determined action.

14. The bedwetting alarm unit according to any one of claim 11 to 13,wherein the communication unit (308) further comprises a wirelesstransceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the bedwetting controldevice (100) and/or with an external device (400, 500) and/or with a database(600).

15. A bedwetting system (900) configured to monitor if bedwettingoccurs for a person using the system, the system comprising a washable andreusable lower body garment (200) capable of absorbing liquids according toclaim 1 configured to be worn the user, a bedwetting control device (100)according to claim 7 connected to the lower body garment (200) and beingconfigured to determine based on the parameter an action and to transmit asignal indicative at least of the action determined by the bedwetting controldevice (100), and at least one bedwetting alarm unit (300) according to claim11 configured to receive the signal from the bedwetting control device (100),the bedwetting control device (100) and/or the bedwetting alarm unit (300)being configured to perform the action.

16. A method (1000) for operating the bedwetting system (900)according to claim 15, the method (1000) comprising: monitoring (S1001) by the bedwetting control device (100) theparameter measured through at least one control device connector (110a, 27 110b) in the first and second conductive leads (214a, 214b) in the lower bodygarment (200), determining (S1002) an action based on the parameter's relationship toat least one threshold value, performing the action (S1003a, S1003b) by the bedwetting controldevice (100) and/or the bedwetting alarm unit (300).

17. The method (1000) for operating a bedwetting system (900)according to claim 16, wherein the parameter is indicative of an electricalresistance detected by the bedwetting control device (100) and wherein thebedwetting control device (100) and the bedwetting alarm unit (300) areconfigured for wireless communication, the action being at least one of: initiating (S1003a) a wireless connecting mode by the bedwettingcontrol device (100) and/or the bedwetting alarm unit (300) if the resistance isbelow a threshold value and ifthe bedwetting control device (100) and thebedwetting alarm unit (300) is not already in a connected state, triggering (S1003b) an alarm by transmitting a signal from thebedwetting control device (100) to the at least one bedwetting alarm unit(300) at least instructing the bedwetting alarm unit (300) to activate the userinterface if the resistance is below the threshold value and if the bedwettingcontrol device (100) and the bedwetting alarm unit (300) are in a connectedstate.

18. The method (1000) for operating a bedwetting system (900)according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the threshold value is between 150 kQand 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ.

19. The method (1000) for operating a bedwetting system (900)according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the bedwetting controldevice (100) is further configured to transmit a signal indicative of theresistance between the first and second conductive leads (214a, 214b) to thebedwetting alarm unit (300) at least when the action of trigger alarm (S1003b)is performed. 28

20. The method (1000) for operating a bedwetting system (900)according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the action of triggering alarm(S1003b) is performed after the step of initiating (S1003a) a connecting mode 5 has been completed.