WO2006051426A2

WO2006051426A2 - Garment

Info

Publication number: WO2006051426A2
Application number: PCT/IB2005/004033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Avtar Singh Chagger
Original assignee: Avtar Singh Chagger
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2005-04-14
Publication date: 2006-05-18
Also published as: WO2006051426A3; GB0408264D0

Abstract

A garment for incontinent children or adults comprising a sensor (12) for sensing excreta or bdily fluids, response means (14) for producing a signal in response to excreta being sensed by the sensor means, and alert means (16) for producing an alert in response to the signal.

Description

GARMENT

The present application claims the priority of British provisional patent application number GB0408264.0 filed April 14, 2004.

The present invention relates to a garment for incontinent children or adults.

Undergarments for children or adults having faecal or urinary incontinence are well known. Such garments include, for example, nappies, diapers, toddler training pants, incontinence pants etc. It is also known for disposable nappies or training pants to include external decorative images, which disappear in the presence of moisture, thus alerting a parent or other carer that the undergarment is wet.

Such images are of limited benefit, however, when a child is wearing other external garments over the top of a nappy or training pants. Such external garments obscure the decorative images thus preventing the carer from being able to easily determine the status of the undergarment. This also means that there is inevitably a delay in the carer becoming aware that the undergarment is wet. Such delay leads to discomfort for the wearer and increases the potential for moisture related skin disorders.

The present invention provides an improved garment for incontinent children or adults that overcomes or at least mitigates the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a garment for incontinent children or adults comprising: a sensor for sensing excreta or bodily fluids; response means (14) for producing a signal in response to excreta being sensed by the sensor means; and alert means (16) for producing an alert in response to the signal.

Preferably the sensor means are embedded in the garment.

Preferably the garment includes a device pocket for removeably receiving the response means, and the device pocket comprises connection means for connecting the response means to the sensor means.

Preferably the garment further comprises interrupt means for stopping the alert. The interrupt means may comprise an adhesive portion for positioning on the garment to make electrical connection between the alert means and the response means, the adhesive portion being removable from the garment to break the electrical connection.

Preferably the interrupt means further comprises a switch, the adhesive portion being operable both for positioning on the garment to operate the switch, to make electrical connection between the alert means and the response means, and for removal from the garment to operate the switch to break the electrical connection.

The adhesive strip may include a conducting track, the conducting track being operable both to make electrical connection between the alert means and the response means when the adhesive portion is positioned on the garment, and to break the electrical connection when the adhesive portion is removed from the garment.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram illustrating a garment for excreta detection according to a first embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a block diagram illustrating a garment for excreta detection according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In figure 1 a first embodiment of garment for excreta detection is shown generally at 10. The garment 10 comprises, a sensor 12, response means 14, alert means 16, and interrupt means 18.

The sensor 12 comprises first and second proximate sensor electrodes 20, 22 incorporated into the garment 10. The first and second electrodes 20, 22 are spaced at a predetermined distance from one another. The predetermined distance is set according to its suitability for sensing a change in resistance or potential difference arising from the presence of moisture arising from excreta such as uric acid. The first sensor electrode 20 is aluminium and the second sensor electrode 22 is copper. It will be appreciated, however, that the electrodes may be made of any suitable material and that both electrodes may be made of the same material.

The sensor electrodes 20, 22 are implemented in the form of two conducting tracks printed onto a suitable substrate for incorporation into the garment. The substrate is flexible for the comfort of a person wearing the garment in use. It will be appreciated, however, that the sensor electrodes 20, 22 may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, the sensor electrodes 20, 22 may be in the form of conductors in the form of bare wires, or other conductors sown either directly into the fabric of the garment or into a patch for incorporation in the garment. Alternatively, the sensor electrodes 20, 22 may be implemented as two conductors spaced from one another by a strip of suitable insulating material of appropriate thickness. Additionally, the sensor electrodes 20, 22 may be arranged in a spiral formation for improved compactness and reliability.

The response means 14 comprises an electronic circuit connected to the sensor electrodes 20, 22 for producing a detection signal in response to excreta being sensed by the sensor 12. The response means 14, is incorporated into the garment and includes a resistance bridge for detecting a change in resistance between the electrodes 20, 22. The response means 14 also includes a transistor switching circuit for producing the detection signal in response to the change in resistance detected being greater than a predetermined threshold. It will be appreciated that the response means 14 may be of any form suitable for producing a detection signal in the form of an electric current. It will be further appreciated that the response means need not include a resistance bridge and that the switching circuit may be configured to detect the change in resistance directly.

The alert means 16 is configured to produce an audible alarm in response to the detection signal produced by the response means. The alert means 16 is in the form of an electronic sound producing device connected to the response means 14. Typically, for example, the electronic sound producing device is a speaker for producing sound in response to a detection signal in the form of an oscillating electric current of suitable frequency and amplitude. Alternatively, the sound producing device may be in the form of a piezo-electric buzzer driven by the detection signal.

It will be appreciated that the alert means need not be incorporated into the garment but may be configured for attachment, in operation, to external garments. For example, the alert means may be in the form of a badge or the like.

The response means 14 and alert means 16 are powered by a power source (not shown). The power source may be of any suitable type, for example a battery or the like. Alternatively, or additionally the power source may include means for providing electricity resulting from a chemical reaction with uric acid.

The interrupt means 18 comprises a switch 24 for disconnecting the alert means 14 from the response means 16 to discontinue the detection signal and stop the alert. The interrupt means is in the form of a normally open, push button switch configured to create an electrical connection between the response means 14 and the alert means 16 when the switch is pressed. The push button switch is incorporated into the garment such that the switch is externally accessible when the garment is worn. It will be appreciated that although the switch is described as a push button switch it may be any suitable electronic or mechanical switch.

The interrupt means 18 further comprises an adhesive strip or patch which in operation is positioned on the garment, over the push button to press the switch thus making the electrical connection between the response means 14 and the alert means 16. Hence, in further operation the electrical connection may be broken and the alert means disconnected by the removal of the adhesive patch or strip. It will be appreciated that the interrupt means could alternatively interrupt the circuit at any other suitable point to stop the alert.

A typical use of the first embodiment will now be described by way of example.

In operation, the garment is worn by an incontinent person. When the person urinates into the garment the moisture from the urine spreads and lowers the resistance of the region between the sensor electrodes 20, 22. The response means 14 detects this change in resistance and produces a corresponding detection signal in response. The detection signal then drives the alert means 16 to produce an audible warning to alert a carer that the garment is wet. The carer then removes the adhesive patch or strip of the interrupt means 18 to disconnect the alert means 16 thus discontinuing the alert. The carer can then replace the wet garment with a dry garment.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a garment for excreta detection generally at 10, the garment 10 comprising, a sensor 12, response means 14 and alert means 16.

The sensor 12 is of a similar configuration to that of the first embodiment including sensor electrodes 20, 22 of the type described. The sensor 12, however, further comprises sensor connectors 24 for connecting the sensor electrodes 20, 22 to the response means 14. The sensor connectors 24 are connected to the sensor electrodes 20, 22 and may be of any suitable form, for example, conducting pads printed onto a flexible or other substrate, wire connectors or the like.

The response means 14 and alert means 16 comprise an integral self-contained device 26. The integral device 26 comprises external connectors 28 configured for engagement with the sensor connectors 24, for creating an electrical connection between the sensor 12 and the response means 14.

The response means 14 comprises an electronic circuit, connected to the external connectors 28, for producing a detection signal in response to excreta being sensed by the sensor 12. The response means 14 includes a resistance bridge for detecting a change in resistance between the electrodes 20, 22. The response means 14 also includes a transistor switching circuit for producing the detection signal in response to the change in resistance detected being greater than a predetermined threshold.

The alert means 16 is in the form of a communications device configured to transmit an alert signal to an external device in response to a detection signal produced by the response means

14. The communications device may be of any suitable form for example a radio, SMS, or

Bluetooth enabled transmitter. The alert signal is configured for receipt by a suitable external device such as a mobile phone, laptop, computer, dedicated hand held device or the like to alert a carer that the garment is wet. It will be appreciated that the alert means 16 may also be configured to produce an audible alert in the manner described for the first embodiment.

The response means 14 and alert means 16 are powered by a power source (not shown). The power source may be of any suitable type, for example a battery or the like.

The garment is provided with a device pocket 30 incorporating the sensor connectors 24. The device pocket 30 is configured to receive the integral device 26, in operation, such that the external connectors 28 and the sensor connectors 24 engage to electrically connect the sensor 12 to the response means. Hence, in operation, when the alert means 16 is in the device pocket 30 and producing an alert signal, removal of the device disconnects the connectors 24, 28 and interrupts that alert signal.

The device 26 and pocket 30 are preferably wafer thin and flexible for ease of comfort in use.

A typical use of the second embodiment will now be described by way of example.

In operation the integral device 26 is inserted into the device pocket 30 of the garment 10 such that an electrical connection is created between the sensor 12 and the response means

14.

When a person wearing the garment 10 urinates the moisture from the urine spreads and lowers the resistance of the region between the sensor electrodes 20, 22. The response means 14 detects the change in resistance and produces a corresponding detection signal in response. The detection signal then drives the alert means 16 to produce an alert signal which is transmitted to the external device to alert a carer. The carer removes the integral device 26 from the wet garment for subsequent reuse. The carer replaces the wet garment with a dry garment of the same type and inserts the integral device 26 into the device pocket 30 of the dry garment for further monitoring.

It will be appreciated that although the invention is described in terms of two possible embodiments other embodiments are possible incorporating a combination of the features described and/or additional features or alternatives. In particular the invention is not limited to detecting excreta but also applies to other bodily fluids such as blood.

The sensor, may be configured to sense solid as well as wet excreta using other parameters. For example, the sensor 12 may include temperature detection means for sensing a temperature change indicative of the presence urinary and/or faecal excreta. The temperature detection means may comprise, for example, sensor electrodes incorporating a bi-metallic strip, semiconductor temperature sensor, or similar, which produce a change in resistance in the event of a temperature change. The change in resistance may be a change from an open to a short-circuit or vice versa.

The sensor 12 may also include sensor electrodes configured to produce an electric current or potential difference as a result of an electrolytic reaction in the presence of uric acid and the response means 14 may be configured to produce a detection signal in response to the resulting electric current or potential difference.

The sensor 12 may also comprise a weight, mass or pressure switch configured to operate when the mass of excreta in the garment exceeds a predetermined level and the response means 14 may be configured to produce a detection signal in response to operation of the switch.

The sensor 12 may also include means for detecting chemical characteristics of the excreta or bodily fluids, such as acidity, protein levels or blood sugar levels. Correspondingly, the response means may include means for analysing the output of the sensor, and for producing a response signal dependent on the analysis to alert carers to possible health issues such as diabetes or the like.

The alert means may be configured to produce other types of alert, for example, a complex audible alert in the form of music, a voice or the sound of a baby. For example, the music may be in the form of a lullaby or the like. The voice may provide a simple message to indicate, for example, who's turn it is to change a nappy. The alert means may include visual means for producing a visual alert. The visual means may include, for example, a light source such as a light emitting diode or the like.

The interrupt means may comprise an adhesive conductor such as an adhesive patch or strip onto which is printed a conducting track. The adhesive conductor is positioned on the garment, in operation, to create an electrical connection between the response means 14 and the alert means 16. Hence, the electrical connection may be broken and the alert means disconnected by the removal of the adhesive conductor.

The communications device may be operable to transmit an alert signal in the form of ultrasound or infrared to an appropriate device.

The response means may also be provided with an address for identification purposes, and the communications device may be operable to transmit the address as part of the alert signal or separately to allow a carer to identify which garment has been affected.

Claims

1 A garment for incontinent children or adults comprising:

a sensor (12) for sensing excreta or bodily fluids;

response means (14) for producing a signal in response to excreta being sensed by the sensor means; and

alert means (16) for producing an alert in response to the signal.

2 A garment as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sensor means (12) are embedded in the garment.

3 A garment as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the garment includes a device pocket (26) for removeably receiving the response means (14),

the device pocket (26) comprising connection means (24) for connecting the response means to the sensor means.

A garment as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the garment further comprises interrupt means (18) for stopping the alert.

A garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein the interrupt means (18) comprises an adhesive portion for positioning on the garment to make electrical connection between the alert means (16) and the response means (14), the adhesive portion being removable from the garment to break the electrical connection.

A garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein the interrupt means (18) further comprises a switch,

the adhesive portion being operable both for positioning on the garment to operate the switch, to make electrical connection between the alert means and the response means, and for removal from the garment to operate the switch to break the electrical connection.

A garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein the adhesive strip includes a conductor,

the conductor being operable both to make electrical connection between the alert means and the response means when the adhesive portion is positioned on the garment,

and to break the electrical connection when the adhesive portion is removed from the garment.