WO2022090237A1

WO2022090237A1 - Absorbent article with absorption body

Info

Publication number: WO2022090237A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/079698
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rüdiger KESSELMEIER; Andreas Mann
Original assignee: Paul Hartmann Ag; KOB GmbH
Priority date: 2020-10-29
Filing date: 2021-10-26
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: EP4236887A1; DE102020128448A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising an absorption body for taking up liquid, a sensor element, a power supply element and a first transmitter/receiver element. The sensor element can detect the liquid taken up in the absorption body. The power supply element can convert electromagnetic radiation from the environment into electrical energy. The transmitter/receiver element serves for contactless data transmission, such that the liquid taken up in the absorption body can be remotely monitored wirelessly. The present invention further relates to a receiver unit, and to a system for remote monitoring of the liquid taken up in an absorption body.

Description

Title: Absorbent article with absorption body

The present invention relates to an absorbent article with an absorption body, wherein the liquid absorbed in the absorption body can be monitored remotely by means of contactless data transmission.

A common problem with prolonged use of incontinence articles is the occurrence of skin irritation or dermatitis caused by prolonged contact of the skin with bodily exudates such as urine. Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), an inflammation of the skin in the perineal or perigenital region caused by contact with an irritant such as urine, is particularly common in older incontinent people. Changes in the pH value of the skin upon contact with the more alkaline urine play an important role here. The increased occurrence of IAD in older people correlates with a weakened skin barrier with age and a reduced ability of the skin to regenerate itself. To counteract IAD, an incontinence article should be changed before its absorption capacity is exhausted (“targeted change”) so that direct contact of the urine with the skin is prevented. In addition, people who suffer from incontinence for medical or age reasons often depend on the support of nursing staff. Particularly at night, regular checking of the incontinence article is opposed by the person concerned's need for an undisturbed night's sleep. In order to improve the quality of life, as well as for cost reasons, it would be advantageous if the night's rest was disturbed only if the incontinence article needed to be changed.

There is therefore a need for incontinence articles that make it easier to change the incontinence article in a more targeted manner.

In the prior art, electronic moisture sensors are used for more targeted changing of incontinence articles. In EP2738748 A1 describes an incontinence article with a wireless bedwetting alarm. The presence of liquid in the incontinence article is determined by a moisture sensor or passive radio frequency IDentification (RFID) transponder. The electronics can be powered by receiving and converting the energy wirelessly emitted by the RFID reader into electricity take place. The user's body energy (difference between body temperature and environment), chemical energy (use of body wastes in chemical processes), or kinetic energy (movement of a user's body) can also be used as an energy source. The data is wirelessly transmitted from the RFID reader to an alarm terminal to trigger an alarm.

US2009315720 also relates to an incontinence article with a moisture sensor. The system described in US2009315720 has two states. In the first state, the system behaves like a passive RFID transponder, i. H. the RFID transponder is supplied with energy by a reading device, after which data can be transmitted from the RFID transponder to the reading device. The first state ends as soon as liquid activates a battery, which now supplies the RFID transponder with power. The now active RFID transponder is read by an RFID reader.

The present invention is concerned with the task of further improving wireless remote monitoring of incontinence articles.

The invention solves the problem by an absorbent article according to claim 1, a receiver unit according to claim 18 and a system according to claim 20 comprising the absorbent article and the receiver unit.

The invention makes it easier for the nursing staff to reliably and wirelessly monitor the liquid discharged into the absorbent article and at the same time to leave the user of the incontinence article undisturbed as much as possible. The absorbent article comprises the following components: an absorbent body which is designed to absorb liquid, in particular body excretions, a sensor element which comprises at least one moisture sensor for determining the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body, a power supply element, the power supply element comprising an antenna and the power supply element electromagnetic radiation, which is picked up by means of the antenna, can be converted into electrical energy, and a first transceiver element, wherein the first transceiver element can transmit data to and receive data from a receiver unit in a contactless manner. The liquid taken up in the absorption body can be remotely monitored by means of contactless data transmission.

In the prior art, primarily "passive" RFID transponders are used. In connection with the present invention, passive RFID transponders are RFID transponders that do not have their own power source. The power supply element of passive RFID transponders is ensured by a reader whose high-frequency alternating field reads the data from the RFID transponder and at the same time supplies it with power. "Active" RFID transponders are characterized by the fact that they can supply themselves with electricity. A built-in battery is usually required for this.

According to the present invention, so-called “energy harvesting” is operated instead of the battery. The present invention has the advantage that, compared to the devices known from the prior art, data can be collected independently of the presence of a reading device.

With energy harvesting, the energy available in the environment is converted into electrical energy. The present invention preferably uses electromagnetic radiation as the energy source. Radio waves which have frequencies of 30 kHz up to 300 GHz are particularly preferred. In contrast to the prior art, the radio waves do not have to be generated, or not exclusively, via a specially adapted reading device. Instead, the radio waves already present in the area can be used. These radio waves can come from radio towers, radar systems, WiFi networks or Bluetooth connections, for example. For WiFi networks, radio waves with frequencies of 2.4 GHz and a power of up to 100 mW, as well as with frequencies of 5 GHz and a power of up to 1 W are of particular interest. According to the GSM standards, radio waves based on mobile phone networks/GSM have the frequencies 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz.

The radio waves are picked up by the antenna and converted into electricity. The antenna is preferably designed in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation, which is converted into electrical energy, can be provided by WiFi systems, Bluetooth transmitters, radio, GSM or radar, among other things. Instead of a single antenna, it is also possible to use a number of antennas, in particular in an antenna array.

In addition to the antenna, the power supply element can also include a matching network and a rectifier. Through the matching network, the impedance of the Antenna matched to the impedance of the radio wave transmitter. As a result, the power loss can be kept low. The rectifier converts the AC voltage picked up by the antenna into a DC current using a peak value detector.

The absorbent article preferably additionally comprises an energy storage unit. The energy storage unit is in electrical communication with the power supply element and is charged by the power supply element. The energy storage unit can store the electrical energy in at least one capacitor, for example. Other forms of energy storage, for example using a galvanic element, are also possible. The energy stored in the energy storage unit can preferably be used to operate electronic components of the absorbent article. The energy storage unit can provide the necessary energy to generate or amplify the signal of the first transceiver element to a second transceiver element. The second transceiver element is a component of the receiver unit and the second transceiver element can be a Bluetooth transceiver or a WiFi transceiver, for example. Since the power density of an electromagnetic field decreases with the square of the distance, the radiated power of the first transmitter-receiver element must be increased to increase the range. In order to only increase the range in a certain period of time, the energy storage unit can release the stored energy precisely in this period of time.

In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article comprises a first processor unit which can be operated by the energy generated during energy harvesting. In the simplest case, the first processor unit only includes a data memory. The first processor unit can also be configured to interpret the signals of the sensor element for data transmission from the first transceiver element to the second transceiver element and to convert them into a suitable signal. In addition, this first processor unit can carry out a first evaluation of the measurement data of the sensor element and prepare the results of this evaluation in a suitable form for forwarding to the receiver unit. The processing of the data can include, for example, data reduction or conversion into a suitable data format. The processing of the data can also relate to a calculation of specified parameters, such as relative saturation. The relative saturation is given in percent, with the value 100% corresponding to a maximum saturation of the absorption body with liquid and the value 0% being defined as the absence of liquid. Preferably, the first processor unit by the first Transceiver element further process received data. For example, the first transceiver element can be configured to increase or decrease the period between two contactless data transmissions to the receiver unit. In addition, the first processor unit can be configured to store the received or further processed data in the data memory. The first processor unit can be a microprocessor, for example. Commercially available microprocessors that have a particularly low energy consumption and are suitable for the present invention are, for example, the ARM Cortex M0+ with a power consumption of at least 20 pW.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one antenna of the power supply element can also be used as a sensor element. If the absorption body is soaked with liquid in the vicinity of the antenna, the electromagnetic field around the antenna is weakened and the received power drops. The received signal field strength can be, for example, the RSSI (received signal strength indicator). RSSI is used to indicate the relative quality of the received signal compared to that of the sender. A higher RSSI value indicates better signal quality. Alternatively, the RCPI value (“received channel power indicator”) defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard for communication in wireless networks can be used. The RCPI value is a measure of the received radio frequency (RF) power in the selected channel, measured at the antenna connector. RCPI is a monotonically increasing, logarithmic function of received power level, defined in dBm. Other quantities that indicate a weakening of the electromagnetic field and thus of the received signal strength due to the presence of liquid can also be used.

The relative change in the electromagnetic field strength compared to the electromagnetic field strength in an absorption body that has not yet absorbed any liquid is therefore proportional to the relative liquid saturation of the absorption body. The reference field strength is the electromagnetic field strength in the absence of liquid. The difference between the measured electromagnetic field strength and this reference field strength increases the more liquid the absorbent article has absorbed.

The measurement of the change in field strength can preferably be carried out using at least two antennas, which act as a power supply element and a sensor element. The electromagnetic field is modulated by the antennas. The modulation of the electromagnetic field is measured by the antennas. By the presence of Liquid can weaken the electromagnetic field received by the second antenna. The presence of liquid can also be detected by evaluating other measured variables, such as the phase shift of the current generated by the antenna. To do this, the current generated in the presence of liquid is compared with the current generated in the absence of liquid.

According to another preferred embodiment, at least one of the moisture sensors of the sensor element is a capacitive sensor. The moisture sensor consists of two electrodes that form an electrical capacitor. If there is no liquid in the absorbent article, its permittivity is low and there is a low capacitive value between the electrodes. If the maximum saturation of the absorbent article is reached, the permittivity of the absorbent body will increase. The permittivity correlates approximately with the liquid present in the absorbent article.

Alternatively, the measuring principle of at least one of the moisture sensors of the sensor element is based on the change in electrical conductivity when liquid is present. According to a further embodiment, the liquid activates a galvanic cell. The presence of liquid can be measured by the applied voltage.

A combination of moisture sensors is preferably used. For example, the antennas that are used to generate energy by means of energy harvesting can also be used to measure the received field strength. Furthermore, a capacitive measurement for liquid measurement can be carried out at the same time. The measuring accuracy of the sensor element can be increased by a combination of moisture sensors.

A special arrangement of several moisture sensors can also be used to draw conclusions about the relative saturation of the absorption body of the absorbent article.

Data transmission from the absorbent article to the receiver unit is performed by a first transceiver element of the absorbent article. For this purpose, wireless communication with a transmitter output power of at most 1000 mW, at most 100 mW and particularly preferably at most 10 mW should be used. The wireless communication is particularly preferably based on Bluetooth, Bluetooth ultra low energy or WiFi. Data transmission systems such as Zigbee, Wibree or other methods in the radio frequency range are also conceivable.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the data is only transmitted from the absorbent article to the receiver unit when a predetermined limit value for the percentage saturation of the absorbent body has been reached or exceeded. Limit values for the percentage saturation of the absorbent body can preferably be between 50% and 100%, in particular between 60% and 90% and particularly preferably 80%.

If the percentage saturation value of the absorption body is not calculated in the first processor unit, according to a further preferred embodiment the data is only transmitted to the receiver unit if at least one of the two or more moisture sensors of the sensor element measure the presence of liquid. According to a further preferred embodiment, the data transmission takes place at time intervals. These intervals are preferably constant. The constant intervals particularly preferably have an interval length of at least 5 s and at most 3600 s.

The power supply element, the first transceiver element, the first processor unit and the energy storage unit are preferably components of an RFID component. The sensor element can also be a component of the RFID component. The RFID component can be printed, glued or etched onto a metal foil.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the absorbent article according to the invention can be used as an incontinence article. Such an incontinence article comprises in particular a top sheet which is at least partially liquid-permeable and a substantially liquid-impermeable back sheet. The absorption body is arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbent body is usually aligned in the longitudinal direction of the incontinence article, so that when it is used as intended, it comes to rest between the legs of a user in the crotch area. In particular, the backsheet can be formed from a breathable but essentially liquid-tight film material. The top sheet is preferably formed, at least in regions, from a nonwoven-based material that is liquid-permeable at least in regions. The part of the incontinence article located in the abdominal area of the user when put on is referred to as a front area. The part of the incontinence article located in the user's back area in the applied state is referred to as a back area. In principle, the incontinence articles can be designed in a variety of ways, for example as incontinence articles lying directly on the body or as absorbent incontinence pads.

It can further be preferred that the sensor element, the power supply element and the first transceiver element are applied to the incontinence article. The power supply element and the first transmitter-receiver element are preferably applied to the front or back area of the incontinence article on the side facing away from the user. The first processor unit and the energy storage unit are then preferably also applied to the front or back area of the incontinence article on the side facing away from the user. If the sensor element comprises a capacitive moisture sensor, its electrodes are preferably aligned parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction of the incontinence article.

Alternatively, the first transceiver element and/or the first processor unit and/or the energy storage unit can be applied to the front or back area of the incontinence article on the side facing away from the user. Two antennas, which are preferably tuned to the WiFi frequencies 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, take on the task of the power supply element and the sensor element. These two antennas preferably run along the longitudinal direction of the incontinence article. If the absorption body is soaked with liquid in the vicinity of the antennas, the electromagnetic field strength changes. The reference field strength is the electromagnetic field strength in the absence of liquid. The difference between the measured electromagnetic field strength and this reference field strength increases the more liquid the absorbent article has absorbed.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the absorbent article according to the invention can be a wound dressing.

The wound dressing may comprise a wound contact layer, an absorbent layer, such as an absorbent pad, and a cover layer.

The wound dressing can be present as a so-called island dressing. The wound contact layer has a smaller contact surface than the cover layer (“backing”), i. H. the wound contact layer is surrounded by a covering layer along its circumference. The cover layer can have an adhesive coating so that the entire wound dressing can adhere or stick to the skin of a patient.

The power supply element and the first transceiver element, and preferably the first processor unit and the energy storage unit are preferably on the Glued to the side of the covering layer facing away from the user. The power supply element and the first transmitter-receiver element are preferably components of an RFID transponder and can be protected from contact with liquid, usually wound exudate or sweat, by a liquid-impermeable film between the RFID transponder and the cover layer. The liquid is measured by means of the sensor element, which is preferably aligned on the cover layer on the side facing away from the user in such a way that the at least two electrodes of the sensor element are fastened over the absorption body. If a sensor element is used which can carry out a saturation measurement by detecting a change in the electromagnetic field strength, then the power supply element can also include the function of the sensor element and the energy harvesting antenna.

The absorbent article according to the invention communicates with a receiver unit which receives data from the absorbent article by means of the second transceiver element. In addition to the second transceiver element, the receiver unit comprises a second processor unit and an output unit. The second transceiver element can be a Bluetooth transceiver or a WiFi transceiver, for example. The second processing unit is configured to process the signal received from the first transceiver element and may be further configured to calculate a relative saturation value from the readings of the sensor element. If the limit value of the percentage saturation of the absorbent body, which is between 50% and 100%, preferably between 60% and 90% and particularly preferably 80%, is reached or exceeded, a signal is emitted. Alternatively, the signal is output as soon as a specified minimum number of moisture sensors measure the presence of liquid. The signal can be optical or acoustic.

The present invention and particularly advantageous embodiments thereof are summarized in the following paragraphs 1 to 23:

1 . Absorbent article comprising an absorbent body which is designed to absorb liquid, in particular bodily excretions, a sensor element which comprises at least one moisture sensor for determining the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body, a power supply element, the power supply element comprising an antenna and the power supply element electromagnetic radiation, which is picked up by means of the antenna, can be converted into electrical energy, and a first transceiver element, the first transceiver element being able to transmit data to and receive data from a receiver unit without contact, and the liquid contained in the absorption body being removed remotely by means of contactless data transmission can be monitored.

2. Absorbent article according to paragraph 1, wherein the antenna is designed to capture electromagnetic radiation emitted by radio transmitters, television transmitters, radar systems, mobile radio transmitters and/or WiFi transmitters.

3. The absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs 1 or 2, wherein the power supply element comprises a matching network and a rectifier.

4. Absorbent article according to at least one of the above paragraphs, wherein the antenna is implemented as an antenna array.

5. The absorbent article of at least one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the absorbent article comprises a first processor unit.

6. The absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the absorbent article additionally comprises an energy storage unit.

7. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the power supply element and/or the sensor element and/or the first transceiver element and/or the first processor unit and/or the energy storage unit is a component of an RFID device.

8. Absorbent article according to at least one of the above paragraphs, wherein the antenna is at the same time the sensor element, which comprises at least one moisture sensor for determining the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body.

9. Absorbent article according to at least one of the above paragraphs, wherein a transmission power of at most 1000 mW, preferably at most 100 mW and particularly preferably at most 10 mW is emitted for contactless data transmission.

10. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the contactless data transmission to the receiver unit is based on Bluetooth or WiFi.

11. The absorbent article according to paragraph 5, wherein the first processor unit is adapted to a relative saturation of the absorbent body compared to the to determine maximum liquid absorption capacity of the absorption body from the measurement data of the sensor element. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs, the data transmission only taking place when a minimum number of the one or more moisture sensors of the sensor element measure the presence of liquid in the absorbent body. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs, the data transmission only taking place when at least one limit value of the relative saturation of the absorbent body is reached or exceeded. Absorbent article according to at least one of the above paragraphs, wherein the data transmission takes place at time intervals, the intervals preferably being constant and in particular having an interval length of at least 5 s and at most 3600 s. Absorbent article according to at least one of the above paragraphs, wherein the limit values for the relative saturation are selected from the ranges 50% to 100%, preferably 60% to 90% and in particular 70% to 100%. Absorbent article according to at least one of the above paragraphs, wherein the absorbent body is part of an incontinence article which comprises an at least partially liquid-permeable topsheet, a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet and the absorbent body arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet. Absorbent article according to paragraph 16, wherein the RFID component is attached outside the absorbent body on the backsheet and wherein the RFID component is preferably located either in the front or back area of the absorbent article on a side of the backsheet facing away from the user. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the sensor element is attached along the absorption body parallel to the longitudinal direction of the absorption body. Absorbent article according to at least one of paragraphs 1 to 15, wherein the absorbent body is part of a wound dressing which comprises a cover layer, a wound contact layer and the absorbent body arranged between the cover layer and the wound contact layer 28 . Receiver unit which is designed to receive data from the first transceiver element contained in an absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 19, characterized in that the receiver unit comprises a second Includes transmitter-receiver element, a second processor unit and an output unit.

21. Receiver unit according to paragraph 20, wherein the receiver unit emits an in particular optical or acoustic signal if the limit value of the relative saturation of the absorption body is reached or exceeded.

22. Receiver unit according to at least one of paragraphs 20 or 21, wherein the receiver unit emits a signal as soon as a predetermined minimum number of moisture sensors measure the presence of liquid.

23. Receiver unit according to at least one of paragraphs 20 to 22, wherein the second processor unit of the receiver unit is designed to calculate a relative saturation from the measured values of the sensor element.

24. A system for remotely monitoring liquid received in an absorbent body, comprising at least one absorbent article according to paragraph 1 and at least one receiver unit according to paragraph 20.

characters

For a better understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following embodiments in conjunction with the associated figures.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments that are specified in the schematic illustrations of the figures.

figure 1

Schematic representation of an embodiment of the system for monitoring the liquid contained in an absorption body 3 at a distance.

figure 2

Schematic representation of a further embodiment of the system for remotely monitoring the liquid contained in an absorption body 3 .

figure 3

Schematic representation of an embodiment of the power supply element.

figure 4

Schematic representation of the absorbent article in connection with an embodiment in which the absorption body is part of an incontinence article. It will shows the top view of a disposable incontinence diaper in the unfolded and flatly spread out state.

figure 5

Schematic representation of the absorbent article in connection with an embodiment in which the absorption body is part of a wound dressing. A cut through an island dressing is shown.

FIG. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a system for remotely monitoring the liquid taken up in an absorbent body, the system comprising an absorbent article 100 and a receiver unit 26 .

The absorbent article 100 comprises a power supply element 9, a sensor element

10, a first transmitter-receiver element 11, and an absorbent body 3. The absorbent article 100 communicates contactlessly with the receiver unit 26 via the first transmitter-receiver element 11. This comprises a second transmitter-receiver element 17, a second processor unit 18 and an output unit 19.

The power supply element 9 catches radio waves from the environment and converts them into electrical energy. The power supply element 9 is electrically connected to the sensor element 10 and the first transceiver element 11 and supplies them with energy in order to ensure their function. The sensor element 10, which is a moisture sensor, can determine the presence of liquid in the absorption body 3. A capacitive measuring method can be used for this purpose, for example, or alternatively the weakening of the electromagnetic field strength compared to the field strength of an absorption body that has not yet absorbed any liquid can be measured. The data measured by the sensor element 10 are forwarded to the first transceiver element 11 and transmitted wirelessly from the first transceiver element 11 to the second transceiver element 17 of the receiver unit 26 . The receiver unit 26 forwards the data to the second processor unit 18 for evaluation. The second processor unit 18 prepares the data for output. The output on the output unit 19 can take place acoustically, for example by means of a warning tone, or optically, for example by means of a flashing warning lamp or a message on a screen. The electronic components of the absorbent article, namely the power supply element 9, the sensor element 10 and the first transceiver element

11 can be part of an RFID component 21 . In the further embodiment of the system according to the invention presented in Figure 2, the absorbent article 100 comprises, in addition to the power supply element 9, the sensor element 10, the first transmitter-receiver element 11 and the absorption body 3, an energy storage unit 16 and a first processor unit 15. The receiver unit 26 comprises the second transmitter-receiver element 17, the second processor unit 18 and the output unit 19.

The energy collected by means of the power supply element 9 is preferably initially temporarily stored in the energy storage unit 16 . The energy storage unit 16 is preferably connected to the electrical consumers of the absorbent article 100, namely the sensor element 10, the first transmitter-receiver element 11 and the first processor unit 15, and supplies them with electrical energy. The energy storage unit 16 can preferably be a capacitor, but also an accumulator. The energy storage unit 16 can ensure that electrical energy is always available even if the sensor element 10 , the first transmitter-receiver element 11 or the first processor unit 15 consumes increased energy at times. The energy storage unit 16 can also ensure a sufficient energy supply of the first transceiver element 11 in the event of an, in particular temporary, increase in the transmission power of the first transceiver element 11 . Furthermore, when using the energy storage unit 16, comparatively larger distances between the first transceiver element 11 and the second transceiver element 17 can be bridged, for example a distance of 5 m to 20 m.

The first processor unit 15, which communicates with the sensor element 10, can be configured to already evaluate the data received from the sensor element 10 locally in the absorbent article 100. The first processor unit can infer the presence of liquid in the absorption body 3 from the measurement data of the sensor element 10 and then generate a binary output corresponding to “liquid present” or “no liquid present”. A large number of moisture sensors are advantageously used. As a result, the accuracy of the liquid detection can be increased and, if necessary, information on the liquid distribution can also be recorded.

The first processor unit 15 is preferably connected directly to the first transceiver element 11 . The data exchange between the first processor unit 15 and the second processor unit 18 takes place indirectly via the first transceiver element 11 and the second transceiver element 17.

The measurement data processed by the first processor unit 15 are preferably forwarded to the second processor unit 18 . By means of the second processor unit 18, the received data prepared for output. The output on the output unit 19 can be acoustic, for example via a warning tone, or optical, for example via a flashing warning lamp or a message on a screen. The electronic components of the absorbent article 100, which include the power supply element 9, the sensor element 10, the energy storage unit 16, the first processor unit 15 and the first transceiver element 11, can be part of the RFID component 23. Alternatively, it is possible that the sensor element 10 is not part of the RFID component 24 and the RFID component 24 then only includes the power supply element 9 , the energy storage unit 16 , the first processor unit 15 and the first transceiver element 11 .

Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the power supply element 9. In addition to an antenna 12, the power supply element 9 also includes a matching network 13 and a rectifier 14. The impedance of the antenna 12 is matched by the matching network 13 to the impedance of the transmitter of the radio waves. As a result, the power loss can be kept low. The rectifier 14 converts the AC voltage picked up by the antenna 12 into a DC current by means of a peak value detector.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 schematically represents an incontinence article 100 with the RFID component 24 glued on and the sensor element 10 . The absorbent body 3 is preferably arranged between the liquid-permeable topsheet 1 and the essentially liquid-impermeable backsheet 2 . The absorbent body 3 is usually arranged in the longitudinal direction 50 of the absorbent article 100, so that the crotch area 5 is held between the legs of a user during use. The incontinence article can usually be closed with two rear side sections 7, each having at least one closure means 8, in the back area in the transverse direction 51 by the side sections 7 being guided to the front area 4 in the applied state and being fastened there.

The top view of the disposable incontinence diaper is shown in the unfolded and flatly spread out state.

In this case, the RFID component preferably has the embodiment described in FIG. The RFID component 24 is preferably as shown on the front area 4 or alternatively on the Applied back area 6 of the incontinence article on the side facing away from the user.

The RFID component 24 and the sensor element 10 can be glued on or printed on. The sensor element 10 includes two electrodes that form an electrical capacitor. The electrodes are preferably aligned parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction 50 starting from the RFID component 24 across the absorption body 3 . The electrodes preferably extend to the middle of the crotch area 5. The presence of liquid can be detected by means of the sensor element 10 based on a change in capacitance.

According to a preferred embodiment, the two electrodes of the sensor element 10 can also serve as an antenna. The antennae are mounted above the absorption body 3 on the side facing away from the user when the article is in use and are not in direct contact with the liquid excreted by the user. In this embodiment, the antennas are used both as a power supply element and as a sensor element. The antennas capture radio waves from the environment via energy harvesting and convert them into electrical energy. The antennas (12, 9,10) are tuned to the WiFi frequencies 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The power loss can be kept low by means of a matching network 13 (see FIG. 3). The rectifier 14 converts the AC voltage picked up by the antennas 12 into a DC current. The electrical energy is temporarily stored in the energy storage unit 16, which comprises a large number of capacitors connected in parallel, and is then available in the event of a high current requirement (not shown in FIG. 4, see FIG. 2). The first processor unit 15 and the first transceiver element 11 can be operated using this energy. The antennas 10 used for energy harvesting can preferably be used at the same time for relative saturation measurement. If liquid is present in the vicinity of the antennas 10, the electromagnetic field strength changes. The first processor unit uses the change in the electromagnetic field strength occurring at the antennas to calculate the moisture present in the absorption body, in particular the relative moisture saturation. The first transceiver element 11 transmits a signal to the second transceiver element 17 (see Figures 1, 2) as soon as the relative humidity saturation reaches predetermined limit values of, for example, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 85%. The signal can be transmitted via Bluetooth transmission. As shown in Figures 1, 2, the data from the second transceiver element 17 to a second processor unit 18 are forwarded. The second processor unit 18 then prepares the data for output. The output unit 19 displays by means of a screen indicates the relative saturation level of the disposable diaper. When a relative saturation value of 80%, for example, is reached, the output unit 19 notifies the nursing staff by means of a signal tone.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of an absorbent article 100 which comprises a wound dressing designed as a so-called island dressing with an applied RFID component 24 and sensor element 10 . The island dressing comprises a cover layer 27, the absorbent body 3 and a wound contact layer 28. The RFID component is preferably designed according to the embodiment described in connection with Figure 2, which includes the power supply element 9, the energy storage unit 16, the first processor unit 15 and the first transmitter-receiver element 11 includes. The RFID component 24 is preferably printed or glued onto the side of the covering layer 27 facing away from the user. The RFID component is preferably protected from contact with wound exudate by a liquid-impermeable layer. The sensor element 10 is preferably attached to the covering layer 27 on the side facing away from the user in such a way that it lies over the absorption body 3 . The wound contact layer 28 is the side that faces the user when the absorbent article is in use. The covering layer 27 provided with an adhesive coating covers the absorbent body 3 and can be attached to the user's skin.

The power supply element 9 based on energy harvesting is connected to the energy storage unit 16 . The first processor unit 15 is powered by the energy storage unit 16 and can receive data from the sensor element 10 and the first transceiver element 11 as well as transmit data to the first transceiver element 11 .

The sensor element 10 is electrically connected to the energy storage unit 16 . The sensor element 10 is a moisture sensor based on capacitive measurement. For this purpose, 2 electrodes are printed over the absorption body 3 on the side of the cover layer 27 facing away from the user. The presence of liquid in the absorption body 3 can be measured by the change in the dielectric constant and the associated change in voltage. The first processor unit 15 can calculate a moisture saturation in the absorption body 3 on the basis of the change in voltage measured by the sensor element. If a limit value of the relative humidity saturation is exceeded, the first transceiver element 11 sends a signal via Bluetooth to the second transceiver element 17. The second Processor unit 18 processes the received data in such a way that a warning signal is output by the output unit 19 on a screen.

Claims

patent claims

1 . Absorbent article comprising an absorbent body (3) which is designed to absorb liquid, in particular bodily excretions, a sensor element (10) which comprises at least one moisture sensor for determining the liquid absorbed in the absorbent body (3), a power supply element (9), the power supply element (9) comprises an antenna (12) and wherein the power supply element (9) can convert electromagnetic radiation, which is picked up by means of the antenna (12), into electrical energy, and a first transceiver element (11), the first transceiver element (11) contactless data can be transmitted to and received from a receiver unit, and wherein the liquid contained in the absorption body (3) can be remotely monitored by means of contactless data transmission.

2. Absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (12) is designed to capture electromagnetic radiation emitted by radio transmitters, television transmitters, radar systems, mobile radio transmitters and/or WiFi transmitters.

3. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein the power supply element (9) comprises a matching network (13) and a rectifier (14).

4. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (12) is implemented as an antenna array.

5. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent article comprises a first processor unit (15).

6. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent article additionally comprises an energy storage unit (16).

7. The absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply element (9) and/or the sensor element (10) and/or the first transceiver element (11) and/or the first processor unit (15) and/or the energy storage unit (16 ) is a component of an RFID component (23,24).

8. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (12) is the sensor element (10) at the same time, which at least one Includes moisture sensor for determining the absorption body (3) recorded liquid.

9. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the contactless data transmission to the receiver unit is based on Bluetooth or WiFi.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the first processor unit (15) is designed to determine a relative saturation of the absorbent body (3) compared to the maximum liquid absorption capacity of the absorbent body (3) from the measurement data of the sensor element (10).

11 . Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transmission only takes place when a minimum number of the one or more moisture sensors of the sensor element (10) measure the presence of liquid in the absorption body (3).

12. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transmission only takes place when at least one limit value of the relative saturation of the absorption body (3) has been reached or exceeded.

13. Absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the data transmission takes place at time intervals, the intervals preferably being constant and in particular having an interval length of at least 5 s and at most 3600 s.

14. The absorbent article according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent body (3) is part of an incontinence article which has an at least partially liquid-permeable topsheet (1), a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet (2) and the space between the topsheet (1) and the Backsheet (2) arranged absorption body (3).

15. Absorbent article according to claim 14, wherein the RFID component (23,24) outside of the absorption body (3) on the backsheet (2) is attached and wherein the RFID component (23,24) is preferably either in the front or Back area of the absorbent article is located on a side of the backsheet (2) facing away from the user.

16. Absorbent article according to at least claim 14 or 15, wherein the sensor element (10) is attached along the absorption body (3) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the absorption body (3).

17. The absorbent article according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the absorbent body (3) is part of a wound dressing which has a cover layer (27), a wound contact layer (28) and the layers between the cover layer (27) and the wound contact layer (28 ) arranged absorption body (3). Receiver unit which is designed to receive data from the first transceiver element (11) contained in an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the receiver unit comprises a second transceiver element (17), a second processor unit (18) and a Output unit (19) includes. Receiver unit according to Claim 18, in which the receiver unit emits an in particular optical or acoustic signal if the limit value of the relative saturation of the absorption body (3) has been reached or exceeded. A system for remotely monitoring the liquid contained in an absorbent body (3) comprising at least one absorbent article according to claim 1

1 and at least one receiver unit according to claim 18.