GB2501561A

GB2501561A - Bed pad for absorbing and detecting urine

Info

Publication number: GB2501561A
Application number: GB1217581.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Muir Godfrey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-28
Filing date: 2012-10-02
Publication date: 2013-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-02
Also published as: GB201217581D0; GB2501561B; GB201207427D0

Abstract

A bed pad for absorbing and detecting urine comprises a pad 1 of absorbent material and a moisture sensor in the form of a pair of electrical conductors 3,4 spaced apart and which extend around the periphery inside of the pad. In use pad 1 can be placed on a bed X,Y and small amounts of urine discharged within the sensor being absorbed by the pad and not triggering the moisture sensor, and large amounts of urine being sensed by said moisture sensor due to current flowing between the conductors to operate an alarm in sensor circuit 5 when urine is present - prior to urine flowing beyond the periphery of the pad onto bed X,Y. Opposing wings of material 2A,2B extend beyond edges of the pad to secure the pad to a mattress.

Description

I

Title: Bed Pad for Absorbing and Detecting Urine The present invention relates to a bed pad for absorbing and detecting urine.

In caring for those with urinary incontinence, it is often necessary to place an absorbent pad in a bed. Discharge of small amounts of urine are absorbed in the pad keeping the patient dry, but if large amounts of urine are discharged, and the pad becomes saturated, urine can leak beyond the periphery of the pad onto the bed, and the patient's skin lies in a pool of urine. As a result caters need to make regular checks to ensure the pad is not saturated which is time consuming, and this can disturb the sleep of patients.

The invention seeks to provide a bed bad which avoids this difficulty.

According to the present invention there is provided as bed pad for absorbing and detecting urine comprising: a) a pad of absorbent material, and b) a moisture sensor extending around the pad inside of the periphery of the pad, in use said pad being placeable on a bed and small amounts of urine discharged within the sensor being absorbed by the pad and not triggering the moisture sensor, and large amounts of urine being sensed by said moisture sensor prior to urine flowing beyond the periphery of the pad onto a bed.

Preferably the pad is generally rectangular in shape.

Preferably opposing wings of material extend beyond edges of the pad to tuck under a mattress to secure the pad to a mattress.

Preferably the moisture sensor is in the form of a pair of electrical conductors spaced apart adjacent the periphery of the pad which allow flow of current between the conductors when urine is present between the conductors.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying thawing showing a perspective view of a pad on a mattress.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a bed pad 1 for absorbing and detecting urine. Pad I can be placed on a mattress X on a base Y of the type well known in the art.

Pad 1 is generally rectangular in shape and formed of absorbent material to absorb urine.

Extending from opposing edges of the rectangular pad are a pair of wings of material 2A,28 to tuck under mattress X to secure the pad I to the mattress.

A moisture sensor extends around the pad inside of the periphery of the pad. The moisture sensor is in the form of a pair of electrical conductors such as wires 3,4 spaced apart adjacent the periphery of the pad which allow flow of current between the conductors when urine is present between the conductors. Each conductor includes electrical connectors 3A,3B and 4A,4B at one or both end respectively to connect the connectors SA,5B,5C,SD on wires of a sensor circuit 5 with an alarm.

In use pad 1 is placed on bed mattress X. Small amounts of urine discharged from a person sleeping on the bed within the sensor wires 3,4 are absorbed by the pad and do not trigger the moisture sensor, and large amounts of urine are sensed by the sensor wires 3,4 when urine spans the gap between the wires 3,4 and allows conduction of current between the wires to operate the alarm in circuitS. Because the wires are inside of the periphery of the pad, they sense urine prior to urine flowing beyond the periphery of the pad onto a bed. The alarm or circuit 5 thus operates before the mattress X is soiled.

Having connectors 3A,3B,4A,4B at each end of wires 3,4 allow the integrity of each wire to be checked which could be compromised by washing. However only one connector could be provided at the end of each wire 3,4.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bed pad for absorbing and detecting urine comprising: a) a pad of absorbent material, and b) a moisture sensor extending around the pad inside of the periphery of the pad, in use said pad being placeable on a bed and small amounts of urine discharged within the sensor being absorbed by the pad and not triggering the moisture sensor, and large amounts of urine being sensed by said moisture sensor prior to urine flowing beyond the periphery of the pad onto a bed.
2. A bed pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad is generally rectangular in shape.
3. A bed pad according to claim 1 or 2. wherein opposing wings of material extend beyond edges of the pad to tuck under a mattress to secure the pad to a mattress.
4. A bed pad according to any preceding claim, wherein the moisture sensor is in the form of a pair of electrical conductors spaced apart adjacent the periphery of the pad which allow flow of current between the conductors when urine is present between the conductors.
5. A bed pad substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.