WO2024096469A1 - Diaper sensor and patient management system comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to: a diaper sensor mounted on a diaper so as to detect gases generated from urine and feces; and a patient management system using same. The present invention can accurately detect defecation in real time so as to inform guardians such as caregivers of a defecation status.

Description

Diaper sensor and patient management system equipped with the same

The present invention relates to a diaper sensor that is mounted on a diaper and can detect the presence of feces and urine and a patient management system equipped therewith.

According to the resident registration population statistics of Korea's Ministry of Public Administration and Security on September 13, 2022, the population of seniors aged 65 or older is 9,146,396 as of August 2022.

Since Korea's elderly population exceeded 9 million for the first time in April 2022, it has been increasing by 30,000 to 40,000 people every month. If this trend continues, the elderly population is expected to exceed 10 million in 2024. In 2022, the National Statistical Office also predicted that the elderly population would exceed 10 million in 2024.

This increase in the elderly population inevitably leads to an increase in the elderly population requiring management.

Meanwhile, in most nursing hospitals in Korea, one caregiver is often in charge of a room for 6 to 7 people due to cost issues. Accordingly, diaper changes are often not carried out in a timely manner due to lack of manpower or labor costs.

In particular, if the patient does not change the diaper within 1 hour for urine or 10 minutes for stool, skin problems may occur when the patient has a bowel movement. If this problem persists or is repeated, it can lead to more serious problems such as bedsores or skin diseases. It can lead to a condition.

Therefore, recently, there is a growing need for a diaper sensor that can detect defecation in real time and inform guardians such as caregivers of the defecation status.

The present invention was created to meet the above-described needs, and provides a diaper sensor that is mounted on a diaper to detect the presence or absence of defecation and a patient management system equipped therewith.

A patient management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a diaper sensor; A communication unit wirelessly connected to the diaper sensor; A management unit connected to the communication unit and generating a notification signal containing notification information using a defecation signal transmitted from the communication unit; It includes a notification unit that receives a notification signal from the management unit and delivers notification information to the manager, and the diaper sensor includes a sensor unit mounted on the diaper and having a sensor that detects gas generated from urine and feces, and the sensor unit. and a control unit connected wirelessly or wired to control the sensor unit.

The sensor unit may include a gas sensor that detects any one or more selected from the group of ammonia, methane, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide.

It may further include a case having a space in which the gas sensor is mounted.

The sensor unit may be detachable from the outer surface of the diaper.

The present invention can accurately detect defecation in real time and inform guardians such as caregivers of the defecation status.

1 is a perspective view of a diaper sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor portion of the diaper sensor of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is another exploded perspective view of the sensor portion of the diaper sensor of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the diaper sensor of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a graph to explain the initial resistance value set on the control board of the diaper sensor of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a patient management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, an extracorporeal shock wave device for loading a target substance into a delivery vehicle according to the present invention will be described. In this process, the thickness of lines or sizes of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. In addition, the terms described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diaper sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sensor part of the diaper sensor of Figure 1, Figure 3 is another perspective view of the sensor part of the diaper sensor of Figure 1 exploded, Figure 4 is a block diagram of the diaper sensor of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a graph to explain the initial resistance value set on the control board of the diaper sensor of Figure 1.

1 to 5, the diaper sensor 100 of the present invention includes a sensor unit 110 and a control unit 120.

The sensor unit 110 can detect gas generated from urine or feces by contacting the outer surface of the diaper.

Specifically, the sensor unit 110 is characterized by detecting one or more selected from the group of ammonia, methane, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide generated from bowel movements.

The sensor unit 110 may be detachable from the backsheet, which is the outer surface of the diaper.

The control unit 120 is connected wirelessly or wired to the sensor unit 110, and can control the sensor unit 110 and analyze signals provided from the sensor unit 110.

The sensor unit 110 may include a case 111, a detachable part 112, and a gas sensor 113.

Spaces S1 and S2 in which the gas sensor 113 is mounted may be formed inside the case 111.

The case 111 may include a first case 1111 and a second case 1112.

The first surface of the first case 1111 may be in contact with the outer surface of the diaper.

The first case 1111 is formed with a plurality of first through-holes 1111h through which gases such as ammonia, methane, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide generated from defecation can flow.

A protrusion 1111p forming a first space S1 is formed inside the edge of the second surface, which is the rear surface of the first surface.

The gas sensor 113 is disposed in the first space (S1). Specifically, the gas sensor 113 is disposed in the first space S1 to face the plurality of first through holes 1111h.

The second case 1112 has a cap shape that can cover the protrusion 1111p, and a second space S2 is formed therein.

The second case 1112 may be combined with the protrusion 1111p of the first case 1111 to form the spaces S1 and S2.

A plurality of second through holes 1112h may be formed in the second case 1112.

Gas flowing into the plurality of first through holes 1111h may flow out of the plurality of second through holes 1112h.

Specifically, the gas flowing in from the plurality of first through holes (1111h) sequentially passes through the first space (S1) and the second space (S2) to the outside through the plurality of second through holes (1112h). Since the gas is discharged, the humidity in the spaces S1 and S2 increases and the performance of the gas sensor 113 is prevented from deteriorating.

The gas sensor 113 may be fixed to the mounting block 114 located inside the spaces S1 and S2. And the mounting block 114 is located between the first case 1111 and the second case 1112, and has a screw (sc) that penetrates the second case 1112 and is fixed to the first case 1111. ) is fixed between the first case 1111 and the second case 1112.

And the mounting block 114 is installed in the space (S1, It can be formed in a smaller size than S2).

That is, the mounting block 114 can be formed in a size that does not block the first space (S1) on the first case (1111) side and the second space (S2) on the second case (1112) side. there is.

Meanwhile, the penetration area of the plurality of first through holes 1111h may be formed to be larger than the penetration area of the plurality of second through holes 1112h. Therefore, the spaces S1 and S2 can be maintained appropriately filled with gas generated from defecation.

An adhesive surface 1111a is formed outside the edge of the second surface, that is, outside the protrusion 1111p forming the first space S1.

The detachable portion 112 is attached to the adhesive surface 1111a.

The detachable portion 112 may be made of a tape that can be attached and detached multiple times to the adhesive surface 1111a and the backsheet of the diaper.

The detachable portion 112 may be made into a ring shape in which both ends 112e are not connected to each other to facilitate detachment. Therefore, the user can easily attach or remove the detachable part 112 to the adhesive surface 1111a and the back sheet of the diaper.

The control unit 120 may include a control board 121, a button 122, a display unit 123, a speaker 124, and a memory 125.

The control board 121 is connected to the gas sensor 113 and can measure changes in the resistance value of the gas sensor 113 by applying current to the gas sensor 113.

The control board 121 can detect whether there is a bowel movement by detecting the change rate of the resistance value of the gas sensor 113 over time (see Figure 5).

The control board 121 can set a reference resistance value (R ₀ ) of the gas sensor 113.

In general, gas sensors exhibit different resistance values depending on the number of uses, age, environment of the diaper wearer's genitals, etc., and this difference in resistance values reduces the accuracy of measurement of the gas sensor 113.

In the present invention, the control board 121 can set the reference resistance value (R ₀ ) of the gas sensor 113. The reference resistance value (R ₀ ) is defined as the initial resistance value at the time (t ₀ ) when the gas sensor 113 detects defecation gas.

By measuring changes in the resistance value of the gas sensor 113 based on the reference resistance value (R ₀ ), it is possible to accurately determine whether there is a bowel movement.

The memory 125 stores information on whether or not a bowel movement occurs due to a change in resistance value. In addition, the information regarding whether or not the person has defecated may be individually stored in the memory 125 according to the starting resistance value. Here, the starting resistance value means a resistance value that matches the reference resistance value (R ₀ ).

The control board 121 is connected to the memory 125.

The control board 121 matches the change in the resistance value of the gas sensor 113 measured based on the reference resistance value (R ₀ ) with the information on whether or not the bowel movement is previously stored in the memory 125, It is possible to determine whether there is a bowel movement or not.

The display unit 123 is connected to the control board 121 and may be composed of a plurality of LEDs. According to the signal from the control board 121, the remaining battery capacity of the control unit 120 and information regarding defecation measured by the sensor unit 110 can be visually displayed externally.

The speaker 124 is connected to the control board 121 and provides information about the remaining battery capacity of the control unit 120 and whether or not a bowel movement is measured by the sensor unit 110 according to a signal from the control board 121. It can be displayed externally by hearing.

The button 122 is connected to the control board 121 and can input signals for operation and power supply of the control board 121.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a patient management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the patient management system 200 of the present invention may include a diaper sensor 100, a communication unit 210, a management unit 220, and a notification unit 230.

The diaper sensor 100 is wirelessly connected to the communication unit 210.

The communication unit 210 is installed in each hospital room, and is wirelessly connected to the diaper sensor 100 worn by patients hospitalized in each hospital room. Here, a hospital room refers to a space that can accommodate one or more patients.

For example, two patients can wear the diaper sensors 100 in each hospital room, and the communication unit 210 can be wirelessly connected to the diaper sensors 100 worn by the two patients.

For this purpose, the diaper sensor 100 may be equipped with a communication module that is wirelessly connected to the communication unit 210. For example, the communication module of the diaper sensor 100 and the communication unit 210 may be connected to each other through wireless communication such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

When the sensor unit 110 of the diaper sensor 100 detects ammonia, methane, sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, etc., the control unit 120 analyzes the signal provided from the sensor unit 110 and analyzes the analyzed defecation signal. Can be transmitted to the communication unit 210 through the communication module.

The communication unit 210 may transmit the defecation signal transmitted through the communication module to the management unit 220.

The management unit 220 generates a notification signal containing notification information through pre-stored patient information such as the patient's age, symptoms, and gender, and a defecation signal transmitted from the communication unit 210, and the notification A notification signal may be transmitted to the unit 230.

Specifically, the management unit 220 may use patient information and defecation signals to generate a notification signal containing notification information regarding whether the patient needs to change a diaper.

The notification unit 230 can deliver notification information about whether a diaper change is necessary to a manager who can manage the patient, such as a caregiver, nursing assistant, nurse, or doctor, based on the notification information of the notification signal.

The notification unit 230 can be anything that can deliver information to the manager, such as a speaker or display.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but these are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. You will understand. Additionally, the present invention can be used in other fields. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined in the claims below.

Claims (8)

A sensor unit mounted on the diaper and equipped with a sensor to detect gases generated from urine and feces; A diaper sensor comprising a control unit that is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the sensor unit and controls the sensor unit. In claim 1, The sensor unit is a diaper sensor including a gas sensor that detects one or more selected from the group of ammonia, methane, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. In claim 2, A diaper sensor further comprising a case having a space in which the gas sensor is mounted. In claim 2, A diaper sensor, wherein the sensor unit is removable from the outer surface of the diaper. diaper sensor; A communication unit wirelessly connected to the diaper sensor; A management unit connected to the communication unit and generating a notification signal containing notification information using a defecation signal transmitted from the communication unit; It includes a notification unit that receives a notification signal from the management unit and delivers notification information to the manager, The diaper sensor is, A sensor unit mounted on the diaper and equipped with a sensor to detect gases generated from urine and feces; A patient management system comprising a control unit that is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the sensor unit and controls the sensor unit. In claim 1, The sensor unit is a patient management system including a gas sensor that detects one or more selected from the group of ammonia, methane, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide. In claim 2, A patient management system further comprising a case having a space in which the gas sensor is mounted. In claim 2, A patient management system, wherein the sensor unit is removable from the outer surface of the diaper.

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