Baby Diaper Wetness Detector and Indicator

Senior DesignProf. M. BiksonProf. M. BiksonProf. L. CardosoProf. L. Cardoso

T.A.: Limary CancelT.A.: Limary CancelDr.QiuDr.Qiu

Sponsor: Dr. Daniel FaberSponsor: Dr. Daniel Faber

Seynabou NdawSeynabou NdawSabera IslamSabera IslamLaToya DavisLaToya Davis

Lubna ChoudhuryLubna ChoudhuryMarwa ChoudhuryMarwa Choudhury

A.H. Rezwanuddin AhmedA.H. Rezwanuddin AhmedDate: Feb 19Date: Feb 19thth, 2008, 2008

IntroductionIntroductionWhy do we need a baby diaper Why do we need a baby diaper

wetness detector?wetness detector?Urine and defecation consists Urine and defecation consists of Hof H22S, COS, CO22, H, H22, CH, CH44, , Methanethiol, sulfur Methanethiol, sulfur gases,ammonia and water. gases,ammonia and water. [Jiang et al,2001] [Jiang et al,2001] Direct skin contact with these Direct skin contact with these chemicals leads to skin chemicals leads to skin breakdown, rash, irritation and breakdown, rash, irritation and discomfortdiscomfortCan alert the caretaker and Can alert the caretaker and parents about when there is a parents about when there is a significant amount of urination significant amount of urination and defecation in diaperand defecation in diaper

www.nlm.nih.gov/.../ency/fullsize/17154.jpg

Why do we need a baby diaper Why do we need a baby diaper wetness detector?wetness detector?

Inconvenient for parents or caretaker to check Inconvenient for parents or caretaker to check babybaby’’s diaper in public places or while driving.s diaper in public places or while driving.

Can improve the quality of life of both wearer Can improve the quality of life of both wearer and caretaker.and caretaker.

There is a great need for the device to minimize There is a great need for the device to minimize the labor of the caretaker and to keep baby the labor of the caretaker and to keep baby healthy and clean.healthy and clean.

Design Specifications for the Baby Diaper Wetness Detector and

Indicator*All specifications are applicable to healthy individuals of all age groups and sexes who are potential wearers/users of the stated device.

Definitions:Alert Cases are situations in which the device alerts the caretaker that it has detected urine or feces.

Abnormal motion is defined as motion in which the device and/or any device related component(s) undergoes rapid acceleration or deceleration resulting in a force or forces that would cause a 1 (one) year old child minimal or serious physiological harm or death.

Normal motion Normal motion is defined as situations in which the is defined as situations in which the device is operated and/or handled in ways that do not device is operated and/or handled in ways that do not involve abnormal motion for any period of time.involve abnormal motion for any period of time.

False indicationFalse indication is when the device falsely alerts the is when the device falsely alerts the caretaker when there is less than 10ml of urine in the caretaker when there is less than 10ml of urine in the diaper.diaper.

False detectionFalse detection is when the deviceis when the device’’s sensors react as if it s sensors react as if it detected urine or stool in the absence thereof detected urine or stool in the absence thereof ANDAND as a as a consequence, the device falsely alerts the caretaker. consequence, the device falsely alerts the caretaker. Such situations may be caused by the wearer sitting on Such situations may be caused by the wearer sitting on a wet and/or metal surface or as a result of a wet and/or metal surface or as a result of normal normal motion.motion.

Parameter Parameter JustificationJustification

Applicable DiapersApplicable Diapers Compatible with Pampers subCompatible with Pampers sub--brands: brands: Swaddlers (N, 1,2,2Swaddlers (N, 1,2,2--3), Cruisers 3), Cruisers (3,4,5,6,7), Baby Dry (1,2,3,4,5,6), and (3,4,5,6,7), Baby Dry (1,2,3,4,5,6), and Easy Ups (4,5,6)Easy Ups (4,5,6)

The device will not The device will not compromise the compromise the integrity of any integrity of any part of the diaperpart of the diaper

If the device and/or any device related If the device and/or any device related components would be attached to the components would be attached to the diaper, such articles will do so without diaper, such articles will do so without cutting through the diaper.cutting through the diaper.

Should not reduce Should not reduce holding integrityholding integrity

(A)(A) No component of the device will No component of the device will decrease the diaper manufacturerdecrease the diaper manufacturer’’s s holding capacity of urination and holding capacity of urination and defecation. defecation. (B)(B) No component of the No component of the device shall interfere with the absorbent device shall interfere with the absorbent polymer gel.polymer gel.

Required Specifications

Reliability Reliability (A)(A) The device will accurately detect the The device will accurately detect the stated minimum amount of urine and stool stated minimum amount of urine and stool in at least 90% of in at least 90% of alert cases.alert cases. (B)(B) The The device will undergo device will undergo false indication false indication in no in no more than 20% ofmore than 20% of alert casesalert cases. . (C)(C) The The device will undergo device will undergo false detectionfalse detection in no in no more than 10% of more than 10% of alert casesalert cases. . (D)(D) All All standards will be demonstrated through standards will be demonstrated through trials and testing. trials and testing. (E)(E) The device will not be The device will not be held to any reliability standards under held to any reliability standards under abnormal motionabnormal motion

ComfortableComfortable The child will not show evidence of The child will not show evidence of discomfort while in contact and/or while discomfort while in contact and/or while wearing the device and/or any device wearing the device and/or any device components (i.e. crying, grimacing) (4,5,6)components (i.e. crying, grimacing) (4,5,6)

Will not be Will not be hazardoushazardous

(A)(A) The device and/or any device related The device and/or any device related components will not compromise the childcomponents will not compromise the child’’s s skin integrity as will be demonstrated through skin integrity as will be demonstrated through the absence of devicethe absence of device--related rash and skin related rash and skin breakdowns. breakdowns. (B)(B) No materials used in the No materials used in the device or in any device components that are device or in any device components that are directly in contact with the child will cause directly in contact with the child will cause harmful physiological effects and no harmful physiological effects and no physiological harm will be caused to the child physiological harm will be caused to the child or caregiver as a result of the device and/or or caregiver as a result of the device and/or any device related components.any device related components.

UserUser--friendlyfriendly

Caregivers will be able to use the device Caregivers will be able to use the device without requiring written instructions.without requiring written instructions.

Price of Price of disposable disposable sensor(s)sensor(s)

Price of disposable sensor(s): under $20 per Price of disposable sensor(s): under $20 per week. Price of oneweek. Price of one--time purchase of device: time purchase of device:

under $50. Total initial cost: $50 + $20 = $70under $50. Total initial cost: $50 + $20 = $70

Disposable Disposable Any components of or relating to the Any components of or relating to the device that are placed or attached device that are placed or attached inside of the diaper must be inside of the diaper must be disposable disposable

Urination and Urination and defecation sensor(s) defecation sensor(s) and sensor(s) and sensor(s) sensitivity sensitivity

(A)(A) Sensor(s) must be able to detect Sensor(s) must be able to detect a minimum of 100 ml of urine and a minimum of 100 ml of urine and 0.2 lb of stool. 0.2 lb of stool. (B) (B) Sensors will not Sensors will not detect less than 10 ml of urine. )detect less than 10 ml of urine. )

Maximum Maximum dimensions of dimensions of sensor(s) (inside the sensor(s) (inside the diaper)diaper)

385 mm x 250mm x 5 mm 385 mm x 250mm x 5 mm

Weight of Weight of the device the device (related to (related to child safetychild safety

(A)(A) The sum total weight of the device The sum total weight of the device including sensor(s), indicator(s), and all including sensor(s), indicator(s), and all other device related components must be other device related components must be less than 250g if such components are less than 250g if such components are attached to the child and/or any article(s) of attached to the child and/or any article(s) of clothing or apparel such as diapers that the clothing or apparel such as diapers that the child would be wearing. child would be wearing. (B)(B) If the device If the device or any device components are placed on a or any device components are placed on a stroller, crib, or playpen, the sum total of all stroller, crib, or playpen, the sum total of all components of the device placed in this way components of the device placed in this way must be less than 5 1bs. must be less than 5 1bs. (C)(C) The device The device and/or any related components that are not and/or any related components that are not in contact with the child in the ways stated in contact with the child in the ways stated above must weigh less than 20 1bs total above must weigh less than 20 1bs total sum.sum.

Parameter Parameter JustificationJustificationApplicable to wide Applicable to wide range of the range of the diapersdiapers

The device is preferred to be The device is preferred to be compatible with all Huggies, Pampers, compatible with all Huggies, Pampers, and Luvs brands and sub brandsand Luvs brands and sub brands

Weight of the Weight of the device device

If the device and/or any components of If the device and/or any components of the device are inside of the diaper, the the device are inside of the diaper, the sum total weight of all such objects is sum total weight of all such objects is preferred to be under 70g.preferred to be under 70g.

Cost of the Cost of the disposable sensordisposable sensor

Under $5 per week.Under $5 per week.Total initial cost: $55Total initial cost: $55

Urination and Urination and defecation defecation sensor(s) and sensor(s) and sensor(s) sensor(s) sensitivity sensitivity

It is preferred that the urination and It is preferred that the urination and defecation sensor(s) detect from defecation sensor(s) detect from outside of the diaper. It is preferred outside of the diaper. It is preferred that the sensor(s) will be able to detect that the sensor(s) will be able to detect a minimum of 40 ml urination and 0.2 a minimum of 40 ml urination and 0.2 1b defecation1b defecation

Desired Specifications

Maximum Maximum Dimensions Dimensions (inside the diaper (inside the diaper

40mm x 40mm x 5mm40mm x 40mm x 5mm

MaterialsMaterials It is preferred that the sensor(s) be It is preferred that the sensor(s) be biodegradable biodegradable

Electric wires Electric wires It is preferred not to have electric wires It is preferred not to have electric wires inside of the diaper.inside of the diaper.

Reliability Reliability The device will accurately detect the The device will accurately detect the stated preferred amount of urine and stated preferred amount of urine and defecation 100% of the time with no defecation 100% of the time with no false positives or failures in all motion false positives or failures in all motion (normal and abnormal) cases. (normal and abnormal) cases.

There are different kinds of detectors are patented There are different kinds of detectors are patented --------------Color changeColor changeGas detectorGas detectorCapacitor sensorCapacitor sensorThermal sensorThermal sensorElectrode resistance changeElectrode resistance changeRadio Frequency tagRadio Frequency tag

Electrodes Resistance ChangeElectrodes Resistance Change

[I] Patent# 5557263[I] Patent# 5557263--System for detection of System for detection of electrically conductive electrically conductive fluidsfluids

Limitations:Limitations:The sensor is too big and it The sensor is too big and it

has electrical circuits and has electrical circuits and wires going through the wires going through the diaper.diaper.

RF TechnologyRF Technology

Patent # 6774800 Patent # 6774800 -- Patient incontinence Patient incontinence monitoring apparatus and method of use thereofmonitoring apparatus and method of use thereofPatent # US 20020145525 Patent # US 20020145525 -- Patient incontinence Patient incontinence monitoring apparatus and method of use thereofmonitoring apparatus and method of use thereof

Limitations:Limitations:It does not detect defecationIt does not detect defecation

Fig :RF tag http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=1&attid=0.3&disp=inline&view=att&th=117a2415159fd664

Fig :RF transmitter and receiverhttp://www.lemosint.com/scripts/tx3.asp

Color changeColor change

•Patent # 3675654 – Disposable article with moisture-actuated indicating agent

Limitations:Does not detect defecationIt does not provide remote indication

Gas DetectorGas Detector

[I] Patent # 5709222 [I] Patent # 5709222 -- Body waste detection Body waste detection and alarm systemand alarm system

Filter

Electrode

Electrode

Terminals

CapacitorCapacitor SensorSensor

[I] Patent # 4653491[I] Patent # 4653491-- Water content sensing Water content sensing and informing system for a disposable diaper and informing system for a disposable diaper (Okada et al, Nippon Kodoshi Corp. Japan,1987)(Okada et al, Nippon Kodoshi Corp. Japan,1987)

[II] Patent # 2005/0195085A1[II] Patent # 2005/0195085A1-- Wireless Wireless monitoring system of diaper wetness, motion, monitoring system of diaper wetness, motion, temperature and sound temperature and sound

[III] Patent # 5903222[III] Patent # 5903222 -- Wet garment Wet garment detector(Kawarizadeh et al. Zaggie Inc., 1999)detector(Kawarizadeh et al. Zaggie Inc., 1999)

Capacitor Sensor ContCapacitor Sensor Cont’’dd

Capacitor Sensor ContCapacitor Sensor Cont’’dd

Limitations:Limitations:

It can detect only urine.It can detect only urine.

Manufacturer has to incorporate it.Manufacturer has to incorporate it.

It has electrical circuit and wires going through It has electrical circuit and wires going through the diaperthe diaper

Thermal SensorThermal Sensor

Patent # 2002/0026164 A1 Patent # 2002/0026164 A1 –– Diaper with Diaper with wetness detector (Inventor: Camarero wetness detector (Inventor: Camarero Roy et al of P.L.L.C)Roy et al of P.L.L.C)

Limitations:Limitations:It does not detect defecationIt does not detect defecationManufacturer has to incorporate itManufacturer has to incorporate it

Thermal Sensor ContThermal Sensor Cont……

Concept Design: Gas Detector + Wetness Array

US Patent No. 20070252712A1http://www.canarysense.com/crm_uploads/02-gasalertclip-xt_o2-200x341.jpg

Used in books/ ID tags/ ID systemsUsed in books/ ID tags/ ID systemsPassive, semiPassive, semi--passive and active RFIDpassive and active RFID

RF Technology?RF Technology?

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/smart-label-diagram.gif

RF Technology?RF Technology?

Our use:Our use:Using human urine as a conducting Using human urine as a conducting ““coilcoil””Active RF/ Passive BackscatteringActive RF/ Passive Backscattering

ReferencesReferences

[1] Jiang, T.; Gas Production by Feces of Infants, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 32:534–541, May 2001.[2] Images of transmitter and receiver: http://www.lemosint.com/scripts/tx3.asp [3] Images of RFID tag: http://www.gadgetell.com/images/032006/rfidlabel2.jpg[4] Image of H2S gas sensor: http://www.e2v.com/files/sensors/ec430.pdf