Incontinence detection optimization using directional wicking
An incontinence detection pad for detecting incontinence events includes a moisture absorbent layer that has non-embossed areas and embossed areas. The non-embossed areas have a first density of fibers of the layer, and the embossed areas have a second density of fibers of the layer that is greater than the first density. The incontinence detection pad further includes a plurality of electrodes positioned beneath the moisture absorbent layer and a transmitter connected to the plurality of electrodes and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a status of the moisture absorbent layer.
1. An incontinence detection pad comprising:
a moisture absorbent layer having (i) non-embossed areas with a first density of fibers of the moisture absorbent layer and (ii) embossed areas with a second density of fibers of the moisture absorbent layer, the second density being greater than the first density, wherein the embossed areas comprise grooves that are provided in a top surface and a bottom surface of the moisture absorbent layer with respective pairs of the grooves in the top and bottom surfaces being aligned with each other,
a plurality of electrodes positioned beneath the moisture absorbent layer, wherein the plurality electrodes are arranged in an interdigitated pattern,
a transmitter connected to the plurality of electrodes and configured to transmit a signal indicative of a status of the moisture absorbent layer, wherein the transmitter includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and antenna, and
a pair of quarter wave resonant stubs each being spaced from the antenna and coupled to a respective one of the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.
2. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the embossed areas are configured to draw moisture toward a peripheral region of the incontinence detection pad.
3. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , further including a top layer positioned atop the moisture absorbent layer, wherein the top layer includes a nonwoven moisture-wicking material that is oriented horizontally along the top layer.
4. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrodes is printed on a barrier layer positioned underneath the moisture absorbent layer.
5. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the moisture absorbent layer includes a moisture absorbent material forming an increasing density gradient and wherein the increasing density gradient is formed from a top surface to a bottom surface of the moisture absorbent layer.
6. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag.
7. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to communicate with a reader that evaluates the transmitted signal to determine the status of the moisture absorbent layer.
8. The incontinence detection pad of claim 7 , wherein the reader is an RFID reader.
9. The incontinence detection pad of claim 7 , wherein the reader is further configured to wirelessly communicate with a server to alert a caregiver of the status of the moisture absorbent layer.
10. The incontinence detection pad of claim 9 , wherein the server is included in a nurse call system or in an electronic medical record (EMR) system.
11. The incontinence detection pad of claim 7 , wherein the reader is further configured to communicate with a server to alert a caregiver of the status of the moisture absorbent layer via a wired connection.
12. The incontinence detection pad of claim 11 , wherein the wired connection comprises a nurse call cable.
13. The incontinence detection pad of claim 7 , wherein the reader is further configured to communicate with a notification system to alert a caregiver of the status of the moisture absorbent layer.
14. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the embossed areas are compressed into a pre-determined pattern.
15. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the embossed areas form a sinusoidal wave pattern.
16. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the embossed areas form a zig-zag pattern.
17. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the embossed areas form a pattern having non-intersecting lines.
18. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein the embossed areas form a pattern having non-intersecting lines that horizontally extend along the moisture absorbent layer.
19. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , wherein each quarter wave resonant stub is interposed between the RFID tag and each respective electrode of the plurality of electrodes.
20. The incontinence detection pad of claim 1 , further comprising a phasing and matching network coupled to the plurality of electrodes.