Monitoring Device, System, and Method for Incontinence Sensor Pad and Transmitter

1 . A monitoring device, comprising:

a sensor configured to determine moisture data associated with moisture in a pad; and

a transmitter configured to connect to the sensor and transmit the moisture data to a computer system comprising one or more processors.

2 . The monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the moisture data is associated with at least one of the following: a moisture level in the pad, a moisture location in the pad, a moisture type in the pad, or any combination thereof.

3 . The monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is attached to an interior of a garment.

4 . The monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor and the transmitter are removably connectable.

5 . The monitoring device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor pad comprising:

a top layer formed of a flexible material;

an integrated sensor layer including the sensor; and

an absorption layer disposed between the top layer and the integrated sensor layer.

6 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the top layer wicks a fluid across an area of the top layer.

7 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the absorption layer absorbs and stores a fluid.

8 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , further comprising a powder disposed within the absorption layer, wherein the powder forms into a gel as the absorption layer absorbs a fluid.

9 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the integrated sensor layer further comprises:

a first sensor arranged in an interior central detection zone; and

a second sensor arranged in a perimeter detection zone.

10 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the integrated sensor layer further comprises:

a first sensor arranged in a first spiral configuration;

a second sensor arranged in a second spiral configuration; and

a third sensor arranged in a rectangular configuration outside the first spiral configuration and the second spiral configuration.

11 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the integrated sensor layer is waterproof.

12 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the integrated sensor layer includes a perforation.

13 . The monitoring device of claim 5 , wherein the transmitter comprises:

a top portion;

a bottom portion; and

a connection portion that movably connects the top portion and the bottom portion between an open position and a closed position.

14 . The monitoring device of claim 13 , wherein, with the connection portion in the closed position, a cavity is formed between the top portion and the bottom portion.

15 . The monitoring device of claim 14 , wherein the transmitter further comprises an electrical connector.

16 . The monitoring device of claim 15 , wherein, with the connection portion in the closed position, a portion of the sensor is received through the cavity of the transmitter and contacts the electrical connector to connect the transmitter and the sensor.

17 . The monitoring device of claim 16 , wherein the sensor is energized with a ground signal, and wherein, with moisture on the integrated sensor layer, a circuit is formed with the transmitter.

18 . The monitoring device of claim 17 , wherein the transmitter comprises at least one processor programmed or configured to recognize and transmit characteristics of electric signals in the circuit.

19 . The monitoring device of claim 17 , wherein the transmitter comprises at least one processor programmed or configured to monitor, with the computer system, the moisture information and send an alert to a user based on the moisture information.

20 . The monitoring device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed or configured to recognize and transmit a capacitance of the sensor.

21 . The monitoring device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed or configured to recognize and transmit an inductance of the sensor.

22 . The monitoring device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed or configured to recognize and transmit a temperature of the sensor.

23 . The monitoring device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed or configured to recognize and transmit an impedance of the sensor.

24 . The monitoring device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is programmed or configured to recognize and transmit characteristics of the moisture information.

25 . The monitoring device of claim 13 , wherein the transmitter is re-usable and the sensor is disposable.

26 . A monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor configured to determine moisture data associated with moisture in a pad;

a transmitter configured to connect to the sensor and transmit the moisture data to a computer system comprising one or more processors; and

the computer system configured to receive the moisture data from the transmitter to determine when a patient needs attention and send an alert to a user based on the moisture data.

27 . A computer-implemented method for monitoring a pad, comprising:

providing connection points, the connections points for transmitting power to, and receiving one or more signals associated with, a pad;

receiving, with a computer comprising one or more processors, moisture data associated with moisture in the pad;

determining, with a computer comprising one or more processors, when a patient needs attention; and

transmitting, with the computer comprising one or more processors, an alert based on the moisture data.