Method of detecting detachment of an ostomy device from a patient
A method of detecting detachment of an ostomy device from a patient includes providing, in the ostomy device, a first electrode separated from the patient by an adhesive that attaches the ostomy device to the patient, where a first capacitor is formed between the first electrode and the patient. The method includes applying a signal to an electrical circuit that includes the first capacitor, and detecting changes in a capacitance value of the first capacitor based on frequency responses of the electrical circuit to the signal. The method additionally includes activating an alarm based upon detecting the changes in the capacitance value of the first capacitor.
1. A method of operating an ostomy device, comprising:
providing, in the ostomy device, a first electrode separated from a patient by a first adhesive layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface opposes the first surface, wherein the first surface is configured to attach the ostomy device to the patient, the first electrode having a ring shape that encircles a stoma opening and separated from the patient by the first adhesive layer, wherein a second electrode has a ring shape that encircles the first electrode and is separated from the patient by the first adhesive layer, wherein the ring-shaped portion of the first electrode and the ring-shaped portion of the second electrode are distal the first adhesive layer and in contact with the second surface of the first adhesive layer such that fluid emanating in any direction from the stoma opening and absorbed by the first adhesive layer can be sensed via a change in resistance in the first adhesive layer, wherein a second adhesive layer has a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the fourth surface opposes the third surface, wherein a portion of the third surface adheres to a portion of the second surface, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are proximal the third surface of the second adhesive layer;
detecting changes in resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode; and
activating an alarm based upon detecting the changes in the resistance.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting changes in the resistance corresponds to at least a partial detachment of the ostomy device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting changes in the resistance corresponds to a leak.
4. A method of manufacturing an ostomy device having a leak sensor comprising:
providing a first adhesive layer having a first surface and a second surface that opposes the first surface;
positioning an electrically conductive pattern including a ring-shaped first electrode on the second surface, and a ring-shaped second electrode on the second surface;
providing a second adhesive layer having a third surface and a fourth surface that opposes the third surface; and
adhering the first adhesive layer to the third surface of the second adhesive layer, with the second surface facing the third surface, wherein the ring-shaped portion of the first electrode is proximal the third surface of the second adhesive layer and the ring-shaped portion of the second electrode is proximal the third surface of the second adhesive layer.
5. The method of claim 4 , comprising:
applying a shield to face the first surface and electrically shield the at least two electrodes.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first electrode and the second electrode are full circles.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending, by a reader unit of the ostomy device, a signal to an event handling device, wherein the event handling device activates the alarm.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the event handling device is a device operated by a service center or health care personnel.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the event handling device is a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, an iPod, a laptop, or a PC.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is one or more selected from the group of: an acoustic signal, a vibration, and a light signal.
11. The method of claim 4 , further comprising attaching a reader unit to the ostomy device.
12. An ostomy device, comprising:
a first adhesive layer that attaches the ostomy device to a patient, the first adhesive layer having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface opposes the first surface, and wherein the first surface is configured to attach the ostomy device to a patient;
a ring-shaped first electrode arranged distal the first adhesive layer and in contact with the second surface of the first adhesive layer, wherein the ring of the first electrode contacts the first adhesive layer such that fluid emanating in any direction from a stoma opening in the first adhesive layer and absorbed by the first adhesive layer can be sensed by the first electrode via a change in resistance in the first adhesive layer due to absorption of the fluid, and wherein the first adhesive layer separates the first electrode from the patient;
a ring-shaped second electrode arranged distal the first adhesive layer, in contact with the second surface of the first adhesive layer and encircling the first electrode;
a second adhesive layer having a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the fourth surface opposes the third surface, wherein a portion of the third surface adheres to a portion of the second surface, and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are proximal the third surface of the second adhesive layer; and
a reader unit configured to detect a change in resistance between the first electrode and the second electrode.
13. The ostomy device of claim 12 , wherein the change in resistance corresponds to at least a partial detachment of the ostomy device.
14. The ostomy device of claim 12 , wherein the change in resistance corresponds to a leak.
15. The ostomy device of claim 12 , wherein one or more of the first electrode and the second electrode are full circles.
16. The ostomy device of claim 12 , wherein the reader unit is configured to activate an alarm in response to detecting the change in resistance.
17. The ostomy device of claim 12 , the reader unit comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a signal to an event handling device, wherein the event handling device activates an alarm in response detecting the change in resistance.
18. The ostomy device of claim 17 , wherein the event handling device is a device operated by a service center or health care personnel.
19. The ostomy device of claim 17 , wherein the event handling device is a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, an iPod, a laptop, or a PC.
20. The ostomy device of claim 17 , wherein the alarm is one or more selected from the group of: an acoustic signal, a vibration, and a light signal.
21. The ostomy device of claim 17 , wherein the signal is a short-range signal.