A system for logging incontinence events using a simple disposable sensor

Ambulatory device for urinary incontinence detection in females

This paper describes the design and use of an ambulatory monitoring device for recording urological response to intense physical activities of women. The system integrates a tri-axial accelerometer, a 360 degree biaxial inclinometer and a specially designed urine leakage detector(ULD) for sensing body motion and urine discharge. The device is small, lightweight and battery powered, and can be worn comfortably. All recordings are taken non-invasively and transmitted wirelessly to a receiver for real-time data logging. The experimental results show that the proposed system can record acceleration, inclination efficiently and detect urine leakage of amounts from 0.5ml to 10ml accurately. The unique design of the ULD sensor exempts it from sweating interference during vigorous activities.

A computerised real-time measurement system to locate the position of the urine stream in designing urine collection devices for women

A computerised real-time measurement system has been developed and tested for locating the position of the urine stream into a handheld urinal and onto a body-worn pad using arrays of resistive or optical sensors. Experimental data indicates that urine streams were usually scattered over quite a large cross-sectional area (typically 30mm in the anterior/posterior direction) at the point of entry into handheld urinals. However, a correctly placed aperture of length 90mm would have successfully received all the urine from the total of 36 clinical experiments run with seven women. Similarly, experiments to determine the initial position of the urine stream onto body-worn pads indicated that a target area of length 120mm would have received the initial stream of urine from all 54 clinical experiments with 18 women. These data have been used to help with the design of a handheld urinal and a body-worn urine collection interface (the latter using the body-worn pad data) to be used in two variants of a new urine collection device for women (NICMS). Although both resistive and optical sensors provided useful data, the reliability of optical sensors was often compromised by droplets of urine splashing onto light sources or detectors. Future work should focus on protecting them from splashing.

Evaluation of an electronic monitoring device for urinary incontinence in elderly patients in an acute care setting

AIM

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the use of habit training with an electronic monitoring device is better than standard habit training in the assessment and management of urinary incontinence in elderly patients in acute care hospitals. The second aim was to describe nurses' perceptions of continence management in acute care settings.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial was conducted for an 18-month period.

SAMPLE AND SETTING

The sample consisted of 41 elderly incontinent patients who resided on the acute care rehabilitation wards of 2 western Australian hospitals.

INSTRUMENTS

A continence assessment form was used to document self-reported or carer-reported frequency and severity of incontinence. A continence monitoring chart was used to record voiding patterns and continence outcomes. A semi-structured interview guide was developed to elicit nurses' perceptions of continence management.

RESULTS

Findings revealed no significant improvements in the self-reported or carer-reported frequency of incontinence from baseline to follow-up of in-patients and at 1 month after discharge, although there was a trend toward improvement in both the experimental and the control groups at the posttest time points. A significant reduction in self-reported or carer-reported severity of incontinence was demonstrated in the experimental group at 1 month follow-up (P = 5.025).Nurses' perceptions of continence management of elderly patients in acute care settings ranged from positive to extremely negative. Even those with positive perceptions were challenged by problems with device malfunction, perceptions of lack of time, lack of support from other staff, and lack of knowledge about how best to meet the continence management needs of this complex group of patients.

CONCLUSION

The potential value of an electronic monitoring device for reducing incontinence could not be adequately assessed because of the small sample size and problems with the device and with implementing the study protocol. Although it was possible to determine a pattern in voiding times using the electronic device, compliance with the toileting regimen was difficult to achieve.Researchers and clinicians planning future studies with this device should be aware of the practical limitations associated with habit-training regimens for elderly patients in the acute care setting.

Mapping liquid distribution in absorbent incontinence products

This paper reviews methods available for mapping the distribution of fluid in incontinence pad materials to assist with evaluating existing products and developing new ones, and to provide data for building and validating predictive models. Specifically, the following technologies are considered and their strengths and limitations described: discrete sensors based on conductance, temperature or optical measurements, optical imaging, gravimetric methods, X-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. It is suggested that the ideal method would enable fluid distribution to be mapped in three dimensions with good spatial and time resolution in single materials and composite structures of simple and complex geometries under static and dynamic mechanical loading. It would also allow liquid to be mapped in products when worn by users. It is concluded that, although each existing method meets some of these requirements, and each requirement is met, at least reasonably well, by at least one method, improved techniques are needed. The particular need for methods that can provide some measurement of liquid saturation within absorbent products, both in the laboratory and in real use, is highlighted. In many cases, simple methods used appropriately are sufficient to elicit the important aspects of liquid transport and storage within absorbent products.