CN1328476A

CN1328476A - Disposable article having bodily waste component sensor

Info

Publication number: CN1328476A
Application number: CN99810229A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 唐纳德·C·罗; 尤里·费多索夫; 米克黑尔·克鲁什宁; 奥利格·库米亚科夫; 安德烈亚斯·马斯喀特
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Ltd
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Ltd; Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1998-06-29
Filing date: 1999-06-29
Publication date: 2001-12-26
Also published as: HUP0103186A2; DE69935329T2; ATE355088T1; ID28944A; AU4842199A; DE69935329D1; WO2000000233A1; TR200003819T2; BR9911750A; CA2336025A1; JP2003520615A; CA2336025C; HUP0103186A3; CZ20004751A3

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a disposable article that comprises a sensor adapted to detect one or more specific biological, health and/or nutrition markers in the wearer's feces. The article may also signal the caretaker, the wearer, or an actuator of the occurrence.

Description

Disposable product with bodily waste component sensor

Invention field

The present invention relates to disposable product, more specifically, relate to the biosensor of biological identification element and/or be suitable for detecting and/or measure as healthy or or the disposable product of the pick off of the feces component of nutrient indicator with the microorganism that detects in the bodily waste and/or other biomolecule.

Background of invention

At present, the disposable product as diaper, adult-incontinence medicated underpants, sanitary towel and tampon has been widely used in to be taken care of infant and begins to learn the child who walks, and the device that is used to hold, isolate and handle bodily waste under the situation of taking care of the incontinence adult.As the preferred mode in these application scenarios, these articles for use are because its convenience and reliability have replaced those reusable, rinsable cloth matter medicated clothings basically.Disposable product responds defecation, urinates or the drainage incident by absorbing or holding the bodily waste that is deposited on the articles for use.When defecation, urinate or after the drainage incident took place, some disposable product also sent signal (for example Wetting indicator, variations in temperature detector).Other disposable absorbent article well known in the art comprises chemical reaction equipment to detect various materials such as pH or the ion in wearer's refuse such as the urine.Yet, these articles for use can not specifically detect the potential pathogenic microorganism of target such as antibacterial, virus, fungus and parasite (as protozoacide) and/or relevant biomolecule, all these need be to the selectivity (that is specificity) and the sensitivity of the height of pure chemistry reagent.And these articles for use can not specifically detect as the chemical constituent in the wearer's of the label of potential health problem and/or nutriture the feces.In addition, these articles for use can not predict when the incident relevant with health or nutrition will take place, and give this wearer or care-giver the signal with needs prevention or remedial action before the symptom that can not can observe clinically takes place.

Summary of the invention

The disposable product that is applicable to the wearer comprises: comprise the biosensor of at least one biological identification element, this biosensor is suitable for detecting in the bodily waste or the target organism analyte on the wearers skin.The disposable product that is applicable to the wearer comprises: be applicable to and detect in the wearer's body refuse or the healthy label on the wearers skin or the pick off of nutritional marker.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 is that articles for use prepared in accordance with the present invention are the plane graph of the flattened state of diaper, and wherein some part in the structure is removed, so that clearly show that the structure of articles for use, wherein said articles for use are diapers;

Before representing to activate, Fig. 2 is in the perspective view of the bodily waste spacer assembly of the present invention of compressive state;

Fig. 2 A represents along the sectional view of Fig. 2 center line 2A-2A intercepting;

Fig. 3 A represents to have the desirable output function of the discontinuous responsive system of the present invention of single threshold value;

Fig. 3 B represents to have the desirable output function of the discontinuous responsive system of the present invention of a plurality of threshold values;

Fig. 4 A represents the exemplary output function of discontinuous responsive system of the present invention and single order, second order and three order derivatives of output function;

Fig. 4 B represents to have the transfer function of the control system that a series of first order with identical time constant postpone;

Fig. 5 A and 5B represent to comprise an embodiment of the responding system of the present invention of electric quick gel;

Fig. 6 A, 6B and 6C represent to comprise another embodiment of the responding system of the present invention of electric quick gel;

Fig. 7 is the perspective view of litter bag embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view that comprises the absorbent device of Excreta bag.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

The used term " absorbent device " of the application refers to the device that can absorb and hold bodily exudate, more particularly, refer to against or press close to wearer's body and place to absorb and the device that holds different bodily exudates.The used term " disposable " of the application refers to not to be prepared to wash or storage or reuse are made the absorbent device (that is, they are just thrown away, and are preferably, and the mode that can allow with a kind of environment makes it recovery, compost or processing) of absorbent device after using once.(parts that the used term " placement " of the application refers to diaper form (is connected or a places) single structure or individual components that links to each other with another parts of diaper of formation (connection or placement) with other parts of diaper at the certain location place.The term " connection " that the application is used thus comprise by parts directly are fixed on make on other parts parts directly be connected on another parts configuration and by parts are fixed on the intermediate member, thereby intermediate member is fixed on again and makes parts be connected configuration on another parts indirectly on another parts.) " single " absorbent device refers to by separated components and be combined together to form parts that unified entity do not need so independent operation as the absorbent device of support member and lining independently.The preferred embodiment of absorbent device of the present invention is single disposable absorbent article, i.e. diaper 20 as shown in Figure 1.The used term " diaper " of the application refers to and generally is through baby and incontinent person's lower part of the body absorbent device on every side.But, the present invention also be applicable to the support member of other moisture absorption or non-absorbent device such as incontinent person's medicated underpants, incontinent person's underwear, absorbability insert, diaper and lining, disposable mattress, natural anus or artificial anus's colostomy bag, feminine hygiene clothing, tampon, rag, Disposable tower, cotton paper, suction articles for use, oil suction articles for use, overflow remove bag, dry bag, disposable type of mop, binder, disposable medical with clothing, disposable plate and cup, disposable foodstuff preparation and cutting surface, treat parcel, supporter, one-time heating pad and analog.

Fig. 1 is that diaper 20 of the present invention is in the plane graph under the flattened state, in order to clearly show that the structure of diaper 20, the some parts of this structure is cut.Diaper 20 towards wearer's part towards the observer.As shown in Figure 1, diaper 20 preferably comprises liquid top flat 24; Liquid-tight egative film 26; Preferably place the absorbent article core 28 between at least a portion top flat 24 and the egative film 26; Lateral plate 30; Elastic leg cuff 32; Elasticity lumbar region parts 34 and common with 40 fastening systems of representing.Diaper 20 shown in Figure 1 has first lumbar region 36, second lumbar region 38 and the crotch portion district 37 first lumbar region and second lumbar region between relative with first lumbar region 36.The outside of diaper 20 limits the periphery of diaper 20, and wherein vertical limit 50 is arranged essentially parallel to longitudinal centre line 100 trends of diaper 20, and vertically the end limit 52 between the limit 50 is arranged essentially parallel to cross central line 110 trends of diaper 20.

The main body of diaper 20 (chassis) 22 comprises the main body of diaper 20.Main body 22 comprises at least a portion and the preferred outer cover of absorbent article core 28, and this outer cover comprises top flat 24 and egative film 26.If absorbent device comprises support members separated and lining, main body 22 generally comprises support member and lining.(for example, support member can comprise one or more layers material of the outer cover that forms articles for use, and lining can comprise the moisture absorption molectron, and this moisture absorption molectron comprises top flat, egative film and absorbent article core.In these cases, support member and/or lining can comprise the secure component that is used between the whole operating period lining being remained on the correct position place).For single absorbent device, main body 22 comprises the primary structure of diaper and other parts of additional formation composite diaper structure.Though top flat 24, egative film 26 and absorbent article core 28 can be assembled into many known configurations, the name that but preferred diaper configuration is 1975.1.14 is issued to Kenneth B.Buell is called the United States Patent (USP) 3 of " the contractile lateral parts that is used for disposable diaper ", 860,003,1992.9.9 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5 of Buell, 151,092,1993.6.22 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5 of Buell, 221,274,1996.9.10 the name that is issued to people such as Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5 of " absorbent device with the tensile lumbar region of the structure class elastic film net sheet parts in a plurality of districts ", 554,145,1996.10.29 the name that is issued to people such as Buell is called the United States Patent (USP) 5 of " disposable pull-on trousers ", 569,234,1996.12.3 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5 that people's such as Nease name is called " the no rim charge method of the lateral plate that the production absorbent device is used ", 580,411 and the name submitted to people's such as Robles name of 1997.8.20 be called the U.S. Patent application serial number 08/915 of " absorbent device " with multi-direction extending lateral plate, described in 471, introduce these patents herein as a reference.

Egative film 26 generally is that part towards the surface 45 of medicated clothing that abuts against absorbent article core 28 in the diaper 20, but this part prevents to absorb and be contained in wherein ejection make dirty article such as the sheet and the underwear of touching diaper 20.Egative film 26 can be connected on any other element of top flat 24, absorbent article core 28 or diaper 20 by any connection means well known in the art.Suitable backsheet film comprises Tredegar IndustriesInc.ofTerreHaute, those thin film with trade name X15306, X10962 and X10964 sale that IN produces.Other suitable stock footage can comprise that poromeric material such as textile web, nonwoven web, composite are ESPOIRNO and Exxon Chemical Co.ofBay Ciy as the trade mark that the MitsuiToatsuCo. of film nonwoven web and microporous membrane such as Japan produces, the trade mark that TX produces is the microporous membrane of EXXAIRE, or monolithic thin film is as by Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH is called those that HYTREL blend P18-3097 produces with name.Some breathability composites are specified in the United States Patent (USP) 5,865,823 of authorizing Curro with the name of E.I.DuPont at disclosed PCT application WO95/16746 of 1995.6.22 and 1999.2.2; 1996.11.5 authorize in people's such as Dobrin the United States Patent (USP) 5,571,096.Introduce these patents herein as a reference.

But egative film 26 or its arbitrary part can be elastic stretch on one or more directions.In one embodiment, egative film 26 can comprise structure class elastic film (" SELF ") net.Structure class elastic film net is the extensible materials that presents the performance of elastic-like under the elastomeric material that does not use interpolation on prolonging direction.Being applicable to that SELF net of the present invention is issued to people such as Chappell at 1996.5.21 name is called in the United States Patent (USP) 5,518,801 of the Web materials that presents the class elastic performance is described, and this patent is introduced the present invention as a reference.In substituting embodiment, egative film 26 can comprise combining of the combination of elastomer thin film, foam, strand or these materials or other suitable material and nonwoven or synthetic thin film.

Top flat 24 is preferably submissive, soft feeling and wearer's skin do not had zest.Suitable top flat 24 can be made by many materials, as poroid foam; Reticulated polymer foam; Foraminous plastic foil; Perhaps natural fiber (as wood or cotton fiber), synthetic fibers (as polyester or polypropylene fibre) or natural and blended weaving of synthetic fibers or nonwoven web.If top flat comprises fiber, fiber can be spunbond, combing, wet lapped, melt and spray, Hydroentangled (hydroentangled) or handle with other method well known in the art.A kind of suitable top flat 24 that contains staple fiber length polypropylene fiber net is by Veratec, Inc., and a Division ofIntemational Paper Company, of Walpole, MA produces, and the trade mark is P-8.

Suitable formed film top flat is described in the following patent: the name that 1975.12.30 is issued to Thompson is called the United States Patent (USP) 3,929,135 of " having tapered absorbent structure capillaceous "; 1982.4.13 the name that is issued to people such as Mullane is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,324,246 of " disposable absorbent article with antifouling top flat "; 1982.8.3 the name that is issued to people such as Radel is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,342,314 of " the elastoplast net that presents the performance of like fibrous "; 1984.7.31 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 4 that people's such as Ahr name is called " the three-dimensional plastic net that presents the tactile macroscopic view expansion of lacklustre visible surface and cloth shape ", 463,045 and the 1991.4.9 name that is issued to Baird be called the United States Patent (USP) 5,006,394 of " multilayer polymer film ".Other suitable top flat 24 can be according to the United States Patent (USP) 4,609,518 and 4,629 that is issued to people such as Curro respectively at 1986.9.2 and 1986.12.16, and 643 preparations are introduced these two pieces of patents herein as a reference.Such formed film can be from Procter﹠amp; Gamble Companyof Cincinnati, Ohio is with " DRI-WEAVE " and Tredegar Corporation of TerreHaute, and Indiaha obtains with " CLIFF-T ".

Preferably, top flat 24 can be made or be processed into hydrophobic so that 28 li liquid that comprise of wearer's skin and absorbent article core are isolated by hydrophobic material.If top flat 24 usefulness hydrophobic materials are made, the preferred upper surface of top flat 24 at least is processed into hydrophilic so that liquid shifts by top flat quickly.Can be by with surfactant top flat 24 being handled or that it is become is hydrophilic by add surfactant in top flat.The appropriate method of handling top flat 24 with surfactant comprises that spraying top flat 24 materials with surfactant also immerses this material in surfactant.More the going through to comprise of such processing and hydrophiling is described in the following patent: the name that 1991.1.29 is issued to people such as Reising is called the United States Patent (USP) 4 of " absorbent device with multilamellar moisture absorption layer ", 988,344 and the 1991.1.29 name that is issued to Reising be called the United States Patent (USP) 4 of " absorbent device " with absorbent article core of quick collection, 988,345.Some be used for surfactant add top flat appropriate method go through more that to be found in people's such as Aziz name be the United States statutory invention of H1670 in the disclosed number of registration of 1997.7.1.Introduce herein in these patents each as a reference.

Other ingredient of the arbitrary portion of top flat 24 or articles for use can be coated with skin lotion well known in the art.The example of suitable skin lotion comprises that the name that those skin lotions that are described in the following patent: 1997.3.4 is issued to Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5 of " disposable absorbent article with top flat of the skin lotion that contains lubricant and polyol polyester fixative ", 607,760; 1997.3.11 the name that is issued to Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,609,587 of " diaper with top flat of the skin lotion that contains liquid polyester polyol lubricant and fixative "; 1997.6.3 the name that is issued to people such as Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,635,191 of " diaper with top flat of the skin lotion that contains polysiloxane emollient "; 1997.7.1 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,643,588 that people's such as Roe name is called " diaper with top flat of skin lotion processing ".Skin lotion can combine as above-mentioned hydrophilic inorganic agent separately or with another reagent.Top flat also can comprise antibacterial or handle with antibacterial that the name that its some examples are disclosed in Theresa Johnson is called among the PCT application WO95/24173 of " absorbent device that contains the antibacterial that is useful on the control abnormal smells from the patient in the top flat " in the disclosed name of 1995.9.14.In addition, the arbitrary portion of top flat 24, egative film 26 or top flat or egative film can be embossing and/or carry out that delustring handles so that the more outward appearance of textile-like to be provided.

Top flat 24 and egative film 26 can be by any connections on arbitrary other parts that means were connected to each other, were connected absorbent article core 28 or diaper 20 well known in the art.For example, the connection means can comprise even successive adhesive layer, patterned adhesive layer, or the arrangement of isolating line of adhesive, helix or point.The connection means can also comprise hot adhesion well known in the art, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic power machine bonding, or the combination of arbitrary other suitable connection means or these connection means.

That absorbent article core 28 can comprise is normally compressible, can fit, to the wearer's skin nonirritant and can absorb and any absorbent material of liquid hold-up such as urine and some other bodily exudate.Absorbent article core 28 can be made into multiple size and dimension (as, rectangle, hourglass shape, T-shape, asymmetric shape etc.) and can comprise and manyly be used in liquid-absorbent material on disposable diaper and other absorbent device usually as being referred to as the pulverizing wood pulp of air-permeable mattress usually.The example of the absorbent material that other is suitable comprises corrugated cellulose wadding; Meltblown polymer comprises coforming (coform); Chemistry is stiffening, modification or cross-linked cellulosic; Thin paper comprises thin paper wrappage and thin paper laminate; Absorbent foam; Absorbable sponge; The superabsorbent polymer; Absorbability gel rubber material or the combination of other known absorption material or these materials arbitrarily.

The configuration of absorbent article core 28 and structure also can change (as, absorbent article core or other absorbent structure can have different caliper zones, hydrophilic gradient, superabsorbent gradient or than low average density with than the quantitative collecting region of harmonic(-)mean; Perhaps can comprise one or more layers or structure).

Example as the absorbent structure of moisture absorption molectron is described in the following patent: the name that 1986.9.9 is issued to people such as Weisman is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,610,678 of " high-density absorbent structure "; 1987.6.16 the name that is issued to people such as Weisman is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,673,402 of " absorbent device with double-deck core "; 1989.5.30 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 4,834,735 that people's such as Alemany name is called " having the high-density absorbent parts than low average density and low quantitative collecting region "; 1989.12.19 the name that is issued to Angstadt is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,888,231 of " absorbent article core with prime coat "; 1992.8.11 the name that is issued to people such as Herron is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,137,537 of " absorbent structure that contains the polycarboxylic acid crosslinked wood pulp cellulose cellulose fiber of individualized "; 1992.9.15 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,147,345 that people's such as Young name is called " being used for the highly efficient absorbent article that incontinence is handled "; 1994.8.30 the name that is issued to Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,342,338 of " disposable absorbent article that is used for the low viscosity fecal material pass thing "; 1993.11.9 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,260,345 that people's such as DesMarais name is called " absorbent foam and the absorbent device that contains this class material that are used for aqueous body fluids "; 1995.2.7 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,387,207 that people's such as Dyer name is called " being used for the thin up to moistening absorbent foam and preparation method thereof of aqueous body fluids "; 1997.7.22 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,625,222 that people's such as DesMarais name is called " by the absorbent foam that is used for aqueous fluid of the High Internal Phase Emulsion preparation with very high water-oil factor ".Introduce these patents herein as a reference.

Diaper 20 also can comprise at least one lumbar region parts 34 to help to improve stickiness and the property held.Elasticity lumbar region parts 34 are preferably from outside at least longitudinal extension at least one waist limit 62 of absorbent article core 28 and the common at least a portion end limit 52 that forms diaper 20.Usually disposable diaper is constructed with two elasticity lumbar region parts, one is positioned at 36, one of first lumbar regions and is positioned at second lumbar region 38.And, although elasticity lumbar region parts 34 or its any component parts can comprise one or more individual components that are fixed on the diaper 20, elasticity lumbar region parts 34 can be configured to both extensions of other parts of diaper 20 such as egative film 26, top flat 24 or egative film 26 and top flat 24.

Elasticity lumbar region parts 34 can be configured to many different configurations, comprise that the configuration of describing in the following patent: 1985.5.7 is issued to people's such as Kievit United States Patent (USP) 4,515,595; 1987.12.1 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 4,710,189 of Lash; 1992.9.9 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,151,092 of Buell; 1993.6.22 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,221,274 of Buell.Other suitable lumbar region configuration comprises as 1991.6.25 and is issued to those lumbar regions cover (waistcap) parts of describing in the United States Patent (USP) 5,026,364 of Robertson and the United States Patent (USP) 4,816,025 that 1989.3.28 is issued to Foreman.Introduce above-mentioned these patents herein as a reference.

Diaper 20 also can comprise fastening system 40.Although any other known fastener means generally all is acceptable, fastening system 40 preferably includes adhesive tape tongue piece (tape tabs) and/or shackle shape secure component.The example of some fastening systems is disclosed in the following patent: the name that 1974.11.19 is issued to Buell is called the United States Patent (USP) 3,848,594 of " the adhesive tape fastening system that is used for disposable diaper "; 1987.5.5 the name that is issued to people such as Hirotsu is called United States Patent (USP) 4,662,875 B1 of " absorbent device "; 1989.7.11 the name that is issued to Scripps is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,846,815 of " disposable diaper with improved clamp device "; 1990.1.16 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 4,894,060 that the name of Nestegard is called " disposable diaper with improved hook fastener part "; 1990.8.7 the name that is issued to Battrell is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,946,527 of " pressure sensitive adhesives securing member and preparation method thereof "; The 1992.9.9 that above is used as reference is issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,151,092 of Buell; 1993.6.22 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,221,274 of Buell.Fastening system also can provide articles for use are remained on facility in the disposable configuration, is issued in people's such as Robertson the United States Patent (USP) 4,963,140 disclosed as 1990.10.16.Each of Yin Ruing piece patent all as a reference herein.In substituting embodiment, the opposite side of medicated clothing can be sewed up or weld to form trousers.This just makes articles for use can be used as pull-on diapers such as training pants (traimngpant).

Diaper 20 also can comprise lateral plate 30.Lateral plate 30 can be elastic or tensile so that applying more comfortable and that meet with profile phase to be provided, this is also to keep this applying on one's body by originally diaper 20 can snugly being engaged in the wearer behind diaper 20 load ejection during whole wearing, and this is because the lateral plate 30 of elastica system expands the side of diaper 20 and shrinks.

Although diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has the lateral plate 30 that is placed in second lumbar region 38, diaper 20 can be provided with and be placed on first lumbar region 36 or first lumbar region 36 and second lumbar region 38 lateral plate 30 among both.Lateral plate 30 can be configured to the configuration of any appropriate.The example of the diaper of flexible lateral plate is disclosed in the following patent: the name that 1989.8.15 is issued to people such as Wood is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,857,067 of " disposable diaper with lug of rubber-sheathed wire system "; 1983.5.3 be issued to people's such as Sciaraffa United States Patent (USP) 4,381,781; 1990.7.3 be issued to people's such as Van Gompel United States Patent (USP) 4,938,753; Be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,151,092 of Buell above with 1992.9.9 for referencial use; 1993.6.22 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,221,274 of Buell; 1997.9.23 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,669,897 that people's such as LaVon name is called " absorbent device that lasting dynamic applying is provided "; 1997.8.20 the name of submitting to people's such as Robles name is called the U.S. Patent application serial number 08/915,471 of " absorbent device with multidirectional tensile lateral plate "; Each of Yin Ruing piece file all as a reference herein.

Diaper 20 also preferably includes lower limb hoop 32 to help to improve the property held to liquid and other bodily exudate.The lower limb hoop also can be described as the bottom bands of trouser legs, flank, retaining hoop or elastic cuffs.United States Patent (USP) 3,860,003 disposable urine of describing are furnished with the contractile leg opening of band flank and one or more elastomeric elements to form elastic leg cuff (sealing hoop).Be issued to people's such as Aziz United States Patent (USP) 4,808,178 and 4,909 respectively at 1989.2.28 and 1990.3.20,803 disposable diapers of describing have " axial " elastic fin (retaining hoop) of the property held of improving leg area.Be issued to the disposable diaper that United States Patent (USP) 4,695,278 and 4,795,454 that Lawson and 1989.1.3 be issued to Dragoo describes respectively at 1987.9.22 and have dual hoop, comprise sealing hoop and retaining hoop.In some embodiments, can as indicated abovely all or part of of lower limb hoop be handled with skin lotion.

Embodiment of the present invention also can comprise the pocket that is used to receive and hold refuse, the separator in space can be provided for refuse, the baffle plate that the restriction refuse moves in articles for use receives and holds the cell that is deposited on the refuse in the diaper or space etc., perhaps its combination in any.Being used in the pocket in the absorbent product and the example of separator is described in following file: the name that 1996.5.7 is issued to people such as Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,514,121 of " having the diaper of going out the type separator "; 1992.12.15 the name that is issued to people such as Dreier is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,171,236 of " disposable absorbent article with core separator "; 1995.3.14 the name that is issued to Dreier is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,397,318 of " absorbent device with pocket hoop "; 1996.7.30 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,540,671 that the name of Dreier is called " absorbent device with the pocket hoop on band pinnacle "; 1993.12.3 disclosed name is called the PCT application WO93/25172 of " separator and the disposable absorbent article that contains this class separator that are used for sanitary absorbent article "; 1994.4.26 the name that is issued to Freeland is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,306,266 of " the flexibility separator that is used for disposable absorbent article ".The example in cell or space is disclosed in the following patent: the name that 1990.11.6 is issued to Khan is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,968,312 of " diaper of disposable separation feces "; 1991.2.5 the name that is issued to Freeland is called the United States Patent (USP) 4,990,147 of " being used for the isolating absorbent device with cushions of refuse "; 1991.11.5 the name that is issued to people such as Holt is called the United States Patent (USP) 562840 of " disposable diaper "; 1993.12.14 be issued to the United States Patent (USP) 5,269,755 that people's such as Freeland name is called " the three part top flats and the disposable absorbent article with these class three part top flats that are used for disposable absorbent article ".The example of suitable transverse baffle is described in following document: 1996.9.10 is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,554,142 of " absorbent device with lateral partitions of a plurality of effective depths " with the name of people's such as Dreier name mandate; 1994.7.7 be called the PCT patent WO94/14395 of " absorbent device " with the disclosed name of people's such as Freeland name with axial lateral partitions; 1997.8.5 the name that is issued to people such as Roe is called the United States Patent (USP) 5,653,703 of " absorbent device with angled upright lateral partitions ".Introduce above-mentioned patent herein as a reference.

Embodiment of the present invention also can comprise waste treatment equipment 110 as shown in Figure 7.This waste treatment equipment 110 can comprise collects feces, urine or the litter bag of the two 111.This litter bag 111 can have hole 121 and wound hole 121 is used for preferably by the flange 112 of adhesive securement to wearer's perianal region.And, have been found that when in conjunction with underwear or diaper, when preferably disposable diaper uses, this waste treatment equipment 110 is particularly useful and useful.An example of absorbent device, as comprise that the diaper 120 of litter bag 111 is shown among Fig. 8.If be connected, litter bag 111 can be placed or is connected to any surface of articles for use with diaper 120 or other medicated clothing.In one embodiment, litter bag 111 is connected on the top flat 124 of diaper 120.

Litter bag 111 preferably one be used for the flexible container that splendid attire voids excreta or urinates.Like this, litter bag 111 is liquid impermeable preferably, but it can be gas-pervious.And litter bag 111 is designed to have the typical case that enough intensity bears as sitting down and wears condition.

Litter bag 111 can comprise one or more layers.In one embodiment, litter bag 111 can comprise three layers, is preferably thin film and two nonwoven layers.The used material of these layers of bag can comprise any material, should make that preferably bag is a liquid impermeable.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, lamination can be made by one deck nonwoven layers and thin film.

The thin-film material that is applicable to arbitrary thin layer preferably includes thermoplastic.This thermoplastic can be a steam or steam tight, and can be selected from all types of hot-melt adhesives; Polyolefin (particularly polyethylene, polypropylene, amorphous polyolefin and analog; The material that comprises fusible component, comprise fiber or polymeric binder, comprise the natural fiber as cellulose (wood pulp, cotton, Corchorus olitorius L., Fructus Cannabis), the synthetic fibers as glass fibre, artificial silk, polyester, polyolefin, acrylic acid, polyamide, aromatic polyamides, politef, polyimides; Binding agent such as bi-component high-melting-point/low melting point polymer, copolymer polyester, polrvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate/polyvinyl chloride copolymer, copolymer polyamide, comprise the material (the some of them composition material is not fusible) of compound; The material and as the HYTREL that bought from DuPont that comprise as above the air permeable of the microporous membrane of describing with respect to egative film or steam ^TMWith from ELF Atochem, the Pebax that France has bought ^TMSuch monolithic gas permeable material.

Litter bag 111 can have virtually any size and shape.Preferred shape comprises flattened round bag, cone shaped pouch, frustoconical bag and pyramid or truncated pyramid bag and flat T shape bag.Further, litter bag 111 can be provided by the homogenous material sheet, or is provided by some separate piece of material, and these separate piece of material can be identical or different, they edge peripheries separately can be sealed.

Litter bag 111 also can comprise hygroscopic material.Hygroscopic material can comprise any hygroscopic material that can absorb and keep liquid.Hygroscopic material can comprise the multiple material that is generally used for the absorption liquid of disposable diaper and other absorbent device.With respect to absorbent article core some examples are described here.

Litter bag 111 is provided with hole 121, receives fecal matter or urine from health whereby before storing to the bag intracavity.Hole 121 is preferably centered on by flange 112, and can provide with Any shape or size, and is for example circular, oval, heart-shaped, and can be symmetry or asymmetrical, and preferably the hole longitudinally or laterally has elliptical configuration.Flange 112 can comprise the ledge that cooperates with wearer's perineum part, genitals and/or tailbone region.

Flange 112 should be made by soft, flexible and malleable material, is easy to be positioned over crissum or apparatus urogenitalis zone to allow flange 112.Typical material comprises the complex of non-woven material, weaving material, perforate thermoplastic foam, closed pore thermoplastic foam, open celled foam and stretched non-woven thing, and thin film.

Litter bag 111 preferably further comprises connector articles for use is fixed on the wearer's body.This parts can comprise bonding jumper and/or be administered to the pressure sensitive adhesives compatible with health on the medial part of litter bag 111 or flange.Can use any waterproof pressure adhesive of not hindering skin that articles for use are attached to wearer's crissum or apparatus urogenitalis zone, for example hydrocolloid bonding agent and hydrogel bonding agent.In the perianal region of sensitivity flange being fixed to provides desirable adhesive property on the wearers skin, and the especially effectively bonding agent that allows simultaneously painlessly it to be applied and removes is relatively formed by the cross linked polymer that forms three-dimensional matrice that has plasticizer.

Articles for use 20 also preferably include at least one pick off 60, and this pick off 60 is suitable for detecting one or more health and/or the nutrition mark in the bodily waste, and described detection signal can be offered wearer, care-giver or actuator.Term " pick off " used in the literary composition is meant a kind of device, and this device can detect incident or the parameter relevant with incident.The parameter relevant with incident is meant in referential (signal that is produced by bodily waste, wearer or component wherein) but any measuring-signal relevant with the generation of incident in the scope.Pick off comprises any device of one or more concrete inputs of response.Pick off can be chemical, electrochemical, biochemical or biological, mechanical, magnetics, heat or other signal known in the art.Articles for use of the present invention specifically are included as the pick off that wearer, care-giver or actuator provide signal, with existing and/or concentration of one or more health in indication bodily waste such as feces, urine or the menstruation or nutrition mark.Described signal can be an optical signal, comprises video signal (as colourity indicator or fluorescent flag), chemical signal (as the variation of the concentration of pH, enzymatic activity or other chemical substance) or the signal of telecommunication.

Employed in the literary composition " healthy mark " and " nutrition mark " (as in people's feces) are meant any elemental composition, chemical constituent or the biotic component that are found in the bodily waste, and the combination of these compositions or the relation between them (as ratio etc.), these compositions have clear and definite relation with wearer's health (as disease, infection, poisoning etc.) and nutriture respectively.For example, wearer's nutriture comprises picked-up, food anaphylaxis (as to Semen arachidis hypogaeae), food intolerance (as lactose intolerance), the ecological word (for example resembling the probiotics of bacillus bifidus and lactobacillus) of colon bacterium and total energy balance of metabolic efficiency, malnutrition, alimentation or malabsorption, F﹠B.Healthy mark can comprise heavy metal (as lead, hydrargyrum etc.), radioactive substance (as caesium, strontium, uranium etc.), fat, enzyme, endocrine, protein substance (as casts), mucus and microorganism (the biosensor part that more detailed description is seen below), and they may or poison relevant with multiple health problem such as infection, diarrhoea, gastroenteralgia or gastrointestinal disease.Heavy metal especially in the old of some developing countries and developed country and/or affluent area not too, seriously jeopardizes health.For example, absorb these heavy metals, can cause plumbous and mercurialism and can be fatal from ambient source (as from lead-based paint, unadjusted heavy industry etc.).In general, the calomel poisoning of these and other heavy metal can cause intellectual retardation and/or body development slow, child especially, and this poisoning can take place for a long time and individuality is had lasting influence.Protein substance can be read to Tamm-Horsfall protein by rake as casts (for example in urine).Be applicable to the example of Tamm-Horsfall protein sensing device, see U.S. Pat 5780239 (introducing the present invention as a reference).Suitable heavy metal pick off and/or be used for the recognition methods of pick off sees US5595635,5865972,5814205 and 5468336 for details and (all introduces the present invention, as a reference).

The non-limiting example of nutrition mark comprises calcium, vitamin (as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, nicotinic acid, biotin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E etc.), electrolyte (as sodium, potassium, chlorine, bicarbonate etc.), fat, fatty acid (long-chain with short chain), soap (as calcium palmitate), aminoacid, enzyme (as lactose, amylase, lipase, trypsin etc.), bile acid and salt, steroid and sugar.For example, calcium absorption is bad may cause secular osteohalsiteresis disease.Although calcium absorption to adult, particularly older women's importance is propagated a lot, calcium absorption also is important to child (especially baby).Baby's diet influences calcium absorption, and therefore influences sclerotin and/or bone density.Show, for example, change the position of Palmic acid on triglyceride in the infant formula, promptly from the 2-position (promptly the breast milk with the people is the same) to 1-and/or 3-position (as some infant formulas), reduced the dissociating property of Palmic acid from the triglyceride " skeleton ", and therefore reduced the absorption of health this nutritional labeling.Not dissociated Palmic acid is bound by calcium in the digestive tract in the mode of soap (as calcium palmitate), and stays and leave health in the feces.(this method sees Archive of Disease in Childhood (in November, 1997) 77F178-184 for details) therefore, calcium in the feces and/or fatty acid salt content are a kind of evaluations absorbs the potential method of calcium by digestive system.Based on the suitable colourity calcium sensor of Arsenazo III (sour environment) and CresolphthaleinComplexone (alkaline environment), can be from Sigma-Aldrich ChemicalofSt.Louis, MO obtains, and its catalog number (Cat.No.) is respectively 588-3 and 587-A.The calcium sensor that other is exemplary and/or be used for the recognition methods of pick off sees US5705620,5580441 and 5496522 for details, and these patents are all introduced the present invention, as a reference.

Pick off of the present invention can combine with a carrier structure.Described carrier structure can support, stable and/or encapsulated sensor at least in part.The example of carrier structure comprises one or more layers woven or non-woven paper web, thin film, foam, rare gauze, hydrogel etc.Pick off is attachable on the carrier structure, is fixed between the lamination of two or more ingredients, layer or carrier structure, or is packaged within the carrier structure.Carrier structure can randomly comprise binding agent or top layer cementing compositions or other attachment means, is fixed in at least a portion with described carrier structure on the ingredient of articles for use or articles for use, or is fixed on the wearer's skin.In addition, can be water miscible to the small part carrier.

In certain embodiments of the invention, pick off 60 can comprise biosensor.Here employed term " biosensor " is defined as a kind of element, this element comprises one or more biological reaction apparatus, this device is suitable for detecting one or more target pathogenic microorganisms or relevant biomolecule, as enzyme sensor, cell organelle sensor, tissus sensor, microbiological sensor, immunosensor or electrochemical sensor.Term " biological respinse " is defined as having optionally the ability with target pathogenic microorganism described herein and/or relevant bio-molecular interaction (preferred combination).Usually, the function of biosensor provides a species specificity in conjunction with also therefore detecting target organism activity analysis thing.By this method, biosensor is a high selectivity, even if when facing mixture as the number of chemical of feces and biological entities, also is like this.On the other hand, the high selectivity that generally neither has biosensor according to the chemical sensor of chemical reaction equipment, the enlarging function that does not also have biosensor, therefore, be not to be particularly suitable for detection of biological activity analysis thing, especially when the concentration of biological activity analyte low and/or be present in as the complex dielectrics of bodily waste in the time.Usually, described target organism analyte is the accessory constituent that comprises in the complex mixture of multiple biological components and other component.Therefore, in many application of biosensor, need to detect target analytes to ppb (10 ^-9), ppt (10 ^-12) or lower level.So, need 10 ⁷-10 ⁸Or the biosensor of bigger resolution, with the target organism analyte in the identification complex mixture.

Biosensor of the present invention can comprise biological identification element or molecular recognition elements, specific analyte provided highly single-minded combination or to detect selectivity.Biological identification element or system can be with the deutero-material of biological method, as the sequence of enzyme or enzyme; Antibody; Membrane receptor protein; DNA; Organelle, natural or synthetic cell membrane; Antibacterial and plant or zooblast that work complete or part maybe can not be lived; Or plant or mammiferous tissue fragment, common function is to interact specifically with the target organism analyte.Biological identification element is responsible for optionally discriminatory analysis thing, and is responsible for providing the physical-chemical signal as the output signal basis.

Biosensor can comprise the biosensor of living things catalysis and the biosensor of biological affinity.In the embodiment of the biosensor of living things catalysis, biological identification element is " living things catalysis " and can comprise enzyme, organelle, plant or mammiferous tissue fragment or whole cell, it is binding site " upset (tum-over) " (promptly can reuse in testing process) optionally, causes the obvious amplification of input signal.Living things catalysis pick off like this generally is used for the detection of real-time continuous.

The pick off of biological affinity generally is applicable to antibacterial, virus and toxin, and comprises biosensor and/or immunology pick off (being immunosensor) based on chemoceptor.Chemoceptor is macroscopical aggregation (macroassembly) of the biomolecule of complexity, and part is determining the organism of living to detect the ability of the chemical substance in its environment with high selectivity.Biosensor based on chemoceptor comprises one or more natural or synthetic chemoceptors, and this chemoceptor links to each other with the device of existence that the target organism analyte is provided or concentration signal (visual signal, the signal of telecommunication etc.).In certain embodiments, described chemoceptor may link to each other with a kind of electrode (being electric transducer), so that the detectable signal of telecommunication to be provided.Chemoceptor can comprise nerve tract (for example deriving from sense of touch or other sensory nerve tract) complete or part and/or natural or synthetic cell membrane complete or part.On the other hand, the biological identification element of immunosensor generally is an antibody.Antibody is high degree of specificity, and can point to antibacterial, virus, microorganism fragment (as cell wall, parasitic ovum or its part etc. of antibacterial) and bigger biomolecule.Suitable antibody can be monoclonal or polyclonal antibody.In a word, the biosensor of biological affinity generally is irreversible, because when being exposed to the target organism analyte, the acceptor site of biosensor is saturated.

In certain embodiments, can as RNA/DNA probe or other high affinity coupling system, wherein and then be that the biology of signal amplifies after initial identification in conjunction with the biosensor of living things catalysis and biological affinity.For example, the biosensor by comprising hereditary material such as DNA can detect specific antibacterial, thereby can detect the minority organism, preferably smaller or equal to about 500 organisms as biological identification element performing PCR (the being polymerase chain reaction) amplification of going forward side by side.The bio-sensor system of living things catalysis and biological affinity is specified in Journal of Chromatography, 510 (1990) 347-354 and Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology, the 4th edition (1992), John Wiley﹠amp; Sons, NY introduces the present invention as a reference with its disclosure.

The analyte of biosensor preferred detection biologically active of the present invention, this analyte relates to imminent (i.e. the symptom in the future that may occur) or the morbid state of current people's general, include but not limited to the toxin of pathogen antibacterial, parasite (for example the parasite in any stage of life cycle comprises ovum or its part, sporangiocyst or sophisticated organism), virus, fungus such as white candida mycoderma (Candida albicans), pathogen antigen and/or microorganisms.In addition, biosensor of the present invention can be target with the analyte of biologically active, described analyte relates to imminent or current local health problem, as stress protein (as cytokine) and IL-1a (iuntercellular be situated between plain 1-a), it may carry out before the clinical symptoms that skin irritation or inflammation occur.In preferred embodiments, biosensor plays proactive sensor, before clinical symptoms occurring, detects imminent situation and sends signal to wearer or care-giver.So just won the time, the wearer being implemented prevention or treatment is handled, and the order of severity and the persistent period that can alleviate (if can not stop) symptom widely.In addition, pick off 60 by detecting the existence of target organism analyte in the wearer's body refuse (as feces), can detect residual dirt on the surface that contacts with biosensor such as the skin, and sends correct signal.

By the physical-chemical signal that single or multiple biological identification elements produce, can convey to wearer or care-giver (promptly by the visible change in color of human eye) in visual mode.In other embodiments, can produce optical signal, wherein may need to use Other Instruments with enhanced signal.This comprises fluorescence, bioluminescence, total internal reflection resonance (total internal reflectance resonance), surface plasma body resonant vibration, Ramah method and other method based on laser.Exemplary surface plasma resonance biosensor, can IBIS I and the model of IBIS II, obtain from the XanTec Analysensysteme ofMuenster of Germany, wherein may comprise biological conjugation (bioconjugate) surface as biological identification element.Alternatively be, signal can be handled by relevant transducer, for instance, this transducer can produce displayable (as on the sensing device of LED or the LCD display) signal of telecommunication (as electric current, electromotive force, inductance or impedance), or trigger audible or sense of touch (as vibrations) signal, or trigger actuator as described herein.Signal can be (as the existence of indicating target biological analyte) qualitatively, also can be quantitative (being the quantity or the concentration of measurement target biological analyte).In this embodiment, transducer can randomly produce optical signal, thermal signal or acoustical signal.

In a word, signal can also be persistent (life cycle with articles for use is identical at least usually for promptly stable and readable time span), also can be instantaneous (promptly depositing real-time measurement result).In addition, can transmit signals to remote indicator website (as by lead or emitter, as infrared transmitter or radiofrequency launcher), comprise in the articles for use or other position or remote equipment on the articles for use.In addition, pick off 60 or its any ingredient, only can be suitable for concentration is detected and/or send signal (be present in situation in the bodily waste usually as the target organism analyte, or the concentration of analyte being lower than known " danger " level) greater than the target organism analyte of pre-set threshold level.

As mentioned above, the target analytes that biosensor of the present invention is suitable for detecting can be the pathogen microorganism, as with the pathogen microorganism of human gastrointestinal disease association, especially those cause the microorganism of diarrheal pathogen.Particularly importantly monitor such pathogen, because all there are every year a lot of children very seriously or die from diarrhoea sick.Have been found that serious chronic diarrhea can cause losing weight and the permanent hypoevolutism of health and intelligence.The non-limiting tabulation of pick off 60 detectable pathogen antibacterials comprises any following multiple pathogen bacterial strain: colon bacillus (common name escherichia coli); Salmonella strain comprises Bacillus typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, hog cholera bacillus (S.enteriditis), bacillus typhi murium and salmonella heidelberg; The shigella strain is as Shigella sonnei, shigella flexneri, Shigella bogdii and shigella dysenteriae; Vibrio cholera; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Yersinia enterocolitica; Aeromonas hydrophila; Plesiomonas shigelloides; The Campylobacter bacterial strain is as campylobacter jejuni moral Lai Shi subspecies (C.jejuni) and large intestine Campylobacter; Bacteroides fragilis; And strains of clostridium, comprise the clostridium that relieves internal heat, bacillus perfringens, bacillus botulinus and clostridium difficile.The commercial available non-limiting example that is suitable for detecting colibacillary biosensor is to derive from AndCare, Inc., of Durham, the test kit #4001 of NC.Example as another indefiniteness, ABTECH, Scientific, Inc., ofYardley, PA provide " the biotransformation device of bioanalysis ", obtain with model BB Au-1050.5-FD-X, this transducer can be fixed to polypeptide, enzyme, antibody or dna fragmentation on its surface by the mode with covalent bond, and shows biologic specificity (to microorganism described herein or other target organism analyte).The microorganism biological pick off that other is suitable, see U.S. Pat 5869272 (gram negative organism), 5795717 (shigella), 5830341,5795453,5354661,5783399,5840488,5827651,5723330 and 5496700, these patents all are incorporated herein by reference.

The target analytes that biosensor of the present invention is suitable for detecting can also be a virus.These viruses can comprise and cause diarrheal virus as rotavirus, or other is viral as rhinovirus and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) (HIV).Be suitable for detecting the exemplary biosensor of HIV, see top U.S. Pat incorporated by reference 5830341 and 5795453.The disclosure of these two patents all is incorporated herein by reference.

In selectable embodiment, the target analytes that biosensor of the present invention is suitable for detecting can also be a parasite, and particularly those some particular moments at its life cycle inhabit the gastrointestinal parasite.These parasites can comprise protozoacide, anthelmintic and other gastrointestinal parasite.Parasitic other example that can detect comprises Entamoeba histolytica (it causes amebic dysentery), trypana cruzi (it causes South American trypanosomiasis) and Plasmodium falciparum.

In the another one embodiment, the target analytes that biosensor of the present invention is suitable for detecting can be a fungus, as white candida mycoderma.Except that the pathogen antibacterial, can also detect and/or measure some useful colon bacterium such as bacillus bifidus and lactic acid bacillus mycopremna as healthy mark.

The target analytes that biosensor of the present invention is suitable for detecting can also be protein or the antigen relevant with dermatodynia.Preferred these analytes are on skin surface or be positioned at skin surface and can detect, and are preferably in and occur detecting before the clinical observable chafing.These analytes can comprise that stress protein such as cytokine, histamine and other immune response factor comprise interleukin (as IL-1a, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4 and IL-8) and interferon (comprising interferon a and g).Moreover, preferably before clinical observable rubescent, inflammation or dermatitis occurring, can detect these analytes by enough pick offs 60.In addition, biosensor of the present invention can also be suitable for detecting enzyme or other biotic factor relevant with chafing (as diaper dermatitis), comprises trypsin, Chymotrypsin and lipase.

Biosensor of the present invention can also comprise biological recognition system, comprises enzyme or conjugated protein as being fixed on the antibody on the physical-chemical transducer face.For example, by the antibody of biosensor, can detect specific bacterial isolates with the described bacterial isolates of antagonism.Alternatively be, can detect target bacteria by biological identification element (comprising antibody and synthetic or natural molecular receptor), described biological identification element has specificity to the toxin that extracellular products such as this bacterial strain (for example E.coli) of target bacteria produced.The exemplary enzyme electrode that can be used for detecting phenol (as the phenol in urine or the feces) comprises electrode or the polyphenol oxidase enzyme electrode based on tryrosinase, see that respectively the exercise question of authorizing people such as JosephWang on October 14th, 1997 is for the U.S. Pat 5676820 of " long-range electrochemical sensor (Remote Electrochemical Sensor) " with authorized the U.S. Pat 5091299 of people's such as Anthony P.F.Turner exercise question for " enzyme electrode that uses in the organic solvent (An Enzyme Electrode For Use In Organic Solvents) " on February 25th, 1992.These two patents all are incorporated herein by reference.

In any aforesaid example, concrete microorganism can directly be detected, also can be by going out described concrete microorganism in conjunction with this organism being had toxin, enzyme or other protein detection that specific organism or antibody (as monoclonal antibody) produced.Be suitable for detecting the exemplary biosensor of proteolytic enzyme, see U.S. Pat 5607567; Be suitable for detecting the exemplary biosensor of toxin, see U.S. Pat 5496452,5521101 and 5567301.

Any pick off 60 of the present invention all can comprise one or more " proactive sensors ".This is specially adapted to detect the embodiment of target organism activity analysis thing, health and/or nutrition mark before clinical observable healthy symptom occurring.The term " proactive sensor " that is used for the application is meant such pick off, this pick off can detect variation or the signal (i.e. input) in (being skin) on the wearer's body or the Excreta, and directly relate to or at least with health that will take place or potential or even the appearance of the incident relevant with skin be associated.Proactive sensor can respond above-mentioned one or more concrete inputs.

Proactive sensor 60 can detect imminent incident, also can detect such parameter, this parameter directly relate to or at least with will health event event, particularly whole body or skin or being associated of situation (being the appearance of clinical observable sign or symptom).The imminent incident that proactive sensor 60 of the present invention can detect or predict can comprise that lead poisoning is early stage, malnutrition and/or by bad avitaminotic early stage, the diarrhoeal diseases that causes of alimentation, chafing or the disease of erythra (comprising candidiasis) and/or other type or wearer's medical conditions such as parasite infestation.Detected health, nutrition mark and/or biological analyte can be a step or multisteps that removes from the clinical symptoms that reality occurs.For example, pick off can detect the potential tendency of above-mentioned condition (for example, the feces dirt on the skin may be prior to the eliciting of stress protein, and eliciting of stress protein may be prior to clinical observable chafing).The parameter relevant with incident is any measurable input signal such as above-named one or more potential inputs, being associated of the incident in this measurable input signal (i.e. the signal that is caused by bodily waste or wearer) and the referential scope.In order to predict an incident, the proactive sensor 60 in the articles for use can be measured one or more different inputs.For example, proactive sensor 60 can be monitored residual colon bacterium (promptly detecting residual dirt) on white candida mycoderma in the feces and the skin, and the two all is the signals prior to chafing.

Do not produce in the biosensor embodiment of easy observable signal (as change in color) at biological identification element, pick off 60 can comprise a transducer that is connected with biological identification element, will become the operable signal of ingredient (as actuator) of wearer, care-giver or articles for use from the physical chemistry signal transition of biological recognition component.Exemplary transducer can comprise chemotron known in the art (comprise electromotive force, electric current with the electric conductance transducer), optical converter (comprising fluorescence, bioluminescence, total internal reflection resonance and surface plasma body resonant vibration), thermoconverter and acoustic transducer.Power supply as miniature 3 volts of watch cells or printing film lithium battery, can be linked to each other with pick off 60, so that any required power to be provided.

The effectiveness of biosensor of the present invention can be tested with the described response factor of following Test Methods section and measure.Response factor is described be when being exposed to the feces test substances when being exposed to normal saline solution the ratio of the response of biosensor, response factor can be used for estimating the sensitivity of biosensor, and this biosensor is used for detecting at feces with respect to the preferential biological activity analyte of finding of urine expectation.The response factor that biosensor of the present invention preferably has is at least 2,3 or 5, more preferably be at least 10, when being exposed to feces test substances aqueous solution or being exposed to concentration when being the test urine of feces test substances of every l gram normal saline solution 1 gram, even more preferably be at least 20.(represent the background input signal with normal saline here, normal saline is present in most of natural environment such as the aqueous body fluid.) with regard to feces being had specific target organism activity analysis thing, this biosensor can clearly be distinguished the fecal materials of existence and the normal saline solution of existence.

A kind of method that detects feces is to detect common material in scatol-a kind of fecal matter.Have been found that the concentration of scatol is about every gram fecal matter 180 microgram scatols in the feces, but the content of finding scatol in the urine is in fact lower.Scatol is the product of microbial degradation normally, and this product originates from the catabolism effect of tryptophan in intestinal tract.

In an embodiment preferred of the biosensor that detects scatol, biosensor comprises the absorption scatol that obtains with gene engineering method and/or the microorganism of other material.Scatol is had the absorption of specific material, for example, can measure by the oxygen consumption in the absorption process.The microorganism that is suitable for detecting scatol comprises Acinetobacter baumannii TOI36 (FERMP-12891, the open JP05304947 of Japan Patent) and Bacillus sp TOI41 (FREM P-12914 sees that Japan Patent discloses JP05304948).Comprise the suitable biosensor of this microorganism, for example, commercially available in Institut f ü rChemo-und Boisensorik of M ü nster, Germany, the trade mark are Mikrobielle Sensoren.

If biosensor is introduced in microorganism, so can by technology known in the art as catch, absorption, crosslinked, encapsulation, covalent attachment, their combination in any etc. be fixed in microorganism in the biosensor.In addition, can on multiple different base material known in the art, implement above-mentioned fixing.In certain preferred aspects, described fixing substrate can be selected from material, hydrogel, thin paper, non-woven material, the textile material based on polymer.

In certain embodiments, pick off 60 comprises any biosensor, can comprise microchip, be placed on the microchip or link together with microchip effectively, as silicon, MEMs (being micro electromechanical system) device or integrated circuit.Biosensor based on microchip can be called " biochip ".No matter type of sensor how, microchip can comprise the multiple sensors element, these sensor elements have similar or different sensitivity, kinetics and/or target analytes (being mark), and these sensor elements are in the array of the described analyte that is suitable for detecting different content or its combination.In addition, each pick off in this array all can provide dissimilar signals, comprises those types disclosed herein, can be connected with different actuator and/or controllers.Each pick off in the array can also be operated independently, or be connected with other pick off of any amount in the array (for example, parallel connection, combination or series connection).

Any proactive sensor 60 of the present invention can be placed on and/or be operably connected to any part of disposable product, and this part will be exposed to the input that sensor design detects.For the present invention, term " is operably connected " and refers to a kind of method for communicating, so that this pick off 60 sends signal can for the some parts of articles for use 20 when pick off 60 detects input.Pick off 60 can separate with some other parts of its another part, another pick off 60, actuator, controller or articles for use 20 or ingredient or be operably connected." being operably connected " for example can comprise communication modes, as passing through lead or conducting piece, passing through the electrical connection as the transmission signal of radio frequency, infrared ray or other transmission frequency communication mode.Replacedly, pick off 60 can be operably connected by the mechanical connection manner as pneumatic connection or hydraulic pressure connection.

In the disposable product embodiment (for example diaper 20 of Fig. 1), pick off 60 can be positioned at front waist region 36, back waist region 38 or the crotch district 37 of articles for use 20, and can be with formation one integral body, adjacent settings such as a part of main body 22, top flat 24, egative film 26, absorbent article core 28, lateral plate 30, lower limb hoop 32, lumbar region parts 34, fastening system 40, longitudinal edge 50 or ora terminalis 52, couple together or comprise above-mentioned parts.In some preferred embodiment that target organism analyte and bodily waste combine, pick off 60 can place the crotch district of articles for use 20 therein, so that the probability maximum of bodily waste touch sensor 60.Pick off is suitable for detecting or measuring in other embodiment preferred of the target organism reagent on the wearers skin therein, and pick off 60 can be positioned over top flat, hoop, lumbar region parts, feces and accept bag, separator or in use will contact on any other parts of articles for use of wearers skin.In some embodiments, pick off can also link together with skin lotion (lotion) or other skin care compositions in the articles for use.

Pick off 60 can be in aggregates with articles for use 20, also can be installed by care-giver or wearer.During the furnishings, pick off can also separate with articles for use at least in part, and can adhere on the wearer's skin.Pick off can be permanently or separably (as by resembling VelcroTM mechanical fixation system or water soluble adhesive) be fixed on the supporting construction, comprise high puff, thin film, rare gauze, foamed materials of adhesive tape, cellulose or synthetic net, nonwoven etc.In addition, pick off 60 can be contained within the articles for use (as articles for use 20) fully, or receiving unit places among the articles for use, so that it touches desirable input signal, and another part such as hop place among the articles for use or outside the articles for use.Pick off 60 can also be positioned at the outside of articles for use 20, and is operably connected with the some parts of articles for use 20, so that pick off 60 can offer controller and/or actuator at the external detection input signal of articles for use 20 and with signal.In some embodiments, pick off may separate with articles for use, for example is used for some position of wearer independently by adhesive or other methods known in the art, and/or has one or more and the articles for use separated portions.

In some embodiments, provide wiping arrangement or parts, confession wearer or care-giver remove the excessive bodily waste on the pick off 60, signal is carried out visual evaluation or reading (especially true for the pick off embodiment that sort signal is provided).Wiper member can comprise that the doctor-like parts of fabric (cellulosic or synthetic), the high puff of nonwoven, thin film, foamed materials, hard or semi-rigid and those are positioned in the articles for use and are applicable to the like of cleaning pick off display.Wiper member can be fixed on the parts (as top flat) near the articles for use of pick off 60 at least in part by any method known in the art.Wiping arrangement can randomly comprise any other the known cleaning additive of water, so that the cleaning of wearer or pick off display.

In certain preferred aspects, articles for use 20 also comprise an actuator.The used term " actuator " of the application refers to a device, and it comprises that " potential energy " and conversion potential energy are to carry out or to start the device of " response function ".The potential energy of actuator can comprise the material of energy storage or potential or storage.Like this, actuator can be by being kinetic energy with potential energy converting and energy or finishing or start response function by the material that discharges or transmission stores.For the present invention, " to answering function " is defined as the function that acts on bodily waste, wearer, articles for use or its one or more ingredients, perhaps the signal that sends to wearer or care-giver.The component of bodily waste can comprise for example moisture, electrolyte, enzyme, escaping gas, antibacterial, blood etc.Wearer's ingredient also can comprise skin, genitals, anus, outside anal sphincter etc.The ingredient of articles for use also can comprise lower limb hoop, waist hoop or other refuse block piece and/or retain part, lateral plate, auricle, main body, absorbent article core, collecting means, fastening system, longitudinal edge or end edge etc.Potential energy can be stored and be mechanical energy, electric energy, chemical energy or heat energy." kinetic energy " used in this application refers to acting or implements the energy of aforesaid response function (covering of gel, skin or feces of for example, the rotation of the expansion of compressor, torsion device, motion when covert or processing, the inhibition of enzyme, the adjusting of pH value etc.).

The formation that triggers three dimensional structure to be to collect refuse, for example comprises on the ingredient that is applied to articles for use and finally puts on response function on the refuse.For example collecting refuse, wiping wearers skin, handling skin, antibacterial, antifungal or enzyme inhibitor with skin care compositions all is the response function that acts on refuse and/or the wearer.Geometry (one dimension, two dimension or three-dimensional) or the physical property (for example bending modulus, geometry etc.) of adjusting articles for use are the examples that acts on the response function on the articles for use.Send the response function that the object of the invention has taken place maybe will take place also to be considered to realize incident of signal indication for care-giver and/or wearer.Signal can be vision, audition, tactile, electric, chemistry or biological.For example, the actuator of disposable product can discharge or transmit a kind of deodorizer, enzyme inhibitor, antibacterial, antifungal, skin care compositions or pH controlling agent; Collection, wiping, covering, restriction, fixing, sealing, suction or store bodily waste; Or trigger and to be used to implement the structure of above-mentioned one or more functions or the release or the formation of parts, or any other affacts response function on Excreta, wearer, articles for use or its ingredient.

Actuator of the present invention can discharge potential energy to be carried out or starts the response function that acts on Excreta, wearer, articles for use or its ingredient.The release of this potential energy can be converted to mechanical kinetic energy, electric energy or chemical kinetic energy with mechanical potential, electric potential energy, chemistry or calorific potential, finishes this response function.Actuator can the amount of being transfused to threshold triggers, finish response function to discharge potential energy, perhaps continuous response input quantity as follows.For example, compression foam has stored compressor mechanical potential energy, and can provide mechanical kinetic energy when it is released.Reverse foam and stored and reverse mechanical potential, when it is released, can provide mechanical kinetic energy promptly to rotatablely move.In addition, the chemical energy that is stored, electric energy or heat energy can be used to discharge electric energy, mechanical kinetic energy, chemistry or hot kinetic energy.The disposable product actuator can comprise one or more in for example following: the skin lotion of storage, antifungal or antibacterial, feces modification agent, enzyme inhibitor, pH buffer agent, dyestuff, gas-pressurized, compression foam, reverse foam, pump, closed-system liquid transfer part, electric quick gel, pH induction gel, salinity gel etc.Potential energy can be stored with any way that is enough to keep/restrain before it at needs.The suitable method that is used to keep and/or restrains this class energy comprises the battery that is unreacted reactant form and/or capacitor, material or structure, the material that reverses tension or the structure of elasticity tension, the material or the structure of compression tension, with the material that can finish physics or chemical functional (for example, hygroscopic agent, emollient, pH buffer agent, enzyme inhibitor, feces modification agent, Compressed Gas etc.).

Replacedly, actuator of the present invention can comprise that some are stored material, and it has execution or starts the ability that acts on the response function on refuse, wearer, articles for use or its any ingredient.For example in one embodiment, actuator can discharge or transmit the material that is stored of finishing response function.In this embodiment, the threshold value that actuator can the amount of being transfused to starts, to discharge intermittently or continuously in preset time or to transmit stored substance.Actuator for example can comprise skin lotion, skin care compositions, antifungal or antibacterial, feces modification agent, enzyme inhibitor, pH buffer agent, dyestuff of storage etc.In some preferred embodiment, the material as expansion elastomeric material, release gases at high pressure etc. can be transmitted by actuator.

Fig. 2 and 2A are diagrammatic to be actuator 90, and this actuator comprises the elastomeric material 94 (as foam) of compression, at the condition lower seal of partial vacuum at least in pressure differential device 91.The pressure differential device of this paper is meant and can keeps any device of elastomeric material or structure (for example, the pressure of the elastomeric material 94 by the constraint compression can storing energy) with compressive state." compressive state " is defined as such state, wherein preserves material with the volume littler than the volume under unconfinement and the zero pressure.For elastomeric material, generally can realize compressive state by applying pressure to any other known method in surface or this area of material.Pressure differential device for example, can comprise vacuum seal bag that retrains elastomeric material or the material of tightening such as elastic or inelastic belt or rope, band, thin film, non-woven fleece, rare gauze or foam.Preferably, by a trigger mechanism, can reduce the compression (promptly Ya Suo elastomeric material expands at least in part) of the elastomeric material that keeps by pressure differential device 91 at least in part.Trigger mechanism is any element or the device such as pick off, actuator or its combination, and it responds input signal, to realize the equalization of pressureization in the pressure differential device 91, the elastomeric material 94 of compression is expanded at least in part.When discharging compression material, as when detecting target organism activity analysis thing, the elastomeric material of compression can expand and provide the material of storage.In some embodiments, to comprise void space 96 may be favourable to actuator.

Described elastomeric material can comprise any elastomeric material, include but not limited to that eva foam is as deriving from Foamex Corporation of Eddystone, Pennsylvania is masked as the foam of SIF/210PP1 or Aquazone A80, or deriving from Sentinel Products Corporation of Hyannis, MA is masked as MC1900 EVA 21b/ft ³, or hipe foam, see that the exercise question of authorizing people such as DesMarais on November 9th, 1993 is the U.S. Pat 5260345 of " absorbent foam and the absorbent device that contains these materials that are used for aqueous body fluids "; Give the U.S. Pat 5387207 of people's such as Dyer exercise question February 7 nineteen ninety-five for " being used for the thin of aqueous body fluids " up to moistening absorbent foam and preparation method thereof; Authorize the U.S. Pat 5625222 of people's such as DesMarais exercise question for " by the absorbent foam that is used for aqueous fluid of High Internal Phase Emulsion preparation " with very high water-oil factor example with on July 22nd, 1997.(each patent of pointing out above all is incorporated herein by reference)

In some embodiments of the present invention, pressure differential device 91 can comprise a soluble sack.Described soluble sack can dissolve when one or more dissimilar inputs (as water, urine, fecal enzymes, pH level etc.) occurring, and has the characteristic (as thickness) physics and/or chemistry of the threshold level of setting the needed input of dissolving sack.Described soluble sack, for example, can comprise water-soluble plastic sheeting such as Chris-CraftIndustrial Products, Inc.of South Holland, the PVA thin film of MONOSOL M7031, the M7030 that IL provides, M8630, M8534 or E6030 thin film, or H.B.Fuller Company ofSt.Paul, the HL 1636 that MN provides or HL 1669-X thin film.For example, also can change the thickness of thin film so that required startup to be provided.Employed thin film for example, also can have about 0.0005 to about 0.0015 inch thickness range.HL 1636 thin film with about 0.001 inch thickness, for example, at about 0.049 gram/inch ²Moisture the time will start.

As selection, actuator can comprise the responsive gel of a kind of electricity.The responsive gel of electricity is the gel network of polymer, when being expanded and when imposing electric current or electric field, this polymer gel network changes volume and/or geometry by water-soluble at least in part.For example, the polyacrylamide gel of some partial ionization is when weak electric field (as 0.5 volt/centimetre) immerses acetone and water down, with the anisotropic shrinkage that produces about 50%.On the other hand, electric responsive gel can produce electric inductive bending under the situation of water and surfactant existence, when being subjected to oscillating electric field to do the time spent, can also produce the vibration fluctuation.Can believe, concentrate on the electronegative gelatin polymer, can in partial gel, (side of example gel element) produce local contraction by the surfactant molecule that in electric field, will have positive charge.Change the intensity and/or the polarity of electric field, make that induced gel produces motion (for example the bar shaped gel may be crooked) when the length of gel one side reduces.The responsive gel of electricity can comprise various geometries such as rectangle, circle, grid-shaped etc., so that the valve of a releasable material is provided, volume and/or geometry when changing when them make bodily waste flow through, stop bodily waste to flow through, encapsulate bodily waste etc.For example, during electroactive in detecting the indication defecation or the external anal sphincter of urinating, the electric responsive gel of bar shaped can be crooked, so that an available void space to be provided.

For example, the electric responsive gel strips 494 in the circuit has been shown in Fig. 5 A and 5B, wherein the moisture content of feces can cross-over connection contact 485, and allows electric current flow to electric responsive gel, makes gel strips crooked or stretch.As selection, be shown in the electric responsive gel 594 that is grid-shaped 595 among Fig. 6 A, 6B and the 6C, when detecting when being about to urinate, can induce by electricity and expand or shrink, allow and/or stop urine to flow to the valve of another part of articles for use 20 to form one.For example, Fig. 6 A illustrates the circuit that comprises electric quick gel network pattern.Fig. 6 B and 6C further illustrate the microscope view of the grid under the pucker ﹠ bloat configuration respectively.A kind of typical material is weak crosslinked PAMPs gel (poly-(acrylamide-2-methylpropane) sulfonic acid).Such gel can be finished multiple function, for example applies or transmit chemical manure treating agent.Other typical electric quick gel is authorized among the United States Patent (USP) 5100933 of Tanaka and the WO9202005 in March 31 nineteen ninety and is described.Replacedly, adopt the pH induction gel or the salinity that under specific pH value or salinity, change volume and/or geometry respectively to respond to gel as actuator of the present invention.

Actuator can be placed in any part of disposable product and/or with it and operationally link to each other, and this will allow actuator to finish to affact the response function on bodily waste, wearer, articles for use or its ingredient.In articles for use 20, for example, actuator can be placed in front waist region 36, back waist region 38 or the crotch district 37 of articles for use 20, and can be integrally formed with the ingredient of main body 22, top flat 24, egative film 26, absorbent article core 28, lateral plate 30, lower limb hoop 32, waist spare 34, fastening system 40, longitudinal edge 50 or end edge 52 etc., near or the position that is connected.Actuator also can be accommodated in the articles for use as articles for use 20 fully, can have the part that is positioned at articles for use and place the outer part of articles for use 20, perhaps can be placed the outside of articles for use 20 fully.Actuator or its part can operationally be linked to each other with another part of one or more pick offs 60, one or more controller 80, actuator or another part of articles for use 20.Further, actuator can form one with articles for use 20, perhaps can be installed by care-giver or wearer.

Articles for use 20 also can comprise controller.For the present invention, " controller " is defined as a kind of device, and this device receives from pick off and imports and determine whether to take one or more action.This controller can affact response function on bodily waste, wearer, articles for use or its ingredient from pick off 60 received signals and indication actuator.Replacedly, actuator can receive direct signal from pick off 60, and response function is affacted on wearer, refuse, articles for use or its ingredient.Controller can comprise the material that stands chemistry or physical change, can be chemistry, machinery or electric installation, and it handles the information from pick off etc.Biosensor 60 can comprise transducer, and this transducer comprises multilamellar Langmuir-Blodgett thin film, and its part is started to control the function of system device at least, and wherein one or more layers comprises biological identification element.When contacting with water, known Langmuir-Blodgett thin film spontaneously reorganizes, and produces than the more zone of the layer of raw films with than layer other zone still less of raw films.This function of organization again can be exposed to environment with recognition component, preferably has the environment of water (as the water in the bodily waste), and it may comprise the target organism analyte.Can reduce the false positive of biosensor like this and/or prolong storage life.As selection, receive from the signal of electrochemical sensor such as the electric controller of electromotive force, the multiple signal of telecommunication can be received and monitor, and actuator can be repeatedly triggered.Controller can be formed part with pick off, actuator is formed partly or the independent ingredient of system is in aggregates.

Controller can place any part of disposable product and/or operationally be attached thereto, and articles for use allow controller to provide signal from pick off 60 received signals and to actuator.In articles for use 20, for example, controller can be positioned at front waist region 36, back waist region 38 or the crotch district 37 of articles for use 20, and can form an integral body with the ingredient of main body 22, top flat 24, egative film 26, absorbent article core 28, lateral plate 30, lower limb hoop 32, lumbar region parts 34, fastening system 40, longitudinal edge 50 or end edge 52 etc., near placing or being connected.Controller can form an integral body with articles for use 20, is perhaps installed by care-giver or wearer.Controller can be included in the articles for use as articles for use 20 fully, can have to be positioned over the part in the articles for use and to be positioned over the outer part of articles for use, perhaps can be positioned entirely on the outside of articles for use 20.The part of controller or controller can be operably connected to another part of one or more pick offs 60, one or more actuator 90, this controller or another part of articles for use 20.Controller for example can receive the signal from pick off 60, and provides signal to actuator, for example by radio frequency (rf) transmission.

Although different structural members can be finished the function of pick off 60, actuator and controller, the function of pick off 60 of the present invention, actuator and/or controller needn't be finished by different structural members.The function of pick off 60 and controller for example can be realized by same structure spare.

For the application, " responding system " is defined as a kind of system, this system comprises pick off 60 and actuator, and when pick off 60 detected suitable triggering input, this actuator acted on bodily waste, wearer, articles for use or its one or more ingredients.When detecting given input parameter, actuator is realized the release of storage power or the release or the transmission of storage material, to realize response function.For example, when the proactive sensor 60 that comprises transducer detected an approaching incident, transducer provided a signal to actuator, realized the release of storage power.By detected input signal before approaching incident, the responding system in the articles for use can be triggered, so that prepare or send signal for the care-giver or the wearer of incident for this incident.This make articles for use be configured to wherein that control of waste or treatment technology " stash " at the beginning or unshowy, but just can obtain this articles for use when needed or before, perhaps these articles for use can offer the chance that care-giver or wearer prepare incident in advance (for example in the incident that detects pathogen microorganism or residual feces dirt, giving wearer's Prevention Processing).Regardless of specific input, the pick off 60 in these embodiments can trigger actuator and apply effect to give articles for use, wearer or external environment condition, is preparing of incident, and perhaps sending the approaching incident of signal indication to the care-giver will take place.If pick off 60 comprises sensor-based system, then an actuator can be by different pick offs and/or signal triggering, and perhaps different actuators can be by different pick offs and/or signal enabling.Replacedly, pick off and/or signal can trigger a plurality of actuators.

Responding system can " continuously " or " discontinuous " mode respond." the continuous response system " that adopted in this application refers to a kind of responding system, wherein export the amount that on amount, depends on input, the input quantity that promptly needs to increase continuously realizes the output that increases continuously, and perhaps the output of responding system comprises the passive release of storage material.Place the superabsorbent polymer of articles for use absorbent article core that successive response for example is provided, wherein export the amount that on amount, depends on input, promptly when the liquid wastes of recruitment contacted the superabsorbent polymer, the polymer receiving fluids of recruitment was till using up the polymer capacity.Stoichiometric chemical reaction is another example with system of the output that continuous response increases.For example, in reaction A+ excessive B → C, the amount of excessive B that is converted into C is by stoichiometry, so relevant with the amount of available A in the system " continuously ".

Yet " discontinuous responsive system " of the present invention refers to a kind of responding system, and it has the output function that is independent of the input quantity that exceeds threshold level basically.For example, when satisfying the threshold level of one or more given inputs, responding system will discharge all energy of its storage or the predetermined portions of its storage power, perhaps, carry (the promptly initiatively transmitting) all material of its storage or predetermined portions of its storage material, to realize specific response function.In desirable embodiment of the present invention, output function f (x) comprises " stepped ramp type " function as shown in Figure 3A.In this embodiment, when input quantity is greater than or less than threshold value, the rate of change (d (output)/d (input)) of the output that increases along with input quantity, promptly the slope of output function f (x) or first derivative f (x) preferably are substantially zero.At the threshold value place, rate of change d (output)/d (input) is preferably near unlimited.Like this, in ideal discontinuous responsive, the limit of function f (x-ε) is not equal to the limit of function f (x+ ε) when ε → 0 when ε → 0, promptly

\lim_{ϵ &RightArrow; 0} f (x - ϵ) &NotEqual; \lim_{ϵ &RightArrow; 0} f (x + ϵ)

Yet the present invention recognizes in the objective world, and it is unnecessary changing in threshold level place step of ideal moment, and in many cases or even impossible.In a preferred embodiment, only need output function near input threshold level place or this threshold level, to have the step variation of a reality along with the very little variation of input quantity.Like this, the present invention considers discontinuous responsive system, and the output function of this system responds in abundant discontinuous mode in transitional region, so that has minimum at least relative steepness at this transitional region output function.Although without wishing to be held to the ad hoc approach of discontinuous system described or demonstration, but determining given output function whether with in order to realize in the method for optimizing that abundant discontinuous mode that purpose of the present invention is limited carries out, the relative slope of the line between the slope of the curve of output at flex point place and first and rearmost point in transitional region compares.For example, Fig. 4 A illustrates the derivative of this typical case's output function of typical output function f (x) and alignment, promptly first derivative f ' (x), second dervative f " (x) and the curve of three order derivative f (x).Output function f (x) expression input (x or I) is to the influence of output or response (R (I)).For the present invention, transitional region is defined in the second dervative f of output function f (x) " (x) relative maximum R (I ₁) and minima R (I ₂) between the zone.Relative maximum R (I ₁) and relative minimum R (I ₂) be the null points of three order derivative f (x).Flex point I ₀Be defined in second dervative f in the transitional region " (x) null point, that is,

\frac{d^{2} R}{{dI}^{2}} |_{I = I_{0}} = 0

The comparison of the slope of the slope of flex point place output function and the line between first of transitional region and rearmost point is described by following equation:

\frac{dR}{dI} |_{I = I_{0}} = k \frac{(Δ R_{T})}{(Δ I_{T})}

In this equation, the dR/dI at flex point place is the first derivative of output function at this point.Term Δ I _TFirst I that is meant in transitional region ₁With rearmost point I ₂Between the variation of responding system input quantity, i.e. I ₂-I ₁, term Δ R _TFirst I that is meant in transitional region ₁With rearmost point I ₂Between the variation of response output function, i.e. R (I ₂)-R (I ₁).Coefficient k is a proportionality constant, and it is described in flex point I ₀The slope of the output function at place and first I of transitional region ₁With rearmost point I ₂Between the slope of line between relative steepness.In order to make responding system have discontinuous output function, it is about 2.0 that proportionality constant k must be at least, preferably be at least about 3.0, more preferably at least about 5.0, even more preferably at least about 10.0, the most preferred at least about 100.0.

In certain embodiments, the transfer function simulation of the control system that the relative steepness in the transitional region of discontinuous responsive system also can be by having a series of Integer n, the first order postpones to have equal time constant.For the purposes of the present invention, the transfer function of responding system is defined as the Laplace transformation ratio between output (response variable) and the input (disturbance variable).For example see McGraw Hill in 1984, " Perry Chemical Engineering handbook (sixth version) the 22nd chapter that Robert H.Perry that Inc. publishes and Don Green collaborate.As shown in Fig. 4 B, the relative steepness of output function can be approx by following formulate: KG (s)=K/ (Ts+1) ⁿ, wherein KG (s) is a transfer function, and K is the ratio composition, and T is the time constant of system, and n is the integer of first order time delay.In this pattern, when Integer n increases, increase in the steepness of the output function of transitional region, this pattern begins to be similar to discontinuous responsive system.When n more than or equal to about 25 the time, discontinuous responsive systems more of the present invention can be by above-mentioned formula simulation, n more than or equal to about 50 o'clock more preferably, n is more than or equal to about 100 o'clock most preferably.

As shown in Figure 3A, responding system of the present invention can comprise a single threshold level, can discharge its all storage power at this threshold level responding system and finish a specific response function, perhaps can comprise a plurality of threshold levels, a predetermined portions that can discharge its storage power in this threshold level system is to realize one or more specific response functions at each threshold level.For example in having the embodiment of single threshold level, responding system can discharge its all storage power to realize whole response function when reaching threshold level.In this embodiment with a threshold level, discontinuous responsive system comprises having as opening or closing the system of two states.When the input threshold quantity as target biomaterial occurs in absorbent device, responding system can for example wrap up refuse away from wearer's skin or to wearer or care-giver a visual signal that detects easily is provided refuse, wearer, articles for use or single response function of its ingredient effect.Like this, the function that this discontinuous responsive system can be implemented disposable " similar switch ", the function of this similar switch under the situation that the input threshold value occurs from a change of state to another state.

Replacedly, shown in Fig. 3 B, responding system can have a plurality of threshold levels, and when reaching each threshold level, system can discharge given energy " quantum " or transmit given quantity of material to realize specific response function.In this embodiment, when reaching each threshold level, can realize the part of whole response function, and/or the different threshold levels that response is reached can be realized different independent response functions.For example, can monitor fecal enzymes to the system of answering, when reaching each threshold value enzyme level, can transmit the enzyme inhibitor or the skin lotion of identical or different quantity, or transmitting a kind of pH buffer agent under the first threshold level and under second threshold level, carrying out another kind of response function, as transmit a certain amount of enzyme inhibitor.In each transitional region, responding system make basically with the single threshold value embodiment of describing in the above in the identical reaction of transitional region.

In addition, a responding system can be monitored a plurality of inputs such as one or more pathogenetic bacterias and/or one or more fecal enzymes, and when reaching the threshold level of different inputs, carry out one or more response functions, perhaps when two or more threshold levels of different inputs reach, only carry out a response function.Like this, controller can be monitored a plurality of different inputs, and can carry out different response functions when reaching different input threshold level.Replacedly, but controller actuating logic disjunction gate type function, so that when reaching one or more threshold level of a plurality of inputs, carry out response function.Controller also can actuating logic " with door " type effect, consequently execution response function when reaching each threshold level of two or more different inputs.

Responding system also can comprise " closed loop " or " open loop " system." closed loop " system (it is also referred to as " feedback control loop " system) comprises different pick off 60 and actuator composition part, and carries out response function according to input.In some preferred embodiments, system also can adopt the parameter of the detection of an element or measured value or a kind of output condition at least one trigger as the response function of carrying out according to input.When actuator has had after the chance of carrying out response function under the initial conditions, output condition can be the state of this initial conditions.Response function can be carried out when output condition reaches threshold value, also can only carry out when output condition and one or more other conditions satisfy.Effect to input can comprise the effect of the element (as the sensing microorganism) to institute's sensing and to action of microorganisms, also can comprise element to institute's sensing be global facility component (as the sensing fecal bacteria) effect and to the effect of fecal matter on the wearers skin or presence of residual feces.As mentioned above, the feedback control blood circulation comprises at least two different ingredients: pick off 60 and actuator.Pick off 60 detection incidents or the parameter relevant with this incident.Actuator received signal and carry out response functions according to the detected initial conditions of pick off 60.Feedback control loop can further comprise controller.In this case, pick off 60 can provide signal to controller, and controller can indicate actuator to carry out response function in input.Controller can be a separating component of responding system, also can be finished the function of controller by pick off 60 and/or actuator.

Feedback control loop can be " non-modulation " or " synthetic ".In " non-modulation " feedback control loop responding system, responding system is as a switch, and wherein when satisfying the output condition threshold level, actuator is carried out response function in input.For example, pick off 60 can detect the existence of specific pathogen microorganism or measure its concentration, and actuator can send the signal that may infect at the initial stage to the care-giver.In this example, actuator acts on pick off 60 detected inputs.But " synthetic " feedback control loop comprises pick off 60, actuator and controller.In synthetic feedback control loop, output condition is monitored frequently or repeatedly, controller indication actuator is carried out response function in input, so that in the scope of reference point of expecting or expection, keep this output condition, or provide successive measurement to the content or the concentration of target organism analyte.

But " open loop " system a kind ofly responds input and does not adopt feedback to carry out the system of response function, promptly exports the detected input that enters this system inoperative.Open cycle system can comprise having the responding system of not only carrying out pick off 60 but also carrying out the single assembly of actuator function, also can have different pick off 60 and actuator and form part, and actuator wherein acts on other signal that is different from input.For example, place the super-absorbent polymer of the absorbent cores of disposable absorbent article, open-loop response is provided, this is because this polymer only comprises the single assembly of carrying out pick off 60 and actuator function.As selection, the open-loop response system can comprise the pick off 60 that detects bodily waste or this bodily waste component and in continuous or discontinuous mode to carry out the actuators of response function by pick off 60 detected some signal that is different from input.

It is the U.S. Patent application 09/106424 (P﹠amp of " disposable product with discontinuous responsive system " that other responding system is described in the exercise question of submitting on June 29th, 1998; G case numbers 7197); The exercise question of submitting on June 29th, 1998 is the U.S. Patent application 09/107563 (P﹠amp of " disposable product with the responding system that comprises feedback control loop "; G case numbers 7198); And the exercise question that on June 29th, 1998 submitted to is the U.S. Patent application 09/106225 (P﹠amp of " disposable product with the responding system that comprises mechanical actuator "; G case numbers 7199), each patent application all is incorporated herein by reference.

The example of diaper 20 of the present invention can comprise responding system, described to the system of answering comprise as shown in Figure 1 pick off 60 and actuator as shown in Figure 2.In this embodiment, pick off 60 can comprise a transducer that can be operatively connected with biological identification element, and described biological identification element is suitable for detecting the escherichia coli in the feces.According to the specific detection of biological identification element to the escherichia coli threshold value, transducer sends current signal to actuator.The articles for use that are shown among Fig. 1 can comprise actuator, and described actuator comprises the elastomeric material 94 with the vacuum-packed compression of water-soluble film shown in Figure 2 91 (as the PVA thin film).According to the reception from the proper signal of pick off, actuator can cut out switch, for example, can discharge a spot of storage water contact and dissolving water-soluble film 91.This causes being stored in the release of the mechanical energy in the compression foam.Elastomeric material 94 expands and also forms a separator, for the feces at initial stage provides voidage.As selection, switch closure can discharge the colibacillary antibacterial of control again and/or send the visible dyestuff that has the escherichia coli signal to wearer or care-giver.In another embodiment, responding system can comprise the actuator to care-giver or wearer's warning, forecasts that imminent incident infects or skin infection (as dermatitis) as diarrhoea.

In a replaceable embodiment, the present invention can comprise partial body cover, as detecting and forecast to user the Handcovering of particular organisms situation.Handcovering can be partly or fully any other parts of hands or health is covered.Preferably, pick off is usually located at or close at least a portion outer surface.The example types of Handcovering includes but not limited to fingerstall, glove, mitten and handkerchief.Preferred these body covers are disposable.This covering can be used for medical treatment and nursing and evaluation, zoology and veterinary's nursing and evaluation, food processing and processing with plant or tame livestock products in relevant agricultural purposes, the commercial and family that carries out for people or other biological desired consumption.

In another embodiment, the present invention can comprise food processing, storage or preparation articles for use, is used for the food aspect of people or other biological consumption, and these articles for use can detect and forecast specific biological situation to the user.Preferred this articles for use are disposable.The surface portion of the proximal most position that pick off generally is preferably placed at or approaches to expect is perhaps with Food Contact.These articles for use can be used for the processing of the food of undressed mistake at various processing or preparatory phase, or with thorough purified food together.This articles for use can comprise food formulation companion, hard or flexible covering and cover; The lining of food storage material such as rigid container, rigid container or surface, the food storage packaging material of preferably making by flexible material; And food service articles for use such as tray, dish, platter, bowl, packaging material for food and hard and flexible sheet as the plate succedaneum.

Test method

The response factor test:

With response factor method of testing described below, the response in the time of can measuring basis weight sensor and be exposed to predetermined substance or composition and react.

The predetermined substance or the composition that are suitable for this test method comprise: the feces tester in the aqueous solution, concentration are every gram normal saline solution 1 gram feces tester; Feces tester in the test urine solution, concentration are every gram test urine solution 1 gram fecal matter; Test urine solution; The normal saline solution of scatol, concentration are the scatol of every gram normal saline solution 180 micrograms; And normal saline solution.

All measurements are all carried out under body temperature (37 ℃).This method of testing comprises following steps in the following order:

1) is exposed to after the normal saline solution 24 hours the quantitative response of record pick off.Background response is maximum recording responses.

2) pick off is exposed to the material or the composition of regulation.

3) pick off was exposed to regulation material or composition 24 hours, the quantitative response of record pick off.Substance responds is maximum recording responses.

With background response normalization substance responds, the factor meets with a response.If response factor is less than 1, the reciprocal value of usefulness response factor is the factor in response.

Although described specific embodiment of the present invention and/or individual characteristics, under the prerequisite that does not depart from spirit and scope of the invention, those skilled in the art can carry out various changes and correction is conspicuous to the present invention.For example, make an explanation and describe, the invention is not restricted to this embodiment although the present invention is primarily aimed at disposable diaper.The articles for use that the present invention also can be used for for example directly applying to wearer's's (for example, being applied to wearer's crissum or perineal region) articles for use before using disposable diaper or replaces disposable diaper are used for pull-on diaper, diaper insert, sanitary towel, tampon etc.In addition, should be understood that all these embodiments and combination of features are possible, and can obtain the preferred embodiments of the invention.So, all these changes and the correction of plan in appending claims is planned the covering scope of the invention.

Claims

1. be applicable to wearer's disposable product, comprise: comprise the biosensor of at least one biological identification element, this biosensor is suitable for detecting the target organism analyte in the bodily waste or on the wearers skin.

2. the disposable product of claim 1, wherein this biological identification element comprises the biological respinse activating agent.

3. the disposable product of claim 1, wherein this biosensor is selected from: living things catalysis biosensor and bioaffinity biosensor, and the bioaffinity biosensor preferably is selected from biosensor and immunosensor based on chemoceptor.

4. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biological identification element is selected from: the sequence of enzyme or enzyme; Antibody; DNA; Organelle; Membrane receptor protein; Natural or synthetic cell membrane; The antibacterial that maybe can not live that can live, plant or zooblast; At least the partial nerve bundle, to the small part sensory organ; Acinetobacter baumannii TOI36 and bacillus cereus TOI41.

5. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biological identification element is placed on the base material, and this base material is selected from material, hydrogel, thin paper, non-woven material and the textile material based on polymer.

6. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biosensor detects the target organism analyte, and this analyte is selected from: pathogen antibacterial, colon bacterium, virus, parasite, bacteriotoxin, fungus, enzyme.

7. the disposable product of claim 6, pathogen antibacterial wherein is selected from colon bacillus; Bacillus typhi; Salmonella paratyphi; Salmonella enteridits; Bacillus typhi murium; Salmonella heidelberg; Shigella sonnei; Shigella flexneri; Shigella bogdii; Shigella dysenteriae; Vibrio cholera; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Yersinia enterocolitica; Aeromonas hydrophila; Plesiomonas shigelloides; Campylobacter jejuni moral Lai Shi subspecies; The large intestine Campylobacter; Bacteroides fragilis; Clostridium relieves internal heat; Aerogenesis capsule clostridium; Bacillus botulinus and clostridium difficile.

8. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biosensor detected the target organism analyte relevant with whole body or skin health situation before the clinical observable paresthesia epilepsy of the patient's condition.

9. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biosensor comprises transducer again, and this transducer preferably is selected from chemotron, photoconverter, thermoconverter and acoustical convertor.

10. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said articles for use comprise the cleaning element of biosensor again.

11. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biosensor are fixed on the support component and/or be can be isolating with articles for use.

12. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biosensor or support component adhere on the wearer's skin.

13. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim further comprises actuator, when biosensor detected the target organism analyte, this actuator was carried out response function, and described response function is preferably a kind of care-giver of issuing or wearer's signal.

14. the disposable product of claim 13, wherein said response function is to be selected from: produce voidage, handle skin, produce foamed system and signal to the care-giver in one or more.

15. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim further comprises receptor and/or transmitter.

16. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, the response factor when wherein said biosensor contacts feces is at least 5, preferably is at least 10, more preferably is at least 20.

17. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim, wherein said biosensor are exposed to concentration when being the scatol normal saline solution of every gram normal saline solution 180 microgram scatols, have to be at least 5 response factor.

18. a disposable product that is applicable to the wearer comprises: be suitable for detecting the healthy mark in the wearer's body refuse or on the wearers skin or the pick off of nutrition mark.

19. the disposable product of claim 18, wherein said healthy mark is selected from: heavy metal, radioactive substance, fat, enzyme, endocrine, protein substance, mucus and microorganism.

20. the disposable product of claim 19, wherein said heavy metal are lead and hydrargyrum.

21. the disposable product of claim 18, wherein said nutrition mark is selected from calcium, vitamin, electrolyte, fat, fatty acid, soap, aminoacid, enzyme, bile acid and salt thereof, cholesterol and sugar.

22. the disposable product of claim 18-21, wherein said pick off is before the clinical observable symptom of the patient's condition occurs, detect target health relevant with health or nutriture and/or nutrition mark, perhaps wherein said biosensor only detects target health and/or the nutrition mark that is higher than pre-set threshold.

23. the disposable product of claim 18-22, wherein said pick off also comprises transducer, and this transducer preferably is selected from chemotron, optical converter, thermoconverter and acoustical convertor.

24. the disposable product of claim 18-23, wherein said pick off comprises microchip.

25. the disposable product of claim 18-24 further comprises actuator, this actuator is carried out response function when sensor arrives healthy mark or nutrition mark.

26. the disposable product of claim 25, wherein said actuator are changed potential energy carrying out response function, this potential energy is selected from one or more of mechanical energy, electric energy, chemical energy.

27. each disposable product in the aforementioned claim further comprises: top flat; The egative film that is connected with top flat; And be positioned over absorbent cores between top flat and the egative film.

28. each disposable absorbent article in the aforementioned claim, wherein this disposable product is selected from: sanitary towel, diaper, training pants, insert and adult incontinence devices.