BEDWETTING SYSTEM

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to devices for preventing and helping persons who suffer from problems with urine incontinence and bedwetting. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bedwetting system configured to monitor if bedwetting occurs for a person using the system, the system comprising a wearable garment, a bedwetting control device and at least one bedwetting alarm unit.

Background art Bedwetting is a common issue for children who are learning how to sleep without a diaper. Some children learn relatively quickly to stay dry all night and to wake up if they need to go to the bathroom. However, some children struggle with bedwetting for a long time which not only causes discomfort for the child but also interrupts the sleep cycle for the entire family. Bedwetting may also add psychological stress for the child, which could result in the child tending to avoid certain social activities with friends such as sleep-overs etc.

While bedwetting issues for children normally passes with time, they are nevertheless problematic during the time that they occur, and it is naturally desired for the child to learn how to stay dry at night as rapidly as possible.

Additionally, bedwetting may have causes which are of a more pathological nature. People of all ages may for a number of reasons become urine incontinent, for instance by disease, by injury or from a surgical procedure. Some persons who suffer from urine incontinence can rehabilitate and regain control of the urination, while others are permanently disabled and thus incontinent to a various degree for the rest of their lives.

Regardless of the nature of the cause of the bedwetting problem or the age of the person suffering, many different aids are available to make living with such problems and rehabilitation thereof easier. For instance, diapers exist both for children and adults which can be used during sleeping.

Furthermore, bedwetting detection systems are available, which are often in the shape a blanket or a bed sheet of some sort that can detect moisture and then provide a signal to the user which causes them to wake up and be made aware of the problem.

Manufacturers of such aids continuosly strive to provide products which improve the quality of life and which helps persons to overcome or manage the problem as best as possible. It is desired to provide a bedwetting montoring system that not only is comfortable, reliable and discrete for the user to use, but that also improves the actual care and diagnostic possibilities that are available for the suffering person.

Summary of the invention

In view of that stated above, the object of the present invention is to provide a bedwetting system comprising a washable and reusable lower body garment capable of absorbing liquids, a bedwetting control device and at least one bedwetting alarm unit which alleviates some of the problems with or improves on prior art solutions. It also an object to provide a method for operating such a system.

More specifically, there is provided according to a first aspect a washable and reusable lower body garment capable of absorbing liquids. The lower body garment comprising: a main material having at least one layer and which is permeable to liquids and defining the exterior of the garment, an absorbing element being configured to be attached to the main material covering at least a pelvic area of the garment. The absorbing element comprises an absorbing material layer and a laminated material layer being arranged exteriorly of the absorbing material layer and being impermeable to liquids. The absorbing element further comprises elastic cuffs at the waist and at each leg portion of the absorbing element, forming a tight seal and keeping liquid from leaking outside of the absorbing element. The garment further comprises a first and a second conductive lead positioned in connection with the absorbing material layer such that a parameter associated with liquid being present in the absorbing material layer can be detected by a bedwetting control device connected to the first and second conductive leads. An improved garment is thus provided which is comfortable to wear, which can securely hold urine and prevent leakage outside of the absorbing element and which allows detection of urine is present in the absorbing element. The care for the user of the garment can thus be improved.

The garment may further comprise a first and a second connector being connected to the first and second lead respectively, being connectable to the control device for establishing a mechanical and electrical connection. The garment thus provides an easy and reliable way of supporting and electrically connecting the control device to the conductive leads.

In one embodiment, the first and second lead extend side by side from an upper lateral first position on the front of the absorbing element to a crotch area where the leads form a loop and from the crotch area to a second upper position on the other lateral side opposite the first position on the front of the absorbing element. Urine can thus be reliably detected over a large area of the absorbing element, with the leads covering especially the areas which are of high probability to be subjected to urine initially. The above extension of the conductive leads also provides equally high reliability of urine detection regardless of the gender of the person using the garment.

One of the leads may further still extend past the second position into a third position being centrally located on the front of the absorbing element, providing an even larger coverage without having to extend both leads.

In one embodiment, the first and second lead extend with an essentially constant distance between the first and second leads, providing equal measurement of the parameter over the entire extension of the leads.

The washable and reusable lower body garment may further comprise an electrically insulating element being arranged and extending between the first and second lead. The electrically insulating element preventing unintentional short-circuiting of the conductive leads. In a second aspect is a bedwetting control device provided. The bedwetting control device being configured to detect a parameter associated with whether or not liquid is present in an absorbing material layer of a washable and reusable lower body garment capable of absorbing liquids according to the first aspect. The control device comprises: at least one connector being connectable to the first and second conductive lead, an electrical power source configured to supply the components of the control device and the first and second conductive lead via the at least one connector with electrical power, a control unit being connected to the at least one connector and being configured to detect the parameter by monitoring the at least one connector and to determine an action based on the detected parameter and optionally to perform said action, and a communication unit configured to transmit signals indicative of the determined action to a bedwetting alarm unit. The bedwetting control device thus serves as an intelligent interface between the garment and a bedwetting alarm unit and provides accurate measuring and monitoring if liquid is present in the absorbing element.

The bedwetting control device may further comprise a first and a second connector being connected to the control unit and configured to establish a mechanical and electrical connection between the bedwetting control device and the first and second conductive leads. The bedwetting control device can thus be easily and securely be both electrically connected and supported by the same connectors.

The bedwetting control device may generate an electric potential difference to the first and second leads and the parameter may be associated with the electrical resistance detected between the first and second leads.

The communication unit may in one embodiment be configured to transmit wireless RF signals indicative of the determined action to the bedwetting alarm unit and the communication unit may further be configured to receive wireless RF signals from the bedwetting alarm unit. In a third aspect is a bedwetting alarm unit provided, the alarm unit is connectable to a bedwetting control device according to the second aspect. The bedwetting alarm unit comprises: a communication unit configured to receive signals from the bedwetting control device indicative of the action determined by the bedwetting control device, a control unit configured to interpret the received signal and to perform the determined action, a user interface which may be used to perform the determined action. The bedwetting alarm unit can thus effectively communicate, via the user interface, the action determined by the bedwetting control device to the user and/or caregiver. The bedwetting alarm unit being provided as a stand-alone unit in communication with the bedwetting control device is beneficial, as one or more bedwetting alarm units may be connected to one bedwetting control device which increases the quality of care available for the user.

The user interface may be provided as a light signal and/or as an audible signal and/or and/or as haptic feedback and/or by means of a graphical display unit.

In one embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive wireless RF signals indicative of the determined action, which improves the flexibility and usability of the bedwetting alarm unit as well as improving the sleep quality for the user as no cords as necessary between the bedwetting control device and the alarm unit.

The communication unit may further comprise a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the bedwetting control device and/or with an external device and/or with a database. The bedwetting alarm unit can thus relay the information to an external device, such as a mobile device or a computer which thus may facilitate presentation of information to the user and/or caregiver. If providing information to a database, for instance a cloud internet accessible database, such information could be accessed for instance from a client portal on any device by providing applicable authorization information. This would for instance permit a remotely located caregiver to provide care to the user by having access to the information in the database.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a bedwetting system is provided which is configured to monitor if bedwetting occurs for a person using the system. The system comprises a washable and reusable lower body garment capable of absorbing liquids according to the first aspect, a bedwetting control device according the second aspect connected to the lower body garment and being configured to determine based on the parameter if bedwetting occurs and to transmit a signal indicative of the action determined by the bedwetting control device, and at least one bedwetting alarm unit according to the third aspect configured to receive the signal from the bedwetting control device, the bedwetting control device and/or the bedwetting alarm unit being configured to perform the action.

The system provides a convenient, secure and comfortable system for monitoring if bedwetting occurs. The therapeutic possibilities are improved as the information can be shared amongst the components of the system.

In a fifth aspect is a method provided for operating the bedwetting system according to the fourth aspect. The method comprises: monitoring by the bedwetting control device the parameter measured through the first and second conductive leads in the lower body garment, determining an action based on the parameter’s relationship to at least one threshold value, performing the action by the bedwetting control device and/or the bedwetting alarm unit.

In one embodiment of the method for operating the bedwetting system, the parameter is indicative of an electrical resistance detected by the bedwetting control device and the bedwetting control device and the bedwetting alarm unit are configured for wireless communication, the action being at least one of: initiating a wireless connecting mode by the bedwetting control device and/or the bedwetting alarm unit if the resistance is below a threshold value and if the bedwetting control device and the bedwetting alarm unit are not already in a connected state, triggering an alarm by transmitting a signal from the bedwetting control device to the at least one bedwetting alarm unit at least instructing the bedwetting alarm unit to activate the user interface if the resistance is below the threshold value if the bedwetting control device and the bedwetting alarm unit are in a connected state. The bedwetting control device can thus be controlled by using a parameter indicative of the resistance in order to initiate a connecting mode and/or to trigger the alarm from the bedwetting alarm unit.

In one embodiment, the threshold value is between 150 kQ and 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ.

The bedwetting control device may further be configured to transmit a signal indicative of the resistance between the first and second conductive leads to the bedwetting alarm unit at least when the action of trigger alarm is performed. The transmittal of information indicative of the resistance can be used to determine an amount of liquid in the absorbing element, which may be beneficial for therapeutic purposes.

In one embodiment, the action of triggering alarm is performed after the step of initiating a connecting mode has been completed.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an underbody garment according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a front view of an absorbing element according to one embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows a front view of a part of an absorbing element according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows a waist portion and a waist cuff on an absorbing element according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a leg portion and a leg cuff on an absorbing element according to one embodiment.

Fig. 6 shows a bedwetting control device according to one embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows a bedwetting alarm unit according to one embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a bedwetting monitoring system according to one embodiment.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a bedwetting monitoring system according to one embodiment.

Description of embodiments

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

In the present disclosure, it will be referred to bedwetting in different contexts. Bedwetting in relation to the teachings herein relate to unintentional urine release in general. It does not necessarily have to involve actual leakage of urine into/onto the bed, as might be construed by the term, as the present invention prevents this from occurring. Bedwetting in relation to a person using the system disclosed herein relates to unintentional release of urine into a garment 200, which will be further elaborated on below. With simultaneous reference firstly to figs 1-3, in which a lower body garment 200 is shown in Fig. 1 and an absorbing element 204 in figs 2 and 3. The lower body garment 200 is illustrated as a pair of pants, but it is to be realized that they could equally well be embodied as for example a pair of shorts. The garment 200 comprises an absorbing element 204, which is attached, preferably by sewing or gluing, onto/into the main material 202 of the garment 200. Preferably, the absorbing element 204 is attached at least at the waist and to each leg of the garment 200 but it may also be attached at other positions to the garment 200. The absorbing element 204 is shown as having a shape with shorter legs than the garment 200 to which it is attached which is preferred. However the absorbing element 204 could also be provided with a shape that corresponds to the garment 200 to which it is attached. As it is the absorbing element 204 which is configured to absorb and retain eventual urine, it is of importance that the absorbing element covers the pelvic area of the person wearing it. The shape of the absorbing element shown in Fig. 2 is thus preferred as it sufficiently covers the important areas needed for avoiding that urine leaks outside of the absorbing element 204.

The absorbing element 204 is further comprises elastic cuffs 208, 210 at the waist and at each leg portion of the absorbing element, forming a tight seal and keeping liquid from leaking outside of the absorbing element 204. The absorbing element 204 is preferably attached to the main material 202 in the region of the elastic cuffs 208, 210. The elastic cuffs 208, 210 will be explained in further detail in relation to figs 4 and 5.

What is further shown in Fig. 1 is that the garment 200 comprises a bedwetting control device 100. The bedwetting device 100 could be integrated with the garment 200, however preferably it is a separate device which is removably connectable to the garment 200. The bedwetting control device 100 is connectable to a first and a second conductive lead 214a, 214b positioned in connection with the absorbing material layer 206, or alternatively in a material layer which is permeable to liquids present in the absorbing material layer 206, such that a parameter associated with liquid being present in the absorbing material layer 206 can be detected by the bedwetting control device 100. It is to be noted that while only two conductive leads 214a, 214b are shown, the garment 200 may comprise three, four or even more leads 214a, 214b as would be realized by the skilled person, whereby the parameter could be detected between each of the leads. This further naturally applies in extension to eventual corresponding connectors on both the garment 200 and on the bedwetting control device 100. The garment 200, or more specifically, the control device 100 is thus able to accurately detect if a person wearing the garment 200 has had urine leakage.

As the leads 214a, 214b preferably are sewn into the the material of the absoring element 204, the user of the garment 200 will not have to lie on any particular detecting sheet which could make sleeping difficult. The garment 200 should not feel any different to wear than a regular pair of pants/shorts and thus facilitates comfortable and secure sleep as the user not only will not have worry about wetting the bed but will also be alerted if urine leakage occurs into the absorbing element 204.

In Fig. 2, the absorbing element 204 is shown removed from the garment 200, and in Fig. 3 the absorbing element 204 is shown with the crotch/rear area of the absorbing element 204 folded out for illustrative purposes. The conductive leads 214a, 214b are shown, and the extension of the leads 214a, 214b through the absorbing element 204. The conductive leads 214a, 214b are sewn preferably into an absorbing material layer 206 in the absorbing element 204 or into a material layer which is permeable to liquid which is present in the absorbing material layer 206. It is the absorbing material layer 206 which is configured to hold the urine in the absorbing element 204, and it is thus in this part of the absorbing element 204 that it is most relevant for the conductive leads 214a, 214b to measure for urine.

The conductive leads 214a, 214b may be formed out of any conductive material suitable for forming conductive leads. Preferably however, the material should be resistive against the slightly acidic urine and thus not prone to oxidation. In one preferred embodiment, the leads 214a, 214b are made out of silver coated nylon. They may also be formed by stainless steel or other corrosion resistant materials. The leads 214a, 214b are preferably formed into conductive threads that can be attached/sewn into the material(s) of the absorbing element 204. The conductive leads 214a, 214b are preferably used to measure the electrical resistance between the leads 214a, 214b, which is indicative of the amount of liquid present in the material between the leads 214a, 214b. As urine conducts electricity better than the materials of the absorbing element 204, a decrease in resistance will be detected by the bedwetting control device 100 when urine is present in the absorbing material layer 206. In order to detect the resistance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b, the bedwetting control device 100 is configured to apply an electrical potential difference to the first and second electrical lead 214a, 214b. If the conductivity of the absorbing element 204 between the first and second lead 214a, 214b increases due to increased urine content, the bedwetting control device 100 can detect this as a change in resistance which can be measured preferably by measuring a current between the leads 214a, 214b. It could also be achieved by measuring a potential difference between the leads 214a, 214b.

As it is desired that the conductive leads 214a, 214b are placed where the urine is most likely to be introduced into the absorbing element 204, they may extend as shown in figs 2 and 3.

The absorbing material layer 206 is preferably an super absorbent material. This facilitates that the urine is quickly dispersed throughout the absorbing material layer 206, which is beneficial when it comes to the actual measuring of the urine content of the absorbing material layer 206. If the urine is spread out evenly in the absorbing material layer 206 quickly in a repetitive and reliable manner, this can be utilized by the bedwetting control device 100 to more reliably determine not only if urine is present but also how much urine is present as will be elaborated further on below.

A preferred superabsorbent material can absorb liquids many times its own weight and retain fluids in an amount of at least 10-45 times the weight of the material itself. Preferably the superabsorbent material of the absorbing material layer can absorb liquid weighing at least 70 or 80 times its own weight. An example of such a superabsorbent material is BELL OASIS®.

For the bedwetting control device 100 to be able to reliably determine a resistance between the leads 214a, 214b, it is preferred that the conductive leads 214a, 214b are sewn into the absorbing element 204 with equal distance between the leads 214a, 214b along the extension of the leads 214a, 214b. The distance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b affects the resistance, and it is desired for measurement accuracy that the built-in resistance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b is essentially constant over the length of the leads 214a, 214b. The distance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b may be approximately 31 mm. Other distances could also be applied, where a reduced distance leads to an increase in sensitivity and vice versa.

The first and second conductive lead 214a, 214b preferably extend side by side from an upper lateral first position 226 on the front of the absorbing element 204 to a crotch area 228 where the leads 214a, 214b form a loop. From the crotch area 228, the leads 214a, 214b extend to a second upper position 230 on the other lateral side opposite the first position 226 on the front of the absorbing element 204. The above extension of the leads 214a, 214b provide a satisfactory urine detection coverage in the absorbing element 204, and will accurately and rapidly detect urine in the absorbing material layer 206 regardless of the gender of the person wearing the garment 200. In one embodiment, shown in Fig. 3, the first lead 214a, which is the laterally extending lead, extends past the second position 230 into a third position 232 which is centrally located on the front of the absorbing element 204, further improving the coverage of the urine detection in the front of the absorbing element 204.

In Fig. 3, an electrically isolating element 214c is shown. This element 214c is schematically shown as a thread extending between the first and second conductive lead 214a, 214b, the purpose of which is to shield the conductive leads 214a, 214b from unintentional short circuiting.

As can be seen in figs 2 and 3, the conductive leads 214a, 214b may be connected to a first and a second garment connector 212a, 212b respectively. The garment connectors 212a, 212b in turn are connectable to corresponding first and second control device connectors 110a, 110b on the bedwetting control device 100, which are shown in Fig. 6. The connectors 212a, 212b, 110a, 110b on the garment 200 and on the bedwetting control device 100 respectively are preferably arranged at a distance of approximately 31 mm as measured centre-to-centre.

The garment connectors 212a, 212b forms the electrical connection between the conductive leads 214a, 214b and the bedwetting control device 100. They may further be configured to form the mechanical connection as well, supporting the bedwetting control device 100 and holding it in place on the garment 200. In one embodiment, the garment connectors 212a, 212b are arranged in a closeable pocket formed in the main material 202 on the inside of the garment 200. The garment connectors 212a, 212b on the garment 200 and the control device connectors 110a, 110b on the bedwetting control device 100 may be formed by studs and corresponding receivers respectively. The garment connectors 212a, 212b may form the studs and the control device connectors 110a, 110b may form the receivers, or vice versa.

Turning now to figs 4 and 5 which show an elastic cuff 208 at the waist and an elastic cuff 210 for a leg respectively of the absorbing element 204.

The cuffs 208, 210 are configured to form seals which prevent urine from leaking out of the absorbing element 204. Furthermore, the cuffs 208, 210 may form reservoirs for holding excess urine for instance if the absorbing material layer 206 is oversaturated or cannot absorb urine as fast as it is released.

In Fig. 4, is also shown how the cuff 208 may be attached to the main material 202 of the garment 200 which may also be applied to the cuff 210 shown in Fig. 5.

Adjacent to each cuff 208, 210 it is shown that the absorbing element comprises an innermost arranged permeable material layer 220 which allows liquid to be absorbed by the absorbing material layer 206. Outside of the absorbing material layer 206 is a laminated material layer 216 arranged, the laminated material layer 216 being impermeable to liquids such as urine and will thus not release the urine in the absorbing material layer 206 to the main material 202 of the garment 200. The laminated material layer 216 and the absorbing material layer 206 may form a single material layer in practice, for instance if the exterior of the absorbing material layer 206 is laminated. In one preferred embodiment however, the absorbing material layer 206 and the laminated material layer 216 are provided as separate layers. The laminated side of the laminated material 216 layer faces the absorbing material layer 206, such that a permeable side of the laminated material layer 216 faces away from the absorbing material layer 206.

In each cuff 208, 210 towards the respective end of the absorbing element 204, the laminated material layer 216 is folded two times such that only the laminated side of the laminated layer 216 faces the inside and comes into contact with the absorbing element 204 or portions of the absorbing element 204 where urine may be present.

In each cuff 208, 210, the permeable material layer 220 transitions to an innermost impermeable material layer 218. The impermeable innermost material layer 218 may be formed out of nylon. The laminated material layer 216 may be sewn, with stitches 224, into the innermost impermeable material layer 218 through at least two of the layers of the laminated material layer 216 formed by the double fold in each cuff 208, 210.

The innermost impermeable material layer 218 and the laminated material layer 216 together forms reservoirs at each cuff 208, 210 which may temporarily hold urine if, as mentioned above, the absorbing material layer 206 in certain areas becomes oversaturated and/or cannot absorb at the same rate as urine is being expelled. This urine may then subsequently be absorbed by the absorbing material layer 206 as urine spreads out more evenly in the absorbing material layer 206.

It is further shown that each cuff 208, 210 comprises an elastic element 222 providing an elastic force keeping the cuffs 208, 210 tightly held around the waist/legs of the user to provide leakage of urine from the absorbing element 204. As shown, the elastic element 222 may be attached either to the main material 202 of the garment 200 as in Fig. 4, or to the absorbing element 204, or more specifically to the laminated material layer 216, as in Fig. 5.

Turning now to Fig. 6, in which a bedwetting control device 100 is shown. The bedwetting control device 100 is preferably a separate device which is connectable to the garment 200 however, as mentioned, it may be integrated into the garment 200 as well. The bedwetting control device 100 should preferably be sealed such that urine, water or other fluids cannot enter it and damage the interior components thereof.

The bedwetting control device 100 is configured to detect a parameter associated with whether or not liquid is present in the absorbing material layer 206 of the washable and reusable lower body garment 200. The parameter, as mentioned, is preferably indicative of the resistance between the conductive leads 214a, 214b.

It is thus provided with at least one control device connector 110a,

110b which is connectable to the first and second conductive lead 214a, 214b and comprising an electrical power source 102 configured to supply the components of the control device 100 and the first and second conductive lead 214a, 214b via the at least one control device connector 110a, 110b with electrical power. The electrical power source preferably being an integrated lithium-ion battery or other similar battery capable of storing electrical power.

The bedwetting control device 100 further comprises a control unit 104 being connected to the at least one control device connector 110a, 110b and being configured to detect the parameter by monitoring the first and second lead 214a, 214b through the at least one control device connector 110a, 110b and to determine an action determined based on the detected parameter. The control unit 104 may further optionally be configured to perform the action as will be explained below. The control unit 104 generates an electric potential difference to the first and second leads 214a, 214b through, preferably, the first and second control device connector 110a, 110b of the control device 100. The parameter which is monitored by the control device 100 is as mentioned associated with the electrical resistance detected between the first and second leads 214a, 214b, whereby the bedwetting control device 100 can determine if urine is present.

The control unit 104 is configured to carry out overall control of functions and operations of the bedwetting control device 100 and may be associated with a memory 106. The control unit 104 may include a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, or microprocessor. The processor is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 106, in order to carry out functions and operations of the bedwetting control device 100.

The memory 106 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or another suitable device. In a typical arrangement, the memory 106 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for the control unit 104. The memory 106 may exchange data with the control unit 104 over a data bus. Accompanying control lines and an address bus between the memory 106 and the control unit 104 also may be present.

The bedwetting control device 100 further comprising a communication unit 108, connected to the control unit 104, configured to transmit signals indicative of the determined action to a bedwetting alarm unit 300. The communication unit 108 may take the shape of a wireless RF transceiver 108, capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals, preferably Bluetooth®, however other wireless communication standards such as WI-FI are also contemplated and considered to lie within the realm of what can be realized by a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 7 shows a bedwetting alarm unit 300. The bedwetting alarm unit 300 is configured to communicate with the bedwetting control device 100 in order to alert the user or caregiver of presence of urine in the absorbing element 204. The bedwetting alarm unit 300 may take the shape of a purpose-built dedicated alarm unit. Flowever, it may also be embodied by a mobile phone or a computer or a similar device that can be connected to the bedwetting control device 100.

The bedwetting alarm unit 300 should preferably be wirelessly connectable to the bedwetting control device 100, and thus comprises communication unit 308. The communication unit 308 is configured to communicate with the bedwetting control device 100 and to receive signals indicative of a determined action by the bedwetting control device 100. The communication unit 108 may take the shape of a wireless RF transceiver 308, capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals, preferably Bluetooth®. The communication unit 308 may further be configured to communicate with an external device 400, 500 either directly via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth® or WI-FI or via a database 600 accessible via the internet for instance by connection of the alarm unit 300 via WLAN to an internet access point.

The bedwetting alarm unit 300 may further comprise an electrical power source 302, which may be constituted by a replaceable lithium-ion battery or other similar battery capable of storing electrical power. However, the bedwetting alarm unit 300 may also be configured to be connected to an electrical mains socket.

The bedwetting alarm unit 300 further comprises a control unit 304 configured to interpret the received signal from the bedwetting control device 100 and to perform the determined action. The control unit 304 is configured to carry out overall control of functions and operations of the bedwetting alarm unit 300 and may be associated with a memory 306. The control unit 304 may include a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, or microprocessor. The processor is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 306, in order to carry out functions and operations of the bedwetting alarm unit 300.

The memory 306 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or another suitable device. In a typical arrangement, the memory 306 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for the control unit 304. The memory 306 may exchange data with the control unit 304 over a data bus. Accompanying control lines and an address bus between the memory 306 and the control unit 304 also may be present.

In order for the bedwetting alarm unit 300 to be able notify the user of the garment or the caregiver of that urine is present in the absorbing element 204, a user interface 310 is provided. The user interface 310 may thus be used to perform the determined action. The user interface 310 may be provided as a light signal from a light source on the bedwetting alarm unit 300. It may in addition or alternatively be provided as an audible signal from a speaker on the alarm unit 300. It may be provided as haptic feedback, such as by means of vibrations or similar and/or by means of a graphical display unit which could also provide additional information such as an estimate on how much urine that is present in the absorbing element 204 etc.

In Fig. 8, a bedwetting system 900 is shown which is configured to monitor if bedwetting occurs for a person using the system. The system comprises a washable and reusable lower body garment 200 which is worn by the user and which is capable of absorbing liquids. It further comprises a bedwetting control device 100 connected to the lower body garment 200, the bedwetting control device 100 is configured to determine based on the parameter if bedwetting occurs and to transmit a signal indicative of the action determined by the bedwetting control device 100 to at least one bedwetting alarm unit 300.

The bedwetting system may comprise several bedwetting alarm units 300 all being connected to the bedwetting control unit 100. For instance, one bedwetting alarm unit 300 may take the form a dedicated purpose-built alarm unit 300 placed in the room of the person wearing the garment 200. It can thus alert the user of that bedwetting has occurred. Another bedwetting alarm unit 300 could be embodied as another dedicated purpose-built alarm unit or alternatively/additionally as a mobile device or alternatively/additionally as a computer which is used by a caregiver and which simultaneously alerts the caregiver that bedwetting has occurred.

As already mentioned, the at least one alarm unit 300 may also be configured to communicate with a mobile device 500 and/or a computer 500 directly or via an internet accessible database 600.

Turning lastly to Fig. 9 in which a schematic outline of a method 1000 for operating the bedwetting system 900 is shown. The method 1000 comprises monitoring S1001 by the bedwetting control device 100 the parameter measured through the first and second conductive leads 214a, 214b in the lower body garment 200, which are connected to connectors 110a, 110b on the control device 100. The parameter is preferably associated with the electrical resistance between the two conductive leads 214a, 214b which can then be used to determine an amount of urine which is present in the absorbing material layer 206 of the absorbing element 204. The bedwetting control device 100 is configured to determine S1002 an action based on the parameter’s relationship to a threshold value. If the parameter drops below the threshold value, the bedwetting control device 100 may be configured to initiate a wireless connecting mode S1003a if the bedwetting control device 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are not already in a connected state. In other words, if no alarm unit 300 is connected to the bedwetting control device 100 and the parameter drops below the threshold value, the bedwetting device 100 will initiate 1003a a connecting mode.

In one embodiment, the bedwetting control device 100 may be configured to determine the action based a plurality of threshold values corresponding to different resistances. For instance, a low resistance, being lower than that used for triggering S1003b the alarm indicating that bedwetting has occurred, can be used for initiating the connecting mode S1003a or alternatively a wireless pairing mode (not shown) without subsequent performing of the action of triggering S1003b the alarm. Such a low resistance value could for instance be achieved by manually connecting an electrically conductive item between the connectors 110a, 110b on the bedwetting control device 100. A second higher resistance, between 150 kQ and 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ could then be used as a threshold value for triggering S1003b the alarm and for initiating S1003a the connecting mode if the bedwetting control device 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are not already connected.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the same threshold value, corresponding to the resistance between the leads 214a, 214b, is used for initiating S1003a the connecting mode and triggering S1003b the alarm. The threshold value would then correspond to a resistance between 150 kQ and 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ.

The resistance detected by the control device connectors 110a, 110b on the bedwetting control device 100 can, as mentioned, be reduced sufficiently to initiate S1003a the connecting mode, if the bedwetting control device 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are not already connected, for instance by short circuiting them with a conductive object of some sort. This may also be used for connection of another alarm unit 300 to the bedwetting control device 100. The threshold value may be between 150 kQ and 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ.

When the connecting mode is initiated S1003a, the bedwetting control device 100 enters a scan mode. The connecting mode must also be initiated on the bedwetting alarm unit 300 that is to be connected, which may be performed upon reception of a signal from the bedwetting control device 100. It may also in one embodiment be achieved by the press of a button on the bedwetting alarm unit 300 making it connectable with the bedwetting control device 100. When one bedwetting alarm unit 300 is already connected to the bedwetting control device 100 and another bedwetting alarm unit 300 is to be added to the system 900, the connected bedwetting alarm unit 300 is firstly turned off before the connecting mode is activated on the bedwetting control device 100 and also activated on the additional bedwetting alarm unit 300. When the additional bedwetting alarm unit 300 is connected can the first bedwetting alarm unit 300 also be switched on, whereby both units 300 are connected to the bedwetting control device 100.

Upon successful connection of a bedwetting alarm unit 300 to the bedwetting control device 100 could the bedwetting alarm unit 300 be configured to activate the user interface 310, for instance by sounding an audible signal to the user and thus triggering S1003b the alarm. I.e. the method could comprise, when no connected bedwetting alarm unit 300 is found by the bedwetting control device 100, to firstly initiate 1003a the connection mode and then subsequently trigger 1003b alarm once the connection is established between the bedwetting control device 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300.

The threshold value for triggering S1003b the alarm corresponds to a resistance between 150 kQ and 250 kQ, preferably approximately 200 kQ which is a resistance expected when liquid, urine, is present in the absorbing material layer 206 of the absorbing element 204. When the parameter, i.e. the resistance detected by the bedwetting control device 100 drops below the threshold value, the action 1003b of triggering an alarm is performed if the bedwetting control device 100 is connected to a bedwetting alarm unit 300. In one preferred embodiment, the threshold value, corresponding to the resistance between the leads 212a, 212b, for initiation S1003a of the connection mode is equal to the threshold value for triggering S1003b an alarm, whereby the connection mode is initiated S1003a if the control device 100 and the bedwetting alarm unit 300 are not already connected.

The triggering S1003b of the alarm comprises the bedwetting control device 100 transmitting a signal from the bedwetting control device 100 to the at least one bedwetting alarm unit 300 at least instructing the bedwetting alarm unit 300 to activate the user interface 310.

In one embodiment, the method 1000 may further comprise transmitting a signal from the bedwetting control device 100 indicating the value of the parameter (corresponding to the resistance) to the bedwetting alarm unit 300. The signal can be sent intermittently or continuously, without the parameter having sunken below the threshold value and/or when the parameter sinks below the threshold value. The bedwetting alarm unit 300 can then interpret the signal (this could alternatively be performed in the control device 100) and translate it to a corresponding amount of urine being present in the absorbing element 204, the information could further be timestamped which could further improve the information available to the user/caregiver for analysis.

The correspondence between the parameter and the amount of urine present in the absorbing material layer 206/the absorbing element 204 can be determined empirically, and then be programmed into the bedwetting control device 100 and/or the bedwetting alarm unit 300. The provision of the superabsorbent material layer 206 into which the conductive leads 214a,

214b preferably are sewn provides a high reliability to the relationship between the parameter and actual urine content of the absorbing material layer 206, and thus bodes for that the correspondence is repeatable in practice. To be able to analyze whether the bedwetting occurs in one occurrence during the night or over longer time period, at which rate and when it occurs is beneficial for therapeutic purposes and for providing the correct treatment. The method may further comprise transmitting S1004b by the bedwetting alarm unit 300 a signal to a further device such as a mobile device 500 and/or a computer 400 directly or via an internet accessible database 600. The signal could comprise information regarding the time that the bedwetting occurred, how much urine that was present in the absorbing element 204 and characteristics regarding how the urine was released such as rate, time-periods etc. The information could be stored in the database 600 and be accessed from another device 400, 500 via the internet by for instance logging in with a userid and password. It can also be stored locally in each device 400, 500.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is exclusively defined by the appended claims.