Smart Diapers

The objective of the Smart Diapers project was to develop and implement a new technological approach to realize diapers that tackle the most important shortcomings we identified in current systems on the market. To do so, we targeted a two-component system. One component is a reusable electronic module that collects, processes, and transfers data wirelessly. The second is a disposable and printed sensor integrated into the diaper. The scope of this project was on the hardware realization of the diaper, not on the cloud infrastructure around the diaper. To start with, we made an overview of potential barrier and facilitators for smart diaper implementation by gathering in-depth feedback from both patients and healthcare professionals.

The outcomes

1. Realization of a full smart diaper system

We have realized a full smart diaper system including a printed sensor in the diaper, an external flexible strip that communicates with the sensor, and a detachable, reusable processing unit that communicates the signals to the caregivers.

The consortium has chosen for a solution where the reusable electronics are fixed to the diaper at a position that is well supported. The included accelerometer translates the real position of the user, which may be used in the algorithm for leakage risk prediction. 

The flexible and cost-effective strip has been made detachable from the reusable (and more expensive) sensor to allow fast replacement of the strip, which is more prone to malfunction. This is to avoid frequent and expensive sensor changes which would be necessary when the sensor and the strip would form one component. 

2. Industry-ready process

All of the above has been done in an industrial way, which means that processes to industrially produce these smart diapers are available and are cost-effective. The sensor films where produced using Henkel inks and realized using rotary printing at Vitrapack. These films were introduced in the diaper production process at Drylock. The external hardware was made at Connect Group. 

3. Clinical trials

We have performed two clinical trials in an elderly care environment where we monitored multiple patients for 10 days to capture data to feed to our algorithms. The data allow to monitor the evolution of moisture in the diaper and generate meaningful alerts when changing is needed. To finetune the alerts and make them still more reliable, more user trials will be needed.

In the trials, we have observed a few interesting occasions of stool release and presence resulting in a different signal response, notably when the capacitator space between the printed film sensor and the external strip was reduced. Reliably identifying these signals and linking them to the presence of stool, would be a major advantage and a unique integrated feature.

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