DE-102019132005-B4 - TOILET FACILITY FOR NON-CONTACT MEASUREMENT OF MICTION PARAMETERS

Abstract

Toilet equipment (1) for measuring micturition parameters, comprising: • A housing (2) with a housing opening (10) for receiving urine; • A capacitive sensor (4) for time-dependent measurement of micturition parameters, wherein the capacitive sensor (4) is a capacitive proximity sensor.

Inventors

• Thomas Prokopp
• Paul Bandi
• Marcel Morcinczyk
• Jan Haan
• Frank Willems

Assignees

• MEDIPEE GMBH

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20191126

Claims (15)

1. Toilet device (1) for measuring voiding parameters, comprising: • A housing (2) with a housing opening (10) for receiving urine; • A capacitive sensor (4) for time-dependent measurement of voiding parameters, wherein the capacitive sensor (4) is a capacitive proximity sensor.
2. Toilet facilities (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the toilet equipment (1) is selected from the group comprising toilet, urinal, bidet, commode chair, squat toilet and chamber pot.
3. Toilet facilities (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the measured micturition parameters are selected from the group comprising urinary flow rate, micturition volume, micturition duration, micturition frequency, micturition velocity and micturition characteristics such as intermittent urination or post-micturition dribbling.
4. Toilet facility (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the capacitive sensor (4) is attached in the toilet device (1) at one or more of the following positions: • On the inner wall of the housing, • On the outer wall of the housing, • Inside the housing wall, • At the housing opening (10), wherein attachment on the outer wall of the housing is preferred.
5. Toilet fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive sensor (4) has one or more of the following features: • Sensor thickness between 1 nm and 20 mm, • the sensor comprises a lower support layer, a middle layer comprising the electrode and the lead, and an upper mounting layer for connecting the sensor to the housing or the housing opening, wherein the support layer and the mounting layer preferably consist of an electrically insulating material; • the sensor is embedded in an insulating support matrix, such as plastic or a solid gel, wherein the surface of the support matrix has at least a partial adhesive layer; • the sensor comprises a connecting means for electronic or electrical connection, which is preferably selected from the group comprising a metallic push button, adhesive bond, cable, and plug part of a connector; • the sensor comprises a data transmission module for wired or wireless data transmission; • the sensor is designed as a film; • the sensor is directly vapor-deposited onto the housing or baked into the housing material; • The sensor comprises electrodes made of a thin metal foil, which are applied to an electrically insulating layer, for example made of rubber or a flexible plastic such as polyimide film.
6. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several capacitive sensors (4) are arranged in the toilet device (1) in such a way that they allow a two-dimensional or three-dimensional measurement of micturition, and are preferably arranged in or on the housing as a 2D array or 3D array.
7. Toilet fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive sensor (4) is fixedly, conditionally detachably or reversibly detachably connected to the housing (2), wherein a reversibly detachable connection is preferred and a reversibly detachable connection is particularly preferably selected from the group comprising: suction cup, adhesive connection, adhesive-free adhesion connection, magnetic connection, hook and loop fastener, zipper, screw connection, clamp connection, plug connection, snap connection and strap connection.
8. Toilet equipment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive sensor (4) allows the measurement of parameters located outside the housing (2), such as information on the location of the user of the toilet equipment and its temporal and spatial changes.
9. Toilet fitting (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises a temperature sensor (12) and/or an acceleration sensor.
10. Toilet facilities (1) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the temperature sensor (12) is configured for non-contact measurement of urine temperature and preferably has one or more of the following features: • The temperature sensor (12) is configured to allow measurement of urine temperature during urination; • The temperature sensor (12) is configured to allow measurement of the surface temperature of the inside of the housing and its change over time; • The temperature sensor (12) is an infrared sensor; • The temperature sensor (12) is a 1D, 2D or 3D sensor.
11. A method for measuring voiding parameters in a toilet (1) comprising a housing (2) having a housing opening (10) and a capacitive proximity sensor (4), the method comprising the following steps: a) Non-contact measurement of voiding parameters during urination by the capacitive proximity sensor (4); b) Optional measurement of urine temperature during urination via a temperature sensor (12) additionally installed in the toilet; c) Optional measurement of user-related movement data, vibrations, and structure-borne sound during urination via an accelerometer additionally installed in the toilet; d) Wired or wireless transmission of the measurement data acquired in steps a) to c) to an evaluation unit (6); e) Evaluation of the measurement data in the evaluation unit.
12. Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the method is equipped with a toilet facility (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 is carried out.
13. Procedure according to Claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the evaluation of the measurement data in the evaluation unit (6) is model-based or via calibration curves, wherein the model-based evaluation is preferably based on a mathematical, physical, physiological or medical model or is carried out via pattern recognition algorithms.
14. Procedure according to Claim 11 until 13 , characterized in that the toilet facility (1) additionally has a toilet flush, the characteristics of which such as flush water quantity and/or flush duration and/or flush water temperature are used as reference values for the evaluation.
15. Use of a capacitive proximity sensor (4) for measuring micturition parameters in a toilet facility (1).

Description

The invention relates to a toilet device for measuring voiding parameters, wherein the toilet device comprises a housing with a housing opening for receiving urine and a capacitive sensor for time-dependent, non-contact measurement of voiding parameters. The invention further relates to a method for non-contact measurement of voiding parameters in a toilet device, which is carried out in particular using the toilet device according to the invention. Urine excretion, also known as urination, bladder emptying, or micturition, is physiologically very important for the body for several reasons. Firstly, it regulates the body's water balance. Secondly, urine eliminates substances produced during metabolism that are no longer needed by the body. These include toxic substances ingested through food or medications. Urine analysis can reveal indications of diseases of the kidneys and urinary system, as well as metabolic disorders such as diabetes or liver diseases. In addition to the actual analysis of urine content, urine flow parameters can also be analyzed. This is done using uroflowmetry. Uroflowmetry is a diagnostic procedure in which urine flow is measured during urination. It serves to objectively determine bladder emptying disorders and is one of the basic examinations in urology. By measuring the urine flow rate per unit of time (e.g., in ml/s), a flow curve is created, plotting the amount of urine expelled over time. This flow curve exhibits a typical pattern in certain diseases. A disadvantage is that this measurement must be performed in a clinic or doctor's office under supervision and requires specialized equipment. Furthermore, a sufficiently full bladder is essential for a properly performed measurement. The individual must wait to urinate (empty their bladder) until they experience a strong feeling of pressure. The results of uroflowmetry are only meaningful if the urine volume exceeds 150 ml. Additionally, collecting urine over a defined period (preferably 24 hours) may be necessary, particularly in cases of kidney disease, to assess organ function. Urine output is frequently monitored during transplant procedures. The WO 2018 / 222 939 A1 This concerns a uroflowmetry system and teaches the use of an infrared camera in conjunction with a laser Doppler velocimeter or a laser triangulation sensor to measure urine volume. The US 2019 / 0 008 439 A1 This concerns uroflowmetry systems, devices, and methods, and teaches the use of a weight sensor to determine urine volume. The system may also include a capacitive sensor to detect the presence of a user. The US 2017 / 0 105 670 A1 This concerns a capacitive measuring device with integrated electrical and mechanical shielding. The capacitive sensor extends vertically across the vessel wall and capacitively detects the height of the liquid level inside the vessel. It is therefore not a proximity sensor. The object of the invention is to provide an improved method and a toilet device for measuring micturition parameters. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a toilet device having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the toilet device are described in dependent claims 2 to 10. In a further aspect, this problem is solved by a method for measuring micturition parameters having the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the method are described in dependent claims 12 to 14. Summary of the invention In a first aspect, the invention provides a toilet device for measuring micturition parameters, wherein this toilet device comprises a housing with a housing opening for receiving urine and a capacitive sensor for time-dependent measurement of micturition parameters, and wherein the capacitive sensor is a capacitive proximity sensor. The method according to the invention combines several decisive advantages over methods known from the prior art. Thanks to the non-contact measurement using the capacitive proximity sensor, the sensor is not contaminated by urine or feces. Therefore, no time-consuming and costly cleaning of the sensor is necessary; the sensor is always ready for use without any external intervention. This allows for the first time the automatic, digital measurement of micturition parameters to be carried out in the home environment. The test subject or patient no longer needs to visit a doctor's office or clinic; the measurement can be easily and discreetly integrated into their daily routine. The non-contact measurement reduces the risk of distorted analysis results. Furthermore, the capacitive sensor can be easily retrofitted to or attached to an existing toilet fixture, thus allowing for the upgrading of existing toilet systems. Furthermore, the measuring device according to the invention can be combined with all housing-supporting toilet installations and can thus be used in a wide variety of toilet types. In its simplest (i.e., unshielded) version, the capacitive sensor allows for room-independ