# US 2010/0168694 A1 · Infrared Wetness Detection System For An Absorbent Article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0168694 A1 - Document ID: US20100168694A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/636,888 - Filed: 2009-12-14 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-31 - Inventors: Sudhanshu Gakhar; Sridhar Ranganathan; Thomas Michael Ales, III; Randall George Sarkis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100168694A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/42: with wetness indicator or alarm - A61F 13/84: Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads - G01N 21/3554: for determining moisture content - A61F 13/505: with separable parts, e.g. combination of disposable and reusable parts (A61F13/20 {, A61F13/49003} take precedence) - A61F 2013/424: {having an electronic device} - A61F 2013/8482: {including numeric control, e.g. using computer} - G01N 21/3577: for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article includes a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector adapted to sense a change in infrared light reflectance due to an insult to the absorbent article, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. In addition, a body exudate collection and detection system includes an absorbent article and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article for detecting the presence of a body exudate therein, the signaling device including a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device comprising: a housing; and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector adapted to sense a change in infrared light reflectance due to an insult to the absorbent article, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the device to the absorbent article. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the infrared-generating light-emitting diode generates infrared light with a wavelength of 800 to 980 nanometers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the infrared-generating light-emitting diode has been selected to generate a wavelength tuned with a body exudate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is flexible. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide notification of the presence of a body exudate in the absorbent article. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a visual notification. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide an audio notification. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a wireless notification. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide a tactile notification. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the tactile notification is a vibratory notification. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is adapted to be held adjacent the absorbent article. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to become activated only when no substantial changes within the interior of the article occur for a period of about five minutes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the signaling device is configured to become activated only once no substantial changes within the interior of the article occur for a period of about 20 minutes. ### Claim 15 A body exudate collection and detection system comprising: an absorbent article; and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article for detecting the presence of a body exudate therein, the signaling device including a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the signaling device to the absorbent article. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the signaling device is adapted to provide notification of the presence of a body exudate in the absorbent article. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the device is adapted to be held adjacent the absorbent article. ### Claim 19 A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device comprising: a housing; an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article; and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor, wherein the signaling device is adapted to emit a signal when an insult within the absorbent structure is sensed by the paired IR generator/detector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device includes a plurality of settings that are selected by the user depending upon at least one specification of the absorbent article. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device is configured to differentiate between a first insult of the absorbent article with a body fluid from a second insult of the absorbent article with a body fluid. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The signaling device of claim 19, wherein the signaling device is configured to discern a steady state environment within the absorbent article after the article is donned before being configured to emit a signal by the signaling device.