Smart monitoring system with wetness detection

An apparatus for sensing presence of liquid in an absorbent article adapted to be worn by a wearer, the absorbent article having a first, inwardly-facing exterior surface and a second, outwardly-facing exterior surface, the first, inwardly-facing exterior surface residing, when the absorbent article is worn by the wearer, closer to the wearer than the second, outwardly-facing exterior surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of sensing elements for detecting presence of liquid in the absorbent article, each of the plurality of sensing elements being formed at least partially of conductive fabric, polymer, and/or printed conductive ink;
• and
• at least one adhesive element adapted to adhere the apparatus to (1) the second, outwardly-facing exterior surface of the absorbent article, or (2) to a garment adapted to be worn by the wearer of the absorbent article so that at least part of the apparatus resides between the garment and the second, outwardly-facing exterior surface of the absorbent article;
• wherein, when the apparatus is adhered to the second, outwardly-facing exterior surface of the absorbent article or to the garment, each of the plurality of sensing elements resides proximate a different, corresponding region of the absorbent article, and is configured to separately detect presence of liquid at the corresponding region;
• wherein the apparatus comprises a first non-conductive layer separating the plurality of sensing elements from the at least one adhesive element;
• and
• wherein the apparatus comprises a conductive shield layer, and a second non-conductive layer separating the plurality of sensing elements from the conductive shield layer.