Absorbent article with sensor array for body exudate detection

An absorbent article comprising:

• a chassis comprising an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface of the outer cover;
• a gas emitting substance, wherein the gas emitting substance emits a gas after an insult within the absorbent article;
• a non-contact electronic sensor array, the non-contact electronic sensor array comprising a plurality of gas sensors, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels of the gas emitting substance within the absorbent article, wherein each sensor in the non-contact electronic sensor array identifies a particular gas;
• a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult is a urine insult, a bowel movement insult, or a combination thereof;
• and
• a signaling device that alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by the controller via an alert and discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult, wherein the alert is deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely from a smart phone or computer.

A signaling device comprising:

• a non-contact electronic sensor array, the non-contact electronic sensor array comprising a plurality of gas sensors, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels of gases emitted by volatile compounds, a gas emitting substance, or combinations thereof within an absorbent article, wherein each sensor in the non-contact electronic sensor array identifies a particular gas;
• and
• a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult is a urine insult, a bowel movement insult, or a combination thereof;
• wherein the signaling device alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by the non-contact electronic sensor array;
• wherein the signaling device is contained in a housing unit, wherein the housing unit is in close proximity to the absorbent article;
• wherein the signaling device generates at least one alert selected from an auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal, or combinations thereof and discriminates between a urine insult and a bowel movement insult;
• wherein the signaling device transmits the at least one alert remotely to a radio, a computer device, a smart phone, or combinations thereof, wherein the computer device or smart phone is adapted to receive data from the signaling device, generate at least one report utilizing at least a portion of the data, and provide a user access to the data and the at least one report;
• and
• wherein the at least one alert is deactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely from a smart phone or computer.