DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE MOBILE ANALYSIS OF EXCREMENT IN A TOILET

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for determining physiological data through analysis of human excrement in a toilet (T) by means of at least one indicator and/or sensor, and to a method for determining physiological data by analysis of human excrement in a toilet (T) by measurement of urine and/or stool values. The problem addressed by the invention is that of achieving maximally universal use of the device and thus broad dissemination, including in the case of a wide variety of toilet designs, with reasonable design effort and manageable costs. This problem is solved by a measurement system, in which an indicator (11) or sensor can be brought into a measurement position, in which sufficient contact with the urine or stool to be examined occurs, by means of an arm (10) for each measurement, wherein the indicator (11) or sensor is/are designed as (an) independent unit(s), and by a corresponding method in which a plurality of previously determined values are measured and then processed further and forwarded as applicable.

Claims

1. Device for determining physiological data through analysis of human excrement in a toilet (T) by means of at least on indicator (11, 11 11) and/or sensor, characterised in that a measurement system, in which for each measurement an indicator (11, 11 11) or sensor can be brought into a measurement position, in which sufficient contact with the urine or stool to be examined occurs, wherein the indicator (11, 11 11) or sensor is/are designed as (an) independent unit(s).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that one or a plurality of indicators (11, 11 11) or sensors are arranged in a housing (1, 1, 1) and wherein the housing can be reversibly attached to the toilet bowl.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one indicator (11, 11 11) or sensor is formed as a single-use indicator or single-use sensor and is preferably disposed of after flushing.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one indicator (11, 11 11) or sensor is formed as a multiple-use indicator or multiple-use sensor.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of indicators (11, 11 11) or sensors is provided and in that when gathering the indicators or sensors, at least one refillable magazine is provided.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the actual indicator (11, 11 11) or sensor can be moved into the inside of the toilet from the outer side of the toilet (T) by means of a moveable, preferably rollable, element and can preferably be brought into the measurement position by means of an at least in parts self-stiffening sensor arm (10, 10, 10).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the indicator or sensor arm are freed of waste excrement by means of a cleaning device.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that to disinfect the sensor arm, the device and/or the measuring site is/are provided with a UV light source.

9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device comprises at least an optoelectrical unit and/or a sonographic unit.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the device comprises an evaluation device, a communication device and/or an analysis device.

11. A method for determining physiological data through analysis of human excrement in a toilet by measuring urine and/or stool values, in particular by means of a device according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of predetermined values are measured and then, preferably automatically, processed further and forwarded as applicable.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that, with the help of optoelectronic units, excrement quantity and volumes, as well as excrement volume or mass flows are determined through stereoscopic images.

13. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the indicator or sensor is present in liquid form in the device and brought into contact with the sample or excrement by means of supply elements, such as a grid or a matrix, for example.

14. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that an observation of the indicator reaction is carried out over a determined duration and additional information is generated from this.

15. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the optimum measurement time is determined through the device by means of individual sensors or a combination of heat sensors, optical evaluation and acoustic sensors.

16. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that automatic or guided calibration or adjustment is carried out to optimally install the device on the toilet and align it in the toilet.

17. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the device is used for identifying a certain person (user) and after the measurement, the obtained measurement values are added to further vital and personal monitoring parameters.

18. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the measurement and/or further processing of the measurement value is carried out automatically and the values are conveyed to the evaluation device. (Evaluation and analysis are sent by means of a smartphone, tablet, wearable device or other, mobile or stationary end device, and saved, processed further or forwarded from there.

19. Method according to claim 11 wherein said method for determining comprises one or more of the following examinations: determination of the phase of a menstrual cycle, determination of blood alcohol level, evidence of pregnancy, evidence of drug consumption, (early) indication of benign or malignant tumours, monitoring of diets, checking of metabolism, checking of medications, and checking of standard urine values (urine quick test).

Description

[0122] In the following, the invention is explained in detail using preferred exemplary embodiments. The figures show the following:

[0123] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, in perspective view,

[0124] FIGS. 2 and 3 show different views of the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the perspective of inside a toilet bowl,

[0125] FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross-section through the device from FIG. 3 along the line IV-IV and

[0126] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the perspective of inside the toilet bowl,

[0127] FIG. 6 shows the device from FIG. 5, in perspective from the outside and

[0128] FIG. 7 shows a part of the device from FIG. 6, in perspective view,

[0129] FIG. 8 shows a horizontal cross-section through the object from FIG. 7 along the line VIII-VIII,

[0130] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0131] FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in different perspective views. Thus, the device also comprises, apart from a housing 1 for incorporating indicators (not shown here), a control unit 2. In the represented and thus far preferred embodiment, the housing 1 and the control unit 2 are connected by means of a retainer 3. The retainer 3 is a particularly suitable construction because, as well as connecting the housing 1 and the control unit 2, it can also be used for attaching to the edge of the toilet bowl. However, there are also many other plausible attachment solutions for installing the device according to the invention, such as suction pads, glue, or other similar adhesive connecting elements of the invention.

[0132] The control unit 2 visible from the operating side in FIG. 1A comprises a control display 4, three operating elements 5 for releasing and if necessary adjusting the device, as well as a hinge 6 for pivotable movement of the retainer 3 relative to the control unit 2. Thus, the control display 4 can be adjusted by the user for improved operation.

[0133] A cover 7 of a compartment for holding batteries or accumulators is visible on the visible rear side of the control unit 2 in FIG. 18. The housing 1 is further provided with a measurement unit 8, which can be, for example, achieved as a camera (optoelectrically) or/and sonographically. A magazine for holding a plurality of indicator strips inside the housing 1 is closed with a cover 9. The housing 1 can also be provided with a light source (not shown).

[0134] In FIG. 2 a possible arrangement of the device described in detail in FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown in a (represented in cross-section for a better view) standard washdown flush toilet T, and in a perspective view diagonally from behind. The retainer 3 as well as the housing 1 with measurement unit 8 and cover 9 of the magazine compartment are visible. A sensor arm 10 and an indicator 11 are also visible below the housing 1. The actual indicator 11 is arranged at the end of the sensor arm 10, which after contact with excrement and evaluation by the measuring unit 8 can be disposed of via the flush system of the toilet T. In the represented exemplary embodiment, the sensor arm 10 can be telescopically extended out of the housing 1.

[0135] FIG. 3 shows the device from FIGS. 1A and 2A in a perspective outer view diagonally from in front. Apart from the retainer 3, above all here the control unit 2 with the control display 4 and the three operating elements 5 for installing and if necessary adjusting the measuring process are visible. It is clearly visible that the device according to the invention is barely noticeable from the outside and can be easily attached to the edge of toilet bowls (any shape).

[0136] In FIG. 4 the device according to the invention with housing 1, retainer 3 and control unit 2 is again represented with the toilet T represented in cross-section in its entirety in a vertical cross-section along the line IV-IV from FIG. 3, initially with the control unit 2 tilted downwards and, at the top right, with the control unit 2 tilted upwards about the hinge 6.

[0137] In FIGS. 5 and 6 another preferred exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is represented in a different perspective view. The measurement is carried out by means of a sensor arm 10, which comprises an indicator 11 on its end. The device comprises a housing 1, which in the represented and thus far preferred exemplary embodiment is provided with a measuring unit 8 and sensors such as cameras 12, for example. The housing 1 is arranged inside a toilet bowl T and connected to an evaluation and control unit 2 on the outer edge of the toilet bowl T by means of a retainer 3, expediently via a hinge arrangement 6. The retainer 3 can thus be adjusted in its length in order to be able to fit different designs of toilet bowls. In the represented embodiment, the sensor arm 10 is guided by the evaluation and control unit 2 through the retainer 3 into the housing 1 inside the toilet.

[0138] This occurs with the aid of a drive 13 represented in the enlargement in FIG. 6, which in the represented and thus far preferred exemplary embodiment is arranged inside the evaluation and control unit 2. The drive can also be arranged in the housing 1. The sensor arm 10 is in a retracted position and unrolls when extending with the aid of the drive 13. When leaving the housing 1 Inside the toilet, the sensor arm 10 as represented in FIG. 6 stiffens and can thus be moved to the measurement location in a targeted way. The stiffening is carried out through material properties and/or through mechanical deformation. For measuring, the measurement unit 8, which in this embodiment is arranged centrally above the outlet of the sensor arm 10, is used to optimally evaluate the indicator 11. Two-line cameras 12 are arrange to the left and right of this, with the aid of which on the one hand the measurement time can be determined and on the other hand a volume flow measurement and/or a mass determination can be carried out.

[0139] The evaluation and control unit 2 further has a control display 4 and a plurality of operating elements 5 for carrying out the measurement and evaluation.

[0140] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the sensor arm 10 is forcibly driven inside the toilet through an empty guide sleeve 14 into the inside of the toilet until the sensor arm 10 with the indicator(s) thereon has almost reached the measurement position. This embodiment can therefore do without a self-stiffening implementation of the sensor arm. In the represented and thus far preferred exemplary embodiment, a sensor 15 and a light source 16 are placed on the under end of the guide sleeve 14, the connection cables of which are also arranged on or preferably in the guide sleeve 14.

[0141] FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the guide sleeve 14 along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. It can clearly be seen that the sensor arm 10 in this embodiment can be formed very thinly. In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 7, it is shown that in the place of individual indicators, several different indicators 11 can be brought into use.

[0142] Finally, FIG. 9 schematically shows a basic construction of a further embodiment of the device according to the invention in its most simple and rudimentary design. This initially and essentially consists of a sensor arm 10, which comprises an indicator 11 on its under end, and a housing 1 to hold, present and use the sensor arm 10. In the represented and preferred exemplary embodiment, the housing 1 has a viewing window 17 to compare and if necessary expand a measurement result with standard parameters, whichfor example as colour marking 18can be arranged directly on the housing 1 near the viewing window 17 for a simple, optical comparison.

[0143] The sensor arm 10 is moveable along the double arrow in relation to the housing 1 and for optical evaluation at the site of the contact with the excrement inside the toilet can be manually retracted so that the user can clearly and easily read from the actual indicator area. The housing 1 can thus be attached to the upper edge of a toilet bowl (not shown) with suitable attachment devices (not shows) such as suction pads or similar, for example.