Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.

Abstract: Garments may include signaling devices. The signaling device may be configured to indicate to a user that a body fluid is present in the garment. The garment may include a chassis including an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The chassis may include a crotch region positioned in between a front region and a back region. The garment may also include a signaling device including at least one first terminal and at least one second terminal.

Abstract: A stimulation material is partially bonded to a pressure-sensitive adhesive to form a stimulation blend. The stimulation blend, with or without pressure-sensitive adhesive, may be juxtaposed between two substrates to form a stimulation composite. When the pressure-sensitive adhesive is present within the stimulation composite, there are regions of the adhesive that do not contain a significant amount of stimulation material. By arranging regions of stimulation blend with respect to the pressure-sensitive adhesive regions, a pattern defined by the stimulation blend is formed. This pattern may deliver a stimulation effect that is at least as effective as using one-hundred percent stimulation blend within the stimulation composite, it not more effective. The stimulation composite may be cut into countless varieties of pledget shapes for use in personal-care absorbent articles.

Abstract: A laminate having health-benefit agents therein is made by particle stabilization within the lamination process. By changing the substrate type (tissue, nonwoven, film) and/or the physical composition and/or attributes of the laminate layers, the release of the health-benefit agents can be controlled. The laminate, sometimes referred to as a liner, may be used in personal absorbent articles such as diapers, feminine pads, bandages, bed pads, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member. The temperature change member includes a matrix of fibers and temperature change material intermixed within the matrix of fibers.

Abstract: Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time.

Abstract: In some forms of the invention, an absorbent article (e.g., training pants) includes an impermeable cover, an absorbent body and a temperature change member disposed with the absorbent body. The absorbent article further includes a liquid retarding member that is disposed with the temperature change member to temporarily maintain liquid in the temperature change member. The liquid retarding member is formed of a liquid dispersible material such that the liquid retarding member eventually dissolves in the liquid and flows into the absorbent body. In other forms, the absorbent article includes a liquid retarding member that is adjacent to a temperature change member which is formed of a matrix of fibers. The liquid retarding member has a hydrohead that is less than about 0.13 pounds per inch squared such that the liquid retarding member temporarily maintains at least some of the liquid in proximity to the temperature change member.

Abstract: In a method of a caregiver interactively toilet training a wearer of a disposable absorbent article, in response to liquid insult of the article a tactile signal is perceptible from within the article, a corresponding similar tactile signal is perceptible from an exterior of the article, and an active graphic is visually perceptible at the exterior of the article which relates to both the tactile signal and the corresponding tactile signal to thereby communicate the insult event to the caregiver and provide an interactive toilet training opportunity. An absorbent article of the present invention generally has a tactile signal tactilely perceptible from the inner surface of the article and a corresponding tactile signal tactilely perceptible from the exterior of the article. An active graphic is located adjacent the outer cover and is externally visually perceptible and relates to both tactile signals to provide an interactive toilet training opportunity.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.

Abstract: Presented is a method for quantifying breastfeeding between a mother and a baby, the method including measuring a physiological volume indicative of stomach fullness volume for the baby; setting a signal threshold value of the physiological volume to correspond to a stomach level that is less than or equal to the stomach fullness volume; obtaining an objective measurement of the physiological volume indicative of a level of fullness of the baby's stomach; and providing an indication to the mother when the objective measurement equals or exceeds the signal threshold value.

Abstract: A system for interactively training a child and a caregiver to assist the child to overcome bedwetting. The system includes an absorbent article, a urine insult detector, a urine insult event communicator and a urine insult event alarm. The urine insult event alarm includes a local alarm proximate the child and a remote alarm proximate the caregiver. The urine insult event alarm can inform both the child and the caregiver upon occurrence of a urine insult event and thereby provide a first interactive training opportunity to assist the child to overcome bedwetting. The local alarm includes a sensor which senses a condition of the child's environment in conjunction with the occurrence of the urine insult event and wherein the remote alarm can be selectively deactivated based on the condition and thereby provide a second interactive training opportunity to assist the child to overcome bedwetting.

Abstract: A method and system for rapidly detecting Candida on the skin of a host, such as an infant with diaper rash, is provided. The method includes contacting a dermal sample with a colorant that exhibits a certain spectral response (e.g., color change) in the presence of Candida. For example, the colorant may change from a first color to a second color, from colorless to a color, or from a color to colorless. The colorant is typically capable of differentiating between Candida (e.g., Candida albicans) and other microorganisms commonly associated with diaper rash, such as S. aureus and E. coli. Thus, when a dermal sample is placed into contact with the colorant, the color change may simply be observed to determine whether the infection is caused by Candida. If the color change occurs to a certain extent (e.g., from yellow to bright red), it may be determined that the test sample contains Candida. Likewise, if a color change occurs to a lesser extent (e.g.

Abstract: A sensor that is sensitive to the presence of aqueous-based fluids is described. The sensor has a wetness indicating material immobilized or printed on a substrate. The indicating material contains at least one electron-donating leuco dye and one electron deficient receptor, and exhibits a visual signal (e.g., vivid or strong color intensity) in a dry state, which fades or disappears when in contact with a water-containing liquid. An absorbent article incorporating such a sensor to communicate to a user that the article has been exposed to water-containing fluids is also described.

Abstract: Monitoring the status of an absorbent article can be desirable to various users in various situations. A monitoring device for use with an absorbent article is provided. The monitoring device includes a sensing device and a signaling device. The sensing device is configured to sense a physiological indication related to the absorbent article wearer. The functionality of the monitoring device may be updateable, for instance, by utilizing firmware updates, hardware or user interface changes, software installations, etc. Thus, the monitoring device of the present invention may be utilized over an entire lifespan from infants to elderly without the need for costly replacement or installation of an entirely new monitoring system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member for providing a cooling effect. The temperature change member includes a matrix of fibers and temperature change material intermixed within the matrix of fibers. The temperature change material includes erythritol.

Abstract: Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time.

Abstract: An array of disposable absorbent garments include reagents that can detect the presence of one or more medical conditions through the detection of various substances in urine or feces. The garments of the array may, in addition to or in the alternative, detect physical measurements such as hydration levels or the remaining liquid-capacity of the garment/urine volume in the garment. The garments of the array may vary in size, types of included reagents and/or ability to detect physical measurements.

Abstract: Presented is a method for quantifying breastfeeding between a mother and a baby, the method including measuring a physiological volume indicative of stomach fullness volume for the baby; setting a signal threshold value of the physiological volume to correspond to a stomach level that is less than or equal to the stomach fullness volume; obtaining an objective measurement of the physiological volume indicative of a level of fullness of the baby's stomach; and providing an indication to the mother when the objective measurement equals or exceeds the'signal threshold value.

Abstract: Presented is a method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method including providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor having a signaling device, and wherein the signaling device provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and teaching the caregiver an appropriate response to the feedback mode as a training opportunity. Also presented is a method for toilet training a subject, the method including providing a wetness sensing system to a caregiver, the wetness sensing system including an insult indicator; indicating to the caregiver the occurrence of the insult contemporaneous with the insult; and instructing the caregiver to immediately intervene to teach the subject about the physical sensations experienced by the subject prior to and during the insult.

Abstract: Presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a first wetness sensor; a first signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a first feedback mode of a wetness state of the disposable absorbent article; and a second signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a second feedback mode of the wetness state of the disposable absorbent article, wherein the second feedback mode is different from the first feedback mode. Also presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensor; and a signaling device adapted to communicate with the wetness sensor, wherein the signaling device includes a dynamic feedback mode system.