U.S. patent application number 17/672433 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-02 for urine home analyser.
This patent application is currently assigned to WITHINGS. The applicant listed for this patent is WITHINGS. Invention is credited to Christelle Barakat, Nadine Buard, Eric Carreel, Cedric Hutchings.
Application Number | 20220170906 17/672433 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220170906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barakat; Christelle ; et
al. |
June 2, 2022 |
Urine Home Analyser
Abstract
A urine analyzer device, configured to be installed in a toilet
bowl, to be used several times, the device comprising a holder
member, to attach the device to the rim of the toilet bowl, an
electronic unit, enclosed in a housing, a urine reception area,
with at least one electro-chemical sensor, configured to measure a
quantity of at least one substance contained in urine, such as
physiological compound or chemical component, a wireless coupler to
send resulting data to a remote computing device, wherein the
electro-chemical sensor comprises at least a ion selective Field
Effect Transistor (ISFET), configured to sense levels of one or
more physiological ions, thereby providing a urine analyzer device,
readily available at home, simply installed in a toilet bowl, and
that can be used several times subsequently.
Inventors: |
Barakat; Christelle; (Paris,
FR) ; Buard; Nadine; (Meudon, FR) ; Carreel;
Eric; (Meudon, FR) ; Hutchings; Cedric;
(Sunnyvale, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WITHINGS |
Issy Les Moulineaux |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
WITHINGS
Issy Les Moulineaux
FR
|
Appl. No.: |
17/672433 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15395337 |
Dec 30, 2016 |
11287415 |
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17672433 |
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International
Class: |
G01N 33/493 20060101
G01N033/493; A61B 10/00 20060101 A61B010/00; C12Q 1/00 20060101
C12Q001/00; G01N 21/25 20060101 G01N021/25; G01N 27/27 20060101
G01N027/27; G01N 27/414 20060101 G01N027/414; G01N 27/416 20060101
G01N027/416; G01N 33/487 20060101 G01N033/487; G01N 33/84 20060101
G01N033/84 |
Claims
1. A urine analyzer device configured to be installed in a toilet
bowl, the device comprising: a holder member, to attach the device
to the toilet bowl, an electronic unit, enclosed in a housing, an
optical sensor to measure one or more optical properties of urine,
a coupler configured to send measured data to a remote computing
device.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a urine reception
area, where the optical sensor is to measure one or more properties
of the sampled urine of the urine reception area.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the urine reception area forms a
cup and the optical sensor comprises a light emitter, which is
configured to emits lights rays toward a urine sample contained in
a cup, and a photodiode.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is in the
housing.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is monolithic.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein one or more optical properties
are: color of the urine, level of absorbance of light by the urine,
level of transmittance of light by the urine, opacity of the
urine.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit is configured
to associate optical properties as measured by the optical sensor
to predetermined concentration levels of creatinine.
8. The device of claim 1, Wherein the electronic unit is configured
to analyze the measured one or more optical properties of the urine
sample.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is watertight.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a urine reception
area, with at least one electro-chemical sensor, configured to
measure a quantity of at least one substance contained in urine,
such as a physiological compound or a chemical component, wherein
the electro-chemical sensor comprises at least one of: an ion
selective Field Effect Transistor (ISFET) configured to sense
levels of one or more physiological ions; an enzyme selective Field
Effect Transistor (enFET) configured to sense levels of one or more
physiological compounds or chemical components; and a 3-electrode
sensing unit configured to sense levels of one or more
physiological compounds or chemical components.
11. A system comprising a device according to claim 1 and a remote
computing device, wherein the urine analyzer device sends the
optical property measurement data to the remote computing
device.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote computing device is
configured to compare data received from the device with
predetermined optical property data stored at the remote computing
device and/or at a remote database with which the remote computing
device is configured to communicate with.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the remote computing device is
configured to determine a general concentration level of the urine.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a urine analyser device,
which can be used at home; the invention targets especially an
autonomous urine analyser device which can be installed in the bowl
of the toilet.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] As known, urine is an important source of information that
reflects the health condition of an individual. Several biological
parameters are reflected in urine. Absolute levels of several
biological parameters and also evolution over time of several
biological parameters are interesting to be obtained from samples
of urine. It is a goal to monitor various health parameters,
otherwise called `bio-markers`, that can be deduced from periodic
urine analysis at home in a non-medical environment. This is
generally helpful to help enhance personal wellness and help reduce
some risk factors.
[0003] Various minor disorders can he detected early by analysis of
evolutions and trends of personal biological parameters.
[0004] Additionally, dysfunctions such as pancreatic disorders
(typically, diabetes), hypohepatia, and kidney disorders, can be
detected advantageously in a non-invasive manner by performing
quantitative analysis of certain urine constituents, such as
glucose, protein, urobilinogen, occult blood and other
substances.
[0005] Accordingly, there have been proposed in the art toilets
having a urine analysis function which are capable of performing
sampling and analysis of urine so as to assist the individuals in
rendering their health check by making use of toilets provided in
at home, without excluding offices and other facilities.
[0006] It is known in the art, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,054
[TOTO], to install a urine analyser device in the bowl of the
toilet. However, the known devices are very complicated, requires
many connexions, and are expensive and furthermore it does not
handle multiple users.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need to bring new solutions to provide
urine analyser devices to be used at home in the standard
toilet.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, it is
proposed an urine analyzer device, configured to be installed in a
toilet bowl, to be used several times, the device comprising:
[0009] a holder member (9), to attach the device to the rim of the
toilet bowl, [0010] an electronic unit (4), enclosed in a housing,
[0011] a urine reception area (2), with at least one
electro-chemical sensor (3), configured to measure a quantity of at
least a substance, such as physiological compound or chemical
component, contained in urine, [0012] a wireless coupler (5) to
send resulting data to a remote computing device (50), wherein the
electro-chemical sensor (3) comprises at least one ion selective
Field Effect Transistor (ISFET), configured to sense levels of one
or more physiological ions. Thereby there is provided a urine
analyzer device, readily available at home, simply installed in a
toilet bowl, and that can be used several times subsequently.
[0013] Thanks to the disclosed features, an individual can follow
some health indicators like pH of urine, or the concentration of
one or more physiological ions in urine.
[0014] The measure of the quantity of one above-mentioned substance
(like Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+Cl--.) is advantageously made in situ,
within the urine analyzer device; no additional device nearby the
toilet is required.
[0015] Thanks to the coupling with a remote internet-enabled
device, the user can share some of the collected data with a
physician, hospital practitioner, etc . . .
[0016] The remote computing device can be a smartphone, but it
should be understood that, instead of a smartphone, any more
generally speaking portable electronic device can also be used
(such as a tablet, a phablet, a PDA, a laptop computer, etc).
[0017] In various embodiments of the invention, one may possibly
have recourse in addition to one and/or other of the following
features/arrangements.
[0018] According to one option, the ion selective Field Effect
Transistor comprises a reference electrode at the gate area of the
transistor, the reference electrode containing a gel electrolyte,
and a urine sample when present is interposed between the reference
electrode and the gate port (G) of the transistor. This
configuration named "wet configuration" is simple and reliable.
[0019] According to one option, the ion selective Field Effect
Transistor comprises a reference electrode at the gate area of the
transistor, the reference electrode containing powder or solid
compound and a urine sample when present is interposed between the
reference electrode and the gate port (G) of the transistor. This
configuration named "dry configuration" is easy to prepare and
store before use.
[0020] According to one option, the ion selective Field Effect
Transistor is selective to hydrogen ions, whereby the pH of urine
is measured with a sensitive membrane interposed between urine
sample when present and the gate port (G) of the transistor; we
note here that in order to maintain the pH of blood in a narrow
range [7.35-7.45], pH in urine varies in the range [4.5-8].
[0021] The device may further comprise at least two additional ion
selective Field Effect Transistors: [0022] one for measuring the
concentration of Ca2+ ions to determine Calcium level in urine,
[0023] one for measuring the concentration of K+ ions to determine
the Potassium level in urine, each of them comprising a specific.
ion selective membrane interposed between a urine sample when
present and the gate port (G) of the transistor.
[0024] Such a triple-sensor configuration turns to be a cost
effective solution to follow three of the most important
physiological ions.
[0025] According to one option, the device may further comprise a
calibration solution reservoir arranged above the electro-chemical
sensor to periodically provide a drop of calibration solution on
the ion selective Field Effect Transistor, preferably one drop
every period, said period being comprised between 15 and 45 days.
Periodic recalibration enables to compensate for the drift.
[0026] When the device comprises: two or more selective Field
Effect Transistors, at least two ion selective Field Effect
Transistors can advantageously share a same reference electrode
(80). This further optimizes the cost of the solution.
[0027] According to one option, the reception area further
comprises as electro chemical sensor at least an (biological)
enzyme selective Field Effect Transistor (enFET). One or more
membranes each selective to a particular compound enables to sense
levels of some products like albumin, glucose, blood cells,
nitrites, etc . . .
[0028] The enzyme selective Field Effect Transistor may comprise a
reference electrode; this reference electrode may be preferably
made from Ag/AgCl. This is easy to prepare and store before
use.
[0029] The electro-chemical sensor (3) may further comprise a
3-electrode sensing unit (8''), provided with a reference
electrode, a working electrode and a counter electrode, all
arranged in a screen printed electrode configuration. Mechatronic
integration can thus be optimized.
[0030] The urine reception area may comprise a porous structure
that can be wetted by a flow of urine excreted by a user, and
rinsed subsequently by the flush of the toilet. The measure can be
performed nearly on-the-fly; since a small quantity (but
sufficient) of urine is retained by the porous structure. The
rinsing can be accompanied by a calibration/recalibration
operation.
[0031] The urine reception area can form a cup, the device further
comprising a controlled discharge valve,.fwdarw.buffer volume to
ease optical sensing.
[0032] There may be provided a user feedback formed as a visual or
auditive feedback.
[0033] This provides a Led light signal or a Beep to acknowledge:
exemplified messages are "enough urine"/"end of measurement".
[0034] The electronic unit 4 may be at least partly housed in the
holder member 9. This allows a good mechatronics integration. The
device is small, easy to install; The device can be easily removed
when cleaning the toilet bowl;
[0035] The urine reception area can be movable with respect to the
holder member 9 such that the urine reception area can be located
closer to the center of the bowl upon actuation from the user. This
can be a mechanical linkage or a degree of freedom enabling to
displace the urine reception area. Automatic return to a side
position is preferred, e.g. when enough urine is received.
[0036] The electro chemical sensor may be configured to measure a
quantity of one or more of the following substances:
[0037] H+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl--, H.sub.2O.sub.2, Glucose,
Nitrites, Proteins, Oestrogenes, Luteinine Hormone, Beta-HCG
Hormone (pregnancy marker), Creatinin.
[0038] Thereby, many health indicators can be followed.
Particularly, albumin/protein levels present in urine can be
measured and followed over time. Particularly, pregnancy testing
can be provided with this device.
[0039] The urine analyser device may further comprise an optical
sensor 6, configured to measure color and opacity of the urine;
Thereby urine density and color index can be inferred as personal
biological index(es) to be followed.
[0040] The urine reception area 2 is detachably mounted to the
holder member. (for deep cleaning and/or exchange after N uses)
[0041] The device may further comprise a microphone and/or a basic
fingerprint sensor arranged on the portion of the device located
outside the toilet bowl. For User recognition among several
users;
[0042] According to a second aspect of the present invention, it is
proposed a system comprising a device according to claim 1 and a
toilet seat 7 having weight sensing elements and impedance
measurement elements, configured to recognise a particular user
pattern among a plurality of users patterns, and to allocate
results of urine analysis to the recognised particular user. This
configuration is convenient for selective management of multiple
users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] Other features and advantages of the invention appear from
the following detailed description of one of its embodiments, given
by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a toilet equipped
with a urine analyzer device according to the present disclosure,
with two possible embodiments,
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a toilet of FIG. 1,
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a functional and structural block diagram
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a schematic layout and one example of
configuration of the device
[0048] FIGS. 4A and 4B show enlarged views of variants of the
reception area with several selective sensing devices,
[0049] FIG. 5 shows an overall system view.
[0050] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a schematic layout of urine analyzer
devices with collection position and rest position,
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates diagrammatically a ISFET, i.e. a ion
selective Field Effect Transistor,
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates diagrammatically an enFET, i.e. a enzyme
selective Field Effect Transistor
[0053] FIG. 9 illustrates diagrammatically a triple FET
configuration, with a common shared reference electrode.
[0054] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate diagrammatically a 3-electrode
configuration, respectively in elevation view and top view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0055] In the figures, the same references denote identical or
similar elements.
[0056] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a toilet 100 whose overall structure is
known. Conventionally, the toilet comprises a water reservoir 95, a
bowl 10, a toilet seat 7 and a toilet cover 6.
[0057] Further, there is provided a urine analyzer device 1. For
the sake of explanation, there are shown two different devices in
the illustration given in FIGS. 1 and 2, but of course the toilet
can be equipped with only one urine analyzer device.
[0058] This urine analyzer device is removably attached to the rim
11 of the bowl. To this end, the urine analyzer device comprises a
holder member 9, to attach the device to the rim of the toilet
bowl. The holder member 9 exhibits a width comprised between 3 cm
and 10 cm, and a small thickness to lodge between the upper border
of the bowl rim 11 and the lower border of the seat 7, in other
words the thickness is slightly smaller than the available gap G
defined by the seat spacer pads 71. (see FIGS. 6A & 6B).
[0059] The urine analyzer device comprises a urine reception area
2, located inside the bowl.
[0060] There may be provided a possibility of movement of the
reception area 2 with regard to the bowl body, toward the center of
the bowl, which will be detailed later. The urine reception area 2
is arranged to be located, when it is at rest position in the
peripheral flow of flushing water, for rinsing purpose and possibly
recalibration purpose.
[0061] The urine analyzer device comprises an electronic unit 4,
enclosed in a housing. The housing is preferably watertight. The
urine analyzer device comprises a battery 48, a wireless coupler 5,
such as Bluetooth wireless coupler, an indicator Led 14 and
possibly an small loudspeaker or beeper/buzzer 15.
[0062] Additionally, there may be provided a microphone 19, a
fingerprint pad 47 whose purpose will be given later.
[0063] According to one embodiment, there is provided a housing in
a monolithic fashion, which includes, besides the electronic unit
4, also the battery and an extension member bearing the urine
reception area 2.
[0064] According to another embodiment, the holder member 9 can be
distinct from the housing including the electronic unit, the
housing being attached in a fixed manner or in articulated manner
to the holder member 9. The electronic unit 4 can be arranged with
the holder member 9 in a single housing.
[0065] The device according the present invention is rather small,
and its weight is less than 200 g, preferably less than 150 g.
[0066] The urine reception area 2 is permeable to water and/or
urine.
[0067] The urine reception area 2 comprises at least a
electro-chemical sensor 3. The electro-chemical electrode sensor 3
is configured to measure a quantity of at least one chemical
substance, such as a physiological compound or other chemical
component including ions, contained in urine.
[0068] The term "physiological compound" should be understood as
any chemical species naturally contained in the human body, from
the simplest ions to proteins and amino acids.
[0069] The term "chemical component" should be understood as some
chemical species that are not naturally contained in the human
body, like drugs, lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and so on.
[0070] Among the substances which are targeted are the following:
[0071] hydrogen ions (reflecting pH index) [0072] Sodium,
Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, [0073] H.sub.2O.sub.2
(Hydrogen peroxide) [0074] Glucose/Proteins/Oestrogenes/luteinine
Hormone/Beta-HCG Hormone (pregnancy marker)/Creatinin/PSA Antigen
(prostate disorder marker).
[0075] As some examples among others, here below are the range and
sensitivity of electro-chemical sensor with regard to particular
substances:
TABLE-US-00001 luteinine Hormone from 0.2 mUl/ml to 80 mUl/ml
sensitivity: 0.2 mUl/ml Creatinin from 5 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml
sensitivity: 1 mg/ml Albumin from 75 .mu.g/ml to 750 .mu.g/ml
sensitivity: 30 .mu.g/ml
[0076] Among the physiological ions which are targeted are the
following: H+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl--,
[0077] There may be provided more than one electro-chemical sensor,
each specialized in detecting a subset of the above-mentioned
substances, as illustrated at FIG. 4A.
[0078] One particular type of electro-chemical sensor proposed is a
ion selective Field Effect Transistor (abbreviated in `ISFET`),
denoted 8 and illustrated on FIG. 7.
[0079] ISFET principle relies on a silicon chip which, when placed
in contact with a test solution, urine sample in the present case,
detects and measures the variable voltage potential between its
surface and underlying semiconductor material. This variable
potential is proportional to the ion concentration in the sample,
and is used to determine the concentration of the ions of
interest.).
[0080] In the case of pH measurement, pH value is a function of H+
ion concentration. The ion sensitive membrane is formed by the
semi-conductor itself (SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3 or Ta2O5) and forms the
gate port 82.
[0081] In the case of other ions (Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Cl--), a
highly selective organic membrane 81 specific to the respective ion
of interest is arranged on top of the gate semiconductor 82, in
other words the selective organic membrane 81 is interposed between
the test solution (urine sample here) and the gate electrode.
[0082] Epoxy coating 87 isolates Drain and Source electrodes. As
shown in FIG. 7, such epoxy coating forms a cup in which the urine
sample 18 is held opposite the gate electrode without interfering
with the rest of the silicon layers, notably the substrate.
Substrate is doped P, whereas source and drain pads are doped N in
the disclosed non limitative configuration.
[0083] ISFET also requires a reference electrode 80, which is
placed at the gate area. The reference electrode 80 is held above
the gate port of the transistor, and a urine sample when present is
interposed between the reference electrode and the gate port (G) of
the transistor.
[0084] In one embodiment, the reference electrode 80 contains a
reference electrolyte solution placed in a small container having
an exchange wall. In one particular embodiment, it can be a small
container made of aluminum with the exchange wall being a ceramic
foil.
[0085] The reference electrode 80 may be placed on the same chip as
the rest of the transistor or externally. The reference electrode
80 is electrically coupled to a gate reference voltage denoted
VGR.
[0086] The exchange of ions between the urine sample 18 and the
electrolyte contained in the reference electrode creates a Gate
trigger voltage at the gate port (G) of the transistor.
[0087] The reference electrode 80 may comprise a gel solution, or a
gel composition. The solution contained therein is gradually
consumed and/or gradually leaks out of reference electrode.
[0088] According to one particular option, the leakage rate can be
slowed if the reference electrode remains immersed in flushing
water a certain time.
[0089] Alternatively, the reference electrode 80 may comprise
powder or solid compound.
[0090] Alternatively, the reference electrode 80 may be constituted
by a metallic compound.
[0091] The concentration of ion of interest reflects in the voltage
of the gate port 82 and the current flowing between the Drain and
Source electrode reflects in turn in an amplified fashion the
concentration of ion of interest. Current flow and/or [VD-VS]
voltage is used by the electronic unit 4 to determine ion
concentration.
Measurement
[0092] pH value is an index reflecting concentration of H+ ions.
The ion sensitive membrane is the semiconductor made as a top
deposited layer of the transistor assembly connecting the drain and
the source.
[0093] The gate electrode G portion of the transistor assembly is
in direct contact with the test solution 18. After each use, water
from flushing is advantageously used to rinse the gate area of the
ISTET. The flushing water is also advantageously used to
recalibrate the sensor in case of drift with time, provided that
the pH of tap water is known.
Other Ions
[0094] According to one option, there is provided an additional
ISFET selective to other chemical species [0095] Calcium (Cu2+).
Calcium helps with muscle contractions, nerve signaling, blood
clotting, cell division, and forming/maintaining bones and
teeth.
[0096] Normal range of (Ca2+) concentration in urine is: [100-300]
mg/day
[0097] A specific membrane selective to let the Ca2+ ions pass
through is used. [0098] Potassium (K+); it helps keeping blood
pressure levels stable, regulating heart contractions, helping with
muscle functions.
[0099] Normal range of (K+) concentration in urine is: [25-100]
mEq/day
[0100] A specific membrane selective to let the K+ ions pass
through is used. [0101] Magnesium (Mg2+).
[0102] Normal range of (Mg2+) concentration is [1.7-2.4] mg/day
[0103] Sodium (Na+)
[0104] Normal range of (Na+) concentration is: [100-260] mEq/day
[0105] Chloride (Cl--)
[0106] Normal range of (Cl--) concentration is: [80-250]
mEq/day
[0107] Similarly specific membranes selective to let respectively
Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Na+, Cl-- ions pass through are used.
Calibration and Recalibration
[0108] For each ISFET, the process of the periodic drop of
calibration solution and subsequent recalibration can be used as
explained before for H+ and flush water.
[0109] A calibration solution (tap water or a specific calibration
solution) is brought into contact with the gate area and the
measure is compared to an expected value, which allows to determine
a deviation that is to be compensated for.
[0110] According to one option, the device may further comprise a
calibration solution reservoir 88 arranged above the electrolyte
sensor 3 to periodically provide a drop of calibration solution on
the ion selective Field Effect Transistor. The drop of such
calibration solution is used to recalibrate the electrochemical
sensor. This calibration solution may be tap water or a specific
solution.
[0111] A miniaturized control valve (not shown at the figures
except schematically at FIG. 10B) is used to release the
above-mentioned drop of calibration solution. Such drop can be
programmed to occur every month. Generally speaking, the
recalibration with the drop preferably occurs every period
comprised in the range [15 days-45 days].
[0112] Another particular type of electro-chemical sensor proposed
is a biological selective Field Effect Transistor, otherwise called
enzyme selective Field Effect Transistor (abbreviated in `enFET`),
denoted 8' and illustrated on FIG. 8.
[0113] The configuration is very similar what has been explained
before regarding ISFET.
[0114] Filtering is here more elaborate and requires either an
organic thin filtration membrane specifically configured to let
some targeted molecules or a specific enzymatic membrane which
reacts with the species of interest in the test sample. Reference
81' denotes the enzymatic layer which let the chemical species of
interest go through, or reacts with the species of interest in the
test sample.
[0115] The reference electrode 80 is electrically coupled to a gate
reference voltage denoted VGR. The exchange of ions between the
urine sample 18 and the reference electrode electrolyte creates a
Gate trigger voltage at the gate port (G) of the transistor.
[0116] There may be provided optionally a surrounding counter
electrode 89 which is set at a reference voltage VDC, which may be
different from the reference voltage VGR of the reference
electrode.
[0117] Epoxy coating 87 form a cup in which the urine sample 18 is
held opposite the gate electrode without interfering with the rest
of the silicon layers, notably the substrate. Here by contrast to
the ISFET, the selective layer is more complicated to assemble; an
intermediate foil denoted 84 is arranged on the silicon layers and
the enzyme selective membrane 81' is arranged on top of the
intermediate foil 84.
H.sub.2O.sub.2
[0118] The inventors have found that Urinary hydrogen peroxide
(H.sub.2O.sub.2) is an amazingly good biomarker of oxidative
stress, defined as the imbalance between Reactive Oxygen Species
(ROS) production and antioxidant defense inside human organism.
Oxidative stress is a risk factor playing a significant
pathogenetic role for many diseases.
[0119] A specific membrane selective to let the H.sub.2O.sub.2
molecules pass through is used in a ISFET configuration.
Normal range of H.sub.2O.sub.2 in urine=15+/-9.8 .mu.mol/L
Beta-HCG
[0120] Taking Beta-HCG Hormone (pregnancy marker) as another
example, the enzymatic layer is designed to let only Beta-HCG
Hormone pass across the membrane.
[0121] According to a particularly optimized configuration (not
shown), there may be provided a reference electrode, a working
electrode and a counter electrode, all arranged in a screen printed
electrode configuration.
[0122] Generally speaking, there may be found several types FET
sensor, either ISFET 8 or enFET 8' in the reception area 2, as
illustrated in FIG. 4A, each one being selective to one ion type or
one biological compound. Note that reference solution reservoir 88
may be either common to all the FET sensors, or there may be
provided several individual reservoirs, or even a mix between the
two solutions.
[0123] In a particular configuration, illustrated at FIG. 4B, there
may be provided three ISFET devices, namely: [0124] one (ref 8A)
for measuring the concentration of H+ ions to determine pH, [0125]
one (ref 8B) for measuring the concentration of K+ ions to
determine the Potassium level, [0126] one (ref 8C) for measuring
the concentration of Ca2+ ions to determine Calcium level,
[0127] Of course additional ISFET for other ion species can be
added to this configuration.
[0128] According to a particularly optimized configuration shown at
FIG. 9, there may be provided 3 ion selective Field Effect
Transistors, with a same reference electrode 86. A first ion
selective Field Effect Transistor has a selective membrane 81A and
a underlying gate 82A. A second ion selective Field Effect
Transistor has a selective membrane 81B and a underlying gate 82B.
A third ion selective Field Effect Transistor has a selective
membrane 81C and a underlying gate 82C.
[0129] Apart from the electrolyte sensor, there may be provided an
optical sensor 6. This optical sensor 6 is used to measure the
opacity of the sampled urine, the color of the sampled urine and
the concentration of the sampled urine. A light emitter directs
light rays toward a urine sample contained in a cup 24; a
photodiode receives the transmitted light power (may include a
reflection on a mirror); one or several color filters can he
interposed. Optical analysis is known and therefore not detailed
here. Urine density and color index can be assessed by the
electronic unit 4; personal biological ratings corresponding to
Urine density and color index can thus be followed by the user.
Content of the cup 24 may be purged by means of a miniaturized
electro-valve.
[0130] Regarding some mechanical aspects, the device can be
monolithic as schematically shown at FIG. 6A.
[0131] According to one variant shown at FIG. 4, the device may be
formed as two parts detachably associated to one another. A
junction 92 with a connector joins the housing enclosing the
electronic unit 4 and the reception area 2. The reception part can
be removed for deep cleaning or completely exchanged by a new
one.
[0132] According to one option, there can be provided a degree of
freedom between the holder member and the reception area, as
illustrated at FIG. 6B. Axis A1 denotes a possible rotation motion
to move the sensitive area closer to the center of the bowl. This
movement can be powered and controlled by the electronic unit
4.
[0133] However, at rest position, the urine reception area is
preferably located adjacent to the internal wall of the bowl so it
can receive at least partly some flushing water flow. There may be
provided a deflector that helps directing the flushing flow toward
the urine reception area in order to rinse the urine reception
area. Additionally, There may be provided a purge valve that may be
used to purge the content of the urine (or the water) retained
inside the reception area; this also helps keeping the reference
electrode 80 in a liquid to minimize leakage and extend its
lifetime.
[0134] Alternatively the movement can be manually generated, with a
handle to pull or a button to push and a linkage attached to a
movable reception part.
[0135] The toilet in question may be used by several different
users. Note that male and female hormones types and/or levels are
always different; this allows to recognize if a male user or a
female user is using the toilet.
[0136] Also interesting is a member of mictions per night/per
day.
[0137] One way to recognize one user among several users is to
place a weight sensor in the toilet seat 7. Additionally or
alternatively, there may be provided contact electrodes to perform
an impedance measurement; A particular signature is allocated to
each user of the toilet, after initial teach-in proceedings. When
the weight is used, a rather narrow range is allocated to each
user,
[0138] Another way is to provide a fingerprint sensing device
47.
[0139] Another way is to provide a microphone with a basic voice
recognition function such that a user of the toilet can just say a
word (first name, or "it's me", or "hello") which is enough to
distinguish one particular user among a defined group of users
(e.g. a family).
[0140] Another way is to provide contact ECG electrodes and a ECG
analyzer in the toilet seat, with one electrode in contact with one
thigh and another configured to he touched by a finger.
[0141] Whenever a urine sampling is performed with no user
recognition, the results is qualified as `non affected` in the
corresponding smartphone application.
[0142] The system in which the urine analyzer device works includes
a remote computing device 50. Any generally speaking "portable
electronic device" can also be used, such as a smartphone, atablet,
a phablet, a PDA, a laptop computer, or any like wireless enabled
device that can send and/or receive data through a wireless link
29. An application corresponding to the urine analyzer device is
provided in one or more smartphone(s) if several users are
involved,
[0143] For each user, a timechart with number of miction per
day/night, evolution of pH and concentration of main chemical
substance(s) can be displayed at the smartphone application.
[0144] The optional microphone 19 can he used to sense a flush
sound signature. This provides automaticity of cleaning and
recalibrating after toilet flush.
[0145] Regarding practical use, a female user has to direct the
flow of urine toward the reception area, helped by the above
mentioned displacement of the sensitive area; a male user, whether
sitting or standing, has to direct the flow of urine toward the
reception area.
[0146] Another particular type of electro-chemical sensor proposed
is a 3-electrode configuration, denoted 8'' and illustrated on
FIGS. 10A,10B. There are provided 3 electrodes on a non conductive
substrate denoted NCS: [0147] a reference electrode denoted REF
(preferably kept at distance from the reaction site in order to
maintain the substrate at a known and stable potential VREF),
[0148] a working electrode denoted WRK through which a reactive
current flow is sensed [0149] a counter electrode denoted CT which
conducts the current flowing through the working electrode.
[0150] The working electrode serves as the transduction element in
the biochemical reaction (also known as redox electrode); a
selective or reactive membrane 81'' (similar as explained above for
enFET) is interposed between the urine test sample and the working
electrode.
[0151] A urine sample 18 is held momentarily in a containing volume
delimited by a border 58. At one location of the border there is
provided a mouth 59 equipped with a controlled valve VV.
[0152] The current IWC flowing between the respective terminals
VW,VC of working electrode and the counter electrode reflects the
concentration of the species of interest.
[0153] The reference electrode is typically made from Ag/AgCl.
[0154] The working electrode is made of gold, carbon, diamond,
platinum or any other metal not prone to corrosion.
[0155] According to one option, the working electrode is preferably
a boron doped diamond electrode.
* * * * *