Applications: A device and system that can be used for toilet training in children with developmental disabilities, such as autism, by triggering an alarm that is caused by a wetting event. It is comprised of a sensor with disposable strips that can be placed in the underwear or diaper of the child and a receiver that time stamps and sounds an alarm. The sensor is wireless and the receiving unit can receive signals from multiple sensors.
Advantages: Current incontinence sensors are designed primarily for detecting bedwetting events and often aren’t disposable and wireless. The disposable feature allows an easier use, as it saves time and effort associated with cleaning the device after a wetting event. The wireless features of this technology leads to increased comfort and is essential for children with developmental disabilities because many don’t wearing the wires and may pull and tug at them. The features that are most novel for this type of device, however, are the ability of the receiver unit to timestamp wetting events and receive signals from multiple sensors, making it ideal for training multiple children, such as in a classroom setting where a teacher or caregiver can monitor all the children with one receiver.