Systems and methods for calculating volumes of excreted urine and stool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025213232-A1
Application number	US-202318867588-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 19, 2023
Priority date	May 20, 2022
Publication date	Jul 3, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

An excretion collection and evaluation system including at least one waste receptacle including a waste collection area. and a sensor configured to be coupled to a toilet, selectively coupled to the at least one waste receptable, and configured to generate a signal indicative of a quantity of waste deposited in the waste collection area.

First claim

1 . An excretion collection and evaluation system comprising:
a) at least one waste receptacle including a waste collection area; and b) a sensor configured to be coupled to a toilet, selectively coupled to the at least one waste receptable, and to generate a signal indicative of a quantity of waste deposited in the waste collection area.

2 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one load cell that interfaces with the at least one waste receptacle.

3 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes an overhanging region selectively coupled to the sensor.

4 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 3 , wherein the overhanging region includes a receptacle locking feature configured to constrain movement of the at least one waste receptacle relative to the sensor.

5 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 3 , wherein the sensor includes a sensor locking feature configured to engage the at least one waste receptacle to constrain movement of the at least one waste receptacle relative to the sensor.

6 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 5 , wherein the receptacle locking feature includes an aperture, and the sensor locking feature includes a protrusion sized to engage the aperture.

7 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes a urine receptacle and a stool receptacle, wherein the urine receptacle and the stool receptacle are independently coupled to the sensor.

8 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes a urine receptacle and a stool receptacle, wherein the urine receptacle and the stool receptacle are combined in a single sample collection container.

9 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes a urine receptacle.

10 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes a stool receptacle.

11 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes a drain.

12 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one waste receptacle defines slopes to direct a flow of fluid towards the drain.

13 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one separator configured to inhibit contact between a toilet seat, the sensor, or the at least one waste receptacle, wherein the at least one waste receptacle includes a cutout sized to receive the separator, and wherein the separator is secured to the toilet seat.

14 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller that receives the signal from the sensor and evaluates a weight or volume of excretions based on the signal.

15 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit data to an electronic medical station.

16 . An excretion collection and evaluation system comprising:
a) a toilet seat configured to be hingedly coupled to a toilet and including a separator extending from a bottom surface of the toilet seat; and b) a quantity measurement sensor coupled to the toilet seat and positioned so that the separator inhibits contact between the toilet seat and the quantity measurement sensor.

17 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 16 , wherein the quantity measurement sensor includes a battery powered load cell.

18 . The excretion collection and evaluation system of claim 16 , wherein the quantity measurement sensor is configured to be directly coupled with the toilet and the toilet seat includes a toilet seat hinge configured to couple the toilet seat to the quantity measurement sensor.

19 . A waste receptacle for use with an excretion collection and evaluation system, the waste receptacle comprising:
a. a waste collection area; b. a support flange extending from the waste collection area and including a receptacle locking feature, the support flange configured to:
i. suspend the waste collection area within a toilet bowl,
ii. constrain movement of the waste receptacle relative to the excretion collection and evaluation system, and
iii. engage a quantity measurement sensor of the excretion collection and evaluation system; and
c. a drain positioned within the waste collection area configured to allow excretions to exit the waste collection area during use.

20 . The waste receptacle of claim 19 , wherein the waste collection area includes a urine receptacle and a separate stool receptacle.

Assignees

• Univ Duke

Inventors

• David Lawrence
• Embree Stephen
• Neubert Benjamin

Classifications

• G01N33/493

  urine · CPC title

• G01F23/20

  by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas · CPC title

• A61B10/007

  for taking urine samples (measuring urological functions A61B5/20; genital receptacles A61F5/451; urinals for bed-ridden persons A61G9/006) · CPC title

• A61B5/6891

  Furniture · CPC title

• A61B5/208

  adapted to determine urine quantity, e.g. flow, volume · CPC title