Toilet with floating seat for weight measurement

An analytical toilet comprising a frame supporting a bowl for receiving excreta; a floating seat for a user to sit above the bowl; one or more seat load cells for measuring weight on the seat; and a floating hinge connecting the floating seat to the frame is disclosed. The floating hinge may comprise a pivot bar rotatably connected to both the toilet seat and the toilet body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to analytical toilets. More particularly, it relates to analytical medical toilets equipped to provide health and wellness information to the user.

BACKGROUND

The ability to track an individual's health and wellness is currently limited due to the lack of available data related to personal health. Many diagnostic tools are based on examination and testing of excreta, but the high cost of frequent doctor's visits and/or scans make these options available only on a very limited and infrequent basis. Thus, they are not widely available to people interested in tracking their own personal wellbeing.

Toilets present a fertile environment for locating a variety of useful sensors to detect, analyze, and track trends for multiple health conditions. Locating sensors in such a location allows for passive observation and tracking on a regular basis of daily visits without the necessity of visiting a medical clinic for collection of samples and data. Monitoring trends over time of health conditions supports continual wellness monitoring and maintenance rather than waiting for symptoms to appear and become severe enough to motivate a person to seek care. At that point, preventative care may be eliminated as an option leaving only more intrusive and potentially less effective curative treatments. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

A toilet seat and lid have ample surface area in direct contact with body parts (thighs and/or back, etc.). This direct contact can be suitable locations for sensor placement. Therefore, it is highly advantageous to be able to upgrade a toilet seat or a toilet lid with newer versions that provide additional capabilities. Conventional toilet designs firmly attached the toilet seat and lid to the toilet itself. New toilet designs that enable health and wellness monitoring need to allow replacing an existing toilet seat and/or lid to be replaced as more advanced seat or lid designs become available.

Just a few examples of smart toilets and other bathroom devices can be seen in the following U.S. Patents and Published Applications: U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,513, entitled “Medical Toilet With User Authentication”; U.S. Pat. No. 10,123,784, entitled “In Situ Specimen Collection Receptacle In A Toilet And Being In Communication With A Spectral Analyzer”; U.S. Pat. No. 10,273,674, entitled “Toilet Bowl For Separating Fecal Matter And Urine For Collection And Analysis”; US 2016/0000378, entitled “Human Health Property Monitoring System”; US 2018/0020984, entitled “Method Of Monitoring Health While Using A Toilet”; US 2018/0055488, entitled “Toilet Volatile Organic Compound Analysis System For Urine”; US 2018/0078191, entitled “Medical Toilet For Collecting And Analyzing Multiple Metrics”; US 2018/0140284, entitled “Medical Toilet With User Customized Health Metric Validation System”; US 2018/0165417, entitled “Bathroom Telemedicine Station.” The disclosures of all these patents and applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the disclosure provides an analytical toilet comprising a frame supporting a bowl for receiving excreta; a floating seat for a user to sit above the bowl; one or more seat load cells for measuring weight on the seat; and a floating hinge connecting the floating seat to the frame.

Further aspects and embodiments are provided in the foregoing drawings, detailed description and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

As used herein, “toilet” is meant to refer to any device or system for receiving human excreta, including urinals.

As used herein, the term “bowl” refers to the portion of a toilet that is designed to receive excreta.

As used herein, the term “base” refers to the portion of the toilet below and around the bowl supporting it.

As used herein, the term “user” refers to any individual who interacts with the toilet and deposits excreta therein.

As used herein, the term “excreta” refers to any substance released from the body of a user including urine, feces, menstrual discharge, saliva, expectorate, and anything contained or excreted therewith.

As used herein, the term “sensor” is meant to refer to any device for detecting and/or measuring a property of a person or of a substance regardless of how that property is detected or measured, including the absence of a target molecule or characteristic. Sensors may use a variety of technologies including, but not limited to, MOS (metal oxide semiconductor), CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), CCD (charge-coupled device), FET (field-effect transistors), nano-FET, MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors), load cells, weight sensors, spectrometers, volume measurement devices, durometers, temperature gauges, chromatographs, mass spectrometers, IR (infrared) detector, near IR detector, visible light detectors, and electrodes, microphones, pressure gauges, rheometers, pH detectors, PPG (photoplethysmogram), thermometers (including IR and thermocouples), scent detectors gas, and analyzers.

As used herein, the term “imaging sensor” is meant to refer to any device for detecting and/or measuring a property of a person or of a substance that relies on electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength (e.g., visible light, infrared light, x-ray) or sound waves (e.g., ultrasound) to view the surface or interior of a user or substance. The term “imaging sensor” does not require that an image or picture is created or stored even if the sensor is capable of creating an image.

As used herein, the term “data connection” and similar terms are meant to refer to any wired or wireless means of transmitting analog or digital data and a data connection may refer to a connection within a toilet system or with devices outside the toilet.

As used herein, the term “floating” refers to a component that is supported by weight sensors independently of other components and does not support other components (e.g., a floating bowl does not support the weight of the seat).

As used herein, the term “floating hinge” refers to a hinge that enables rotation while allowing the connecting pieces (e.g., a seat and toilet body) to move relative to each other at least vertically.

As used herein, the term “excretion profile” is meant to refer collectively to the rate of excretion at any moment in time of an excretion event and the total volume or mass of excreta as a function of time during an excretion event. The terms “defecation profile” and “urination profile” refer more specifically to the separate measurement of excreta from the anus and urethra, respectively.

Exemplary Embodiments

The present disclosure relates to analytical toilets designed to acquire health and wellness data about users. More particularly, it relates to an analytical toilet that measures the weight of users. It may also include a variety of other health and wellness sensors to track other health indicators. It also transmits user health and wellness data to other devices so that the data from individual users may be tracked over time.

Referring toFIG.1, an exemplary embodiment of a toilet is shown with a closed lid101, lowered foot platform120, and retracted handles210.FIG.2shows the toilet with an open lid101, raised foot platform120, and extended handles210. In a preferred embodiment, handles210are adapted to be readily ripped by a user, especially while sitting or rising. In a preferred embodiment, the handles210move while the seat200is lowering and lifting a user to enable them to grip the handles210and use them for support during sitting and rising. The toilet is enclosed with a shroud400.

In various exemplary embodiments, the shroud400covers all the internal support components that comprise the frame as well as the bowl300(i.e., the bowl is covered except for the top that would be covered by a lid). In preferred embodiments, the shroud400comprises at least one sections of articulated or flexible (e.g., elastic, material) assembled such that the shroud400can contract or expand as the frame110moves the bowl300and/or seat200. Other sections of the shroud may be rigid. In various exemplary embodiments, the at least some portions of the shroud are removable or openable to allow access to the interior of the toilet frame. The interior of the toilet frame may include, among other things, plumbing connections, fluid supply lines, support structures, health and wellness assessment devices, electronic circuits, digital devices (e.g., processors, memory), storage tanks, and communication modules. In various preferred embodiments, cover102opens to allow access to the interior of the frame.

In various exemplary embodiments, the shrouds400are preferably designed for aesthetic and other purposes. For example, the shrouds400can be made in various colors to suit the décor of the bathroom the toilet is installed in. Besides colors, the shrouds400can include patterns or graphics so that the toilet100“makes a statement” in the bathroom.

In various exemplary embodiments, the handles210include at least one buttons, switches, sensors, etc. through which the user may control the seat, including, but not limited to, starting and stopping the seat200, reversing seat movement direction, adjusting the position or angle of the seat200, and adjusting the height of the bowl300, seat200, or foot platform120.

In various exemplary embodiments, the handles210may include at least one health and wellness sensors. The sensors may be used to measure how hard the user is gripping and provide feedback to the lift control. For example, if a user suddenly increases their grip it is likely that they are struggling with standing or with their balance. Grip pressure may also be tracked over time. The sensors may also include detection for heart rate, body temperature, hand health indicators, light sensors, electrocardiogram, pulse, blood test (e.g., using a finger prick), etc. Toilet handles with health and wellness sensors are disclosed in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2018/0084959, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring toFIG.3, an exemplary embodiment of a toilet100is shown with various seat elevations. The toilet100includes a frame110, bowl300supported by the frame110, a lid101, and a seat200also supported by the frame110. In a preferred embodiment, the seat200is supported by two sets of seat actuators111,112, and113. In other embodiments, the number and arrangement of actuators may vary.

In a preferred embodiment, a pair of first seat actuators111are pivotally connected to a front area of the seat200and a pair of second seat actuators112are pivotally connected to a back area of the seat200providing support at four “corners” of the seat200. The four seat actuators111and112are also pivotally attached to the frame110. An additional pair of third seat actuators113are pivotally attached to the frame110at one end and pivotally attached to the second pair of seat actuators112at their other end. In another embodiment, the third seat actuators113are attached to the first pair of seat actuators111.

Referring toFIGS.4and4A, an exemplary embodiment of a floating toilet seat200according to the present disclosure is shown. The seat includes a rigid seat support201covered by a shroud202. Weight sensors203are placed between the seat support201and floating cover202. In various other embodiments, the weight sensors may be placed in a variety of places such as under the actuators or under the frame.

In various exemplary embodiments, the toilet continuously measures weight load on both the seat200and the foot platform120. In a preferred embodiment, the system weighs the user on the foot platform120prior to the user placing any weight against the seat200and records that as the user's total weight. In some embodiments, the system calculates a user total weight using both the seat weight sensors203and foot platform weight sensors121after the user seated with the seat200fully lowered. In various exemplary embodiments, the system calculates the percentage of user body weight on the foot platform120. The angle of the seat200is limited from raising based on the percentage of weight on the foot platform120. This prevents the seat200from tipping to an angle that will not support the user's weight prior to the user being on their feet.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a design for a seat200that can be easily added/removed from a toilet, seat topper, seat lifter, etc. is provided. This allows for easier installation of a new seat200to accommodate upgraded seats and/or seat sensors. Referring toFIG.5, a powered quick disconnect mechanism is shown. The seat200is removed by pressing in on the spring-loaded button204. This moves the spring-loaded axle205out of the seat to allow the seat200to be removed. The electrical connector206automatically connects and disconnects with physical connection. The electrical connector206comprises a ring connector that maintains electrical connection throughout the seat's range of motion. This provides for electrical power and/or data connections to sensors in the seat.

A conventional toilet seat and lid are both connected to the toilet by a common hinge. The weight of the lid and seat, including a seated user, is supported by the body of the toilet. The toilet100of the present disclosure includes a seat200that is supported by load cells203that measure the weight on the seat200. The load cells203may be supported by the body of the toilet or by an internal frame structure. The seat200is connected to the toilet100by a floating hinge500such that the hinge does not support the weight of the lowered seat.

Referring toFIGS.6A and6B, an exemplary embodiment of a floating hinge500for a toilet seat200is shown. In this embodiment, the hinge axle501is fixedly attached to the hinge base502(i.e., the part of hinge attached to the toilet frame) and extending into, but is not physically connected to, the seat housing208. As illustrated inFIG.6B, the hinge axle501and seat housing208are designed to allow the seat to move vertically relative to the hinge axle501. In another exemplary embodiment, the hinge design may be reversed such that the axle is fixedly attached to the seat and floats relative to the hinge base, which is fixedly attached to the toilet.

Referring toFIGS.7A and7B, examples of floating hinge connections are shown.FIG.7Aillustrates how axle1501and housing1208are able to move vertically, but not horizontally, relative to each other. The seat (not shown) may be rotatably attached to either housing1208or axle1501.FIG.7Bis a cross-sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG.7Afurther illustrating the ability of the axle1501and the housing1208to move vertically, but not horizontally, relative to each other.

Referring toFIGS.8A-D, another exemplary embodiment of a toilet seat2200with a floating hinge2210is shown.FIG.8Dshows the interior of hinge2210. Some portions of the floating hinge2210may be integral to the seat or may be attached to the toilet seat2200with connectors (e.g., screws or bolts).

Referring toFIGS.9A-B, show the components of an exemplary floating hinge2210.FIG.9Ashows one side of the hinge2210assembly.FIG.9Bshows it from the opposite side. In various exemplary embodiments, the hinge2210comprises a floating hinge case2213, pivot bar2219, and floating hinge cover2212connected by screw2211. Screw2211connects the cover2212to the case2213enclosing the pivot bar2219. In some embodiments, the screw2211also connects the hinge2210to the seat2200.

In various exemplary embodiments, pivoting bar2219comprises seat axle2214, screw slot2215, pivot axle2216, and electrical connectors2217and2218. Seat axle2214is adapted to connect to the toilet and provides a point around which the seat2200is raised and lowered. The pivot axle2216rotatably connects the pivot bar2219to the hinge case2213. As will be described in more detail below, the screw slot2215allows the pivot bar2219to pivot around the pivot axle2216without interacting with screw2211.

In various exemplary embodiments, connectors2217and2218are included to provide a supply of electrical power to components within the seat, such as load cells, health and wellness sensors, processors, controllers, and wireless communications among others. Connectors2217and2218may also provide data connections to similar components elsewhere in the system. In preferred embodiments, the electrical wiring connecting connectors2217and2218are molded into the pivot bar2219.

Referring toFIGS.10A-B, illustrate the range of motion through which the floating hinge2210is able to float. Pivot bar2219rotates around the axis of pivot axle2216within hinge casing2213. Screw slot2215is adapted to allow this without interference from screw2211. Seat axle2214is able to move up and down relative to the hinge casing2213and vice versa. When a user sits on the toilet seat, the weight of the user may cause the seat and hinge casing2213, which is fixed to the seat, to lower slightly causing pivot axle2216to lower. Seat axle2214does not move with the seat hinge casing2213because it is fixed relative to the toilet body and not to the seat. Because of the movement of pivot axle2216, pivot bar2219moves relative to hinge casing2213such that seat axle2214moves upwardly and does not transfer the weight of the user from the seat and hinge casing2213to the toilet frame.

In various exemplary embodiments, the toilet seat lid comprises one or more health and wellness sensors that are adapted to interact with a seated user. The sensors may interact with the user's back while using the toilet or may be collecting data with the lid closed. The interior of the bowl may be illuminated with visual, infrared, near infrared, ultraviolet, or other wavelengths by light sources.

In various exemplary embodiments, the lid includes a seal that forms an airtight seal creating an airtight chamber including the bowl. In such embodiments, the toilet may include sensors for testing the air in the chamber and/or passages for drawing air out of the chamber for testing elsewhere in the system. Such sensors or tests may include electrocardiography, CCD, MOS/CMOS, spectrometers, chromatographs, FET, nano-FET, MOSFET, mass spectrometers, electrodes, microphones, load cells, pressure gauges, PPG, thermometers (including IR sensors and thermocouples), rheometers, durometers, pH detectors, and gas detectors.

In various exemplary embodiments, urine and feces are separated into different collection basins for independent weighing and/or other analysis. In various exemplary embodiments, cameras estimate the volume of the fecal matter and use the estimated volume to estimate density.

In various exemplary embodiments, the toilet is capable of determining the total weight of excreta and the separate weights of solids and liquids. For example, weight may be measured after completion of an excreta event. Liquids may be allowed to exit the bowl and a new weight measurement taken of the remaining solids. The difference in weight provides the weight of liquid excreta. Alternatively, the urine may be drained off at a known flow rate or through a flow meter to measure urine volume leaving only solids to be weighed.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a smart toilet that includes mechanical, hydraulic, power, and data connections to accommodate a combination of health measuring tools is provided. An electrical connection to provide power to the health measuring sensors is also provided.

In various exemplary embodiments, the smart toilet includes at least one sensor that analyzes imaging data. A processor analyzes the data to attempt to compare the user to known users for identification purposes. If a known user is identified, the position of the bowl and/or seat is automatically adjusted to the preferred position of the user. If the user is unknown or does not have a record preferred position, the processor analyzes the physical characteristics of the user (e.g., height, waist height, length of upper and lower legs) and adjusts the position of the bowl and/or seat accordingly. In some embodiments, facial recognition is used to identify users.

In various preferred embodiments, the system may identify a user based on their face, hand, or foot. In various preferred embodiments, the sensor may include a CCD (charge-coupled device) or MOS (metal oxide semiconductor), including CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). The sensor can be used, with proper calibration such as taking the data at a known distance, to measure the length of major bones. This data can then be used to customize the toiler position for an unknown user.

In various exemplary embodiments, the toilet system includes sensors for measuring the user's weight. This includes separate sensors for determining user weight on the seat and user weight on the user's feet. The user's weight that is supported by their feet is preferably measured using a platform adjacent to the toilet on which the user's feet are placed while sitting and while being lowered or raised from the toilet.

In the preferred embodiments, the toilet also includes health assessment devices supported by the frame. Examples of such devices include imaging sensors, flow spectrometers, volume measurement devices, body weight sensors, and gas analyzers. Toilets with such devices are described in the patents and published applications cited in the Background section above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the toilet includes at least one sensor receiving data from the load cells and/or health and wellness sensors. The processor is adapted to receive, process, and transmit data. The data may be transmitted to a remote data storage facility (e.g., cloud servers) and/or to the user's device (e.g., phone or computer).

All patents, published patent applications, and other publications referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. Nevertheless, it is understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.