Abstract:
Many types of continence training methods and aids have been utilized, including progress charts, reward systems, urination “targets” for boys, electronic wetness alarms, progress scales, readiness questionnaires, and thermal and tactile training signals in disposable absorbent products, among many others. A key step in urinary continence training, in particular, is helping the child to learn to associate the physiological sensation of a “full” bladder with voluntary urination.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Newborn babies are incontinent, i.e., they are unable to voluntarily retain their bodily discharges and, instead, urinate and defecate reflexively. As they mature physiologically, children typically achieve urinary and fecal continence, that is, they develop the ability to voluntarily retain their urine and feces. Coincident with the development of continence, children typically develop the ability to voluntarily urinate and defecate, and cease reflexive elimination. This development of continence and of voluntary elimination, in place of reflexive elimination, may be accelerated and/or guided by caregivers through associative and conditioning techniques of training the child. The term “continence training” is used to denote training for both continence itself and for the voluntary elimination that is associated with continence. Thus, the term “continence training” is synonymous with what is referred to as “toilet training” or “potty training” in some countries. 
         [0002]    The methods of continence training of children vary widely between countries and cultures, and even within a given population. In certain cultures, the continence training is started at a relatively early age and involves intensive conditioning. For instance, continence training may begin prior to the child&#39;s first birthday, such as at 6 months of age or even earlier. The continence training methods used in these cultures are based on conditioning the child to eliminate waste upon some signal whenever the caregiver perceives that the child needs to urinate or defecate. Such conditioning methods are often extremely time-consuming and require the caregiver to learn and detect subtle signals from the child related to potential urination and defecation. With respect to urinary continence training, such a conditioning method may ultimately lead to earlier association of the physical sensation of bladder “fullness” with the possibility of voluntary urination into the designated receptacle. However, since the caregiver does not know the state of the bladder, a significant amount of time is wasted, since the bladder is often not sufficiently full to require emptying, or to produce the desired physical sensation of fullness in the child, at the time at which the caregiver attempts the conditioning. 
         [0003]    In other cultures, the continence training is started at a much later age, e.g., when the child demonstrates an interest in the achievement of continence, with the intention being to minimize the psychological stress on the child by waiting until the child shows an interest. In these cultures, the start of continence training is typically postponed until the child reaches about 18 to 24 months of age. As a result, many children in these cultures are not fully continence-trained until age three or later, even though they are physiologically capable of achieving continence much earlier. In addition to increasing the cost of caring for the child, through necessitating the purchase of diapers, disposable training pants, etc., delayed continence training may also result in the child feeling low self-esteem, if his or her chronological peers are already continent, and may lead to issues with preschools or daycare facilities that require that children in their care are continent. 
         [0004]    Many types of continence training methods and aids have been utilized, including progress charts, reward systems, urination “targets” for boys, electronic wetness alarms, progress scales, readiness questionnaires, and thermal and tactile training signals in disposable absorbent products, among many others. A key step in urinary continence training, in particular, is helping the child to learn to associate the physiological sensation of a “full” bladder with voluntary urination. One method that has been utilized to help the child learn this association is to ask the child to use the toilet on a regular basis. The caregiver may also analyze patterns in the child&#39;s behavior to determine when the child should use the toilet. This analysis requires the caregiver to have enough time to first observe the child&#39;s behavior closely, and secondly, remember the behavior to detect patterns. This becomes additionally difficult when multiple caregivers provide care such as with daycares, and when some behavior cannot be seen, such as actual times of urination, or activity levels during sleep. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In general, the present disclosure is directed to methods of predicting an incontinent event may happen. For example, in one embodiment, the method garment includes electronically monitoring a property of an absorbent article as the article is being worn by a wearer. The method also includes determining a change in the property of the article wherein the change is indicative of an incontinent event of the wearer. Further, the method includes predicting conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event based on the change in the property. 
         [0006]    Another version of the present invention includes a method including electronically monitoring a property of an absorbent article as the article is being worn by a wearer. The method also includes determining a change in the property of the article wherein the change is indicative of an incontinent event of the wearer. Further, the method includes predicting conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event based on the change in the property. The predicting step includes comparing a series of incontinent events and conditions present at and before the incontinent events, and determining patterns in the conditions present at and before the incontinent events. 
         [0007]    Finally, another version of the present invention includes a method including electronically monitoring a property of an absorbent article as the article is being worn by a wearer. The method also includes determining a change in the property of the article wherein the change is indicative of an incontinent event of the wearer. The method includes predicting conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event based on the change in the property. Further, the method includes activating an insult alarm to inform a caregiver and/or the wearer of the presence of an insult in the article. The predicting step comprises comparing a series of incontinent events and conditions present at and before the incontinent events, and determining patterns in the conditions present at and before the incontinent events. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective of an article shown in the form of a pair of training pants having a mechanical fastening system fastened on one side of the training pants and unfastened on the opposite side thereof; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the pants of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the pants similar to  FIG. 2  showing a housing of a monitoring system removed from the article; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the training pants of  FIG. 1  with the pants in an unfastened, unfolded and laid flat condition, and showing the surface of the training pants that faces the wearer when worn and with portions cut away to show underlying features; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the pants taken along the plane including line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of the pants and one embodiment of a monitoring system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram for one embodiment illustrating an order of operation for components/devices, including a measuring device for measuring an electrical property of the pants and an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog output from a measuring device into digital values to be read by a microprocessor; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a graph of two theoretical properties with time on the x-axis and a measurement of the electronic response on the y-axis; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative graph of two theoretical properties with time on the x-axis and a measurement of the electronic response on the y-axis. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , an absorbent article is representatively illustrated therein in the form of children&#39;s toilet training pants and is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral  20 . The absorbent article  20  may or may not be disposable, which refers to articles that are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use instead of being laundered or otherwise conditioned for reuse. It is understood that the present invention is suitable for use with various other absorbent articles intended for personal wear, including but not limited to diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or health care garments, and the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0019]    By way of illustration only, various materials and methods for constructing training pants such as the pants  20  of the various aspects of the present invention are disclosed in PCT Patent Application WO 00/37009 published Jun. 29, 2000, by A. Fletcher et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464 issued Jul. 10, 1990, to Van Gompel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,389 issued Jun. 16, 1998, to Brandon et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,190 issued Nov. 11, 2003, to Olson et al. which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0020]    The pair of training pants  20  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  in a partially fastened condition. The pants  20  define a longitudinal direction  48  of the pants and a lateral direction  49  thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pants  20  further define a pair of longitudinal end regions, otherwise referred to herein as a front waist region, generally indicated at  22 , and a back waist region, generally indicated at  24 , and a center region, otherwise referred to herein as a crotch region, generally indicated at  26 , extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and back waist regions  22 ,  24 . The front and back waist regions  22 ,  24  comprise those portions of the pants  20 , which when worn, wholly or partially cover or encircle the waist or mid-lower torso of the wearer. The crotch region  26  generally is that portion of the pants  20  which, when worn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lower torso and crotch of the wearer. The pants  20  also define an inner surface  28  that faces toward the wearer when the pants are being worn, and an outer surface  30  opposite the inner surface. With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , the pair of training pants  20  has a pair of laterally opposite side edges  36  and a pair of longitudinally opposite waist edges (broadly, longitudinal ends), respectively designated front waist edge  38  and back waist edge  39 . 
         [0021]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4 , the training pants  20  comprise a generally rectangular central absorbent assembly, generally indicated at  32 , and side panels  34 A,  34 B formed separately from and secured to the central absorbent assembly. The side panels  34 A,  34 B are permanently bonded along seams to the central absorbent assembly  32  in the respective front and back waist regions  22  and  24  of the pants  20 . More particularly, the front side panels  34 A can be permanently bonded to and extend transversely outward beyond side margins  47  of the absorbent assembly  32  at the front waist region  22 , and the back side panels  34 B can be permanently bonded to and extend transversely outward beyond the side margins of the absorbent assembly at the back waist region  24 . The side panels  34 A and  34 B may be bonded to the absorbent assembly  32  using attachment means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding. 
         [0022]    The front and back side panels  34 A and  34 B, upon wearing of the pants  20 , thus comprise the portions of the training pants  20  which are positioned on the hips of the wearer. The front and back side panels  34 A and  34 B can be permanently bonded together to form the three-dimensional configuration of the pants  20 , or be releasably connected with one another such as by a fastening system  59  of the illustrated aspects. As is known in the art, the side panels  34 A,  34 B may comprise elastic material or stretchable but inelastic materials. 
         [0023]    The absorbent assembly  32  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  as having a rectangular shape. However, it is contemplated that the absorbent assembly  32  may have other shapes (e.g., hourglass, T-shaped, I-shaped, and the like) without departing from the scope of this invention. It is also understood that the side panels  34 A,  34 B may instead be formed integrally with the absorbent assembly  32  without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0024]    As shown best in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the absorbent assembly  32  comprises an outer cover  40  and a bodyside liner  42  attached to the outer cover  40  in a superposed (opposed) relation therewith by adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional techniques. The liner  42  is suitably joined to the outer cover  40  along at least a portion of the longitudinal ends of the pants  20 . In addition, the liner  42  is suitably joined to the outer cover  40 . The liner  42  is suitably adapted, i.e., positioned relative to the other components of the pants  20 , for contiguous relationship with the wearer&#39;s skin during wear of the pants. The absorbent assembly  32  also comprises an absorbent structure  44  disposed between the outer cover  40  and the bodyside liner  42  for absorbing liquid body exudates exuded by the wearer and a surge management layer  45  disposed between the absorbent structure and the bodyside liner. A pair of containment flaps  46  are secured to the bodyside liner  42  for inhibiting the lateral flow of body exudates. 
         [0025]    With the training pants  20  in the fastened position as partially illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the front and back waist regions are connected together by the fastening system  48  to define the three-dimensional pants configuration having a waist opening  50  and a pair of leg openings  52 . The front and back waist edges  38  and  39  (e.g., longitudinal ends) of the training pants  20  are configured to encircle the waist of the wearer to define the waist opening  50  ( FIG. 1 ) of the pants. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a flap elastic member  53  can be operatively joined with each containment flap  46  in any suitable manner as is well known in the art. Suitable constructions and arrangements for the containment flaps  46  are generally well known to those skilled in the art and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,116 issued Nov. 3, 1987, to Enloe, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0027]    To further enhance containment and/or absorption of body exudates, the training pants  20  may comprise a front waist elastic member  54  ( FIG. 1 ), a rear waist elastic member  56 , and leg elastic members  58  ( FIGS. 2-4 ), as are known to those skilled in the art. The flap elastic members  53 , the waist elastic members  54  and  56 , and the leg elastic members  58  can be formed of any suitable elastic material that is well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0028]    The fastening system  80  of the illustrated embodiment comprises laterally opposite first fastening components  60  adapted for refastenable engagement to corresponding laterally opposite second fastening components  62 . In one embodiment, a front or outer surface of each of the fastening components  60 ,  62  comprises a plurality of engaging elements. The engaging elements of the first fastening components  60  are adapted to repeatedly engage and disengage corresponding engaging elements of the second fastening components  62  to releasably secure the pants  20  in its three-dimensional configuration. The fastening components  60 ,  62  can comprise any refastenable fasteners suitable for absorbent articles, such as adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, mechanical fasteners, or the like. Suitable fastening systems are also disclosed in the previously incorporated PCT Patent Application WO 00/37009 published Jun. 29, 2000, by A. Fletcher et al. and the previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,190 issued Nov. 11, 2003, to Olson et al. 
         [0029]    The outer cover  40  suitably comprises a material that is substantially liquid impermeable. The outer cover  40  may comprise a single layer of liquid impermeable material, or more suitably comprise a multi-layered laminate structure in which at least one of the layers is liquid impermeable. While it is not a necessity for the outer layer to be liquid permeable, it is suitable that it provides a relatively cloth-like texture to the wearer. Alternatively, the outer cover  40  may comprise a woven or non-woven fibrous web layer that has been totally or partially constructed or treated to impart the desired levels of liquid impermeability to selected regions that are adjacent or proximate the absorbent structure. The outer cover  40  may also be stretchable, and in some embodiments it may be elastomeric. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,028, issued to Morman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,662 issued to Morman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,781 issued to Morman, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, for additional information regarding suitable outer cover materials. 
         [0030]    The bodyside liner  42  is suitably compliant, soft-feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin. The bodyside liner  42  is also sufficiently liquid permeable to permit liquid body exudates to readily penetrate through its thickness to the absorbent structure  44 . The bodyside liner  42  may also be stretchable, and in some embodiments it may be elastomeric. 
         [0031]    Reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/563,417 filed on May 3, 2000 by Roessler et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/698,512 filed on Oct. 27, 2000 by Vukos et al., both of which are incorporated by reference herein, for additional information regarding bodyside liner material. 
         [0032]    The absorbent structure  44  is disposed between the outer cover  40  and the bodyside liner  42 , which can be joined together by any suitable means such as adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, or the like. While the illustrated absorbent structure  44  is shown and described herein as extending from the crotch region  26  into both the front and back waist regions  22  and  24 , it is contemplated that the absorbent structure may extend from the crotch region into only the front waist region, or only the back waist region, without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0033]    The absorbent structure  44  is suitably compressible, conformable, non-irritating to a wearer&#39;s skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids and certain body wastes. For example, the absorbent structure  44  may comprise cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp fibers), other natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven or nonwoven sheets, scrim netting or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material, binder materials, surfactants, selected hydrophobic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents or the like, as well as combinations thereof. 
         [0034]    The materials may be formed into an absorbent web structure by employing various conventional methods and techniques known in the art. For example, the absorbent structure  44  may be formed by a dry-forming technique, an air forming technique, a wet-forming technique, a foam-forming technique, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Methods and apparatus for carrying out such techniques are well known in the art. The absorbent structure  44  may alternatively comprise a coform material such as the material disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,703 to Everhart, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,624 to Georger, et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0035]    Superabsorbent material is suitably present in the absorbent structure  44  in an amount of from about 0 to about 90 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent structure. 
         [0036]    The absorbent structure  44  may suitably have a density within the range of about 0.10 to about 0.35 grams per cubic centimeter. Superabsorbent materials are well known in the art and can be selected from natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the absorbent structure  44  may be stretchable so as not to inhibit the stretchability of other components to which the absorbent structure may be adhered, such as the outer cover  40  and bodyside liner  42 . For example, the absorbent structure may comprise materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,964,743, 5,645,542, 6,231,557, 6,362,389, and international patent application WO 03/051254, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0038]    The surge management layer  45  may be attached to various components of the article  20  such as the absorbent structure  44  and/or the bodyside liner  42  by methods known in the art, such as by adhesive, ultrasonic or thermal bonding. The surge management layer  45  helps to decelerate and diffuse surges or gushes of liquid that may be rapidly introduced into the absorbent structure  44  of the article  20 . Desirably, the surge management layer  45  can rapidly accept and temporarily hold the liquid prior to releasing the liquid into the storage or retention portions of the absorbent structure  44 . Examples of suitable surge management layers  45  are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,166; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,846. Other suitable surge management materials are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,973. The entire disclosures of these patents are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0039]    Optionally, a substantially liquid permeable wrapsheet (not shown) may surround the absorbent structure  44  to help maintain the integrity of the absorbent structure  44 . 
         [0040]    The training pants  20  include a monitoring system for detecting the presence of urine (broadly, an insult) within the pants  20 . Although the monitoring system may take on other configurations, this particular configuration of the system monitors an electrical characteristic of the pants and determines whether the child has urinated in the pants using such electrical characteristic. After detection of urine, the system may inform a caregiver and/or a child of the presence of the urine by generating an insult alarm. The alarm may be, for example, either an auditory signal, such as a song, or a tactile signal, such as temperature change, or a visual signal, such as a blinking light. It is understood that the system may comprise a device for sending a wireless signal to a remote auditory, visual, tactile or other sensory alarm. 
         [0041]    The present invention presents a method to predict when a future incontinent event may happen by collecting and analyzing data to recognize patterns in prior incontinent events. Further, the method of the present invention utilizes these patterns to educate the caregiver and/or the incontinent wearer to aid in either continent training, or to provide the caregiver information to better care for an incontinent wearer. 
         [0042]    The method of the present invention electronically monitors properties of the wearer and properties of the pant  20  on a regular basis, for example by using a monitoring system  70 . One of the properties of the pant  20  that is monitored may change when an insult occurs. This insult indicates an incontinent event has occurred and the method uses the incontinent event as trigger to review the properties of the wearer and pant  20  monitored before and during the incontinent event. Changes in these properties may show patterns which can then be used to predict when incontinent events are likely. 
         [0043]    In one particularly suitable embodiment, shown best in  FIGS. 2-4 , one example of the monitoring system is generally indicated by reference numeral  70 . The monitoring system  70  includes a sensor for detecting the electrical property (e.g., resistance Ω) of the article. The sensor includes a pair of spaced apart generally parallel conductors C 1 , C 2  disposed within the pants  20  that define a monitoring area  74  of the pants disposed between the conductors. The conductors C 1 , C 2  may be constructed of any material that is generally electrically conductive. For example, the conductors may be constructed of metal strips (e.g., aluminum strips), metal films, coated films, conductive polymers, conductive inks, or conductive threads. Other conductors are within the scope of this invention. The conductors C 1 , C 2  extend longitudinally from the front waist region  22 , through the crotch region  26 , to the back waist region  24  of the pants  20 . As shown best in  FIG. 5 , the conductors C 1 , C 2  are disposed within the absorbent assembly  32  between the absorbent structure  44  and the surge management layer  45 , although the conductors may be disposed at other locations without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0044]    Current i from a current source B (illustrated schematically in  FIG. 6 ) runs through the conductors C 1 , C 2  of the sensor. The current source i may be a direct current source such as a battery (as illustrated), or an alternating current source. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductors C 1 , C 2  are electrically connected to the current source by way of electrically conductive snap fasteners  79 . Other ways of electrically connecting the conductors to the current source are within the scope of this invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each corresponding end of each conductor C 1 , C 2  is connected to a first snap fastener member  79 A located in the front waist region  22  of the pants  20 . Alternatively, the first snap fastener member may be located in the back waist region  24 , or other locations on the pants  20 . A housing  82  that houses the current source i has corresponding second snap fastener elements  79 B for engaging the first snap fasteners  79 A and securing the housing to the pants  20 . In addition to the current source i, the housing  82  of the present embodiment also houses the remaining components of the monitoring system  70  that will be described hereinafter, although it is contemplated that the housing may include only some or none of the remaining components. In the illustrated embodiment the housing  82  is releasably secured to the pants  20  by way of the snap fasteners  79 , although it is understood that the housing may be permanently secured to the pants without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0045]    A measuring device  85  ( FIG. 6 ) of the sensor measures an electrical property of the monitoring area  74  of the pants  20 . In one embodiment, the resistance R of the monitoring area  74  of the pants  20  is measured. Because the conductors C 1 , C 2  are spaced apart, current from the current source i must pass through the monitoring area  74  to complete the circuit. As illustrated schematically in  FIG. 6 , the monitoring area  74  acts essentially as a resistor, as indicated by reference character R. When the monitoring area  74  is dry (e.g., before the presence of an insult), the resistance of the monitoring area is relatively high, for example, some resistance above 200 kΩ. When the monitoring area  74  is wetted, for example by an insult, its resistance drops, for example, to some resistance less than 200 KΩ because of the electrically conductive nature of urine. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, the conductance of the monitoring area  74  of the pants  20  is measured. As stated above, urine is electrically conductive and the article  20  generally is not electrically conductive. Therefore, when the monitoring area  74  of the pants  20  is wetted, its conductance is greater than when it is dry. Other electrical properties of the pants  20 , including impedance, may be measured without departing from the scope of this invention. 
         [0047]    The measuring device  85  produces an analog output signal ( FIG. 6 ) indicative of the electrical property of the monitoring area  74  of the pants  20 . For example, the measuring device  85  can measure a resistance drop across the monitoring area  74 , and produce an analog output signal corresponding to the voltage drop. The output voltage signal can be used to determine other electrical properties, such as resistance or current, by performing suitable calculations known in the art or using a reference table. For example, as is well known in the art, the voltage drop is indicative of the resistance of the pants when the current is constant. Thus, as explained below in further detail, the resistance of the pants  20  may be determined using the analog output signal of the measuring device  85 . 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, a percent difference test is conducted on the measured resistance of the pants  20  to determine the presence (or lack thereof) of an insult in the pants as the pants are being worn by the wearer. In this embodiment, a proportional difference (e.g., a percent difference) in the measured electrical property of the monitoring area of the pants over time is determined, and this proportional difference is compared with a difference threshold value to determine if an insult is present in the pants. 
         [0049]    In one example of this embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an analog-to-digital converter  89  receives the analog output signal from the measuring device  85  and converts the signal into a digital output signal. A microprocessor  93  receives the digital output signal, which is representative of the magnitude of the electrical property (e.g., resistance) of the pants  20 , and analyzes it to determine the presence of an insult. If the microprocessor  93  detects the presence of an insult, then it may activate the insult alarm  95 . The analog-to-digital converter  89  is a conventional device for converting analog signals into digital signals that can be read by a microprocessor. The analog-to-digital converter  89  of the present embodiment may be a separate device or it may be a component of the microprocessor  93 . For illustrative purposes, the electrical property will hereinafter be referred to as resistance although, as noted above, it may be any variable property of the garment which reflects wetness. 
         [0050]    Thus, the microprocessor  93  records and monitors the time when an insult take place. Additionally, the microprocessor  93  may monitor and record when a series of insults take place. The monitoring may indicate that on four subsequent days insults took place at 7:00 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m., and 7:02 p.m., respectively. Based on this information, the microprocessor  93  would predict that sometime between 6:50 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. an incontinent event may take place. This set of conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event, between 6:50 p.m. and 7:10 p.m., may then be communicated to the caregiver and/or the wearer. The caregiver and/or the wearer may be able to use this information to modify behavior to eliminate the incontinent event. In the case of a toddler, a caregiver may encourage the child to use the toilet about 6:45 p.m. The monitoring system  70  may communicate to the caregiver visually, audibly, or via a cell phone, or other electronic device. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment, the monitoring system  70  may communicate to the caregiver and/or the wearer when the conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event occur. For example, using the above date, the monitoring system  70  may activate at 6:40 p.m. indicating to the caregiver and/or the wearer for the wearer to use the toilet. The monitoring system  70  may escalate the communication, either getting louder, or more frequent. 
         [0052]    The monitoring system  70  may electronically monitor more than just a property indicative of an incontinent event, such as a wet pant  20 . For example the monitoring system  70  may electronically monitor a second property which is indicative of the physical position of the body of the wearer, sitting, standing, lying prone, lying supine or lying on the side of the body. Changes in this property may be analyzed in conjunction with the property indicative of an incontinent event to determine if the wearer changes position in a predictable manner before a void. For example, the wearer may sleep generally on their back, but during lighter sleep patterns, they may roll onto their stomachs, which may then be correlated with an incontinent event. A device suitable to detecting body position is the HAAM-301B Piezo-Resistive 3-Axis Acceleration Sensor available from Hokuriku USA, Ltd. of Huntsville, Ala. 
         [0053]    The monitoring system  70  may electronically monitor a second property which is indicative of the physical activity of the wearer, for example stationary, restless, active, slightly active and very active. Changes in this property may also be analyzed in conjunction with the other properties described to determine if the wearer changes activity in a predictable manner before a void. For example, during periods of exciting active play, the wearer may become forgetful of the need to urinate. As activity decreases rapidly, an incontinent event may occur. Thus a pattern of decreased activity may indicate an incontinent event. Alternatively, parents may be familiar with the “potty dance” where the child makes smaller quick movements because of the urge to urinate. Here a pattern of increased activity may indicate an incontinent event. Further, perhaps a set time delay after waking may indicate an incontinent event. These activity levels also may be analyzed for patterns and correlated with incontinent events and be used as a prediction of a subsequent incontinent event. A device suitable to detecting activity level is the HAAM-301B Piezo-Resistive 3-Axis Acceleration Sensor available from Hokuriku USA, Ltd. of Huntsville, Ala. 
         [0054]    The monitoring system  70  may electronically monitor a second property which is indicative of the physical location of the wearer, for example longitude and latitude as determined by a GPS receiver. Changes in this property may also show patterns which may be indicative of incontinent events. For example, when the physical location of the wearer indicates that the child has been stationary in the kitchen or dining area, potentially eating or drinking, a pattern may develop that a given period after leaving the kitchen, an incontinent event may occur. Alternatively, the physical location of the wearer may indicate that the wearer is at home or at a daycare facility. Different patterns of drinking, activity, bathroom availability, etc. at these different locations may influence the patterns of incontinent events. 
         [0055]    The monitoring system  70  may electronically monitor a second property which is indicative of an intake of a substance by the wearer such a liquid, a solid, or a drug. For example this property may be data the wearer or caregiver may enter via a keyboard, mouse or touchpad indicating that the wearer has eaten, has drunk or has been given a drug. The property may be movement of the throat, which may be detected using a motion detector located on a necklace. A pattern may show that a given time after drinking an incontinent event may occur. 
         [0056]    The monitoring system  70  may predict conditions indicative of a subsequent incontinent event a number of ways. The monitoring system  70  may compare the changes in the first and the second properties that are being monitored and compare them with known patterns predictive of incontinent events. Alternatively the monitoring system  70  may look for individual incontinent events as indicated by the first property and then looked to changes in the second property which preceded the incontinent event. Upon finding an instance of a change in the second property followed by an incontinent event, the monitoring system  70  may then compare other incontinent events for a similar cause and effect relationship. Multiple second properties may be compared to find more complex relationships and patterns. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  illustrates the graph of two theoretical properties with time on the x-axis and a measurement of the electronic response on the y-axis. The lower line indicates the response of the first property indicative of an incontinent event, specifically three incontinent events A, B and C. The upper line indicates the response of the second property. The response of the second property before the incontinent event indicates a decrease in the response shortly before an incontinent event, for example reducing activity (play) before urinating. This pattern may be predictive of a subsequent incontinent event. 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  illustrates a graph of two theoretical properties with time on the x-axis and a measurement of the electronic response on the y-axis. The lower line indicates the response of the first property indicative of an incontinent event, specifically three incontinent events A, B and C. The upper line indicates the response of the second property. The response of the second property before the incontinent event indicates a decrease in the response followed by an increase in the response shortly before an incontinent event. This pattern may be predictive of a subsequent incontinent event. 
         [0059]    When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0060]    In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
         [0061]    As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.