Abstract:
An enuresis electroconditioner pertains to the field of medical appliances and includes a humidity sensor ( 2 ) connected to an electric circuit which is activated in the presence of a liquid. When the liquid is detected, an electric current with a frequency of 50 Hz is generated. A qualified person must calibrate the amperage of the apparatus ( 1 ), adapting it to the sensibility of each person who, when receiving the electric impulse, contracts the perineal muscles, occluding the urethra and by a reflexive action inhibiting the contraction of the bladder and preventing urine loss.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is a device which was developed to treat nocturnal enuresis and belongs to the scope of the medical devices industry. 
     Currently, nocturnal enuresis is treated with medication or with the use of an enuresis alarm, the latter being the best long-term treatment. This is because this unit trains the person to inhibit bladder contraction during the sleep, producing a lasting result. Although this treatment is well-established and used around the world, several problems prevent many individuals from obtaining therapeutic success. These include those who usually take weeks to train their reactions, and during this period, remain urinating in bed, which leads many to give up the method. Besides, other family members wake up because of the alarm, resulting in emotional distress and family conflicts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of this invention is to continue with the benefits of the enuresis alarm conditioning principle, but preventing the aforementioned problems. 
     This invention consists of a humidity sensor, similar to those which already exist, which is connected to an electrical circuit that is activated when the sensor is stimulated by moisture. From that, an electric current with 50 Hz frequency is generated. 
     The amperage of the device must be previously calibrated by a professional, since it must not exceed the sensitivity threshold that is different for every individual. With this current frequency, they tighten the perineal muscles, occluding the urethra, inhibiting reflex bladder contraction, thus preventing urination. The electrodes that will send the electrical current to the skin will be superficial and placed in the perianal area. 
     The research conducted at the INPI (acronym, in Portuguese, for the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property) received the registration nr. 0041/10 and pointed out several particularly relevant processes, in what concerns the researcher. The inventor himself analyzed it carefully and came to the conclusion that the patented invention does not resemble any of the devices presented by the search. The purpose of this invention, unlike all presented devices, is to, after stimulation of the humidity sensor as a result of nocturnal urination, have an electrical stimulation of the perineal muscles&#39; innervations, causing a contraction of the external urethral sphincter. This contraction will cause urine flow to stop immediately, preventing nocturnal urination. Unlike other devices, the “Enuresis Electroconditioner” uses a current with a 50 Hz frequency, which is the most appropriate for stopping urination. Currents with frequencies lower than 30 Hz, such as those presented by other patents, do not contract the muscles. 
     After a few episodes of activation of the device, the person grows trained and gains control of nocturnal urination. 
     This invention will present a sound alarm as an option, but fundamentally, this is not the principle. The humidity sensor is not just to warn the person that they are urinating, but to activate the electrical stimulator, so urination may stop. In the cases mentioned during the survey as particularly relevant, the ones with the registration numbers CN 1088122 A and CN 1208658 A, an abdominal nerve is stimulated so as to make the brain learn and cure incontinence. No device was designed, based on the stimulation of the perineal muscles, so as to immediately stop urine flow during an episode of nocturnal enuresis. Therefore, the idea is innovative. Over time, the training starts to show and the person himself (herself), unconsciously, controls urination during sleep. This treatment is way ahead of all currently used devices, because it prevents nocturnal incontinence while the brain is being trained. 
     In patent CN 1208658, a regular stimulation, with a preset schedule, is used, and it is not activated in accordance with the humidity sensor, like this device. 
     In patent CN 86207621, the device does not have the Enuresis Electroconditioner&#39;s operating principles (humidity sensor and perineal electrical stimulation), besides having a variable current frequency from 1 to 15 HZ, while in this, frequency is set at 10 Hz. 
     In patent CN 2907737Y, stimulation is applied on the penis and on the clitoris, and the operating principles differ from the ones applied in the “Enuresis Electroconditioner”. X 
     In patent UA 74829, electrical stimulation is executed with compresses placed on the bed, around the hip of the person, and the current frequency is 30 Hz. Therefore, it differs completely from the object of this patent application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to better understand the operation of this device, refer to the attached drawings. 
       As can be seen on the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of the apparatus and 
         FIG. 2  depicts the operating electronic scheme. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The enuresis electroconditioner is made up of a portable electronic device ( 1 ) capable of detecting the presence of urine with a specifically designed humidity sensor ( 2 ), and generating a unidirectional, square-wave-shaped electrical signal, with 50 (fifty) Hz frequency and pulse width of 700 microseconds, with adjustable current intensity from 0 mA (zero milliamps) to approximately 35 mA (thirty-five milliamps), depending on the impedance of the area to be electrically stimulated. In the areas which will be electrically stimulated, the electrodes which will be connected to the clamps ( 3 ) will be applied. 
     The portable electronic device ( 1 ) is powered by batteries, depending on the model. The device can be turned on with the on/off switch ( 4 ) (or any other suitable means) and has a lit LED display ( 5 ). 
     Operational Mode 
     The Normal Operating Mode (MON) is the default operating mode of the device. Whenever it is turned on, MON will be automatically selected. In this mode, the device monitors the humidity sensor ( 2 ) so as to detect the presence of electricity-conducting liquids (urine, sweat, saliva, potable water, etc.). If the sensor ( 2 ) is not activated, no electrical signal is sent to the clamps ( 3 ) and no sound is emitted by the alarm. When a certain amount of electricity-conducting liquid (urine, in this case) touches the sensor, depending on the sensitivity setting, the unit ( 1 ) starts sending, for a few seconds, an electrical signal according to the technical specifications and with an intensity equal to the one which was previously set. 
     Description of the Circuit Stages 
     Boost Converter 
     The circuit formed by Q 1 , D 2 , L 1  and C 6  configures a “Boost-type DC/DC Converter” where Q 1  is the switching element and the output voltage adjustment (V+) is performed by the PWM-type control circuit which is built-in in the PIC. The PIC&#39;s pin  9  (CCP 1 ) operates as a PWM outlet, switching at 50 KHz with a variable duty cycle. 
     Aux. Circuit  2   
     The “DC/DC Converter” takes approximately 200 microseconds to establish an output voltage. The “Aux. Circuit  2 ” is activated during this converter stabilization time, placing a temporary load (R 14 ) on the converter outlet, so that it does not remain open during stabilization time. 
     Aux. Circuit  1   
     This circuit operates as an electronic switch, allowing the current to pass to the load (electrodes) for the duration of 700 microseconds during the electrical stimulation cycle, since the “DC/DC Converter” must be turned on 200 microseconds before, in order to wait for stabilization. 
     “Current Sensor” and “Circuit Ref.  1 ” 
     These two circuits operate in pairs as inputs to a comparator circuit within the microcontroller. R 3  is in series with the load (electrodes) and operates as a shunt resistor. “The Circuit ref.  1 ”, via P 1  setting, provides a reference voltage for the comparator. When the Electroconditioner is in the high time of the electrical stimulation stage (sending current to the electrodes), the Microcontroller adjusts the PWM circuit&#39;s duty cycle to increase or decrease the output voltage (V+) of the “DC/DC Converter”, so as to obtain, on the load, the previously adjusted current through P 1 . 
     Circuit Reset 
     Resets the Microcontroller whenever S 3  is activated. 
     Circuit Alarm 
     A sound signal whenever it receives a signal from the Microcontroller. 
     Circuit Ref.  2  and Humidity Detector 
     These two circuits operate in pairs as inputs to a comparator circuit within the Microcontroller. Whenever there is, in the sensor (pair of conductors), an impedance which is lower than a value that can vary from 30 to 530 Kohms, depending on the P 2  setting, the Microcontroller understands that the sensor is wet and activates the electrical stimulation mode. 
     Voltage Stabilizer 
     This circuit maintains a stable voltage on the Microcontroller and on the reference circuits, even when there is some variation on the charging of the batteries. 
     Description of Overall Operation 
     After it is turned on, the unit automatically enters the normal operating mode (MON), i.e., the Microcontroller starts to monitor the humidity detector, and remains so until it is switched off or adjusted to the set mode (MA). 
     When liquid is detected, the Microcontroller starts turning the “DC/DC Converter” on and off with a 50 Hz frequency for the duration of 900 microseconds, and the first 200 microseconds of this cycle are only to ensure output voltage stability, and only then, voltage is sent to the load, when turning the Aux. Circuit  2  on. 
     During the 700 microseconds in which output voltage is being applied to the load, the Microcontroller monitors the voltage on the shunt resistor (R 3 ) with the voltage set on “Circuit ref.  2 ”. While voltage on R 3  is lower than the set voltage, the PWM output&#39;s duty cycle is increased in order to increase the load voltage and reach the set current. The output voltage always starts from the lowest possible (battery voltage) and increases until voltage on R 3  is the same set voltage in “Circuit ref.  2 ”. 
     If voltage on R 3  exceeds the adjusted voltage in “Circuit ref.  2 ”, the PWM&#39;s duty cycle is decreased so that the output voltage of the “DC/DC Converter” is also decreased. 
     During this process, if the output voltage reaches a maximum (approximately 80 volts with fully charged batteries), and the load current does not reach the value set in “Circuit ref.  2 ”, the device emits an intermittent sound with short and quick beeps. 
     The control described above takes place in a few nanoseconds. The effect of this process is the maintenance of a square-wave-shaped current and a 50 Hz frequency with constant intensity during the high time of 700 microseconds. 
     Twenty seconds after liquid is detected by the humidity sensor, the output current is automatically switched off and the unit emits an intermittent sound alarm with long beeps in order to awaken the person so they may urinate.