Wear & Care Technologies
EKTOS assists Wear & Care Technologies in developing sensor technology for adult diapers by pre-compliance testing
June 17, 2019
The Danish elder care system is facing significant challenges as the number of elders requiring special care continues to grow. One of the solutions is welfare technology, with Wear & Care Technologies and EKTOS leading the way.
More than two billion DKK is spent annually in Denmark on citizens with incontinence, a figure that is expected to rise with the increasing number of elderly people in the years to come. Wear & Care Technologies is tackling this challenge by developing the Wear&Care system, a wireless monitoring device for adult diapers that are commonly used in nursing homes, hospitals, and similar facilities.
The Wear&Care system is designed to change diapers at precisely the right time, neither too late nor too soon. A sensor measures the humidity level of the diaper and alerts staff when it is time for a change. The system provides more convenience and a better quality of life for the elderly while increasing staff efficiency and reducing the amount of diapers used.
Strip, sensor, and a box
Elvin S. Solberg, the Chief Technology Officer of Wear & Care Technologies, explains that their product consists of a strip that measures around 65 cm and contains a humidity sensor. This strip is attached to the diaper and a small box is clipped on the front. The box has a data logger and a radio transmitter. When the sensor detects humidity, an alert is sent indicating that the diaper needs to be changed. The system transmits this alert on the 2.4 GHz frequency to the local Wi-Fi, from where it is sent to the system’s back-end.
The data is then processed and forwarded to a Microsoft Azure cloud solution, and from there, it is sent to the care professionals responsible for the patient. Depending on the telephone system being used, the system sends a text message on a DECT telephone or an SMS on a mobile phone.
Each patient has two boxes, and while one is in use, the other is charging in a USB charger.
Three directives
Wear & Care Technologies received assistance from EKTOS for conducting multiple tests and enhancing their product to meet the required standards. The tests had to comply with three directives, namely medical equipment, low voltage, and radio equipment.
Elvin S. Solberg explained that EKTOS’ expertise was instrumental in saving time and resources during the testing process.
Having EKTOS on board has been a big help for us. They are experts, and that has saved time and resources – Elvin S. Solberg, CTO of Wear & Care Technologies
EKTOS Testing & Reliability Services is accredited to standards under the directives for medical and radio equipment and thus has extensive know-how in testing wireless medical devices like Wear&Care. EKTOS can assist with the testing and approval of a fully developed product. They can also act as a partner in the development process and conduct ongoing tests to ensure an optimal product design.
Wear & Care is a non-invasive medical equipment that falls under Class 1, which is the lowest level of medical equipment. However, it still has to meet certain requirements, especially in terms of radio radiation.
The built-in radio transmitter makes it necessary to comply with the Radio Equipment Directive, while the system’s 5-volt charger makes it relevant to follow the Low Voltage Directive. Moreover, the standard requires the system to withstand 15,000 kilovolts of static electricity, which can occur when connecting or disconnecting the box to the charger.
On-going adjustments
Elvin S. Solberg mentions that EKTOS has helped them with guided free fall testing, in addition to testing in relation to the three directives. This testing involves dropping the equipment from different heights and angles onto various surfaces in order to document the product’s robustness and reliability.
Elvin also expresses that they have had a positive collaboration with EKTOS, with discussions around different solutions to product weaknesses identified by the tests. This is a great way to work together as it enables continuous design adjustments with minimal costs.
We have discussed different solutions to product weaknesses, shown by the tests. This is a good way to cooperate, as you can continuously adjust the design with a minimum of cost – Elvin S. Solberg, CTO of Wear & Care Technologies
Wear & Care Technologies has announced the pre-launch of its product Wear & Care, which was scheduled to take place at the end of June 2019. The company has initially selected 10 care facilities across Denmark, Germany, and Norway to test the product and provide feedback. The feedback was used to refine the product before its full-scale launch later that year.
Find more information on the capabilities of EKTOS Testing & Reliability Services here or reach out at +45 7070 1499 or info@ektos.net.