BioDetect Diapers
Prevent UTIs Before They Become Dangerous
Our smart diapers track real-time biomarker data and use AI to flag early infection risk, giving care teams the clarity they need to act quickly.
Early UTI Detection
Caregivers are alerted before symptoms appear thanks to continuous biomarker monitoring.
AI-Powered Insights
Personalized risk scoring reduces false alarms and supports smarter clinical decisions.
Seamless Care Workflow
Fewer manual checks and faster interventions save time and improve patient comfort.
The Problem
Elderly women in dementia care homes face a serious problem with undetected urinary tract infections. Because many cannot recognize or communicate their symptoms, infections often go unnoticed until they become severe. This leads to unnecessary discomfort, increased hospital visits, and a decline in overall health. At the same time, caregivers are left managing frequent diaper changes, more complex care needs, and rising treatment costs — all caused by infections that could have been identified much earlier.
BioDetect Diapers
Our solution is a smart diaper that continuously monitors urinary biomarkers to detect early signs of a UTI before symptoms appear. The diaper uses reliable, low-cost sensor technology to collect data and an AI system that analyzes patterns over time, sending a simple alert to caregivers when something looks unusual. This allows staff to act sooner, preventing complications and reducing the need for emergency treatments. The system fits naturally into existing care routines, helping caregivers save time and focus on what matters most while giving patients safer, more comfortable and more dignified care.
The Benefits
Residents
- Earlier treatment
- Fewer complications
- More comfort
- More dignity
Caregivers
- 82% fewer manual diaper checks
- 85% reduction in UTI testing
- Greater clarity on overall patient health
Care homes
- €5,276 yearly savings per care home (30 patients) for UTI related costs
- €3,450 annual savings per patient from smart-diaper time efficiencies
- More efficient workflow
Our Mission
Our mission is to elevate the standard of eldercare by shifting UTI management from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. Undetected infections place a heavy burden on residents, caregivers, and the healthcare system, creating avoidable discomfort, complications, and stress. We are committed to reducing this impact by empowering care teams with continuous insights that enable earlier intervention, improving outcomes not only for individuals but for entire care communities. Beyond detecting infections, our mission is to bring greater dignity, comfort, and safety to older adults, while giving caregivers the clarity and confidence they need to deliver exceptional care. We envision a future where subtle health changes never go unnoticed — and where technology quietly supports the people who support our most vulnerable.
Applications
Our primary focus is on supporting residents in dementia care homes, where early detection is especially critical. Many people living with dementia cannot clearly express pain or discomfort, making urinary tract infections difficult to identify until they have already progressed. BioDetect provides continuous monitoring that helps caregivers act sooner and improve outcomes for this highly vulnerable group.
Beyond care homes, our technology is also suitable for individuals with dementia living at home under family or professional supervision. The system offers peace of mind for caregivers and helps prevent infections from escalating into medical emergencies.
BioDetect can additionally be used in broader assisted-care environments and among anyone who is incontinent and experiences recurring UTIs. Whether in long-term care, home care, or specialized support settings, our goal is to make proactive infection detection accessible to every person who needs it.
Technology
We combine advance biosensing, smart harware and personalized AI to detect UTIs before they become critical. The BioDetect platform moves beyond simple wetness alerts.
Multiplex Biosensing
Measuring what matters
The core of our innovation lies in the single-use diagnostic strip, integrated seamlessly into the disposable diaper. We use low-cost screen-printing technology to create a multi-sensor array capable of detailed chemical analysis.
- Precision Biomarker Panel: Unlike standard dipsticks, we analyze a powerful combination of biomarkers with Label-Free Electrochemical Sensors (Leukocyte Esterase, NGAL, and PCT).
- Quantitative wetness: A printed Resistive Array measures the exact saturation level of the diaper to optimize changing schedules.
Reusable Smart Module
Clip-on diaper system
To ensure cost-efficiency, we house the intelligent electronics in a durable, reusable module that clips effortlessly onto the outside of the diaper.
- Intelligent Reading: The module connects to the disposable strip to read precise electrochemical signals.
- Seamless Connection: It utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to securely transmit data to the caregiver's dashboard, ensuring long battery life and zero disruption to the resident.
Personalized AI
Treating the patient, not the average
Geriatric care requires a personalized approach. Our proprietary AI engine establishes a unique biomarker baseline for every resident.
- Precision Diagnosis: By analyzing trends rather than static thresholds, BioDetect accurately differentiates between harmless Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB) and UTIs
- Actionable Alerts: Caregivers receive alerts with a clear urgency score, allowing for faster treatment and a drastic reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions.
Detect → Transmit → Analyze → Act
About Us
BioDetect was founded at TU Delft by a team with backgrounds in data science and biomedical engineering. Driven by a shared commitment to improve eldercare, we set out to tackle a critical challenge faced by thousands of caregivers and residents every day: the persistent problem of undetected urinary tract infections in vulnerable older adults.
Our team combines expertise in machine learning, medical diagnostics, biosensing, and product development. What began as an academic exploration quickly turned into a mission-driven effort to bring cutting-edge, clinically informed technology into care homes in a way that is simple, reliable, and deeply human-centered. We believe that the intersection of science and compassion can meaningfully transform the way infections are detected and managed — improving comfort, safety, and dignity for those who need it most.