A toilet seat that checks urine and stool for health changes
Use of a Novel Toilet Seat to Passively Collect Digital Biomarkers in Assisted Living Settings
A replacement toilet seat that quietly takes pictures of urine and stool to spot early signs of common health problems in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Toi Labs, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11183149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a TrueLoo® replacement toilet seat that connects to the internet and images your urine and stool each time you use the toilet. The device analyzes those images to look for changes that can signal issues like infection, bleeding, dehydration, or constipation and flags concerning sessions for expert review. The project runs a two-arm randomized trial in assisted living or skilled nursing settings comparing usual care to care with the TrueLoo installed. Data collection is passive—most monitoring happens automatically when you use the toilet, aiming to capture events staff often miss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older who live in participating assisted living or skilled nursing facilities and use a standard toilet where the TrueLoo seat can be installed.
Not a fit: People who live outside participating facilities, use diapers or ostomy bags, have nonstandard toilets, or decline passive imaging are unlikely to benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could help catch urinary, gastrointestinal, or hydration problems earlier so they can be treated before complications develop.
How similar studies have performed: A Phase I SBIR showed feasibility and acceptability of deploying TrueLoo in care facilities, but larger randomized trials to show clinical benefit have not yet been completed.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- Toi Labs, INC. — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kashyap, Vikram — Toi Labs, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kashyap, Vikram
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.