Health

Well-being

Medicine

Politics

Economy

Environment

Incontinence

“We all have a bladder and bowels, and how they function has a major effect on our daily lives. Continence is a topic that touches all of us, but many people with incontinence issues are suffering in silence due to embarrassment,” says Tiina Vaittinen, postdoctoral research fellow working at Tampere University.

Intrigued by this hidden epidemic, Vaittinen delved into the topic that revolves around incontinence pads that are also known as adult diapers.

The research interests of Tiina Vaittinen focus on themes that are surrounded by strong taboos and stigmas. She currently leads a research project titled Emergent un/sustainabilities of care: The global political economy of the adult incontinence pad. The project explores the political and economic realities associated with incontinence pads. It receives funding from the Academy of Finland and Kone Foundation.

“Adult diapers are rarely talked about in other than amused or appalled tones. Having compassion and maintaining dignity are essential in providing good continence care, but we also cannot talk about these aspects if the topic provokes either a fit of laughter or a shiver of horror.”&nbsp;

“It is important to study this common yet often ignored issue to break the taboo and create a positive ripple effect that could make a significant impact on the lives of many,” Vaittinen points out.

<h2>Incontinence problems are common among people of all ages</h2>

Incontinence, or the unintentional leakage of urine or stool, is surprisingly common. According to Vaittinen, up to 51% of women and 15% of men have problems with bladder or bowel control.

“It is a myth that incontinence only affects older people. For example, the incidence of bowel diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is increasing rapidly among young people, too.”

Vaittinen notes that incontinence is not a disease but a symptom that may be caused by a variety of reasons, such as a range of chronic illnesses, medical treatment (such as cancer treatment), different medications, obesity and neurological conditions. It can also frequently occur after pregnancy and childbirth.

“While most cases can be treated, unfortunately the condition is sometimes left untreated. With incontinence being such a hidden problem, little is known about it. Primary care providers do not necessarily always know how to treat it.”

According to Vaittinen, people who seek treatment to incontinence problems may be routinely advised to use incontinence pads, but pads should not be the first option because the condition can often be cured or at least mitigated. For example, incontinence after childbirth could be effectively prevented with pelvic floor physiotherapy.&nbsp;

<h2>Broad problems, multiple solutions</h2>

Improved treatment would also reduce the demand for and thereby the environmental impact of incontinence pads. It is important to make continence care more sustainable, for example, by tailoring pad usage to individual needs, Vaittinen finds.

“The pads that are currently available on the market are highly absorbent. A lot of material goes into the pads, which therefore have a large ecological footprint. All cases of incontinence cannot be cured, but the environmental impact could be minimised by always selecting a product that meets users’ distinct needs. Luckily good practices already exist along these lines.”

As Vaittinen says, we already have the technology to manufacture biodegradable pads, but they would still be too expensive to enter the market.

Besides the environmental cost of incontinence pads, there are equality issues to consider. For example, in Finland, eligible persons can gain access to state-funded incontinence products.&nbsp;

“On a global scale, however, there are major inequalities in terms on access to incontinence care and the cost of incontinence products is beyond the reach of many.”

<blockquote>
The roots of this stigma can be traced back to the idea of a civilised person.
</blockquote>

According to Vaittinen, one solution for improving incontinence care is to educate healthcare professionals about the condition. This training should provide everyone from practical nurses to physicians with the same fundamental knowledge of incontinence and its treatment.

“Breaking the silence is the key to raising awareness of incontinence not only among the public but also among healthcare professionals. As incontinence can be caused by such a broad range of underlying physical problems, there is also a variety of treatment options. But these options cannot be used if people do not know they exist.”

In the long run, these changes would result in a major reduction in public spending on incontinence products as well as help to break the stigma surrounding incontinence.&nbsp;

“The roots of this stigma can be traced back to the idea of a civilised person and perhaps even a fear of disability. What motivates me as a researcher is the chance to find solutions that hold promise to improve quality of life equally for all.”

<h3>Emergent Un/Sustainabilities of Care: The Global Political Economy of the Adult Incontinence Pad &nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>

<ul>
	<li>The project explores the practical, political and economic realities associated with incontinence pads with the aim of improving their overall sustainability.</li>
	<li>The project examines the issues and inequalities relating to incontinence products from multiple perspectives.</li>
	<li>The project is conducted in collaboration with users, suppliers and other interest groups.</li>
	<li>The goal is to pave the way for incontinence care&nbsp;that is not only of good quality but also environmentally and economically sustainable.</li>
	<li>The project carried out at Tampere University is funded by the Academy of Finland and Kone Foundation and runs from 2019 to 2024</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.padproject.online/">https://www.padproject.online/</a>

Breaking the taboo of incontinence 

Technology

Internationality

Education

Working life

Invention

Innovation

For most of us, a tattered plastic bag is ugly and worthless, but inventors see the world differently. A scrap of plastic attached to the door of a woodshed and swinging in the wind is an important indicator for Ilmari Tamminen.

“It shows me that the air is moving,” Tamminen says.

Tamminen studies staining and imaging techniques in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University. In lay terminology, his work entails dying cells and tissues so that their internal structures can be visualized using biomedical imaging.&nbsp;

“To put in another way, I am trying to figure out how to tap into the full potential of run-of-the-mill X-ray machines,” Tamminen describes.

Tamminen’s scientific creativity comes to life in a laboratory, but he is also excited about his homemade inventions. The family heats their home with wood and, since wood must be properly seasoned for it to burn well, Tamminen came up with an ingenious workaround to accelerate the drying process.

“I switched the hinges to the other side and wedged the door open at a specific angle. Now the door catches the wind blowing from a clearing and speeds up drying.”

The ingenuity of this invention lies in the simplicity of the idea. The way inventors approach the world around them is what sets them apart from the rest of us: when they see problems, their mind begins to see solutions.

“The key is having plenty of ideas but not falling in love with any of them. Ideas must be coolly assessed to determine what works and what does not. It is important to write down one’s thoughts and carry out bold experiments, because few of us will hit the jackpot right away, at least when working on large-scale projects,” Tamminen says.

“There is this exhilarating moment of discovery when you witness a hypothesis coming to life in a test tube,” Ilmari Tamminen says.

An invention can make our everyday life easier, like a dish drying cabinet, or change the world, like penicillin. Still, an invention is always something that is new to the general public.

&nbsp;

<h2>Matching a problem with a solution</h2>

In 2020, Industry Professor Tero Joronen was presented with Tampere University’s Inventor of the Year Award. Joronen has always wanted to look at the world with fresh eyes. His inquiring mind has resulted in a number of patents – last year alone, Joronen invented or co-invented ten inventions. Joronen has come up with most of his inventions while working in industry, Valmet to be specific, and the rest in academia.

“The first step is to identify a problem and describe it in clear and simple terms. A complex problem requires a complex solution,” Joronen points out.

Joronen is naturally curious and more or less constantly looking for ways to improve things. While most of his inventions are in the field of heavy industry, inventing is also a hobby for Joronen. His home is full of small labour-saving innovations.

“The joy of discovery fuels my passion for inventing. I get a kick out of creating something new. And I have always had a lively imagination,” he muses.

&nbsp;

<h2>Every other application results in a patent</h2>

In total, 1,685 patent applications were submitted in Finland in 2020, the largest number in the past five years. The vast majority of patent applications are filed by large industrial companies, such as Valmet where Joronen works.&nbsp;

There are two reasons: these companies make R&amp;D a priority and have money to spend on it. Turning an idea into a patent costs a minimum of €10,000 in Finland but applying for patent protection abroad will multiply the costs. Patent agent and attorney fees are the largest single item of expenditure.

“The number of patent applications seems to be levelling off after years of steady decline, but why this is happening is anyone’s guess. Of all applications filed, roughly 50% result in a patent,” says Olli Sievänen, head patent advisor in the Finnish Patent and Registration Office.

<blockquote>
Scientific knowledge and expertise both spark and steer innovation.
</blockquote>

In 2020, 602 patents were awarded in Finland. To be granted a patent, an invention must be new, inventive – not just a simple modification to something that already exists – and industrially applicable.

&nbsp;

<h2>Creativity is an important quality for engineers, too</h2>

Pasi Keinänen, project manager in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University, has a brain that looks at problems but sees opportunities. When Keinänen once again hoovered up pieces of his children’s Lego, a pedagogically oriented father might have reminded his children to tidy up after themselves. Being an accomplished inventor in the field of nanotechnology and having worked as an IP advisor at Tampere University, Keinänen had a different approach: he modified the vacuum cleaner. By manipulating airflow, Keinänen was able to separate Lego from dust, and vacuuming is now a breeze. Physicists know how this is done. We non-physicists might not, no matter how hard we try (Keinänen tried to explain it – to no avail).

“Scientific knowledge and expertise both spark and steer innovation. For example, the vacuum cleaner modification would not have been invented had I not been familiar with the basics of physics,” Keinänen notes.

“Patents are granted to inventions that can be utilised and scaled up to industrial proportions,” Pasi Keinänen says.

Tero Joronen agrees. He says that inventing is 10% brainstorming and 90% experimentation, the application of knowledge and hard work.

“Creativity is often associated with artistic occupations, but I find that pursuing a career in engineering also requires a great deal of creativity. Creativity is about rethinking the basics of engineering sciences to create something new,” Joronen says.

&nbsp;

<h2>Your idea has already been invented – so keep working!</h2>

All three are familiar with the painful disappointment of coming up with an amazing idea only to discover that it already exists. So many great things have already been invented.

“There is a limit to the amount of information the brain can store. When being hit with a brainwave, one cannot be aware of all the information that is, for example, available online. I sometimes wonder why all the great ideas out there are not being exploited to their full potential. But we have to keep working and pushing the boundaries,” Tamminen says.

<blockquote>
The number of patents illustrates the level of commercial awareness in a university.
</blockquote>

As Pasi Keinänen says, there is no shortage of talented and innovative researchers in the world. In each field of research, the basics are the same, and with all the world’s brightest minds reading the same research papers and refining the ideas further, overlaps are inevitable.&nbsp;

But recognising this is no reason to stop inventing. On the contrary.

“If you come up with an idea that you think is new, you should immediately look into what others have done in this field. Don’t give up as you are already well on your way. If your original idea does not pan out, there is sure to be some other aspect that you can improve on,” Keinänen encourages aspiring inventors.

&nbsp;

<h2>Being in the zone is a sign that a breakthrough is close</h2>

The journey from an idea to an invention depends on the inventor. During a typical workday, Ilmari Tamminen switches between studying biomedical stains and imaging, thinking and testing. He combines his theoretical knowledge and scientific expertise with observations and thinking outside of that famous box.

“I compare my ideas to the existing body of knowledge and move from there,” Tamminen describes.

The theories will either work or not, but it is Nature that decides the outcome, not anyone’s opinion.

“There is this exhilarating moment of discovery when you witness a hypothesis coming to life in a test tube,” Tamminen adds.

“Creativity is often associated with artistic occupations, but I find that pursuing a career in engineering also requires a great deal of creativity. Creativity is about rethinking the basics of engineering sciences to create something new,” Tero Joronen says.

All the three inventors inherited their inventive streak, but the ability to see the world from a different perspective can also be learned. Tero Joronen's method of choice is to tune his mind to a specific frequency.

“As comical as this may sound, it is almost a trance-like state. I close off the outside world to create imaginary visions and try to see beyond the ordinary. Inventing is more about intuition than analytical thinking, but a useful result depends on an interplay between analysis and creativity,” Joronen says.

&nbsp;

<h2>Women are not inventors, or are they?</h2>

The gender gap in patenting reflects the educational and career choices of men and women.&nbsp;

“As a whole, there are more men in the world of inventing,” Olli Sievänen says.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), 16.5% of inventors named in patent applications were women in 2020. In the past 20 years, the number of patent applications that name at least one female inventor has increased from 20% to 35%.&nbsp;

Biotechnology, chemistry and new drug development are the sectors with the highest proportion of female inventors. More than 59% of the patents related to these fields have at least one female inventor.

The design of mechanical components and engines was at the bottom of the list, with less than 18% of patents having at least one female inventor. Overall, one in four patents is granted to women.

“There are more men working in technology and engineering, and the majority of patent applications are related to these fields. For example, construction engineering and IT are both male-dominated and patent-active sectors in Finland,” Sievänen says.

<blockquote>
An invention does not equal important research.
</blockquote>

The chances of being issued a patent largely depend on one’s field of research. It is not about supremacy or the degree of creativity and ambition.

“Patents are granted to inventions that can be utilised and scaled up to industrial proportions,” Pasi Keinänen says.

“Breakthroughs and new ways to conduct research are being continuously discovered by social scientists. And while it is incredibly difficult to obtain patent protection for an effective new psychological treatment, it can greatly help large numbers of people and also generate new business,” he adds.

&nbsp;

<h2>Patents are a barometer for academia</h2>

A patent is a formal recognition of the novelty and innovativeness of an invention. Companies need patents, among other things, to protect their business, engage in collaborative R&amp;D and make money from their intellectual property.

Innovation activities are geared towards making money in the corporate world, but an innovation-oriented approach should also be increasingly embraced in academia, Pasi Keinänen finds. If researchers lack commercial awareness, their inventions may not be placed in the public domain to benefit others.

“Patents are like a barometer for the academic world. The number of patents illustrates the level of commercial awareness in a university. In this respect, the Nordic countries are lagging behind Central Europe,” Keinänen says.

Broadly speaking, the innovation activities of universities are about reconciling academic values with industry needs and sharing world-class Finnish expertise with the rest of the world. Innovative companies need professionals with an innovative mindset.

Tamminen points out that inventions cannot be used for assessing the importance of research. However, an invention can be both a scientific discovery and a commercial success.

“An invention could function as a confirmation of quality and relevance if someone is willing to pay for the results of scientific thinking. This type of integrated career would be my all-time invention,” Tamminen says.

&nbsp;

<h3>World firsts invented in Tampere</h3>

<ul>
	<li>2017 Optical gripper</li>
	<li>2016 Real-time tissue-identifying spinal needle</li>
	<li>2015 Nokia OZO – VR Camera</li>
	<li>2014 Smartphone with Supersensitive Touch (Works with gloves) 
	Smartphone with Dolby Digital Plus Recording</li>
	<li>2013 Nokia Lumia 1020 PureView (41 Mpix camera phone)</li>
	<li>2009 &nbsp;Antibiotic-releasing biodegradable implant</li>
	<li>2008 Preservative-free prostaglandine eye-drop for glaucoma treatment 
	New jaw bone from patient’s fat cells was grown using stem cell tech</li>
	<li>2004 Automated container terminal</li>
	<li>2003 Fog screen walk-through display</li>
	<li>2001 Automated mine loading, mobile camera phone (Nokia 7650)</li>
	<li>1998 Digital x-ray image</li>
	<li>1996 First communicator (Nokia 9000)</li>
	<li>1995 Walking forest machine</li>
	<li>1994 GSM data card</li>
	<li>1993 Analogue cellular data card</li>
	<li>1991 First commercial GSM call</li>
	<li>1988 Micro-crystallized chitosan</li>
	<li>1985 Electromechanical film</li>
	<li>1984 Bio absorbable implant</li>
	<li>1974 NMT phone call</li>
	<li>1936 First winter tire</li>
</ul>

Source: Business Tampere

&nbsp;

From dream to reality: inventions come about through hard work and applied scientific knowledge

Society

Young people

Social Media

Maria Törhönen thinks it is important to take social media entrepreneurship seriously and think about what kind of work it is and what kind of support and training is needed.

YouTube broadcasting, live streaming and other forms of video content production and sharing are new digital professions that are breaking the boundaries of work and leisure. While recording one’s hobbies – for example, cooking, philosophising, cars, or make-up tutorials – becomes a job, our traditional understanding of work is on the verge of new frontiers.&nbsp;

“What happens when an activity that is perceived as leisure or even play becomes work? We do not yet have a clear understanding of what these new digital professions are, what it takes to succeed in them or how exactly these leisure activities are turning into work. Although many people may not see social media entrepreneurship as a job in the traditional sense, digital entrepreneurship can be fun, challenging, and difficult for the person doing it,” says Maria Törhönen.

In August, Törhönen defended her doctoral dissertation at Tampere University on the professionalisation of online video content creation and its convergence of play and labour.

&nbsp;“The professionalism of these activities has become more visible especially as regards live streaming and YouTube broadcasting,” says Törhönen.

“Through video content production, people with different backgrounds and content types have the potential to succeed. Commercial video content platforms – such as YouTube and Twitch – support the professionalisation of the activity through various means and allow the monetisation of content. The development of new social media and video formats, like the story formats on Instagram and Facebook and short video formats on Tiktok and Snapchat, among others, have increased the popularity and viewership of video content,” Törhönen says.

As video production has gained more popularity, video services have also started to pay attention to successful video publishers. Many services offer partnership programmes to producers with several levels, which allows them to develop an increasingly professional approach to production.

<h2>Digital life during the COVID-19 pandemic is changing working life</h2>

Understanding these new professions is also useful more widely as work culture is undergoing a major change because of COVID-19. Digitalisation and remote work are enabling old sectors to change and new ones to emerge, and social media offers many opportunities to work in new ways. Some more traditional professions are also moving online.

“There are already many different digital professions on social media, such as bloggers or influencers, and esports players and shoutcasters are growing in popularity in gaming. Agencies have also emerged to support the commercialisation and development of these professions,” Törhönen says.

In August, Maria Törhönen defended her doctoral dissertation on the professionalisation of individual video content production, such as YouTubing and streaming, and the way it combines work and leisure. 

Training is also needed. In January 2022, a new study module – Influencers Academy – will be rolled out at TAMK’s Proakatemia in Tampere. It will be a first-of-its-kind Bachelor’s programme aimed directly at influencers and those who want to become influencers. It will allow current and future influencers to study while they continue to promote their careers.

Törhönen sees the Influencers Academy as a sign that new professions are becoming more highly appreciated.

“Even though working on social media is different from traditional work, it is genuinely entrepreneurial and hard work. As the social media professions are relevant especially to young people, understanding and support are needed. The Influencers Academy is a great way to improve entrepreneurial skills. We need to have structures that support young entrepreneurs in the media sector and their professional development,” Törhönen points out.

<h2>Young personalities on the line</h2>

According to the 2019 Youth Barometer, the pros and cons of working on social media are in line with the things young people want from working life. They want their jobs to be meaningful and are excited by their transition to work but they also fear that working life will be too stressful. For many, the boundaries between work and leisure are already becoming blurred. More than 70% think that entrepreneurial attitudes and skills will be needed in all work in the future.

<blockquote>
How do you limit what you are doing when there are no working hours?
</blockquote>

According to Törhönen, it is important to take the rapidly growing sector seriously and think about the type of work it is and what kind of support and training is needed.

“Social media work is often done with one’s personality which makes it hard for content creators to take breaks or vacations from their activities. How do you limit what you are doing when there are no working hours? How can you interact with your audience and take care of yourself at the same time? How can you be both your genuine self, as required in social media, and a professional doing the job as an entrepreneur?” Törhönen asks.

“If you can retain the element of fun that attracted you to the job in the first place, it helps to cope with the stress of working as an entrepreneur on social media. Because the work is often so personal, it is difficult to do it just for the income,” she adds.

<h3>What next?</h3>

If you want to see the future of social media, look to Asia. That is where Maria Törhönen would like to head. She has already visited South Korea even though the research she conducted there did not fit into her dissertation.

“Asia is a world of its own when it comes to gaming and the social media. In Asia, the industry is more established, and the starting point is different: there were various internet cafés early on and gaming has been widely popular. There are big celebrities and small communities with their own stars. Commercialism in general is playing a bigger role,” Törhönen explains.

Selected articles

Breaking the taboo of incontinence

From dream to reality: inventions come about through hard work and applied scientific knowledge

“Thanks for watching, please like, share and subscribe” – social media entrepreneurship breaks the boundaries of work and play

Most read