DFree

About DFree

DFree is a health-tech company that developed the first wearable device to predict urination timing for individuals with incontinence. The company, officially Triple W, was founded in 2015 by Atsushi Nakanishi. The inspiration for DFree came from Nakanishi's own personal experience with incontinence while studying at the University of California, Berkeley, and the realization that adult diaper sales had surpassed baby diaper sales in Japan. He established Triple W in the United States in 2014 and in Japan in 2015, with Tokyo as the headquarters due to the availability of skilled engineers.

The DFree device is a non-invasive sensor that uses ultrasound technology to monitor the user's bladder size in real-time. The sensor is attached to the lower abdomen and sends data to a smartphone or tablet app. An algorithm analyzes the data to predict when the bladder is reaching a certain capacity and sends a notification to the user or their caregiver, allowing them to get to the bathroom in time. The user can customize the notification threshold, for example, when the bladder is 70% or 85% full. The device, which stands for "diaper-free," aims to improve the quality of life and independence for seniors and people with disabilities.

DFree operates on a business-to-consumer and business-to-business model. The product is available for personal use by individuals and their families, and also as a "DFree Professional" version for hospitals and senior care facilities. The professional model allows healthcare providers to monitor multiple patients remotely via a base station that uploads data to the cloud. Since 2017, the device has been utilized in over 500 senior care facilities in Japan and Europe. Clinical trials have indicated that DFree can reduce care time by 30% and diaper costs by up to 50%. The company has offices in Tokyo, Paris, and San Diego.