Absorbent Insert Ring for Stool Channeling Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing incontinence management devices suffer from skin breakdown due to channeling, frequent removal due to incorrect positioning, lodging of semi-formed stool, decreased patient dignity, and increased disease transmission, particularly of C. difficile, leading to high treatment costs and infection rates.
Innovation Solution
A stool management and collection system featuring an absorbent insert ring component with a waterproof interior, secured in the same area as an incontinence pad, using Super Absorbent Polymer resin to direct stool into a collection bag, preventing channeling and incorporating hook-and-loop fasteners for secure attachment, thus containing diarrhea from start to finish and reducing skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bandage component is placed in close association with rectal opening to secure stool collection bag, then stool can be collected, but skin breakdown occurs due to channeling of liquid stool under the bandage
Solution Approach 1:
An absorbent insert ring component is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the bandage and the patient's skin around the rectal opening. This ring absorbs excess liquid stool and moisture, preventing channeling under the bandage while maintaining secure stool collection. The ring acts as a buffer that protects the skin from direct contact with harmful liquid stool.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent insert ring provides localized absorption capability precisely where needed - around the rectal opening. By concentrating absorbent material in this specific location, the system addresses the channeling problem at its source without requiring changes to the entire bandage or collection bag structure.
2Reliability
If prior art stool collectors are positioned on the backside of patient, then stool can be collected, but devices become torn off when patients move, causing skin tears
Solution Approach 1:
The bandage is repositioned from a posterior (backside) location to an anterior (front) location around the rectal opening. This asymmetric repositioning changes the mechanical stress distribution during patient movement, preventing the device from being torn off while maintaining effective stool collection functionality.
3Reliability
If standard diaper is used for stool collection, then stool can be contained, but patient dignity decreases and skin excoriation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A thin, flexible absorbent insert ring is used instead of bulky diaper materials. This thin film structure provides effective stool containment while maintaining patient comfort and dignity. The ring's slender profile prevents bulkiness and skin excoriation associated with traditional diapers.
4Quantity of substance
If liquid stool is present, then absorption is needed, but semi-formed stool lodges in prior art devices making them unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent insert ring utilizes Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) material that changes its absorption parameters based on stool consistency. For liquid stool, the SAP expands to absorb large quantities. For semi-formed stool, the ring's structural parameters prevent lodging by allowing passage through its central opening, maintaining device usability throughout the recovery process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents skin breakdown, reduces disease transmission, lowers treatment costs, and enhances patient dignity by maintaining continuous containment of stool and urine, thereby slowing the C. difficile epidemic and decreasing hospital expenses.
Implementation Method 1
Super Absorbent Polymer (hereinafter SAP) resin may also used as a part of the stool containment structure of the present invention, or non-toxic, non-irritating, non-corrosive, and super absorbent materials capable of absorbing forty-to-sixty times their weight in fluid
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent insert ring component (or equivalent) and an absorbent insert extension that alone or in combination with other structure directs stool into an associated stool collection bag
Data Source
AI summary
A stool management and collection system for acutely and chronically ill patients that prevents channeling which can quickly lead to the breakdown of patient skin, patient discomfort, and the spread of disease. Although several preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, each has an absorbent insert ring component with a waterproof interior that alone or in combination with other structure directs stool into an associated stool collection bag. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) resin may also employed as a part of the stool containment system structure. In addition, the system's stool collection bag isn't positioned on the patient's backside as in the prior art, instead being secured in approximately the same area where an incontinence pad is normally positioned, so that diarrhea is contained from start to finish.