Assistive Hygiene Station
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adult and baby changing stations lack effective sanitation methods for cleaning human waste and fluids, require multiple disposable wipes, and do not facilitate easy disposal of waste, leading to unhygienic conditions and inconvenience for caregivers and individuals needing assistance.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a water body spray assembly and a water closet into a hygiene system that allows for efficient cleaning with water and sanitary disposal of waste, including a body support for positioning and a water closet for waste disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If disposable body wipes are used to clean human waste and fluids, then cleaning can be performed without water, but multiple wipes are required and residual waste remains on the changing station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water spray system with a handheld spray nozzle connected to a water supply, allowing caregivers to spray water directly onto waste and fluids for efficient removal. This hydraulic approach replaces multiple disposable wipes with a reusable water-based cleaning method, reducing consumable usage while improving cleaning effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If disposable body wipes are used for cleaning, then portability is maintained, but sanitation is insufficient and residual waste remains on the changing station
Solution Approach 1:
The water spray system provides superior sanitation by allowing thorough rinsing of waste and fluids from the person and the changing station surface. Water effectively removes and flushes away contaminants, achieving hygienic cleaning that disposable wipes cannot accomplish, while the system remains portable and installable in various locations
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated water closet enables proper disposal of waste and fluids through flushing, preventing residual waste from remaining on the changing station. This eliminates the sanitation problems associated with disposable wipes while maintaining system portability
3Reliability
If a water closet is integrated into the hygiene system, then sanitary disposal of waste is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the body support, water spray assembly, and water closet into an integrated hygiene system. This merging of functions allows sanitary waste disposal to be incorporated into the existing changing station framework, enabling proper waste flushing while maintaining overall system simplicity and portability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions: supporting the person during hygiene tasks, spraying water for cleaning, and disposing of waste through the water closet. This multi-functionality consolidates several separate devices into one unified system, managing complexity while enhancing capabilities
4Reliability
If body support positioning is optimized for cleaning, then hygiene effectiveness improves, but adaptability to different positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The body support is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing it to be configured in different positions to accommodate various user needs and cleaning requirements. This dynamic adjustability maintains hygiene effectiveness while providing versatility for different individuals and situations
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
Enables effective cleaning and sanitary disposal of human waste and fluids, reducing the need for multiple wipes and preventing residual waste on changing stations, while accommodating individuals with ostomy bags and improving hygiene in public settings.
Implementation Method 1
a water closet integrated with the body support and a drainpipe to remove human waste, human fluids, flushable waste, and black water from the person in need and the water closet
Implementation Method 2
a body spray assembly, which is connected to a water supply, that is in fluid communication with the water closet
Data Source
AI summary
An assistive hygiene station has a body support used by a caregiver or medical provider to help with hygiene and cleaning of a body of a baby, child, disabled adolescent, disabled adult or bariatric adult. A water closet is integrated with the body support. A sanitary sewer/drainpipe is used to remove human waste, human fluids, flushable waste, and black water from the assistive hygiene station and water closet. A body spray assembly is provided and in fluid communication with the waler closet. A water supply is connected to the body spray. The body support preferably further includes a body support comprising a base with legs, a cavity in the base for receiving plumbing, and a countertop or top portion for supporting the body.