Auxetic Ostomy Sensor Patch for Curved Base Plate Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances face issues with adhesive failure and leakage due to uneven skin surfaces and moisture, leading to embarrassing and stigmatizing incidents, with current detection methods failing to provide reliable warnings of impending failure.
Innovation Solution
A sensor patch with an auxetic support layer and electrodes that conforms to convex or concave base plates, featuring openings and electrode paths to detect adhesive failure and moisture, enhancing conformability and providing early warnings of potential leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a planar adhesive layer is used for the sensor patch, then the manufacturing is simple, but the conformability to convex or concave base plates is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive layer is designed with an auxetic structure containing a plurality of openings, allowing the material to stretch and conform to three-dimensional surfaces while maintaining adhesion. This porous configuration enables the sensor patch to adapt to convex or concave base plates without compromising manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer incorporates an auxetic structure that changes its physical parameters (area expansion) in response to stretching. When the sensor patch is stretched over a curved base plate, the auxetic openings expand, allowing the adhesive to conform to the three-dimensional surface while maintaining its bonding capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor patch is made to conform to three-dimensional surfaces, then the adaptability improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxetic structure with openings is integrated into the adhesive layer itself, rather than adding separate complex components. This approach achieves conformability through the material structure rather than through mechanical complexity, keeping the overall device design relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor patch combines the support layer, adhesive layer with auxetic structure, and electrode layer into a composite structure. The auxetic adhesive layer acts as an intermediate component that provides both conformability and structural integrity, simplifying the overall design compared to using separate adjustment mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive materials with high moisture absorption are used, then the adhesive stability improves, but the leakage detection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor patch uses different materials with different properties in different layers: the adhesive layer contains hydrocolloid materials for moisture absorption and stability, while the electrode layer provides moisture-sensitive detection capability. This local differentiation allows both adhesive stability and detection reliability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode layer provides real-time feedback about moisture levels at the skin interface, enabling early detection of leakage conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor adhesive performance and alert the user before actual leakage occurs, maintaining high detection reliability despite the moisture-absorbing adhesive.
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 sensor patch effectively detects adhesive failure and moisture, reducing the risk of leakage by improving conformability to three-dimensional surfaces and providing timely alerts, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of ostomy appliances.
Implementation Method 1
the support layer is auxetic so as to allow conforming the sensor patch to the concave or convex base plate
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor patch for attachment to a concave or convex base plate for an ostomy appliance, wherein the sensor patch is adapted to form a stomal opening with a centre point, the stomal opening being configured to allow passage of output through the stomal opening and into an ostomy pouch attached to the base plate, the sensor patch comprising: - a support layer with a distal surface and a proximal surface; - a plurality of electrode paths for forming one or more sensors, the plurality of electrode paths being arranged on the proximal surface of the support layer; and - an adhesive layer arranged on the proximal surface of the support layer; wherein the support layer is auxetic so as to allow conforming the sensor patch to the concave or convex base plate.