Flexible Capsule Retrieval Pan with Sifting Cup
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, and comfortable-to-use device to retrieve medical capsules after they exit the human body, especially from feces, to facilitate reuse, prevent obstruction, and comply with disposal regulations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a flange and collection cup made of rubber-like materials, with a sifting mechanism that allows liquids and soft feces to pass while retaining the capsule, featuring a collapsible and foldable design to adapt to toilet bowls and enhance retrieval efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid retrieval device is used, then structural strength is maintained, but adaptability to different toilet bowl sizes and comfort during use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is constructed from flexible material that can bend and conform to different toilet bowl rim sizes and shapes. This flexibility allows the same device to adapt to various bowl dimensions while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the material's elastic properties and geometric design.
2Productivity
If a large collection cup is used, then capsule capture efficiency is improved, but storage and shipping volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection cup is designed with collapsible walls that allow it to expand to a large volume during capsule retrieval operations, maximizing capture efficiency. After use, the cup can be collapsed to a compact form factor, significantly reducing storage and shipping volume requirements.
3Reliability
If a complex retrieval mechanism is used, then retrieval effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval mechanism extracts only the essential function needed for capsule capture - a simple sifting action through the flange's mesh structure. By removing unnecessary components and mechanisms, the device achieves effective capsule retrieval while maintaining simplicity in operation and structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a non-collapsible design is used, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of storage and shipping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates collapsible elements in the collection cup and flexible flange that allow compact folding for storage and shipping. The flexible material maintains structural stability during use while enabling compression to a small package size when not in use, resolving the contradiction between stability and storability.
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 device effectively separates the capsule from feces, allows for easy retrieval, and is designed for compact storage and shipping, addressing the challenges of existing retrieval methods by providing a flexible and adaptable solution for capsule recovery.
Implementation Method 1
the sifting part comprises a plurality of holes to allow liquid or soft feces to pass while preventing the capsule to pass
Implementation Method 2
The flange is flexible to fold down and to bend up. The cup wall is flexible to collapse under pressure applied to top of the collection cup and the bottom of the collection cup and to extend from collapsed state when a pull force is applied to the bottom of the collection cup
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a device for retrieving a medical capsule. The collection pan comprises a flange to adapt to a rim of the toilet bowl and a collection cup joined to the flange around the capture opening. The flange comprises a capture opening for collecting feces, and two wings of the flange extended from the capture opening are placed over the rim of the toilet bowl to support the collection pan. The collection cup comprises a cup wall and a sifting part at bottom of the collection cup. The sifting part comprises a plurality of holes to allow liquied or soft feces to pass while preventing the capsule to pass. The flange and the collection cup are made of rubber or rubber-alike materials. The flange is flexible to fold down and to bend up. The cup wall is flexible to collapse and to extend from collapsed state.