Chemo flush trapper

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Chemotherapy-related vapors emanating from toilet waste pose a significant health risk to healthcare workers, as they can contain harmful chemicals that are carcinogenic, teratogenic, or cause organ toxicity, and existing measures are inadequate to mitigate this risk effectively.

Innovation Solution

A chemo flush trapper apparatus with a cover containing a chemical composition layer, including activated charcoal, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium polyacrylate, which is removably attached to a toilet bowl to absorb and neutralize these vapors, equipped with a detection strip to indicate when replacement is needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a toilet is used by chemotherapy patients, then the toilet waste contains chemo-related chemicals, but harmful vapors emanate from the waste product when flushed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoilet usageVSAvoidharmful vapor exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a chemical composition layer as an intermediary substance between the chemo waste and the surrounding environment. This layer actively neutralizes harmful vapors through chemical reactions, preventing them from reaching healthcare workers while allowing the toilet to continue its normal function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical composition layer is designed as a disposable component that is replaced periodically. This approach is economically viable because the cost of replacing the chemical layer is much lower than the cost of implementing complex permanent vapor mitigation systems or the health costs of vapor exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chemical composition layer is added to mitigate vapors, then harmful vapors are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor mitigationVSAvoidtoilet system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: the chemical composition layer simultaneously serves as a vapor neutralizer, an odor controller, and a detection medium. This merging approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for separate mechanical ventilation systems, chemical dosing equipment, or monitoring devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical composition layer is designed to automatically neutralize vapors without requiring external control systems. The detection strip provides automatic visual feedback when replacement is needed, eliminating the need for complex monitoring and control mechanisms while maintaining effective vapor mitigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If detection strip is added to indicate replacement timing, then timely replacement is ensured, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement timingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The detection strip utilizes simple color change indicators that respond to chemical changes in the composition layer. This approach provides reliable replacement timing information through intuitive visual signals while maintaining ease of manufacture, as color-changing indicators are inexpensive and simple to integrate into the existing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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

Effectively reduces and eliminates harmful chemotherapy-related vapors from toilet waste, providing a safe environment for healthcare workers by adsorbing and absorbing these vapors, and ensuring timely replacement of the trapper.

Implementation Method 1

The chemical composition layer may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The one or more chemicals may include at least activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The cover further may include a paper layer disposed at the second surface of the cover, the paper layer configured to absorb the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250331689A1Chemo flush trapper

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for mitigating chemo-related vapors that can emanate from waste product in a toilet. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus includes a cover for a toilet bowl configured to cover an upper opening of the toilet bowl. The cover may include a first surface facing an interior of the toilet bowl and a second surface opposite the first surface. The cover may be configured to be removably attached to a portion of a toilet comprising the toilet bowl. The apparatus also includes a chemical composition layer coupled to the cover. The chemical composition layer may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl.