Colostomy Clip Closure Assistant with Multi-Shape Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with colostomy bags face difficulties in manipulating and positioning modern closure clips due to mobility issues, such as arthritis, which can lead to malfunctions and errors in closing the bag.
Innovation Solution
A reusable closure assistant with a flat panel made of medical-grade plastic, featuring multiple slots of varying shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of clips, providing stabilization and a comfortable grip to aid in proper positioning and closure of the colostomy bag clips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If modern integrated clips are used to close colostomy bags, then reliability of closure is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for users with mobility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a closure assistant device as an intermediary tool between the user and the colostomy bag clip. This assistant provides a larger, more manageable interface for users to grasp and manipulate, making the closure process easier for those with mobility issues while maintaining the reliability of the actual clip mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the manipulation function from the closure function. The closure assistant handles the difficult manipulation task, while the original clip maintains its reliable closure function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromise.
2Ease of manufacture
If disposable clips are used for colostomy bags, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance increases due to frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by making the closure assistant reusable while the disposable clip is discarded. The assistant device is designed to be durable and can be used multiple times, reducing waste. When the clip is discarded after use, the assistant remains intact and can be cleaned and reused for the next bag change.
3Ease of operation
If a reusable closure assistant is introduced, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assistant is designed with local quality by providing enhanced grip surfaces and structural features only at the specific locations where manipulation is needed. The rest of the device maintains a simple form factor, minimizing overall complexity while addressing the ease of operation requirement at critical interaction points.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure assistant for colostomy bag clip is disclosed. The closure assistant helps a patient in closing and opening of the colostomy bag clip. The closure assistant consists of a flat panel with multiple slots on its upper surface. The slots are designed to fit different types of clips of the colostomy bag. The slots of the closure assistant are of different shapes to support different kinds of clips. The closure assistant accommodates either curved or linear type of clips. The closure assistant helps the patients, suffering from medical issues requiring an ostomy pouching system or colostomy bag and the related problems of using colostomy bag.