Waist Support Device for Post-Surgical Drain Bulb Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for supporting post-surgical drain bulbs are uncomfortable, impractical for extended wear, and ineffective in managing multiple drainage tubes, especially outside a hospital setting where standard clothing restricts the use of traditional pinning methods.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, customizable support system using a washable band of flexible material with D-rings, snap fasteners, and hook and loop fasteners that can be worn around the waist, chest, or other body parts to securely hold multiple drain bulbs, preventing tangling and providing easy access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drainage bulbs are pinned to clothing or bandages, then the bulbs are supported, but the patient experiences discomfort and skin irritation during extended wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dedicated support device as an intermediary between the drainage bulbs and the patient's body/clothing. This support device distributes the weight and pressure of multiple bulbs across a larger surface area, preventing direct concentration of force on the skin that causes irritation, while maintaining reliable support for the bulbs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device utilizes flexible materials that can conform to the patient's body contours, distributing pressure evenly and reducing localized irritation. The flexible construction allows the device to adapt to movement and body shape changes during extended wear, maintaining comfort and support effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If multiple drainage bulbs are supported using traditional pinning methods, then the bulbs are held in place, but the system becomes cumbersome and impractical for activities like showering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebulb support stabilityVSAvoidmobility and showering convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is designed as a segmented, modular system that can be easily adjusted, removed, or reconfigured. This segmentation allows the patient to quickly remove or adjust the support device for activities like showering, then reattach it afterward, maintaining bulb support stability while enabling mobility and ease of operation during daily activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support device incorporates dynamic elements that allow for easy adjustment and removal. The design enables the support system to transition between a secured state (for bulb support) and a removed/adjusted state (for showering and mobility), resolving the contradiction between stability and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If standard clothing is worn to support drain bulbs, then the bulbs can be pinned to the clothing, but the clothing becomes constricting and limits patient mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebulb attachment capabilityVSAvoidpatient mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dedicated support device serves as an intermediary that provides the attachment capability for bulbs without requiring modification of standard clothing. This separate support system can be worn over or with regular clothing, maintaining bulb attachment reliability while preserving patient mobility and allowing use of normal attire.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If drainage tubes are managed without a dedicated support system, then the setup is simpler, but the tubes become tangled and access to bulbs becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport system structureVSAvoidtube management and bulb access

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support device positions multiple drainage bulbs in different spatial locations and orientations around the patient's body, utilizing three-dimensional space to organize the tubes. This dimensional arrangement prevents tube tangling by separating tube pathways in space and provides easy access to individual bulbs by positioning them at convenient locations, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and ease of tube management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10154887B2Support device for a drain system used in post-surgical procedures

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 POST OP PROVISIONS LLC

AI summary

A support device configured to support post-surgical drain bulbs at locations adjacent to a body of a wearer. The support device including a band of flexible material having a first end and a second end defining a band length there between, the band further including a pair of D-rings positioned proximate to the first end of the band and sized to accommodate a portion of the band proximate to the second end of the band, one or more snap fastener parts positioned proximate to the second end of the band and configured to selectively couple to one or more snap fastener counterparts positioned along the band length between the first end and the second end, and a band of hook and loop fastener material fixedly coupled to an outer surface of the band along the length of the band from a point proximate to the first end to a point proximate to the second end and configured to selectively couple to one or more securement members comprised of a counterpart to the hook and loop fastener material.