Drainable Ostomy Appliance With Asymmetric Outlet Stiffeners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainable ostomy appliances face difficulties in opening and closing the outlet due to stiffening members bowing in the same direction, making it hard to manipulate and clean effectively, leading to potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
The ostomy appliance features first and second elongate stiffening members connected to the walls near the outlet, designed with varying thickness and contoured surfaces to facilitate easy separation and closure, allowing for efficient opening and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stiffening members are used to support the outlet structure, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because the members bow in the same direction making it difficult to open and manipulate the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening members are designed with asymmetric thickness distribution - one stiffening member has a first thickness at its first end and a second thickness at its second end, where the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. This asymmetric design causes the stiffening members to bow in opposite directions when force is applied, enabling the outlet to be opened more easily while maintaining structural strength.
2Reliability
If stiffening members are positioned near the outlet to maintain structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair and cleaning deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing and cleaning the outlet effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet structure is segmented into multiple components including first and second walls, first and second stiffening members, and a closure member. This segmentation allows the outlet to be opened effectively for cleaning by manipulating individual components, while the stiffening members remain positioned to maintain structural integrity. The asymmetric design of the stiffening members further facilitates this by enabling controlled opening movements.
3Ease of operation
If the outlet is designed to be easily manipulated for opening, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates leading to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet structure incorporates dynamic elements including a closure member that can move between open and closed positions, and stiffening members with asymmetric thickness that bow in opposite directions when force is applied. This dynamic design allows the outlet to be easily opened for emptying and cleaning, while the closure member maintains effective sealing when closed, preventing leakage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drainable ostomy appliance including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening; a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls; a connection member connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening, the outlet having an opening for waste and the outlet being formed from at least one wall which terminates at a wall edge; and a stiffening member which is connected to the wall forming the outlet, the stiffening member being positioned such that it overlaps the edge of said wall effectively extending the length of the outlet.