Dynamic Door Incontinence Device for Variable Urine Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current male urinary incontinence devices are bulky and inconvenient for lighter incontinence cases, as they are designed for medium to high incontinence and have large urine collection bags, making them unsuitable for users with lighter incontinence needs.

Innovation Solution

A male urinary incontinence device with a proximal and distal wall configuration that forms a pocket for the penis, featuring an openable door for easy application and urine retrieval, and an absorbent element that can be inspected or replaced, with a cuff member for snug fit and sealing, and a liquid barrier layer for splash-proofing, designed to accommodate a smaller urine capacity of 100-300 ml.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large urine collection bag is used for medium to high incontinence, then the urine collection capacity is improved, but the device becomes bulky and inconvenient for lighter incontinence cases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurine collection capacityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dynamic door mechanism that can open and close to change the internal volume of the device. When the door is closed, the device maintains a compact form factor suitable for lighter incontinence cases. When opened, the device can accommodate larger urine volumes for medium to high incontinence cases, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed volume and variable capacity needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If a large urine collection bag is used, then the urine collection capacity is improved, but the device becomes inconvenient and unsuitable for users with lighter incontinence needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurine collection capacityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic door mechanism allows users to adjust the device configuration based on their specific needs. For lighter incontinence cases, the closed door provides a compact, discreet device that is comfortable to wear. For heavier cases, the door can be opened to accommodate larger volumes, thus improving user convenience across different incontinence severity levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into separate functional zones with the door creating distinct compartments. This segmentation allows the same device structure to serve multiple purposes - maintaining a small wearable form when closed while providing expanded capacity when opened, thereby improving ease of operation for different user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If the device is designed for medium to high incontinence with large capacity, then the urine collection capacity is improved, but the device becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurine collection capacityVSAvoiddevice shape
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic door structure that fundamentally changes the device shape between open and closed states. In the closed state, the device maintains a streamlined, compact shape suitable for lighter incontinence cases. When opened, the shape expands to accommodate larger urine volumes for medium to high incontinence cases, resolving the contradiction between fixed shape and variable capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides a lightweight, discreet, and comfortable solution for lighter incontinence, ensuring a liquid-tight seal and easy handling, with the ability to accommodate smaller urine volumes, enhancing user convenience and hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent element that can be inspected or replaced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent element that can be inspected or replaced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

a liquid barrier layer for splash-proofing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3790517B1Male urinary incontinence device
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 COLOPLAST AS
  • EP3790517B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3790517B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A male urinary incontinence device comprising a proximal wall and a distal wall, the proximal wall comprising an aperture for receiving a penis therethrough. The distal wall and the proximal wall combine to define a top end portion and a bottom end portion of the device, wherein an edge portion of the proximal wall and an edge portion of the distal wall at the bottom end portion of the device are sealed together. The proximal wall and the distal wall at the top end portion of the device combine to define an openable door configured to be sealingly shut to close the door in a splash-proof manner.