Ergonomic Urine Collection Device With Undergarment-Integrated Pouch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urine collecting devices for ostomies cause discomfort, restrict movement, and lack a natural urination experience, leading to pouch bulging and increased infection risk, while not providing early warnings or maintaining user dignity.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic urine collecting device with a base plate, variable length tube, non-return valve, patterned pouch, sensor, and detachable electronic casing that provides haptic feedback when the pouch is full, allowing natural urination and reducing bulging and infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the urine collection pouch hangs freely on the anterior surface of the belly, then the patient can empty the pouch at socially acceptable places, but the pouch causes bulging, constant movement, and traction to the stoma plate requiring frequent changes
Solution Approach 1:
The device allows the pouch to transition from a fixed hanging state to a dynamic stream-directed state during urination, then returns to a stable contained state afterward. The flexible tube enables the pouch to adapt its position dynamically rather than remaining statically hung, reducing constant movement and bulging while maintaining ease of emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The urine collection pouch is nested within the undergarment, with the flexible tube routing urine flow from the stoma through the undergarment interior to the pouch. This nesting contains the pouch within the clothing structure, preventing external bulging and stabilization issues while preserving access for emptying.
2Quantity of substance
If a larger ostomy bag or night bag is used at night, then the patient can collect more urine, but the bag must be hung on wheeled support that interferes with patient's movements during sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The undergarment-integrated pouch system nests the urine collection bag within the clothing structure, eliminating the need for external wheeled supports. The pouch is contained within the undergarment's fabric and structural framework, allowing the patient to move freely during sleep without external equipment interference while maintaining adequate storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The urine collection pouch is merged with the undergarment structure itself, combining the clothing function with the urine collection function. This integration eliminates separate support structures like wheeled stands, allowing unrestricted patient movement during sleep while providing sufficient urine storage capacity.
3Reliability
If the urine pouch is attached to the stoma plate, then the patient can collect urine effectively, but the weight of the filled pouch causes traction that loosens the plate requiring frequent changes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tube allows the urine pouch to move dynamically with its weight rather than transmitting static traction force to the stoma plate. As the pouch fills and shifts position, the flexible tube absorbs the movement and weight variations, preventing constant traction on the plate attachment while maintaining reliable urine collection through the flexible conduit.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If medical trousers with urine mask and storage bag are used, then the user's decency is enhanced, but the user needs to wear the trousers all the time which creates discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring complete trousers to maintain decency, the invention uses a partial solution where only the essential urine collection and containment functions are provided through the undergarment-integrated pouch. This partial implementation provides sufficient social decency for urine collection while avoiding the excessive constraint of requiring full trousers to be worn continuously, improving comfort.
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
Enhances user comfort by mimicking natural urination, prevents pouch bulging, reduces infection risk, and provides early warnings, while being socially acceptable and adaptable to undergarments.
Implementation Method 1
a variable length tube connected to the base plate in connection with a non-return valve to provide a channel to the urine released from the ostomy
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is positioned in a pocket chamber which is arranged on the urine collecting pouch at a threshold level to detect and transmit a signal when the fluid inside reaches a threshold limit
Implementation Method 3
The base plate is configured with an adhesive patch to connect at ostomy site of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure proposes an ergonomic urine collecting device that provides feeling of passing urine naturally. The ergonomic urine collecting device comprises of a base plate (101), a variable length tube (102), a urine collecting pouch (104), a sensor (not shown), a detachable electronic casing (not shown), and a urine discharge outlet (107). The ergonomic urine collecting device enhances the user comfort and prevents turbulence and bulging of the pouch. The device provides a variable length connector with a one-way valve and the entire equipment fits inside an undergarment. Further, the equipment provides early warning to the user when the content inside the urine collecting pouch reaches a threshold level and aids the user in planning to empty the pouch in time.