Expandable Ostomy Bag With Corrugated Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ostomy bags lack discretion and sufficient capacity to handle unexpected waste deposits, often leading to overflow issues due to pancaking, where soft waste sticks to the inner surface, blocking the inlet and preventing further use of space.
Innovation Solution
An expandable ostomy bag design featuring corrugations on one wall that deform under weight, allowing the opposing surfaces to separate and increase the bag's apparent size, reducing pancaking and enabling a smaller, more discrete appearance while maintaining the same volume capacity as larger bags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the ostomy bag is made smaller for discretion, then the bag's apparent size is reduced, but the volume capacity is insufficient to handle unexpected waste deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugations in the bag wall are designed to be deformable, allowing the bag to transition from a compact flat state to an expanded three-dimensional state. When waste is introduced, the corrugations deform and the opposing surfaces separate, dynamically increasing the internal volume while maintaining a small apparent size when empty.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the bag from a two-dimensional flat configuration to a three-dimensional expanded configuration through the deformation of corrugations. This dimensional change allows the bag to achieve sufficient volume capacity only when needed, while maintaining a discrete profile during normal wear.
2Area of stationary object
If the bag walls are kept close together for discretion, then the apparent size is reduced, but waste flow efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated structure provides a dynamic response to waste introduction. When waste enters the bag, it triggers the deformation of corrugations which automatically increases the internal volume and creates space for efficient waste flow, eliminating the need for manual expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations are pre-configured in a compressed state during manufacturing, preparing the bag for rapid expansion upon waste introduction. This preliminary configuration allows the bag to quickly transition to an expanded state, ensuring immediate waste flow efficiency without delay.
3Volume of stationary object
If corrugations are added to increase volume, then the material usage increases, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes thin film material formed into corrugated structures that provide large volume capacity with minimal material. The corrugations create three-dimensional space through geometric configuration rather than through material quantity, significantly reducing material usage compared to traditional bag designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations introduce curved, arcuate geometries that efficiently enclose volume with minimal surface area. The arcuate shape of corrugations optimizes the material-to-volume ratio, allowing the bag to achieve sufficient capacity while using less material than straight-sided or rigid constructions.
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 expandable design prevents overflow by allowing for efficient waste flow and reduces discomfort through a flush fit against the skin, maintaining odor barrier integrity and accommodating varying capacities with adjustable corrugation material usage.
Implementation Method 1
the corrugation is deformable under the weight of waste in the bag. Advantageously, when the bag fills, deformation of the corrugation allows the opposing surfaces of the bag to separate, thereby expanding the apparent size of the bag.
Data Source
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AI summary
An ostomy bag has an inlet leading to a waste collection space defined by two opposing surfaces of two walls. The opposing surfaces are configured to separate on the introduction of waste through the inlet and in at least one of the walls there is at least one corrugation.