Expandable Ostomy Bag with Nested Cap for Discreet Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ostomy appliances face challenges in managing the unregulated discharge of visceral contents, particularly in maintaining a discreet and minimizing the risk of skin complications due to frequent exchanges of the base plate and collecting bag, especially during activities like exercise where additional volume is needed.

Innovation Solution

An expandable collecting bag design featuring a cap portion and an expandable portion where the edges of the expandable portion are attached with outer surfaces facing each other, and the cap portion envelops the expandable portion with inner surfaces facing each other, allowing for natural folding and minimizing unintended expansion, while enabling expansion by gravity or user action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a stoma cap is used to cover the base plate and stoma, then the appliance is thin and discreet, but the collecting volume is insufficient when discharge cannot be regulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollecting volumeVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable portion is nested within the cap portion in a compacted state, allowing the stoma cap to maintain a thin profile when not in use while providing expanded collecting volume when needed. The expandable portion can be manually pulled out or expanded due to gravity and/or elevated pressure with the pouch due to the stomal discharge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The stoma cap transitions from a static thin structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The expandable portion can be manually pulled out or expanded due to gravity and/or due to elevated pressure with the pouch due to the stomal discharge, allowing the volume to adapt to the discharge volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If larger collecting bags are used to accommodate unregulated discharge, then the collecting volume is sufficient, but the appliance becomes bulky and less discreet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollecting volumeVSAvoidbulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable portion is nested within the cap portion in a compacted state, allowing the stoma cap to maintain a thin profile when not in use while providing expanded collecting volume when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The stoma cap transitions from a static thin structure to a dynamic expandable structure, allowing the volume to adapt to the discharge volume rather than being permanently bulky

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the base plate and collecting bag are frequently exchanged to manage discharge, then the collecting bag remains clean and functional, but the risk of skin complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin healthVSAvoidtime for exchanges

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The collecting bag is segmented into a reusable base plate and a disposable/replaceable collectible portion. The collectible portion can be emptied and/or detached for disposal, while the base plate remains attached to the skin, reducing the frequency of base plate exchanges and associated skin complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collectible portion of the collecting bag can be emptied and/or detached for disposal, while the base plate is retained and reused. This allows the functional portion to be discarded while recovering and reusing the skin-adhering base plate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 design results in a thin, discreet ostomy appliance that reduces the risk of skin complications by minimizing unnecessary base plate exchanges and providing an expandable volume as needed, with the ability to expand naturally or by user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

the edges of the expandable portion of the collecting bag are attached to each other with the outer surfaces facing each other, and the cap portion of the collecting bag envelopes the expandable portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFolding: Folding

Implementation Method 2

The second portion can be manually pulled out or can be expanded due to gravity and/or due to elevated pressure with the pouch due to the stomal discharge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The second portion can be manually pulled out or can be expanded due to gravity and/or due to elevated pressure with the pouch due to the stomal discharge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3166549B1Expandable collecting bag for an ostomy appliance

Publication Date: 2019.09.11 COLOPLAST AS

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AI summary

An expandable collecting bag is provided. The collecting bag can be used in an ostomy appliance and has a cap portion and an expandable portion. The expandable portion is folded inside the cap portion with the outer surfaces facing each other. The cap portion is folded over and envelopes the expandable portion with the inner surfaces facing each other. A method for producing a collecting bag is also provided.