Expanding Enema Retention Structure for Fluid and Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enema delivery systems face challenges in retaining enema fluid within the rectum without involuntary expulsion, leading to unsanitary discharge and increased caregiver effort, and existing solutions like clamps and balloons are cumbersome and risky.
Innovation Solution
An enema device with a retaining component that expands within the rectum, coupled with a collection component and dual flow control mechanisms: a directional flow control valve in the fluid delivery component and a pressure-sensitive adherent coating on the collection component to manage fluid retention and safe withdrawal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp is used to clamp shut the catheter-sheath or catheter fluid delivery conduit to prevent enema fluid evacuation, then fluid retention is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to risk of involuntary expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful clamping function from the system and replaces it with a retaining component that expands within the rectum to block the anal canal. This removes the safety hazard of clamp-induced involuntary expulsion while maintaining fluid retention through the expanding retention structure that seals against the rectal wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary expanding retaining component that acts as a mediator between the enema fluid and the external environment. This retaining component expands to seal the rectum, allowing fluid retention without the need for direct clamping of the catheter, thereby eliminating the safety risk while maintaining retention effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a clamp is used to ensure fluid retention, then enema fluid retention is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fluid retention function and the positioning function into a single expanding retaining component. The retaining component both blocks the anal canal to retain fluid and positions itself within the rectum through expansion, eliminating the need for separate clamping mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanding retaining component serves multiple functions: it retains enema fluid by sealing the rectum, positions the device within the rectum through expansion, and prevents involuntary expulsion. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed compared to clamp-based systems.
3Reliability
If a clamp is used for fluid retention, then enema fluid retention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased caregiver tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding retaining component is self-activating through pressure-sensitive material that automatically expands when exposed to rectal pressure or temperature, eliminating the need for caregiver intervention to deploy the retention mechanism. The component self-regulates fluid retention without requiring manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining component is designed to expand and seal the rectum automatically upon insertion or in response to pressure changes, performing the retention action before any potential fluid leakage can occur. This preliminary self-action eliminates the need for ongoing caregiver management of clamps.
4Reliability
If clamps are used to prevent fluid evacuation, then enema fluid retention is improved, but time consumption increases due to frequent monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-sensitive expanding retaining component automatically maintains fluid retention through its self-activating expansion mechanism, eliminating the need for caregiver monitoring and adjustment. The component self-regulates retention based on rectal pressure conditions without requiring time-consuming human intervention.
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 effectively retains enema fluid within the rectum until the patient's defecation response is sufficient, preventing involuntary expulsion and reducing caregiver supervision, while ensuring safe and hygienic discharge management.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-sensitive adherent coating on the collection component to manage fluid retention
Implementation Method 2
a retaining component that expands within the rectum... effectively retains enema fluid within the rectum until the patient's defecation response is sufficient
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises an enema device configured for fluid delivery and evacuation management—which includes a retaining component for retaining a part of the enema device within the rectum, coupled with a collection component for collecting stool or liquid discharge received from the rectum. The device may additionally include a fluid delivery component to enable delivery of enema fluid to the colon, and/or a withdrawal component to support safe removal of the device from the patient.