Ostomy Appliance External Multi-Layer Filter Against Waste Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances often fail to prevent bodily waste from contacting the filter, leading to blockages and inflation due to ineffective intermediate walls, causing discomfort and embarrassment.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer filter is positioned externally on the ostomy appliance, with a hydrophobic layer directly adjacent the wall to prevent liquid contact, followed by a de-odorizing and gas-impermeable layer to maintain filter effectiveness and ease manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intermediate walls are provided to create a tortuous path for waste gas, then waste gas can be directed toward the filter, but bodily waste may contact the filter causing blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple functional layers: a hydrophobic layer that repels liquid waste, a de-odorising layer that treats gas, and a gas-impermeable layer that prevents liquid penetration. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while protecting the overall filter system from blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic layer acts as an intermediary between the waste collecting chamber and the de-odorising layer. It selectively allows waste gas to pass through while blocking liquid waste, thereby protecting the de-odorising layer from contact with bodily waste that would cause blockages.
2Reliability
If the filter is positioned inside the exterior wall, then waste gas must pass through the filter, but this increases the risk of bodily waste contact
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the filter have different properties: the hydrophobic layer faces the waste collecting chamber to repel liquids, while the de-odorising layer is positioned to treat gas. This local differentiation of properties allows the filter to handle both gas and liquid phases appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter combines multiple materials with different properties: a hydrophobic material that repels liquid, a de-odorising material that treats gas, and a gas-impermeable material that prevents liquid penetration. This composite structure enables the filter to perform multiple functions simultaneously while protecting against blockage.
3Reliability
If a multi-layer filter is positioned externally with hydrophobic layer adjacent to the wall, then liquid contact is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic layer is positioned as the first layer adjacent to the waste collecting chamber wall, creating a preliminary barrier against liquid waste before it can reach other filter layers. This preliminary protection simplifies the requirements for subsequent layers and reduces manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is constructed as a flexible multi-layer membrane that can be integrated into the appliance wall structure. The thin-film nature of the layers allows for easier manufacturing and integration compared to rigid filter structures.
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 solution effectively prevents filter clogging, maintaining appliance functionality and reducing replacement frequency, enhancing user comfort and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of the filter is hydrophobic and wherein said hydrophobic layer is positioned directly adjacent the respective first and/or second wall
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy appliance comprising: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening; a connection member connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user; an aperture located in either of the first and/or second walls for permitting waste gases to exit the appliance; and a multi-layer filter positioned adjacent and covering the aperture on an exterior surface of the respective first and/or second wall. A layer of the filter is hydrophobic and the hydrophobic layer is positioned directly adjacent the respective first and/or second wall. The hydrophobic layer has a first side and a second side where the first side is connected directly to the respective first and/or second wall, where the connection holds the multi-layer filter relative to the wall.