Fecal Management System With Self-Inflating Retention Cuff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fecal management systems for incontinent patients fail to effectively contain fecal matter, leading to infection risks, skin breakdown, and discomfort, while also posing challenges for healthcare professionals due to cross-contamination and inefficient cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A waste management system comprising a waste transport device with a retention cuff and a waste collection device, designed for releasable connection, featuring a tapered collection member and inflatable retention cuff for secure fecal containment, pain relief, and a securement device to prevent migration and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waste management system is designed to effectively contain fecal matter, then infection risks and skin breakdown are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste management system is divided into distinct functional segments: a waste transport device with a collection member for receiving fecal matter, a retention cuff for securing the transport device in place, and a waste collection device for final containment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability in containing fecal matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention cuff acts as an intermediary element between the waste transport device and the patient's anatomy. It provides a secure interface that maintains the transport device in the correct position without requiring complex mechanical fastening systems, thereby achieving reliable containment while managing device complexity.
2Reliability
If an inflatable retention cuff is used to secure the waste transport device, then fecal matter containment is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to inflation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The retention cuff is designed to be self-inflating through a one-way valve mechanism. When the waste transport device is inserted into the patient's rectum, fecal matter naturally inflates the cuff through the valve without requiring manual operation. This self-service mechanism achieves secure device retention while eliminating the complexity of manual inflation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical inflation process is replaced with a passive one-way valve mechanism that utilizes the natural pressure from fecal matter to automatically inflate the retention cuff. This substitution eliminates the need for complex inflation controls and operations while maintaining reliable device retention.
3Ease of operation
If a tapered collection member is used to facilitate insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection member incorporates a tapered geometry with a gradually changing cross-sectional area from distal to proximal. This parameter change creates a smooth transition that facilitates easy insertion into the patient's rectum while the gradual tapering reduces stress concentrations that would require extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, thereby balancing ease of operation with manufacturability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed system is used to contain fecal matter, then infection risk and cross-contamination are reduced, but cleaning process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste transport device with the collection member is designed as a removable component that can be easily extracted from the patient's body and disposed of or cleaned independently. This extraction capability allows the closed system to maintain infection control while simplifying the cleaning process, as the contaminated component can be removed and processed separately from the patient and healthcare environment.
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 system effectively contains fecal matter, reduces infection risks, enhances patient comfort, and simplifies cleaning processes by maintaining fecal matter within a closed system, thereby minimizing skin breakdown and cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable retention cuff
Implementation Method 2
the retention cuff including a pain relief drug
Data Source
AI summary
A waste management system includes a waste transport device and a waste collection device. The waste management system may include a securement device for maintaining the position of the waste transport device following insertion. The waste transport device may include a modular medication delivery apparatus with a disposable delivery device for delivering medication to the patient following insertion of the waste transport device.