Fluid Collection Adapters for Secure, Hygienic Vacuum Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid collection devices, such as bed pans and urinary catheters, face issues with discomfort, spills, hygiene problems, and urinary tract infections, and are inadequate for individuals with impaired mobility or anatomical variations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection assembly comprising a fluid impermeable barrier with a porous material and an adapter that includes an interfacing body with orifices and attachment features, allowing secure attachment and fluid collection from individuals with varied anatomical features, connected to a vacuum source for efficient fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bed pans are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but discomfort and hygiene issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that connects the fluid collection device to the wearer's anatomy. The adapter includes an interfacing body with attachment features that secure the device without direct contact between the fluid collection chamber and the wearer, reducing discomfort and hygiene issues while maintaining collection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid collection system is divided into separate functional components: the fluid collection device, the adapter with interfacing body, and the attachment features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the collection device for hygiene and the adapter for comfort and secure attachment
2Ease of operation
If urinary catheters are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but discomfort, pain, and urinary tract infections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a mediator that enables fluid collection without requiring a catheter to penetrate the urethra. The interfacing body with orifices allows urine to be collected from the perineal area, eliminating the invasive nature of catheters and associated risks of discomfort, pain, and infections
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the invasive catheter component from the fluid collection system. Instead of using a catheter that must be inserted into the urethra, the system uses an external adapter with orifices that collects urine non-invasively, removing the source of discomfort and infection risk
3Productivity
If a fluid collection device is designed for specific anatomy, then collection efficiency is improved, but adaptability to diverse anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate diverse anatomical variations. The interfacing body with multiple attachment points and the flexible design allow the same device to effectively collect fluid from users with different anatomical structures while maintaining collection efficiency
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 assembly provides secure, comfortable, and hygienic fluid collection from individuals with diverse anatomies, reducing leakage and infection risks while enabling efficient fluid removal through a vacuum system.
Implementation Method 1
a porous material at least partially disposed in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum source fluidly coupled to one or more of the fluid storage container or the fluid collection device via the conduit, the vacuum source configured to draw fluid from the fluid collection device via the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to fluid collection assemblies, systems, and methods for collecting fluid from a wearer of the fluid collection assembly. The fluid collection assemblies include a fluid collection device attachable to an adapter. The fluid collection device includes porous material disposed within a fluid impermeable barrier. The adapter includes an interfacing body having at least one orifice and at least one attachment feature for attaching the adapter to the fluid collection device such that the porous material is fluidly connected to the at least one orifice. A fluid collection system includes a fluid collection device operably coupled to a fluid storage container and vacuum source via one or more sections of conduit.