Fluid Collection Assemblies with Flattened Sumps for Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinary catheters and bedpans are uncomfortable, prone to complications, and hygiene issues, while existing fluid collection assemblies face challenges with securing porous materials, fluid leakage, and patient discomfort due to improper positioning features.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection assembly with a fluid impermeable barrier featuring a flattened sump or aperture, coupled with a porous material, and a vacuum system to collect bodily fluids, which includes couplings that secure the porous material without adhesives and vents positioned to minimize leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional urinary catheters are used, then fluid collection is achieved, but patient comfort deteriorates and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable fluid collection assembly that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for long-term catheter retention. This disposable approach reduces patient discomfort and complications associated with prolonged catheter use while maintaining effective fluid collection during the collection period.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid collection assembly utilizes a flexible barrier material that can be positioned comfortably against the patient's anatomy without causing irritation. The thin film structure allows for conformability to body contours, reducing pressure points and discomfort while maintaining fluid impermeability.
2Reliability
If bedpans are used for toileting, then fluid collection is achieved, but hygiene issues and spills increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid collection assembly features a nested structure where the porous material is contained within the barrier, and the collection chamber is integrated within the overall assembly. This nested design prevents spills by containing fluids within the sealed chamber while maintaining hygiene through the barrier's fluid impermeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable nature of the assembly eliminates hygiene issues associated with reusable bedpans. Each new assembly is sterile and single-use, preventing cross-contamination and eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance that can lead to hygiene problems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If porous material is secured with adhesives, then material attachment is achieved, but fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesives from the construction process entirely. Instead of using adhesives to attach the porous material to the barrier, the assembly relies on mechanical retention through the chamber structure and gravitational forces, thereby maintaining fluid impermeability without compromising material attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber structure serves as an intermediary mechanism that secures the porous material in position without direct chemical bonding. The physical confinement within the chamber and the weight of the material itself provide sufficient attachment while preserving the fluid barrier integrity.
4Ease of operation
If positioning features are added to improve patient positioning, then comfort increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed with an asymmetric flattened shape that naturally conforms to the patient's anatomy, providing comfortable positioning without requiring additional positioning features. The asymmetric geometry allows the assembly to orient correctly on the patient's body through its own shape rather than external aids.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding positioning features to the external surface of the assembly, the patent inverts the approach by making the barrier itself the positioning feature through its flattened configuration. The barrier's shape provides the positioning function that would otherwise require separate components.
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 comfortable, secure, and effective collection of bodily fluids with reduced leakage and improved patient positioning, enhancing hygiene and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
a suction provided from the vacuum source to the chamber of the fluid collection assembly removes the one or more bodily fluids from the chamber
Implementation Method 2
at least one porous material disposed in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An example fluid collection assembly includes a fluid impermeable barrier and at least one porous material disposed in the fluid impermeable barrier. The fluid impermeable barrier includes a proximal end region and a distal end region opposite the proximal end region. The fluid impermeable barrier defines a chamber, an opening, and a fluid outlet. The fluid impermeable barrier also defines at least one of a flattened sump at or near the distal end region or at least one aperture. The at least one aperture formed in the fluid impermeable barrier may form at least one of at least one first coupling configured to be attached to at least one second coupling attached to the porous material, at least one vent at or near the proximal end region, or at least one indentation formed in at least one lateral flange.