Fluid Collection Assembly with Porous Wicking and Vacuum Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid collection devices, such as bed pans and urinary catheters, suffer from discomfort, spills, hygiene issues, and urinary tract infections, and are not suitable for individuals with limited mobility or restricted travel conditions.

Innovation Solution

A fluid collection assembly with a fluid impermeable barrier defining a waist opening and leg openings, incorporating a porous material that channels bodily fluids to a fluid outlet, and a vacuum system to withdraw fluids, enhancing mobility and hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bed pans are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but discomfort, spills, and hygiene issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection reliabilityVSAvoiddiscomfort and hygiene issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous absorbent material that contacts the skin and wicks bodily fluids away through capillary action. This porous material is integrated into a wearable garment structure that collects fluids in a reservoir, eliminating the need for bed pans while preventing spills and maintaining hygiene through continuous fluid removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a vacuum system that applies suction to continuously remove bodily fluids from the porous material and deliver them to a collection container. This pneumatic mechanism automatically drains fluids, preventing accumulation and spills, thereby eliminating the discomfort and hygiene issues associated with traditional bed pans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If urinary catheters are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but discomfort, pain, and urinary tract infections occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection reliabilityVSAvoiddiscomfort, pain, and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a porous absorbent material as an intermediary between the skin and the vacuum collection system. This intermediate layer gently contacts the skin without causing discomfort or pain, while the vacuum system efficiently removes fluids through the porous material, eliminating the need for invasive catheters and their associated infections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical insertion and retention of urinary catheters with a wearable garment system that uses porous materials and vacuum suction. This substitution eliminates the invasive mechanical catheter while maintaining reliable fluid collection, thereby removing discomfort, pain, and infection risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a wearable fluid collection assembly is designed, then mobility is enhanced, but fluid leakage and contamination may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility and ease of useVSAvoidfluid containment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a porous absorbent material that is both mobile-friendly and reliable for fluid containment. The porous structure wicks fluids away from the skin through capillary action, ensuring continuous absorption during movement while preventing leakage. The material is integrated into a wearable garment that maintains fluid containment reliability even during active use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a vacuum system that actively maintains fluid containment by applying continuous suction. This pneumatic mechanism prevents fluid leakage by immediately removing fluids as they are absorbed by the porous material, ensuring reliability during mobility while allowing the user to move freely without contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 maintains skin dryness, reduces infection risk, and allows for continuous use without spills, even with movement, by using a wicking material and vacuum-assisted fluid removal.

Implementation Method 1

at least one porous material that generally conforms to at least a portion the fluid impermeable barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum source configured to apply a suction force to the fluid collection assembly to withdraw one or more bodily fluids therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12350187B2Fluid collection assemblies defining waist and leg openings

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 PUREWICK CORP

AI summary

An example fluid collection assembly includes a fluid impermeable barrier. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a waist opening and two leg openings. The waist opening and the two leg openings are configured to have a waist and two legs of an individual positioned therein, respectively. The fluid impermeable barrier also defines at least one fluid outlet. The fluid collection assembly further includes at least one porous material conforming to at least a portion of the fluid impermeable barrier. The porous material may be adjacent to the outlet defined by the fluid impermeable barrier.