Flushable Stool Collector Layout to Prevent Urine Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting stool specimens are cumbersome, pose hygiene risks, and require complex cleaning and disposal procedures, failing to minimize disease transmission and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A stool collector with lateral wings that securely attach to the toilet, allowing urine to pass through while containing the stool specimen, made from highly water-soluble paper materials that can be easily flushed and biodegrade, reducing the need for sterilization and disposal complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (cellophane sheets, paper strips, bedpans) are used to collect stool specimens, then specimen collection is possible, but hygiene risks increase and disposal becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable paper-based stool collector that is used once and then discarded in the toilet. This eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization of reusable containers, significantly reducing hygiene risks and making disposal simple. The collector is made from highly water-soluble paper material that breaks down during flushing, preventing clogging while ensuring complete disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a system where the stool collector is discarded in the toilet after use and recovered through the flushing process. The highly water-soluble paper material dissolves in the toilet water, allowing the used collector to be automatically disposed of through the existing waste system without requiring separate collection or cleaning procedures.
2Reliability
If reusable containers are used for stool collection, then specimen collection is possible, but cleaning and sterilization procedures become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable paper-based stool collector that is used once and then discarded in the toilet. This eliminates the need for cleaning and sterilization of reusable containers, significantly reducing hygiene risks and making disposal simple. The collector is made from highly water-soluble paper material that breaks down during flushing, preventing clogging while ensuring complete disposal.
3Ease of operation
If the stool collector is made from highly water-soluble paper material, then disposal by flushing becomes easy, but the material strength may be insufficient to support stool weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting paper materials with specific properties: high water solubility for easy disposal, yet sufficient mechanical strength to support stool weight during collection. The paper is treated or selected to maintain integrity during the collection period but dissolve rapidly when exposed to toilet water during flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite paper materials that combine different fibers or treatments to achieve both required strength and water solubility. The composite structure provides mechanical support when dry or damp during collection, then transitions to rapid dissolution when exposed to the larger volume of toilet water during flushing.
4Ease of operation
If the stool collector covers the entire toilet bowl opening, then specimen collection is facilitated, but urine contamination occurs mixing with the stool specimen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the toilet bowl opening into functional zones using the stool collector design. The collector covers only the rear portion where stool is deposited, while leaving the front opening uncovered for urine passage. This segmentation allows simultaneous collection of stool specimens without urine contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by providing different coverage characteristics in different areas of the toilet bowl. The rear area is covered by the paper collector to capture stool, while the front area remains open to allow urine to pass through to the water without contacting the stool collection surface.
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 provides a hygienic, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method for collecting stool specimens that minimizes infection risk, simplifies disposal, and reduces the workload for both patients and medical staff, while ensuring the specimen remains usable for analysis.
Implementation Method 1
wherein said stool collector is manufactured from a highly water soluble paper material
Data Source
AI summary
A stool collector adapted for being positioned in a use position in which it is secured to a standard water closet or toilet to collect a stool sample delivered by a user, said stool collector comprising a rear piece adapted for being secured between rear halves of a toilet bowl and a tip-up toilet seat, respectively, of said toilet. The stool collector further comprises a front piece adapted for being secured between front halves of said toilet bowl and said tip-up toilet seat, respectively, said front piece comprising two lateral wings enclosing a cut-out adapted to allow for urine from said user to pass through into said toilet bowl in said use position, and an intermediate piece connecting said front and rear pieces and in said use position forming a stool collecting area adapted to receive said stool sample, said front, rear and intermediate pieces being manufactured from a flexible, foldable, biodegradable and highly water soluble paper material, said stool collector thus being suitable for being flushed in a standard water closet.