Foldable Urine Trap with Asymmetric Wings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for male incontinence, such as adult diapers, are cumbersome, inconvenient, and prone to leakage, especially when patients are moved or changed, posing challenges for caregivers and increasing the risk of skin irritation and pressure ulcers due to urine exposure.

Innovation Solution

A disposable, foldable urine trap with asymmetric wings that envelop the penis, forming a secure barrier to prevent urine leakage, featuring a main absorbent region and distally projecting wings that fold to create a closed configuration, allowing for easy placement inside undergarments and quick replacement without disturbing the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If adult diapers are used to manage male incontinence, then absorption capacity is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome changing procedures requiring patient movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidchanging procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The incontinence management system is divided into two separate components: a reusable absorbent diaper and a disposable urine trap. The urine trap is inserted into the diaper to catch urine at its source, allowing the trap to be removed and replaced without removing the entire diaper or moving the patient. This segmentation enables independent replacement of the soiled component while maintaining patient comfort and simplifying the changing procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The urine trap is designed as a removable component that can be extracted from the diaper after use. The trap captures urine within its confined structure, allowing caregivers to simply pull out the soiled trap and insert a fresh one without disturbing the patient or removing the main diaper. This extraction capability dramatically reduces the complexity of changing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If frequent changing of soiled garments is performed, then skin irritation is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive and time-consuming procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin irritationVSAvoidchanging frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The urine trap is designed as a disposable component that is inserted into the reusable diaper. After capturing urine, the trap is removed and discarded, and a new trap is inserted. This disposable approach allows for frequent replacement of the soiled component without the need to replace the entire diaper or move the patient, thereby reducing skin irritation while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The urine trap is pre-formed with a structure that envelops the penis and captures urine as it is released. This preliminary configuration ensures that urine is contained within the trap from the moment of release, preventing skin contact with urine and eliminating the need for frequent full diaper changes. The pre-designed trap structure enables quick insertion and removal without complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If traditional diapers are used, then absorption is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to leakage when patients are moved or changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidleakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The urine trap acts as an intermediary component between the penis and the absorbent diaper. It captures urine at its source and contains it within its confined structure, preventing urine from leaking out of the diaper during patient movement or changing. The trap serves as a buffer that protects the integrity of the absorbent system and maintains reliability throughout the incontinence management process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If large bulky diapers are used to cover groin and anal area, then protection is improved, but device complexity worsens due to increased bulk for supply and disposal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidbulk for supply and disposal
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The incontinence management system is divided into a reusable diaper that provides protection coverage and a compact disposable urine trap. The trap is designed to fit within the diaper, enveloping only the necessary area around the penis. This segmentation allows the main diaper to maintain its protective function while the separate trap handles urine containment, reducing the overall bulk required for supply and disposal compared to traditional large diapers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 urine trap minimizes leakage, simplifies changing procedures, reduces the need for patient movement, and provides a more comfortable, moisture-free environment, thereby reducing caregiver burden and skin irritation risks.

Implementation Method 1

an elongated rectangular pad foldable along a centrally transverse fold line and configured on one end with a U-shaped opening to receive a penis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the distal edge of the first wing and the distal edge of the second wing are substantially orthogonal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3435944B1Urine absorbent pad
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 EZ MALE PADS INC
  • EP3435944B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3435944B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3435944B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A disposable urine trap in the form of a foldable pad that envelops the male genitalia and closes around the organ to form a barrier that prevents urine from escaping the trap. The pad includes an asymmetric pair of wings that are separated by a gap and attached to the main body of the pad. The first wing is preferably trapezoidal and a second wing having an extending distal edge.