Functional Underpants Waste Disposal Unit for Bedridden Patients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients unable to physically urinate face challenges such as urine leakage, discomfort, and hygiene issues due to existing catheter solutions, which are often painful and lead to infections.
Innovation Solution
A waste disposal unit integrated into functional underpants with adhesive features and separate designs for males and females, utilizing a solid waste pump and urine reservoirs to prevent leakage and ensure hygienic disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If catheters are used to drain urine from the bladder, then urine disposal is enabled for patients unable to urinate physically, but discomfort and infection risk increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the catheter tube from the bladder entirely, replacing it with an external collection system. The urine collection device captures urine at the urethral outlet without requiring bladder insertion, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of catheter-induced discomfort and infection while maintaining urine disposal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary urine collection device that acts as a mediator between the patient's urinary system and the external environment. This device collects urine at the urethral outlet using adhesive fixation and pressure contact, avoiding direct bladder contact and eliminating the need for invasive catheters.
2Ease of operation
If condom catheters are used for male patients, then urine collection is achieved, but skin contact causes rashes and hygiene problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a disposable urine collection device that is attached externally to the patient's underwear or belt. This single-use device collects urine without contacting the skin, eliminating rash-causing skin contact while maintaining effective urine collection. The disposable nature ensures hygiene and prevents skin irritation.
3Reliability
If adhesive fixation is used to secure the urine collection device, then urine leakage is prevented, but skin irritation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adhesive fixation from direct skin contact by attaching it to the patient's underwear or belt instead. This allows the adhesive to secure the urine collection device reliably without causing skin irritation, as the adhesive contacts fabric rather than skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces underwear or belt fabric as an intermediary between the adhesive fixation and the patient's skin. The adhesive secures to this intermediary material, providing reliable leakage prevention while the fabric barrier prevents direct skin contact and potential irritation.
4Ease of operation
If space is allocated for toilets in space stations, then waste disposal is enabled, but available space is reduced in confined environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal waste disposal device that handles both urine and feces through a single portable unit. This multi-functional device eliminates the need for separate toilet facilities, allowing space station occupants to dispose of waste anywhere in the confined environment without requiring dedicated toilet space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a self-contained portable device with built-in collection and disposal mechanisms that operates independently without requiring fixed infrastructure. The device can be used anywhere in the space station, eliminating the need for allocated toilet areas while maintaining full waste disposal functionality.
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 effectively prevents urine leakage, reduces discomfort, and enhances hygiene for patients, while also eliminating the need for dedicated toilet spaces in confined environments like space stations.
Implementation Method 1
adhesive flaps (21-24) which are in adhesive contact with each other or with the skin or clothing
Implementation Method 2
a solid waste pump (10) which is protected from the pressure to be exerted at the sitting position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is for the patients who are not capable of going to the bathroom and not able to urinate physically, and being confined to bed; it relates to a waste disposal unit as functional underpants enabling the disposal of solid-liquid wastes of said patients in an autoregulatory manner, providing a full-hygienic cleaning for the person by means of adhering and contacting methods, and separately designed for males and females.