Funnel-Shaped Fecal Guard Device for Sacral Wound Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stage 4 sacrum wounds are susceptible to infection from fecal matter, leading to slow healing and discomfort, with existing treatments failing to provide effective, disposable, and sanitary solutions that prevent fecal infiltration during the healing process.
Innovation Solution
A disposable fecal guard device comprising a funnel-shaped body component with a small foam insert, secured via gauze tape, which is used in conjunction with gauze pads and anti-fungal cream to create a barrier between the wound and fecal matter, allowing for the expulsion and wiping away of fecal matter without interrupting the wound dressing change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a disposable fecal guard device is used to prevent fecal matter from contacting the wound, then infection risk is reduced and wound cleanliness is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components (funnel body, foam insert, gauze tape)
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a funnel-shaped body component, a foam insert, and gauze tape. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (barrier, absorption, securing) while maintaining overall simplicity and disposability, resolving the contradiction between reliability through comprehensive protection and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam insert is placed inside the funnel-shaped body component, creating a nested structure. This nesting approach maximizes the protective function by layering barriers (funnel body outer barrier, foam insert inner barrier) while keeping the overall device compact and manageable, thus maintaining reliability without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If the funnel body component is secured via gauze tape to maintain wound coverage and protection, then the wound remains protected during fecal expulsion, but the ease of operation decreases due to securing steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The gauze tape is pre-attached to the funnel body component during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate securing steps during application, allowing caregivers to simply attach the pre-prepared device to the patient. The wound protection continuity is maintained through this secure attachment while the ease of operation is improved by eliminating complex securing procedures.
3Reliability
If multiple gauze pads and anti-fungal cream are included in the kit to ensure comprehensive wound care, then the wound healing effectiveness is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to multiple consumable items
Solution Approach 1:
The gauze pads serve multiple functions: they provide the base layer for anti-fungal cream application, act as additional protective barriers, and can be used for cleaning. The anti-fungal cream and powder protect against fungal infections which are common in fecal contamination scenarios. This multi-functionality approach ensures comprehensive wound care (improving reliability) while reducing the total quantity of materials needed compared to using separate items for each function.
4Productivity
If the device allows wiping away fecal matter without interrupting scheduled wound dressing change, then productivity is improved by maintaining healing schedule, but the device complexity increases to enable this functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel body component is made from flexible polymer material that can be easily manipulated and adjusted. This flexibility allows the device to conform to the patient's anatomy and enables caregivers to access the wound for scheduled dressing changes while maintaining the fecal guard function. The simple flexible structure achieves the productivity benefit without requiring complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a novel fecal guard device. The device is a disposable, sanitary fecal matter guard for patients who no longer meet FDA approved guidelines for an indwelling fecal management catheter. The guard device prevents fecal matter from infiltrating a stage 4 wound on the sacrum during healing. The fecal guard device comprises a body component shaped as a funnel with small gauze covered foam insert within the hollow opening. The body component is placed near the sacrum wound, cleaned according to medical guidelines as recommended by the medical team. The wound is covered with gauze and anti-fungal cream. The anus is covered with gauze and anti-fungal cream or powder to preserve integrity of the skin. The body component is secured via gauze tape onto gauze covering near sacrum wound. The body component acts as a shield, leaving wound on sacrum untouched by fecal matter.