Gastrostomy Button Accessory Platform for Aesthetic Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gastrostomy buttons (G-buttons) have a negative psychological impact due to their unsightly appearance, leading to delayed placement and potential malnutrition in patients with feeding disorders, as they are perceived as symbols of chronic medical conditions, and there is a need to improve the visibility and accuracy of feeding instructions.
Innovation Solution
An accessory mounting platform with detachable caps that can be changed daily, allowing for decorative designs and stickers to alter the appearance and display feeding regimens, which can be attached to the G-button using a keeper strap or directly, accommodating the feeding tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If G-buttons are made from clear or white plastics, then the feeding tube function is achieved, but the appearance becomes unsightly and visible against the patient's abdominal wall
Solution Approach 1:
The G-button system is divided into separate components: the functional button body and a decorative cover. The cover can be detached and replaced with different designs, allowing the functional part to remain simple while the aesthetic part can be customized. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating manufacturing simplicity from aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies color changes and decorative patterns to the G-button cover to improve aesthetic appearance. Different colors, cartoons, and designs can be applied to make the device less visible and more appealing, directly addressing the appearance issue while maintaining the functional integrity of the button body.
2Productivity
If G-buttons are placed earlier to prevent malnutrition, then nutritional support is improved, but the negative psychological impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
By applying colorful designs, cartoons, and decorative patterns to the G-button cover, the psychological impact is reduced. The cheerful appearance makes the device more acceptable to patients, especially children, allowing earlier placement without the negative psychological burden of a plain medical device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful psychological impact of a visible medical device into a benefit by using decorative covers. The unsightly appearance is transformed into an appealing design, turning the negative association with feeding tubes into a positive or neutral experience that facilitates earlier placement.
3Measurement precision
If feeding instructions are displayed on the G-button, then feeding accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding instruction display is segmented into removable stickers or labels that can be applied to the G-button cover. This allows feeding information to be displayed without permanently modifying the device structure. The instructions can be changed by simply replacing the sticker, maintaining simplicity while improving feeding accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Feeding instructions are prepared in advance as pre-printed stickers or labels that can be directly applied to the G-button. This preliminary preparation of information allows accurate feeding instructions to be displayed without complex real-time processing or device modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A accessory mounting system for use with gastrostomy buttons is herein described. The system consists of an accessory mounting platform and a cap that is able to be manually attached and detached from the accessory mounting platform. The accessory mounting platform can be integrally mounted to either the keeper strap or the head of the gastrostomy button, or it can be attached to the keeper strap of an existing gastrostomy button using a clip integrally attached to its underside.