Emergency Stop for Anal Irrigation Catheter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with disabilities such as spinal injuries or those who have undergone stomal surgery often experience faecal incontinence or constipation due to limited voluntary bowel control, making existing anal and stomal irrigation systems insecure and inconvenient to use, particularly in terms of controlling the irrigation process and managing the expandable retention element.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reservoir, catheter with an expandable retention element, a valve and tubing system, and a pump that allows for user-controlled irrigation, expansion, and purging of the retention element, featuring a reversible electric pump and a user-operable emergency stop for secure and convenient operation, with a graphical user interface for temperature management and system control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual irrigation system with an expandable retention element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling the irrigation process and managing the retention element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated pump system controlled by a microprocessor. The pump automatically inflates the retention element, delivers irrigation liquid, and deflates the element for removal, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of valves and timing sequences. This substitution of mechanical control with automated electronic control directly improves ease of operation while accepting increased device complexity through the addition of the pump and control system.
2Ease of operation
If the irrigation process is automated with a pump and control system, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor-based control system performs multiple functions: it controls the pump timing, manages the inflation/deflation sequences of the retention element, monitors the irrigation process, and provides user feedback through displays or interfaces. By consolidating these diverse control functions into a single multi-functional controller, the patent improves ease of operation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as one component handles multiple tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically execute the irrigation sequence without continuous user intervention. Once initiated, the microprocessor independently manages the pump operation, retention element inflation, irrigation delivery, and deflation timing. This self-service capability improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for the user to manually coordinate multiple steps, while the complexity is contained within the automated control system rather than requiring complex user actions.
3Productivity
If the retention element is kept inflated for longer periods, then the irrigation effectiveness improves, but the loss of time increases due to longer catheter removal time
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic action by automatically deflating the retention element at predetermined time intervals during the irrigation process. The microprocessor controls the pump to periodically reduce the pressure in the retention element, allowing the catheter to be safely removed at these intervals. This periodic deflation strategy optimizes the balance between maintaining sufficient inflation time for effective irrigation and enabling timely catheter removal, thereby improving productivity while minimizing time loss.
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 system enhances user control and comfort by allowing precise management of the irrigation process, reducing discomfort and improving security through controlled expansion and purging of the retention element, minimizing catheter removal time, and providing a cost-effective solution with tactile feedback and intuitive operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operable to pump the irrigating liquid from the reservoir to the catheter tip
Implementation Method 2
pump the irrigating liquid into the expandable retention element for expansion thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A system for anal and/or stomal irrigation comprises a reservoir (102) for an irrigating liquid, a catheter (100) comprising a catheter tip for insertion into the rectum and/or stoma of a user and for expelling of the irrigating liquid from the catheter tip, the catheter further comprising an expandable retention element (104), such as a balloon. A pump (101) is provided to pump the irrigating liquid from the reservoir to the catheter tip, and a user-operable control interface (123;125) comprising a dedicated emergency stop zone (125) is provided for receiving user input to withdraw the irrigating liquid from the retention element (100) for purging thereof in any operational state of the system.