Oral Hydration System with Backflow-Prevention Bite Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical patients with limited or no arm mobility face dehydration challenges due to inability to hold cups or straws, leading to reliance on others for hydration and potential spills, which complicates care and linen changes.

Innovation Solution

An oral hydration system featuring a hydration water bladder with a semi-rigid boom and a backflow-prevention bite valve, allowing patients to sip fluids independently without spilling, with the system attachable to beds or stands for convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cup and straw are used for hydration, then patients can drink independently, but patients with limited arm mobility cannot hold the cup and may spill water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent hydration capabilityVSAvoiddehydration risk and spill control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patients to service themselves for hydration without requiring arm movement. The bite valve is activated by the patient's own biting action, and the flexible tube automatically delivers fluid from the bladder to the patient's mouth based on their suction, eliminating the need to hold a cup or straw.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible tube acts as an intermediary between the water bladder and the patient's mouth. This tube can be positioned to reach the patient's lips without requiring them to hold anything, and it delivers fluid directly when the patient creates suction, solving the problem of both independence and spill prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If another person holds the cup for the patient, then the patient can be hydrated, but it increases care complexity and requires staff time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydration assuranceVSAvoidcare procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transfers the hydration task from staff to the patient themselves. The patient activates the flow by biting the valve and receives fluid through the positioned tube, making staff intervention unnecessary while ensuring reliable hydration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bladder is pre-filled with water and the tube is pre-positioned to reach the patient's mouth before hydration begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for staff to continuously manage the cup during the hydration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid feed tube is used, then the tube maintains its position, but it cannot adapt to patient movement and may cause discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube position stabilityVSAvoidadaptation to patient movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The feed tube is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt its shape and position as the patient moves. The tube maintains connection between the bladder and patient's mouth through its flexibility, accommodating movement without causing discomfort or disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8328049B1Medical patient oral hydration system

Publication Date: 2012.12.11 MURRIETA EUGENE

AI summary

An oral hydration system includes a holster configured to be mounted to a mounting structure. A hydration liquid bladder is removably disposed in the holster. A feed tube has a proximal end communicating with the hydration liquid bladder. A backflow-prevention bite valve is coupled to a distal end of the feed tube.