Ostomy Adapter Floatable Coupling Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy coupling systems with flexible collars, designed to reduce discomfort during post-operative care, result in larger, higher-profile appliances and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for separate designs for floatable and non-floatable coupling features, leading to inventory and cost burdens for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
An adapter that provides a floatable coupling characteristic for ostomy body fitments with non-floatable coupling parts, allowing a standard body fitment to be used with the adapter to achieve floatable functionality, reducing the need for multiple inventory and manufacturing costs by enabling a single type of body fitment to meet different user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible collar is permanently secured between the adhesive wafer and the coupling part to provide floatable coupling characteristic, then discomfort during post-operative care is reduced, but the appliance size increases and profile becomes higher
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate components: a body fitment with a non-floatable coupling part and a separate adapter with a floatable coupling part. This segmentation allows the floatable characteristic to be added only where needed without affecting the entire appliance structure, thereby reducing overall size compared to integrating the flexible collar into the body fitment itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the body fitment and the appliance coupling part. It provides the floatable coupling characteristic through its flexible collar while maintaining a compact structure, thus mediating between the need for comfort and the desire for minimal appliance size.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible collar is permanently secured between the adhesive wafer and the coupling part to provide floatable coupling characteristic, then discomfort during post-operative care is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter with floatable coupling part serves multiple functions: it provides the flexible collar for post-operative care comfort, acts as a coupling mechanism, and can be used with different appliance types. This multi-functionality reduces the need to manufacture separate body fitments for different applications, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the floatable coupling characteristic into a separate adapter component rather than integrating it into the body fitment, the manufacturer can produce a single type of body fitment and attach the floatable adapter only when needed, reducing inventory complexity and manufacturing costs.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible collar is explicitly provided to allow the pouch to float away from the surface of the wafer, then the coupling part can be manually supported, but the appliance tends to sag away from the adhesive wafer
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible collar provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the coupling part to move freely in the axial direction for manual support while maintaining radial stability through the rigid coupling structures. This dynamic characteristic enables manual support without causing the appliance to sag away from the adhesive wafer.
4Adaptability or versatility
If different types of body fitment are manufactured with and without floatable coupling feature to accommodate customer preferences, then customer preferences for post-operative care and everyday use are met, but inventory burden and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter with floatable coupling part is designed to be universally compatible with standard body fitments. This allows a single body fitment design to serve multiple purposes: direct attachment for everyday use and attachment with the floatable adapter for post-operative care, thereby meeting diverse customer preferences without increasing inventory burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The floatable coupling feature is segmented into a separate, attachable adapter rather than being integrated into the body fitment. This allows customers to select and attach the floatable adapter only when needed for post-operative care, while using the standard body fitment for everyday use, thus reducing inventory requirements.
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 adapter enhances the versatility of ostomy equipment, reduces inventory and manufacturing costs, and maintains a low profile while providing the desired floatable coupling feature when needed, without increasing the appliance's size or profile significantly.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible collar between the first and second coupling parts. The flexible collar permits the second coupling part to be displaced away from the first coupling part
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter is disclosed for an ostomy coupling. The adapter provides a floatable coupling characteristic to an ostomy body fitment that has a non-floatable coupling part. The adapter comprises a first coupling part for attaching to the non-floating coupling part of the body fitment, a second coupling part for releasably attaching to an ostomy appliance, and a flexible collar between the first and second coupling parts. The flexible collar permits the second coupling part to be displaced away from the first coupling part, thereby creating a space for an ostomate to manually brace the second coupling part against an attachment force when an appliance is fitted.