Ostomy Appliance Modular Cap Wafer Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ostomy devices lack a seamless integration of caps and wafers, leading to complex and costly production, limited user options, and increased user effort in attaching separate components, which can be cumbersome for individuals with poor motor skills or preferences for specific components.

Innovation Solution

An ostomy appliance system that couples a cap to an ostomy wafer through an adaptable mechanism, allowing for temporary or permanent attachment, with a sealing system to prevent gas and waste leakage, and incorporating a flushing mechanism for hygiene and irrigation, enabling the use of uncoordinated cap and wafer designs for reduced production costs and enhanced user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate cap and wafer components are used in existing ostomy devices, then users have limited options and production is complex and costly, but this also increases user effort in attaching components and is cumbersome for individuals with poor motor skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser options for componentsVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ostomy device is divided into separate functional modules: a wafer module with adhesive skin barrier and a cap module with pouch attachment. These modular components can be independently manufactured, selected, and attached, providing users with options while simplifying production through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ostomy device is designed with universal attachment mechanisms that allow different cap designs to be compatible with different wafer designs. The standardized interface enables one wafer to work with multiple cap types and vice versa, expanding user options without proportionally increasing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate cap and wafer components are used in existing ostomy devices, then production costs increase, but this also increases user effort in attaching components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoiduser effort in attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wafer and cap components are pre-assembled with their respective attachment mechanisms during manufacturing. The adhesive layer is pre-applied to the wafer and the pouch attachment mechanism is pre-installed on the cap, eliminating the need for users to perform complex assembly operations and reducing attachment effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A standardized interface mechanism serves as an intermediary between the wafer and cap components. This intermediate attachment system simplifies the user's task by providing a clear, intuitive connection method while allowing flexible component selection and independent manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing ostomy devices lack seamless integration of caps and wafers, then production is complex and costly, but this also limits user options and increases attachment effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent compatibilityVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device utilizes parameter standardization in the attachment interface, allowing different components with varying parameters (size, shape, material) to be compatible through standardized connection parameters. This enables seamless integration of diverse cap and wafer designs without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2846746B1Ostomy appliance
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 B BRAUN MEDICAL SAS
  • EP2846746B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2846746B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2846746B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

An ostomy appliance (100) comprising an adaptor (108) having a distal end (124) adapted to be coupled to an ostomy wafer (102) and a proximal end (120) adapted to be coupled to a cap (110), said distal end having an opening (126) in fluid communication with an opening (122) in said proximal end.