Ostomy Bag Adhesive Flange Design for Flexible Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ostomy bags with mechanical coupling rings are stiff and uncomfortable to wear, making them less flexible and difficult to separate and replace, especially for users with impaired dexterity, and require additional steps for disposal, risking contact with fecal waste.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy bag assembly with an adhesive flange featuring a polymeric backing film and bioadhesive, where the outer bag is detachably bonded using a multilayer polymeric annular bonding element and the inner bag is secured with a pressure-sensitive adhesive, allowing for easy peeling and disposal without overlapping attachment zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical coupling rings are used to attach the inner and outer bags to the adhesive flange, then secure attachment is achieved, but the appliance becomes stiffer and less flexible, making it uncomfortable to wear and difficult to separate and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling ring system with an adhesive bonding system. The inner and outer bags are attached to the adhesive flange using adhesive bonds instead of mechanical snap-fit connections. This substitution eliminates the stiffness and complexity associated with mechanical rings while maintaining secure attachment and improving flexibility and ease of separation.
2Reliability
If coupling rings are placed relatively close together to secure both bags, then attachment security is improved, but separation and replacement become difficult, especially for people with impaired manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment zones for the inner and outer bags on the adhesive flange. The inner bag is attached at a first attachment zone and the outer bag at a second attachment zone, with the zones arranged to be spaced apart rather than overlapping. This segmentation allows users to separate and replace bags more easily by providing clear spatial separation between attachment points.
3Strength
If coupling rings are used to connect the bags, then mechanical attachment is achieved, but additional removal steps are required prior to disposal, increasing the risk of contact with fecal waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling ring system with adhesive bonding. The inner and outer bags are attached using adhesive bonds that can be easily broken by peeling, eliminating the need for additional mechanical removal steps before disposal. This reduces the risk of contact with fecal waste during the disposal process.
4Ease of operation
If adhesive bonding is used to secure the bags to the flange, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but attachment strength may be reduced compared to mechanical couplings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite adhesive system consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the adhesive flange. This adhesive layer provides both strong attachment strength and flexibility. The adhesive material is engineered to balance these properties, ensuring secure attachment while maintaining the flexibility and comfort needed for wearability.
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 solution provides a comfortable, flexible ostomy bag assembly that is easier to use and dispose of, reducing the risk of contact with fecal waste and simplifying the disposal process by allowing manual peeling without reattachment, while ensuring secure attachment and waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
the inner bag is secured to a second attachment zone on the polymeric backing film of the flange by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive
Implementation Method 2
the second ethylene vinyl acetate layer is welded to the outer bag
Implementation Method 3
the first ethylene vinyl acetate layer is bonded to the polymeric backing film of the flange by means of the coating of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an ostomy bag assembly including an outer bag and an inner bag secured to one side of a flange. The inner bag is removable to facilitate disposal. The flange has a polymeric backing film and a layer of bioadhesive for securing the ostomy bag assembly to the body of a patient. The flange includes an orifice to enable bodily waste to be received by the inner bag. The outer bag is detachably bonded to a first attachment zone on the flange and the inner bag is secured to a second attachment zone on the flange. The outer bag is mounted to the flange by an annular bonding element is formed from a multilayer polymeric material comprising first and second ethylene vinyl acetate layers and a polymeric support layer interposed there between. A method of fabricating ostomy bags is also provided.