Ostomy Bag Finger Probe and Locking Ring Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy bags face issues with blockages, leakage during changing, and the need for frequent skin preparation, which complicates the process and is not adequately addressed by current designs.
Innovation Solution
An improved ostomy bag design featuring a finger probe for clearing blockages, a stoma port with a locking ring for secure attachment, antimicrobial materials, and a sealing system that includes a locking cap and stoma bag for facilitating easy changes without leakage, using antimicrobial silver and a sealing ring for comfort and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional ostomy bag design is used, then the bag can collect waste from the stoma, but blockages occur and require frequent manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-attached finger probe that extends into the bag interior before use. This preliminary configuration allows the patient to easily clear blockages by inserting their finger through the probe, eliminating the need for separate clearing tools or procedures and preventing waste accumulation that causes blockages.
2Reliability
If the ostomy bag is changed frequently to maintain hygiene, then skin preparation is required each time, but this complicates the process and increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ostomy system into separate components: a reusable stoma port that remains attached to the skin with the stoma bag that can be independently changed. This segmentation allows the bag to be replaced without removing or re-preparing the stoma port, eliminating the need for frequent skin preparation while maintaining hygiene through regular bag changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The stoma port is pre-attached to the skin with adhesive and includes a pre-configured sealing mechanism. This preliminary setup creates a stable base that remains in place during bag changes, eliminating the need for repeated skin preparation and reducing the time required for each bag change while maintaining hygiene standards.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment system is used to prevent leakage, then the attachment mechanism becomes more complex, but simple designs may leak during changing
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into a stoma port with external threads and a locking ring with corresponding internal threads. This segmentation allows for a straightforward threaded connection that provides secure attachment without complex mechanisms, while the modular design enables easy assembly and disassembly during bag changes without risking leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an o-ring as an intermediary sealing element between the stoma port and locking ring. This simple rubber seal provides effective leakage prevention through its elastic sealing properties, avoiding the need for complex gasket systems or multiple sealing layers while ensuring reliability during bag changes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial materials are incorporated to enhance hygiene, then the material selection and manufacturing become more complex, but this improves patient safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates antimicrobial silver particles into the polymer matrix of the bag and stoma port materials. This composite material approach provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection against bacterial contamination while using well-established manufacturing processes for composite polymers, avoiding excessive complexity in material selection and fabrication.
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 improved ostomy bag effectively addresses blockages and leakage issues, providing a secure, comfortable, and hygienic solution for patients by allowing easy manipulation of the stoma, secure attachment, and reduced skin preparation during changes, while utilizing antimicrobial materials for enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
a locking ring for sealing the opening in the bag member to the stoma port
Implementation Method 2
The locking ring may comprise at least one locking tab for engaging at least one locking recess disposed on the stoma port
Implementation Method 3
An o-ring may be disposed on one of the first and second mating surfaces
Implementation Method 4
The ostomy bag may be formed of an antimicrobial material, and the antimicrobial material may comprise silver
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy bag for receiving waste from a patient's stoma. The ostomy bag may include a finger probe for allowing a user to manually manipulate the stoma to clear blockages of the stoma. The ostomy bag may also include a stoma port for attachment to the patient's skin surrounding the stoma. A mating collar on the ostomy bag sealingly attaches the ostomy bag to the stoma port using a convenient quarter turn connection.