Sound Reducing Ostomy Bag Membrane Sandwich
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy bag systems fail to effectively reduce the audible noise caused by gas escaping from stomas, leading to user embarrassment and discomfort, particularly due to the lack of effective sound abatement solutions that are both comfortable and discreet.
Innovation Solution
A sound reducing ostomy bag assembly featuring a membrane sandwich with a proximal and distal membrane, where the distal membrane is more elastic and positioned to expand under pressure, creating a passage for waste materials through misaligned apertures, thereby reducing vibrations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a sound abatement device is developed to reduce stoma noise, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity and discomfort increase due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sound abatement function is merged with the existing ostomy bag system by integrating the membrane assembly directly into the bag structure. The proximal and distal membranes are positioned within the bag to form a sandwich structure that dampens stoma noise without requiring separate external hardware devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses flexible membrane structures (proximal and distal membranes) made of elastomeric materials to create a sound-dampening sandwich assembly. These thin film structures are integrated into the ostomy bag, providing noise reduction through their flexible, vibration-absorbing properties without adding rigid hardware components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If woven material is used for sound abatement, then noise reduction is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to pressure on the material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid or structured woven sound-dampening materials with flexible elastomeric membranes that can conform to the stoma and surrounding tissue. These thin film structures provide noise reduction while maintaining comfort by adapting to body movements and pressure changes without creating discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters from rigid woven structures to flexible elastomeric membranes with specific durometer values (e.g., 20-40 Shore A for proximal membrane, 10-30 Shore A for distal membrane). This parameter change allows the material to remain soft and comfortable while still providing effective sound dampening through vibration absorption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sound reducing device is integrated into the ostomy bag, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sound reducing device is implemented as a simple membrane sandwich structure consisting of two elastomeric membranes positioned facing each other within the existing bag. This approach provides noise reduction using only flexible film components without adding complex mechanical, electronic, or structural elements to the ostomy bag system.
4Ease of operation
If elastic membranes with apertures are used to allow waste passage, then ease of operation is improved, but sound reduction effectiveness may worsen due to potential noise from gas passage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the waste passage function and sound dampening function into a single integrated membrane sandwich structure. The apertures in both membranes allow waste to pass through while the sandwich configuration itself dampens the sound of gas passage, eliminating the need for separate noise reduction components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible elastomeric membranes with apertures provide both waste passage and sound dampening functions. The membranes' elastic properties allow them to flex and conform during waste passage while their layered sandwich structure absorbs and dampens the sound of gas moving through the apertures.
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 significantly attenuates stoma noise by shifting pressure gradients and reducing irritation, allowing users to maintain confidence and comfort in public settings with a discreet and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure gradient is established over the proximal and distal membrane, which forces the distal membrane towards the lumen of the bag thereby establishing passage through the apertures of the proximal and distal membrane
Implementation Method 2
the distal membrane is more elastic than the proximal membrane, which membranes are in contact with each other and close the opening of the bag
Implementation Method 3
The solution significantly attenuates stoma noise by shifting pressure gradients and reducing vibrations and noise
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
There is provided an ostomy bag assembly with sound reducing means composed of a proximal membrane and a distal membrane in immediate contact and with misaligned apertures that blocks the passage from the stoma to the lumen of the ostomy bag unless the membranes are expanded due to the pressure difference established when flatus gases escape the stoma.