Ostomy Base Plate Moisture Sensor via Resistance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ostomy systems lack effective methods for reliably determining the nature, severity, and rapidness of moisture propagation in adhesive materials, leading to inadequate leakage detection and potential skin damage.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy system comprising a base plate with integrated sensor assembly and a monitor device that measures resistances between electrodes to detect moisture content and leakage, providing real-time data on adhesive layer condition and impending leakage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ostomy systems are used without integrated sensors, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of moisture content and leakage detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (moisture detection, temperature sensing, adhesive erosion monitoring) into a single integrated sensor assembly that is applied directly to the base plate. This merging approach enables precise measurement of moisture content and leakage conditions while maintaining a unified, manageable device structure rather than separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects moisture content in the adhesive layer, monitors temperature, identifies leakage events, and tracks adhesive erosion. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring capability without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one integrated assembly performs all sensing tasks.
2Reliability
If frequent monitoring of adhesive layer condition is implemented, then the reliability of leakage detection is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs measurements periodically rather than continuously, with the monitor device checking resistance values at scheduled intervals. This periodic monitoring maintains reliable detection capability for leakage and adhesive erosion while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring, as the electronic components are activated only when needed.
3Loss of time
If early detection of moisture propagation is enabled, then the loss of time for replacement decision is reduced, but the measurement precision requirements increase to distinguish early moisture from normal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes baseline resistance measurements when the adhesive layer is known to be intact and dry. These preliminary measurements serve as reference values that enable the system to detect even minor deviations indicating early moisture intrusion. By having pre-established benchmarks, the system can identify early-stage moisture propagation with high precision and provide timely replacement alerts.
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
Enables timely replacement of ostomy appliances, reducing the risk of severe leakage and skin damage by accurately monitoring adhesive layer performance and moisture propagation patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the monitor device is configured to measure resistances between pair of electrodes, and determine moisture content of the first adhesive layer at each of the one or more sensing zones based on the measured one or more resistances
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy system configured to detect moisture content in a base plate or a sensor assembly part of the ostomy system, the ostomy system comprising the base plate and/or a sensor assembly part and a monitor device. The base plate or the sensor assembly part includes a first adhesive layer, a plurality of electrodes, and one or more sensing zones each covering one of one or more regions of the first adhesive layer, each of the one or more sensing zones including at least two of the plurality of electrodes. The monitor device is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes of the base plate or the sensor assembly part and configured to measure one or more resistances in the one or more sensing zones between the plurality of electrodes, each of the one or more resistances measured by two of the plurality of electrodes at one of the one or more sensing zones, and determine moisture content of the first adhesive layer at each of the one or more sensing zones based on the measured one or more resistances.