Ostomy Base Plates with Selective Sensor Points for Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances lack effective methods for reliably detecting and monitoring moisture propagation and leakage, leading to potential skin damage and appliance failure.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy system with a base plate and sensor assembly that includes a first adhesive layer with sensor point openings and electrodes, configured to detect moisture propagation and leakage through changes in resistance or capacitance, coupled with a monitor device for real-time monitoring and alerting the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ostomy appliances without sensors are used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability of leakage detection is insufficient and measurement precision of moisture propagation is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into multiple functional layers including adhesive layer, sensor layer, and barrier layer. Sensors are segmented into multiple discrete sensing elements distributed across the base plate surface, allowing localized moisture detection without requiring a complex unified sensor system. This segmentation enables reliable leakage detection while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer serves multiple functions: detecting moisture propagation, identifying leakage locations, and monitoring adhesive integrity. The electrodes in the sensor layer can function both as sensing elements and as conductive pathways for signal transmission. This multi-functionality improves detection reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a comprehensive sensor system with multiple electrodes is implemented, then measurement precision of moisture propagation improves, but the ease of manufacture decreases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layer is combined with the adhesive layer into a single integrated structure, where the adhesive layer contains embedded electrodes and conductive pathways. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensor assembly steps, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving precise moisture detection through the distributed electrode network. The stoma opening and sensor points are co-formed in a single manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system uses localized sensing zones rather than uniform coverage. Electrodes are strategically positioned at specific radial distances and angular positions around the stoma opening to detect moisture propagation at critical locations. This local quality approach provides high measurement precision for leakage detection while reducing the total number of sensors needed, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
3Measurement precision
If selective sensor points are positioned at specific radial distances, then detection accuracy of leakage locations improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layer and adhesive layer are pre-assembled with electrodes positioned at predetermined radial distances and angular positions before final attachment to the skin. The stoma opening template is used during manufacturing to ensure accurate positioning of sensor points relative to the stoma location. This preliminary action approach maintains manufacturing precision requirements at acceptable levels while achieving accurate leakage location detection during use.
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 reliable detection of moisture propagation and leakage, providing timely alerts to prevent skin damage and appliance failure, ensuring the ostomy appliance remains effective and secure.
Implementation Method 1
configured to detect moisture propagation and leakage through changes in resistance or capacitance
Implementation Method 2
configured to detect moisture propagation and leakage through changes in resistance or capacitance
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of a base plate and/or a sensor assembly part of an ostomy appliance including selective sensor points are disclosed. The base plate and/or the sensor assembly part comprises: a proximal surface and a plurality of electrodes located distally of the proximal surface. The proximal surface is configured to be attached to a skin surface of a user, and comprises a plurality of sensor point openings arranged circumferentially around a center point at respective radial distances. The plurality of electrodes comprises a first leakage electrode and a second leakage electrode. A sensing part of the first leakage electrode aligns with a first sensor point opening of the plurality of sensor point openings. And, a sensing part of the second leakage electrode aligns with a second sensor point opening of the plurality of sensor point openings to form a leak sensor.