Ostomy Barrier Seal With Conical Elastic Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ostomy barrier seals require adhesives, which can irritate the skin, are difficult to apply, and do not accommodate changes in stoma size or movement, leading to leakage and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting ostomy barrier seal made of thermoplastic elastomer with a conical base and flange portion that expands to fit snugly around the stoma without adhesives, accommodating various stoma sizes and movements, and includes a bellow for maintaining contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the barrier seal, then the seal adheres to the skin, but skin irritation occurs and removal is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive layer from the barrier seal design, extracting the harmful element while maintaining the sealing function through a purely mechanical elastic expansion mechanism that creates a seal without chemical bonding to the skin
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier seal utilizes its own elastic properties to create the seal automatically upon application, without requiring external adhesive agents. The elastic material expands and contracts to conform to the stoma shape, creating a self-adhering seal through mechanical means alone
2Reliability
If conventional barrier seal is applied, then it provides a seal, but it does not accommodate changes in stoma size or movement
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier seal employs an elastic material that dynamically adjusts its shape and size in response to stoma changes. The material can expand and contract, allowing the seal to adapt to varying stoma dimensions and movements while maintaining seal integrity through continuous mechanical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material changes its physical parameters (shape, volume, surface area) in response to stoma variations. This parameter change capability allows the seal to accommodate different stoma sizes and configurations without compromising the sealing function
3Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the barrier seal, then the seal remains in place, but application becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier seal applies itself to the stoma through elastic expansion and mechanical conforming, eliminating the need for adhesive application steps. The user simply places the elastic seal over the stoma, and its inherent elastic properties create the secure attachment automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the adhesive application process from the barrier seal system, extracting the complex steps of adhesive application, drying, and potential repositioning, thereby simplifying the overall application process while maintaining secure seal placement
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, secure, and leak-proof seal that eliminates skin irritation and the need for adhesives, allowing greater mobility and ease of use for ostomy patients by adapting to stoma changes and movements.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier seal of the invention is an elastomeric material which expands and/or constricts to snuggly fit around and seal along the stoma wall
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy barrier seal comprising an open-ended conical base 1; and a flange portion 2 extending radially from the base; wherein the conical base 1 has a top opening 3 and a bottom opening 5 for receiving a stoma of a user and the top opening diameter 9 is smaller than the bottom opening diameter 11; such that the stoma of the user fits through the bottom opening and the top opening expands to snuggly fit around and seal along the stoma wall; a related ostomy appliance incorporating the barrier seal; and a related method using the barrier seal to reduce the incidence of waste leakage in an ostomy patients.