Ostomy Coupler Locking Rim for Secure, Leak-Resistant Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy devices face issues with the production of thin-film membranes that are prone to air bubbles and foreign particulates, leading to pinholes and leaks, and the handling of these membranes during assembly is challenging, resulting in significant scrap and discomfort due to direct reaction forces during decoupling and recoupling.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly with a body side coupler and a bag side coupler, featuring a locking rim and shelf mechanism, an accordion membrane, and a deflectable seal, which increases the decoupling force required by applying a pulling force on the ostomy bag, thereby reducing unintentional uncoupling and enhancing comfort and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pulling force is applied to the ostomy bag, then the decoupling force required to uncouple the male portion from the female receiver increases, but the device complexity increases due to the locking rim and shelf mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking rim and locking shelf act as intermediary elements between the male and female coupler portions. These intermediate structures facilitate the increased decoupling force requirement by providing mechanical engagement surfaces that must be actively disengaged, thereby preventing unintentional uncoupling while maintaining a relatively simple overall coupling design.
2Ease of operation
If thin-film membranes are used in the coupler assembly, then the device flexibility and comfort are improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to air bubbles and foreign particulates causing pinholes and leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler assembly incorporates thin-film membranes that provide flexibility and comfort to the device. The patent acknowledges the manufacturing challenges associated with thin films (air bubbles, foreign particulates, pinholes) but proceeds to use them despite these issues, relying on the functional benefits of flexibility and comfort that the thin-film structure provides.
3Ease of operation
If the coupler assembly is designed for easy handling during assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in significant scrap
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler assembly is divided into separate male and female portions that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows for easier handling during assembly while the locking rim and shelf mechanism provide alignment features that help maintain manufacturing precision despite the ease of handling design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is a coupler assembly for an ostomy appliance. The coupler assembly has a body side coupler defining a female receiver and configured to be selectably coupled to a user and a bag side coupler defining a male portion sized to be selectively coupled to the female receiver of the body side coupler, the bag side coupler configured to be coupled to an ostomy bag. When the male portion is coupled to the female receiver providing, a pulling force on the ostomy bag increases a decoupling force required to uncouple the male portion from the female receiver relative to when the male portion is coupled to the female receiver in a neutral state.