Ostomy Drain Assembly With Flexible Conduit for Discreet Urine Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ostomy bags lack convenience, discretion, and accuracy in urine waste disposal, requiring users to manually empty the bag while exposed and risking spillage.
Innovation Solution
A drain assembly with a flexible conduit and discharge valve that allows for discreet and controlled urine waste disposal, enabling users to position the discharge valve outside their clothing for accurate emptying into various receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a short valve or plug (about 1/2 inch) is used at the bottom of the bag, then the device complexity is reduced, but the discharge precision deteriorates resulting in spillage and mess
Solution Approach 1:
The drain assembly is segmented into multiple components: a connector that attaches to the ostomy bag, a flexible conduit that extends from the connector, and a discharge valve positioned at the distal end of the conduit. This segmentation allows the valve to be positioned away from the bag body, enabling precise discharge control while keeping the bag compact.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible conduit acts as an intermediary element between the ostomy bag connector and the discharge valve. This intermediary allows the valve to be positioned at an optimal distance for accurate discharge while maintaining flexibility for user movement and positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If the valve is positioned inside the clothing for discretion, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the discharge accuracy deteriorates making it difficult to aim at disposal location
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible conduit provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the discharge valve to be extended outside the clothing during discharge operations for accurate aiming, and retracted or concealed during non-discharge periods for discretion and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible conduit adds a spatial dimension between the bag and the valve, allowing the valve to be positioned in three-dimensional space outside the clothing during discharge, while the bag itself remains concealed within the clothing for discretion.
3Ease of operation
If the bag is pulled out from clothing to be emptied, then the discharge is simplified, but the user privacy deteriorates requiring exposure while standing or sitting
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge valve is extracted from the bag body and positioned at the end of a flexible conduit, allowing the valve to be separately positioned outside the clothing for discharge while the bag itself remains concealed within the clothing, eliminating the need to expose or remove the entire bag.
4Measurement precision
If a long flexible conduit is used to position the valve outside clothing, then the discharge precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible conduit made of elastomeric material is used instead of rigid tubing, allowing the conduit to bend and flex as needed while maintaining its length. This flexibility reduces the perceived complexity by allowing the conduit to be stored compactly when not in use while maintaining sufficient length for accurate discharge positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain assembly for use with an ostomy bag and an ostomy bag arrangement utilizing a drain assembly to drain urine. The drain assembly includes a connector configured to attach to the ostomy bag. The drain assembly is configured to permit an ostomy bag wearer to position the discharge valve into a discharge position outside of the ostomy bag wearer's clothing for discharge of urine waste from the ostomy bag.