Ostomy Appliance Drain Notch for Compact Re-Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainable ostomy appliances face issues with re-sealability and bulkiness due to the addition of pursing strips, leading to potential leaks, hygienic risks, and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The ostomy appliance incorporates a pursing strip with a transverse edge and a notch spanning at least half of its width, allowing for effective separation and re-sealing of the drain without adding bulk, using flexible materials like HDPE or polystyrene for the strips and LDPE or EVA for the walls, with optional lines of weakness for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pursing strips are added to provide rigid structure for re-sealing the drain, then re-sealability is improved, but the drain becomes bulkier and less comfortable for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The drain is divided into multiple walls (first wall, second wall, third wall, fourth wall) that can be separately manipulated. The pursing strips are positioned at specific segments (distal ends of walls) to provide localized rigidity for sealing, while the rest of the drain maintains flexibility and minimal bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigidity is applied locally at the distal ends of the drain walls where pursing strips are positioned, rather than making the entire drain rigid. This allows the sealing function to be enhanced at critical locations while the rest of the drain remains flexible and comfortable for the user.
2Ease of operation
If pursing strips with intrinsic curvature are used to separate the drain for opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the drain size increases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The drain walls are designed to be dynamically movable relative to each other. The proximal ends of the walls can be moved apart to open the drain and brought together to close it. This dynamic movement allows easy operation without requiring permanent structural additions that would increase size.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening mechanism utilizes movement in a different dimension - the walls move apart laterally at their proximal ends rather than requiring the pursing strips to have intrinsic curvature that protrudes outward. This dimensional change allows opening functionality without increasing the drain's external dimensions.
3Productivity
If multiple use cycles are performed, then productivity is improved, but the internal walls become wet and stick together making opening difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the internal walls and relocated to external pursing strips positioned at the distal ends of the walls. By taking the sealing mechanism out of the internal wall structure and placing it on the external surface, the internal walls remain separate and do not stick together during multiple use cycles, maintaining ease of opening.
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy appliance comprises a pouch and a drain. The drain is formed of two walls attached to one another lateral edges to define a channel therebetween and comprises pursing strips to separate the walls when compressed in a direction perpendicular to the lateral edges of the drain. A pursing strip comprises a transverse edge perpendicular to the lateral edges and the transverse edge comprises a notch spanning at least half of the transverse edge. A pursing strip may comprise a line of weakness. The line of weakness may span between side edges of the pursing strip. The line of weakness may be curved. A pursing strip may comprise two converging lines of weakness spanning between upper and lower edges of the pursing strip. The drain may comprise two or three pursing strips. A gap may be provided between pursing strips.