Ostomy Base Plate Electrode Layout for Early Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances lack effective mechanisms for detecting and classifying leakage, leading to potential adhesive failure, leakage, and skin damage, with users often changing the appliance too late or not being adequately informed about impending leakage.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy system with a base plate and sensor assembly featuring a first adhesive layer and multiple electrodes to detect fluid presence in specific sensing zones, coupled with a monitor device to provide real-time leakage indicators, enabling timely replacement and reducing skin damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no leakage detection mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of leakage detection is poor leading to adhesive failure and skin damage
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into multiple sensing zones (first sensing zone, second sensing zone, third sensing zone) with different electrode configurations. Each zone independently detects leakage at different stages, enabling progressive monitoring from early fluid presence to advanced leakage detection, thus improving reliability without requiring a single complex detection system
Solution Approach 2:
The first sensing zone with first and second electrodes detects fluid presence between the adhesive layer and skin before significant leakage occurs. This preliminary detection allows users to change the appliance proactively before adhesive failure or skin damage happens, improving reliability through early warning
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensing zones with multiple electrodes are used, then the measurement precision of leakage detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into three distinct sensing zones, each with specific electrode pairs (first and second electrodes for first zone, first and third electrodes for second zone, second and third electrodes for third zone). This segmentation allows precise localization and classification of leakage patterns while maintaining modular electrode configurations that don't excessively increase complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The same base plate structure serves multiple functions: it provides adhesive attachment, contains embedded electrodes for detection, and defines multiple sensing zones. The electrode assembly integrates detection capabilities into the existing base plate, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
3Loss of time
If real-time leakage monitoring is implemented, then the loss of time for detecting leakage is reduced, but the use of energy by the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitor device performs measurements at predefined measurement times and provides updates at scheduled intervals. This periodic monitoring approach enables timely leakage detection while conserving energy by not requiring continuous active sensing, balancing the trade-off between detection speed and energy consumption
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 system provides reliable detection and classification of leakage patterns, allowing users to manage appliance use effectively, reducing the risk of leakage and skin damage while ensuring comfort and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electrodes is configured to detect presence of fluid on the proximal side in a primary sensing zone and a secondary sensing zone
Data Source
AI summary
A base plate and/or a sensor assembly part for an ostomy appliance and related method is disclosed, the base plate and/or the sensor assembly part comprising: a first adhesive layer with a proximal side configured for attachment of the base plate and/or the sensor assembly part to the skin surface of a user, the first adhesive layer having a stomal opening with a center point; and a plurality of electrodes including a first leakage electrode, a second leakage electrode, and a third leakage electrode, wherein the plurality of electrodes is configured to detect presence of fluid on the proximal side of the first adhesive layer in a primary sensing zone and a secondary sensing zone, the primary sensing zone arranged in a primary angle space from the center point of the first adhesive layer and the secondary sensing zone arranged in a secondary angle space from the center point of the first adhesive layer.