Ostomy Appliance Filter Channels for Reliable Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances face issues with stomal output gas accumulation leading to expansion and increased likelihood of movement or detachment, which can result in leaks or complete appliance detachment, due to blocked outlets and filters.
Innovation Solution
The ostomy appliance features a filter arrangement with a filter channel that includes bends to restrict the passage of solids and liquids, allowing stomal gas to vent effectively while preventing blockage, and includes a shield wall to direct output flow and maintain a clear gas pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an outlet and filter are provided for stomal gas venting, then gas accumulation is reduced, but the outlet and filter may become blocked by solids or liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The filter arrangement is divided into multiple filter channels, each handling a portion of the gas flow. This segmentation reduces the likelihood that all channels will be blocked simultaneously and allows for better distribution of the venting function across multiple pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective element is introduced as an intermediary component between the cavity and the filter outlet. This protective element prevents solids and liquids from directly contacting and blocking the filter channels, while still allowing gas to pass through to the outlet.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ostomy appliance is designed to be secure and comfortable, then fit stability is improved, but gas accumulation causes expansion and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The gas venting system is designed and positioned in advance within the appliance structure, with filter channels and outlets pre-configured to allow gas escape before significant accumulation occurs. This preliminary arrangement prevents the expansion and movement problems that would otherwise compromise fit stability.
3Reliability
If a filter arrangement is added to prevent blockage, then gas venting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter arrangement utilizes flexible filter walls that can be formed from thin film materials. These flexible structures provide effective filtration and channeling while maintaining a compact, low-complexity form factor that integrates smoothly with the overall appliance design.
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 effectively vents stomal gas without allowing solids or liquids to block the filter, maintaining appliance stability and reducing the risk of leaks or detachment, ensuring secure and comfortable fit.
Implementation Method 1
a filter arrangement which comprises a filter channel extending from a filter channel inlet to a filter channel outlet, wherein the filter channel extends around at least one bend for restricting the passage of solids and/or liquids
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy appliance having an appliance wall of flexible sheet material forming a cavity for containing a stomal output. The wall has a stomal inlet for receiving the stomal output and a gas vent for allowing the stomal gas to migrate out of the cavity. A filter arrangement is mounted to the appliance wall and has a filter channel extending from a filter channel inlet to a filter channel outlet. The filter channel inlet is located in the cavity for receiving the stomal output from the cavity and the filter channel outlet is mounted in communication with the gas vent for allowing stomal gas to migrate out of the filter channel to the gas vent. A separation element extends along the filter channel for maintaining the filter channel in an open configuration along part of the filter channel for allowing stomal gas to pass therethough.