Ostomy Flange Extender with Segmented Tabs for Seal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ostomy flange extenders face distorting forces that compromise the seal between the ostomy pouch mounting disc and the patient's skin, leading to potential leakage due to shear forces and creasing, which existing arc-shaped flexible members are unable to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive securing member with a flexible arcuate membrane featuring independently movable tab portions and slits along its outer edge, allowing for increased flexibility and reduced shear forces, while maintaining adhesion to the skin and ostomy flange, and a banded configuration with reduced thickness at the outer edge for improved conformity to body contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible arcuate membrane is used to allow body movement, then adaptability to body contours is improved, but the membrane is susceptible to distorting forces that cause creasing and compromise the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into multiple independently movable tab portions separated by slits, allowing each tab to move and flex independently to accommodate body movements without creating creases that would compromise the seal
2Strength
If the membrane is made uniformly thick for strength, then structural integrity is improved, but flexibility and conformity to body contours are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane has varying thickness with a thicker central region for structural strength and a thinner outer border region for enhanced flexibility and conformity to body contours
3Ease of operation
If the outer edge of the membrane is made flexible to reduce pulling effects, then comfort is improved, but shear forces may lead to peeling and loss of adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The outer edge is segmented into multiple independently movable tabs that can flex without creating concentrated shear forces, preventing peeling while maintaining comfort
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 minimizes peeling and maintains a secure adhesion, reducing discomfort and leakage by accommodating body movements and maintaining a continuous seal, even under stretching and bending forces.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive surface for securing the membrane simultaneously to the skin of an ostomate and to an ostomy flange
Implementation Method 2
The independently movable tabs enable sections of the outer part of the membrane to flex independently to each other
Data Source
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AI summary
An adhesive flange extender for an ostomy flange comprises a flexible arcuate membrane having a radial inner edge, a radial outer edge, and an adhesive surface for securing the membrane simultaneously to the skin of an ostomate and to an ostomy flange. The membrane includes at least two independently movable tab portions at the radial outer edge of the membrane. The membrane further includes a central region and a border region that is thinner than the central region to provide increased flexibility at the periphery of the flange extender.