Integrated Ostomy Garment with Internal Pocket Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy belts and garments are impractical, uncomfortable, and cause pain and discomfort due to the weight of the ostomy bag pulling on the stoma, leading to skin abrasion and potential detachment, and they often require removal for bag access, compromising the wearer's quality of life and confidence.
Innovation Solution
An integrated medical garment with a connected upper and lower portion, featuring internal pockets for secure ostomy bag containment, compression waistbands for hernia support, and discreet access points, designed to distribute weight and prevent bag shifting, allowing for continuous wear without additional belts or shields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ostomy bag is taped directly to the abdomen, then the bag can be securely held, but the weight of the filled bag pulls on the skin causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ostomy bag from direct contact with the skin by placing it inside an internal pocket of the garment. The bag is extracted from the harmful direct-tape-to-skin configuration and positioned within the pocket structure, eliminating skin abrasion and pain while maintaining secure containment through the pocket's confinement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal pocket acts as an intermediary structure between the ostomy bag and the wearer's body. Instead of taping the bag directly to skin, the pocket provides a mediating containment space that distributes weight to the garment structure rather than concentrating force on the skin, thereby reducing pain and discomfort.
2Reliability
If an ostomy belt is worn around the waist to hold the bag, then the bag can be supported, but the belt slips downward as the bag fills, causing skin abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ostomy bag containment function with the garment structure itself. The internal pocket is integrated into the garment body, combining the support and containment functions into a unified structure that eliminates the need for separate belts, preventing belt slippage and associated skin abrasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the bag-holding function from the traditional external belt system and relocates it within the garment's internal structure. By placing the bag inside the internal pocket rather than relying on an external belt, the harmful slippage and abrasion problems are eliminated while maintaining reliable support.
3Reliability
If a hernia belt is worn to support abdominal muscles, then hernia prevention is improved, but the ostomy bag must be pressed between the belt and abdomen causing sweat and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the ostomy bag is placed inside the internal pocket, which is itself integrated into the garment. This nested arrangement allows the bag to be contained within the garment structure rather than being pressed externally, eliminating the sweat and discomfort caused by compression between belt and abdomen while maintaining hernia support through the garment's compression waistband.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional garments are worn, then normal appearance is maintained, but the garment must be removed to access the ostomy bag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the garment into functional zones, including an internal pocket with accessible opening and a compression waistband. The segmentation allows the bag to be accessed through the pocket opening without removing the entire garment, maintaining normal appearance while providing ease of access to the ostomy bag.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated ostomy garment is disclosed. The garment includes a first upper layer having a shoulder portion and an internal pocket on the front side of the first upper layer. The internal pocket is capable of supporting an ostomy bag when the garment is worn and is accessible externally via side openings in the side seams of the first upper layer. The garment further includes a second upper layer connected to the first upper layer, also having a shoulder portion, as well as a lower portion. The garment further includes a waist portion connected to the second upper layer and the lower layer, which includes one or more apertures for accessing the wearer's stoma and through which the wearer's ostomy bag is placed when the garment is worn. The waist portion may further include one or more retention elements for supporting the ostomy bag, and may function as hernia belt.