Ostomy Guide Plate Stoma Assessment Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Healthcare professionals face challenges in determining whether a flat or convex ostomy solution is required for patients with stomas that do not sufficiently protrude beyond the abdominal skin or have lacking muscle rigidity, as existing convex baseplates are not suitable for assessing stomal configuration.

Innovation Solution

A set of ostomy guide plates with a convex protrusion and aperture, designed for direct skin contact, allowing healthcare professionals to assess the stoma's circumference and depth, and featuring transparent or translucent material for clear visibility, color coding for product selection, and stackable design for convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing convex baseplates are used, then a fluid tight seal can be achieved for patients with non-protruding stomas, but the devices are not suitable for assessing stomal configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidassessment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified replica versions of convex baseplates with apertures that copy the essential geometric features (convex profile, diameter, depth) but remove the adhesive pouch attachment functionality. These replica guide plates serve purely as assessment tools, allowing healthcare professionals to evaluate stomal configuration without the complexity of full ostomy systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the measurement and assessment function from the complete convex baseplate system by removing the adhesive dressing and pouch components. The guide plates retain only the critical convex geometric features needed for assessment, separating the evaluation function from the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple convex baseplate sizes are available, then proper fit can be determined, but it remains difficult to select the correct configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct range varietyVSAvoidselection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the assessment process into discrete steps using a series of guide plates with progressively different dimensions. Each plate represents a specific size option, allowing systematic evaluation of different configurations rather than requiring simultaneous consideration of all possibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide plates enable preliminary assessment of stomal configuration before final product selection. By testing different convex profiles and apertures on the patient's stoma first, healthcare professionals can pre-determine the appropriate dimensions before committing to a specific ostomy product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Illumination intensity

If transparent materials are used for the guide plates, then clear visibility of the stoma is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddimensional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color coding on the guide plates to indicate different size specifications and configurations. This visual coding system provides immediate identification of plate dimensions without requiring precise visual measurement, compensating for any minor manufacturing tolerances in the transparent material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2787939B1Ostomy measuring tool
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED
  • EP2787939B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2787939B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2787939B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to ostomy appliances and more particularly to an ostomy guide plate for assessing the stomal and/or peristomal configuration of a patient comprising a distal face, a proximal face with a convex protrusion and an aperture in said convex protrusion, wherein the ostomy guide plate is adapted for disposition on the skin of the patient with the aperture positioned over the stoma. The disclosure further relates to a measuring tool comprising a plurality of said ostomy guide plates, wherein each plate is provided with at least one distinct dimensional parameter.