Ostomy Pouching Device With Nested Inner Bag And Gas Tunnel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ostomy pouching methods face issues with leakage, odor, skin irritation, and social isolation due to insecure connections and frequent emptying requirements, impacting the quality of life for patients with ostomies.
Innovation Solution
An implantable ostomy pouching device with a container between the skin and abdominal muscle, featuring an inner bag for waste collection, a gas tunnel for gas removal, and a branched bowel connector with balloons for secure connection and optional reconnection of the bowels, allowing for independent gas exit and secure waste management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional ostomy bag is used connected to the bowel, then waste collection is achieved, but leakage and odor occur due to insecure connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where an inner bag is placed inside an outer pouch, both connected to the bowel. The inner bag can be emptied and replaced independently while the outer pouch remains in place, providing secure connection and preventing leakage. This nested configuration allows the inner components to be exchanged without removing the entire system, maintaining reliable bowel connection while eliminating leakage issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The ostomy device is divided into separate functional segments: an inner bag for waste collection, an outer pouch for support and gas venting, and a bowel connector. This segmentation allows the inner bag to be emptied and replaced independently, maintaining secure connection reliability while preventing leakage from the outer structure. The gas venting system is also segmented as a separate function to manage odor independently.
2Reliability
If an ostomy bag is positioned outside the abdomen and taped to skin, then waste collection is achieved, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the waste collection function (inner bag) from the skin contact function (outer pouch). The outer pouch is designed to remain in place on the skin with minimal irritation, while the inner bag that contacts bowel contents can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation reduces skin irritation by minimizing the frequency and extent of adhesive contact while maintaining secure waste collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer pouch serves as an intermediary between the bowel connection and the skin surface. It provides a stable, irritation-resistant interface that remains taped to the skin, while the inner bag that requires frequent changes is contained within this protective outer layer, reducing direct skin contact with irritants.
3Reliability
If a conventional ostomy bag is used, then waste collection is achieved, but frequent emptying and cleaning is required every several hours
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration allows the inner bag to be emptied and replaced through an opening in the outer pouch without removing the entire device from the body. This enables quick exchange of the waste-containing inner bag while the outer pouch remains in place, significantly reducing the time required for maintenance compared to removing and reapplying the entire ostomy system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with an accessible opening in the outer pouch that allows the inner bag to be easily accessed, emptied, and replaced. This preliminary design feature eliminates the need for complex disassembly and reassembly procedures, reducing the time and effort required for each emptying cycle.
4Reliability
If an ostomy bag is taped to the skin, then waste collection is achieved, but the connection is not 100% secure
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure provides multiple layers of connection security: the inner bag is securely connected to the bowel, the outer pouch is securely attached to the skin, and the inner bag is contained within the outer pouch. This multi-layered nested configuration ensures that even if one connection point experiences stress, the other layers maintain the seal, achieving 100% secure connection and preventing leakage.
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 device reduces leakage and odor issues, minimizes skin irritation, and enhances patient mobility and social interaction by providing a secure, efficient, and less frequent emptying solution, improving the quality of life for ostomy patients.
Implementation Method 1
The gas tunnel includes a gas entrance through which gas from within the container or inner bag enters the gas tunnel, and a gas exit through which the gas exits the container.
Implementation Method 2
The air in the container is displaced and exits the container as the inner bag expands with waste entering the inner bag.
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy pouching device for the removal of biological waste from a patient. An embodiment of an ostomy pouching device includes an outer container housing an inner bag for receiving waste from a patient's bowel. The device includes a bowel connector to connect the bowel to the inner bag. The outer container includes an air exit aperture through which air may exit the container as it is displaced as the inner bag expands, and a gas tunnel for removing gas from the inner bag.