Ostomy Appliance Outlet Graspable Member Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ostomy appliances often experience issues where the outlet wall becomes stuck due to vacuum, static adhesion, or waste accumulation, making it impossible to empty the appliance.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy appliance design featuring a user graspable member with a graspable portion and an attachment portion, positioned closer to the stoma-receiving opening, which assists in moving the outlet opening from a closed to an open position, along with stiffening members to facilitate easy operation and secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outlet wall is made flexible to enable closing, then the outlet can be sealed to prevent leakage, but the outlet wall becomes stuck to itself due to vacuum, static adhesion, or waste accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
A stiffening member is introduced as an intermediary element between the outlet wall and the graspable member. This stiffening member prevents the outlet wall from sticking to itself while allowing the graspable member to effectively open and close the outlet opening, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and ease of operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the outlet opening is positioned away from the user for hygiene, then contamination is reduced, but users with limited dexterity or visibility cannot easily locate and operate the opening
Solution Approach 1:
A graspable member serves as an intermediary between the user and the outlet opening. This graspable member is positioned at a location accessible to users with limited dexterity or visibility, while still effectively controlling the outlet opening that remains positioned away from the user for hygiene purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The graspable member is provided with tactile cues (such as raised features or contrasting textures) that enable users with limited visibility to easily locate and grasp it, thus improving accessibility without compromising hygiene
3Ease of operation
If the outlet wall is made stiff to prevent sticking, then adhesion issues are reduced, but the outlet cannot be properly closed to prevent leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a stiffening member that prevents sticking, an outlet wall that provides sealing, and a graspable member that enables operation. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between stiffness and flexibility
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
Enables easy and effective emptying of the ostomy appliance, even for users with limited dexterity or visibility, by providing a clear graspable area and tactile cues, reducing the risk of sticking issues.
Implementation Method 1
This may be caused by a vacuum within the ostomy appliance causing the outlet wall to stick to itself
Implementation Method 2
static adhesion of the outlet wall to itself
Data Source
AI summary
An ostomy appliance including:first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries;a stoma-receiving opening for receipt of a stoma;a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls wherein the stoma-receiving opening is fluidly connected to the collecting cavity;a connection member connected to the first and/or second wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user;an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening, the outlet including an outlet wall and terminating in an opening; anda user graspable member for assisting in moving the outlet opening from a first, closed, condition to a second, open, condition;wherein the user graspable member includes a graspable portion and an attachment portion, the attachment portion being positioned closer to the stoma-receiving opening than the graspable portion;wherein the attachment portion is attached to the outlet wall.