Ostomy Pouch Outlet Opening With Foldable Reinforcing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy pouches are difficult for users with limited dexterity and strength to easily open and seal, leading to challenges in draining and disposing of bodily waste.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an opening system featuring deformable reinforcing members and fasteners that allow for easy manipulation, enabling the outlet to be flexibly opened and closed with a secure linkage, even by users with limited dexterity, using hook and loop fasteners and a security flap for closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the outlet is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the device can withstand higher pressures, but the outlet cannot be folded or compressed for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is constructed from flexible material that can be folded and compressed while maintaining structural integrity during use. The flexibility of the material allows the outlet to transition between opened and closed conditions through folding, while the reinforcing member ensures it can withstand operational pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change shape. The outlet moves between different states (opened/closed, flat/folded) depending on operational requirements, allowing compact storage when closed and functional deployment when opened.
2Strength
If a rigid reinforcing member is used to maintain outlet shape, then the outlet opening can be radially distended, but the outlet cannot be folded or compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member is made from flexible material rather than rigid material. This allows it to provide structural support for radial distension while simultaneously enabling the outlet to be folded and compressed for compact storage when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member changes its physical state from a compressed condition (during storage) to an expanded condition (during use). The manual application of pressure causes the lateral edges to deform and radially distend the outlet opening, demonstrating a parameter change from compressed to expanded state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outlet is made flexible to allow folding, then the device can be compactly stored, but the outlet may collapse under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet uses flexible material that inherently provides both foldability and pressure resistance. The flexibility allows folding for compact storage, while the material properties and reinforcing member ensure the outlet can withstand operational pressures without collapsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet structure combines flexible material with a reinforcing member to create a composite structure. This composite design provides both the flexibility needed for folding and the strength required to resist pressure during operation.
4Strength
If the reinforcing member is made rigid to maintain shape, then the outlet can be radially distended, but the lateral edges cannot be deformed by manual pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member is constructed from flexible material that allows manual deformation through pressure application. The lateral edges can be squeezed and deformed by hand to radially distend the outlet opening, while the material maintains sufficient structural integrity to hold the distended shape.
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
Facilitates easy and reliable drainage and closure of ostomy pouches, allowing users with limited dexterity to manage the device effectively, enhancing user convenience and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
The lateral edges of the reinforcing member are deformable by manual application of pressure so as to radially distend the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
The reinforcing member is compressed within the catheter body from an expanded state in which the reinforcing member assumes a shape corresponding substantially to the cross-sectional shape of the outlet opening to a compressed state in which the reinforcing member assumes a shape corresponding substantially to the cross-sectional shape of the catheter body
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A medical device (1) comprising opposing walls (2, 3) having a cavity therebetween, a deformable reinforcing member (18, 9, 29) on one exterior surface of said opposing walls as well as a first fastener (13, 20) and a second fastener (17, 21) attached to opposing exterior surfaces of said opposing walls (2, 3). The opposing walls are joined along their peripheries and taper to an outlet opening (8) at the proximal end (7) of the device. The deformable reinforcing member (18, 9, 29) is located near the outlet opening (8) and has two lateral edges deformable by manual application of pressure, so as to radially distend the outlet opening (8). The lateral edge of the reinforcing member (18, 9, 29) is notched and the first (13, 20) and second fastener (17, 21) are located near the outlet opening (8). The outlet is flexible and foldable from an opened condition to a closed condition by one or more folds, and the first (13, 20) and second fastener (17, 21) can form a linkage when the outlet is in the closed condition.