Ostomy Pouch Alignment via Tactile Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elderly users with poor eyesight and dexterity face difficulties in accurately aligning the pouch with the bodyside part of ostomy appliances, leading to leaks and poor connection due to unobstructed fluid passage, which affects customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
The ostomy appliance features a bodyside flange with a location projection that engages a recess on the pouch flange, allowing alignment by feel rather than sight, with a hydrocolloid layer for securing to the body and an adhesive surface for attachment, ensuring proper alignment and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual alignment method is used for connecting pouch to bodyside part, then alignment accuracy depends on user eyesight, but elderly users with poor eyesight cannot achieve accurate alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual alignment system with a tactile mechanical guidance system. The location projection and recess create a mechanical interface that guides the pouch flange into correct alignment with the bodyside flange through physical contact and engagement, eliminating the need for visual confirmation of alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The location projection on the bodyside flange and the corresponding recess on the pouch flange act as intermediary alignment features. These protrusion-recess pairs serve as mechanical mediators that facilitate accurate alignment by providing a physical guide that the user can follow by touch, bridging the gap between the two flanges.
2Reliability
If adhesive strength is increased to prevent leaks, then connection reliability improves, but ease of pouch removal for emptying deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into two distinct functions: the location projection and recess provide permanent alignment guidance for reliable connection, while the adhesive layer provides removable bonding for secure yet detachable attachment. This segmentation allows each feature to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
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
This design facilitates accurate alignment and secure attachment of the pouch to the bodyside flange, reducing leaks and improving user satisfaction by enabling alignment without visual assistance and maintaining a watertight seal.
Implementation Method 1
wherein a surface of the pouch flange which in use faces the bodyside flange includes an adhesive for adhering the pouch flange to the bodyside flange
Implementation Method 2
a bodyside flange with an opening and a hydrocolloid layer for securing the bodyside flanges to a body of a user around their stoma
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A two piece ostomy appliance is described having: a pouch (12) for receipt of waste; a pouch flange (14) connected to the pouch, the pouch flange having an opening (18) communicating with an interior of the pouch; and a bodyside flange (20) with an opening (24) and a hydrocolloid layer (22) for securing the bodyside flange to a body of a user around their stoma, the bodyside flange including a location projection (40) which is receivable in a recess in a part of the pouch flange to align the opening of the pouch flange relative to the opening of the bodyside flange; wherein a surface of the pouch flange which in use faces the bodyside flange includes an adhesive for adhering the pouch flange to the bodyside flange, characterised in that the recess is positioned at a periphery of the pouch flange and extends outwardly away from the opening communicating with an interior of the pouch.