Ostomy Pouch Wall Sealing Mechanism for Controlled Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ostomy appliances with controlled evacuation capabilities face challenges in providing a cost-efficient, comfortable, and effective stoma seal, leading to limited widespread adoption due to practical and design difficulties.

Innovation Solution

The use of the inner face of the ostomy pouch wall as a seal surface, combined with an urging device that applies a sealing force to the stoma, allows for controlled discharge of body waste while maintaining a familiar pouch design, reducing manufacturing costs and containing any leaks within the pouch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional ostomy pouch is used, then the design is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but controlled evacuation capability and stoma seal effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled evacuation capabilityVSAvoidpouch design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch wall is designed to serve dual functions: as a containment barrier and as a seal surface for blocking the stoma mouth. The inner face of the pouch wall directly contacts the stoma to form a seal, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and maintaining controlled evacuation capability while avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is merged with the pouch wall structure itself. The urging device applies pressure through the pouch wall to create a seal at the stoma interface, combining the containment and sealing functions into a single integrated structure rather than using separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a complex stoma seal design is implemented, then controlled discharge capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestoma seal effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch wall itself serves as the seal surface, utilizing the existing pouch structure to create the seal rather than requiring additional specialized sealing components. This self-service approach maintains seal effectiveness while avoiding increased manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The seal effectiveness is achieved by changing the physical state and properties of the pouch wall material at the seal interface. The urging device applies pressure to create a conformable seal that adapts to the stoma shape, utilizing material deformation rather than complex mechanical sealing structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the pouch wall is used as a seal surface, then manufacturing cost is reduced and design is simplified, but sealing force application and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign and manufacturing costVSAvoidsealing force control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The urging device acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates user input into controlled sealing force. This mediator component applies pressure through the pouch wall to create the seal, making force application manageable and controllable while maintaining the simplicity of using the pouch wall as the seal surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If a pouch appliance is used with controlled evacuation, then user comfort and familiarity are maintained, but leakage protection and containment reliability must be enhanced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfort and familiarityVSAvoidleakage and contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch is designed with a leakage-proof barrier that prevents body waste from escaping the pouch, providing beforehand protection against contamination. The seal surface is positioned to create a secure barrier at the stoma interface, cushioning against potential leakage before it can affect the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution enhances controlled discharge capabilities, maintains user comfort with familiar equipment, reduces design and manufacturing costs, and prevents skin and clothing soiling from leaks, improving the ostomate's quality of life.

Implementation Method 1

the inner face of the ostomy pouch wall as a seal surface, or a seal-bearing surface, for pressing directly or indirectly against a stoma to obstruct the discharge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical contact and obstruction:

Implementation Method 2

The urging device applies a sealing force to a stoma by means of the wall of the pouch, to effect a stoma seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force application: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS8217221B2Controlled evacuation ostomy appliance

Publication Date: 2012.07.10 CONVATEC TECH INC

AI summary

A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance including a collection pouch, and an urging device for applying a sealing force through the pouch wall to seal the stoma. The pouch wall may seal directly against the stoma, or the pouch may have an internal sealing member that is pressed by the pouch wall against the stoma. The urging device provides an adjustable sealing force. The pouch may be disposable. The urging device may be reusable with a replacement pouch.