Ostomy Seal with Sub-atmospheric Pressure and Absorbent Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ostomy bags face issues with securing a seal around the stoma, managing waste collection efficiently, and providing comfort for patients with physically active lifestyles, as they often leak or require frequent reapplication.

Innovation Solution

A flexible ostomy apparatus with a housing containing an absorbent material and a pressure source that creates sub-atmospheric pressure to secure the apparatus to the skin, combined with a locking assembly and resealable opening for easy drainage, allowing for a secure and conforming fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional adhesive seals are used to secure the ostomy bag to the skin, then the apparatus can be attached to collect waste, but the seal leaks or requires frequent reapplication during physical activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal reliabilityVSAvoidduration of secure attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into multiple functional segments: an adhesive layer for initial attachment, an absorbent material layer for fluid management, and a pressure differential system for enhanced sealing. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of seal reliability without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter by creating a sub-atmospheric pressure environment within the housing using a pressure source. This pressure differential enhances the sealing effect and prevents leakage during physical activity, directly addressing the reliability issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a secure seal is implemented using multiple components (adhesive layer, absorbent material, pressure source), then leak prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidnumber of sealing components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single integrated housing structure that contains the adhesive layer, absorbent material, and pressure source components. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the multi-functional sealing system's effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the adhesive layer for attachment, houses the absorbent material for fluid management, and accommodates the pressure source for seal enhancement. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If absorbent material is placed in direct contact with the stoma area, then fluid management is improved, but the risk of skin irritation or infection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste management efficiencyVSAvoidskin irritation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An adhesive layer serves as an intermediary between the skin/stoma area and the absorbent material. This intermediate layer allows the absorbent material to effectively manage waste fluid while preventing direct contact between the absorbent material and the skin, thereby reducing irritation risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If a pressure source is added to create sub-atmospheric pressure for improved sealing and fluid management, then waste collection efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste collection efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption of pressure source

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure source operates periodically rather than continuously, creating sub-atmospheric pressure cycles that are sufficient for waste collection and seal maintenance. This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while maintaining waste collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 apparatus provides a secure, leak-proof seal that allows patients greater freedom of movement and convenience, reducing the need for frequent reapplication and improving waste management.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure source configured to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure within the second chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSub-atmospheric pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the absorbent material removes fluid from skin surrounding the stoma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11298257B2Ostomy apparatuses and related methods

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST

AI summary

An ostomy apparatus comprising a flexible container having an interior chamber for receiving waste from a patient's stoma and an opening for surrounding the stoma, a housing coupled to the container, wherein the housing is configured to accommodate an absorbent material that surrounds the stoma, a port configured to provide fluid communication between the housing and a pressure source; and an adhesive layer configured to seal the housing to skin around the stoma.