Branched Ostomy Sensor Assembly for Rupture-Tolerant Moisture Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances lack effective means to reliably determine leakage and moisture propagation, leading to potential skin damage and inadequate timing for appliance replacement, as current systems fail to accurately assess the nature and severity of leakage and moisture patterns.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a planar electrode assembly, featuring a main branch and subbranches, is integrated into the ostomy appliance, allowing for reliable detection of liquid and moisture presence, and providing a larger sensing area while minimizing the risk of electrode rupture during stretching, by using a support layer and masking layer to distribute stress and prevent overstretching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a planar electrode assembly with main branch and subbranches is used, then the sensing area is increased and leakage detection is improved, but the electrode becomes more susceptible to rupture during stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into a main branch and multiple subbranches. The subbranches are connected to the main branch at connection points, creating a segmented structure that increases the sensing area while distributing mechanical stress. This segmentation allows the electrode to cover a larger area without requiring a single continuous structure that would be more prone to rupture.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly has varying structural properties at different locations. The main branch provides structural support while the subbranches extend the sensing area. The connection points between subbranches and main branch are designed to distribute stress, creating local variations in strength and flexibility that optimize both sensing area and rupture resistance.
2Reliability
If the electrode assembly is made more robust to prevent rupture, then the reliability is improved, but the ability to detect moisture patterns accurately is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented structure with main branch and subbranches provides both mechanical robustness and sensing capability. The main branch ensures structural integrity and reliable signal conduction, while the multiple subbranches maintain contact with the adhesive layer across different areas, enabling accurate moisture pattern detection without requiring excessive robustness in any single element.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly merges the structural support function of the main branch with the sensing function of the subbranches. This combination allows the system to achieve both reliability through the robust main branch and measurement precision through the distributed subbranches that contact the adhesive layer at multiple points.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If subbranches are designed to be rupture-resistant, then the electrode durability is improved, but the sensing coverage and leakage detection capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into one main branch and multiple subbranches. The main branch is designed with greater durability to ensure long-term functionality, while the subbranches extend the sensing coverage. This segmentation allows the durable main branch to support multiple sensing elements that collectively provide extensive coverage without requiring each individual subbranch to be equally robust.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure transitions from a single-dimension continuous structure to a multi-dimensional branched structure. The main branch provides the primary structural dimension, while subbranches extend in additional spatial dimensions, increasing sensing coverage without proportionally increasing the structural complexity or reducing durability of the main support structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Sensor assembly, for an ostomy appliance, comprising a support layer and a planar electrode assembly arranged on a surface of the support layer. The electrode assembly comprises at least a first electrode. The first electrode comprises a first main branch extending along a first main path and a first plurality of subbranches connected to the first main branch. Each of the subbranches are connected to the first main branch at respective connection points and extend in a direction at an angle relative to a tangent to the first main path at the respective connection point. Thereby is provided that a rupture of one of the subbranches does not compromise the functionality of the first electrode as such.