Ostomy Spout and Seal Design for Skin Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ostomy attachments face issues such as chemical dermatitis due to stoma output contact with skin, 'pancaking' of ostomy output, and inefficiencies in sealing around differently sized and shaped stomas, particularly with hydrocolloid materials that absorb output and require user-cut holes.

Innovation Solution

An annular seal and non-absorbent spout configuration that directs ostomy output away from the skin and into the ostomy bag, with flexible materials for adjustable fit and a modular design allowing for various seal and spout combinations, including a reusable outer ring and disposable inner ring for ostomy bag attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If hydrocolloid adhesive pad is used to seal around stoma, then skin protection is improved, but the material absorbs stoma output causing breakdown and chemical dermatitis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin protectionVSAvoidhydrocolloid material breakdown

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two functional segments: an outer adhesive pad for skin protection and an inner spout for output collection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, preventing the adhesive pad from contacting and breaking down due to stoma output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spout acts as an intermediary element between the stoma and the adhesive pad. It collects stoma output at skin level and directs it away from the adhesive pad, preventing direct contact between the output and the hydrocolloid material, thus avoiding material breakdown and chemical dermatitis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If dome is made larger than the hole in adhesive pad, then stoma coverage is improved, but stoma output contacts the adhesive pad causing chemical breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedome coverage areaVSAvoidchemical dermatitis

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spout serves as an intermediary structure that collects stoma output before it can contact the adhesive pad. This allows the dome to be larger for better stoma coverage while preventing the harmful contact between output and adhesive material through the spout's output collection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If outlet pipe is spaced from skin, then device structure is simplified, but void area allows ostomy output to collect and pool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidostomy output pooling

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of spacing the outlet from the skin to simplify structure, the spout is positioned with its inlet at skin level directly at the stoma opening. This inverted approach allows immediate collection of output at its source, preventing pooling in void areas while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Manufacturing precision

If user cuts hole in adhesive pad to match stoma shape, then seal precision is improved, but device complexity and user handling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal precisionVSAvoiduser handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spout is designed to be self-adjusting and mouldable to fit different stoma shapes and sizes without requiring user intervention to cut or modify the adhesive pad. The spout's flexible material allows it to conform to the stoma automatically, providing precise sealing while simplifying user handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution prevents skin contact with ostomy output, reduces 'pancaking', ensures a secure seal around various stoma sizes and shapes, and minimizes device handling, thereby reducing skin complications and improving ostomy bag functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The seal and rim of the spout are flexible to facilitate forming a seal around different sized and shaped stoma (for example, the annular seal can be formed from a hydrocolloid material)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the annular seal can be formed from a hydrocolloid material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrocolloid property: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 3

the spout is formed from non-absorbent material (for example a thermoplastic polymer)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-absorbent property: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11266521B2Ostomy attachment

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK

AI summary

An ostomy attachment comprises a flexible annular seal configured to embrace a stoma and a spout that in use is disposed beneath the stoma and configured to collect ostomy output at skin level and direct ostomy output away from the patient and annular seal and into an ostomy bag, in which the flexible annular seal is formed from an absorbent material and the spout is formed from a non-absorbent material. The annular seal may be an open ring comprising at least one mouldable arm that in use can be wrapped at least partially around the patients' stoma.