Ostomy Outlet Valve Nesting for Flat Wear and Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances, particularly those for urostomy and ileostomy, face challenges in effectively sealing liquid waste without bulging under clothing, leading to leakage issues and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy appliance design featuring a support panel that holds an outlet portion and valve in a stowed position, using a more rigid material than the walls, with a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism to maintain a smooth silhouette and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is provided to seal liquid waste, then leakage prevention is improved, but the appliance bulges under clothing causing poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet portion is nested within a recess in the support panel, with the valve housed inside the outlet portion. This nesting arrangement allows the valve mechanism to be contained within the appliance structure rather than protruding outward, preventing bulging under clothing while maintaining sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet portion is configured to fold between a deployed position (for draining) and a stowed position (for wearing). This dimensional transformation allows the valve mechanism to transition from a functional extended state to a compact retracted state, eliminating the bulge problem while preserving leakage prevention capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the outlet portion is deployed for draining, then waste emptying is improved, but the appliance bulges under clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet portion is designed as a dynamic element that can fold between deployed and stowed positions. When draining is needed, the outlet folds to a deployed position allowing waste emptying. When not in use, it folds to a stowed position within the recess, maintaining a flat profile under clothing. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between operational accessibility and aesthetic profile.
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 design ensures effective sealing of liquid waste while maintaining a flat profile under clothing, enhancing user comfort and reducing leakage risks.
Implementation Method 1
The support panel may include or may be attached to an extension portion. The engagement formation and the corresponding formation may include respective hook-and-loop fasteners.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An ostomy appliance (10) including: an internal collecting volume defined by a first wall (12) and a second wall (14) connected together about a periphery; a stoma receiving opening (16) defined in the first wall (12), a comfort layer (30) positioned adjacent the second wall (14) and attached about the periphery, an outlet portion (20) which includes a valve (22) having an outlet, said valve (22) having a closed condition, in which waste is prevented or inhibited from exiting through the outlet, and an open condition, in which waste is permitted to exit through the outlet, a support panel (40) which extends across the first or second wall (12, 14) and provides an opening (42), wherein the outlet portion (20) has a stowed position in which the valve (22) is housed in the (opening 42).