Segmented Adhesive Wafer for Ostomy Bag Conformability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy bag systems often fail to provide adequate comfort and security due to issues with adhesion and conformability to uneven body surfaces, leading to leaks and discomfort during user movement.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive wafer with a layer featuring overhanging portions and cut-outs that allow independent movement of formations, enhancing conformability and adhesion, and a filter system with in-plane filtering for improved waste collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adhesive wafer uses a conventional flat design, then the manufacturing is simple, but the conformability to uneven body surfaces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive wafer is divided into multiple independent formations (petals) separated by cut-outs, allowing each formation to move and conform independently to the body surface. This segmentation enables the wafer to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The formations are designed to be movable relative to each other and to the main body, allowing the wafer to dynamically adapt its shape and conform to the user's body contours during movement rather than being rigid.
2Reliability
If the adhesive wafer uses a conventional design without overhanging portions, then the adhesion is sufficient, but the wafer becomes unstuck during user movement
Solution Approach 1:
The overhanging portions are pre-configured to extend beyond the main body of the wafer, creating a mechanical interlock with the body surface before movement occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that the wafer maintains secure adhesion even when the user moves.
Solution Approach 2:
The overhanging portions are designed with curved surfaces that match the curvature of the body surface, allowing the wafer to conform to and maintain adhesion on uneven body contours during movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cut-outs extend directly towards the centre of the layer, then the separation of portions is maximized, but weak areas of adhesion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cut-outs are positioned asymmetrically relative to the center of the wafer, extending towards the periphery rather than directly towards the center. This asymmetric placement maintains separation of the formations while preserving adequate adhesion areas connected to the center.
Solution Approach 2:
The cut-outs are strategically positioned to provide maximum separation of formations in regions where it is most needed for conformability, while maintaining adequate adhesive connections to the center in regions where structural integrity is most important.
4Productivity
If the ostomy bag system uses conventional filtering, then the waste collection is basic, but the filter adds bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed to operate in-plane rather than requiring additional depth, allowing waste particles to be filtered as they move across the filter surface. This dimensional approach to filtering achieves efficient waste collection without adding significant bulk to the ostomy bag system.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an adhesive wafer for an ostomy bag system, comprising a layer, the layer comprising a plurality of formations at an outer part of the layer, wherein each formation comprises an overhanging portion.