Ostomy Base Plate Wear-Time Monitoring via Moisture Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances lack effective methods to determine wear time accurately, leading to potential adhesive failure, leakage, and skin damage due to improper timing of appliance replacement.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy system with a base plate and monitor device that includes electrodes and sensors to monitor moisture propagation in the adhesive layer, providing real-time data for determining the remaining wear time and preventing adhesive failure and skin damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ostomy appliance wear time is determined without sensor monitoring, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of wear time determination deteriorates leading to adhesive failure and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/adhesive bonding systems with electromagnetic sensing systems. Electrodes and sensors detect moisture propagation and adhesive degradation through electrical and optical fields, eliminating the need for complex mechanical monitoring mechanisms while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces moisture-sensitive electrodes and optical sensors as intermediary elements between the adhesive layer and the monitoring system. These intermediaries detect adhesive failure indirectly through moisture propagation signals, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high reliability
2Loss of time
If ostomy appliance is replaced based on fixed time schedules, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of time occurs due to premature replacement or adhesive failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through sensors that continuously monitor adhesive integrity and moisture propagation. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of replacement timing based on actual appliance condition rather than fixed schedules, reducing time loss while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of adhesive degradation through moisture-sensitive sensors before actual adhesive failure occurs. This preliminary action allows proactive replacement scheduling, preventing time loss from unexpected failures while keeping the system easy to operate
3Measurement precision
If sensor monitoring is implemented to detect moisture propagation, then the measurement precision of wear time is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electromagnetic sensing. Electrodes and optical sensors detect moisture propagation through electrical resistance changes and light scattering, achieving high measurement precision with simpler electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs multi-functional sensors that simultaneously detect moisture propagation, adhesive degradation, and wear time. This universal approach improves measurement precision while reducing overall system complexity by consolidating multiple monitoring functions into single sensor elements
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
Enables reliable determination of ostomy appliance wear time, reducing the risk of leakage and skin damage by ensuring timely replacement, thus enhancing user comfort and reducing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor with a first sensor surface accommodated in a monitor device housing having a sensor opening in a proximal surface of the monitor device, the sensor opening forming at least a part of a sensor path from surroundings of the proximal surface to the first sensor surface
Implementation Method 2
providing real-time data for determining the remaining wear time and preventing adhesive failure and skin damage
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments for determining an ostomy appliance wear time based on sensor data are disclosed. In an embodiment, an accessory device for an ostomy system comprises a monitor device and an ostomy appliance. The ostomy appliance comprises a base plate. The accessory device comprises: a memory, a processor, and a monitor interface coupled to the processor and configured to communicate with the monitor device and obtain monitor data from the monitor device coupled to the ostomy appliance. The processor is configured to determine an operating state of the base plate, determine sensor data associated with the user, the user's activities, and/or the user's environment, and determine an actual wear time of the ostomy appliance based on the operating state and the sensor data.