Ostomy Pouch Comfort Layer Window for Discreet Size Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ostomy appliances lack enhanced usability in terms of ease of use and discretion, particularly in managing stomal output efficiently and hygienically, leading to reduced appliance life and increased environmental waste.
Innovation Solution
An ostomy appliance with a foldable peripheral region that transitions between a folded and unfolded configuration, featuring a comfort layer with openings for retention, allowing easy size adjustment and concealment, and optional pleats for better conformation to the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ostomy appliance is made with a fixed size and shape, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to different body sizes and shapes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The ostomy appliance incorporates a flexible peripheral region that can transition between folded and unfolded configurations, allowing the appliance to dynamically adapt its size and shape to different body contours and ostomate needs without requiring multiple fixed-size appliances
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance is divided into distinct regions including a folded peripheral region, an unfolded peripheral region, and a comfort layer with openings, allowing each segment to serve specific functions while collectively providing adaptability across different body sizes
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ostomy appliance uses complex fastening mechanisms for size adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance enables self-adjustment through its foldable peripheral region that can be easily manipulated by the user without requiring external tools or complex fastening mechanisms, allowing ostomates to independently adjust the size and fit
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible peripheral region acts as a flexible shell that can be folded and unfolded to adjust the appliance size, eliminating the need for rigid fastening mechanisms while maintaining adaptability
3Duration of action of moving object
If the ostomy appliance has a larger cavity volume, then the duration of use is extended, but the discretion and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable peripheral region allows the appliance to transition between compact and expanded states, enabling it to provide adequate cavity volume during use while maintaining a smaller, more discreet profile when not in use or during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance utilizes the third dimension through folding, allowing it to compress into a smaller form factor for discretion while expanding to provide sufficient cavity volume when needed, effectively managing space in multiple dimensions
4Device complexity
If the ostomy appliance lacks retention mechanisms for peripheral regions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The comfort layer with openings serves as an intermediary mechanism that passively retains the peripheral regions through its structural design, eliminating the need for active fastening mechanisms while ensuring proper retention and positioning
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
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AI summary
An ostomy appliance comprising a main body portion comprising an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output; the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity; the ostomy appliance further comprising an outer comfort layer overlying at least a portion of the outer wall; wherein the outer comfort layer comprise a first part and a second part which are joined to the outer wall so that the first part partially overlaps the second part in an overlap region, wherein the first part and the second part are separable from each other in the overlap region to form a window opening for viewing the cavity; wherein the overlap region is angled obliquely to a horizontal direction when the ostomy appliance is orientated as it would be in use.