Oval Convex Barrier Ring for Ostomy Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ostomy appliances face challenges in sealing against varying stoma and peristomal skin topographies, leading to leakage and skin irritation, particularly with non-round stomas and uneven skin surfaces.

Innovation Solution

The development of convex barrier rings with an oval shape and tapered peripheral end portions, which provide improved sealing by applying even pressure on non-round stomas and uneven skin surfaces, and are made from flexible medical-grade adhesive materials to enhance comfort and reduce skin irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional round barrier ring is used, then it can seal against round stomas, but it fails to provide effective sealing against non-round stomas and uneven skin surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing compatibilityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier ring is designed with an oval shape instead of a conventional round shape. This asymmetric geometry allows the barrier ring to better conform to non-round stoma shapes and uneven peristomal skin surfaces, improving both adaptability and sealing effectiveness simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier ring incorporates a convex surface with varying curvature - a rounded central portion that contacts the stoma and tapered peripheral end portions that contact the peristomal skin. This localized variation in surface quality enables effective sealing against both the stoma and uneven skin surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If external pressure is applied to flush or recessed stomas, then effluent discharge into the pouch is improved, but skin irritation and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffluent discharge efficiencyVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The convex surface of the barrier ring provides a curved, dome-like structure that naturally distributes pressure evenly across the peristomal skin surface. This curvature allows the barrier ring to gently elevate flush or recessed stomas without requiring excessive external pressure, thereby improving effluent discharge while minimizing skin irritation and patient discomfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the barrier ring has a fixed rigid shape, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying stoma topographies and skin contours

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtopography adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier ring is constructed from flexible adhesive material that can be molded into a convex oval shape. This flexible construction allows the rigid oval form to conform to varying stoma topographies and skin contours while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through moldable material properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 oval-shaped convex barrier rings effectively seal ostomy appliances against diverse stoma shapes and skin surfaces, reducing leakage and discomfort, and can be customized to fit various stoma sizes and skin contours, improving the quality of life for ostomy patients.

Implementation Method 1

the convex oval barrier rings have tapered peripheral end portions, which can aid in sealing the ostomy appliances against folded or creased skin surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

made from flexible medical-grade adhesive materials to enhance comfort and reduce skin irritation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2497449B1Convex barrier ring
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED
  • EP2497449B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2497449B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2497449B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns a barrier ring for attaching an ostomy appliance to a peristomal skin surrounding a stoma, the barrier ring comprising a generally oval shaped body (11) with tapered peripheral end portions (14,16); a convex proximal bodyside surface (18); a flat bottom surface (20); and a stoma-receiving aperture (12); wherein the bodyside surface, when viewed in a cross-section taken along the major axis defines a convex surface transitioning to a concave surface from the stoma-receiving aperture to a respective tapered peripheral end portion.