Parastomal Hernia Support Harness with Tensioning Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hernia belts for preventing parastomal hernias are complex to adjust, uncomfortable, and prone to displacement during activity, leading to poor mechanical support and increased risk of herniation due to leakage and skin irritation.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a support assembly and tensioning system that applies continuous pressure around the stoma, featuring a rigid support panel and flexible lining, adjustable strap, and non-planar features for drainage, designed to be easy to use and maintain, reducing the risk of parastomal herniation without shifting during activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hernia belts are used to prevent parastomal hernias, then some abdominal support is provided, but the belts are complex to adjust, uncomfortable, and prone to displacement during activity
Solution Approach 1:
The hernia support device is divided into separate functional components: a support assembly with rigid support panel, a strap system for positioning, and a tensioning assembly for adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the support panel provides reliable mechanical support while the tensioning assembly offers simple adjustment without compromising the other functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap acts as an intermediary element between the support assembly and the user's body, providing a comfortable interface that distributes pressure. The tensioning assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates simple user input into precise adjustment of the support force, eliminating complex adjustment procedures while maintaining reliable mechanical support.
2Reliability
If conventional hernia belts are used, then abdominal support is attempted, but they are prone to displacement during activity leading to poor mechanical support
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is merged with the strap system through integrated attachment points, creating a unified structure that maintains its position relative to the stoma. The rigid support panel is merged with the flexible lining to create a composite assembly that combines structural stability with comfort, preventing displacement during activity while providing reliable mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support panel is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the natural curvature of the abdominal wall around the stoma. This curved geometry allows the support assembly to maintain stable contact with the body surface during movement, preventing displacement while providing consistent mechanical support without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If conventional hernia belts are used, then some support is provided, but they cause leakage and skin irritation leading to increased risk of herniation
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible lining is designed as a thin, comfortable film that contacts the skin around the stoma. This flexible shell provides a comfortable interface that prevents skin irritation and leakage, while the rigid support panel behind it maintains the necessary mechanical support for hernia prevention. The flexible lining acts as a protective barrier that eliminates the harmful effects of conventional belts while preserving the beneficial support function.
4Reliability
If surgical repair is performed to treat parastomal hernias, then hernia repair is achieved, but it is costly, complex, and has high recurrence rate
Solution Approach 1:
The hernia support device is designed to be self-adjusting and self-regulating through its tensioning assembly that allows users to modify the support force according to their needs. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex surgical procedures, providing a simpler, less invasive alternative that reduces recurrence risk by allowing continuous adjustment rather than permanent surgical modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioning assembly provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the support force to be modified based on individual needs and activity levels. This dynamic system replaces static surgical repair with an adaptable mechanical solution that can respond to changing conditions, reducing the complexity and recurrence rate associated with fixed surgical interventions while maintaining reliable hernia prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
Parastomal hernia support devices are disclosed herein. A parastomal hernia support device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a support assembly including a generally rigid outer portion and a generally flexible inner portion having an aperture configured to be aligned with a stoma of the user. In some embodiments, the support assembly includes a tensioning assembly that can be actuated by the user to adjust the tension in a non-elastic strap that secures the support assembly against the user. For example, the user can increase the tension in the strap to add support to the peristomal tissues proximate the stoma to reduce the likelihood of the user developing a parastomal hernia.