Post-Surgical Pet Garment with Movable Flap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-surgical garments for dogs and cats fail to adequately protect surgical sites from licking, pawing, and scratching, and often hinder the animal's ability to perform bodily functions without soiling the garment, posing risks of infection and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, breathable, and washable garment with a movable flap that securely fastens around the animal's body, including a forwardly folding flap made of absorbent material to allow for urination and defecation without exposing the surgical site, while preventing damage to the stitches or sutures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece construction garment is used, then the garment provides complete coverage and protection, but it requires a lot of time and effort to put on the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The garment is divided into separate components: a body garment and a removable flap. This segmentation allows the main garment to be quickly fastened while the flap can be independently managed to provide complete protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is designed to be movable and reconfigurable, transitioning between a closed protective position and an open position that allows access for bodily functions. This dynamic design provides complete protection when needed while maintaining ease of operation through simple reconfiguration.
2Device complexity
If a garment without a movable flap is used, then the garment structure is simple, but the animal cannot perform bodily functions without soiling the garment
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is designed to be movable and reconfigurable, transitioning between a closed protective position and an open position that allows access for bodily functions. This dynamic design provides complete protection when needed while maintaining ease of operation through simple reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is divided into separate components: a body garment and a removable flap. This segmentation allows the main garment to be quickly fastened while the flap can be independently managed to provide complete protection when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flap is made of non-absorbent material, then the garment is easier to clean, but drainage from the wound or accidents cannot be absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is made of absorbent material specifically at the area that contacts the animal's genitalia and anal region. This localized absorbent property allows the flap to absorb drainage and accidents while the rest of the garment remains easy to clean.
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 garment effectively protects the surgical site from infection and damage, allowing the animal to perform normal functions without soiling the garment, promoting quick healing and minimizing infection risks.
Implementation Method 1
The flap is made of an absorbent material to absorb drainage from the wound or 'accidents' the animal may have
Data Source
AI summary
A post-surgical animal garment which fits over, above, and about the animal's body, and optionally, fastens along the back of the animal. The garment has a head opening and leg portions with openings for the legs of the animal. The rear portion of the garment fits around the animal's tail. The garment has a forwardly folding flap which can be attached to the belly side of the garment for the animal to readily perform its bodily functions without the flap getting in the way. Once the animal is finished, the flap is readily put back in place to protect the surgical site. The garment can include a collar which fits about the neck of the animal as well as sleeves which extend partially along the legs of the animal. Optionally, the termini of the leg portions are foot coverings.