Porous Fluid Collection Material with Layered Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid collection assemblies face challenges such as discomfort, skin irritation, and infection due to the use of hydrophobic and hydrophilic porous materials, which also suffer from poor water absorption and wicking capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The development of a fluid collection assembly featuring a fluid impermeable barrier with a chamber, openings, and a fluid outlet, incorporating at least one porous material with an outer layer made of bamboo, cellulose, hydrophilic polypropylene, hydrophilic polyethylene, or hydrophilic polyester, which enhances water absorption and wicking while maintaining dryness and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydrophobic porous materials are used in fluid collection assemblies, then fluid flow through the material is improved, but water absorption and wicking capabilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidwater absorption capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a porous material with spatially varying properties - the material has regions with different pore sizes, hydrophobicity levels, and wicking characteristics distributed throughout its structure, allowing simultaneous optimization of fluid flow pathways and water absorption zones within the same material matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple porous materials with complementary properties - integrating hydrophobic components that promote fluid flow with hydrophilic components that enhance water absorption and wicking, creating a composite structure that achieves both objectives simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If traditional porous materials are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection capability is improved, but comfort and skin irritation issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes specifically engineered porous materials with controlled pore size distributions, connectivity, and surface chemistry that enable efficient fluid collection while maintaining breathability and reducing moisture buildup against the skin, thereby minimizing irritation and discomfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying key material parameters including pore size, porosity percentage, surface energy, and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance to optimize the material's interaction with both fluids and skin, achieving effective collection while reducing harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If porous materials with high absorption are used, then water absorption capability is improved, but wicking performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater absorption capacityVSAvoidwicking rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the porous material into functional zones - one zone optimized for rapid wicking transport and another zone optimized for bulk absorption, with each zone having tailored pore structures and material properties that excel at their specific function while working together

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 proposed solution effectively addresses the issues of discomfort and infection by providing a porous material that quickly absorbs and wicks bodily fluids, remaining relatively dry and comfortable to use, while also offering antimicrobial and odor-resistant properties.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one porous material includes an outer layer and an inner layer... which enhances water absorption and wicking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The outer layer includes at least one of a bamboo, cellulose, hydrophilic polypropylene, hydrophilic polyethylene, or hydrophilic polyester

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20250134696A1Fluid collection assemblies including a porous material including inner and outer layers

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 PUREWICK CORP

AI summary

An example fluid collection assembly includes a fluid impermeable barrier. The fluid impermeable barrier at least defines a chamber, at least one opening, and a fluid outlet. The fluid collection assembly also includes at least one porous material disposed in the chamber. The porous material includes at least one outer porous material. The outer porous material facilitates the porous material receiving bodily fluids and having the bodily fluids flow therein.