Prosthetic Abdomen for Peritoneal Dialysis Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective training tools and methods to enable dialysis patients to perform peritoneal dialysis treatments safely and effectively at home, addressing the complexities and stress associated with transitioning from clinic-based treatments to self-administered therapies.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic abdomen device that simulates a catheterized abdomen, providing a realistic training experience through tactile and reflective aspects, allowing patients to practice dialysis procedures such as solution exchanges and personal hygiene, and can be tailored to fit individual users with comfortable and skin-tone matching materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a prosthetic abdomen device is designed to simulate a catheterized abdomen with realistic tactile aspects, then the training effectiveness and psychological adaptation are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic abdomen creates a realistic copy of a human abdomen with catheter, using skin-tone colored materials and anatomically accurate features. This allows patients to practice dialysis procedures on a lifelike model that replicates the tactile and visual experience of the actual procedure, improving training effectiveness without requiring a real patient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into multiple components including the prosthetic abdomen body, catheter, dialysis solution bags, and connection interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for realism and functionality while simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the prosthetic abdomen is tailored to match individual user abdomen sizes and shapes, then the comfort and realism are improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic abdomen incorporates adjustable parameters such as size, shape, and skin tone color to match individual patient characteristics. These parameters can be customized within standardized ranges, allowing for personalization without requiring completely custom manufacturing for each patient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed with universal features that can accommodate different patient types through adjustable elements and interchangeable components. A single base design can serve multiple patients with different anatomical variations, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining comfort and realism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the belt fasteners are made low-profile and flush with the body, then the comfort and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the fastening strength and security may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoidfastening strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system uses different material properties and structures at different locations. Low-profile cosmetic covers provide the aesthetic appearance and comfort at the skin surface, while stronger anchoring mechanisms are positioned internally or at the belt edges where they are not visible, providing the necessary fastening strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12190750B2Prosthetic abdomen for patient peritoneal dialysis training
Publication Date: 2025.01.07 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS INC
  • US12190750B2 patent drawing
  • US12190750B2 patent drawing
  • US12190750B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A prosthetic abdomen for peritoneal dialysis training is provided. The prosthetic abdomen has an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material. The outer layer of material has an outer surface having a skin tone color. An opening is formed through the outer layer. A tube extends through the opening. A bag of liquid is in fluid communication with the tube extending through the opening.