Prosthetic Liner Cleaning Apparatus Upward Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic liners are difficult to clean due to their sleeve-like configuration, which can lead to bacterial growth and infection, especially for individuals with limited dexterity or missing limbs, as conventional cleaning methods require both hands and standard faucet orientations hinder effective rinsing.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic liner cleaning apparatus with a base, stem, and cap member that allows for one-handed operation, featuring a duct system for fluid flow, a dispenser for cleaning agents, and a pressure modifying device like a venturi tube to facilitate efficient cleaning, enabling the use of one hand and improving rinsing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liner is oriented with the open end facing upward for cleaning, then cleaning solution can be easily applied, but the solution collects in the liner reducing rinsing ability and potentially stretching the liner
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional cleaning orientation by providing a faucet that directs water upward rather than downward. This allows the liner to be cleaned with the open end facing upward (improving ease of operation) while the upward-directed rinse stream prevents solution collection and maintains rinsing ability.
2Reliability
If a hose is manually positioned to eject fluid upward for effective rinsing, then rinsing ability is improved, but the user must commit one hand to holding the hose constraining cleaning ability
Solution Approach 1:
The faucet is designed to automatically direct water upward without requiring manual positioning or hose manipulation. The device serves itself by having a built-in upward-directed spray mechanism that eliminates the need for the user to hold or position a hose, freeing both hands for cleaning operations.
3Area of stationary object
If the liner covers the entire attachment area to provide sufficient surface area, then attachment effectiveness is improved, but the sleeve-like configuration makes the liner difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the cleaning difficulty of the sleeve-like configuration by inverting the fluid delivery direction. The upward-directed water stream from the faucet effectively rinses the inner surface of the sleeve-like liner, preventing solution collection and making cleaning easier despite the liner's extended surface area configuration.
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 apparatus allows for effective cleaning of prosthetic liners with reduced bacterial growth risk, accommodating users with limited dexterity by enabling one-handed operation and efficient fluid distribution, ensuring thorough rinsing and reducing the likelihood of infection.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure modifying device may be a venturi tube
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic liner cleaning apparatus including a base that permits a first fluid to flow therethrough, includes an input aperture, a center member comprising an output aperture, and a duct in fluidic communication with each of the input aperture and the output aperture. The apparatus further includes a dispenser positioned in fluidic communication with the duct and configured to dispense a second fluid into the flow of the first fluid in the duct and a stem including a lower end, an upper end, and a fluid channel positioned in fluidic communication with each of the lower end and the upper end, the stem being attached to the base at the lower end and extending upward therefrom, and the fluid channel positioned in fluidic communication with the output aperture. The apparatus further includes a cap member attached to the stem at the upper end thereof to eject fluid.