Radial Electrode Ostomy Patch for Early Adhesive Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ostomy appliances suffer from adhesive failure due to stomal output and moisture, leading to embarrassing and stigmatising leakage incidents, with current detection methods failing to provide reliable and timely warnings of impending failure.

Innovation Solution

An ostomy appliance with a sensor patch and electrode paths configured to detect moisture and liquid levels around the stomal opening, providing signals indicative of potential leakage or adhesive failure in specific angular sections, allowing users to take preventive measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If hydrocolloid materials are used in adhesives to absorb moisture and prolong wear time, then the adhesive durability is improved, but the adhesive can still fail due to stomal output and skin moisture, leading to leakage incidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive wear timeVSAvoidadhesive attachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system performs preliminary detection of moisture and stomal output accumulation in the adhesive layer before adhesive failure occurs. By continuously monitoring electrical properties (capacitance, resistance, or conductance) of the adhesive layer, the system provides early warning signals that enable users to replace the appliance proactively, preventing leakage incidents before they happen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If the base plate adhesive is applied to attach the ostomy appliance to the skin surface, then the appliance can be secured in place, but adhesive failure leads to embarrassing and stigmatising leakage incidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidstomal output penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system provides continuous feedback about the condition of the adhesive layer through electrical property monitoring. When moisture or stomal output accumulates in the adhesive layer, changing its electrical characteristics, the system detects this and provides warnings to the user. This feedback loop enables timely intervention to prevent harmful leakage incidents before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If current detection methods are used to monitor adhesive condition, then some indication of failure can be provided, but the detection is not reliable or timely enough to prevent sudden leakage incidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure detection accuracyVSAvoidresponse time to failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical or visual inspection methods with an electrical sensing system. Sensors measure electrical properties (capacitance, resistance, or conductance) of the adhesive layer to detect moisture and stomal output accumulation. This electrical detection mechanism provides more reliable and timely warnings compared to traditional methods, as it can continuously monitor the adhesive condition without user intervention and detect changes before they become visible or symptomatic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the reliability of ostomy appliances by enabling early detection of adhesive failure or leakage, allowing users to respond promptly and reduce the occurrence of embarrassing incidents.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor assembly may be configured for forming at least one sensor, the at least one sensor being configured for providing a signal in response to a liquid level in the adhesive layer, when a capacitance of the at least one sensor changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction (electrical): Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

most often adhesives of base plates for ostomy devices include hydrocolloid materials which are capable of absorbing high levels of moisture, thereby stabilizing the polymer matrix of the adhesive material and prolonging the lifetime ('wear time') of the base plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (physical): Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260026957A1Ostomy appliance with radial electrode parts

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 COLOPLAST AS

AI summary

An ostomy appliance for attachment to the skin surface of a user, comprising a support layer, an adhesive layer, and a plurality of primary electrode paths for forming one or more sensors, a first pair of the plurality of primary electrode paths comprises a first electrode path and a second electrode path each including a respective radial part extending towards the stomal opening in a first angular section, and a second pair of the plurality of primary electrode paths comprises at least the third electrode path, each electrode path of the second pair includes a respective radial part extending towards the stomal opening in a second angular section.