Disposable Stoma Plug for Leakage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the changing of bandages, dressings, or collection bags, surgical stomas such as urostomies, ileostomies, and colostomies often experience leakage of bodily fluids, which can be problematic for both caregivers and patients, as existing solutions fail to effectively prevent fluid leakage onto the surrounding skin.

Innovation Solution

A disposable stoma plug comprising an absorbent body with a conical shape and a non-permeable grip device is designed for temporary insertion into the stoma opening to prevent leakage, keeping the surrounding skin dry. The absorbent body is made of hygienically clean materials like gauze or mesh, and the grip device is formed from plastic to securely cover the top, preventing fluid escape and ensuring easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a stoma opening is left open for dressing changes, then access for care is improved, but bodily fluids leak onto surrounding skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess for dressing changesVSAvoidbodily fluid leakage onto skin

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the stoma care process into two distinct phases: a plugged state for fluid containment and an unplugged state for dressing access. The removable plug allows sequential separation of these functions, providing easy access when needed while preventing leakage during the plugged phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable plug acts as an intermediary element between the stoma opening and the external environment. It temporarily seals the opening to prevent fluid leakage, can be easily removed for dressing changes, and then reattached to resume protection, serving as a mediating component that switches between protective and accessible states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a permanent seal is used to prevent fluid leakage, then fluid containment is improved, but access for dressing changes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidaccess for dressing changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The plug transitions from a static permanent seal to a dynamic removable component. It can be inserted to provide fluid containment, then easily removed when dressing changes are needed, and reinserted when complete. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between containment and accessibility states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is pre-positioned or easily insertable to provide immediate fluid containment when needed. Its design allows for quick insertion and removal without complex procedures, enabling preliminary protection before dressing changes and rapid restoration of containment afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a complex plugging system is used to prevent leakage, then fluid containment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidplugging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential function of fluid containment from complex existing systems. By using a simple removable plug without additional mechanisms, it achieves effective fluid containment while eliminating unnecessary complexity found in more elaborate plugging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is designed as a simple, disposable component that can be easily manufactured and discarded after use. This approach reduces complexity by eliminating the need for reusable mechanisms, cleaning procedures, or maintenance, while still providing effective fluid containment during its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 disposable stoma plug effectively seals the stoma opening, preventing bodily fluids from leaking onto the surrounding skin during dressing changes, ensuring hygiene and comfort, and is designed for single-use convenience and affordability.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent body (12) having a bottom end (14) and a top (18)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11291576B2Disposable stoma plug and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 STOMA SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A disposable stoma plug includes an absorbent body and a grip device. The absorbent body has a bottom end and a top. The bottom end is configured for insertion into a stoma opening. The grip device is connected to the top of the absorbent body. The grip device is configured for handling the absorbent body for inserting and removing the absorbent body into and from the stoma opening. Wherein, the stoma plug is configured to briefly seal off the stoma opening of an urostomy, an ileostomy, or a colostomy to prevent bodily fluids from leaking from the stoma opening, thereby, keeping surrounding skin free and dry while changing dressings, bandages or a collection bag.