Thin Fluid Collection Assembly with Flexible Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid collection assemblies are ineffective for collecting fluids from various sources due to their fixed shapes, leading to gaps, discomfort, and hygiene issues, and are not suitable for patients with impaired mobility or restricted travel conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection assembly with a relatively thin shape, featuring a fluid impermeable barrier, a fluid permeable support, and a fluid permeable membrane, allowing for easy bending and shaping to fit different fluid sources, and a conduit connected to a vacuum source for efficient fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fluid collection assemblies with fixed shapes are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different fluid sources is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid collection assembly incorporates a flexible membrane that can dynamically change its shape and configuration to adapt to different fluid sources while maintaining structural integrity through its elastic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly uses a flexible membrane as the collection surface that can conform to various shapes and positions, enabling adaptation to different fluid sources while the membrane's material properties maintain structural stability
2Ease of operation
If conventional fluid collection assemblies are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but comfort and hygiene are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly incorporates porous materials that allow fluid passage while maintaining comfort and hygiene, with the porous structure integrated into the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly uses composite materials combining different properties (flexibility, porosity, fluid impermeability) to achieve comfort and hygiene while being manufacturable through standard processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If a thin-shaped fluid collection assembly is designed, then adaptability to restricted spaces is improved, but structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thin-shaped assembly uses a flexible membrane that provides sufficient structural strength through its material properties and design, enabling it to maintain integrity while adapting to restricted spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's dynamic flexibility allows the thin structure to withstand varying pressures and forces while maintaining adaptability to confined spaces
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 assembly effectively collects a wide range of fluids, maintains the region dry, and is comfortable to use, addressing the limitations of conventional systems by adapting to various fluid sources and improving hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a conduit connected to the fluid outlet, the conduit including an inlet disposed in or adjacent to the sump
Implementation Method 2
a fluid permeable membrane disposed on at least a portion of the fluid permeable support and extending across the opening
Data Source
AI summary
An example fluid collection assembly includes a fluid impermeable barrier defining at least a chamber, at least one opening. and a fluid outlet. The fluid collection assembly also includes a fluid permeable support and a fluid permeable membrane disposed in the chamber. The fluid collection assembly exhibits a relatively thin shape which allows the fluid collection assembly to be used more effectively in more situations than at least some conventional fluid collection assemblies.