Reusable Tracheostoma Epithesis with Segmented Receiving Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracheostoma patches are disposable, leading to waste and are perceived as unaesthetic and uncomfortable for tracheostoma patients, as they often fail to provide an airtight seal due to irregular skin shapes and postoperative healing issues.
Innovation Solution
A tracheostoma epithesis with a body and receiving device, produced via multi-component injection molding, featuring a breathing opening and a cover plate connected to a receiving cylinder, allowing for the insertion of tracheostoma aids and attachment via a plaster, which is designed to be reusable and adaptable to individual tracheostoma shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If disposable plasters with receptacles are used to hold tracheostomy aids, then the aids can be positioned over the tracheostoma, but waste is generated and the dressings are perceived as unsightly and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the disposable concept by making the plaster disposable while keeping the epithesis reusable. The receiving device is integrated into a reusable epithesis body that can be sterilized and reused, while only the inexpensive plaster is replaced, eliminating waste from the main prosthesis component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the system into three distinct components: the reusable epithesis body, the disposable plaster, and the removable receiving device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the epithesis body for durability and comfort, the plaster for ease of application and disposal, and the receiving device for functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If disposable plasters with receptacles are used to hold tracheostomy aids, then the aids can be positioned over the tracheostoma, but the dressings are perceived as unsightly and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving device is merged with the epithesis body through integration, creating a unified prosthesis that eliminates the need for separate visible dressings. The epithesis body itself becomes the mounting structure for tracheostomy aids, reducing the number of separate components and improving aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The epithesis body is designed as a thin, flexible membrane that can conform to the contours of the patient's neck and tracheostoma site. This flexibility allows for comfortable wear and aesthetic appearance, while the thin film design minimizes visibility and discomfort under clothing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard aids are used with irregular skin shapes and postoperative healing issues, then tracheostomy aids can be provided, but an airtight seal cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The epithesis body is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to adapt to changes in the tracheostoma shape during healing. The material can deform and conform to irregular surfaces, maintaining sealing performance throughout the postoperative healing process even as the tissue changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs materials with adjustable physical parameters, particularly flexibility and conformability. The epithesis body can change its physical state to match the underlying tissue topology, ensuring reliable sealing across varying tracheostoma shapes and sizes without compromising the airtight seal.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7
AI summary
A tracheostomy prosthesis is proposed, comprising at least a prosthesis body and a receiving device. The prosthesis body has a basic shape with a distal base and a proximal outer surface. The prosthesis body includes a breathing opening that extends continuously from proximal to distal. The receiving device comprises a receiving cylinder and a cover plate, the cover plate being arranged on the distal base of the prosthesis body and being connected to the receiving cylinder.