Article for collecting the urine and stools of a user
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for collecting urine and stools from bedridden patients, such as disposable diapers and washable bedpans, pose hygiene risks due to accidental contact with fecal matter and inadequate separation of urine and stools, increasing the risk of contamination and nosocomial infections in healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
A device with a support surface and a chamber that has an internal wall element capable of changing configurations to separate urine from stools, allowing for safe collection and disposal without direct contact, using flexible film portions to form an obstacle that can be easily eliminated for stool passage, and an inflatable tube for user support and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a disposable diaper is used to collect urine and stools, then collection is simplified, but the risk of accidental contact with fecal matter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for urine collection and a second compartment for stool collection. This segmentation prevents mixing of urine and stools, and allows the urine compartment to be disposed of separately from the stool compartment, reducing contact risk with fecal matter while maintaining collection simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with a filter acts as an intermediary between the urine and stool compartments. The filter allows liquid urine to pass through while blocking solid stool particles, enabling automatic separation without requiring manual intervention or direct contact with fecal matter
2Reliability
If a bedpan is used for collection, then reuse is possible, but cleaning and disinfection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bedpan is segmented into reusable and disposable parts. The main bedpan structure with the stool compartment can be reused and easily cleaned, while the urine compartment can be detached and disposed of, simplifying the cleaning process compared to traditional single-piece bedpans that require thorough disinfection of all surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The urine collection compartment is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main bedpan structure. This allows the urine compartment to be easily removed for disposal while the main bedpan remains for reuse, reducing cleaning complexity compared to integrated designs where all parts must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected
3Device complexity
If urine and stools are collected together in the same compartment, then device simplicity is maintained, but separation of urine and stools is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is segmented into distinct compartments for urine and stool collection. This segmentation achieves effective separation of urine and stools while maintaining relative device simplicity through the use of a partition wall with a filter, which is a straightforward structural element that requires minimal manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with an integrated filter serves as an intermediary structure between the urine and stool compartments. This single component achieves both separation functionality and structural integrity, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring reliable urine-stool separation through the filter mechanism
4Volume of moving object
If the bottom portion is close to the support surface, then device compactness is improved, but stool containment effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into vertically stacked compartments with the stool compartment positioned above the urine compartment. This vertical segmentation allows the bottom portion to be closer to the support surface while maintaining effective stool containment through the partition wall structure that prevents stool from reaching the bottom discharge area
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 device effectively separates and contains urine and stools, reducing the risk of contamination and bedsores, while simplifying handling and disposal, thus enhancing hygiene and safety in healthcare environments.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable tube (10) defining an opening (10E) in its top surface (10A)
Data Source
AI summary
An article (1; 100) for collecting urine (300) and stools (400) of a user, the article having a support surface (10A) for supporting the buttocks of the user; and a chamber (20) that communicates with an opening (10E) defined by the support surface (10A) and that presents a bottom portion (22); and a spacer (10) suitable for maintaining the bottom portion at a distance from the support surface. The article has an internal wall element (23; 123) that is situated at a position vertically intermediate between the support surface (10A) and the bottom portion (22) and that is suitable for adopting a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the internal wall element forms an obstacle for substantially preventing stools (400) from passing to the bottom while allowing communication for urine (300). In the second configuration, the obstacle is substantially eliminated so as to allow stools to pass to the bottom of the chamber (20).