Urostomy Pouch Baffle Multilayer Film Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urostomy pouches face challenges with bulging and sloshing due to liquid waste collection, which affects privacy and discretion, and existing two-layer film compositions for baffles are difficult to produce consistently, leading to increased costs and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A urostomy pouch with a baffle member made from a two-layer film comprising an inner layer of polypropylene and a styrenic block copolymer, and an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower melting temperature, sealed using ultrasonic methods to improve process consistency and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-layer film including polypropylene and polyethylene is used for the baffle member, then the baffle member can be formed, but process tolerances are difficult to control and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by replacing polyethylene with styrenic block copolymer in the inner layer, creating a specific composition range (70-99 wt% polypropylene, 1-30 wt% styrenic block copolymer) that optimizes both process consistency and manufacturing feasibility while maintaining the baffle member's functional performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite two-layer film structure with specific material combinations (polypropylene/styrenic block copolymer in the inner layer and thermoplastic polymer in the outer layer) that provide both the structural integrity needed for the baffle member and the processability required for consistent manufacturing at controlled costs
2Quantity of substance
If the pouch is filled with liquid waste, then the collection function is achieved, but the pouch bulges and becomes difficult to conceal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pouch interior space by introducing a baffle member that segments the collection chamber, creating a partitioned structure that contains liquid waste in a controlled zone and prevents the entire pouch from bulging outward, thereby maintaining a flatter profile for better concealment
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle member extends into the collection chamber from the pouch wall, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to create a partition that redirects liquid flow and contains bulk within a confined spatial zone, preventing uniform expansion across the pouch surface
3Quantity of substance
If the pouch is filled with liquid waste, then the collection function is achieved, but lapping or sloshing occurs which makes undesirable sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle member segments the liquid waste collection space into separate zones, restricting the free movement of liquid and reducing the amplitude and frequency of sloshing waves, thereby minimizing the generation of undesirable sounds during user movement
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle member acts as an intermediary structure between the liquid waste and the pouch wall, absorbing and dampening the kinetic energy of sloshing liquid before it can contact the pouch wall and generate sound, thus reducing audible noise
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 solution significantly reduces bulging and sloshing, enhancing the privacy and discretion of users while improving production consistency and reducing manufacturing costs by achieving high-quality pouches with strong ultrasonic seals.
Implementation Method 1
The two sheets may be ultrasonically sealed to each other about their longitudinal edges to form a tubular-shaped baffle member
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A urostomy pouch includes a baffle member, which is formed using multilayer film sheets. The multilayer film includes an inner layer comprising polypropylene and styrenic block copolymer, and an outer layer comprising ethyl methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA). The multilayer film sheets are arranged such that the inner layers face each other and are ultrasonically sealed along their longitudinal edges to form a tubular-shaped baffle member.