Integrated Urostomy Bag Sensor for Automated Urine-Level Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urostomy bags are cumbersome, require frequent manual monitoring, and lack a dignified way to discharge urine, with hanging bags causing discomfort and social stigma, and urine levels are difficult to determine without manual checking.
Innovation Solution
A urostomy bag with an integrated electronic sensor unit that alerts the user when a pre-determined urine volume is reached, using sensors to measure flow rate and volume, and includes a microcontroller to generate alerts via a user device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of urine levels is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an electronic sensor system that automatically detects urine volume. The sensor unit includes sensors, a microcontroller, and a battery that work together to measure and communicate urine levels, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while providing precise measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The urostomy bag system performs self-monitoring through the integrated sensor unit that automatically detects and communicates urine volume without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by providing real-time feedback about its own state.
2Quantity of substance
If frequent emptying cycles are required, then urine storage capacity is optimized, but loss of time and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit provides continuous feedback about urine volume to the user, enabling them to plan emptying operations more efficiently. This feedback mechanism allows users to optimize the timing of emptying operations based on actual volume rather than following a fixed schedule.
3Quantity of substance
If hanging pouch design is used, then urine collection function is achieved, but ease of operation and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a hanging pouch design to a wearable integrated system that attaches to the body. This dimensional change moves the collection system from a separate hanging component to an integrated wearable unit, improving ease of operation and user comfort while maintaining collection capability.
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
Provides dignified urine discharge with automated volume sensing, allowing users to monitor urine levels remotely and easily drain the bag, enhancing comfort and social acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic sensor unit includes one or more sensors configured to sense flow rate of the urine that flows through the tube to measure quantity of the urine collected inside the second chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a urostomy bag (100) for a user. The urostomy bag (100) includes a first chamber (102) disposed on a stoma of the user such that the first chamber (102) receives the urine of the user; a tube (104) having a first end (104A) and a second end (104B) such that the first end (104A) is received within the first chamber (102) to allow passage of the urine through the tube (104); a second chamber (110) having an inlet (110A) and coupled to the tube (104) such that the second end (104B) is received within the inlet (110A) to allow passage of the urine from the tube (104) to the second chamber (); and an electronic sensor unit (106) configured to alert the user when volume of the urine in the second chamber (110) reaches to a pre-determined volume of the second chamber (110). FIG. 1 is the reference figure