Detachable Urostomy Valve Closure for Secure, Comfortable Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urostomy and ileostomy appliances face challenges in providing a comfortable and reliable mechanism for draining liquid and solid waste, with potential detachment issues and discomfort due to sharp corners and inadequate closure mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A valve system with a moveable closure arrangement and smooth transition design, featuring a detachable and rotatable closure member, integrated into the outlet portion for improved comfort and secure attachment, suitable for both liquid and solid waste types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a valve mechanism is provided for draining waste, then the ability to empty collected waste is improved, but detachment issues and discomfort occur due to sharp corners and inadequate closure mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage mechanism operationVSAvoidclosure mechanism reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure member is designed to be moveable between different positions (open and closed states) to dynamically control the outlet opening. This dynamic mechanism allows the valve to transition between allowing waste flow and preventing flow, improving both ease of operation and closure reliability through controlled movement rather than static design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet portion is designed with a smooth transition from the collecting volume, eliminating sharp corners. This curved geometry reduces discomfort during wear and improves the reliability of the closure mechanism by providing a smoother surface that reduces stress concentration and enhances sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a closure arrangement is provided to block the outlet, then waste containment is improved, but the mechanism becomes complex and prone to detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste containmentVSAvoidclosure arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure arrangement is divided into separate components: a closure member that can be detached from the outlet portion. This segmentation allows the closure member to be removed for cleaning or replacement while leaving the outlet portion intact, reducing overall system complexity and improving reliability by isolating the detachable component from the main structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure member is designed as a detachable component that can be extracted from the outlet portion. This extraction capability simplifies the overall mechanism by allowing the closure function to be separated from the structural outlet portion, reducing complexity and making the system more maintainable while maintaining reliable waste containment when closed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4426244B1A valve for a urostomy appliance
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SALTS HEALTHCARE LTD
  • EP4426244B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4426244B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4426244B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A valve for a urostomy appliance (10) including: a body (110) for connection to the urostomy appliance (10), an inlet (104) and an outlet (102), connected by a flow path, and a closure arrangement (120) which is moveable between a closed position, in which the closure arrangement (120) blocks the outlet (102), such that liquid cannot flow through the outlet (102), and an open position in which the outlet (102) is open, such that liquid is permitted to flow out of the outlet (102), wherein the closure arrangement (120) is detachably connectable to the body (110).