Urostomy Drain Valve With Squeeze Arms for Spill-Free Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urostomy appliances lack a convenient and controlled mechanism for draining urine without undesirable dripping or spillage, requiring users to reposition their hands during valve operation.
Innovation Solution
A valve comprising a first valve portion with a head portion, stem, inlet, and arms that can be squeezed to open, allowing fluid drainage by displacing a sleeve away from the head portion and a second valve portion with a bore and outlet, enabling easy control over fluid flow without hand repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional valve mechanism is used for draining urine, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the user needs to reposition their hands during operation causing undesirable dripping or spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve opening mechanism and fluid flow control function into a single integrated arm structure. The arm simultaneously performs the function of opening the valve and controlling the distal end closure, eliminating the need for separate hand repositioning and ensuring continuous control over fluid flow throughout the draining process
2Productivity
If the valve allows free drainage, then fluid can flow easily, but undesirable dripping or spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the arm's position directly controls both the valve opening state and the distal end closure position. As the arm moves to allow fluid drainage, it simultaneously positions the distal end closure to prevent over-drainage, creating a self-regulating system that maintains controlled flow and prevents harmful dripping or spillage
Data Source
AI summary
A valve (10) for draining fluid from a urostomy pouch (5), where the valve comprises a first valve portion (20) comprising a head portion (24), a stem (6), an inlet (15), a first bore (22), at least one outlet opening (23) and a distal end closure (25), and a second valve portion (30) comprising a sleeve (7), a second bore (32) and a valve outlet (33), the first bore (22) and the second bore (32) form a channel to transport fluid from the inlet (15) to the valve outlet (33), the sleeve (7) encircles the stem (6) and is adapted to close the channel to prevent drainage of fluid, the distal end closure (25) of the first valve portion (20) is adapted to close off the valve outlet (33) of the second valve portion (30), wherein the valve comprises one or more arms (36), the one or more arms extending between a distal end (41) and a proximal end (42), the one or more arms (36) having the distal end (41) connected to the sleeve (7) and the proximal end (42) coupled to the head portion (24), wherein the one or more arms (36) is arranged in a distance from the sleeve (7) forming a gap between the one or more arms (36) and the sleeve (7), wherein the one or more arms (36) is adapted to be moved towards the sleeve (7) into the gap, which displaces the sleeve (7) away from the head portion (24) of the first valve portion to open the channel and allow drainage of fluid through the valve (10), as the distal end closure (25) is simultaneously displaced into the second bore (32).