W-Shaped Disposable Urinary Incontinence Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Women experiencing stress urinary incontinence lack effective, non-surgical, user-friendly, and cost-effective disposable solutions that do not require a prescription or medical intervention, and existing devices are often cumbersome and uncomfortable.
Innovation Solution
A disposable urinary incontinence device comprising a liquid-stable resilient member and a cover sheet, forming a W-shaped profile with a tubular structure, which is non-absorbent, provides pressure to the urethro-vaginal myofascial area, and can be easily inserted and removed, using a thermoplastic fiber web with specific properties for comfort and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If women wear absorbent pads or liners to prevent leakage, then urine loss is controlled, but comfort and psychological assurance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable device that is inserted and then discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for washing, reusing, or maintaining traditional pads. This disposable approach provides reliable urine control while improving comfort and psychological assurance, as women do not need to wear bulky, reusable pads that require frequent changing and cleaning.
2Reliability
If prescription-only devices are used, then medical supervision is provided, but accessibility and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a device that women can insert and manage themselves without requiring medical practitioners for insertion or adjustment. The self-service nature of the device allows women to take control of their incontinence management, making it accessible without prescriptions while maintaining effectiveness through proper self-insertion and self-removal.
3Reliability
If traditional incontinence devices are used, then urine control is achieved, but device complexity and user-friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a device with a simplified structure that can be easily segmented or divided into manageable parts for insertion and removal. The device's design allows it to be broken down or folded in a way that makes insertion simple, and the same segmentation facilitates easy removal, reducing the complexity associated with traditional incontinence devices.
4Quantity of substance
If reusable devices are used, then cost is reduced, but cleaning time and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable device that is inserted and then discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for washing, reusing, or maintaining traditional pads. This disposable approach provides reliable urine control while improving comfort and psychological assurance, as women do not need to wear bulky, reusable pads that require frequent changing and cleaning.
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 reduces involuntary urine loss by maintaining pressure on the urethra, is comfortable and easy to use, and does not require medical intervention or a prescription, addressing the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of thermoplastic fibers heat bonded to one another to form a lofty nonwoven web
Implementation Method 2
The liquid-stable resilient member has a resilient compression from 60% to 90% and a resilient expansion from 60% to 100%
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable urinary incontinence device comprises a liquid-stable resilient member, and a cover sheet that envelops the liquid-stable resilient member to form an elongated member having a tubular profile. The elongated member has a first end, a second end, a first fold region disposed between the first end and the second end, a second fold region disposed between the first end and the first fold region, a third fold region disposed between the second end and the first fold region, a first portion located between the first end and the second fold region, a second portion located between the second end and the third fold region, a third portion located between the first fold region and a second fold region, and a fourth portion located between the first fold region and the third fold region to form a W-shaped incontinence device.