Bodily Waste Separation Device with Filtered Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stool collection devices, such as bed pans and ostomy bags, face issues like discomfort, spills, hygiene problems, and the need for intrusive surgery, making them inadequate for individuals with limited mobility or restricted travel conditions, and inefficient for monitoring purposes.
Innovation Solution
A bodily waste separation device with a semi-rigid tray and multiple chambers, equipped with a filter and drainage system, that separates liquids from solids, allowing liquids to be removed while solids are retained, thereby reducing clogging and extending device usage time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bed pans are used for stool collection, then they provide a simple collection method, but they are prone to discomfort, spills, and hygiene issues
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are spatially separated and functionally distinct. Each chamber handles specific aspects of waste collection and processing, with the first chamber receiving waste, the second chamber filtering liquids, and the third chamber collecting filtered waste. This segmentation prevents spills and improves hygiene by containing waste in separate compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the first chamber and the second chamber. This filter mediates the separation of liquids from solids, allowing liquids to pass through to the third chamber while retaining solids in the second chamber. The intermediary filter element enables the device to achieve both liquid drainage and solid waste containment, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and hygiene.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If ostomy bags are used for stool collection, then they provide continuous collection capability, but they require intrusive surgery with permanent side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service stool collection by providing a non-intrusive, externally worn collection system that does not require surgical modification of the body. The multi-chamber device can be worn externally and collects stool naturally passing through the anus, eliminating the need for ostomy surgery while maintaining continuous collection capability throughout the day.
3Device complexity
If all bodily waste is collected in a single container, then the collection process is simple, but the device requires frequent emptying and has limited usage time
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are spatially separated and functionally distinct. Each chamber handles specific aspects of waste collection and processing, with the first chamber receiving waste, the second chamber filtering liquids, and the third chamber collecting filtered waste. This segmentation prevents spills and improves hygiene by containing waste in separate compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates liquids from solids and allows liquids to be drained away through the filter into the third chamber, while solids remain in the second chamber. This discarding of liquid portion extends the usage time by reducing the volume of waste that needs to be emptied and prevents clogging, while the overall collection process remains relatively simple.
4Productivity
If drainage tubing is used to remove liquid from waste, then liquid removal is efficient, but the tubing is prone to clogging by solid particles
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is positioned in advance before the drainage tubing, performing preliminary separation of liquids from solids. This preliminary action removes solid particles that would otherwise clog the drainage tubing, ensuring that only liquid passes through the filter and into the drainage system. The filter acts as a protective barrier that prevents clogging before it can occur in the tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the first chamber and the second chamber. This filter mediates the separation of liquids from solids, allowing liquids to pass through to the third chamber while retaining solids in the second chamber. The intermediary filter element enables the device to achieve both liquid drainage and solid waste containment, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and hygiene.
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 collects and separates bodily waste, reducing the volume of waste collected, preventing clogging of drainage tubing, and increasing the device's usage time, making it suitable for individuals with limited mobility and improving hygiene and monitoring efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source configured to apply a vacuum to draw fluid from the interior region
Implementation Method 2
a filter disposed between the lower end of the outer walls and the output manifold
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to devices, systems, and methods for collecting bodily waste as well as separating the liquids from the solids in the bodily waste. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein utilize a bodily waste separation device having an at least semi-rigid tray, a lid fluidly sealed to the at least semi-rigid tray, an output manifold fluidly sealed to the at least semi-rigid tray, an intake configured to fluidly connect the interior region of the at least semi-rigid tray to a source outside of the separation device, and a filter disposed between the at least semi-rigid tray and the output manifold.