Fluid Collection Device Using Wicking Membrane to Reduce Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid collection devices for individuals with limited mobility or impaired urination, such as bed pans and urinary catheters, face issues like discomfort, pressure ulcers, spills, and urinary tract infections, necessitating the development of more effective and comfortable solutions.
Innovation Solution
The design of a fluid collection device featuring a fluid impermeable barrier with a fluid permeable body that includes a hydrophilic membrane and support, configured to wick fluid away from the urethra, reducing leaks and discomfort, and incorporating features like wicking fabrics, density gradients, and sparger tubes to enhance fluid removal and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bed pans are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection capability is provided, but discomfort and pressure ulcers occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid permeable body with porous structure that allows fluid to pass through while maintaining comfort. The porous material enables wicking action to draw fluid away from the urethra without requiring direct contact with solid surfaces that cause pressure ulcers, thus resolving the contradiction between fluid collection reliability and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple materials with different properties: a fluid impermeable barrier material, a fluid permeable body material, and a wicking fabric material. This composite structure allows the device to collect fluid effectively while the wicking fabric keeps the skin dry and comfortable, preventing discomfort and pressure ulcers.
2Reliability
If urinary catheters are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection capability is provided, but urinary tract infections and discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the catheter from the system and replaces it with a non-invasive external device. By taking out the invasive catheter that causes infections and discomfort, the invention achieves fluid collection through a external collection device with a wicking fabric that draws fluid away from the urethra without insertion, eliminating the source of infections and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The wicking fabric acts as an intermediary between the urethra and the fluid collection system. Instead of direct catheter insertion, the wicking fabric mediates fluid transfer by drawing fluid away from the urethra through capillary action, providing an indirect but effective fluid collection method that avoids infections and discomfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fluid permeable body is added to wick fluid away, then comfort and leak reduction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid collection function and the wicking function into a single integrated device structure. The fluid permeable body is incorporated within the collection device housing, combining multiple functions (fluid collection, wicking, and containment) into one unified structure, which reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes flexible thin film structures for the fluid impermeable barrier and fluid permeable body, allowing the device to conform to body contours without requiring complex rigid structures. This use of flexible shells and thin films simplifies the device design while maintaining effectiveness in fluid management and comfort.
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 solution improves fluid collection efficiency, reduces the risk of leaks and discomfort, and enhances user comfort by effectively managing fluid flow and pressure, allowing for easier use and improved hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid permeable body positioned at least partially within the chamber to extend across at least a portion of the opening and configured to wick fluid away from the opening
Implementation Method 2
the wicking fabric is configured to wick the fluid from an outer surface of the fluid permeable membrane to an inner surface of the fluid permeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid collection device may include a fluid impermeable barrier and a fluid permeable body in some examples. The fluid impermeable barrier includes an inner surface at least partially defining a chamber. The fluid impermeable barrier also defines an opening to the chamber extending longitudinally along the fluid impermeable barrier. The chamber may be configured to accept a fluid permeable body. The fluid permeable body may be at least partially exposed by the opening defined by the fluid impermeable barrier and configured to wick fluid from a surface of the fluid permeable body into the chamber. In some examples, the fluid permeable body may include a fluid permeable membrane and a fluid permeable support. In some examples, the fluid permeable membrane may be omitted. In some examples, the fluid permeable support may include at least a portion that is not fluid permeable.