EP2919724A1

EP2919724A1 - Ostomy appliance

Info

Publication number: EP2919724A1
Application number: EP13789888.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Neil Wiltshire; Peter Argent
Original assignee: Salts Healthcare Ltd
Current assignee: Salts Healthcare Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-16
Filing date: 2013-11-08
Publication date: 2015-09-23
Also published as: GB201220664D0; WO2014076456A1; GB2508003A; GB2508003B

Abstract

An ostomy appliance (100) is described having a top (101) and bottom (102) and including first and second walls (104,105) connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening (106); a waste collecting cavity (103); and a gas vent (109) provided in either of the first or second walls to permit waste gases to escape from the waste collecting cavity, wherein the gas vent is covered by a cover member (112) which includes an outlet (114) from which communicates with the gas vent, said outlet opening in a direction towards a bottom of the appliance. Also described is an ostomy appliance system including such an ostomy appliance and a blocking member (420) for closing the outlet of the cover member.

Description

Title: Ostomy appliance Description of Invention

The invention relates to an ostomy appliance for collecting human waste. It should be understood that the invention can be utilised in non-drainable ostomy appliances. The invention is applicable to both one piece and two piece ostomy appliances.

It is known to provide in a wall of an ostomy appliance ('bag' or 'pouch' as they are commonly known in the art) an aperture to permit waste gases to escape from the waste collecting cavity of the ostomy appliance in use. This is necessary to prevent the bag expanding with gas pressure and potentially for leakage or bursting whilst filled with waste. In some prior art ostomy appliances the aperture is covered by a filter, the purpose of which is to deodorise the waste gases before they exit to atmosphere. In the known ostomy appliances the aperture/filter is usually, but not always, positioned in an upper part of the bag, above the opening to the bag which receives the stoma. An ostomy appliance may contain an intermediate wall, positioned in between the exterior walls, through which gas must pass in order to exit through an external wall of the appliance. In such appliances an aperture may be provide in that intermediate wall which may or may not be provided with a respective filter.

Users wear such ostomy appliances throughout a day and may or may not replace the appliance with a fresh one at regular intervals. Typically, a user with illeostomy (where waste is substantially in liquid form) would utilise an appliance which is drainable, thus permitting the user to use a single appliance for one or more days. A user with a colostomy (where waste is substantially solie or semi-solid) would use a non-drainable appliance and thus would need to change the appliance regularly throughout a day when the collecting cavity is full. In either case, it is important to ensure that the filter in the external wall of the appliance does not become blocked during use. If this occurs, then the appliance will gradually inflate with waste gases which can cause discomfort and/or embarrassment to the user.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, we provide an ostomy appliance having a top and bottom and including:- first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening;

a waste collecting cavity; and

a gas vent provided in either of the first or second walls to permit waste gases to escape from the waste collecting cavity,

wherein the gas vent is covered by a cover member which includes an outlet from which communicates with the gas vent, said outlet opening in a direction towards a bottom of the appliance.

Further features of the first aspect of the invention are set out in claims 2 to 22 appended hereto. According to a first aspect of the present invention, we provide an ostomy appliance system including an ostomy appliance according to the first aspect of the invention and a blocking member for closing the outlet of the cover member. Further features of the first aspect of the invention are set out in claims 24 to 26 appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which :- Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an ostomy appliance according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the ostomy appliance of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an ostomy appliance system including the ostomy appliance of figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a front view of the ostomy appliance system of figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an ostomy appliance according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a front view of the ostomy appliance of figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an ostomy appliance system including the ostomy appliance of figures 5 and 6;

Figure 8 is a front view of the ostomy appliance system of figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an ostomy appliance according to the present invention;

Figure 10 is a front view of the ostomy appliance of figure 9;

Figure 1 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an ostomy appliance system including the ostomy appliance of figures 9 and 10;

Figure 12 is a front view of the ostomy appliance system of figure 1 1 ; Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an ostomy appliance according to the present invention;

Figure 14 is a front view of the ostomy appliance of figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an ostomy appliance system including the ostomy appliance of figures 13 and 14; and

Figure 16 is a front view of the ostomy appliance system of figure 15.

Referring firstly to figures 1 and 2 these show a first embodiment of an ostomy applicance in accordance with the present invention, indicated generally at 100. The ostomy appliance has a top and a bottom generally indicated at 101 and 102 respectively. As is well known in the art, the ostomy appliance has a first wall 104 and a second wall 105 which are connected to each other at or near their peripheries, by any suitable means known in the art. For example, they could be adhered to each other or heat welded.

The first wall 104 is connected to a generally circular flange 105 which is made from a hydrocolloid material and serves to enable a user to adhere the appliance to their skin around their stoma. The first wall 104 includes a stoma- receiving opening 106 which, as is well known in the art, can be cut to an appropriate size for a particular user. The appliance 100 also includes an intermediate wall 108 which is not essential for the present invention. The intermediate wall 108 separates the internal volume of the ostomy appliance 100 into a main waste collecting cavity 103a and a second cavity 103b. The cavities 103a and 103b are connected to each other by a gas vent 109, which in this example is an aperture provided in and upper part of the intermediate ball 108. The aperture 109 permits gas within the waste collecting cavity 103a to pass into the second cavity 103b.

The second wall 105 includes a gas vent 1 10 to permit waste gases to escape from the waste collecting cavity 103a to atmosphere. The gas vent 1 10 is provided in a part of the second wall 105 which defines the second cavity 103b. In this example the gas vent 1 10 is covered by a gas filter 1 1 1 , which is adhered to an inwardly facing surface of the second wall 105. The gas vent 1 1 1 can be of any suitable type/configuration, and is desirable, but not essential. Its intended purpose is to remove odorous smells from the gas as it exits the appliance to atmosphere.

The ostomy appliance 100 includes a cover member 1 12 which includes an outlet 1 14 which communicates with the gas vent 1 10. In this example the cover member 1 12 is substantially circular in front view (see figure 2) and is connected to the second wall 105 by an adhesive 1 13. In the present example the adhesive 1 13 extends around the periphery of the cover member 1 12 for about 300^Q, thus leaving a non-adhered section which defines the outlet 1 14. The outlet 1 14 of the cover member 1 12 opens in a direction towards a bottom 102 of the appliance.

Whilst in this embodiment the opening 1 14 is positioned so that it opens directly downwardly, it could be positioned so that it opens in a direction at an angle to a generally vertical line which passes between the top 101 and the bottom 102 of the appliance 100. In addition, whilst the cover member 1 12 is connected to the second wall 105 of the appliance 100 by an adhesive 1 13, it should be noted that any other suitable means of connection could be provided. For example, the cover member may be heat sealed to the second wall 105. Advantageously, the cover member is larger in diameter than the filter 1 1 1 , which makes it possible, with current manufacturing processes, to heat weld the cover member 1 12 to the second wall 105 of the appliance 100. If the cover member is smaller than the diameter of the filter 1 1 1 , then a preferred connection is that of an adhesive 1 13 as this renders manufacturing the appliance more straightforward. It should be noted that whilst in the present example the circular periphery of the cover member is connected to the appliance around 300^Q of its periphery, it would be connected at around 270^Q, 240^Q, 210^Q or 180^Q, so long as in each case the outlet 1 14 from the cover member 1 12 opens in a direction towards the bottom 102 of the appliance 100.

By referring now to figures 3 and 4, these show an ostomy appliance system in accordance with the present invention utilising the ostomy appliance as shown in figures 1 and 2 and a blocking member 120. In the present example, the blocking member 120 is a foam material (e.g. a closed cell foam material, a plastic sheet or a rubber or rubber-like material) which has an adhesive surface on one side thereof. The blocking member is substantially oval in front view and has been adhered to an external surface of the cover member 1 12 and the second wall 105 so as to close the outlet 1 14 of the cover member 1 12. The adhesive chosen for the blocking member 120 is such that it can be removably connected to the appliance 100 to close the outlet 1 14.

In the condition shown in figures 3 and 4, little or no gases can escape from the appliance 1 10, because the gas flow path from the outlet 1 10 to the outlet 1 14 and then to atmosphere has been blocked by the blocking member 120. In a similar fashion, little or no gases or liquids can pass through the outlet 1 14 to the gas vent 1 10 and filter 1 1 1 .

The present invention has been devised so as to prevent the gas filter 1 1 1 of the appliance 100 from becoming wet during use, for example whilst a user is wearing the appliance 100 whilst showering. This is achieved by providing the cover member 1 12 in accordance with the present invention having its outlet opening in a direction towards the bottom of the appliance. The outlet 1 14 opening in this direction permits waste gases to exit the appliance, but also prevents water running over the appliance 100 from coming into contact with the filter 1 1 1 . This is beneficial, because water coming into contact with the filter 1 1 1 can block the filter and/or prevent it from working satisfactorily. This is one reason why ostomy appliances often have an intermediate wall (108 in the present example) in order to prevent waste from contacting and thus blocking the filter 1 1 1 . The ostomy appliance system in accordance with the present invention, particularly the blocking member 120, is advantageous because a user can completely block the outlet 1 14 from the appliance 100 if, for example, they wish to have a bath or go swimming, or wear the appliance whilst in a humid environment. In doing so, the user prevents water from coming into direct contact with the filter 1 1 1 . When the user has finished bathing or swimming, he/she can remove the blocking member 120 thus opening the outlet 1 14 and permitting waste gases to exit from the appliance 100.

The present invention therefore permits longer use of use of the ostomy appliance, whilst permitting the user to undertake everyday activities/sports/hobbies where previously it would have been necessary to replace the ostomy appliance after that activity.

Figures 5 and 6 show a second embodiment 200 of an ostomy appliance in accordance with the present invention. Features the same or similar to those of the first embodiment have been given the same preference with the addition of 100, and will not be discussed in further detail here.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape and configuration of the cover member 212. The cover member 212 is generally elongate and extends downwardly towards the bottom 202 of the appliance 200. The generally elongate shape of the cover member 212 further inhibits water ingress through the outlet 214 towards the filter 212. Figures 7 and 8 show an ostomy appliance system 200' including a blocking 220 for blocking the outlet 214 in a similar fashion to that shown in figures 3 and 4.

Figures 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of an ostomy appliance 300 in accordance with the present invention. Again, features the same or similar to those shown in the first embodiment have been given the same reference with the addition of 200. The cover member 312 in this embodiment is similar to shape to the cover member 212 in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment the outlet 314 is wider and the cover member 312 is larger in surface area than the filter 31 1 . Figures 1 1 and 1 2 show an ostomy appliance system 300' including a blocking member 320 which, in a similar fashion to the first and second embodiments, blocks the outlet 314.

Referring to figures 13 and 14, these show a fourth embodiment of an ostomy appliance 400 in accordance with the present invention. Features which are the same or similar to those shown in the first embodiment have been the same reference numeral with the addition of 300. In this embodiment the cover member is similar to that shown in the first embodiment, but the outlet 414 is elongate. Essentially, the cover member 412 is substantially key-hole shaped and thus has the added advantage associated with the second embodiment in that water ingress through the outlet 414 is further inhibited. Figures 15 and 16 show an ostomy appliance system 400' in accordance with the present invention, including a blocking member 420 which blocks the outlet 414. In this example the blocking member 420 is circular in front view. It should be appreciated that the blocking member shown in all of the figures could be any appropriate shape as long as it can block the outlet from the cover member when connected/adhered thereto. Whilst in the four described embodiments there is provided only a single gas vent 1 10, 210, 310, 410, it should be appreciated that two or more gas vents to be provided, each having a respective cover member which communicates with each gas vent. In such a system two blocking members may be provided to cover the outlet from each cover member. Alternatively, if the outlets from the two or more cover members are positioned close to each other, a larger single blocking member may be provided to cover both outlets at the same time. Although not shown in the figures, each of the embodiments may be provided with a spacing member positioned between the cover member and the wall to which it is connected, so as to maintain fluid communication between the outlet of the cover member and the gas vent. Any moisture present between the cover member and the wall to which it is connected may serve to "stick" those parts to each other, thus inhibiting exit of gases through the gas vent. The provision of a spacing member would prevent the surfaces from adhering in such a fashion. The spacing member may, for examples, be a fabric material or a foam material. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1 . An ostomy appliance having a top and bottom and including:- first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries, the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening;

a waste collecting cavity; and

2. An ostomy appliance according to claim 1 wherein the outlet of the cover member extends downwardly towards a bottom of the appliance.

3. An ostomy appliance according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the outlet of the cover member extends away from the stoma-receiving opening.

4. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein the cover member is connected at or near its periphery to the wall of the appliance having the gas vent.

5. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein a substantial portion of the periphery of the cover member is connected to the appliance.

6. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein a portion of the outlet of the cover member is substantially of constant cross- section.

7. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein a portion of the cover member which covers the gas vent is substantially circular or part circular.

8. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein a periphery of the circular portion is connected to the wall of the appliance.

9. An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 wherein greater than 180^Q of the periphery of the circular portion is connected to the wall of the appliance.

10. An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 wherein greater than 210^Q of the periphery of the circular portion is connected to the wall of the appliance.

1 1 . An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 wherein greater than 240^Q of the periphery of the circular portion is connected to the wall of the appliance.

12. An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 wherein greater than 270^Q of the periphery of the circular portion is connected to the wall of the appliance.

13. An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 wherein greater than 300^Q of the periphery of the circular portion is connected to the wall of the appliance.

14. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein a portion of the outlet of the cover member is generally elongate.

15. An ostomy appliance according to claim 14 wherein the generally elongate portion is connected at or near its periphery to the wall of the appliance having the gas vent.

16. An ostomy appliance according to claim 14 or 15 as appendent to any one of claims 7 to 13 wherein the generally elongate portion of the outlet is connected to and extends away from the circular portion.

17. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet extends radially away from the gas vent.

18. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein the appliance includes two or more gas vent and a respective cover member communicates with each gas vent.

19. An ostomy appliance according to claim 18 wherein the or each gas vent is positioned between a centre line of the stoma-receiving opening and the bottom of the appliance.

20. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein the or each gas vent includes or is covered by a filter.

21 . An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim including a spacing member provided between the cover member and the wall to which it is connected.

22. An ostomy appliance according to claim 21 wherein the spacing member serves to maintain fluid communication between the outlet and the gas vent.

23. An ostomy appliance system including an ostomy appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 22 and a blocking member for closing the outlet of the cover member.

24. An ostomy appliance system according to claim 23 wherein the blocking member is removably connectable to the appliance to close the outlet.

25. An ostomy appliance system according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the blocking member is adherable to the appliance.

26. An ostomy appliance system according to claim 23, 24 or 25 wherein the blocking member is a foam material is an adhesive on one surface thereof.

27. An ostomy appliance or ostomy appliance system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

28. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.