FI90198B - Clutch for a stool collector - Google Patents

Description

1 90198

Connection of faecal collection device

The invention relates to a connection for a faecal collection device according to the preamble of the appended claim 1.

U.S. Patent No. 4,610,676 describes a ring structure of a fecal collection device connection consisting of two relatively flat rings formed of polyethylene or other relatively soft, flexible plastic material. The second ring has a tubular neck portion having a limited axial dimension and terminating in an annular edge, the configuration generally defining an outwardly directed channel that receives the annular protrusion or edge of the other ring when the rings are joined together. The joining of the two rings within the channel is responsible for providing a reliable, fluid-tight connection between the parts and for maintaining this flexibility despite the elasticity and bending to which the rings are subjected during use due to a second contact zone located outside the sealing zone and providing a primary locking effect.

The main purpose of the connecting ring assembly of the above-mentioned patent and of all other recent stool collection assemblies is to allow the stool collection bag to be replaced while allowing the adhesive surface plate to remain in place on the user's body. In this case, over several days, numerous bags can be connected to and detached from a single connecting plate of the surface plate. Whenever such a coupling or uncoupling operation takes place, there is a risk that the sealing surfaces of the tires may be scratched (e.g. with a fingernail), incised or otherwise damaged. Any such damage, even such a small scratch that it is not easy to detect with the naked eye, may be sufficient to cause a point of leakage when the tires are joined together.

2 90198 Related to this problem is the fact that such arrangements are generally used by elderly and frail patients who do not have the slight dexterity required to easily assemble and detach tires and who may find it difficult to handle such tires without damaging their sealing surfaces.

The object of the present invention is to provide a solution by which leakage problems can be practically eliminated and at the same time other significant advantages can be achieved. The essential features of the joint according to the invention are set out in the characterizing part of claim 1.

According to the invention, the flexible, polymeric liner is attached to a radially extending channel of the second ring. Particularly advantageous results are obtained if the flexible liner, in addition to being adaptive, also has controlled compression-sensitive adhesive properties. Whether or not the elastomeric liner is adhesive, it deforms due to the uneven forces exerted on it by the protrusion of the second connecting ring as it is placed in the channel. Gaps between the two rings that would otherwise cause leakage or fluid flow are effectively eliminated. The flexible liner is also able to accommodate the small size variations that may occur between successive bag rings, allowing the user to be confident that a single surface plate ring can be connected to multiple bag rings without the possibility of leakage.

When the flexible lining also has adhesive properties, it increases the reliability of the connection between the two rings and prevents leakage. It is important that the bond between the liner and the channel in which it is placed is greater than the adhesion force between the liner and the protrusion of the second ring so that when the second ring is removed, the liner remains in the channel. This can be achieved by forming a liner from the hot melt adhesive and pouring the adhesive 1.

90198 in the molten state to the channel where it is stunning or vui-Channeled. The adhesion between the liner and the protrusion of the second tire can also be adjusted by selecting a suitable formula or surface treatment for the tire. so that its surface has a lower affinity for the adhesive than for the ring forming the Channel.

When the lining also has adhesive properties. it helps to provide a connecting ring assembly that requires more force to purr than to connect it. The user finds that the tires can be easily slid into the connected position. The substantially greater force required to separate the parts provides protection against the possibility of inadvertent separation of the parts.

Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description and drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fecal collection arrangement. provided with the junction assembly of the present invention, the stool collection bag and the surface plate being described separately for clarity of description.

Figure 2 is a somewhat enlarged, schematic, partial cross-sectional view. which describes the ratio of the parts when the rings are connected to each other.

Figure 3 is further enlarged, schematic. partial cross-sectional view of the ring of the surface plate and its rising sealing liner.

Figure 4 is a similar enlarged cross-sectional view as Figure 3 except that it illustrates the adaptation of the liner. when the protrusion of the bag ring is placed in the channel.

4,90198

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the viscous fluidity or change in the liner assembly when the forces exerted by the connecting ring protrusion are removed.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a fecal collection arrangement having a surface plate 11 and a container or bag 12. A two-piece connecting ring assembly 13 is disposed for releasably connecting the surface plate and the bag, one part being the surface plate ring 13a and the other part being the bag ring 13b.

Both the bag and the surface plate can vary considerably in size, shape and construction, as is well known in the art, and it is to be understood that the use of the joint assembly 13 is not limited to certain bag and surface plate structures described in the drawings. For example, the bag 12 is described as having an outlet 14 at its lower end, such an outlet being intended to be closed by a suitable compression device (not shown) as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,523,534; however, the bag may, if desired, be one which cannot be emptied, in which case the outlet 14 can be omitted. Usually, the bag 12 is designed to be relatively flat and consists of two sheets or walls 12a and 12b of a flexible thermoplastic film which are heat sealed together along their outer edges, as indicated by 15 in Figure 1.

The surface plate li, in the particular form described in the drawings, is generally formed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,213,458, and this patent may be referred to for information on structural details. The surface plate 11 includes a highly flexible body or panel 17 formed of a gas permeable but water resistant, microporous material. Several materials are known, 90198 5 having such properties, and can be used. In any case, the topsheet should be very flexible to easily adapt to body contours and body movements, and coated on the back or back with a medically acceptable, pressure sensitive adhesive so that when removing the backing sheet or sheets 18 a microporous, adhesive coated body or panel 17 can be attached. in the lower abdomen.

The retaining ring or protrusion 19 may be secured to the front of the microporous body 17 by heat sealing or any other suitable method. The retaining ring must also be able to be heat sealed or otherwise reliably attached, either directly or indirectly, to the ring 13a of the connecting ring assembly 13. In the structure described in the drawings, such joining is indirect in that a film 23 of thin, flexible and flexible thermoplastic material is interposed between the surface plate ring 13a and the surface plate 11 mounting ring 19, as generally described in U.S. Patent No. 4,419,100. the inner edge is heat sealed at 20 to the pin plate 11, and the outer edge is heat sealed at 24 to the ring 13a of the surface plate. The film creates a floating relationship between the surface plate ring 13a and the surface plate 11, which facilitates the surface plate to conform to the wearer's body without resistance from the connecting rings and generally allows limited movement of the surface plate ring in generally axial directions relative to the surface plate. Such limited movement allows the user to place his fingers between the ring 13a and the surface plate 11, which allows the connecting rings to be attached and detached without causing discomfort. The film should be formed of a heat-sealable, rigid and durable material that can also act as a liquid and odor barrier. Low density β 90198 knee veneer, co-injection molded with an extensible, polyvinylidene chloride layer or core known as Saranex, Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, has been found to be suitable, but other materials with the same properties are available. and can be used.

The connecting ring assembly, and in particular the structural relationship between the surface plate ring 13a and the bag ring 13b, is most clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and <4. The ring 13a has an annular body portion 25 and a fixed, tubular neck portion 26. The coplanar body portion 25 forms an annular closure protrusion 27 which is described as continuous, although if desired the closure protrusion may be non-uniform or discontinuous at its circumference.

The neck portion 26 of the ring 13a tapers axially and forward away from the coplanar body portion 25, and has an annular and radially outwardly extending edge 28 at its front end or end apart from the fulcrum. Together, the edge, neck portion and body portion define a radially extending annular channel 26a. This radially outwardly extending channel has a liner or layer 29 of flexible, polymeric sealing material.

The liner 29 easily deforms and is undisturbed in the state shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. In this state, it forms a substantially uniform cover or layer along the substrate of the channel 26a. Since the liner is fixedly connected to the neck portion 26 of the connecting ring 13a, it cannot move out of the channel. However, the location. where it is located in the channel may change substantially. as shown in Figures 2 and.

The flexible liner can be formed of any of a number of materials that have a combination of the following properties to an avoidable degree: adaptability, reversibility. adhesion and fluidity. Low hardness thermoplastic elastomer and. such as silicone rubber, p <olv-urethane or polybutylene / polyisoprene, may be used and may be applied by coating the dispersion or solvent system by mechanical transfer or some other suitable method. Preferably, the flexible liner is formed in place by draining it into the channel in a molten state. For this purpose, the melting temperature of the sealing liner material should not pass through the thermoplastic material. from which the ring 13a is formed, the melting temperature to such an extent that the ring deforms or is damaged when the molten liner material cools: it must be understood that if the molten seal momentarily and slightly softens the ring surface . Due to its application, the lining material can be referred to as a "melt seal". Such melt seals are well known and usually consist of thermoplastic elastomers mixed with polyethylene or ethylene copolymers and in many cases sizing agents such as terpenoids or polyvinobutylene.

Particularly effective results are obtained when the flexible liner, in addition to being thermoplastic, adaptive and elastically reversible, also has pressure-sensitive adhesive properties. A hot melt glue. having such properties are also known, and any of them can be used for this purpose. For example, one such material is available as HM651S from H. B. Fuller Company, St. Paul. Minnesota. Others are called 34-2681 from National Starch & Chemical Corporation, Bridgewater, New Jersev. and 64116 from Swift Adhe- 8 90198 sives Division, Reichhold Chemicals. Inc., Chicago, Illinois. While these adhesive properties may contribute to a more effective seam between the connecting rings (an effect believed to be achieved largely through the flexibility of the seal), they clearly result in a more reliable joint between the parts. The melt material is applied in the molten state by draining it into a channel 26a to form a liner having a thickness of about 0.03 to 0.13 cm.

The connecting ring 13b of the bag is provided with a body portion 30. extending in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the ring. Generally, the conical edge portion or protrusion 31 tapers axially from the inner edge of the body portion 30, the general direction of constriction of the protrusion being the same as the neck portion 26. The inner surface of the protrusion is provided with an annular protrusion 31a, this protrusion defining a minimum protrusion inner diameter. so that it is tightly connected to the liner 29 along the outer surface 26 of the ring 13b. At or at the free end of the fulcrum, the protrusion is provided with an axially extending annular ridge 31b, which is usually against the edge 28 when the parts are joined, as illustrated in Figures 2 and A.

At its outer circumference, the body portion 30 connects to an annular closure rib 32 extending inwardly and axially in a direction opposite to the direction of the protrusion 31 and defining an outwardly and rearwardly directed recess 33 at the end of the body portion 30 for releasably receiving and retaining the ring plate 13a. in place. The rib 32 may be provided with rounded surfaces, as illustrated in Figure 2, to allow the two rings to lock and disengage.

With the exception of the adaptive sealing liner 29 at the joints 9 90198, the rings 13a and 13b are similar to those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,676, which details detailed features, effects, and advantages of such a ring structure. Although the rings 13a and 13b are believed to represent a particularly effective connecting ring arrangement for using the sealing liner, it is believed that numerous changes and variations can be made to the ring structure. Thus, especially if the liner 29 has pressure sensitive adhesive properties, it may be possible to completely omit the rib 32 and its external locking function. Alternatively, the radially inwardly defining surfaces defining the recess 33 may also be aligned with the resilient sealing material to convert the outer locking zone to a locking / sealing zone.

An important feature of the sealing liner 29 is graphically illustrated in Figures 3-5. In the undisturbed state, the flexible liner is usually uniform in thickness (Fig. 3), but it easily deforms due to the strong contact of the protrusion 31 and especially the protrusion 31a (Fig. 4). Due to such strong contact, the resilient material flows or displaces along the circumference, radially and axially to ensure that there is no void or openings between the liner 29 and the protrusion 31. The dimensions of the sealing liner or layer 29 and the rings 13a and 13b are such that the liner must move somewhat when the parts are fitted together. When the parts are separated from each other, the memory properties of the resilient material cause it to return, at least in part, in the direction of the arrows 35 to its original, undisturbed state (Figure 5). As a result, the bag rings 13b can be repeatedly connected to and detached from the surface plate ring 13, the flexible liner being able to resiliently engage the bag ring and form a liquid-retaining seam therewith each time.

When the liner has pressure sensitive adhesive properties. the rings 13a and 13b can be made even more flexible to adapt to changes in the contours of the body without the risk of the tires coming off unintentionally. Thus flexible and flexible connecting rings. which can be formed from low density knee veneer. flatter profiles can be made so that they do not extend so far from the surface of the patient’s body. Such a structure makes the product more difficult to detect, and in addition, the lower profiles allow the tires to more easily adapt to the changes required by body movements, thus being more comfortable for the patient and reducing the possibility of the adhesive surface coming off the skin.

The use of a melt-sealing liner, which also has pressure-sensitive adhesive properties, may be more advantageous. to provide a fluid-tight connection between other types of medical connections, such as between intravenous serial connections, where the forces required to separate the parts should be substantially greater than those required to connect them and where it is necessary to provide fluid and gas-tight connections.

While I have described above, i.e., vellusmuodon of the present invention in considerable detail scenic reasons, the art skilled in the art will realize that many of these details may be varied without departing from the spirit and suojapiirietä invention.

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Claims (10)

A connection of a fecal collection means comprising a first ring (13a) of resilient plastic material surrounding an axial opening engaging the patient outlet and further forming an annular channel (26a) opening substantially in the radial direction of the ring, and a second connecting ring (13b), (31) releasably attachable to the annular channel (26a) of the first ring (13a), characterized in that the joint further comprises a deformable liner (29) of viscoelastic polymeric material located in the annular channel (26a) tightly attached to the first ring (13a). ) and forms a liquid-tight connection between the first ring and the annular flange (31) of the second ring (13b) with the rings attached to each other. A copying device according to claim 1, which comprises a viscoelastic polymeric material and a hexagonal material. Joint according to Claim 1, characterized in that the viscoelastic polymeric material of the liner (29) is a hot-melt sealant. 3. Koppling enligt patentkravet 2, kännetecknad av att hetsmälttätningsmedlet har tryckkänsliga vidhättningsegens-kaper. Joint according to Claim 2, characterized in that the hot-melt sealant has pressure-sensitive adhesive properties. 4. Copying according to claim 3, which can be connected to a ring with a ring (29) and a ring (13a) or a screen with a ring (13b). Joint according to Claim 3, characterized in that the strength of the bond between the liner (29) and the first ring (13a) is greater than the adhesive force between the liner and the second ring (13b). A copying device according to claim 1, having a ring-shaped channel (26a) having an interesting radial travel. Joint according to Claim 1, characterized in that the annular channel (26a) opens substantially radially outwards. A copying device according to claim 5, the pivoting of the front plate (11) being fixed to the ring (13a) for fastening the ring and the front plate to the patient and the patient. A joint according to claim 5, characterized in that an adhesive surface plate (II) is attached to the first ring (13a) for fixing the ring and the surface plate to the patient's skin around the outlet. 90198 7. Copying according to claim 5, the pivoting means having a viscoelastic shape (29) in the traction device. 0.03-0.13 cm. Joint according to Claim 5, characterized in that the thickness of the viscoelastic liner (29) at rest is approximately 0.03 to 0.13 cm. Copying according to claim 1, which comprises a ring (13a) with a polyethylene medium and a viscoelastic shape (29) and a tricycle. Joint according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first ring (13a) is formed of low-density polyethylene and the viscoelastic liner (29) is formed of a pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive. 9. Copying according to claim 8, which comprises a cross-section of the toothed ring and the third ring (13b). Joint according to Claim 8, characterized in that the bond strength between the hot-melt adhesive and the first ring (13a) is greater than the adhesive force between the hot-melt adhesive and the second ring (13b). Joint according to Claim 9, characterized in that the pressure-sensitive hot-melt adhesive is applied to the channel (26a) in the first ring (13a) at a temperature sufficient to soften the adhesive-contacting surface of the ring and thus firmly connect the liner (29) and the first ring. (l) Copying for the purpose of the use of the ring (13a) is not limited to the use of plastic materials and the axle of the device, with the aid of the patient being treated in the form of a ring for the purpose of circulating 26a), as well as a ringing ring (13a), having a ring-shaped flange (31), which can be connected to a ring-shaped channel (26a) by a ring ring (13a), a tongue-and-groove ring (31a) ) of a viscoelastic polymeric material having the same shape as the ring (13a) in the ring channel (26a) and the image and the value of the ring-forming ring and the ring flange (31) of the ring (13b) do moss buckets. 90193 9 01 98 10. A copy according to claim 9, which is connected to a tricyclic head for a main channel (26a) and a ring (13a) at a temperature at a temperature such that the ring is contacted with a ring and the same contact (s). 29) och den forsta ringen.