GB1595906A

GB1595906A - Surgical dressing

Info

Publication number: GB1595906A
Application number: GB1849777A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Kingsdown Medical Consultants Ltd
Current assignee: Kingsdown Medical Consultants Ltd
Priority date: 1978-04-28
Filing date: 1978-04-28
Publication date: 1981-08-19

Description

(54) A SURGICAL DRESSING (71) We, KINGSDOWN MEDICAL CON SULTANTS LIMITED, a British Company, of Blackfriars House, 19, New Bridge Street, London EC4V 6BY, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to surgical dressings for securing colostomy and like bags to the body of a patient.

A problem with the use of colostomy bags can be the unpleasant odours produced by the escape of gases from the body of the patient and through the bag. It has been proposed to reduce this disadvantage by providing colostomy bags with carbon filters contained in a patch which is secured to one face of the bag over and around a gas outlet aperture from the bag. The gases then escape through this filter and the odours are reduced.

See, for example, British Patents Nos.

1117 204 and 1 379 464. Other suggestions can be seen in British Patents Nos. 1 295 252 and 1 363 644.

It is desirable to provide improved ways of reducing or avoiding the escape of unpleasant odours from colostomy patients.

According to the invention, there is provided a surgical dressing including a pad one side of which can adhere to the skin of the patient, and the other side of which carries a first coupling member whereby a colostomy or like bag can be secured to the pad by means of a second coupling on the bag, the pad and the coupling member each having an aperture which is arranged to be aligned with the stoma orifice when the dressing is placed on the body of the patient so that the stoma can communicate with the interior of the bag, and a gas path extending through the pad or through the first coupling member from the aperture to the exterior, the whole of the gas path extending substantially vertically upwardly when the pad is being worn normally by an upright patient, that portion of the gas path within the pad or the first coupling having a gas filter therein.

The said gas path may extend through the coupling member. Alternatively, the gas path may extend through the pad. In yet another alternative, a layer is interposed between the pad and the coupling member and the gas path extends through said layer.

There may be combined with said coupling member, a coupling member complementary to it, and in such an arrangement the gas path may be located through the' complementary coupling member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a valve may be provided in the gas path to allow venting of the flatus gases to be controlled by the patient.

The filter may employ activated carbon, and in particular may include at least one layer of woven activated carbon cloth.

A housing may be disposed in the gas path, and in this housing, there may be disclosed a plurality of parallel layers of carbon cloth, the layers being arranged parallel to the flow of gases upon exiting from the aperture.

The housing may have a removable cap thereon, with gas escape holes therein.

The gas path may be in part formed by holes and a filter cartridge may be provided having hollow pins which can be plugged into the holes, the cartridge containing the filter material.

Other aspects of the invention are defined in other claims herein.

In one embodiment of the invention, a dressing for securing a colostomy bag to the body of a patient comprises a pad of adhesive material one side of which will adhere to the body of the patient. Preferably, but not essentially, the pad is of material formed as described in the Specification of British Patent No. 1 088 992, that is to say it is a pad of plastics adhesive material comprising a blend of a water soluble or water swellable hydrocolloid and water insoluble viscous elastic binder. The pad may be integral with or secured to a plastics coupling member.

This pad has a central aperture in which the stoma of the patient can be received when the dressing is placed in position on the body. A colostomy bag can be secured to the other side of the pad in a suitable manner.

For example it may be secured as disclosed in any of British Patent Applications Nos.

13411, 13412 and 13413 of 1977 serialNos.

1,571,657, 1,568,860, and 1,579,875). A slot extends from the central aperture in the pad or the coupling member to the edge of the dressing which will be the top edge when the dressing is in use, and forms the aforesaid gas filter passage. This slot is filled with a plug of carbon filter material preferably a filter of fibrous adsorptive or activated carbon in woven or non-woven form.

In an alternative construction according to the invention, an outward surface of the dressing, namely the surface not intended to contact the patient, is covered with a film of polyethylene or other synthetic plastics material. This film has an aperture of the same size as the central aperture in the dressing and registering with it. Attached to this polyethylene film is a layer of woven activated carbon filter cloth which is heat welded to the polyethylene sheet, except in one or more regions which are left unwelded.

Another layer of polyethylene sheet also having an aperture registering with the apertures in the dressing material and the first polyethylene sheet is welded to the filter cloth, with similar, registering, regions being left unwelded. Gases from the patient or from the bag can then escape edgewise through at least the unwelded regions of the filter cloth.

In either of the versions of the invention disclosed above, the filter may be a carbon cloth and in particular a carbon produced by the process disclosed and claimed in British Patent No. 1 301101.

In one example of the first version discussed above, the filter may be a gas adsorption filter as disclosed and claimed in British Patent No. 1 429 476. The layers of carbon cloth would then be disposed generally parallel to the plane of the pad, and would be confined by the walls of the filter passage.

The gas filter passage may be formed in a plastics member which is secured to the outer surface of the pad. In such a construction the member has a central aperture in registry with that of the pad, to receive the stoma, and the passage is formed extending radially outwardly through the thickness of the member and opening at a peripheral edge of the member.

The invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of examples thereof given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I is front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical axial section (on a larger scale than Figure 1) of the dressing shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the invention which includes a valve for controlling exit of the gases; Figure 4 is a vertical axial section of the embodiment shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of the invention which includes a plug-in filter cartridge; Figure 6 is a vertical axial section of the embodiment shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a front elevation of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a vertical axial section of the embodiment shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 8.

Figures 7-9 are the same as Figures P6 in British Patent Application No. 13411/77 Serial No. 1,571,657 to which the reader is referred Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a coupling 10 which is secured to a pad to form a surgical dressing. The coupling has a central aperture 12, and an outwardly extending flange 14. At the top of the coupling in its position of normal use, a filter compartment is formed by the flange 14 and an extension 16 of the annular wall 18 of the coupling member. The wall 18 has an integral inwardly-turned flexible sealing strip 20 which is similar in function to the strip or skirt 132 described in greater detail with reference to Figure 9 and to British Patent Application No. 13411/77 Serial No.

1,571,657. In this way, an integrally-moulded compartment is formed which houses a plurality of parallel layers of activated carbon cloth material indicated by reference numeral 22. A cap 24 which may also be moulded from plastics material is a push fit to close the top of the compartment. The cap 24 has holes 26 therein to allow escape of flatus gases. The pad hereinbefore referred to is secured to the surface 28 of the flange 14. The other surface of the pad is adhesively fixed to the patient.

The compartment is bounded on its two lateral sides by walls 23 (Figure 1) and communicates with the aperture 12 via four generally radial holes 25. In use, escaping gases pass through these holes, the compartment so being substantially deodorised, and the holes in the cap 24 to the exterior.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 3 and 4. This is similar as regards the annular wall 18 and flange 14 of the coupling member, and in this case a filter compartment 30 is defined by front and rear walls 32, 34 and lateral walls 36 and 38. Its base 40 is formed by an exten sion of the annular wall 18 of the coupling member. The base 40 has two holes 42 therethrough, and these can be closed at their lower ends, that is, where they enter the central aperture 12, by respective valves 44.

Each valve 44 is carried by a stem 46 and this is connected to a bent strip resilient member which may be of any suitable resilient material such as a synthetic plastics or a springy metal. The resilient member is shown at 48 and it is in turn connected to a push button 50 by a web 52. The push button 50 closes the open top of the compartment 30. The compartment 30 contains any suitable filter material for example activated woven carbon cloth as previously described.

The operation is readily understood. When a user of the surgical dressing wishes to vent gases from the bag, he presses downward upon the button 50 which deforms the resilient member 48 and pushes the valves 44 away (generally radially inwardly) from the ends of the holes 42. Gases can then pass from the aperture 12 through the filter compartment 30 and out around the edges of the button 50 which is dimensioned so that it is not a tight fit within the top of the compartment 30. To the best of the Applicants' knowledge and belief, this is the first time that a valve readily controllable by the patient has been incorporated in a coupling which secures a colostomy or like bag to a pad which is applied to the skin of the patient to secure the bag thereto.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The coupling 10, flange 14 and annular wall 18 are substantially the same as previously described with reference to Figures 1v. An integrally moulded recess is defined by the flange 14, an outer wall 50, and lateral walls 52. This recess 54 communicates via four holes one of which is shown at 56 with the central aperture 12 of the coupling member. The purpose of the recess 54 is to receive a filter cartridge which takes the form of a rectangular box like casing having a cap or lid 58 and four hollow pins one of which is shown at 60 extending from the bottom wall thereof. The pins 60 are hollow completely through and provide a communication from the lower end of the pin to the interior of the casing 56. Any suitable filter material is enclosed in the casing 56. The cap 58 has gas escape vents therein.

The pins 60 are chosen to be a snug push fit in the respective holes 56, thereby securely mounting the filter cartridge in the coupling.

It can readily be detached from the recess 54, however, by the user if for example it is desired to replace the filter material. While four holes 56 and four pins 60 have been shown, it will be appreciated that a different number of corresponding holes and pins could be provided.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7-9 will now be described. In Figures 7-9, a plastics member 116 comprising a ring 120 and a flange 118 is provided with a central aperture to receive the stoma of a user. A radial passage 140 extends from the inner wall of the ring 120 to a peripheral edge (usually the top edge when the device is in use) of the flange 118. Filter material is disposed in this passage 140. The filter material is not shown in Figures 7-9. In a particular construction according to the invention, the filter material is layers of carbon cloth arranged with their surfaces generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the passage 140. The plastics member 116 co-operates with another member 114 to which a bag is secured, as is more fully described in Patent Application No. 13411/77 Serial No. 1,571,657.

In any of the versions of the invention described above, the filter material may be activated carbon cloth or activated carbon granules or other suitable gas-absorbing material.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A surgical dressing including a pad one side of which can adhere to the skin of the patient, and the other side of which carries a first coupling member whereby a colostomy or like bag can be secured to- the pad by means of a second coupling on the bag, the pad and the coupling member each having an aperture which is arranged to be aligned with the stoma orifice when the dressing is placed on the body of the patient so that the stoma can communicate with the interior of the bag, and a gas path extending through the pad or through the first coupling member from the aperture to the exterior, the whole of the gas path extending substantially vertically upwardly when the pad is being worn normally by an upright patient, that portion of the gas path within the pad or the first coupling having a gas filter therein.

2. A dressing according to claim 1 in which the gas path extends through the coupling member.

3. A dressing according to claim 1 in which the gas path extends through the pad.

4. A dressing according to claim 1 in which a layer is interposed between pad and coupling member and the gas path extends through said layer.

5. A modification of the drawing according to claim 1 in combination with a second coupling member, the said gas path being located in the second coupling member instead of in the first coupling member.

6. A dressing according to claim 1 or 2 in which a valve is provided in the gas path to allow gas venting controlled by the patient.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. sion of the annular wall 18 of the coupling member. The base 40 has two holes 42 therethrough, and these can be closed at their lower ends, that is, where they enter the central aperture 12, by respective valves 44. Each valve 44 is carried by a stem 46 and this is connected to a bent strip resilient member which may be of any suitable resilient material such as a synthetic plastics or a springy metal. The resilient member is shown at 48 and it is in turn connected to a push button 50 by a web 52. The push button 50 closes the open top of the compartment 30. The compartment 30 contains any suitable filter material for example activated woven carbon cloth as previously described. The operation is readily understood. When a user of the surgical dressing wishes to vent gases from the bag, he presses downward upon the button 50 which deforms the resilient member 48 and pushes the valves 44 away (generally radially inwardly) from the ends of the holes 42. Gases can then pass from the aperture 12 through the filter compartment 30 and out around the edges of the button 50 which is dimensioned so that it is not a tight fit within the top of the compartment 30. To the best of the Applicants' knowledge and belief, this is the first time that a valve readily controllable by the patient has been incorporated in a coupling which secures a colostomy or like bag to a pad which is applied to the skin of the patient to secure the bag thereto. A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The coupling 10, flange 14 and annular wall 18 are substantially the same as previously described with reference to Figures 1v. An integrally moulded recess is defined by the flange 14, an outer wall 50, and lateral walls 52. This recess 54 communicates via four holes one of which is shown at 56 with the central aperture 12 of the coupling member. The purpose of the recess 54 is to receive a filter cartridge which takes the form of a rectangular box like casing having a cap or lid 58 and four hollow pins one of which is shown at 60 extending from the bottom wall thereof. The pins 60 are hollow completely through and provide a communication from the lower end of the pin to the interior of the casing 56. Any suitable filter material is enclosed in the casing 56. The cap 58 has gas escape vents therein. The pins 60 are chosen to be a snug push fit in the respective holes 56, thereby securely mounting the filter cartridge in the coupling. It can readily be detached from the recess 54, however, by the user if for example it is desired to replace the filter material. While four holes 56 and four pins 60 have been shown, it will be appreciated that a different number of corresponding holes and pins could be provided. The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7-9 will now be described. In Figures 7-9, a plastics member 116 comprising a ring 120 and a flange 118 is provided with a central aperture to receive the stoma of a user. A radial passage 140 extends from the inner wall of the ring 120 to a peripheral edge (usually the top edge when the device is in use) of the flange 118. Filter material is disposed in this passage 140. The filter material is not shown in Figures 7-9. In a particular construction according to the invention, the filter material is layers of carbon cloth arranged with their surfaces generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the passage 140. The plastics member 116 co-operates with another member 114 to which a bag is secured, as is more fully described in Patent Application No. 13411/77 Serial No. 1,571,657. In any of the versions of the invention described above, the filter material may be activated carbon cloth or activated carbon granules or other suitable gas-absorbing material. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A surgical dressing including a pad one side of which can adhere to the skin of the patient, and the other side of which carries a first coupling member whereby a colostomy or like bag can be secured to- the pad by means of a second coupling on the bag, the pad and the coupling member each having an aperture which is arranged to be aligned with the stoma orifice when the dressing is placed on the body of the patient so that the stoma can communicate with the interior of the bag, and a gas path extending through the pad or through the first coupling member from the aperture to the exterior, the whole of the gas path extending substantially vertically upwardly when the pad is being worn normally by an upright patient, that portion of the gas path within the pad or the first coupling having a gas filter therein.

7. A dressing according to any preceding

claim in which the filter includes activated carbon.

8. A dressing according to claim 7 in which the filter includes at least one layer of woven activated carbon cloth.

9. A dressing according to claim 8 in which the gas path includes a housing in which is disposed a plurality of parallel layers of the carbon cloth, the layers being parallel to the gas flow direction.

10. A dressing according to claim 9 in which the housing has a removable cap thereon having gas escape holes therein.

11. A dressing according to claim 1 or 2 in which the gas path is in part formed by holes and a filter cartridge is provided having hollow pins which can be plugged into the holes, the cartridge containing the filter material.

12. A dressing according to any preceding claim in which the pad comprises a blend of a water soluble or water swellable hydrocolloid and a water insoluble viscous elastic binder, the pad having a central aperture and a slot extending from the aperture to the exterior through the pad, the slot containing filter material and serving as an exit path for flatus gases.

13. A dressing according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon in which the pad has on its surface opposite to that which contacts the patient in use, a layer of synthetic plastics material, a layer of woven carbon cloth as the interposed layer, and another layer of plastics material, each of these layers having a central aperture corresponding to that of the pad, the layers being welded together except in one or more unwelded regions which extend from the aperture to the periphery in a direction which is upward in normal use of the dressing, in order to provide a gas path to the exterior via the unwelded region (s).

14. A dressing according to claim 4 in which the interposed layer is of gas-permeable woven carbon cloth which provides an escape for flatus gases in any direction radially of the registering central apertures of the pad, the cloth layer and the coupling.

15. A surgical dressing substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A surgical dressing substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A surgical dressing substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.