GB2190841A - Ostomy appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling for an ostomy appliance comprising two generally cylindrical rings 3, 7 which can be interengaged concentrically, the inner ring having means for attachment to an abdominal pad 1 and the outer ring having means for attachment to an ostomy pouch 5, each of said rings being further provided with a component of interengaging means 9, 11 which interengage when the outer ring is fitted over the inner ring to make the coupling. The outer ring 7 attached to the pouch 5 is fitted with a belt attaching ring 14 which is rotatably mounted on said outer ring and which is provided with attachment means 16 for attachment to a body belt fitted around the waist of a user. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ostomy appliance The present invention relates to ostomy appliances and more particularly to a coupling for connecting an ostomy pouch to a pad which is adhesively attached to the abdominal skin of a user such that it surrounds the stoma. Such couplings have to be readily engageable and reieasable in order to allowthe pouch to besimpletofittothe user and for a soiled pouch to be easily replaced when necessary. Clearly, the coupling must be sufficiently secure so thatthe pouch does not become inadvertently detached from the user and must also be leakproof so that it does not allow leakage either of the liquid contents ofthe bag or of odours.

Numerous forms of coupling have been proposed by means of which an ostomy pouch may be attached to a user and whilst great advances have been made, particularly in recent years, in the production of coupling devices which are both more efficient and easy to use, as well as being more comfortable for the user, a number of disadvantages still exist with the coupling devices at present available. One such disadvantage is that it is possible for the waste contents in the pouch to come into contactwith parts of the coupling when a soiled pouch is being removed such that the part of the coupling attached to the pad worn by the user may also be unnecessarily soiled and this can be distasteful to the user.Afurther disadvantage is that existing coupling members are sometimes more complexand bulkythan is desirable and are therefore unnecessarily obtrusive, and this in turn can cause discomfort or embarrassment to a user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an ostomy appliance and more particularly a form of coupling which seeks to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

From one aspect the invention provides a coupling forcoupling an ostomy pouch to a pad to be adhesively attached to the abdomen aboutthe stoma of a user,said coupling comprising two interengaging rings respectively attachable to said pouch and to said pad about an aperture for passage ofthestomathrough said coupling device into said pouch, wherein said ring attached to the pad includes a peripheral bead on the radially outer surface ofthe ring and said ring attachedtothe pouch is largerthan the ring attached to the pad and includes a resilient lip extending from the radially inner surface of said latter ring, the free end of said lip facing towards the aperture in said pouch, and wherein the two parts ofthe coupling are engaged by fitting the ring on the pouch overthe ring on the pad such thatthe lip is deflected as it passes overthe peripheral bead and the free end of said lip becomes engaged behind said peripheral bead to hold the coupling secure. However, the coupling may be readily disengaged by pulling on the ring attached to the pouch such thatthe resilient lip is caused to deflect back overthe bead andtherebydisengage therefrom.

The invention also provides an ostomy pouch including an aperture for the passage of the stoma surrounded by a ring forming one element of a coupling for coupling the pouch to a pad attached to the abdomen of a user, a bout the stom a, wherei n said ring includes a resilient lip extending from the radially inner surface of said ring and the free end of said lip faces towards, the aperture in said pouch.

It is to be understood that the term "ring" as used herein isintendedtocoverotherclosedfigures besidestruly circularfigures and that the term "radial" should be construed accordingly.

The bead on the radially outer surface of the ring attached to said pad may have a generally outwardly extending wall facing towards the surface of the pad, which wall is substantially normal to the radial outer surface of the ring so as to define a latching region which receives the free end ofthe lip. The lip may extend generally parallel to the axis of the ring and the free end of the lip is preferably square such that it engages snugly behind the peripheral bead.

Alternatively the lip may taper towards its free end.

According to a preferred form of the invention, the ring attached to the pouch is fitted with a rotatable outer ring which is also axially slidable on the ring attached to the pouch to a position overlying the lip wherat it assists in clamping the lip in its engaged position behind the peripheral bead of the ring on the pad. This rotatable ring may also be provided with means forthe attachement of the ends of a belt fitted round the body of a user who wishes to have the additional security of a belt to hold the pouch in position. To this end, the outer bqlt-attaching ring maybe provided with diametricallyspaced attachment means, such as apertured lugs, by means of which the ends of the belt may be attached to the ring.Since the belt-attaching ring is rotatable, it is readily possible for a userto orient or adjustthe position of the pouch relative to the belt so that it is in the most comfortable position, without imposing any twist or strain on the belt.

The invention will now be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an ostomy appliance incorporating one embodiment of coupling according to this invention, Figure 2 is an elevation of one embodiment of ostomy pouch, Figure 3 is a side view partly in section of a further embodiment of ostomy pouch, Figure4is a cross-sectional view through afurther embodiment of ostomy coupling according to this invention; and Figures 5a and 5b are respective plan views ofthe two parts ofthe coupling shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1, an ostomyapplicance comprises a pad 1 for attachment to the skin of a user aboutthe stoma which can projectthrough an aperture 2 in the pad, which aperture is also surrounded by a ring 3 attached to the pad by a flange portion 4. The appliance also includes a pouch 5 having an aperture 6 therein for passage ofthe stoma and which is surrounded by a ring 7 attached totheperipheryoftheaperture6bymeansofa flange 8. The two rings 3 and 7 form the components of a coupling which can be interengaged to a secure locked position so as to hold the pouch Sin its operative location, but which are also readily releasable when the pouch 5 is to be removed.More specifically, the ring 3 attached to the pad includes a peripheral bead 9 on the radially outer surface of the ring,this bead having or defining a latching surface formed by an outwardly extending wall portion 10, substantially perpendicularto the radially outer surface of the ring 3. The ring 7 attached to the pouch 5 includes a resilient tapered lip 11 extending from the radially inner surface of the ring, the free end of the lip facing towards the pouch tapering to an edge 12 which, as shown in Figure 1, engages the wall portion 10 behind the bead 9 when the two parts of the coupling are fitted together.

More specifically, the two parts of the coupling are engaged by fitting the ring 7 on the pouch overthe rim ofthe bead 9 on the ring 3 attached to the pad such thatthe lip 11 is deflected as it passes overthe periphery of the bead and so thatthe free end 12 of the lip becomes engaged with the wall portion 10.

The two parts of the coupling can be readily disengaged by pulling the ring 7 that the lip 11 is flexed and will slip back over the bead Son the ring 3.

To assist in this operation, the ring 7 is provided with a pull tab 13.

As seen more clearly in Figure 2 the coupling ring 7 attached to the pouch 5 may befitted with an outer belt-attaching ring 14which is mounted on the ring so as to be rotatable thereon and which is fitted onto the ring 7 by passing it over an outwardly directed peripheral bead 15. This belt-attaching ring 14 is provided with two diametrically spaced apertured lugs 16 into which opposite ends of a beltfitted round the waist of a user may be secured. The ring 14 is also axially slidable on the ring 7 to the position as shown in Figure 1 whereat it overlies the lip 11 and assists in clamping this lip in its engaged position behind the bead 9.

This Figure also indicates in dotted lines the position of a number of strengthening webs 17 which may be provided behind the upper region of the lip 11 to assist in supporting the weight ofthe contents ofthe pouch 5.

Figure 3shows a further embodiment ofthe coupling ring 7 attached to a closed pouch 5, whereas in Figure 2 the pouch is shown as an open-ended drainable pouch. In the embodiment of Figure 3 the outer surface of the ring 7 includes an inclined region or ramp 18 such that when the two parts of the coupling have been engaged, the belt-attaching ring 14can be moved axially up the ramp from a smaller diameter region 19 adjacentthe pouch to a larger diameter region 20 adjacentthe peripheral bead 15. In this latter position the ring 14 is a tight fit on the ring 7 and exerts a clamping force on the lip 11. The belt-attaching ring 14 is preferably made of more rigid material than the coupling rings 3and7.

Reference will now be made to the embodiment shown in Figures 4,5A and SB, wherein the same reference numerals are used for parts corresponding to those in the embodiment of Figure 1. Thus, a pad 1 has a stoma aperture 2 surrounded by a ring 3, which forms one part of the coupling and which in this embodiment is attached to the pad by an outwardly directed flange 4a. The inner surface ofthe ring 3 also includes an inclined seating 21 which can serve to locate a detachable ring (not shown), as is known in the art, where this is desirable in order more closely to match the aperture in the pad to the size of any particular stoma.

The other coupling part comprises a ring 7 attached to the pouch 5 aboutthe aperture 6 by means of the outwardly directed flange 8. In this embodiment, the lip 22 provided to engage behind the bead Son the ring 3 extends in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the ring 7 and terminates in a generally square section end 23 of which one side 24 fits snugly against the outwardly extending wall portion 10 of the bead 9 on the ring 3.

As in the previous embodiment, the two parts of the coupling are engaged and disengaged byflexing of the lip 22 so that it can be moved over the bead 9 on the ring 3, and when the two parts are engaged the end 23 of the lip is squarely seated behind the bead 9 to form a secure joint.

The coupling may also be provided with other features of the previous embodiment, such as a pull tab on the ring 7 and also a rotatable and axially slidable clamping or belt-attaching ring 14 located behind the bead 25.

The coupling rings 3 and 7 are preferably made of thermoplastics material such as polythene and the pouch 5 and the surface of the pad 1 adjacentto the ring 3 are also made of suitable plastics materials.

The coupling rings are respectively attached to the pouch and the pad by means of an adhesive or by means of a plastics welding technique.

The surface of the pad 1 which is to contact the skin of the abdomen is coated with an adhesive covered by a release paper 1 a until it is required for use, the adhesive being of a type known in the art which causes minimum irritation to the skin of the user.

Itwill be understood thatthe precise nature ofthe plastics materials used for the various components of an ostomy appliance according to this invention will bedeterminedbythoseskilledintheartfrom amongst those materials which are currently most suitedforthe purpose.

The coupling device of this invention is such that it is of little bulk and allows the pouch to be located closely adjacent the body of a user. It is also relativelyfreefrom crevices or like regions in which waste matter from the pouch may collect and this, in conjunction with the wiping action of the free end of the lip over the outer surface of the ring 3 attached to the pad as the pouch is removed, means that there is little likeiyhood ofthe outer surface of the ring 3 becoming soiled. The coupling is therefore not only of reduced bulk but more acceptable to a user.

Claims (18)

1. Acouplingforanostomyappliance comprising two generally cylindrical rings which can be inter-engaged concentrically; the inner ring having means at one end for attachment to an abdominal pad, and the outer ring having means at one end for attachment to an ostomy pouch, each of said rings being further provided with a component of interengaging means which interengage when the other end of the outer ring is fitted overthe other end ofthe inner ring to make the coupling, and afurther ring rotatably mounted on said outer ring, said further ring having meansforattachmentto a body belt.

2. An ostomy pouch including an apertureforthe passage ofthe stoma and surrounded by a ring forming the outer element of a concentric coupling for coupling the pouch to a pad attached to the abdomen of a user, aboutthe stoma, wherein said ring carries a further freely rotatable ring mounted thereon and said further ring is provided with means for attachment to a body belt.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said further rotatable ring is provided with two diametrically spaced belt attachment means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said outer ring of the concentric coupling is provided with an outwardly directed peripheral bead.

5. A coupling for coupling an ostomy pouch to a pad to be attached to the abdomen about the stoma of a user, said coupling comprising two interengaging rings respectively attachable to said pouch and to said pad about an aperture for passage of the stoma through said coupling device into said pouch, wherein said ring attached to the pad includes a peripheral bead on the radially outer surface of the ring and said ring attached to the pouch is larger than the ring attached to the pad and includes a resilient lip extending from the radially inner surface of said latter ring,the free end of said lip facing towards the aperture in said pouch, and wherein the two parts of the coupling are engaged by fitting the outer ring on the pouch over the inner ring on the pad such thatthe lip is deflected as it passes over the peripheral bead and the free end of said lip becomes engaged behind said peripheral bead to hold the coupling secure.

6. Acouplingforan ostomyappliance comprising two generally cylindrical rings which can be interengaged concentrically, the inner ring having a flange at one endforattachmentto an abdominal pad, and a radially outwardly directed peripheral b ead at its other end, and the outer ring having a radially outwardly directed flange at one end for attachment to an ostomy pouch, and a resilient lip at its other end extending form the radially inner surface of said outer ring, the free end of said lip facing towards said one end of said outer ring and being located behind said peripheral bead on said inner ring when the coupling is engaged.

7. A coupling as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the lip extends generally parallel to the axis ofthe outer ring.

8. Acouplingasclaimed in claim 7, wherein the free end of the lip is orof substantially square

9. Acoupling as claimed in claimS or6,wherein the free end of the lip is tapered substantially to a point.

10. A coupling according to any preceding claim, wherein the ring attached to the pouch is fitted with a rotatable ring which is also axially slidable on the ring attached to the pouch to a position overlying the lip whereat it assists in clamping the lip in its engaged position behind the peripheral bead of the ring on the pad.

11. A coupling as claimed in claim 10,wherein said rotatable ring is provided with meansforthe attachment of the ends of a belt fitted round the body of a user.

12. An ostomy pouch including an aperture for the passage of the stoma and surrounded by a ring forming one element of a coupling for coupling the pouch to a pad attached to the abdomen of a user, aboutthe stoma, wherein said ring includes a resilient lip extending from the radially inner surface of said ring and the free end of said lip faces towards the aperture in said pouch.

13. An ostomy pouch as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lip extends generally parallel to the axis ofthe ring.

14. An ostomy pouch as claimed in claim 13, wherein the free end of the lip is ofsubstantially square section.

15. An ostomy pouch as claimed in claim 12, wherein the lip is tapered substantially to a point.

16. An ostomy pouch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said ring on the pouch carries a rotatable and axially slidable ring serving as a coupling ring or for the attachment of the ends of a body belt.

17. Ostomy couplings substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Ostomy pouches substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.