GB2399755A - Ostomy bag - Google Patents

Abstract

An ostomy bag 10 is described having first 12 and second 14 outer walls defining a waste receiving chamber 16 a stoma receiving opening 18 in the first outer wall, and means 20 to secure the bag around the stoma of a user. The bag is characterised in that the bag further includes, secured to the second outer wall opposite the stoma receiving opening, at least one resilient spacer element 24 configured to space the second outer wall from the stoma opening. The resilient spacer element may be a leaf spring made, for example, of plastics material, and it can be adhered to the bag or attached on a sleeve 28 defined within the wall. Embodiments comprise bags with one, two or more resilient elements (see Fig. 1).

Description

PATENTS ACT 1977 A 10621 GB-DMW Title: Ostomy Bag

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to an ostomy bag and in particular, although not exclusively, to a colostomy bag.

A colostomy bag generally comprises a bag having two outer walls defining a waste receiving chamber, with an stoma receiving opening in one wall, and a filter either in that same wall or the other wall. Colostomy bags are generally sealed at the bottom, the stoma receiving opening, and filter, being the only breaks in the outer walls. Generally the stoma receiving opening is located towards, but not at, the top of the bag, for example approximately a third of the way down the bag from the top.

One problem experienced by wearers of colostomy bags is that the outer wall opposite the stoma receiving opening sticks, once dirty, to the outer wall around the stoma receiving opening. This can prevent stools from falling from the ostomy into the bag, rather they become caught up around the stoma receiving opening and this is known as 'pancaking". This is clearly not desirable as it means that the stoma area is not kept clean and makes, for example, the changing of the bags a rather messier business than it should be.

Similar problems can also occur, although generally to a lesser extent, with ileostomy bags.

One approach to addressing this problem in the prior art is the provision of self adhesive bridges, such as those sold under the trade mark Simcare by Smiths Industries Medical Systems. These bridges are strips of plastics material with double sided sticky tape applied to one side. The user, before fitting a new colostomy bag, peals off the backing strip from the double sided sticky tape, and adheres the bridge to the outer wall of the bag opposite the stoma receiving opening. The user then bends the strip, probably by forming a bend towards each end thereof, to form a bridge across their stoma and to hold the outer wall opposite the stoma receiving opening away from the opening.

Stoma bridges made of other bendable materials are also known in the prior art. Clearly they can be made form any suitable material which can readily be bent by hand and thereafter retain that bent shape. However, these bridges can inevitably also be bent readily our of shape, if for example the user leans on something such that pressure is applied to the bridge. Thus they are not as reliable at protecting the stoma and keeping the bag open as is desirable.

According to the present invention there is provided an ostomy bag having first and second outer walls defining a waste receiving chamber, a stoma receiving opening in the first outer wall, and means to secure the bag around the stoma of a user, characterized in that the bag further includes, adhered to the second outer wall opposite the stoma receiving opening, at least one resilient spacer element configured to space the second outer wall from the stoma opening.

The resilient space element may be adhered to the second outer wall of the bag.

In alternative embodiments the second outer wall may have a sleeve in which the resilient spacer element is located.

Preferably the resilient spacer member comprises a leaf spring.

The leaf spring is preferably curved away from the stoma receiving Opemng.

The leaf spring is conveniently of a length at least great as 90% of the diameter of the stoma receiving opening, but preferably the leaf spring is of a length at least great as the diameter of the stoma receiving opening.

The leaf spring may be made of plastics material.

Alternatively, resilient spacer elements may be moulded from foam material.

The ostomy bag may further include a second resilient spacer element, adhered to the second outer wall.

In such embodiments the second resilient spacer element is also located opposite the stoma receiving opening or below the stoma receiving opening.

The or each resilient spacer member may be adhered to an inner surface of the second outer wall or to an outer surface of the second outer wall.

The ostomy bag may be a colostomy bag.

Embodiments of ostomy bags according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is views of a first embodiment of a colostomy bag according to the invention from a) the first side which is against the patient during use, b) a side view and c) a bottom view; Figure 2 is views of a second embodiment of a colostomy bag according to the invention from a) the first side which is against the patient during use, b) a side view and c) a bottom view; and Figure 3 is views of a third embodiment of a colostomy bag according to the invention from a) the first side which is against the patient during use, b) a side view and c) a bottom view.

Referring first to Figure 1, a colostomy bag 10 is illustrated, and comprises a first outer wall 12 which in use is against the patient and a second outer wall 14, which are sealed together around their outer edges to define a waste receiving chamber 16. The colostomy bag 10 further comprises, in the first outer wall 12 a stoma receiving opening 18 and means 20 to secure the bag l O around the stoma of a user. The stoma receiving opening is typically about a third of the way between the top of the bag 10 and the bottom of the bag 10.

Also in the first outer wall 12, located above the stoma receiving opening 18, is a filter 22, overlaying a small opening (not shown) in the first outer wall 12.

Thus far the colostomy bag 10 is as known in the prior at.

The colostomy bag 10 further includes a resilient spacer element in the form of a leaf spring 24 which is adhered to the second outer wall 14 opposite the stoma receiving opening 18. The leaf spring 24 is of a length in the range of 50% to 90% of the width of the pouch (at the level of the stoma receiving opening 18), and is curved away from the bag 10 such that it tends to hold the second outer wall 14 away from the first outer wall 12, particularly in the area of the stoma receiving opening 18, thus holding the waste receiving chamber 16 open.

The leaf spring 24 is made of resilient plastics material, for example acetal resin plastic, such that it may be flattened if pressed upon, but springs back to the curved shape when released. The leaf spring 24 is adhered to the outer surface of the second outer wall 14, by for example, thermal welding, but may be adhered by any other appropriate method dependent upon the materials of the leaf spring 24 and the outer wall 14. The leaf spring 24 may also be adhered to the inner surface of the second outer wall 14 is desired. The leaf spring 24 may be made of any other appropriate material, that is one which is light weight, and sufficiently resilient.

The colostomy bag 10 provides the advantage that in use the waste receiving chamber 16 is held open, rather than the first and second outer walls 12, 14 tending to lie in contact with each other, thus allowing the users stools to fall from the stoma receiving opening 18 into the waste receiving chamber 16, and reducing the likelihood of pancaking occurring.

Referring now to Figure 2, a second embodiment of a colostomy bag 10' according to the invention. The bag 10' is similar to the bag 10, and like parts are like referenced with addition of a '. The bag 10' has a second resilient spacer element in the form of a leaf spring 26, which is the same as leaf spring 24, and is also adhered to the outer surface of the second outer wall 14, but below the stoma receiving opening 18. The addition of the second leaf spring 26 increases the degree to which the waste receiving chamber 16 is held open and further reduces the likelihood of pancaking occurring.

In the embodiments described above the resilient spacer elements are adhered to the outer surface of an outer wall. An alternative arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3, where the ostomy bag 10" is similar to the bag 10, and like parts are like referenced but with the addition of ". Instead of the leaf spring 24" being adhered to the outer wall 14", a sleeve 28 is formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 14" and the leaf spring 24" is inserted into the sleeve 28. The sleeve 28 is conveniently formed by thermo-welding an appropriately shaped piece, of the same material as the outer wall 14" is made from, to the outer surface of the outer wall 14".

Further alternative methods of securing the resilient spacer elements to the ostomy bag 10 are also possible within the scope of the invention.

Although the colostomy bags 10, 10' and 10" have been described with resilient spacer elements in the form of leaf springs, other forms of resilient spacer elements may be used to construct ostomy bags in accordance with the invention. For example, resilient spacer elements may be moulded in foam materials in an appropriate curved shape to act in the manner described.

The invention has been described in use with a colostomy bag, but it is equally applicable for use with ileostomy bags.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting of".

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 (17)

1. An ostomy bag having first and second outer walls defining a waste receiving chamber, a stoma receiving opening in the first outer wall, and means to secure the bag around the stoma of a user, characterised in that the bag further includes, secured to the second outer wall opposite the stoma receiving opening, at least one resilient spacer element configured to space the second outer wall from the stoma opening.

2. An ostomy bag according to claim 1 characterised in that the resilient spacer element is adhered to the second outer wall of the bag.

3. An ostomy bag according to claim 1 characterised in that the second outer wall includes a sleeve in which the resilient spacer member is located.

4. An ostomy bag according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the resilient spacer member comprises a leaf spring.

5. An ostomy bag according to claim 4 characterised in that the leaf spring is curved away from the stoma receiving opening.

6. An ostomy bag according to claim 4 or 5 characterised in that the leaf spring is of a length at least great as 50% of the width of the ostomy bag at the level of the stoma receiving opening.

7. An ostomy bag according to claim 6 characterised in that the leaf spring is of a length in the range 50% to 90% of the width of the ostomy bag at the level of the stoma receiving opening.

8. An ostomy bag according to any one of claims 4 to 7 characterised in that the leaf spring is made of plastics material.

9. An ostomy bag according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the resilient spacer element is moulded from foam material.

lo. An ostomy bag according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it further includes a second resilient spacer element, adhered to the second outer wall.

11. An ostomy bag according to claim 10 characterised in that it the second resilient spacer element is also located opposite the stoma receiving opening.

12. An ostomy bag according to claim 10 characterised in that the second resilient spacer element is located below the stoma receiving opening.

13. An ostomy bag according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the or each resilient spacer member is adhered to an inner surface of the second outer wall.

14. An ostomy bag according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the or each resilient spacer member is adhered to an outer surface of the second outer wall.

15. An ostomy bag according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that it is a colostomy bag. r

16. An ostomy bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

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