GB2458153A

GB2458153A - Cut supporting device, system and method

Info

Publication number: GB2458153A
Application number: GB0804228A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Nicholas Anderson; Alan Burdett
Original assignee: Ostomart Ltd
Current assignee: Ostomart Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-06
Filing date: 2008-03-06
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Also published as: GB0804228D0

Abstract

A cut supporting device comprises a cut supporting surface. The cut supporting surface comprises one or more cooperating members. The cooperating members having a first configuration whereby the member or members cooperate to form the cut supporting surface and a second configuration whereby the member or members do not cooperate and individually have at least one dimension lesser than the cut supporting surface.

Description

1 2458153 Cut Supporting Device, Method and Cutting System

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cut supporting device and method that are applicable for supporting cuts to apertures in flanges and are particularly applicable to supporting cuts of apertures in flanges of ostomy bags and stoma appliances. The present invention also relates to a cutting system incorporating the cut supporting device.

Background to the Invention

Many articles are made up of multiple layers and it is often a requirement that a cut is only made through one outer layer, with the inner layer or layers left undamaged.

In order to achieve this, either a physical barrier must be placed between the layer to be cut and the underlying layer or layers, or the cutting profile must only be allowed to travel through the layer to be cut, stopping before it reaches the underlying layer. The latter method is often referred to as kiss-cutting'. It will be understood that kiss-cutting requires very close control of the downward movement of the cutting profile such that it can be stopped at a predefined position. This option also relies on the thickness of the underlying layers being consistent from one article to the next. In addition, the characteristics of the materials being cut, and the underlying layer material can affect the cutting action.

While cutting to a given accuracy is important in many fields, it is a particular issue when preparing stoma appliances for fitting. In particular, accuracy is important with respect to prevention of damage to underlying layers to that being cut.

A stoma appliance is a medical prosthetic that provides a means for the collection of waste from a diverted biological system (Colon, ileum, urinary).

Stoma appliances are used to collect waste that is output from a stoma. The stoma appliance is attached to allow the stoma to drain into a sealed collection pouch, while also protecting the surrounding skin from contamination.

The term "appliance" is used as the stoma appliance is considered a prosthesis, a mechanical replacement for a biological function.

In the stoma appliance industry, a number of standard sized stoma appliances/ostomy bags are normally manufactured and the closest size for the patient is then selected. Although capacity/size is not critical and some variation from the ideal will not affect the user, the aperture in the flange that connects to the stoma will typically vary in size and shape from patient to patient. It is typically the responsibility of the healthcare professional or other operative to create or enlarge the aperture to suit the particular patient.

It is particularly important that the aperture in a flange of a stoma appliance has a shape and size which is the same as the shape and size of the profile of the stoma. If it is not, there can be leakage and resultant contamination around the stoma site. One way of cutting the flange of an appliance is by hand using scissors, or by automatic means, as detailed in UK patent number GB2420189, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

When creating the aperture, it will be appreciated that it is critical that the cut is only made into one side of the bag/pouch. Any damage or perforation to the opposing side of the bag/pouch will render it useless or extremely prone to leakage.

Cutting the aperture by hand relies on a degree of skill and manual dexterity that is often not present in the user or sometimes in healthcare professionals.

The process can be error prone and sometimes does not produce the exact size and shaped aperture required. It is also difficult to ensure the cut only passes through one side of the bag. While automatic cutting such as kiss-cutting is a significant improvement in terms of the preciseness of the size and shape of the aperture, it significantly increases cost and means the stoma appliance with a pre-formed aperture must generally be produced in batches at some central facility to keep the costs low enough to be viable.

Additionally, the delay in sending away for batches of the stoma appliance is not always acceptable.

Statement of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cut supporting device comprising a cut supporting surface, wherein the cut supporting surface comprises one or more cooperating members, the cooperating members having a first configuration whereby the member or members cooperate to form the cut supporting surface and a second configuration whereby the member or members do not cooperate and individually have at least one dimension lesser than the cut supporting surface.

The cooperating member may comprise a spiral of a plurality of contiguous wraps, wherein in the first configuration the contiguous wraps cooperate with each other to form the cut supporting surface and in the second configuration the wraps have a width substantially less than the cut supporting surface.

The spiral may include a leading end including insertion means for assisting insertion of the leading end through an aperture in a surface to be cut.

The spiral may include a trailing end including retention means for preventing the trailing end passing through an aperture in a surface to be cut.

The cut supporting device may be formed from one or more of: Nylon; polypropylene; High density polyethylene; medium density polyethylene; low density polyethylene; Acetal; Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene; Polycarbonate; Acrylic; Polytetrafluoroethylene; a cut or stamped metal; or a cut or stamped alloy.

The cut supporting device may include a coating or additive.

Each of the members may cooperate by abutting it neighbouring member or members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cut supporting device comprising a cut supporting surface, wherein the cut supporting surface comprises a cooperating member comprising a spiral of a plurality of contiguous wraps, the cooperating member having a first configuration whereby the contiguous wraps cooperate with each other to form the cut supporting surface and a second configuration whereby the wraps have a width substantially less than the cut supporting surface The cooperating members may comprise a plurality of arms mounted about a central joint, each arm being moveable with respect to the central joint between the first configuration where the arms are substantially co-planar and sides of the arms are adjacent thereby forming the cut supporting surface and the second configuration in which the arms have a width adjacent the joint that is substantially less than the width of the cut supporting surface.

The cut supporting surface may be substantially planar.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a leadscrew and drive means, the leadscrew including connection means for connection to a cut supporting device as discussed above, wherein the drive means is arranged to rotate the leadscrew thereby driving the wrap or wraps of a connected cut supporting device through an aperture of a surface to be cut.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cutting a surface comprising: introducing a cut supporting device in a first configuration through the surface to be cut; transforming the cut supporting device into a second configuration once substantially introduced through the surface to be cut, wherein in the second configuration the cut supporting device forms a cut supporting surface beneath the surface to be cut; and cutting through the surface to be cut and against the cut supporting surface.

The stoma appliance is typically supplied with a small round hole in the outer layer. The hole is enlarged to create a patient specific profile in the outer layer or layers. In order to support the cutting operation a physical barrier is inserted via the hole and extends beyond the cutting profile. It will be understood therefore that the physical barrier needs to be flexible enough such that it can be distorted in order for it to pass through the hole in the outer layer before opening out again between the inner and outer layers. This might be achieved using a material that is inherently flexible. An alternative way of achieving the physical barrier would be using a device that can be collapsed, pushed through the hole, and expanded once in place such as a ship in a bottle' type arrangement.

One embodiment of the present invention seeks to provide a method of introducing the physical barrier.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la is a plan view of a cut supporting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure lb is a side view of the cut supporting device of Figure Ia; Figures 2 to 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating the cut supporting device of Figures la and lb in use; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cutting system incorporating the cut supporting device of Figures la and Ib; and, Figure 6 is an exploded view of a Ieadscrew and cut supporting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure Ia is a plan view of a cut supporting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure lb is a side view of the cut supporting device of Figure Ia.

The cut supporting device 10 is preferably in the form of a generally circular disc that is formed such that it is flexible in the plane A of the disc. The disc is made in the form of a continuous spiral having a leading end 20 and a trailing end 30.

Figures 2 to 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating the cut supporting device of Figures la and lb in use.

In use, the device 10 is introduced into the article 50 to be cut by insertion of the leading end 20 of the spiral into a pre-fabricated slot 60 in the surface 70 of the article 50 to be cut. Once the leading end 20 is inserted (as shown in Figure 2), the device is rotated in the plane A relative to the article 50, as is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The leading end 20 of the spiral may be flat, or angled such that introduction into the slot 60 is made easier.

The leading end 20 may include a blade or sharpened/tapered edge to assist in entry where the slot 60 is not sufficiently large to accommodate entry of the wraps of the spiral. Insertion results in the device 10 being positioned immediately under the surface to be cut. The device 10 may be held at the trailing end 30 once inserted so it remains in place relative to the article 50.

The trailing end 30 may have a form that inherently traps it at the slot 60 to prevent movement of the device 10 relative to the article 50.

Once the device 10 is fully or sufficiently inserted (it will be appreciated that it may be possible to partially insert the device and still use it), a blade or other cutting device can be applied to the surface to be cut. In view of the device being positioned immediately under the surface to be cut, more pressure than would otherwise be applied can be used. Similarly, the tolerances normally observed for kiss-cutting are not absolutely necessary as the device 10 prevents penetration of the blade or cutting device beyond the surface to be cut. The blade may partially penetrate the surface of the device 10 but does not then penetrate further into any of the other layers of the article being cut, unless this is required.

At the trailing end 30 of the device 10, a relief may be formed so as to prevent the device 10 being trapped by the layer of the article 50 being cut.

If the device 10 is made from a polymeric material, preferably it is created by a moulding process, such as injection moulding, although, depending on the material, it can cut from sheet materials using suitable means, such as, for example, laser cutting. The spiral may be flat, or created with some depth if this is found beneficial to introduction into the article to be cut.

A range of materials may be suitable for the construction of the spiral. The material must have the properties required both to give the required flexibility to enter the article without damage or hindrance and to provide the necessary support for the cutting process. Whilst there is a wide range of materials suitable in terms of flexibility, the list of materials with properties suitable for cutting against is smaller. In many applications, the physical barrier will be required to resist many cuts, possibly hundreds or thousands; however, for some applications it may be preferred that the spiral is replaced with a new one frequently or even after each use. In tests, Nylon and polypropylene both perform very well but other materials, including but not limited to High density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene, (MDPE) low density polyethylene (LDPE), Acetal (POM), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylic (PMMA) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) may also be applicable. Other materials such as cut or stamped metals, alloys or the like may also be used.

The material can be coated to impart, for example, anti friction properties such as may aid the introduction of the spiral into the article. Similarly, the material may include anti-bacterial agents or properties.

Optionally, the thickness of the spiral may be made up of layers of different materials to impart different physical characteristics required for the application. For example, a main layer of polyethylene could be combined with a surface layer of Nylon. In another embodiment, a main layer could be coated in a substance or material that exhibits self healing' properties, such as might be seen in cutting mats used in arts and crafts, for example. Subject to technical considerations, within reason, any combination of materials could be specified. Similarly, different type of materials, such as polymers and metals, could be combined.

This method of article protection could also be suitable for use with kiss-cutting. If using this method, it may be preferential to specify a hard but flexible material, the flexibility being achieved via a reduction in thickness) such as aluminium, steel or other metal, or indeed ceramics.

The overall size of the spiral is preferably made to encompass the profile being cut. The spirals need not be rounded and could be squared or have other geometries to suit the intended application. Preferentially, the spiral is significantly larger than the profile such that centrallsation of the article with respect to the spiral is not so critical. The width of the wraps of the spiral is preferably selected to suit the pre-existing hole in the article to be cut; it will be understood that the spiral must be able to enter the article unhindered.

Notwithstanding, it may be beneficial to minimise the number of wraps such that fewer gaps are presented and thus there is less chance of the cutting profile coinciding with a gap between two wraps. In order to minimise the number of wraps, the wrap width is increased. By minimising the number of wraps, the number of rotations required to load' the spiral into the article is reduced and this may be of benefit with respect to the driving mechanism.

Although for most applications the wrap widths will be constant over the majority of the spiral, for some applications, the spiral wraps may be produced at different widths. For some applications, it may also be beneficial to produce wraps of varying radius. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to profile the wraps.

To minimise the chance of the cutting profile spreading wraps of the spiral, it is preferred that each spiral wrap' butts up against its neighbor such that the gap between them is minimised. This may be achieved by the use of a suitable cutting process in the manufacture of the spiral; alternatively, if suitable materials are specified, use may be made of post process shrinkage such that, for example, any gap that exists from the as moulded' state is reduced as the spiral cools and shrinks. However, for some cutting profiles, it may be beneficial for the gap to be larger to take advantage of less costly manufacture, for example. Such profiles might include those that are broadly straight sided in form with lessened corner radii as these are less likely to correspond with the gaps between wraps.

Optionally, the neighboring wraps may overlap using tongue-and-groove' or overlapping flanges so as to make it more difficult for the cutting profile to pass between the wraps in use.

Additionally, in order to close up any gaps that exist between wraps immediately prior to cutting of the article, whilst holding the trailing end of the spiral still, the centre of the spiral may be turned until the spiral closes and intimate contact is made between the wraps. It will be understood that the same effect can be achieved by holding the centre still and turning the trailing end of the spiral. It may be beneficial that the spiral is held flat whilst this operation is performed. This may be achieved by any clamping means but preferably, it can be achieved by the fitting of a flexible clamping means inside and slightly raised from the cutting profile. Foam rubber or other suitable flexible materials are suitable for this purpose.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cutting system 100 incorporating the cut supporting device of Figures 1 a and 1 b.

A cutting profile 110 is mounted to a press arrangement 120 such that its cutting edge 115 lies parallel to surface of the article 50 to be cut. The cutting profile 110 is normally prevented from rotating although for some applications provision can be made for rotation of the profile such as might be beneficial for the optimisation of the cutting action, for example. Provision of a degree of float' or self alignment can be made in the mounting of the cutter profile such that misalignment of the cutter profile in relation to the article to be cut can be accommodated. The home' position of the cutting profile is preferably such that clearance is available for loading the article and to facilitate action of the spiral loading facility (described in detail below).

The article to be cut is positioned on a table mounted 130 on the press arrangement 120. Clamping means 140 may be included to prevent movement of the article during introduction of the spiral and/or during culling.

The cut supporting device 10 is then introduced into the article as discussed previously.

Cutting of the article is achieved by the application of a downward motion and force to the cutting profile such that it cuts through the layer of the article to be cut. The article and cut supporting device 10 is supported during the cutting process by the table 130, which is rigidly mounted to the press arrangement 140. It may be beneficial to provide an additional small rotational movement of the cutter profile, whilst the cutting edge is engaged with the article to be cut, as an aid to improving cut quality.

Preferably, the rotary action required to introduce the cut supporting device 10 into the article is driven using the downward force applied by the user to perform the cut. This can be achieved by the use of a spiral leadscrew and ball arrangement, as illustrated in figure 6. The Ieadscrew has flights of appropriate pitch and a number of turns, so that linear movement of a press, user applied force or other arrangement can be converted into a rotary action.

This leadscrew could be made by machining, moulding or casting or any other suitable conventional manufacturing process but we have found that an acceptable product can be made by taking a material of suitable properties and producing the product by twisting. This technique, which is often used in the manufacture of decorative ironwork in gates and fences, for example, has the advantages of cheapness together with the flexibility to quickly and simply produce leadscrews of different pitches and/or diameters.

The table 130 is provided with means to move it in the x' plane, the y' plane or both x' and y' planes such that the article can be moved in relation to the spiral. This movement is provided in order to aid the introduction of the spiral into the article 50. This means may be provided mechanically via linkage with the action of the press; alternatively, it may be provided by mechanical means separate to the action of the press. The movement of the table 130 may also be driven by the rotary action of the spiral itself such that no separate driving force is required.

Whilst it may be beneficial to use a generic spiral design for a range of cutter profiles, in some cases, it may be preferred to use a bespoke spiral design optimised for a single cutter profile.

Although the above described cut supporting device and associated cutting system are particularly suited to the cutting of profiles in the flanges of stoma appliances, it will be appreciated that they could be used in any field or application where an aperture is to be cut in an article where the cutting action must not damage underlying layers below of that to be cut.

Claims

Claims 1. A cut supporting device comprising a cut supporting surface, wherein the cut supporting surface comprises one or more cooperating members, the cooperating members having a first configuration whereby the member or members cooperate to form the cut supporting surface and a second configuration whereby the member or members do not cooperate and individually have at least one dimension lesser than the cut supporting surface.
2. A cut supporting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooperating member comprises a spiral of a plurality of contiguous wraps, wherein in the first configuration the contiguous wraps cooperate with each other to form the cut supporting surface and in the second configuration the wraps have a width substantially less than the cut supporting surface.
3. A cut supporting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spiral includes a leading end including insertion means for assisting insertion of the leading end through an aperture in a surface to be cut.
4. A cut supporting device as ciaimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the spiral includes a trailing end including retention means for preventing the trailing end passing through an aperture in a surface to be cut.
5. A cut supporting device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 formed from one or more of: Nylon; polypropylene; High density polyethylene; medium density polyethylene; low density polyethylene; Acetal; Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene; Polycarbonate; Acrylic; Polytetrafluoroethylene; a cut or stamped metal; or a cut or stamped alloy.
6. A cut supporting device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a coating or additive.
7. A cut supporting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the members cooperate by abutting it neighbouring member or members.
8. A cut supporting device comprising a cut supporting surface, wherein the cut supporting surface comprises a cooperating member comprising a spiral of a plurality of contiguous wraps, the cooperating member having a first configuration whereby the contiguous wraps cooperate with each other to form the cut supporting surface and a second configuration whereby the wraps have a width substantially less than the cut supporting surface
9. A cut supporting surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooperating members comprise a plurality of arms mounted about a central joint, each arm being moveable with respect to the central joint between the first configuration where the arms are substantially co-planar and sides of the arms are adjacent thereby forming the cut supporting surface and the second configuration in which the arms have a width adjacent the joint that is substantially less than the width of the cut supporting surface.
10. A cut supporting device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cut supporting surface is substantially planar.
11. A system comprising a leadscrew and drive means, the leadscrew including connection means for connection to a cut supporting device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the drive means is arranged to rotate the leadscrew thereby driving the wrap or wraps of a connected cut supporting device through an aperture of a surface to be cut.
12. A method of cutting a surface comprising: introducing a cut supporting device in a first configuration through the surface to be cut; -transforming the cut supporting device into a second configuration once substantially introduced through the surface to be cut, wherein in the second configuration the cut supporting device forms a cut supporting surface beneath the surface to be cut; and cutting through the surface to be cut and against the cut supporting surface.
13. A cut supporting device as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
14. A system as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
15. A method as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.