GB2460458A

GB2460458A - An ostomy bag insert comprising a polyacrylate superabsorbent and activated carbon

Info

Publication number: GB2460458A
Application number: GB0809904A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Campbell
Original assignee: Trio Healthcare Ltd
Current assignee: Trio Healthcare Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-30
Filing date: 2008-05-30
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-30
Also published as: WO2009144486A2; GB0809904D0; WO2009144486A3; GB2460458B

Abstract

An ostomy bag insert104comprising a polyacrylate superabsorbent and powdered activated carbon. The ostomy bag insert is configured to absorb fluids excreted by the body and to control odours resultant from the excreted matter within the ostomy bag100. Powdered activated carbon exhibits enhanced odour control. The insert may be formed as a soluble sachet the outer200may be formed of soluble paper or may be a soluble film.

Description

DISCHARGE SOLIDIFIER AND MALODOIJR CONTROL

The present invention relates to a superabsorbent and malodour control composition and in particular, although not exclusively, to a superabsorbent for solidifying collected matter excreted by the body and a control agent for controlling odours associated with the excreted matter.

Ostomy patients typically wear an ostomy bag into which body waste is excreted. Ostomy patients fall into three categories, each category necessitating the patient wearing an ostomy bag. Firstly, urostomy patients typically have had their bladders removed.

Accordingly in this case, urine is passed through the stoma and into the ostoniy bag.

* *. Secondly, colostomy patients have undergone surgery to remove all or part of the colon :::::: necessitating an ostomy bag to collect both liquid and solid excreted matter. Thirdly, ileostomy patients similarly rely upon an ostomy bag to collect excreted matter which is : *. 15 redirected through the abdominal wall. I... * *

Generally an ostomy bag comprises an opening which is sealed against the patient's skin : * around the surgically created body orifice, termed a stoma. Many ostomy bags are provided with a discharge outlet to allow excreted matter to be emptied from the ostomy bag by the patient.

When body waste is excreted into the ostomy bag it continues to release malodours which are unpleasant and can cause embarrassment to the patient. Also, where the excreted matter is in liquid form, leakage from the ostomy bag is a potential risk which would also cause embarrassment to the patient.

A number of additives have been proposed for ostomy bags designed to solidify excreted fluid matter and reduce unpleasant malodours. US 2002/0055594 discloses a superabsorbent tablet configured to thicken body excretions. The tablet comprises a superabsoibent polymer in the form of cross linked sodium or calcium polyacrylate designed to provide quick gelling of the ostomy bag contents following excretion.

US 6,852,100 also discloses an ostomy pouch configured to reduce unpleasant odours.

Superabsorbent fibres are used in combination with a malodour counteractant selected from various different categories of odour controlling (masking and neutralising) agents including for example hydrogen peroxide and bacterial growth inhibiters such as sodium nitrate and benzyl alkonium chloride.

GB 2329339 discloses a superabsorbent for an ostomy bag comprising granules of a superabsorbent formed into a stick or rod and housed within a water soluble outer sleeve.

Odour counteractants, disinfectants and preservatives are also incorporated within the ostomy bag insert.

US 5,860,959 discloses a hydroscopic composition to reduce malodours from an ostomy bag. Water absorbing materials such as starch or alkaline metal polyacrylates are employed as superabsorbents in combination with odour counteractants such as volcanic clays and : .. 15 activated carbon granules. *.S

However, there exists a need for an ostomy bag insert configured to effectively solidify or : gel excreted matter and control unwanted malodours.

The inventors provide a superabsorbcnt material for positioning within a stoma bag exhibiting superabsorbent and odour controlling properties. The superabsorbent blend has been found to exhibit enhanced malodour reduction over existing ostomy bag inserts.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an ostomy bag insert comprising a polyacrylate superabsorbent and powdered activated carbon.

The powdered activated carbon may comprise a particle size equal to or less than 0.15 mm andlor 0.045 nmi and/or 0.075 mm.

Preferably, 99% by weight of the activated carbon may comprise a particle size equal to or less than 0.15mm; 95% by weight of the activated carbon may comprise a particle size equal to or less than 0.075 mm and 90% by weight of the activated carbon may comprise a particle size equal to or less than 0.045 mm.

Preferably, the activated carbon comprises and is derived from coconut shell char. The activated carbon may comprise a surface area of substantially 1250 m2/g. Preferably, the polyacrylate superabsorbent comprises a granular configuration being at least one or a multiple order of magnitude greater in size than the particle size of the activated carbon.

Preferably, the superabsorbent granules are coated with the activated carbon.

Synergistically, the activated carbon may be bound to the superabsorbent granules by electrostatic forces. The superabsorbent may comprise sodium or calcium polyacrylate.

Optionally, the powdered activated carbon may comprise any metal impregnated activated charcoal. *.

Preferably, the superabsorbent and powdered activated carbon blend is housed within a ::. 15 water soluble paper sachet. The paper sachet may comprise sodium carboxy methyl cellulose and wood pulp. The edges of the sachet may be heat sealed so as to trap the :.. granular superabsorbent and powdered activated carbon within the envelope formed by the * soluble paper. *** *

Alternatively, the active blend may be encased within water soluble films (e.g. PVA films), gel caps, plastic straws/wands or formed as tablets. Moreover, the insert may comprise a plurality of separate units (e.g. tablets, gel caps, sachets) in which the superabsorbent material is formed as one unit being physically separate to a second unit formed by the activated carbon. These units would then be inserted separately into the ostomy bag.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an ostomy bag comprising an insert as described herein. The insert may be permanently or temporarily attached to an internal wall of the ostomy bag using conventional means found in the art.

For example, the insert may be attached to the internal walls via a flap, strap or permeable pouch or cover allowing release of the superabsorbent and odour absorbing material upon contact with the excreted body fluid.

Preferably, the insert comprises 1,000 mg to 10,000 mg of the polyacrylate superabsorbent and 25 mg to 5,000 mg of the powdered activated carbon.

A specific implementation of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates an ostomy bag comprising an insert configured to solidify liquid matter within the ostomy bag and control and reduce malodours according to a specific implementation of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a partial cut-away view of the ostomy bag insert of figure 1 formed as a *:*::* sachet containing a granular and powdered material; *0* Figure 3 illustrates a superabsorbent granule coated with activate carbon. * ** * . * ***.

The inventors provide a material blend configured to solidify excreted matter within an ostomy bag and to reduce odours within the ostomy bag which would otherwise be released from the bag when it is emptied by a patient. A material blend is housed within a * water soluble sachet which provides a convenient means by which the liquid and odour absorbing material blend may be stored and transported prior to use within the ostomy bag.

The dissolvable sachet may be used in all manner of pouches or bags designed for collecting body excretions such as ostomy, drainage bags or other applications where body fluids require thickening or gelling and odour control (neutralisatiorilabsorption).

Figure 1 illustrates an ostomy bag 100 comprising an internal chamber 105 and an inlet opening 101 surrounded by an annular adhesive pad 102. A drainage flap 103 is provided at a lower region 106 of bag 100. An odour controlling and liquid superabsorbent insert 104 is housed within internal chamber 105 and is dimensioned so as to pass through inlet opening 101 during initial insertion prior to attachment of bag 100 and through outlet opening 103 after empty and reuse of bag 100.

In use, ostomy bag 100 is secured to the skin of a patient at the abdominal region, via adhesive pad 102 such that inlet opening 101 is aligned with the stoma site formed in the patient. Accordingly, excreted matter passes through the stoma and into internal chamber of ostomy bag 100 via inlet opening 101.

The excreted body fluid contacts insert 104 which acts to gel (partially solidify) the fluid matter and control malodours within internal chamber 105.

Following solidification of the excreted matter, the contents of the ostomy bag 100 may then be emptied via the flap arrangement 103 configured to dispense liquid andlor solid from internal chamber 105. Flap 103 may comprise any conventional tap or flap design * ** configured to allow liquid andlor solid matter to be released from internal chamber 105.

Following emptying of the bag, a new insert may then be inserted into internal chamber via the flap 103 such that a user is not required to detach bag 100 from positioning * ** * . * 15 around the stoma. S... *

Referring to figures 2 and 3, insert 104 is formed as a sachet comprising a water soluble * paper having an upper layer 200 and a lower opposed layer 204. The edges of the upper * and lower layers 200, 204 are heat sealed 201 to define an internal cavity 202 sealed along all four edges of the rectangular sachet. Insert 104 comprises liquid and odour absorbing material blend 203 (comprising a polyacrylate based superabsorbent 300 and powdered activated carbon 301) housed within internal cavity 202 formed by the upper and lower layers 200, 203. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention may comprise any specific polyacrylate comprising superabsorbent properties suitable for use to absorb fluids, excreted by the human body. The powdered activated carbon may comprise any activated carbon or charcoal configured to control malodours of the type associated with human body excreted matter.

Referring to figure 3, it has been found advantageous for malodour control/reduction to coat the superabsorbent 300 with the powdered activated carbon 301. In particular, the superabsorbent, according to a specific implementation of the present invention, is formed as granules or pellets. In this configuration, the finely powdered activated carbon readily coats the external surface of the granules or pellets providing an active blend exhibiting enhanced odour control over existing stoma bag inserts. The powdered activated carbon may be maintained at the outer surface of the superabsorbent granules by, in part, the electrostatic interactions between the superabsorbent and the powdered activated carbon.

Example 1

The stoma bag insert 104 comprises activated carbon powder derived 301 from coconut shell char. Activation of the carbon is provided by high temperature steam processing of the coconut shells followed by grinding to yield small carbon particulates sized and configured to achieve maximised surface area. * .*

The size range of the powdered activated carbon 301 is as follows: 99% by weight of the * . powdered carbon comprises a particle size of 0.15 mm; 95% by weight of the powdered : : * 15 carbon comprises a particle size of 0.075 mm and; 90% by weight of the powdered carbon comprises a particle size of 0.045 mm. The average surface area of the activated carbon 301 is 1250 m2/g.

* The superabsorbent 300 comprises sodium polyacrylate and the water soluble sachet comprises sodium carboxy methyl cellulose and wood pulp comprising a thickness in a range 0.07 mm to 0.09 mm.

The water soluble sachet comprises 2 g of sodium polyacrylate and 250 mg of powdered activated carbon.

Claims

Claims I An ostorny bag insert comprising: a polyacrylate superabsorbent; and powdered activated carbon.
2. The insert as claimed in claim 1 wherein the powdered activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.15 mm.
3. The insert as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.075 mm. * **
4. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activated carbon, comprises a particle size of equal to or less than 0.045 mm. * 0* * S * S...

*.
5. The insert as claimed in claim 2 wherein 99% by weight of the activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.15 mm.
6. The insert as claimed in claim 3 wherein 95% by weight of the activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or 1CSS than 0.075 mm.
7. The insert as claimed in claim 4 wherein 90% by weight of the activate carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.045 mm.
8. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activated carbon comprises coconut shell char.
9. The insert as claimed in claim 8 wherein the activated carbon comprises a surface area of substantially 1250 m2/g. -p
10. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the polyacrylate superabsorbent is granular.
11. The insert as claimed in claim 10 wherein the superabsorbent granules are coated with the activated carbon.
12. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the superabsorbent comprises sodium or calcium polyacrylate.
13. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a water soluble paper formed as a sachet to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon.
14. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a water soluble film to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon. * **
15. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a gel cap to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon. * ** * * S S...
16. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plastic straw/wand to r house the superabsorbent and activated carbon.
17. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insert is formed as a . 1 O1%3UL'. J.'I.
18. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising 1,000 mg to 10,000mg of polyacrylate superabsorbent.
19. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising 25 mg to 5,000 mg of powdered activated carbon.
20. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising metallic salt impregnated activated carbon.
21. An ostomy bag comprising an insert as claimed in any preceding claim.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. An ostomy bag insert comprising: a polyacrylate superabsorbent; and powdered activated carbon; wherein the superabsorbent is coated with the powdered activated carbon.2. The insert as claimed in claim 1 wherein the powdered activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.15 mm.3. The insert as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.075 mm.4. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activated carbon, comprises a particle size of equal to or less than 0045 mm.5. The insert as claimed in claim 2 wherein 99% by weight of the activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.15 mm.6. The insert as claimed in claim 3 wherein 95% by weight of the activated carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.075 mm. *5S*7. The insert as claimed in claim 4 wherein 90% by weight ofthe activate carbon comprises a particle size equal to or less than 0.045 mm. a...*145oI * 8. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the activated carbon : : ::* comprises coconut shell char. S. 5 a S *e9. The insert as claimed in claim 8 wherein the activated carbon comprises a surface area of substantially 1250 m2/g.V10. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the polyacrylate superabsorbent is granular.11. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the superabsorbent comprises sodium or calcium polyacrylate.12. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a water soluble paper formed as a sachet to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon.13. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a water soluble film to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon.14. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a gel cap to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon.15. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plastic straw/wand to house the superabsorbent and activated carbon.16. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insert is formed as asoluble tablet.17. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising 1,000 mgto 10,000mg S.. of polyacrylate superabsorbent. S...18. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising 25 mg to 5,000mg of *5.S* * powdered activated carbon. S * S...**J 19. The insert as claimed in any preceding claim comprising metallic salt impregnated activated carbon.20. An ostomy bag comprising an insert as claimed in any preceding claim.