US3040745A - Colostomy appliance - Google Patents

Description

June 26, 1962 J. A. TEZAK 3,040,745 coLosToMY APPLIANCE Filed May 13, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. TEZAK June 26, 1962 COLOSTOMY APPLIANCE Filed May 13, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS J. A. TEZAK 3,040,745

3,@403'45 Patented June 26, 1962 spasms CULSTMY APPLIANCE `loseph Tezalr, 2001 Plainfield Road, `Ioliet, Ill. Filed May 13, 1955, Ser. No. 508,212 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-283) This invention relates to a device to be used in connectlon with artificial orifices in abdominal walls. More particularly it relatesA to a colostomy appliance.

It is the object of this invention to provide a new and improved colostomy appliance which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

Another object is to provide a colostomy appliance which provides maximum comfort for the wearer.

Still another object is to provide such a colostomy appliance which minimizes vodors and facilitates the maintenance of sanitary conditions in its use.

A still further object is to provide a colostomy appliance which is comfortable to the wearer and otherwise possesses the foregoing characteristics and which has such dimensions that it is readily concealed by the clothing of the wearer and does not produce unsightly bulges therein.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

'I'hese and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings which form a part ofthis specication. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like parts throughout:

FIGURE 1 is a View in perspective of a colostomy appliance involving features of the present invention, with portions broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional view taken on approximately the line 2 2 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a view in front elevation with the belt removed;

FIGURE 4 is a reduced View also partly in cross section on the line 2 2 in FIGURE 1 but showing how the device is arranged on the body of the user and also illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of still another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional View taken on approximately the line 6 6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a View in front elevation of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5 but with the belt removed;

FIGURE 8 is a reduced View, partly in cross section, on the line 6 6 in FIGURE S but showing how the device illustrated in FIGURE 5 is arranged on the body of the user;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded View in side elevation of the parts of the device shown in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE l is a greatly enlarged View of a portion of the device shown in FIGURE in cross `section on line 6 5 in that FIGURE.

As may be seen in the drawings, the colostomy appliance shown in FIGURES l to 5 and designated generally 1t) comprises a foam or sponge rubber pad 12 intertting with a rigid ring-like member 14. The pad 12, which is preferably formed of foam rubber, such as that sold under the trade-'narks Koylon, Foamex and Airfoam, is generally circular in form and is provided with a relatively large central aperture 15 extending from the inner face 1S to the outer face 2li. The pad 12 is provided on its outer side with a neck portion 22 concentric with the opening 16 and with an annular shoulder 24 sloping outwardly from the base of the neck portion 22 to the outer edge of the pad 12. The inner face of the pad, as may be seen, is preferably dat.

The ring 14, with which the pad 12 interlits, is provided on its outer edge with a relatively narrow flange 26 and on its inner edge with a broader ilange 28 somewhat narrower than the shoulder 24 on pad 12 but correspondingly sloped outwardly. At diametrically opposite point-s on the outer face of the ilange 2S suitable fastening means, lsuch as male snap fastener members 30, are mounted to be engaged with female fastener members 32 secured on the opposite ends of a preferably elastic belt 34 by which the appliance 1li is held on lthe body of the wearer, as indicated by the broken lines 36 in FIGURE 4.

The rigid ring 14 may be formed of any desired material. It should be light in weight and preferably is formed of plastic or a light metal such as aluminum. j

For example, 20 gauge aluminum has been found satisfactory. Although the ring 14 may be made in various sizes as desired, one satisfactory size consists of a ring having approximately 5" outside diameter, an inner flange approximately 1" wide and an outer flange approximately 1A wide with an intervening neck portion substantially 3/8 high. Theslope on the inner ange 2d was approximately l; of an inch to the inch. As may be seen, the foregoing dimensions leave a central opening fnl in the ring 14 approximately 3 in diameter. For use with such a ring the pad 12 is preferably formed approximately 6" in outside diameter and provided with a neck portion 22 approximately 3" in diameter -to lit snugly in the neck portion 40 of the ring 14. Preferably this neck portion extends out from the body of the pad 12 a distance of approximately 3/s corresponding to the dimensions of the ring 14. The central opening 16 in a pad 12 of the foregoing `dimensions is preferably 11A in diameter.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 a circular shallow bag 42 is provided to receive any discharge that may come from the opening to which the appliance 11i is fitted. The bag 42, which is preferably formed of a thin plastic sheet material, is provided with a large opening surrounded by an elastic band 44. This band 44 when expanded will slip over the ange 26 and then press tightly against the neck 40 of ythe ring 14, thereby tightly securing the bag in place over the opening in the ring 14 and concentric opening 16 through the pad 12. In this Way any discharge from the opening 16 is caught in the -bag 42.

The relatively small bag '42 which is shown partly broken away in FIGURE 1 is satisfactory to those who practice colostomy control. For those who do not, however, an alternative type of bag 46y as shown in FIGURE 4 is provided. The bag t6 as may ybe seen is considerably larger than the bag 42 but is provided with an opening of the same size as that provided in the bag 42 and this opening is similarly surrounded by an elastic band i8 which may be expanded to pass over the ange 26 and which then contracts to press tightly 'against the neck portion 4t) of the ring 14.

FIGURES 5 to 10 inclusive illustrate still another embodiment of the invention in which the bulk of the appliance is still further decreased to aid in concealing the presence of the appliance under the clothing of the wearer. This embodiment designated `generally 50 utilizes the same foam or sponge rubber pad 12 above described but employs with it a ring 52 which is the llange 2S of the ring 14 with the neck portion 40 and the flange 26 omitted. As may be seen in FIGURE 6, the ring 52 like the flange 23 has an inner diameter substantially the same as that of the neck portion 22 of the pad 12k and slopes outwardly from this inner opening. This ring 52, also similarly to the fla-nge 28, is somewhat narrower than the shoulder 24 of the pad 12. As suggested above, the ring 52 may be formed of the same material as the ring 14 and is similarly provided at diametrically opposite points with suitable fastening means such :as the male snap fastening members 54 which are mounted on the ring to be engaged with the female members 32 secured on the opposite ends of the preferably elastic belt 34 described above in connection with the embodiment shown in FlGURE 1.

Any desired type of bag, Vsuch as the bag S6 shown in FGURE .9, may be employed in this embodiment to receive any discharge that mayV come from the opening to which theappliance V50 is fitted. This bag 56, which is preferably formed of a thin plastic sheet'material like the bags 42 and 46, diiers from these bags in that it does not include an elastic band around the opening therein; Instead, a relatively narrow and .preferably flat ring S3 which may be Substantially thinner than the ring 52 is utilized. The inner diameter of the opening in ring 58 is substantially the same as that of the ring 52 but the ring 58 may be and preferably is considerably narrower than the ring 52. The Walls of the bag 56 surrounding the opening therein are folded over the ring 58 and the ring is then slipped over the neck 22 of the pad 12 as shown in'FIGURE 6. Preferably as illustrated in FIG- URE'9 the bag 56 is inserted through the opening in ringSS so that its walls when folded over this ring have their freeedges outside the bag. The ringSZ is then slipped over the bag 56 and pressed in about the Vneck 22 of pad 12 thereby securely maintaining the bag in position covering the openingr 16 so that it may catch any discharge from this opening.

Many of the advantages of the invention will be ap-V parent from the foregoing description. The improved colostomy appliance described is simple in construction and light in Weight 4and at the same time is of such dimensions that it can be readily concealed beneath the clothing of the wearer. The sponge pad pressed against the body of the wearer by the ringsr 14 and 52 is comparatively comfortable a`nd at the same time provides a tight seal which avoids undesirable odors and maintains sanitary conditions. The pad, which is'readily separated from the ring, is easily washedV with soap and water. The plastic bags likewise are readily removable and may be disposed of by'ushing down a toilet or otherwise, or washed clean simply with soap and Water if so desired. The compressibility of the foam rubber pad further aids in minimizing the bulge produced in the clothing of the wearer by Ithe presence of the appliance. A fewpieces of toilet tissue in the bag `further aid in maintaining comfort and sanitation byV absorbing any mucous discharge. The comparatively large opening in the pad serves to protect the colostomy from pressure and injury.

It is apparent that many widely dilerent embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from vthe spirit and scope. thereof and, therefore, it is not intended to beY limited except as indicated inthe appended claims. I

I claim:

1. A colostomy appliance comprising a `foam rubber body engaging pad having a central opening therein surrounded by an annular raised portion and adapted to register with the colostomy when the'pad is positioned on the body of the wearer, a rigid lightweight supporting ring adapted to press Vagainst the exposed face of the pad, the central opening in the Vsaid ring receiving the said annular raised portion and having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of said raised portion to provide a snug tit, a resilient belt, means on said belt cooperatingY with means on said ring to detachably secure the opposite ends of said belt to substantially diametrically opposed points on said ring, a

receptacle having an opening therein, a second ring having an'internaldiameter substantially the same as that in said lirst named ring and adapted to be positioned within said receptacle, the-Walls of the said receptacle surrounding the opening therein being folded over and extending down through the inner opening in said second ring and said second ring being located between said pad and said lirst named ring and securing the said receptacle over the opening in the said pad to provide communication between Vsaid opening and said receptacle.

. 2. A colostomy appliance comprising a resilient and compressible body engaging pad having a central opening therein surrounded by a raised portion and adapted to register withrthe colostomy when the pad is positioned on the body of Vthe wearer, a rigid lightweight supporting member consisting of a sloping ring adapted to press against the exposed face of the pad and having a central opening therein adapted snugly to receive the said raised portion, means for supporting the said support member on the body of the wearer and a receptacle communieating with and closing the outer end of the said opening in the support member 'and providing a receptacle for matter discharged from the colostomy, the walls of said receptacle being folded over a second narrower ring positioned -between said irst named ring and said pad.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Nov. 28,

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