Stoma discharge receiving apparatus

Abstract

Stoma discharge collection apparatus 1 comprising a head member 2 having a flange portion 23 which is sealably secured or adhered to the skin surrounding a stoma; a flexible conduit 4; a connector 3 to releasably connect the flexible conduit to the head member; a collection bag 5 joined to the flexible conduit; and a holder 6 which is attached to the wearer to support the collection bag; whereby material discharged through the stoma travels along a closed path from the head member into the collection bag via the connector and flexible conduit. The head member includes an antechamber (FIG.2:22) surrounding an inlet opening (FIG.2:24) and an outlet (FIG.2:25) of rectangular cross-section. The outlet has a hand grip (FIG.2:27) and encompassing ridge (FIG.2:30) for attaching / detaching the collection bag from the conduit, and a non-return valve (FIG.2:29) in the form of a flap. The holder has an open upper end and is secured with straps around the wearer’s leg, using hook-and-loop fasteners or fastened with a buckle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to receiving apparatus for collecting material discharged from a stoma. BACKGROUND A stoma is an opening in the abdominal wall to which the digestive tract has been surgically attached. An external bag can then be attached to the abdomen to collect material discharged from the stoma. People may require a stoma for a variety of reasons. In Crohn's disease for example, the diseased colon (large intestine) may be surgically bypassed in a procedure known as a colostomy. The collection bag is then referred to as a colostomy bag. More infrequently, in treatment of ulcerative colitis for example, the ileum (small intestine) may be connected to a stoma so that digestive matter does not need to pass through the colon. In this case the procedure is called an ileostomy and the collection bag is referred to as an ileostomy bag. Two types of collection bag are in general use. In one type the bag is provided with an opening which is adhesively attached to the skin surrounding the stoma. The bag is then detached and disposed of at regular intervals. Another type of bag comprises an annular flange which is adhered to the skin for a longer period, usually one or two days, and a detachable pouch used to catch the digestive waste can be replaced at shorter intervals. Detachable bags are normally single use, but drainable bags which can be emptied through a bottom opening and reused are also available. In such known collection systems the bag hangs from the skin and users find that the weight of the contents often causes the adhesive to fail as the bag fills up, resulting in frequent leaks. Active users also find that the position of the bag on the abdomen is inconvenient when engaged in sports or manual work for example. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION When viewed from one aspect the present invention proposes stoma discharge collection apparatus including a head member (2) having a flange portion (23) which is sealably securable to the skin surrounding a stoma, a flexible conduit (4), a connector (3) to releasably connect the flexible conduit to the head member, a collection bag (5) joined to the flexible conduit, and a holder (6) which is attachable to a wearer to support the collection bag. The holder supports the weight of the bag as it gradually fills with discharged material, so that the head member is relieved of stresses caused by the weight of the discharge. Material discharged through the stoma travels along a closed path from the head member into the collection bag via the connector and flexible conduit. The risk of leakage is thereby substantially reduced with greater comfort for users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an outline of a person wearing stoma discharge collection apparatus; Figure 2 is a front view of the head portion of the collection apparatus; Figure 3 is a side view of the head portion; Figure 4 is another front view of the head portion but showing some of the internal configuration in dashed outline; Figure 5 is the longitudinal section A-A at the position indicated in Fig. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the drawing depicts a person P with a stoma. The person is wearing stoma discharge collection apparatus 1 which includes a head member 2, a two-part connector 3, a flexible conduit 4, and a collection bag 5 which is supported on the wearer's thigh by a holder 6. Referring to Fig.s 2 and 3, the head member 2 comprises a one-piece moulding 21 formed of a soft, flexible material approved for medical use such as silicone rubber. The moulding includes a shallow cup-shaped antechamber 22 with an annular flange 23 surrounding an inlet opening 24. An integral outlet 25 projects from one side of the antechamber 22. A flexible fixing disc 26 is bonded to the flange 23 for securing the head member to the skin surrounding a stoma. The fixing disc incorporates a non-allergenic adhesive which is suitable for firmly attaching the head member to the skin of the user and which may be protected by a peelable backing prior to use. The outlet 25 is of shallow generally rectangular cross section and carries a hand grip 27 which may be integral with or bonded to the outlet. The hand grip is also of shallow generally rectangular cross-section, the shorter opposite sides of which are formed with a series of ridges 28 to facilitate gripping of the head member. As will be explained shortly, the end portion of the outlet 25 beyond the hand grip 27 forms one part of the connector 3 which provides a quick and secure way of connecting the head member 2 with the flexible conduit 4. The conduit 4 is also of generally rectangular cross-section and is preferably formed of a highly flexible, preferably transparent, low friction plastic. Examples of suitable materials include PTFE or similar fluoroplastics, super hydrophobic non-wettable plastics, and LiquiGlide (trade mark) low friction plastic. Referring to Fig.s 4 and 5, the end portion of the outlet 25 includes a non-return valve in the form of a flap 29 (shown in its open position) which is pivoted to the shorter opposite sides of the outlet. The valve prevents backflow of discharged material into the stoma in the event of pressure due, for example, to compression of the conduit 4 or bag 5 in use. The end portion of the outlet 25 is formed with an encompassing ridge 30 which is followed by grooves 31 and a chamfered end 32, dimensioned to allow the end of the conduit 4 to be slid onto the outlet, whilst holding the hand grip 27, until the conduit abuts the ridge 30. This end is then secured by a tubular second part 33 of connector 3 which is slid over the conduit 4 prior to connection to the head member. This second connector part 33 is also of generally rectangular cross-section and has a trailing end 34 which is dimensioned such that the conduit 4 is tightly gripped between the end 34 and the outlet 25. An enlarged leading end 35 facilitates pushing the connector part 33 over the ridge 30 until an inwardly directed chamfered rib 36 engages behind the ridge 30 to securely hold the conduit on the outlet 25. The conduit 4 is preferably integrally formed with the collection bag 5, which is of a conventional flattened configuration, again being of a highly flexible low friction material. The collection bag 5 is slid into the holder 6, which may be of the kind used for holding urine collection bags, for example with an open upper end and secured around the wearer's leg using straps secured by buckles or hook-and-loop fastenings for example. Liquid material discharged from the stoma thus travels along a closed path from the head member 2 into the collection bag 5 via the connector 3 and flexible conduit 4, with little or no risk of leakage. The holder 6 supports the weight of the bag as it gradually fills with discharged material, so that the head member is relieved of stresses caused by the weight of the discharge. When the bag fills to between one third and one half of its capacity the flexible conduit 4 can be disconnected from the head member 2 by holding the hand grip 27 and pulling the tubular part 33 off the outlet 25 to release the conduit 4. The bag can then be emptied and refitted or replaced with an new bag as required. The non-return valve 29 could take other forms, such as valves formed from opposing flexible webs which meet at an angle, ball valves etc. Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

1. Stoma discharge collection apparatus:- a head member (2) having a flange portion (23) which is sealably securable to the skin surrounding a stoma;- a flexible conduit (4);- a connector (3) to releasably connect the flexible conduit to the head member;- a collection bag (5) joined to the flexible conduit;- a holder (6) which is attachable to a wearer to support the collection bag;whereby material discharged through the stoma travels along a closed path from the head member into the collection bag via the connector and flexible conduit.

2. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 1 wherein the head member (2) includes an antechamber (22) with an annular flange (23) surrounding an inlet opening (24) and an integral outlet (25) projecting from one side of the antechamber.

3. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 2 wherein the outlet (25) is of generally rectangular cross section.

4. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 2 or 3 wherein the outlet (25) carries a hand grip (27).

5. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the outlet (25) includes a non-return valve (29).

6. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 5 wherein the non return valve comprises a flap (29).

7. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of any of claims 2 to 6 wherein an end portion of the outlet (25) forms a first part of the connector (3).

8. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 7 wherein the outlet (25) is formed with an encompassing ridge (30) to abut an end of the conduit (4).

9. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 7 or 8 wherein the connector (3) comprises a tubular second part (33) which is slid over the conduit (4).

10. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 9 wherein the tubular second part (33) is of generally rectangular cross-section.

11. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 9 or 10 wherein the tubular second part (33) has a trailing end (34) which is dimensioned such that the conduit (4) is gripped between the end (34) and the outlet (25).The stoma discharge collection apparatus of claim 9,10 or 11 when appended to claim 8 wherein the tubular second part (33) has an enlarged leading end (35) and an inwardly directed rib (36) which engages behind the ridge (30).

13. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the conduit (4) is of generally rectangular cross-section.

14. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the conduit (4) is integrally formed with the collection bag (5).

15. The stoma discharge collection apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the holder (6) has an open upper end and is provided with securing straps.

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