Ostomy filter protection

Abstract

The ostomy pouch appliance (10) includes a gas outlet (21) formed in one of the pouch walls for venting gas collected within the pouch collection cavity, a filter assembly (22) attached to the pouch wall covering the gas outlet, and a pre-filter (24) configured to protect the filter assembly. The pre-filter can have a crescent-shaped body including a pointed end (28) configured to facilitate the evacuation of waste matter captured in the pre-filter. The ostomy pouch appliance also includes a protective panel (20) configured to protect the filter assembly, which includes at least one anti-reflux valve (130).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following description relates to ostomy appliances, and more particularly to ostomy pouches that include odor-removing filters and filter protectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Ostomy pouches for collecting waste are used by patients who have undergone surgery such as a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. The ostomy pouch includes an inlet opening for collecting waste discharged from the stoma within the pouch. Typically, the ostomy pouch also includes a gas outlet covered by a filter assembly for filtering odors and for venting gas collected within the pouch. However, in some cases, liquid, semi-solid, or solid waste collected within the pouch may flow into and block the filter assembly, thereby preventing venting of gas through the filter assembly. This can lead to pouch swelling or undesirable pouch expansion.

[0003] The disruption to a user's quality of life caused by pouch ballooning can be significant, including anxiety, lack of discretion, concerns about leakage, and inconvenient user intervention to relieve gas pressure. Some common methods for releasing trapped gas include opening the pouch connection system (often referred to as "burping"), draining the pouch, and peeling the skin barrier. Many ostomates also spend a lot of time trying to resolve pouch ballooning issues and report feeling resigned to their current ostomy pouch system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Ostomy filter protection features have been developed to reduce the problem of filter cogging. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0099447, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses an ostomy pouch that includes a filter assembly, a multi-stage filter protection section that includes a pre-filter formed from foam, and a microporous protection panel that covers the pre-filter.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an improved filter protector.

[0006] Ostomy filter protection systems are provided according to various embodiments.

[0007] In one aspect, an ostomy pouch appliance may include a body-side wall and a distal wall joined along a periphery to define a collection cavity for collecting waste material, an inlet opening for receiving waste material from the stoma, and a gas outlet formed in an upper portion of one of the body-side wall and the distal wall for venting gas collected in the collection cavity. The ostomy pouch appliance may also include a filter assembly attached to one of the body-side wall and the distal wall to cover the gas outlet, and a pre-filter configured to protect the filter assembly. The pre-filter may have a crescent-shaped body including a pointed end. The pre-filter may be attached to one of the body-side wall and the distal wall with the pointed end facing downward toward the lower portion of the collection cavity to facilitate venting of waste material captured in the pre-filter. The pre-filter may be formed from a foam material.

[0008] In one embodiment, the filter assembly may be attached to an outer surface of one of the body-facing and distal walls, and the pre-filter may be attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing and distal walls covering the gas outlet.

[0009] In another embodiment, the filter assembly may be attached to the interior surface of one of the body-facing and distal walls, and the pre-filter may be attached to the interior surface of one of the body-facing and distal walls covering the filter assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ostomy pouch appliance can also include a protective panel formed from a perforated film configured to protect the filter assembly and the pre-filter. The protective panel can be attached to the inside surface of one of the body-facing and distal walls, covering the pre-filter.

[0011] In one embodiment, the protective panel can include at least one anti-reflux valve. For example, the protective panel can include six anti-reflux valves. The at least one anti-reflux valve can be configured to open when the ostomy pouch appliance expands to allow waste trapped between the protective panel and the pouch wall to drain into the collection cavity, and to close when the ostomy pouch appliance contracts to prevent waste collected in the collection cavity from flowing back toward the filter assembly. The at least one anti-reflux valve can be defined by a curved slit formed in a lower portion of the protective film.

[0012] In one embodiment, the at least one anti-reflux valve may be backed by a foam material configured to act as a spring-loaded backing to hold the anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch appliance is deflated. For example, the at least one anti-reflux valve may be backed by an open-cell foam.

[0013] In another aspect, an ostomy pouch appliance may include a body-side wall and a distal wall joined along a periphery to define a collection cavity for collecting waste material, an inlet opening for receiving waste material from the stoma, and a gas outlet formed in an upper portion of one of the body-side wall and the distal wall for venting gas collected in the collection cavity. The ostomy pouch appliance may also include a filter assembly attached to one of the body-side wall and the distal wall to cover the gas outlet, and a protective panel configured to protect the filter assembly. The protective panel may include at least one anti-reflux valve configured to open when the ostomy pouch appliance expands and close when the ostomy pouch appliance contracts. The protective panel may be formed from a perforated film. The at least one anti-reflux valve may be defined by a curved slit formed in a lower portion of the protective film.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one anti-reflux valve may be backed by a foam material, such as open cell foam, configured to act as a spring-loaded backing to hold the anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch appliance is deflated. In one embodiment, the protective panel may include six anti-reflux valves.

[0015] The ostomy pouch appliance may further include a pre-filter configured to protect the filter assembly. In one embodiment, the filter assembly may be attached to the outer surface of the pouch wall covering the gas outlet, the pre-filter may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall covering the gas outlet, and a protective panel may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall covering the pre-filter. In another embodiment, the filter assembly may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall covering the gas outlet, the pre-filter may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall covering the filter assembly, and a protective panel may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall covering the pre-filter. The pre-filter may have a crescent-shaped body including a pointed end and may be attached to the pouch wall with the pointed end facing downward toward the lower portion of the collection cavity to facilitate the evacuation of waste matter captured in the pre-filter. In some embodiments, the pre-filter may be formed from a foam material.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least one anti-reflux valve may be disposed adjacent to a pre-filter formed from a foam material such that the at least one anti-reflux valve is back-supported by the pre-filter. In such embodiments, the pre-filter can function as a back-support to hold the at least one anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch contracts.

[0017] The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure.

[0018] The benefits and advantages of the present embodiments will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a distal perspective view of an ostomy pouch appliance comprising a filter assembly and a multi-stage filter guard including a pre-filter and a guard panel, according to one embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ostomy pouch appliance of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prefilter having a crescent-shaped body according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of an ostomy pouch appliance including a filter assembly and a multi-stage filter protector, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a distal perspective view of the ostomy pouch appliance of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a distal perspective view of an ostomy pouch appliance according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ostomy pouch appliance of FIG. 6. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, presently preferred embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described below, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered exemplary and is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. The words "a" or "an" should be construed to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, references to plural items shall include the singular when appropriate. Words such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used in this disclosure to describe various information, but such information should not be limited to these words. These words are used only to distinguish one category of information from another. Directional words such as "top," "bottom," "up," "down," "front," and "back" are used for descriptive purposes and are therefore not limiting. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be construed as "when," "upon," or "in response to determining."

[0021] The present disclosure provides an ostomy filter protection system. The ostomy filter protection system can include a multi-stage system that can protect the filter from clogging or fouling due to waste or stoma effluent collected in the ostomy pouch. The ostomy filter protection system can include a perforated film and a pre-filter foam element that also functions as a spacer between the perforated film and the distal sidewall of the ostomy pouch, preventing the distal sidewall and the inner perforated film from adhering to each other and trapping gas. The pre-filter can further have a shape to direct the discharge of effluent away from the foam element. For example, the pre-filter can be a crescent-shaped foam element with an end oriented toward the pouch outlet opening.

[0022] 1-2 illustrate an ostomy pouch appliance 10 according to one embodiment. The ostomy pouch appliance 10 may be formed by a distal wall 12 and a body-side wall 14 joined together along a peripheral seal 15 to define a collection cavity 16 for collecting waste material and an outlet portion 18. The ostomy pouch appliance 10 may include a filter assembly 22 covering a gas outlet opening 21 and a multi-stage filter guard including a protective panel 20 and a pre-filter 24. The outlet portion 18 may terminate in an outlet opening or outlet 19 for discharging waste material collected in the cavity 16 after a period of use.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a prefilter 24 according to one embodiment. The prefilter 24 may be configured with a crescent-shaped body including a central portion 26 and two ends 28 oriented toward the outlet portion 18 of the pouch 10, as best shown in FIG. 1. Suitable materials for the prefilter 24 may include, but are not limited to, foams such as reticulated open cell foam, woven fabrics, microfleece, nonwoven fabrics, and the like. In one embodiment, the prefilter 24 may be formed from a foam material that, together with the protective panel 20, can provide multi-stage filter protection to prevent or reduce clogging or soiling of the filter assembly 22 by excrement collected in the pouch.

[0024] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the filter assembly 22 is attached to the outer surface of the distal pouch wall 12 overlying the gas exit opening 21 defined therein, and the prefilter 24 is attached to the inner surface of the distal pouch wall 12 overlying the gas exit opening 21. In another embodiment, the filter assembly 22 may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall overlying the gas exit opening, and the prefilter 24 may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall overlying the filter assembly 22. The prefilter 24 may be positioned such that an end 28 of the prefilter 24 faces downward toward the outlet portion 18 to allow drainage of effluent away from the prefilter 24, as best shown in FIG. 1 . The end 28 of the prefilter 24 may be configured as a pointed end, as best shown in FIG. 3 , to facilitate drainage of waste matter captured on the prefilter 24 into the collection cavity 16. The pre-filter 24 may also act as a spacer between the distal pouch wall 12 and the protective panel 20 to prevent the protective panel 20 and the distal pouch wall 12 from sticking together and obstructing the gas flow path.

[0025] The protective panel 20 can be joined to the pouch walls 12, 14 along a peripheral seal 15 and attached to the distal wall 12 along a lower seal 30 to define a filter protection cavity 23, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The protective panel 20 can be formed from a perforated film configured to block ostomy effluent (also referred to herein as waste, liquid waste, semi-solid waste, and solid waste) while allowing gas to flow. In one embodiment, the protective panel 20 can include a plurality of micro-perforations having micro-unit sized perforations. In some embodiments, the protective panel 20 can include perforations of various sizes and / or various patterns. For example, the protective panel 20 can include micro-perforations on a lower portion and no perforations on an upper portion adjacent the filter assembly 22.

[0026] 4 and 5 show an ostomy pouch appliance 100 according to another embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the ostomy pouch appliance 100. The ostomy pouch appliance 100 may be configured generally similar to the ostomy pouch appliance 10, including a filter assembly 122 and a multi-stage guard 117 including a protective panel 120 and a crescent-shaped pre-filter 124. In this embodiment, the filter assembly 122 may be attached to the exterior surface of the pouch wall 112, and the multi-stage guard 117 may be located inside the pouch. In another embodiment, the filter assembly 122 and the multi-stage guard 117 may both be located inside the pouch, with the filter assembly 122 covering the gas exit opening 121 and the multi-stage guard 117 covering the filter assembly 122.

[0027] The filter assembly 122 may include a backing layer 102, a filter media 104, and a membrane layer 106. The filter assembly 122 may be positioned to cover a gas exit opening 121 defined in the pouch wall 112 and attached to the pouch wall 112 by, for example, heat sealing. The membrane layer 106 may be formed from a suitable gas-permeable material configured to allow gas flow while providing protection against ostomy effluent. The filter media 104 may be formed from a suitable filter material configured to deodorize ostomy gas. The backing layer 102 may be formed from a suitable material having relatively low gas permeability or gas impermeability and configured to direct gas flow radially through the filter assembly 416. In this embodiment, gas collected within ostomy pouch appliance 100 may exit through protective panel 120, pre-filter 124, and outlet opening 121, enter filter assembly 122 through membrane layer 106, flow radially through filter media 104, and exit filter assembly 122, as shown by the arrows in Figure 4. Filter assembly 122 may include at least one gas outlet adjacent the periphery of filter assembly 122. For example, filter assembly 122 may include a gas outlet defined by an unsealed periphery.

[0028] The multi-stage filter guard 117 may include a pre-filter 124 positioned over the gas exit opening 121 and sealed to the inner surface of the pouch wall 112, and a protective panel 120 covering the pre-filter 124 and sealed to the inner surface of the pouch wall 112. In such an embodiment, the protective panel 120 may function as a coarse pre-filter and a first line of protection, and the pre-filter 124 may function as a fine pre-filter and a second line of protection, providing the filter assembly 122 with multiple layers of protection from ostomy effluent collected within the pouch. In this embodiment, the pre-filter 124 may be configured similarly to the pre-filter 24, with a crescent-shaped body including two pointed ends 128 to facilitate drainage of ostomy effluent captured within the pre-filter 124 into the pouch collection cavity.

[0029] The protective panel 120 may be formed from a suitable micro-perforated film and sealed to the pouch wall 112 via a peripheral seal. The protective panel 120 may be configured and sized larger than the pre-filter 124 so as to cover and seal around the pre-filter 124.

[0030] In one embodiment, the protective panel 120 can include an anti-reflux valve 130. The anti-reflux valve 130 can be defined by a curved slit formed in a lower portion of the protective panel, as shown in FIG. 4 . The anti-reflux valve 130 can be configured as a dynamic valve that opens when the pouch expands and closes when the pouch contracts. In one embodiment, the multi-stage filter protector 117 can be configured such that when the pouch expands, the protective panel 120 separates from the pouch wall 112, causing the anti-reflux valve 130 to open and allow ostomy effluent trapped between the protective panel 120 and the pouch wall 112 to drain into the pouch collection cavity. When the pouch contracts, the anti-reflux valve 130 can close to prevent ostomy effluent collected in the pouch collection cavity from flowing up toward the filter assembly 122. In one embodiment, the protective panel 120 can include six anti-reflux valves 130. In some embodiments, the anti-reflux valve may be backed by a foam material, such as open-cell foam, which can act as a spring-loaded backing to hold the valve closed when the pouch is deflated.

[0031] 6 and 7 illustrate yet another embodiment of an ostomy pouch appliance 200. The ostomy pouch appliance 200 may be configured similarly to the ostomy pouch appliance 100 and generally include a filter assembly 222 and a multi-stage protective section including a protective panel 220 and a crescent-shaped pre-filter 224. The protective panel 220 may include an anti-reflux valve 230 defined by a curved slit formed in the protective panel 220. The anti-reflux valve 230 may be configured as a dynamic valve that opens when the pouch is inflated and closes when the pouch is deflated. In this embodiment, the anti-reflux valve 230 may be positioned adjacent to the crescent-shaped pre-filter 224 such that the anti-reflux valve 230 may be back-supported by the crescent-shaped pre-filter 224. In such an embodiment, the crescent-shaped pre-filter 224 may be formed from a foam material and serve as a back support for the anti-reflux valve 230, holding the anti-reflux valve 230 closed when the pouch is deflated. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the protective panel 220 includes two anti-reflux valves 230. In other embodiments, the protective panel 220 may include three or more anti-reflux valves. In one embodiment, the protective panel 220 may include a plurality of holes 232 to provide additional paths for ostomy effluent captured between the protective panel 220 and the pouch wall 212 to drain into the pouch collection cavity.

[0032] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure. It is understood that no limitation with respect to the particular embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The present disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. a body side wall and a distal wall joined along a periphery to define a collection cavity for collecting bodily waste; an entrance opening for receiving waste from the stoma; a gas outlet formed in an upper portion of one of the body wall and the distal wall for venting gas collected in the collection cavity; a filter assembly attached to one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall so as to cover the gas outlet; a pre-filter configured to protect the filter assembly and attached to one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall, the pre-filter having a crescent-shaped body including a pointed end configured to facilitate evacuation of exudates trapped within the pre-filter; 1. An ostomy pouch appliance, comprising:

2. 10. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 1, wherein the pre-filter is positioned with the pointed end facing downward toward a lower portion of the collection cavity.

3. 3. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly is attached to an outer surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall, and the pre-filter is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the gas outlet.

4. 3. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 1, wherein the filter assembly is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall, and the pre-filter is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the filter assembly.

5. 5. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 1, wherein the pre-filter is formed from a foam material.

6. 6. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 1, further comprising a protective panel formed from a perforated film, the protective panel configured to protect the filter assembly and the pre-filter.

7. 7. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 6, wherein the protective panel is attached to an interior surface of one of the body-facing and distal walls overlying the pre-filter.

8. 8. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the protective panel includes at least one anti-reflux valve configured to open when the ostomy pouch appliance expands to allow waste trapped between the protective panel and one of the body side wall and the distal wall to be discharged into the collection cavity, and the at least one anti-reflux valve configured to close when the ostomy pouch appliance contracts to prevent waste collected in the collection cavity from flowing back toward the filter assembly.

9. 9. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 8, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is defined by a curved slit formed in a lower portion of the protective film.

10. 10. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is backed by a foam material configured to act as a spring backing to hold the anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch appliance is deflated.

11. 10. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is positioned adjacent to the pre-filter formed of a foam material such that the at least one anti-reflux valve is back-supported by the pre-filter, and the pre-filter functions as a back support that keeps the at least one anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch appliance is contracted.

12. 12. The ostomy pouch appliance of any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the protective panel includes six anti-reflux valves.

13. a body side wall and a distal wall joined along a periphery to define a collection cavity for collecting bodily waste; an entrance opening for receiving waste from the stoma; a gas outlet formed in an upper portion of one of the body wall and the distal wall for venting gas collected in the collection cavity; a filter assembly attached to one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall so as to cover the gas outlet; a protective panel configured to protect the filter assembly and attached to one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall, the protective panel including at least one anti-reflux valve configured to open when an ostomy pouch appliance is inflated and to close when the ostomy pouch appliance is deflated; 1. An ostomy pouch appliance, comprising:

14. 14. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 13, wherein the protective panel is formed from a perforated film.

15. 15. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is defined by a curved slit formed in a lower portion of the protective film.

16. 16. An ostomy pouch appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is back supported by a foam material configured to act as a spring back support to hold the anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch appliance is deflated.

17. 17. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is back-supported by open-cell foam.

18. 18. The ostomy pouch appliance of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the protective panel includes six anti-reflux valves.

19. 19. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 13, further comprising a pre-filter configured to protect the filter assembly, wherein the filter assembly is attached to an outer surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the gas outlet, the pre-filter is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the gas outlet, and the protective panel is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the pre-filter.

20. 19. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 13, further comprising a pre-filter configured to protect the filter assembly, wherein the filter assembly is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the gas outlet, the pre-filter is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the filter assembly, and the protective panel is attached to an inner surface of one of the body-facing wall and the distal wall covering the pre-filter.

21. 21. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the pre-filter has a crescent-shaped body including a pointed end configured to facilitate the evacuation of waste trapped within the pre-filter, and the pre-filter is positioned such that the pointed end faces downward toward a lower portion of the collection cavity.

22. 22. The ostomy pouch appliance of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the pre-filter is formed from a foam material.

23. 23. The ostomy pouch appliance of claim 22, wherein the at least one anti-reflux valve is positioned adjacent to the pre-filter such that the at least one anti-reflux valve is back-supported by the pre-filter, the pre-filter acting as a back-support to hold the at least one anti-reflux valve closed when the ostomy pouch appliance is contracted.

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