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 an ostomy pouch that includes a deodorizing filter and a filter protection part.

Background Art

[0002] An ostomy pouch for collecting excrement is used by patients who have undergone surgeries such as colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. The ostomy pouch includes an inlet opening for collecting excrement discharged from a stoma into the pouch. Typically, the ostomy pouch also includes a gas outlet covered by a filter assembly for filtering odors and discharging gases collected in the pouch. However, in some examples, liquid, semi-solid, or solid excrement collected in the pouch may flow into the filter assembly and block the filter assembly, thereby preventing the discharge of gases through the filter assembly. This can lead to the expansion of the pouch or an undesirable expansion of the pouch.

[0003] The disruption of the quality of life due to pouch ballooning of the user can be significant, including anxiety, lack of discretion, fear of leakage, and inconvenient user intervention to release gas pressure. Some common ways to release trapped gas include opening the pouch connection system (which is often referred to as "burping"), draining the pouch, and peeling off the skin barrier. Many ostomates report spending a lot of time trying to solve the problem of pouch ballooning and being frustrated with current ostomy pouch systems.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] To mitigate the problem of filter cogging, ostomy filter protection features have been developed. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2023 / 0099447, which is assigned in common with this application and incorporated in its entirety by reference, discloses an ostomy pouch comprising a filter assembly and a multi-stage filter protection section including a pre-filter formed from foam and a microporous protective panel covering the pre-filter.

[0005] This disclosure provides an improvement to the filter protection unit.

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

[0007] In one embodiment, the ostomy pouch device may include a body side wall and a distal wall joined along the outer circumference defining a collection cavity for collecting waste, an inlet opening for receiving waste from the stoma, and a gas outlet formed in the upper portion of one of the body side wall and distal wall for discharging gas collected in the collection cavity. The ostomy pouch device may also include a filter assembly attached to one of the body side wall and 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 distal wall with the pointed end facing downward toward the lower portion of the collection cavity to facilitate the discharge of waste captured in the pre-filter. The pre-filter may be formed from a foamed material.

[0008] In one embodiment, the filter assembly may be attached to the outer surface of one of the body sidewalls and distal walls, and the prefilter may be attached to the inner surface of one of the body sidewalls and distal walls that covers the gas outlet.

[0009] In another embodiment, the filter assembly may be mounted on one of the inner surfaces of the body side wall and distal wall, and the prefilter may be mounted on one of the inner surfaces of the body side wall and distal wall that covers the filter assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ostomy pouch device may also include a protective panel formed from a perforated film, configured to protect the filter assembly and the pre-filter. The protective panel may be attached to one of the inner surfaces of the body's lateral and distal walls that cover the pre-filter.

[0011] In one embodiment, the protective panel may include at least one backflow prevention valve. For example, the protective panel may include six backflow prevention valves. At least one backflow prevention valve may be configured to open when the ostomy pouch device expands, allowing the waste trapped between the protective panel and the pouch wall to be discharged into the collection cavity, and to close when the ostomy pouch device contracts, preventing the waste collected in the collection cavity from flowing back towards the filter assembly. At least one backflow prevention valve may be defined by a curved slit formed in the lower portion of the protective film.

[0012] In one embodiment, at least one check valve may be back-supported by a foam material configured to function as a spring-loaded back support for holding the check valve closed when the ostomy pouch device is contracted. For example, at least one check valve may be back-supported by open-cell foam.

[0013] In another embodiment, the ostomy pouch device may include a body side wall and a distal wall joined along the outer circumference defining a collection cavity for collecting waste, an inlet opening for receiving waste from the stoma, and a gas outlet formed in the upper portion of one of the body side wall and distal wall for discharging gas collected in the collection cavity. The ostomy pouch device may also include a filter assembly attached to one of the body side wall and 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 device inflates and close when the ostomy pouch device deflates. 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 the lower portion of the protective film.

[0014] In one embodiment, at least one check valve may be back-supported by a foamed material such as open-cell foam, configured to function as a spring-loaded back support that holds the check valve closed when the ostomy pouch device is contracted. In one embodiment, the protective panel may include six check valves.

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

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one check valve may be positioned adjacent to a prefilter made of foam material such that at least one check valve is back-supported by the prefilter. In such embodiments, the prefilter can function as a back support that holds at least one check valve closed when the ostomy pouch contracts.

[0017] The general descriptions above and the detailed descriptions below are examples only and do not limit this disclosure.

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

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a distal perspective view of an ostomy pouch device according to one embodiment, comprising a filter assembly and a multi-stage filter protection section including a pre-filter and a protective panel. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the ostomy pouch device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a prefilter having a crescent-shaped body according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of an ostomy pouch device, including a filter assembly and a multi-stage filter protection unit, according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a distal perspective view of the ostomy pouch device shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a distal perspective view of an ostomy pouch device according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ostomy pouch device shown in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] While various forms of embodiment are possible in this disclosure, it should be considered illustrative and not intended to limit this disclosure to any particular embodiment illustrated, and currently preferred embodiments shown in the drawings and described below will be described accordingly. The words “a” or “an” should be interpreted as including both singular and plural. Conversely, references to plural items should include the singular form where appropriate. Words such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used in this disclosure to describe various types of 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 illustrative purposes and are therefore not limiting. Depending on the context, the word “if” as used herein may be interpreted 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 by excrement and stoma effluent collected within the ostomy pouch. The ostomy filter protection system can include a perforated film and a prefilter foam element that also functions as a spacer between the perforated film and the distal sidewall of the ostomy pouch, with the distal sidewall and the inner perforated film being adhered to each other to prevent gas from being trapped. The prefilter can further have a shape for guiding the discharge of the effluent away from the foam element. For example, the prefilter can be a crescent-shaped foam element having an end oriented towards the pouch outlet opening.

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-2 show an ostomy pouch apparatus 10 according to one embodiment. The ostomy pouch apparatus 10 is formed by a distal wall 12 and a body sidewall 14 joined to each other along an outer peripheral seal 15 and can define a collection cavity 16 and an outlet portion 18 for collecting excrement. The ostomy pouch apparatus 10 can include a filter assembly 22 covering a gas outlet opening 21 and a multi-stage filter protection portion including a protection panel 20 and a prefilter 24. The outlet portion 18 can terminate at a discharge opening or outlet 19 for discharging the excrement collected in the cavity 16 after the period of use.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a pre-filter 24 according to one embodiment. The pre-filter 24 may be configured to have a crescent-shaped body that includes a central portion 26 and two end portions 28 oriented toward the outlet portion 18 of the pouch 10, as best shown in FIG. 1. Suitable materials for the pre-filter 24 can include, but are not limited to, foams such as reticulated open cell foam, fabrics, microfleece, non-woven fabrics, etc. In one embodiment, the pre-filter 24, together with the protective panel 20, may be formed from a foamed material that can provide a multi-stage filter protection portion for preventing or reducing the clogging or fouling 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 that covers the gas outlet opening 21 defined therein, and the pre-filter 24 is attached to the inner surface of the distal pouch wall 12 that covers the gas outlet opening 21. In another embodiment, the filter assembly 22 may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall that covers the gas outlet opening, and the pre-filter 24 may be attached to the inner surface of the pouch wall so as to cover the filter assembly 22. The pre-filter 24 may be arranged such that the end portions 28 of the pre-filter 24 are arranged downwardly toward the outlet portion 18, as best shown in FIG. 1, so that the drainage of the effluent is away from the pre-filter 24. The end portions 28 of the pre-filter 24 may be configured as pointed ends, as best shown in FIG. 3, to facilitate the discharge of excrement captured by the pre-filter 24 into the collection cavity 16. The pre-filter 24 can also function 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 to each other and obstructing the gas flow path.

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

[0026] Figures 4 and 5 show an ostomy pouch device 100 according to another embodiment. Figure 4 is a partially exploded view of the ostomy pouch device 100. The ostomy pouch device 100 can generally be configured similarly to the ostomy pouch device 10, which includes a filter assembly 122 and a multi-stage protective section 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 outer surface of the pouch wall 112, and the multi-stage protective section 117 may be located inside the pouch. In another embodiment, both the filter assembly 122 and the multi-stage protective section 117 may be located inside the pouch, such that the filter assembly 122 covers the gas outlet opening 121 and the multi-stage protective section 117 covers the filter assembly 122.

[0027] The filter assembly 122 may comprise a backing layer 102, a filter medium 104, and a membrane layer 106. The filter assembly 122 is positioned to cover a gas outlet opening 121 defined in the pouch wall 112 and may be attached to the pouch wall 112 by, for example, a heat seal. The membrane layer 106 may be formed from a suitable gas-permeable material configured to allow gas to flow while providing protection against ostomy spillage. The filter medium 104 may be formed from a suitable filter material configured to deodorize ostomy gases. The backing layer 102 may be formed from a suitable material having relatively low gas permeability or gas impermeability and may be configured to guide the gas flow radially through the filter assembly 416. In this embodiment, the gas collected in the ostomy pouch device 100 may flow out through the protective panel 120, the pre-filter 124, and the outlet opening 121, and flow through the membrane layer 106 into the filter assembly 122, as shown by the arrows in Figure 4, flow radially through the filter medium 104, and be discharged from the filter assembly 122. The filter assembly 122 may have at least one gas outlet located near its periphery. For example, the filter assembly 122 may have a gas outlet defined by an unsealed periphery.

[0028] The multi-stage filter protection unit 117 may comprise a pre-filter 124 positioned to cover the gas outlet 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 embodiments, the protective panel 120 may function as a coarse pre-filter and a first protective line, and the pre-filter 124 may function as a fine pre-filter and a second protective line, providing multiple layers of protection to the filter assembly 122 from ostomy spills collected in the pouch. In this embodiment, the pre-filter 124 may be configured similarly to a pre-filter 24 having a crescent-shaped body with two pointed ends 128, facilitating the discharge of ostomy spills trapped in the pre-filter 124 into the pouch collection cavity.

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

[0030] In one embodiment, the protective panel 120 may include a backflow prevention valve 130. The backflow prevention valve 130 may be defined by a curved slit formed in the lower portion of the protective panel, as shown in Figure 4. The backflow prevention valve 130 may be configured as dynamic valves that open when the pouch expands and close when the pouch contracts. In one embodiment, the multi-stage filter protection unit 117 may be configured such that when the pouch expands, the protective panel 120 separates from the pouch wall 112, the backflow prevention valve 130 opens, and ostomy fluid trapped between the protective panel 120 and the pouch wall 112 is discharged into the pouch collection cavity. When the pouch contracts, the backflow prevention valve 130 closes to prevent ostomy fluid collected in the pouch collection cavity from flowing up towards the filter assembly 122. In one embodiment, the protective panel 120 may include six backflow prevention valves 130. In some embodiments, the backflow prevention valve may be back-supported by a foaming material such as open-cell foam, which can function as a spring-loaded backing that holds the valve closed when the pouch deflates.

[0031] Figures 6 and 7 show an ostomy pouch device 200 according to yet another embodiment. The ostomy pouch device 200 is configured similarly to the ostomy pouch device 100 and generally comprises 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 a check valve 230 defined by a curved slit formed in the protective panel 220. The check valve 230 may be configured as a dynamic valve that opens when the pouch expands and closes when the pouch contracts. In this embodiment, the check valve 230 may be positioned adjacent to the crescent-shaped pre-filter 224 so that the check valve 230 can be back-supported by the crescent-shaped pre-filter 224. In such embodiments, a crescent-shaped prefilter 224, formed from foam material, can function as a back support for the backflow prevention valve 230, holding it closed when the pouch shrinks. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the protective panel 220 includes two backflow prevention valves 230. In other embodiments, the protective panel 220 may include three or more backflow prevention valves. In one embodiment, the protective panel 220 may include a plurality of holes 232 to provide an additional path for discharging ostomy spillage trapped between the protective panel 220 and the pouch wall 212 into the pouch collection cavity.

[0032] From the above, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be achieved without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this disclosure. It should be understood that no limitation is intended and should not be inferred with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated. This disclosure is intended to cover all such modifications included within the claims by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Body lateral and distal walls joined along the outer periphery that define a collection cavity for collecting excrement, An opening for receiving waste from the stoma, To discharge the gas collected in the collection cavity, a gas outlet is formed in the upper portion of one of the body side wall and the distal wall, A filter assembly is attached to one of the body side wall and the distal wall so as to cover the gas outlet, A prefilter configured to protect the filter assembly and attached to one of the body side wall and the distal wall, having a crescent-shaped body including a pointed end, the pointed end being positioned downward toward the lower portion of the collection cavity to facilitate the discharge of excrement captured in the prefilter, Ostomy pouch devices, including those mentioned above.

2. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 1, wherein the filter assembly is attached to the outer surface of one of the body side wall and the distal wall, and the prefilter is attached to the inner surface of one of the body side wall and the distal wall that covers the gas outlet.

3. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 1, wherein the filter assembly is attached to the inner surface of one of the body side wall and the distal wall, and the prefilter is attached to the inner surface of one of the body side wall and the distal wall that covers the filter assembly.

4. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 1, wherein the prefilter is formed from a foamed material.

5. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective panel formed from a perforated film, wherein the protective panel is configured to protect the filter assembly and the prefilter.

6. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 5, wherein the protective panel is attached to the inner surface of one of the body side wall and distal wall that covers the prefilter.

7. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 5, wherein the protective panel includes at least one backflow prevention valve, the at least one backflow prevention valve is configured to open when the ostomy pouch device 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 backflow prevention valve is configured to close when the ostomy pouch device contracts to prevent waste collected in the collection cavity from flowing back toward the filter assembly.

8. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one backflow prevention valve is defined by a curved slit formed in the lower portion of the protective panel.

9. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one backflow prevention valve is back-supported by a foam material configured to function as a spring-loaded back support for holding the backflow prevention valve closed when the ostomy pouch device is contracted.

10. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one backflow prevention valve is positioned adjacent to the prefilter, which is made of a foamed material, such that the at least one backflow prevention valve is back-supported by the prefilter, and the prefilter functions as a back support that holds the at least one backflow prevention valve in a closed position when the ostomy pouch device contracts.

11. The ostomy pouch device according to claim 5, wherein the protective panel includes six backflow prevention valves.

Images