An ostomy appliance

Abstract

An ostomy appliance (10) including first and second walls (12, 14) connected to each other at or near their peripheries to form a collecting cavity; a stoma-receiving opening (16) for receipt of a stoma; a connection member (20) connected to the first and / or second wall for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet (22) which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening and terminates in an outlet opening, the outlet including a first outlet wall and a second outlet wall; wherein the outlet has an open condition and a closed condition, and the outlet is folded to move from the open condition to the closed condition, a user engageable member (40) connected so as to form an aperture (50), directly or indirectly, to the first or second outlet wall, the user engageable member at least partially defining the aperture.

Description

[0001] AN OSTOMY APPLIANCE

[0002] FIELD

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an ostomy appliance.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Ostomy appliances are well known. Typically ostomy appliances have first and second walls which are connected at their peripheries to form a cavity for the collection of waste. The first or second wall is provided with a stoma-receiving opening for receipt of a user’s stoma. Some ostomy appliances may be supplied as a drainable ostomy appliance. This might be for use with an ileostomy, for example. A drainable ostomy appliance is typically provided with an outlet which is fluidly connected to the cavity to enable waste to be removed from the cavity. The outlet may have an opening to enable the removal of waste. The opening is typically flexible and movable between closed and open positions. A common issue with such ostomy appliances is that the outlet wall can become stuck to itself which results in it no longer being possible to empty the ostomy appliance. This may be caused by a vacuum within the ostomy appliance causing the outlet wall to stick to itself, static adhesion of the outlet wall to itself, or waste collected within the ostomy appliance causing the outlet wall to stick to itself.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an ostomy appliance including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries; a stoma-receiving opening for receipt of a stoma; a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls wherein the stoma-receiving opening is fluidly connected to the collecting cavity; a connection member connected to the first and / or second wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening and terminates in an outlet opening, the outlet including a first outlet wall and a second outlet wall; a user engageable member connected so as to form an aperture, directly or indirectly, to the first or second outlet wall, the user engageable member at least partially defining the aperture preferably sized to receive at least a part of a human digit. Preferably, the outlet has an open condition in which the outlet opening is open and a closed condition in which the outlet opening is closed. In such a construction, the outlet is folded to move from the open condition to the closed condition.

[0009] The aperture may extend through the user engageable member from a first surface thereof through to a second generally opposite surface thereof.

[0010] At least a portion of the user engageable member may be substantially planar, preferably a portion of the member which includes or at least partially defines the aperture may be substantially planar.

[0011] At least a portion of the user engageable member may be pivotably moveable about a pivot axis P relative to the outlet wall to which it is connected, preferably a portion of the member which includes or at least partially defines the aperture may be pivotably moveable.

[0012] The outlet wall to which the user engageable member is connected may be moveable away from the other of the outlet walls in response to a force applied by the user to a portion of the user engageable member which is immediately adjacent the aperture.

[0013] A force applied by the user may be applied to a portion of the user engageable member which generally faces toward the pivot axis P. A portion of the user engageable member immediately adjacent the aperture may be substantially curved such that it generally conforms to a part of a human digit.

[0014] The ostomy appliance may further include an aperture closing member. The aperture closing member may be moveable between a first position in which access to the aperture is generally inhibited, and a second position in which access to the aperture is permitted. The aperture closing member may be connected to, directly or indirectly, or formed integrally, with the user engageable member. At least a part of the aperture closing member may be pivotably moveable relative to the user engageable member in response to a force applied by the user to the aperture closing member. At least a portion of the aperture closing member may be shaped such that it generally conforms to the shape of at least a part of the aperture.

[0015] The ostomy appliance may further include a stiffening member provided on the first or second wall of the outlet. The user engageable member may be positioned immediately adjacent the stiffening member. At least a part of the user engageable member may connected to, or integrally formed with, the stiffening member. The user engageable member and the stiffening member, together, may define the aperture.

[0016] The user engageable member may be provided on the first or second wall of the outlet, and the stiffening member may be provided on the other of the first or second wall of the outlet. At least a part of the user engageable member may positioned between the stiffening member and the stoma receiving opening. The stiffening member may be positioned between at least a part of the user graspable member and the stoma receiving opening.

[0017] The ostomy appliance may include a further stiffening member positioned: a) on the same of the first or second wall of the outlet as the stiffening member; or b) on the other of the first or second wall of the outlet as the stiffening member.

[0018] The user engageable member may be at least partially concealed when the outlet is in the closed condition. The ostomy appliance may further include a security flap to secure the outlet in the closed condition.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] In orderthatthe present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferable embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIGURE 1 is a front view of an ostomy appliance, embodying the present disclosure;

[0022] FIGURE 2 is a front view of a part of the ostomy appliance of Figure 1 , embodying the present disclosure;

[0023] FIGURE 3 is a front view of part of an ostomy appliance, embodying the present disclosure;

[0024] FIGURE 4 is a front view of part of the ostomy appliance of Figure 3;

[0025] FIGURE 5 is a front view of part of an ostomy appliance, embodying the present disclosure;

[0026] FIGURE 6 is a front view of part of an ostomy appliance, embodying the present disclosure;

[0027] FIGURE 7 is a front view of part of an ostomy appliance, embodying the present disclosure;

[0028] FIGURE 8 is a front view of a part of the ostomy appliance of Figure 1 with the outlet in a stowed position;

[0029] FIGURE 9 is a front view of part of an ostomy appliance, embodying the present disclosure;

[0030] FIGURE 10 is a section view B-B of the ostomy appliance of Figure 2; FIGURE 11 is a section view B-B of the ostomy appliance of Figure 2, in use; and

[0031] FIGURE 12 is a section view C-C of the ostomy appliance of Figure 3, in use.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0033] Referring to the Figures there is provided an ostomy appliance in accordance with the present disclosure, generally at 10. The ostomy appliance 10 has a top, or upper end, 11 and a bottom, or lower end, 13. The ostomy appliance 10 has first and second walls 12, 14 (preferably made from a plastics film material, which may be multi-layer) connected to each other at or near their peripheries, by any suitable means known in the art. For example, they could be adhered to each other, or heat welded.

[0034] The first wall 12 includes a stoma-receiving opening 16 and supports a connection member or flange 20 for attaching the appliance 10 to a user. In the embodiment shown, the connection member 20 is a hydrocolloid wafer for securing the appliance 10 to the skin of a user around their stoma. Alternatively, the connection member 20 may be for attaching the appliance 10 to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user (e.g. a two-piece appliance as it is known in the art).

[0035] Referring to Figure 1 , the first and second walls 12, 14 define a waste collecting cavity therebetween. In embodiments, the first and second walls 12, 14 are covered by comfort layers though these are not essential. For example only the first or second wall 12, 14 may be provided with a comfort layer, or neither the first nor the second wall 12, 14 may be provided with a comfort layer. The appliance 10 may also have a filter positioned over a suitable gas vent in either or both of the first 12 or second 14 walls, as is well known in the art.

[0036] The lower end 13 of the appliance 10 may be provided with an outlet 22 including a first outlet wall 23 and a second outlet wall 25. In the present embodiment the first and second outlet walls 23, 25 may be formed by portions of the first and second walls 12, 14, again, as is well known in the art. In other words, the outlet 22 may be a continuation of one or both of the first and second walls 12, 14 which define the waste collecting cavity. In other embodiments the outlet 22 may be formed separately to the first and second walls 12, 14. Such an outlet 22 may be connected to one of the first and / or second walls 12, 14 which define the waste collecting cavity.

[0037] The outlet 22 extends downwardly away from the stoma-receiving opening 16 and terminates at an opening 24. The opening 24 permits waste collected in the collecting cavity to be expelled from the appliance 10. The opening 24 is movable between a first, closed, condition and a second, open, condition. When the opening 24 is in the second, open, condition waste is permitted to move from the waste collecting cavity through the outlet 22 and out of the opening 24 to exit the ostomy appliance 10. Moving the opening 24 of the outlet 22 from a first, closed, condition to a second, open, condition may be performed by a user of the appliance 10 by relative movement of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25, i.e., by moving the first outlet wall 23 away from the second outlet wall 25, and vice versa.

[0038] The outlet 22 of the appliance 10 may be moveable between an in-use position and a stowed position. In the in-use position, the user is able to manipulate the outlet 22 such that the opening 24 may be moved between the first, closed condition and the second, open condition. The outlet 22 may be moved to the stowed position by folding or rolling up the outlet 22. In other words, the outlet 22 is folded to move from the open condition to the closed condition (and in the examples illustrated, multiple folds are required to close the outlet 22). As described in more detail below, in some examples, the appliance 10 includes one or more stiffening members 26, 27, which may be connected to the outlet 22 (as such, may assist in moving the outlet 22 between the in-use position and the stowed position). In the illustrated examples, the stiffening members 26, 27 (and the edges I gaps between them) encourage folding of the outlet 22 at predetermined locations I fold lines. This ensures consistent closing of the outlet 22 each time the outlet 22 is used. The illustrated examples have two stiffening members 26, 27 which dictate the folding of the outlet 22 - the outlet 22 is configured to fold four time to reach the closed condition from the open condition. It should be appreciated that fewer or more folds are desired - the number of folds balances the efficacy of the sealing of the outlet 22 (e.g. more folds improves how reliable the closure is) and the time taken to complete the activity and, thus, the user experience.

[0039] Additionally, the appliance 10 may further include a security flap 70 and a fastener member 72, which is used to secure the outlet 22 in a stowed position, as is generally known in the art.

[0040] To assist a user in moving the outlet opening 24 from the first condition to the second condition the ostomy appliance 10 includes a user engageable member 40 which is connected so as to form an aperture 50, directly or indirectly, to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25.

[0041] In embodiments, a part of, or the entirety of, the user engageable member 40 may be substantially planar or flat. In some embodiments, a part of, or the entirety of, the user engageable member 40 may be formed from a flexible sheet of plastic material or textile, such as a woven or non-woven textile.

[0042] In other embodiments a part of, or the entirety of, the user engageable member 40 may be formed from a relatively rigid plastic material which may be capable of small amounts of elastic deformation. Of course, in yet further embodiments, a part of, or the entirety of, the user engageable member 40 may be formed from other suitable materials, and may not be formed as substantially planar or flat. For instance, a part of, or the entirety of, the user engageable member 40 may be of a non-uniform thickness and may be composed of a combination of suitable materials.

[0043] At least a portion of the user engageable member 40 may be moveable, particularly but not exclusively, in response to a force applied to it by a user. With references to the Figures, at least a portion of the user engageable member 40 may be pivotably moveable about a pivot axis P relative to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 to which the user engageable member 40 is connected to. As shown in the Figures, the pivot axis P generally extends in a lateral direction across the outlet 22 and generally parallel to the opening 24.

[0044] In some embodiments, the user engageable member 40 may be connected to an attachment portion 44. As shown in Figure 2, the user engageable member 40 is connected at a first end 41 to the attachment portion 44, and the attachment portion 44 is connected, directly or indirectly, to one of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25. The entirety of, or a substantial part of, the attachment portion 44 may be connected to one of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25, and the entirety of, or a substantial part of, the user engageable member 40 may be moveable, i.e., pivotable moveable, relative to the attachment portion 44. As such, the connection between the first end 41 of the user engageable member 40 and the attachment portion 44 may form a hinged connection, with the pivot axis P residing at said point of connection.

[0045] In other embodiments, the user engageable member 40 may be connected directly to one of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25 such that the first end 41 of the user engageable member 40 is connected directly to one of said first or second outlet walls 23, 25 and the a second end 42 of the user engageable member 40 is pivotably moveable about pivot axis P relative to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 to which the first end 41 is connected. The first end 41 of the user engageable member 40 may be welded or adhered to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25, or may be integrally formed with one of said first or second outlet walls 23, 25. In further embodiments, the user engageable member 40 may be connected to other parts of the appliance 10 which are connected to the outlet 20, such as additional appliance walls or layers, or to a stiffening strip 26, which is discussed in more detail below.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 to 9, the user engageable member 40 may be positioned generally centrally between the lateral sides of the outlet wall 23, 25 to which it is connected to. In other embodiments, it may be positioned such that it is offset from the centre point between the lateral sides of the outlet wall 23, 25. In embodiments, the user engageable member 40 may be positioned at or near the opening 24 of the outlet 22. Alternatively, it may be positioned relatively closer to the waste collecting cavity and at a distance from the opening 24, such that a user’s digit 100 may be kept away from the opening 24 when emptying the appliance 10 of waste. The user engageable member 40 at least partially defines the aperture 50. The aperture 50 is preferably sized to receive at least a part of a human digit 100, such that a part, e.g. an end, of human digit 100 may be inserted into the aperture 50.

[0047] With references to the Figures, the user engageable member 40 may have a first surface 47 a second surface 48 which is positioned generally opposite the first surface 47. The aperture 50 may extend entirely through the user engageable member 40, from the first surface 47 thereof through to the second surface 48 thereof. As such, a user of the appliance may be able to pass a part of their digit 100 through the user engageable member 40, such that a part of their digit 100 is positioned on one side of the user engageable member 40 on which the first surface 47 is situated, and another part of their digit 100 is positioned on the other side of the user engageable member 40 on which the second surface 48 is situated.

[0048] In embodiments in which at least a portion of the user engageable member 40 is pivotably moveable about pivot axis P, this pivotably moveable portion may be a portion of the user engageable member 40 which at least partially defines the aperture 50. In this sense, pivotable movement of the user engageable member 40 in turn results in pivotable movement of at least a portion of the aperture 50.

[0049] In embodiments, due to the aperture 50 being defined at least partially by the user engageable member 40, and due to the aperture 50 extending through the user engageable member 40, it can be seen in the figures that a portion of the user engageable member 40 is positioned immediately adjacent the aperture 50. In other words, a portion of the user engageable member 40 bounds or surrounds part of the aperture 50 formed. A surface I edge, or surfaces I edges, of said portion defines the periphery I perimeter I shape of part of the aperture 50.

[0050] In embodiments, the portion or portions of the user engageable member 40 which defines part of the aperture 50 may be substantially planar or flat.

[0051] During use of the appliance 10, a portion of the user engageable member 40 immediately adjacent the aperture 50 may be engaged by a part of a human digit 100 which is received by the aperture 50. Said portion immediately adjacent the aperture 50, and which may be engaged by part of a human digit 100 received by the aperture 50 during use, may be referred to as a user engageable portion 45. In embodiments, a user engageable portion 45 may be one of a plurality of user engageable portions 45, each forming part of an edge or surface of the user engageable member 40 immediately adjacent the aperture 50. Said user engageable portion(s) 45 may be surrounded, partially or entirely, by an outer portion 46 of the user adjustable member 40. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 7, a user engageable portion 45 may completely surrounded by the outer portion 46, and as such, the aperture 50 is entirely defined by the user engageable member 40. In other embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer portion 46 of the user engageable member 40 may only partially surround a user engageable portion 45 and the aperture 50. In these embodiments, the aperture 50 may also be partially defined by other parts of the appliance 10, such as the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 to which the user engageable member 40 is connected. The outer portion 46 of the user engageable member 40 may be shaped such that it substantially corresponds to a portion immediately adjacent the aperture 50, such as a user engageable portion 45 as shown in Figures 1 to 9, and as such the shape of a part of the aperture 50. In other embodiments, it may be provided as a different shape to a portion immediately adjacent the aperture 50, such as a user engageable portion 45 as shown in Figures 1 to 9, and as such the shape of a part of the aperture 50.

[0052] In embodiments, a user engageable portion 45 of the user engageable member 40 may, in use of the appliance 10, be subjected to force from the part of a digit 100 received by the aperture 50. In other words, a user inserts a finger 100 into the aperture 50 and pulls the user engageable portion 45 (that portion 45 is spaced from the outlet wall 23, 25 that the user engageable member 40 is attached to and allows the user to pull open the outlet opening 24).

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 the user engageable portion 45 of the user engageable member 40 may be immediately adjacent the aperture 50 and may generally face towards the pivot axis P. In other words, an edge or surface of the user engageable portion 45 may be positioned such that it faces in a direction generally towards the pivot axis P. In the same embodiment, a portion of the outer portion 46 positioned adjacent a user engageable portion 45 may generally face away from the pivot axis P, such that an edge or surface of the outer portion 46 faces away from the pivot axis P. In this embodiment, there may be other user engageable portions 45 which may be contacted by a part of a human digit 100 during use, such as the further user engageable portion 45’ which generally faces away from the pivot axis P.

[0054] In embodiments, a user engageable portion 45, or a part of a user engageable portion 45, may be generally curved. As such, a user engageable portion 45, which in use of the appliance 10 may be engaged by a part of a human digit 100 received by the aperture 50, may be generally curved such that it generally conforms to a part of a human digit 100. In embodiments, all portions which are immediately adjacent the aperture 50 may be generally curved such that they generally conform the a part of a human digit 100, as shown in Figure 7, and as such, the aperture 50 is generally elliptical or circular. In other embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, one portion of the user engageable member 40 immediately adjacent the aperture 50 may be generally curved, and another portion of the user engageable member 40 immediately adjacent the aperture may not be curved, i.e., it may a generally straight or flat portion, or may be comprised of a plurality of generally straight or flat portions. In this embodiment, and other similar embodiments, a user engageable portion 45 which generally faces towards the pivot axis P may be generally curved, and a further user engageable portion 45’ which faces away from the pivot axis P may be generally straight or flat. In other embodiments, it may be the case that no portions of the user engageable member 40 are generally curved.

[0055] Due to the connection, directly or indirectly, of the user engageable member 40 to one of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25, the user engageable member 40 can be used to move, or it may partly assist in the movement of, the wall 23, 25 to which it is connected to away from the other wall 23, 25 to which it is not connected to. In use of the appliance 10, a user may insert one of their digits 100 into the aperture 50, such that a part of their digit 100 is received by the aperture 50. The user may then apply a force to a user engageable portion 45 to manipulate the outlet 23, 25 to which the user engageable member 40 is connected to.

[0056] As can be seen in Figures 11 and 12 a user inserts a digit 100 such that a part of their digit 100 it is received by the aperture 50, and may apply a force F to a user engageable portion 45 of the user engageable member 40. If a force F is applied to a user engageable portion 45, which at least partially defines the aperture 50, and which generally faces towards the pivot axis P, the user may be able to move the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 generally away from the other of the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 to which the user engageable member 40 is not connected to. As such, the user of the appliance 10 is able to move the opening 24 of the outlet 22 from a first, closed, condition to a second, open, condition. The user may move the opening 24 entirely through use of the user engageable member 40, or may move the opening 24 partly through use of the user engageable member 40 and other parts of the appliance 10, such as a stiffening strip 26 as described in more detail below. As such, when the opening 24 is in the second, open, condition, waste is permitted to move from the waste collecting cavity through the outlet 22 and out of the opening 24 to exit the ostomy appliance 10.

[0057] Advantageously, the user of the appliance 10 is able to move the opening 24 to its second, open condition without the need to grip or grasp the user engageable member 40 between a finger and thumb, and may move the opening 24 using only one finger. This is particularly beneficial to users of the appliance 10 who have limited use of their hands due to age, injury, disability, or other medical conditions, and who find it difficult or impossible to grip or grasp objects, particularly small objects. Additionally, the user of the appliance 10 is able to move the opening 24 at a point on the outlet 22 which may be remote from the opening 24, depending on the location of the user engageable member 40 relative to the outlet 26. This may assist in the hygienic passage of waste from the waste collecting cavity and out of the opening 24 to exit the appliance 10, and may assist in separating outlet walls 23, 25 when they have become stuck to each other by waste trapped within the outlet 22 or by static adhesion. It should be understood that whilst the aperture 50 is sized such that it may receive at least a part of a human digit 100, the digit 100 received by the aperture 50 may not be a digit 100 of the user, but it may be a digit 100 of someone who is assisting the user to empty their appliance 10. Additionally, the aperture 50 may also be able to receive tools and other objects, which could be inserted into the aperture 50 to assist in moving the opening 24 of the outlet to its second, open condition.

[0058] In embodiments, the appliance 10 may also include an aperture closing member 60. In some embodiments, the aperture closing member 60 may be connected, directly or indirectly, to the user engageable member 40, or formed integrally with the user engageable member 40 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In other embodiments, the aperture closing member 60 may be connected, directly or indirectly, to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 to which the user engageable member 40 is also connected to as shown in Figure 6. In some embodiments, the aperture closing member 60 may be connected to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 by an aperture closing member attachment portion 64, which may be adhered or welded directly to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25.

[0059] The aperture closing member 60 may be moveable between a first position, in which access to the aperture is generally inhibited, and a second position in which access to the aperture is permitted. In the first position, the aperture closing member 60 may occupy at least a part of the volume or area of the aperture 50. In the second position, the aperture closing member 60 is moved such that it does not occupy, or occupies to a lesser extent, at least a part of the volume or area of the aperture 50. The aperture closing member 60 may be shaped such that it generally conforms to the shape of a part of the aperture 50, for example a part of the aperture 50 defined at least partially be a user engageable portion 45 of the user engageable member 40. In embodiments, it may be shaped such that it generally conforms to the shape of the whole aperture 50, such that it completely, or almost completely, occupies the volume or area of the aperture 50.

[0060] As shown in Figure 12, at least a part of the aperture closing member 60 is pivotably moveable relative to the user engageable member 40, particularly but not exclusively, in response to a force applied to it be a user. In use, as a user inserts a digit 100 into the aperture 50, a part of their digit 100 may exert a force F’ on a part of the aperture closing member 60 such that it moves from the first position to the second position. In embodiments, the aperture closing member 60 may be pivotably moveable relative to the user engageable member 40 about a common pivot axis P, as shown in Figure 6, or it may be pivotably moveable relative about a further pivot axis P’ which is offset from the pivot axis P of the user engageable member 40.

[0061] In embodiments, where the user engageable member 40 is substantially planar, the aperture closing member 60 may also be substantially planar. As such, when the aperture closing member 60 is in the first position, the aperture closing member 60 and user engageable member 40 may form a continuous, or almost continuous, surface.

[0062] Inclusion of an aperture closing member 60 is advantageous as it may be used to close the aperture 50 when the user engageable member 40 is not being used to move the opening 24 of the outlet 22. This may assist in preventing unwanted foreign matter from building up in the aperture 50, and in turn assists in keeping the aperture 50 clean when it is to receive a human digit 100. For embodiments in which the outlet 22 is moveable between an in-use position and a stowed position, the presence of an aperture closing member 60 may prevent matter being trapped in the aperture 50 which may subsequently be transferred to part of the outlet 22 which may be in contact with, or in close proximity to the aperture 50.

[0063] In embodiments, the appliance 10 may also include at least one stiffening member 26 provided to assist with opening, closing and sealing of the opening 24. In embodiments, the appliance may include a stiffening member 26, and a further stiffening member 27. The stiffening members 26, 27 may be substantially the same and so only one of the stiffening members 26 will be described in more detail. It should be appreciated however that in other embodiments the stiffening members 26, 27 may be different to each other.

[0064] In embodiments, the stiffening member 26 may be substantially rectangular, and may have first and second generally opposite edges 31 , 32, each of which extend laterally across the outlet 22, and third and fourth generally opposite edges 33, 34 which are generally perpendicular to the first and second edges 31 , 32. The stiffening member 26 may be positioned at or near the opening 24, or may be positioned remotely from the opening 24. In embodiments, the stiffening member 26 may be connected, directly or indirectly, to one of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25. The stiffening member 26 need only be stiff in the sense that it is relatively stiff compared to the outlet walls 23, 25 of the ostomy appliance 10. In this embodiment the stiffening member 26 may be injection moulded from a plastics material. For example, the stiffening member 26 may be made from high impact polystyrene (HIPS).

[0065] In embodiments, the user engageable member 40 may be positioned adjacent a first edge 31 of the stiffening member 26, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or may be positioned adjacent a second edge 32 of the stiffening member 26, as shown in Figure 9. Alternatively, the user engageable member 40 may be provided on the outlet wall 23, 25 such that it is positioned generally near the first edge

[0066] 31 or second edge 32, but separated by a desired distance such that it is not adjacent to the first edge or second edge 32 Providing the user engageable member 40 adjacent, or generally near, a first edge 31 of the stiffening member 26 means that at least a part of the user engageable member 40 may be provided between the stiffening member 26 and the stoma receiving opening 16. Conversely, providing the user engageable member 40 adjacent, or generally near, a second edge

[0067] 32 of the stiffening member 26 means that the stiffening strip 26 may be provided between at least a part of the user engageable member 40 and the stoma receiving opening 16.

[0068] In some embodiments, the user engageable member 40 may be connected to, or may be integrally formed with, a stiffening member 26. With reference to the Figures, the user engageable member 40 may be connected to first or second outlet wall 23, 25 by virtue of it being connected to an attachment portion 44, with the attachment portion 44 being connected directly to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25. The stiffening member 26 may be connected to the same outlet wall 23, 25 as the attachment portion 44, and may be positioned such that it covers part of, or the entirety of the attachment portion 44. Such a connection may improve the strength of the connection of the attachment portion 44 to the outlet wall 23, 25.

[0069] In some embodiments, the user engageable member 40 and the stiffening member 26, together, define the aperture 50. In other words, the user engageable member 40 and the stiffening member 26 are positioned on the outlet 22 and the parts of the edges of both 40, 26 define the extent of the aperture 50.

[0070] In some embodiments, the part of the aperture 50 defined by the user engageable member 40 is substantially arc-shaped (see, for example, figures 1 and 2). In other words, an edge of the user engageable member 40 forms a segment of a circle - this so as to provide a curved user engageable portion 45 that a user contacts in use. It should be appreciated that arc and circle are used here as general terms to mean substantially circular or arc-shaped but not necessarily an exact mathematical circle I arc.

[0071] In other embodiments, the stiffening member 26 may be connected to one of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25, and the user engageable member 40 may be connected to the other of the first or second outlet walls 23, 25. In embodiments including a stiffening member 26 and a further stiffening member 27, several arrangements are possible. For instance, both stiffening members 26, 27 may be provided on the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 and the user engageable member 40 may be provided on the other of the first or second outlet wall 23, 25, or alternatively, it may be provided on the same first or second outlet wall 23, 25 as the stiffening members 26. In other embodiments, the stiffening member 26 may be provided on one of the first or second outlet wall 23, 25 and the further stiffening member 27 may be provided on the other of the first or second outlet wall 23, 25, and the user engageable member 40 may be provided on either the first outlet wall 23 or the second outlet wall 25.

[0072] The opening 24 of the appliance 10 may be moved to a second, open condition by applying finger pressure to third and fourth edges 33, 34, such that the stiffening member 26 is caused to bow, which in turn causes the outlet wall(s) 23, 25 to move. This movement of the outlet wall(s) may be assisted by the use of the user engageable member 40 as described above. The user engageable member 40 may allow the user to use their other hand to apply an extra force P to the first or second outlet wall 23, 25. This may assist a user who is limited in their ability to apply pressure to the first and second edges 33, 34, and it may also assist in ensuring that a stiffening member 26 which is connected to the same outlet wall 23, 25 as the user engageable member 40 is bowed in the desired direction, i.e., to ensure that the stiffening member 26 bows generally outwardly rather than generally inwardly. Of course, whilst a stiffening member 26 may be present on an appliance, a user may opt to use the user engageable member 40 to move the opening 24 to a second, open condition alone without using the stiffening member 26.

[0073] With reference to the Figures, the outlet 22 of the appliance 10 is moveable between an in-use position and a stowed position. In the in-use position, the user is able to manipulate the outlet 22 such that the opening 24 may be moved between the first, closed condition and the second, open condition, as described above. The outlet 22 may be moved to the stowed position by folding or rolling up the outlet 22, as is generally known in the art. In embodiments including a stiffening member 26, or stiffening members 26, 27, the outlet may be folded or rolled up around the stiffening member 26, or stiffening members 26, 27, as is generally known in the art. Such rolling up uses the first and second edges 31 , 32 of the members 26, 27 as fulcrums to assist in tight closing of the outlet 22 and outlet opening 24, to prevent leaking.

[0074] As shown in Figure 8, when the outlet 22 is moved to a stowed position, the user engageable member 40 is at least, or completely, concealed. In embodiments of the appliance 10 which do not include a stiffening member 26, 27, the first and second outlet walls 23, 25 may be folded or rolled up such that they completely cover the user engageable member 40. In embodiments including a stiffening member 26, or two stiffening members 26, 27, folding or rolling up of the outlet 22 around the stiffening members) 26, 27 may result in the user engageable member 40 being positioned or sandwiched between two stiffening members 26, 27, or between one stiffening member 26, 27 and an outlet wall 23, 25. In such embodiments, the stiffening member(s) 26, 27 and assist in preventing the user engageable member 40 from being bent or deformed unintentionally. In other embodiments, the presence of an aperture closing member 60, described above, may prevent the build up of foreign matter in the aperture 50 of the user engageable member 40, which advantageously means that foreign matter which may have other been retained in the aperture 50 is not rolled up against the outlet walls 23, 25 and stiffening member(s) 26, 27.

[0075] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0076] The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features referred to or indicated in the specification individually or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more said parts, elements, steps, examples and / or features. In particular, one or more features in any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment(s) described herein. Protection may be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure.

[0077] Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An ostomy appliance including: first and second walls connected to each other at or near their peripheries; a stoma-receiving opening for receipt of a stoma; a collecting cavity defined between the first and second walls wherein the stoma-receiving opening is fluidly connected to the collecting cavity; a connection member connected to the first and / or second wall for attaching the appliance to a user or for attaching the appliance to a flange for attaching the appliance to a user; an outlet which extends away from the stoma-receiving opening and terminates in an outlet opening, the outlet including a first outlet wall and a second outlet wall; wherein the outlet has an open condition in which the outlet opening is open and a closed condition in which the outlet opening is closed, and the outlet is folded to move from the open condition to the closed condition, a user engageable member connected so as to form an aperture, directly or indirectly, to the first or second outlet wall, the user engageable member at least partially defining the aperture preferably sized to receive at least a part of a human digit.

2. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein the aperture extends through the user engageable member from a first surface thereof through to a second generally opposite surface thereof.

3. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the user engageable member is substantially planar, preferably wherein a portion of the member which includes or at least partially defines the aperture is substantially planar.

4. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the user engageable member is pivotably moveable about a pivot axis P relative to the outlet wall to which it is connected, preferably wherein a portion of the member which includes or at least partially defines the aperture is pivotably moveable.

5. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet wall to which the user engageable member is connected is moveable away from the other of the outlet walls in response to a force applied by the user to a portion of the user engageable member which is immediately adjacent the aperture.

6. An ostomy appliance according to claim 5 wherein a force applied by the user is applied to a portion of the user engageable member which generally faces toward the pivot axis P.

7. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim wherein a portion of the user engageable member immediately adjacent the aperture is substantially curved such that it generally conforms to a part of a human digit.

8. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim further including an aperture closing member.

9. An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 wherein the aperture closing member is moveable between a first position in which access to the aperture is generally inhibited, and a second position in which access to the aperture is permitted.

10. An ostomy appliance according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the aperture closing member is connected to, directly or indirectly, or formed integrally, with the user engageable member.

11. An ostomy appliance according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein at least a part of the aperture closing member is pivotably moveable relative to the user engageable member in response to a force applied by the user to the aperture closing member.

12. An ostomy appliance according to any of claims 8 to 11 wherein at least a portion of the aperture closing member is shaped such that it generally conforms to the shape of at least a part of the aperture.

13. An ostomy appliance according to any preceding claim including a stiffening member provided on the first or second wall of the outlet.

14. An ostomy appliance according to claim 13 wherein the user engageable member is positioned immediately adjacent the stiffening member.

15. An ostomy appliance according to claim 13 wherein at least a part of the user engageable member is connected to, or integrally formed with, the stiffening member.

16. An ostomy appliance according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the user engageable member and the stiffening member, together, define the aperture.

17. An ostomy appliance according to claim 13 wherein the user engageable member is provided on the first or second wall of the outlet, and the stiffening member is provided on the other of the first or second wall of the outlet.

18. An ostomy appliance according to any of claims 13 to 17 wherein at least a part of the user engageable member is positioned between the stiffening member and the stoma receiving opening.

19. An ostomy appliance according to any of claims 13 to 17 wherein the stiffening member is positioned between at least a part of the user graspable member and the stoma receiving opening.

20. An ostomy appliance according to any of claims 13 to 19 including a further stiffening member positioned: a) on the same of the first or second wall of the outlet as the stiffening member; or b) on the other of the first or second wall of the outlet as the stiffening member.

21. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the user engageable member is at least partially concealed when the outlet is in the closed condition.

22. An ostomy appliance according to claim 21 including a security flap to secure the outlet in the closed condition.

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