An ostomy appliance

Abstract

An ostomy appliance including: a main collecting volume (12) defined by a first and a second wall (20, 22), the first wall having a stoma opening (16), an outlet (24) that communicates with and provides an exit from the main collecting volume, the outlet moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which the outlet is folded, a securing mechanism (14), which has a secured state in which the outlet is held closed, which includes a first fastener (30) located on the outlet, and a securing flap (34), which is attached to the second wall, including a second fastener (32) which is spaced from the second wall, arranged to engage a first portion of the first fastener, a cover (40), which includes a cover fastener to engage a second portion of the first fastener to hold the cover to the closed outlet.

Description

[0001] AN OSTOMY APPLIANCE

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to ostomy appliances.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Ostomy appliances (also known as ostomy pouches or ostomy bags) are used by users that have a stoma constructed as a result of a surgical intervention. The stoma provides an exit for waste and the ostomy appliance is used to collect said waste and allow the user to dispose of the waste at a desired time.

[0006] One or more aspects of the present invention seeks to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to an aspect of the invention we provide an ostomy appliance including: a main collecting volume defined by a first and a second wall, the first wall having a stoma opening, which provides an entrance to the main collecting volume, an outlet that communicates with and provides an exit from the main collecting volume, the outlet moveable between an open configuration in which waste is permitted to exit the outlet and a closed configuration in which the outlet is folded, a securing mechanism, which has a secured state in which the outlet is held closed, which includes a first fastener located on the outlet, and a securing flap, which is attached to the second wall, including a second fastener which is spaced from the second wall, such that when the outlet is in the closed configuration, the securing flap is moved to a position in which the second fastener engages a first portion of the first fastener, a cover, which extends over the second wall, and includes a cover fastener located such that when the securing mechanism is in the secured state, the cover fastener engages a second portion of the first fastener to hold the cover to the outlet.

[0009] The first fastener may have an engagement surface area, which may be larger than an engagement surface area of the second fastener. The second fastener may define an aperture. The second fastener may define a generally stadium shaped aperture. The aperture may define the second portion of the first fastener when the first and second fasteners are engaged. The cover fastener may be shaped to cooperate with the aperture. The cover fastener may extend through the second fastener to engage the first fastener. In other words, when the cover fastener is brought to engage the second portion, it may extend through the second fastener.

[0010] The cover fastener may be flexible / deflectable. The first, second and cover fastener may be hook- and-loop fasteners. Optionally, the first fastener may be a loop fastener and the second and cover fasteners may be hook fasteners.

[0011] The securing flap may be movable down and over the outlet when the outlet is folded into the closed configuration.

[0012] The outlet may include a reinforcement plate. Optionally, the outlet may include two or more reinforcement plates. The reinforcement plate may be attached to the first or second wall. The reinforcement plate may be attached adjacent to an exit opening of the outlet.

[0013] The cover may extend across substantially the entire second wall. The cover may provide an outer surface of the appliance. Optionally, the cover fastener may be located on an interior surface. The cover may be at least translucent. Preferably, the cover may be opaque. The cover fastener is located towards the bottom of the cover.

[0014] The ostomy appliance may further include an adhesive member for attaching the appliance to a user’s body. Alternatively, the appliance may have a connection member for connecting the appliance to a separate adhesive member. The cover may be attachable to the adhesive member or connection member. Alternatively, the cover may connect to the second wall of the appliance.

[0015] The cover may be removably attachable. The cover may be formed from a non-woven or woven material.

[0016] An ostomy appliance in accordance with the invention provides a more discrete ostomy appliance due to a smoother and I or flat profile. This is combined with the ability to consistently close the outlet portion and prevent leakage of waste out of the appliance (such leakage could cause distress to the user).

[0017] In hand with the above benefit, an ostomy appliance in accordance with the invention may be usable for longer since the user can allow the appliance to fill with more volume of waste while maintaining a more discrete profile. This means that the user may be able to use the same appliance for a longer period of time (because the outlet will not be used as much to open and evacuate the waste) and, thus, fewer appliances are required across a time period, which results in a material saving and less material being disposed of.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] 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:

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates a front view of part of an ostomy appliance in accordance with an embodiment, Figure 2 illustrates a front view of part of the ostomy appliance with an outlet in a closed configuration, Figure 3 illustrates a central cross-sectional view of part of the ostomy appliance, Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a cover,

[0021] Figure 5A illustrates a central cross-sectional view of an ostomy appliance, and

[0022] Figure 5B is a focused and zoomed in view of a portion of the illustration from figure 5A Figure 6 illustrated the same portion as in figure 5B after attachment.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0024] As illustrated in the figures, parts of an ostomy appliance 10 are shown. The ostomy appliance 10 includes a main collecting volume 12, an outlet 24, a securing mechanism 14, and a cover 40.

[0025] The main collecting volume 12 is defined by a first wall 20 and a second wall 22. In the present example, the first and second walls 20, 22 are connected about their peripheries to form the collecting volume 12 inside. In other words, the first and second walls 20, 22 are separate sheets of material that are connected together. It should be appreciated that the first and second wall 20, 22 could refer to the front and rear facing walls that has the collecting volume 12 inside.

[0026] The first wall 20 includes a stoma opening 16, which provides an entrance to the main collecting volume 12. In other words, in use the stoma opening 16 will be in communication with a user’s stoma (and may receive the stoma through the opening 16), so that the waste exiting the stoma is collected and stored in the main collecting volume 12.

[0027] In some embodiments, the appliance 10 further include an adhesive member 18 for connecting the appliance 10 to a user’s body. In the illustrated example, the adhesive member 18 is attached to the first wall 20. The adhesive member 18 includes an opening that aligns with the stoma opening 16. As such, the adhesive member 18 is used to attach the appliance 10 to a user’s body (for example, in the abdominal region), over their stoma so the appliance 10 is held in place to collect waste exiting the stoma. It should be appreciated that instead of an adhesive member, a connection member could be provided. A connection member permanently or releasably connects to a separate adhesive member to provide a so-called “two-piece” connection.

[0028] The outlet 24 communicates with the main collecting volume 12 and provides an exit therefrom. In this example, the outlet 24 is formed from two walls. The outlet 24 may be formed from the same sheets I material as the first and second wall 20, 22 or may be formed from additional sheets that are connected to the first and second wall 20, 22 during manufacture. Essentially, the outlet 24 is formed to provide an outlet passage between the main collecting volume 12 and an exit opening 26.

[0029] The outlet 24 is moveable between an opening configuration (illustrated in figure 1) and a closed configuration (illustrated in figure 2). In the open configuration, the outlet 24 permits waste to exit the outlet 24 (through the exit opening 26). In the closed configuration, the outlet 24 seals the main collecting volume 12 and prohibits waste from exiting the appliance 10 through the exit opening 26. The outlet 24 is folded in its closed configuration - the outlet 24 is preferably folded multiple times to reach the closed configuration but it should be appreciated that the important aspect of folding the outlet 24 is to seal the outlet 24 and stop waste exiting the main collecting volume 12.

[0030] In some embodiments, the outlet 24 includes a reinforcement plate 28a which is attached to the first or second wall 20, 22. In some embodiments, the reinforcement plate 28a is attached adjacent to an exit opening 26 of the outlet 24. The reinforcement plate 28a is more rigid that the wall of the outlet 24 and as such aids the outlet is being folded to the closed configuration. In the illustrated example,

[0031] In some embodiments, the outlet 24 includes a second reinforcement plate 28b which is attached to the outlet 24 on an opposing wall of the outlet 24. In the illustrated example, the first reinforcement plate 28a is located on the first wall side of the outlet 24 and the second reinforcement plate 28b is located on the second wall side of the outlet 24. The reinforcement plates are flexible I deflectable. This means that the plates can be flexed outwards to aid the exit opening 26 to become open and allow waste to exit.

[0032] It should be appreciated that the second reinforcement plate could be positioned immediately opposite the first reinforcement plate 28 (i.e. adjacent the exit opening 26). Or, alternatively, the second reinforcement plate may be positioned further up the outlet 24 (i.e. further away from the exit opening 26 and longitudinally along the wall of the outlet 24) as illustrated in figure 1 . It should be appreciated that the outlet 24 could include more reinforcement plates positioned along the outlet 24. The securing mechanism 14 is for holding the outlet 24 in its closed configuration. In other words, the securing mechanism 14 has a secured state in which the outlet 24 is held closed. The securing mechanism14 includes first and second fasteners 30, 32 and a securing flap 34.

[0033] The first fastener 30 is located on the outlet 24 (see figure 1). In the illustrated example, the first fastener 30 is located on the first wall 20 side of the appliance 10 (see the dashed outline in figure 1 indicating it is on the rear side of the drawing). In embodiments, the first fastener 30 is provided in a top region of the outlet 24 - the reason for this is described in more detail below.

[0034] The securing flap 34 is attached to the second wall 22. As can be seen in the example provided in figure 1 , the securing flap 34 include an attachment zone 34a which is bonded I connected to the second wall 22 of the appliance 10. In the illustrated example, the securing flap 34 is provided in a lower region of the second wall 22 forming the main collecting volume 12. In other words, the securing flap 34 is attached to the second wall 22 above the outlet 24. In some embodiments, the securing flap 34 has material above the attachment to the second wall 22 (in other words, a flap part of the securing flap 34 extends away and up I above from the attachment zone 34a).

[0035] The securing flap 34 includes the second fastener 32. The second fastener 32 is spaced from the second wall 22. As can be seen in figure 1 , the securing flap 34 has a second end 34b that extends away from the second wall 22 and provides a free I moveable portion of the securing flap 34. The second fastener 32 is provided towards the second end 34b, so that the second fastener 32 is moveable relative to the second wall 22 (by moving the securing flap 34).

[0036] When the outlet 24 is in the closed configuration, the securing flap 34 is moved to a position in which the second fastener 32 engages a first portion 30a of the first fastener 30. In more detail, in order to close the outlet 24, the outlet 24 is folded one or more times (in the illustrated example, the outlet 24 is folded upwards four times - example fold lines are illustrated as dash-dot lines in figure 1). The first fastener 30 is located on the rear of the appliance 10, such that when the outlet 24 is fully folded to the closed configuration, the first fastener 30 faces the front. This provides an engagement face that is located closely and / or adjacent to the securing flap 34. The second end 34b of the securing flap 34 is moved downwards and over the folded outlet 24, so that the first and second fasteners 30, 32 are brought into engagement with each other. The movement is illustrated in figure 2 with the dashed arrow indicated at B. This engagement holds the outlet 24 in the closed configuration (and, as such, prevents waste from being able to exit the main collecting volume through the exit opening 26).

[0037] As outlined above, the second fastener 32 is constructed to engage a first portion 30a of the first fastener 30. At the same time the engagement leaves a second portion 30b of the first fastener 30 free / unengaged. In the present example this is achieved by the second fastener 32 having a different profile I shape to the first fastener 30. Essentially, an engagement surface area of the first fastener 30 is larger than the corresponding engagement surface area of the second fastener 32. In other words, there is engagement surface of the first fastener 30 that is not engaged with the second fastener 32 in use.

[0038] In some embodiments (see figuresl and 2), the second fastener 32 defines an aperture 32a. As can be seen from the illustrated example, the aperture 32a may be generally a stadium shape. Thus, when the second fastener 32 engages the first fastener 30, an area corresponding to the aperture 32a is left free - this corresponds to the second portion 30b of the first fastener 30. It should be appreciated that the second fastener 32 could also include a different profile shape (i.e. around the periphery of the fastener) which leaves a portion of the first fastener 30 unengaged.

[0039] As mentioned above, the appliance 10 includes the cover 40. The cover 40 extends over the second wall 22. In the illustrated case, the cover 40 extends across I covers substantially the entirety of the second wall 22 (i.e. covers the whole area of the second wall 22). Thus, in this example, the cover 40 provides an outer surface of the appliance 10.

[0040] The cover 40 includes a cover fastener 42. The cover fastener 42 is for securing the cover 40 to the outlet 24. Essentially, when the securing mechanism 34 is in the secured state, the cover fastener 42 engages the second portion 30b of the first fastener 30 to hold the cover 40 to the outlet 24. In embodiments, the cover fastener 42 is located on the cover 40 such that the cover fastener 42 is in a position to cooperate with the securing mechanism 34 and outlet 24. In other words, the outlet 24 is provided towards the (or at the) bottom of the main collecting volume 12 (which makes it easier to empty the appliance 10), so the securing mechanism is also provided at the bottom of the main collecting volume 12 (so that it can hold the outlet 24 in the closed configuration). As such, the cover fastener 42 is also provided at the bottom of the cover 40 so that the cover fastener 42 can cooperate with the fasteners 30, 32 of the securing mechanism. Further, in the present example, the cover fastener 42 is in an interior surface of the cover 40 - i.e. the cover fastener 42 is facing the first fastener 30 in normal use of the appliance 10 (when the outlet 24 is held in the closed configuration).

[0041] In embodiments, the cover fastener 42 is shaped I sized to cooperate with the aperture 32a in the second fastener 32. For example, the cover fastener 42 may be the same or a similar shape to the aperture 32a, so that the cover fastener 42 extends through the second fastener 32 to reach the first fastener 30.

[0042] In this example, the first, second and cover fasteners 30, 32, 42 are hook-and-loop type fasteners.

[0043] Further, the first fastener 30 is the respective loop fastener and the second fastener 32 is the hook fastener. This is beneficial since it ensure that the softer side of the attachment pair is on the part of the appliance 10 that could come into contact with the user (because the first fastener 30 is connected to the lower part of the appliance 10 that is on the bodyside when in use). Further, the cover fastener 42 is also a hook fastener as it engages with the loop of the first fastener 30.

[0044] It should be appreciated that hook-and-loop fasteners are not necessarily required and other fasteners could be used - e.g. magnets, reusable adhesive, mechanism fixings such as poppers or the like, etc.

[0045] In the example illustrated, the cover 16 is a removable cover that has a non-permanent attachment to the remainder of the appliance 10. However, the cover could equally be a permanently attached cover that is unattached to the second wall 22 at the bottom of the appliance 10 to allow the outlet 24 to moved easily between the open and closed configurations. In some embodiments, the cover 40 connects to the second wall 22 with a removable connection mechanism. Alternatively, the cover 40 could connect to the adhesive member 18 or the connection member provided to aid attachment of the appliance 10 to the user’s body.

[0046] In some embodiments, the cover 40 is at least translucent (primarily to obscure the contents held in the main collecting volume 12). The cover is preferably opaque to maintain maximum discretion for the user. In some embodiments, the cover 40 is made from a woven or non-woven material.

[0047] The way in which the appliance 10 is used will now be described. The outlet 24 operates in the manner discussed above - the outlet 24 is unfolded to the open configuration which allows waste to exit the main collecting volume 12. The outlet 24 can then be folded (int his example, four times) to reach the closed configuration. Once in the closed configuration, the securing mechanism is used to hold the outlet 24 in the closed configuration. The securing flap 34 is brought over the folded outlet 24 and the first and second fastener 30, 32 engage to hold the outlet 24 in position (shown in the cross sectional view in figure 3). The second portion 30b of the first fastener 30 remains free of obstruction.

[0048] The bottom of the cover 40 with the cover fastener 42 is moved towards the outlet 24. As can be seen in figure 5B, pressure is applied in the direction A. The cover fastener 42 is flexible I deflectable and is flexed through the second fastener 32 to engage the first fastener 30. In other words, the cover fastener 42 extends through the second fastener 30 to contact the second portion 30b of the first fastener 30. Thus, the cover fastener 42 holds the cover 40 to the outlet 24.

[0049] An appliance 10 in accordance with the invention provides a more discrete appliance 10 for the user since there is extra attachment between the cover 40 and the bottom of the main collecting volume 12. 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Protection may be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure.

[0052] 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: a main collecting volume defined by a first and a second wall, the first wall having a stoma opening, which provides an entrance to the main collecting volume, an outlet that communicates with and provides an exit from the main collecting volume, the outlet moveable between an open configuration in which waste is permitted to exit the outlet and a closed configuration in which the outlet is folded, a securing mechanism, which has a secured state in which the outlet is held closed, which includes a first fastener located on the outlet, and a securing flap, which is attached to the second wall, including a second fastener which is spaced from the second wall, such that when the outlet is in the closed configuration, the securing flap is moved to a position in which the second fastener engages a first portion of the first fastener, a cover, which extends over the second wall, and includes a cover fastener located such that when the securing mechanism is in the secured state, the cover fastener engages a second portion of the first fastener to hold the cover to the outlet.

2. An ostomy appliance according to claim 1 wherein the first fastener has an engagement surface area that is larger than an engagement surface area of the second fastener.

3. An ostomy appliance according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second fastener defines an aperture.

4. An ostomy appliance according to claim 3 wherein the second fastener defines a generally stadium shaped aperture.

5. An ostomy appliance according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the aperture defines the second portion of the first fastener when the first and second fasteners are engaged.

6. An ostomy appliance according to claim 5 wherein the cover fastener is shaped to cooperate with the aperture.

7. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover fastener extends through the second fastener to engage the first fastener.

8. An ostomy appliance according to claim 6 wherein the cover fastener is flexible I deflectable.

9. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first, second and cover fastener are hook-and-loop fasteners, and optionally, wherein the first fastener is a loop fastener and the second and cover fasteners are hook fasteners.

10. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the securing flap is movable down and over the outlet when it folded into the closed configuration.11 . An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet includes a reinforcement plate which is attached to the first or second wall.

12. An ostomy appliance according to claim 11 wherein the reinforcement plate is attached adjacent to an exit opening of the outlet.

13. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover extends across substantially the entire second wall.

14. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover provides an outer surface of the appliance and the cover fastener is located on an interior surface.

15. An ostomy appliance according to claims 13 or 14 wherein the cover is at least translucent and is preferably opaque.

16. An ostomy appliance according to claims 13 to 15 wherein the cover fastener is located towards the bottom of the cover.

17. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims further including an adhesive member or connection member for connecting the appliance to a user’s body.

18. An ostomy appliance according to claim 17 wherein the cover is attachable to the adhesive member or connection member.

19. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is removably attachable.

20. An ostomy appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cover is formed from a non-woven or woven material.

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