Ostomy protective device

A device for use by a person who has undergone an ostomy includes a protective housing having at least one outer surface, the housing having a pair of laterally extending surfaces connected to the outer surface to form a cavity for receiving the about an external aid proximate the flesh opening. The device also includes a belt receiving surface which is formed in the outer surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The instant invention relates to the field ostomy procedures and devices worn as a result of such procedures. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for aiding a patient who has undergone an ostomy procedure.

Prior Art

There exist methods and devices for use by people who have an artificial opening in an organ of the body created during an operation such as a colostomy, ileostomy, or gastrostomy, for example. Such prior devices basically encompass the artificial opening and associated medical aids extending from the opening. The prior protectors are typically of a rigid material and held in place by wrap or elastic band in an effort to keep the device in place. These prior devices can be difficult to use in a attempting to perform daily routines which require walking and driving and where it is desirable to have some range of movement.

There remains a need to improve stoma protective devices and the mobility of the wearer. This instant invention solves the prior problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object to improve the treatment of people undergoing an ostomy procedure.

Another object is to provide a device which aids a person having undergone an ostomy procedure.

Still another object is to provide more user friendly protective device for a person having a stoma protecting the stoma from pressure and impact, preventing leaks from the adhesive flange of a stoma pouch, and preventing pancaking of medical aids.

The instant invention provides a unique design which employs flexible or movable sides and a slotted surface to removable receive a belt, particularly a seat belt. This device is comfortable for the user to wear in performing various activities including but not limited to driving a vehicle.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is directed to a device for use by a person who has undergone a ostomy and is subject to having a flesh opening through which a medical tube extends which can connect for example to a bag for the treated condition together which are referred to as an “external aid.” An embodiment of the device includes a protective housing having at least one outer surface, a pair of laterally extending surfaces connected to the outer surface and extending in a common direction relative to the outer surface to form a cavity for receiving about the external aid proximate the flesh opening. The device also includes a belt receiving surface which is formed in a preferred embodiment as an integral part of the the outer surface, wherein the belt receiving surface extends generally parallel to the outer surface in a spaced relation thereto and connects at one end to the outer surface. The laterally extending surfaces can be integrally connected to the outer surface, or removably connected and can be fixed, pivotally or hinged thereto. The laterally extending surfaces are preferably designed to permit flexibility of movement of the outer surface relative the wearer's body surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the device for use by a person P who has undergone an ostomy is generally referred to by the numeral10. Like numbers refer to like parts throughout the specification. The device10can be formed of metal or plastic and can be integral single component or comprised of multiple connected components.

As discussed, the person P who has undergone a ostomy is subject to having a flesh opening O through (e.g., stoma) which a tube T may extend and here is shown to connect to a bag B for the condition together which are referred to as “external aid12.” An embodiment of the device10includes a protective housing14having at least one outer surface16which can be of a suitable size and configuration, here shown as a rectangular configuration having an exemplary length L1of about 5-6 inches with an over all length L2of about 8 inches and a width W1of about 4 inches. The housing14has a pair of laterally extending surfaces18and20connected to the outer surface16and extending in a common direction relative to the outer surface16to form a cavity22for receiving the about the external aid12proximate and the flesh opening O. By way of example inFIG. 1, the laterally extending surfaces18and20extend at an obtuse angle A of about 115 degrees, though it is recognized other angles may work to carry out the invention and thus providing a relaxed depth D1, for example, 2.5 inch, of the device10. The laterally extending surfaces18and20can include feet or flanged ends24and26having a length L4for example about 0.5 inch. By virtue of the material make-up, thickness which impart its flexibility, and angle formed between components, when feet24and26are disposed on the person P, and pressure is applied on the outer surface16by belt25, for example, the feet24and26and laterally extending surfaces18and20are free to move enabling the outer surface16to change relative lateral position to the person P and thus depth D1varies with pressure applied to outer surface16. As will be understood by reading the disclosure hereinafter, this provides a more comfortable experience to the user.

The device10includes a belt receiving surface30which is formed in a preferred embodiment as an integral part of the housing14and is an outermost disposed part of the housing14, wherein the belt receiving surface30extends generally parallel to the outer surface16in a spaced relation to more inwardly disposed adjacent outer portions17of the outer surface16having a gap therebetween. The belt receiving surface30has a free outer edge29connecting to side edges31which are next to edges33of the adjacent outer portions17defining a slotted area35at a gap G1, for example ⅛ inch, to receive a belt therethrough and between the belt receiving surface30and adjacent outer portions17of the outer surface16. The belt receiving surface30spans a width W2, e.g. 2.5 inches and connects at one end32to the outer surface16thereby providing a surface differential S1. A radius R1can be provided at the connection to aid against stress fractures. Also, edges31and33can be smoothed to provide ease of use and minimize injury. Slots35between edge31and33extend from and an outer edge37inwardly to permit receipt and removal of the belt through the outer edge37. The laterally extending surfaces18and20can be integrally connected to the outer surface16in the case of making the same from a single sheet material or from a single mold.FIG. 1is representative of this type embodiment.

Optionally, the laterally extending surfaces18and20can be removably connected as illustrated inFIGS. 5-12and can be made to be fixed in a position or pivotally or hinged to the outer housing16. The laterally extending surfaces18and20are preferably designed to permit flexibility of movement of the outer surface16relative the wearer's body B. As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, the device10is particularly useful in applications where the user is requiring seat belt25be worn, such as in a car, plane or other vehicle so requiring. Prior heretofore, the seat belt25would pose a difficulty to the person P as it would either be placed around or over the protective device and in either case it would cause interference with the normal operation of prior protective devices or discomfort to the user. However, with the instant invention, the device10removably receives the seat belt25in the belt receiving surface30. Embodiment inFIGS. 5-8employ slide channels50and52to receive an upper end flange54and56. The embodiment ofFIG. 9-12shows a pivotal or hinged connections60and62. By virtue of the flexibility of positioning the outer surface16as understood above, the outer surface16can be adjusted relative to the person's body to maintain the protective function of the external aid12reducing the incidences of tube and bag collapsing and restricting the flow of the matter into the stoma pouch when pressure is exerted on it while providing the user greater comfort in changing the profile device10.

It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications, and derivations may be made to the present invention which fall within the intended scope of the above description and the claims appended hereto should be afforded the scope of such additions, modifications, and derivations. It will be appreciated the dimensions which are set forth above may be such as to carry out the intended purpose of the invention. The configuration and construction materials used in connection with the invention may be modified or changed so long as the intended functionality is neither degraded nor destroyed.