Urostomy bag and absorbent insert system

Embodiments of the disclosed invention comprise a urostomy bag and an absorbent insert system, as well as methods for use. The urostomy bag comprises a storage bag having a primary aperture for interacting with a stoma on a device wearer, and a secondary aperture having a closure to seal and unseal the secondary aperture. The absorbent insert comprises a water-permeable outer layer that contains an absorbent core. The core includes a gelatinizing agent configured to make urine gelatinous. The absorbent insert is insertable into, and removable from, the inside of the storage bag via the secondary aperture. Methods for use of the disclosed urostomy system comprise attaching the urostomy bag to a wearer, inserting an unused absorbent insert into the secondary aperture, wearing the system, and replacing the used absorbent insert when required.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The disclosed invention includes embodiments of a urostomy bag configured to provide improved odor and leak protection.

Relevant Background

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a urostomy bag and an absorbent insert. The disclosed urostomy bag comprises a storage bag having a primary aperture for interacting with a stoma on a device wearer, and a secondary aperture having a closure to seal and unseal the secondary aperture. The absorbent insert comprises a water-permeable outer layer that contains an absorbent core. The core includes a gelatinizing agent configured to make urine gelatinous. The absorbent insert is insertable into, and removable from, the inside of the storage bag via the secondary aperture.

Existing urostomy appliances have disadvantages that the disclosed invention remedies. Chief among these is the absence of an absorbent gel insert with a deodorizing agent. Such appliances require the wearer to drain waste directly from the appliance into a toilet or other waste receptacle, which is difficult for people with mobility issues, including people using a wheelchair. Existing urostomy appliances are also rather large, usually 12 inches or more in length, which may be heavy when filled, and can interfere with clothing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,282, filed Jan. 10, 1968 (“Burding”) is a colostomy bag configured for handling solid waste that does not include a zipper closure, does not include a gelatinizing agent, and features a secondary opening located at the bottom of the ostomy bag, rather than on the perimeter and on the side of the ostomy bag as disclosed herein. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,553 B1, filed May 15, 2001 (“Hulett”) is another colostomy appliance with a leak-prone closure on the bottom of the bag, and does not include an absorbent insert, or a gelatinizing agent. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,320 B2 (“Goldwasser”) is a disposable appliance configured to fit over the genital area to collect both solid and liquid waste, and includes neither a resealable secondary opening nor a removable absorbent insert.

DEFINITIONS

Urostomy means a medical procedure to create a stoma, or artificial opening, for the urinary system through the wall of the abdomen. Ostomy refers to such a procedure that may include a urostomy or colostomy procedure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed herein are embodiments of a new device comprising an ostomy bag and absorbent insert as shown and described.

Embodiments of the disclosed invention are hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanyingFIGS.1through4. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

Ostomy Bag and Absorbent Insert

With reference toFIG.1, the disclosed invention includes a urostomy system100comprising an ostomy bag110and absorbent insert120. The ostomy bag110comprises a storage bag112having a perimeter114, a front, and a back. The disclosed ostomy bag110is less than 12 inches in length from top to bottom, and preferably is 6 to 7 inches in length and 6 to 7 inches wide. The storage bag112is made of water-impermeable and odor-resistant polymer, and in preferred embodiments is translucent. The storage bag may be made from a polyvinyl chloride film. The storage bag112has a primary aperture130located near a top of the bag112and extending through the back to an inside, and a secondary aperture140located at or near a bottom of the bag112and extending through the perimeter114to the inside. The storage bag is permanently sealed along the perimeter114, with the exception of the secondary aperture140, which can be selectively sealed or unsealed by means of a closure142. The primary aperture130includes a sealing ring132that is configured to interact mechanically with a wafer (not shown) to form a watertight seal. The sealing ring is made of a polymer, plastic, nylon, rubber, or other material. The primary aperture130and sealing ring132are sized to fit around an ostomy opening in the wearer's abdomen. The ostomy opening includes a stoma, which projects out from the wearer's abdomen. The wafer is configured to fit around the stoma and is removably attached to the wearer's skin by an adhesive to form a watertight seal. The sealing ring132includes a plurality of tabs134(three are shown) that are configured to mechanically interact with corresponding slots on the wafer to removably secure the sealing ring to the wafer, and hence the ostomy bag110to the wearer. The sealing ring and wafer thus create a sealed pathway for waste from the wearer's body to the inside of the storage bag.

The secondary aperture140is sealed and unsealed by means of a closure142that is mechanically attached to the storage bag112around the secondary opening. The closure142may be a zipper-type closure having a slider144configured to close and open the secondary aperture140by moving the slider alternately to a closed or to an open position. Other types of resealable closure systems are possible and contemplated, such as a hook and loop closure, a tongue and groove closure, a snap closure, or other suitable configuration. In some embodiments, the secondary aperture is located along the bottom of the storage bag (not shown). In other embodiments, the secondary aperture is located along a side of the storage bag112. In such side-opening embodiments, the secondary aperture140begins just above the bottom of the storage bag112to create a reservoir116for liquid waste to collect in the sealed area below the secondary aperture.

With reference toFIG.2, a front view of the urostomy bag assembly100is shown with a lower front portion of the storage bag112cut away along the line14to allow a view of the absorbent insert120. The absorbent insert itself is shown with a cutaway along the line16, to allow a view of the insert's interior. The absorbent insert120includes, and is covered by, a water-permeable outer layer122. The outer layer may be a nonwoven fabric made of wood fiber, polypropene, polyethylene, polyester, viscose, or other suitable material. In some embodiments, the outer layer122includes a deodorizer128coupled within its material. The deodorizer may be for example, sodium bicarbonate, diethylene glycol, activated charcoal, silica gel, or other material. The absorbent insert also includes one or more core(s)124that includes a gelatinizing agent126. The one or more cores functions to provide structure to the gelatinizing agent or to contain the agent, and may be made of cellulose, nonwoven fabric, viscose, or other material. The gelatinizing agent may be a super absorbent polymer, sodium polyacrylate, potassium acrylate, alkyl acrylate, tragacanth, pectin, starch, carbomer, carrageenan, sodium alginate, gelatin, or others. The core124is contained within the outer layer122, and is configured to absorb urine, capture it, and render it gelatinous. The absorbent insert120is insertable into, and removable from the inside of the storage bag112through the secondary aperture140.

With reference toFIG.3, a side view of the disclosed ostomy bag assembly100is shown. The primary aperture130is shown extending through the back of the storage bag112to the inside of the bag. The sealing ring132is mechanically attached to the storage bag material around the primary aperture130to form a watertight seal with the storage bag112. The sealing ring may be attached to the storage bag by use of an adhesive, ultrasonic welding, melting, or other suitable technique. In some embodiments, the sealing ring132includes a lip134that has a larger diameter than the primary aperture to facilitate a secure, fluid-tight attachment between the sealing ring and the storage bag around the primary aperture.

FIG.4shows a perspective view of the disclosed ostomy bag110with the absorbent insert120removed. The secondary aperture140is shown open or unsealed, with the slider144of the closure142shown in the open position. The absorbent insert120is depicted with the outer layer122cutaway along the line16to allow a view of the core124that includes the gelatinizing agent126. In some embodiments, one or more handles123(two are shown) are attached to the outer layer122to aid insertion and removal of the absorbent insert.

The ostomy bag110is prepared for use by opening the secondary aperture140and placing an unused absorbent insert120inside the storage bag112, and closing or resealing the secondary aperture. The ostomy system100is then removably attached to a wearer by placing the primary aperture130over the wearer's ostomy opening, aligning the sealing ring132with the wafer, and snapping the sealing ring132into place on the wafer. When the wearer urinates, urine enters the storage bag112through the primary aperture where it contacts the absorbent insert120. The gelatinizing agent126turns the urine into a gelatinous consistency and reduces contact between the urine and the primary and secondary apertures to prevent leakage. In some embodiments, the deodorizer128acts to neutralize or absorb odors and prevent them from leaving the storage bag112. The ostomy bag110may be used for an extended period, e.g., 1-2 hours, 2-3 hours, 3-4 hours, 4-5 hours, or 5-6 hours, without being removed from the wearer's body. When necessary or desirable, a used absorbent insert120may be removed through the secondary aperture140and replaced with an unused absorbent insert.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the disclosed invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the modules, managers, functions, systems, layers, features, attributes, methodologies, and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, divisions, and/or formats.

Accordingly, the disclosure of the disclosed invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention.

This has been a description of the disclosed invention along with a preferred method of practicing the invention, however the scope of the inventions ought to be determined by the appended claims.