Patent Publication Number: US-2017367872-A1

Title: Waste collection band

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Complications arising from various health conditions sometimes result in the need for a patient to have one or more stomas that provide an artificial opening from outside the body into a cavity within the body. Common stomas include ileostomies, colostomies, and urostomies. These stomas are used to evacuate wastes from the body. As used herein, waste is intended to generally refer to any substance desired to be removed from the body, such as, for example, urine and fecal matter. While stomas are very beneficial and necessary to the patient, living with a stoma presents certain difficulties to the patient&#39;s day-to-day life. For example, waste that is evacuated from the stoma must be collected and removed from the patient. Various methods have been developed over the years to help patients manage stoma waste collection and removal. However, the collection and removal process often results in skin irritation, discomfort, and limited mobility. Each of these physical issues can also result in emotional distress, especially when the patient is a child. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a system for waste collection and removal that provides the user with improved comfort and mobility compared to prior systems. In a typical embodiment, the waste collection and removal system includes a band that is adapted to wrap around a portion of the user&#39;s body where the stoma is located and a collection device that is adapted to collect waste as it is evacuated from the user. In some embodiments, the band may include various cutouts or contours that conform to the user&#39;s body to provide a comfortable fit. In some embodiments, the band may include one or more straps that interact with the user&#39;s body to help securely position the band on the user&#39;s body. The collection device is adapted to fit between the band and the user&#39;s body where the stoma is located. In some embodiments, the band is adapted to receive additional collection devices for each stoma that the patient has. In a typical embodiment, the collection device is a pad that absorbs waste as it is evacuated out of the stoma. The band is adapted to be easily removed from and secured to the user to facilitate changing out a used collection device for a new one. 
     In some embodiments, a stoma band includes a belt portion having a first side that faces away from a user wearing the stoma band, a second side that faces toward the user wearing the stoma band, a first end, and a second end. The stoma band also includes a first fastener on the first end of the belt portion and a second fastener on the second end of the belt portion. The stoma band also includes a collection device adapted to be positioned between the second side of the belt portion and the user so that the collection device is proximal to a stoma of the user. 
     In some embodiments, the stoma band further includes a second collection device that is adapted to be positioned between the second side of the belt portion and the user so that the second collection device is proximal to a second stoma of the user. 
     In some embodiments, the collection device is removably secured to the second side of the belt portion by at least one of a hook and loop fastener, a button, and a snap. In some embodiments, the collection device is made of a material comprising at least one of bamboo, cotton, hemp, modal fabrics, polyester, fleece, wool, and polyurethane laminate. 
     In some embodiments the first fastener includes at least one removable fastener that can be removed to adjust a length of the belt portion. 
     In some embodiments, the stoma band further includes a cut-line disposed between adjacent removable fasteners. 
     In some embodiments, the stoma band includes a contoured portion disposed along a length of the belt portion. In some embodiments, the stoma band includes a second contoured portion disposed along the length of the belt portion. 
     In some embodiments, the second end comprises a tapered end. 
     In some embodiments, the first fastener is disposed on the first side of the belt portion and the second fastener is disposed on a second side of the belt portion. 
     In some embodiments, the stoma band includes a shoulder strap attached to the belt portion. In some embodiments, the stoma band includes a leg strap attached to the belt portion. 
     In some embodiments, the stoma band is attached to at least one of a shirt, pants, shorts, and an undergarment. In some embodiments, the stoma band is integrated into an article of clothing. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second fasteners are hook and loop fasteners. In some embodiments, the first and second fasteners are button snaps. In some embodiments, the first and second fasteners are buckles. 
     In some embodiments, the stoma band includes a pouch disposed on the belt portion. 
     In some embodiments, the pouch is disposed on the second side of the belt portion. 
     In some embodiments, the collection device extends across a waste of the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of embodiments of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is front view of a stoma band; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a contoured stoma band; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a stoma band with a customizable length; 
         FIG. 4  is partial front view of a stoma band with a tapered end; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a stoma band with a storage pouch; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a contoured stoma band that includes supportive straps; and 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a stoma band system secured around a user. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Some medical conditions result in a patient requiring one or more stomas. A stoma is a passageway that is formed through a patient&#39;s skin to allow for communication of a substance out of or into the patient&#39;s body. For example, a stoma may be necessary to remove fecal matter from the small intestine (ileostomy), large intestine (colostomy), or to remove urine from the bladder (urostomy). As waste is evacuated from the patient, it must be collected and eventually removed from the patient. To date, wastes collected from ileostomies, colostomies, and urostomies are often collected in bags that are secured to the patient. A typical bag setup includes a tube that is secured to the patient. This is often accomplished by using an adhesive that semi-permanently secures the tube to a surface of the patient&#39;s skin that surrounds the stoma. The securement is semi-permanent in that it can lasts for days, weeks, or even months depending on the particular application. However, the adhesive eventually weakens and comes free from the patient&#39;s skin. A common side of effect of securing the tube or with an adhesive is irritation to the patient&#39;s skin, which can sometimes be severe. Before a tube can be re-secured to the patient&#39;s stoma, the patient&#39;s skin must be allowed to heal. During the healing process, it is difficult for the patient to have a bag secured to their stoma to collect evacuated waste. This has been generally undesirable as it makes collection and removal of waste more difficult. 
     The waste collection system of the present application allows for the collection of evacuated waste without requiring a tube to be adhered to the patient&#39;s skin. By not requiring a tube, the waste collection system of the present application provides a more comfortable patient experience and also provides a more discrete solution that can be more easily concealed beneath the patient&#39;s clothing. Concealing the waste collection system can also increase the patient&#39;s emotional wellbeing because the concealed system draws less attention from others. The lack of a tube also allows the patient to have increased movement and flexibility without worry of weakening securement of a tube placed in the stoma. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front view of a stoma band  100  is shown. The stoma band  100  includes a belt portion  102  and a fastener  104  and a fastener  106 . In a typical embodiment, the stoma band  100  is adapted to be wrapped around a user&#39;s waste or mid-section. When in use, the fasteners  104  and  106  are joined together so that the stoma band  100  forms a loop that is worn like a belt. In a typical embodiment, the fastener  104  is on a first side of the belt portion  102  and the fastener  106  is on a second side of the belt portion  102  (indicated as dashed lines) so that the belt portion  102  is fastened together by overlapping end portions of the belt portion  102 . The first side of the belt portion  102  may be an outside of the belt portion  102  and the second side of the belt portion  102  may be an inside of the belt portion  102  (defined relative to the patient). The stoma band  100  is adapted to secure one or more collection devices over a stoma (best seen in  FIG. 7 ). In a typical embodiment, the collection device is an absorptive pad. Various types of absorptive pads may be used. Absorptive pads made from materials that are highly absorptive, such as, for example, diapering-type materials, are suited for use as collection devices with various embodiments of the stoma band  100 . For example, pads may be made by one or more of the following: bamboo, cotton, hemp, modal fabrics, polyester, fleece, wool, PUL (Polyurethane Laminate, e.g., a blend of 83% polyester, 15% polyurethane, and 2% agglutinant), and the like. In general, materials capable of absorbing large of amounts of liquid may be used as collection devices. In some embodiments, the absorptive nature of the collection device also helps reduce odors from becoming overtly noticeable. Also, materials that tend to wick moisture away from the skin may also be used as collection devices. Wicking moisture away from the skin of the user helps prevent skin irritation and allows the user to continuously wear the stoma band  100  for long periods of time without experiencing discomfort. In some embodiments, the absorptive pad includes an adhesive backing that adheres to the belt portion  102  to help limit movement of the absorptive pad relative to the belt portion  102 . The collection device will be discussed in more detail below. 
     In some embodiments, the collection device provides some padding that covers the stoma. Stomas tend to be highly sensitive to touches, bumps, and contact, the result of which is moderate to severe discomfort and/or pain. The collection device of the present invention, in addition to absorbing evacuated waste materials, provides some padding that helps protect the stoma and reduces pain from incidental contact to the stoma. 
     A length and width of the belt portion  102  may be sized as desired to accommodate different users. In a typical embodiment, the belt portion  102  is made of a fabric material that is slightly stretchable. In a typical embodiment, the belt portion  102  is made of a fabric material that is breathable to help reduce skin irritation. In some embodiments, the belt portion  102  is made of a fabric material that tends to wick moisture away from the skin to help reduce skin irritation. In other embodiments, various fabrics or materials may be used, such as, for example, neoprene, rubbers, plastics, cottons, synthetic fabrics, and the like. The stoma band  100  may come in a variety of sizes, such as, for example, small, medium, and large. In a typical embodiment, the belt portion  102  is generally straight or linear. In other embodiments, the belt portion  102  may be curved or arcuate. Generally speaking, the stoma band  100  may be shaped as needed to ensure a close, snug fit of the stoma band  100  around the user&#39;s stoma. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , fasteners  104  and  106  are hook and loop fasteners. Hook and loop fasteners allow some adjustability of the diameter of the stoma band  100  as the amount of overlap between the fasteners  104  and  106  may be controlled by the user. In other embodiments, fasteners  104  and  106  may be any of a variety of other fasteners. For example, the fasteners  104  and  106  may be button snaps, hooks, zippers, magnets, buckles (e.g., the fastener  104  comprises a portion of a traditional belt with holes and the fastener  106  comprises a portion of a traditional belt with a buckle), and the like. In other embodiments, the belt portion  102  may be a continuous piece that needs no fasteners. In such an embodiment, the user may slide the stoma band  100  into position by, for example, stepping into the band or pulling the band down over their head. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front view of a contoured stoma band  120  is shown. The contoured stoma band  120  includes a belt portion  122  that includes a contoured portion  124 , a fastener  126 , and a fastener  128 . The contoured stoma band  120  is similar to the stoma band  100 , but the belt portion  122  includes the contoured portion  124 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the contoured portion  124  is adapted to be positioned near a user&#39;s back. The contoured portion  124  allows better movement by the user and also increases user comfort. In other embodiments, a location and shape of the contoured portion  124  may be changed as desired to fit different body types or for use with other parts of a user&#39;s body. In a typical embodiment, the fasteners  126  and  128  are similar to the fasteners  104  and  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of a customizable stoma band  140  is shown. The customizable stoma band  140  includes a belt portion  142 , removable fasteners  144 ( 1 ),  144 ( 2 ), and  144 ( 3 ), and a fastener  146 . The customizable stoma band  140  is similar to the stoma band  100 , but includes the removable fasteners  144 ( 1 ),  144 ( 2 ), and  144 ( 3 ). The removable fasteners  144 ( 1 ),  144 ( 2 ), and  144 ( 3 ) allow for a single off-the-shelf stoma band to be customizable to provide different lengths for a variety of different users. If a shorter-length stoma band  142  is needed, a user may remove sections of the belt portion  142  that includes the fasteners  144 ( 1 ) and  144 ( 2 ) by cutting along a cut-line  145 ( 2 ) to shorten a length of the belt portion  142 . If a medium-length stoma band is needed, a user may cut along a cut-line  145 ( 1 ) to remove a section of the belt portion  142  that includes the fastener  144 ( 1 ). If a large stoma band is needed, the user can use the customizable stoma band  140  without removing any of the fasteners  144 ( 1 ),  144 ( 2 ), and  144 ( 3 ). The cut-lines  145 ( 1 ) and  145 ( 2 ) provide an indication as to where the belt portion  142  may be cut to remove a removable fastener  144 ( 1 ) or  144 ( 2 ). In some embodiments, the cut-lines  145 ( 1 ) and  145 ( 2 ) may comprise perforations that weaken the belt portion  142  to make removal of the removable fasteners  144 ( 1 ) or  144 ( 2 ) easier. In other embodiments, more or fewer removable fasteners  144  and cut-lines  145  may be added as desired to provide more or less customizability as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a front view of a stoma band  160  with a tapered end  168  is shown. The stoma band  160  includes a belt portion  162 , a fastener  164 , a fastener  166 , and the tapered end  168 . The stoma band  160  is similar to the stoma band  100 , but the belt portion  162  includes the tapered end  168 . The tapered end  168  allows for some flexibility in aligning the tapered end  168  relative to an opposite end of the belt portion  162 . For example, the tapered end  168  helps prevent an edge of the tapered end  168  from hanging over the opposite end of the belt portion  162 , resulting in a more pleasing securement of the stoma band  160  around the user. In a typical embodiment, the fasteners  164  and  166  are similar to the fasteners  104  and  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a partial front view of a stoma band  180  with a storage pouch  186  is shown. The stoma band  180  includes a belt portion  182 , a fastener  184 , and the storage pouch  186 . The stoma band  180  is similar to the stoma band  100 , but includes the storage pouch  186 . The storage pouch  186  may be used to store extra collection devices, cleaning wipes, or other items as desired. The storage pouch  186  can include a sealing means  188  that can be, for example, a zipper, an interlocking press-fit seal, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, and the like. The storage pouch  186  may be located along a length of the belt portion  182  as desired. The storage pouch may also be located on an inside of the belt portion  182  or an outside of the belt portion  182  as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an isometric view of a stoma band  200  that includes supportive straps is shown. The stoma band  200  includes a belt portion  202  with a contoured portion  204 , fasteners  206 , shoulder straps  208 , and leg straps  210 . The stoma band  200  is similar to the stoma band  100 , but includes the shoulder straps  208  and the leg straps  210 . Depending on the shape of the user&#39;s body, the stoma band  200  may not stay in place to cover the user&#39;s stoma. In order to help maintain the desired placement of the stoma band  200  around the user&#39;s body, the shoulder straps  208  may be used to help prevent the belt portion  202  from sliding down the user&#39;s body. Similarly, the leg straps  210  may be used to help prevent the belt portion  202  from sliding up the user&#39;s body. In various embodiments, the stoma band  200  may include both the shoulder straps  208  and the leg straps  210 , only the shoulder straps  208 , or only the leg straps  210 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fasteners  206  include multiple sets of hook and loop fasteners. In various embodiments, the fasteners  206  may instead include one set of hook and loop fasteners, similar to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5 . In lieu of straps, placement of the stoma band  200  can be maintained in other ways. For example, the stoma band  200  may be secured to a user&#39;s garments via, for example, buttons, hook and look fasteners, and the like. In some embodiments, the stoma band  200  may attach to a user&#39;s pants, shorts, underwear, etc. In some embodiments, the stoma band  200  may attach to a user&#39;s shirt or the like. In some embodiments, the stoma band  200  may be integrated into an article of clothing, such as, for example, a form fitting shirt or undergarment (e.g., compression shirts, shorts, and the like). In such an embodiment, the stoma band  200  and the article of clothing are a unitary garment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an illustration of a stoma band system  220  secured around a stoma  226  of a user  10  is shown. The stoma band system  220  includes a belt portion  222  and a collection device  228 . The belt portion  222  may include similar features to those included in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6 . The belt portion  222  includes a fastener  224  that is similar to the fasteners discussed above. The belt portion  222  is positioned on the user  10  so that the belt portion  222  covers the stoma  226  and an area of skin surrounding the stoma  226 . The collection device  228  is positioned between the belt portion  222  and the user  10 , and proximal to the stoma  226  to generally cover the stoma  226 . In some embodiments, the collection device  228  is removably secured to the belt portion  222  by hook and look fasteners, buttons, snaps, and the like. In some embodiments, the collection device  228  is not directly affixed to the belt portion  222 , but is constrained by its placement between a user&#39;s body and the belt portion  222 . 
     A size of the collection device  228  may be varied as desired. For example, in some embodiments, smaller collection devices  228  that generally only cover the stoma  226  may be used. In other embodiments, larger collection devices  228  may be used that extend across a user&#39;s entire waste. Larger collection devices  228  tend to have a greater absorptive capacity, and can extend an amount of time that the user can use the collection device  228  before it is necessary to insert a new collection device  228 . With the collection device  228  positioned over the stoma  226 , the collection device  228  is able collect any waste that is evacuated out of the stoma  226 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the stoma band system  220  is adapted for urostomy and the collection device  228  is an absorptive pad that can absorb, for example, urine. Different types of absorptive materials may be used, such as, for example, bamboo, cotton, hemp, modal fabrics, polyester, fleece, wool, PUL (Polyurethane Laminate, e.g., a blend of 83% polyester, 15% polyurethane, and 2% agglutinant), and the like. In some embodiments, the collection device  228  includes a backing material that blocks leakage of absorbed waste from seeping through a back side of the collection device. 
     Although only one stoma  226  is shown in  FIG. 7 , additional stomas  226  may be present. If, for example, a second stoma  226  is present, a second collection device  228  may be positioned to collect waste evacuated from the second stoma  226 , or a collection device that is large enough to cover both stomas may be used. In some embodiments, medication may be applied to the collection device  228  so that the collection device  228  serves as both an absorption mechanism and as a device capable of providing medical treatment or therapy to the user&#39;s skin. Various medications may be applied to the collection device  228 , such as, for example, lotions, creams, ointments, salves, and the like. 
     During use of the stoma band system  220 , it will become necessary to remove a collection device  228  as it becomes saturated with waste. To replace a used collection device  228 , the user can undo the fastener  224  to open the belt portion  222 . The used collection device can then be removed and replaced with a new collection device  228 . This process can be repeated as needed to make sure that the collection device  228  in use does not become over saturated to the point of leaking. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Although various embodiments of the method and system of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Specification, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein. For example, and not by way of limitation, features such as the contoured portions, storage pouch, shoulder straps, and leg straps may be added to or removed from the various embodiments discussed herein as desired. It is intended that the Specification and examples be considered as illustrative only.