Patent Publication Number: US-2015088081-A1

Title: Stoma Shield for Ostomy Patients

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a stoma covering and more specifically it relates to a stoma shield for ostomy patients for covering a stoma while permitting increased maneuverability of the patient without cutting off flow within a medical device such as a colostomy bag. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Patients often require a stoma after various medical procedures or surgeries. A stoma is generally defined as an opening which connects a portion of a body cavity to the outside environment. Artificial stomas are generally covered or enclosed by various medical devices. For example, in the case of a colostomy, a colostomy bag is secured over the stoma. 
     It is important that the stoma be covered, such as by a stoma shield. A stoma shield protects a stoma from trauma/impact due to its sensitive, exposed, internal organ. The stoma shield also aids in protection from clothing or straps such as a seat belt. Prior art stoma shields may work well to cover the stoma, but they often provide only limited maneuverability of the patient. This limited maneuverability may result in the medical device being cinched off by the stoma shield, thus resulting in loss of fluid flow. 
     Comfort may also be significantly compromised by prior art configurations. Contents can back up due to pinching of the shield and add pressure to the ostomy appliance. The appliance adheres to the skin with a series of adhesives, and back pressure can often lead to leaks through the adhesion. The acidic nature of the waste contents can lead to discomfort if leaked, such as skin irritations and complications. 
     Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved stoma shield for ostomy patients for covering a stoma while permitting increased maneuverability of the patient without cutting off flow within a medical device such as a colostomy bag. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention generally relates to a stoma covering which includes a stoma shield which includes a curved upper end and a pair of curved downward extensions extending from its lower end so as to define a curved notch. Any medical device extending from a stoma will pass under the notch so as to allow fluid flow regardless of positioning of the patient. A pair of elongated receiver slots allow connection of a strap to secure the stoma shield to a patient&#39;s body and allows the shield to be rotated for a comfortable position. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal view of the present invention illustrating its alignment with a stoma medical device. 
         FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a frontal view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top sectional view of the present invention in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview. 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 5  illustrate a stoma shield for ostomy patients  10 , which comprises a stoma shield  20  which includes a curved upper end  23  and a pair of curved downward extensions  25 ,  26  extending from its lower end  24  so as to define a curved notch  27 . Any medical device extending from a stoma will pass under the notch  27  so as to allow fluid flow regardless of positioning of the patient. A pair of elongated receiver slots  30 ,  32  allow connection of a strap  40  to secure the stoma shield  20  to a patient&#39;s body. 
     B. Shield. 
     As shown throughout the figures, the present invention comprises a stoma shield  20  which is adapted for use to cover a stoma as well as any medical device extending therefrom. The stoma shield  20  may be comprised of various materials, but will preferably be comprised of a plastic-type material. Preferably, the stoma shield  20  will be comprised of a resilient material. In some embodiments, the stoma shield  20  may be comprised of a metal or metal alloy. 
     The stoma shield  20  includes an outer surface  21  and an inner surface  22 . The outer surface  21  faces outwardly from the patient. The inner surface  22  of the stoma shield  20  faces inwardly and will act to sandwich any medical device between the shield  20  and the patient&#39;s body. The overall body of the shield  20  will preferably be curved inwardly to match the contour of the body as shown in the figures. 
     The stoma shield  20  includes an upper end  23  which may be slightly curved. The lower end  24  of the stoma shield  20  includes a first extension  25  extending downwardly from a first side  28  of the shield  20  and a second extension  26  extending downwardly from a second side  29  of the shield  20 . The extensions  25 ,  26  are comprised of curved projections which project downwardly from the lower end  24  of the stoma shield  20 . 
     As shown throughout the figures, a notch  27  is defined between the first and second extensions  25 ,  26  of the stoma shield  20 . The notch  27  is allows fluids to pass through the medical device while the patient is sitting or kneeling. In prior stoma shield designs, the stoma shield would cut off flow of fluid through the medical device due to the prior art shield&#39;s lower end pinching off the device. The notch  27  prevents such a shortcoming of prior art designs. 
     The notch  27  will generally extend upwardly and may be comprised of a wide range of shapes and sizes. Preferably, the notch  27  will be comprised of an inverted U- or V-shape as shown in the figures. The shape of the notch  27  may vary depending on the size of the patient, the medical device being covered or the positioning of the stoma. 
     As shown throughout the figures, a pair of receiver slots  30 ,  32  extend through the shield  20  from its outer surface  21  to its inner surface  22 . A first receiver slot  30  is positioned adjacent to the first side  28  of the shield  20  and a second receiver slot  32  is positioned adjacent to the second side  29  of the shield  20 . 
     The receiver slots  30 ,  32  are adapted to receive a strap  40  for securing the shield  20  a patient&#39;s body. Preferably, the slots  30 ,  32  will each extend for a length equal to at least half the overall height of the stoma shield  20 . The slots  30 ,  32  will also preferably each be of a length at least three times the width of the strap  40  being used. This allows customization of the strap location height and allows patients to rotate the shield  20  to a more comfortable position. The strap  40  will preferably include one or more connecting members  42  for securing the strap  40  in a closed position, such as a buckle as shown. 
     C. Operation of Preferred Embodiment. 
     In use, the shield  20  is positioned over the stoma area. The medical device connected to the stoma, such as a bag, will be positioned to exit from under the shield  20  through the notch  27 , which will allow maneuverability without cutting off fluid flow. The strap  40  may be loosened or tightened for a proper fit. The strap  40  may also be adjusted within the slots  30 ,  32  for increased comfort. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.