Abstract:
An adhesive faceplate for detachable connection to an ostomy pouch is disclosed. The faceplate has an integrated convex pressure ring for promoting stomal protrusion and a so-called floating flange (i.e., coupling ring) for mechanical attachment to the mating coupling ring of an ostomy pouch. The convex pressure ring is provided with a deep annular recess behind the faceplate&#39;s coupling ring to accommodate a user&#39;s fingers during a coupling operation, thereby facilitating attachment of a pouch. The recess is also useful because it may accommodate the flexible web (which is preferably pleated to allow greater movement of the faceplate&#39;s coupling ring) when the coupling ring is immediately adjacent the remainder of the faceplate. The pressure ring includes a thin, inwardly-extending connecting portion which is heat sealed to the backing layer of the faceplate&#39;s adhesive wafer and, when that backing layer is formed of a porous material, such heat seal effectively closes the pores of the backing layer in the area of the seal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of our application, Ser. No. 08/615,038, filed Mar. 12, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,607,413. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Ostomy Applicances having integrated convex pressure rings for promoting stomal protrusion are well known as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,973,323, 5,316,606, 4,834,731, 4,710,182, and International published application W095/24169. It is also known to provide two-piece appliances with faceplates that have so-called floating flanges--that is, flanges or coupling rings that are mounted for limited movement towards and away from adhesive wafer components of the faceplates (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,100). However, efforts to combine the floating flange feature and convex pressure ring feature into a single faceplate, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,731, have tended to result in relatively complex constructions having multiple layers, plural seals, and requiring numerous manufacturing steps. 
     A main aspect of this invention lies in providing a relatively simple but highly effective faceplate construction which has both a floating flange and a convex pressure ring, and in which the convex pressure ring contributes significantly in promoting ease of operation of the floating flange. To that end, the pressure ring is provided on its distal or pouch-facing side with an axially-extending mounting rib. The end of rib is joined to the inner edge of a thin annular web, and the outer edge of the web is sealed to the faceplate is coupling ring. The pressure ring has a deep annular recess located directly behind the coupling ring, making it easy for a user to insert his/her fingers behind the coupling ring (i.e., between the coupling ring and the remainder of the faceplate) during a coupling operation. The recess also has the effect of reducing the weight of the faceplate and rendering the pressure ring more flexible and conformable in use than it would be if the recess were absent. At the same time, the pressure ring provides the faceplate with sufficient convexity and stiffness to press against the peristomal skin surfaces and promote stomal protrusion when the appliance is worn. 
     The bodyside surface of the pressure ring is convex and is secured to the backing layer of an adhesive wafer. Preferably, the pliant adhesive material of the wafer has particles of one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein and may be any of a variety of adhesive formulations generally known as skin barrier compositions. Ideally, the backing layer is both porous and thermoplastic. Although the backing layer extends inwardly all of the way to the stoma opening of the faceplate, the danger of fluids wicking outwardly through the pores of the film or fabric is avoided because of an extended heat seal between the backing layer and a thin flexible inner portion of the pressure ring. The fusion between the backing layer and pressure ring in the area of the annular heat seal obliterates the pores of the backing layer in that area, thereby closing off routes that might otherwise exist for the outward migration of fluids when the appliance is used. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thin annular web joining the faceplate&#39;s coupling ring and the convex pressure ring is provided with an annular pleated portion. The pleated portion has a series of expandable concentric pleats located between the inner and outer edge portions of the web, with such pleated portion being receivable in the annular recess of the pressure ring when the pressure ring and coupling rings are in close proximity and the web is in its untensioned or relaxed folded condition. Despite the multiple folds or pleats of the web, the faceplate&#39;s coupling ring and the pressure ring therefore nest closely together unless finger pressure is applied to urge the coupling ring away from the remainder of the faceplate as, for example, for the purpose of attaching the coupling ring to the mating ring of an ostomy pouch. 
     In such a preferred construction, the inner and outer edge portions of the annular web preferably lie along a common plane when the web is unflexed or untensioned. The concentric pleats of the web project from that plane in a bodywise direction, causing the pleated intermediate portion of the web to bulge in such direction when the web is untensioned. Despite the bulging contour of the annular pleated portion, the faceplate&#39;s coupling ring and pressure ring are capable of fitting closely together because the bulging pleated portion of the web is easily accommodated within the annular recess of the pressure ring. 
     Other features, advantages and objects will become apparent from the specification and drawings. 
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a faceplate embodying the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the faceplate. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the wafer and pressure ring in unconnected condition. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view depicting the heat seal between the pressure ring and wafer. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing use of the finger recess when the faceplate is to be connected to a pouch. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a faceplate constituting a second embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the web for the faceplate of FIG. 7. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but showing use of the finger recess when the faceplate is to be connected to a pouch. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the faceplate of a two-piece ostomy appliance. The other component of the appliance is a conventional pouch 11 with a coupling ring 12 indicated in phantom in FIG. 3. Since the pouch component does not constitute any part of this invention, further description is believed unnecessary herein. However, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,008 for details of the coupling system shown herein. 
     The faceplate 10 comprises a convex pressure ring 13, a faceplate coupling ring 14, a connecting web 15, and an adhesive wafer 16. 
     The adhesive wafer consists essentially of two layers: a bodyside adhesive layer 17 and a pouchside backing layer 18 (FIG. 4). A third layer in the form of a release sheet 19 is also provided to protect the bodyside surface of the adhesive layer prior to use. Release sheet 19 may be formed of any suitable thermoformable plastic that is formulated or treated for allowing it to be easily peeled from the bodyside surface of adhesive layer 17. Most advantageously, the release sheet 19 is formed in one piece so that it may be removed in its entirety in one peeling step and, to facilitate such removal, a tab 19a projects outwardly beyond the edge of the adhesive layer as shown most clearly in FIGS. 1-4. 
     The adhesive layer may be composed of any adhesive suitable for attaching the faceplate to the peristomal skin surfaces of a patient. Particularly effective results have been achieved with skin-friendly adhesives, commonly known as skin barrier materials, that have both wet and dry tack and contain hydrocolloids capable of absorbing fluids and swelling as they do so. The hydrocolloid particles, which may consist of carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, gelatin, karaya, or any other of a variety of hydrocolloids and superabsorbents known for use in skin barrier formulations, are dispersed in a soft, pliant elastomeric adhesive material such as, for example, polyisobutylene. 
     Backing layer 18 may be of thin, flexible, thermoplastic film or foam; however, it is especially desirable that it be composed of a porous thermoplastic film or fabric. Particularly effective results have been obtained using a perforated polyethylene film that has a fabric-like texture, but other soft breathable or nonbreathable thermoplastic materials may be used. 
     The convex pressure ring 13 has a convex bodyside surface 13a and a pouchside surface 13b from which an annular integral attachment rib 20 projects (FIG. 4). The pressure ring has a thin flexible inner connecting portion 21 that extends radially inwardly from the rib and terminates in a stoma-receiving opening 22. 
     Outboard of the rib 20 on the pouchside surface of the ring is a deep annular finger-receiving recess 23. The pressure ring continues outwardly, terminating in an outer connecting portion 24 that lies in substantially the same plane as the end of rib 20 (FIG. 4). 
     The inner connecting portion 21 is heat sealed to the thermoplastic backing layer 18 of the wafer 16 for the full radial extent of the inner connecting portion, as shown most clearly in FIG. 5. In the heat seal zone 25, the pressure ring and backing layer are fused together in a way that obliterates the pores of the backing layer when that backing layer is formed of a microporous material. The heat seal therefore not only secures the parts together but does so in a way that prevents the wicking or outward migration of fluids from about the stoma when the faceplate is worn. 
     It is important that the inner connecting portion 21 of the pressure ring be thin and flexible. When heat welded to the backing layer 18, the backing layer and inner connecting portion should have a combined thickness no greater than about 1.5 mm and, preferably, no greater than 0.8 mm. As a result, the pressure ring and wafer maintain flexibility inboard of rib 20 and are sufficiently thin as to be easily cut (with scissors) to enlarge the stoma-receiving opening of the faceplate when the appliance is being fitted on a patient. 
     As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the outer connecting portion 24 of the pressure ring is heat sealed to the thermoplastic backing layer 18 of the wafer along annular heat seal zone 26. 
     The thermoplastic coupling ring 14 shown in the drawings is similar in construction and operation to the ring shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. It is to be understood, however, that coupling rings of other mechanical constructions might be used. In any case, it is essential that the diameter of the coupling ring 14 be greater than the diameter of rib 20. A thin, flexible, imperforate annular web 15 joins the two, with the inner edge 15a of the web being heat sealed to the end of the rib 20 and its outer edge 15b heat sealed to coupling ring 14. 
     When the parts are so connected, web 15 and coupling ring 14 are aligned directly with finger-receiving recess 23. This allows the coupling ring to be urged away from the remainder of the faceplate simply by inserting a finger into the recess 23 as depicted in FIG. 6. When the coupling ring is so displaced, it may be easily joined to the mating ring 12 of a pouch simply by squeezing the two rings together between opposing fingers. The coupling rings are therefore joined together with far less effort than if the finger-receiving recess were absent. 
     The embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is similar to the one already described except that the thin flexible web 15&#39; includes a pleated portion 15c&#39; between the inner end portion 15a&#39; and outer end portion 15b&#39;. The pleated portion has a series of concentric pleats 30 that preferably extend in a bodyside direction away from the common plane of inner and outer end portions 15a&#39; and 15b&#39;. Because of factors such as the orientation of the pleats (projecting in a bodyside direction from the common plane of the inner and outer end portions 15a&#39; and 15b&#39;, respectively) and the flexibility of the material from which the web is formed, the pleated portion 15c&#39; of the web tends to bulge in a bodyside direction away from coupling ring 14. Since the intermediate portion 15c&#39; of the web is readily accommodated in the recess 23 of convex pressure ring 13, the axial dimension of the pleats, and the fact that the pleated portion curves or bulges in a bodyside direction, does not prevent the coupling ring 14 from assuming a position immediately adjacent pressure ring 13 in the absence of forces urging the coupling ring away from the remainder of the faceplate. 
     As before, the inner and outer edge portions 15a&#39; and 15b&#39; of the web are heat sealed or otherwise securely attached to the annular attachment rib 20 of the pressure ring and the flange portion 14a&#39; of coupling ring 14. It will be noted, however, that web 15&#39;, unlike the web 15 of the previous embodiment, extends radially outwardly to nearly the outer limits of flange portion 14a. Web 15&#39; is therefore of substantially greater radial extent than web 15, permitting effective action of the pleats when they are stretched to permit outward displacement of the coupling ring as a user&#39;s fingers are inserted into recess 23 (FIG. 10). 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the unfolding action of the pleats 30 permits greater outward displacement of the coupling ring than would otherwise be possible if the web 15&#39; were unpleated. The extent of such outward displacement is also enhanced by the substantial radial dimensions of web 15&#39; and the fact that it is connected to the coupling ring 14 adjacent the outer periphery of that ring. Because of such construction, and because of the deep annular recess 23 provided by the convex pressure ring 13, a user having relatively large or stocky fingers may nevertheless insert his/her fingers into the recess for purposes of joining ring 14 to its mating pouch ring (of the type designated by numeral 12 in FIG. 3). Upon removal of a user&#39;s fingers, the pleated portion 30 returns to the folded and contracted condition illustrated in FIG. 7 because of the elasticity and flexibility of the plastic material from which the web is formed. 
     It is to be understood that while the web 15 of the first embodiment is secured at its outer limits to the coupling ring nearer the inner margin of that coupling ring, the web 15 may instead be extended outwardly (but without pleats) and have its outer edge portion secured to the outer periphery of coupling ring 14 in the manner similar to that shown and described for the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10. 
     In both embodiments, the coupling rings 14 each has an inner diameter larger than the outside diameter of rib 20. Therefore, when compressive forces are applied, the flexible coupling ring, as well as the web 15, 15&#39; joining that ring to the pressure ring, are capable of nesting to at least a limited extent within the annular recess 23 of the pressure ring. The result is a faceplate/coupling ring combination of relatively low profile which may nevertheless be expanded to urge the coupling ring 14 and the remainder of the faceplate away from each other when a user inserts his/her fingers behind the coupling ring and into recess 23. 
     Except for the pleated construction of web 15&#39; and the greater radial extent of that web (along with the more outward location of the outermost heat seal), the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is essentially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. While it is important in the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 that the pleated portion 15c&#39; be axially aligned with recess 23 and be composed of a plurality of concentric pleats, the number of pleats is not believed critical and may be greater or fewer than shown. Also, while it is highly desirable for the pleated portion 15c&#39; to be formed so that the pleats extend primarily in a bodyside direction from a plane passing through inner and outer portions 15a&#39; and 15b&#39;, it is to be understood that the pleats may instead extend in both directions from that plane or possibly even to a greater extent in a pouchside direction from such plane. 
     While in the foregoing, we have disclosed an embodiment of the invention in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many of these details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.