Patent Description:
Ostomy pouches for collecting body waste are used by patients who have had surgery such as a colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy. Ostomy pouches typically include flat, opposing side walls secured together along their edges to define a collection cavity. One of the side walls is provided with an opening to receive a stoma, and means to secure the pouch to the user, such as an adhesive barrier, so that body waste discharged through the stoma is received within the cavity.

In order to determine whether an ostomy bag is installed properly or to inspect a stoma, a user or clinician may wish to view the stoma while the ostomy pouch is secured to the user. Similarly, the body waste discharge may also need to be inspected while the ostomy pouch is secured to the user. However, for privacy reasons, the stoma and interior of the pouch must be securely covered from view when they are not being examined. Thus, it is desirable to provide an ostomy pouch system, including a view option and cover.

<CIT> discloses an ostomy pouch is formed to conceal, obscure, hide, cloak, or otherwise prevent the viewing of contents of the ostomy pouch except for a viewing area or window formed in the pouch and positioned therein for viewing at least a portion of a stoma receptor of the ostomy pouch. The ostomy pouch is formed by a plastic bag incorporating a stoma receptor or opening in one side of the bag and a transparent, translucent or clear window or area in another side of the bag. The transparent window is preferably, but not necessarily, positioned opposite and adjacent the stoma receptor. The ostomy pouch may be entirely sealed except for a stoma receptor orifice or may be open at one end for emptying its contents and incorporate or use a closure at the open end.

<CIT> discloses an ostomy appliance (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a pouch and a filter construction (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is provided. The filter construction has a first (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and second foil layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to provide an enclosure for the elements in the filter construction. The filter construction is attached inside the pouch so that the filter construction is free-hanging inside the pouch. The two foil layers may be generally parallel with the walls (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the ostomy bag. The foil layers are provided with numerous holes functioning as gas-inlets (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for the filter construction. The filter construction includes a prefilter element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a deodorising filter (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). T he filter construction incorporates an inspection window (<NUM>, <NUM>) allowing the user visual access to the stoma (<NUM>) and the peristomal area.

<CIT> discloses a collection pouch (<NUM>) for bodily fluids or bodily waste comprises a plurality of flexible polymer film layers. At least two of the flexible polymer film layers form a collecting bag for (<NUM>) containing bodily fluids or bodily waste, with front and rear walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) formed from the two flexible polymer film layers. An opening (<NUM>) is formed in the rear wall of the collecting bag for receiving bodily fluids or bodily waste. A flexible material cover (<NUM>) covers the collecting bag and a peripheral bonding seam (<NUM>) extends along at least an upper edge the apparatus that bonds at least part of the collecting bag and the cover together. One or more strengthening elements (<NUM>) are formed by a region of bonding between a flexible polymer film layer at the upper end of the pouch and the flexible material cover. The one or more strengthening elements are arranged at the upper end of the pouch at a location inwardly of the peripheral bonding seam and are configured to strengthen the upper section of the apparatus to maintain the shape of the upper end of the pouch and inhibit sagging as the collecting bag is filled in use.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved ostomy pouch with a view option that can be securely covered.

An ostomy pouch, including a flap and viewing option is provided according to various embodiments.

In one aspect, the ostomy pouch may include a body side wall and a distal wall joined along their peripheral edges to define a cavity therebetween for collecting body waste, an inlet opening defined in the body side wall configured to receive a stoma, and an outer layer attached to and covering the distal wall. The outer layer may include a flap formed by a cutout of the outer layer. The cutout may align with the inlet opening and may define a viewing option, such as a viewing window, for the stoma and the contents of the pouch. The flap may include a tab configured to secure the flap in a closed position.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the distal wall may be formed from a transparent material and the outer layer may be formed from an opaque material.

In some embodiments, the outer layer may include a slot configured to receive the tab.

In an embodiment, the tab may be formed from a semi-rigid material and comprises an end with a width greater than a width of the slot.

In another embodiment, the tab may be attached to a body-side of the outer layer.

In an embodiment, the tab may be configured to insert into the slot from a distal side of the outer layer.

In an embodiment, the outer layer may include a distal comfort panel.

In another aspect, the ostomy pouch may include a body side wall and a distal wall joined along their peripheral edges to define a cavity therebetween for collecting body waste, an inlet opening defined in the body side wall configured to receive a stoma, an outer layer attached to and covering the distal wall, and a window cover attached to the outer layer. The outer layer may include a viewing window that aligns with the inlet opening for viewing the stoma. The window cover aligns with the viewing window. The window cover may include a tab configured to secure the window cover in a closed position.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the and window cover may be formed from a transparent material and the outer layer may be formed from an opaque material.

In another embodiment, the tab may be attached to a body-side of the window cover.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure.

The benefits and advantages of the present embodiments will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:.

While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments illustrated. The words "a" or "an" are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. The words "first," "second," "third," and the like may be used in the present disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these words. These words are only used to distinguish one category of information from another. The directional words "top," "bottom," up," "down," front," "back," and the like are used for purposes of illustration and as such should not be limiting. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining.

The present disclosure provides an ostomy pouch that includes a viewing option, such as a viewing window, and a securement system. The viewing option may include a cover, such as a viewing flap, and can include at least one tab for the flap for securely covering the viewing window.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> show an ostomy pouch <NUM> according to an embodiment. The ostomy pouch <NUM> generally includes a user attachment device <NUM>, a body side comfort panel <NUM>, a body side wall <NUM>, a distal wall <NUM>, a tab member <NUM>, and a distal comfort panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the ostomy pouch <NUM>. The body side wall <NUM> and the distal wall <NUM> may be sealed along their peripheral edges to define a cavity therein for collecting stoma output. The body side comfort panel <NUM> may be attached to the body side wall <NUM>. The body side comfort panel <NUM> includes a first opening <NUM>, and the body side wall <NUM> includes a second opening <NUM>. The first and second openings <NUM>, <NUM> define an inlet opening and may be aligned and configured to receive a stoma (not shown).

The distal comfort panel <NUM> may be attached to the distal wall <NUM>. The distal wall <NUM> is formed from a transparent or translucent material to allow for viewing the stoma and the contents of the pouch <NUM>. The distal comfort panel <NUM> can include a cutout that forms a viewing opening or viewing window <NUM> and forms a viewing flap <NUM>. The flap <NUM> can include a portion such as a hinge portion <NUM> that remains attached to the distal comfort panel <NUM> to allow for opening the flap <NUM> to view the stoma and contents of the pouch <NUM>, and to allow for closing the flap <NUM> for privacy. The distal comfort panel can further include a slot <NUM> configured to receive the tab member <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the distal comfort panel <NUM> may be an outer layer.

In another embodiment, the distal comfort panel <NUM> can include a viewing window and a window cover. The window cover can be attached to the distal comfort panel <NUM> and can align with the viewing window. The window cover can include a tab for securing the window cover in a closed position.

<FIG> shows a distal view of the ostomy pouch <NUM> with the flap <NUM> in an open position. In the open position, the viewing opening or window <NUM> is exposed and the stoma and the contents of the ostomy pouch <NUM> may be viewed.

In this embodiment, the tab member <NUM> may be attached to the body side of the distal comfort panel <NUM>. Other locations for attaching the tab member <NUM> will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The tab member <NUM> can include a tab end <NUM>. The tab end <NUM> is configured to be inserted into the slot <NUM>.

The ostomy pouch <NUM> includes an upper end <NUM> and a lower end <NUM>. The upper end <NUM> can be located closer to the inlet opening relative to the lower end <NUM>. The lower end <NUM> is configured to receive body waste discharged from the stoma.

In an embodiment, the hinge portion <NUM> may be positioned near the lower end <NUM> and the slot may be positioned opposite the hinge portion <NUM> near the upper end <NUM>. In this embodiment, the flap <NUM> opens downward, towards the lower end <NUM> of the pouch <NUM> when it is in the open position. In other embodiments, the hinge portion <NUM> may be positioned near the upper end <NUM> so that the flap <NUM> opens upwardly, or between the upper and lower ends <NUM>, <NUM> so that the flap <NUM> opens to the side. In such embodiments, the slot <NUM> is positioned opposite the hinge portion <NUM> so that the flap <NUM> can be securely closed.

The tab end <NUM> has a width W34 that is larger than a width W32 of the slot <NUM> (<FIG>). In an embodiment, the tab end <NUM> has an arrowhead shape, having a head to facilitate inserting the tab end <NUM> into and securing the tab end <NUM> in the slot <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a distal view of the ostomy pouch <NUM> with the flap <NUM> closed. In the closed position, the flap <NUM> covers the viewing window <NUM> and the stoma and the contents of the ostomy pouch <NUM> may not be viewed. The tab end <NUM> is not inserted into slot <NUM> and therefore, the flap <NUM> is not secured.

<FIG> shows a distal view of the ostomy pouch <NUM> with the flap <NUM> closed and secured. In the secured position, the tab end <NUM> (not shown) is inserted into the slot <NUM>. The flap <NUM> cannot be opened without removing the tab end <NUM> from the slot <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a body view of the distal comfort panel <NUM> with the flap <NUM> closed and secured. The tab member <NUM> is attached to the body side of the distal comfort panel <NUM>. The tab end <NUM> is inserted through, and extends out of, the slot <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a distal view of the ostomy pouch <NUM> with a transparent distal comfort panel <NUM> and the flap <NUM> in a closed position and secured. The portions of the tab member <NUM> that are arranged between the flap <NUM> and the distal wall of the pouch <NUM> and between the distal comfort panel <NUM> and the distal wall of the pouch <NUM> are shown in dash lines.

<FIG> shows a distal view of the ostomy pouch <NUM> with the flap <NUM> closed and secured. The tab end <NUM> is inserted into the slot <NUM>. In this embodiment, the tab end <NUM> has a width W34 that is larger than the width W20 of the tab member <NUM>. The width W32 of the slot <NUM> is slightly larger than the width W20 of the tab member <NUM>, but is slightly smaller than the width W34 of the tab end <NUM>. The tab end <NUM> can be made out of a semi-rigid material that allows the tab end <NUM> to bend and be inserted into slot <NUM> but remain within the slot <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An ostomy pouch (<NUM>) comprising:
a body side wall (<NUM>) and a distal wall (<NUM>) joined along their peripheral edges to define a cavity therebetween for collecting body waste;
an inlet opening defined in the body side wall (<NUM>) configured to receive a stoma; and
an outer layer (<NUM>) attached to and covering the distal wall, wherein the outer layer comprises a flap (<NUM>) characterised in that the flap is formed by a cutout of the outer layer, wherein the cutout aligns with the inlet opening and defines a viewing window (<NUM>) for the stoma, and wherein the flap includes a tab (<NUM>) configured to secure the flap in a closed position.