Patent Description:
Ostomy appliances are well known medicals devices for users that have a stoma. Generally, the appliance has an opening for the stoma to be received in and an adhesive member that contacts the body and holds the appliance in position. Waste exiting the stoma is collected in a collecting volume which is formed from two flexible walls connected together. Often the appliance includes an outlet valve, so that a user can empty waste that is collected in the collecting volume without having to remove and dispose of the entire appliance.

At times, a user may want to extend the time between emptying their appliance, for example, when they are sleeping. Typically, a larger capacity bag is used to contain waste while the user is sleeping. In this scenario, the outlet valve is connected to the larger capacity bag by a tube, so that the bag fills with waste.

<CIT> relates to a urine collection device that can be hung selectively from either of the two hangers located on the edges of the device. <CIT> relates to a urinary catheter assembly comprising a urinary collecting bag and catheter. <CIT> relates to a feed bag.

<CIT> relates to a free-standing urine collection bag and discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

According to an aspect of the invention we provide a waste collection bag for connection to an ostomy appliance including:.

According to a second aspect of the invention we also provide a waste collection system including a stand or holder and a waste collection bag in accordance with the first aspect.

Further optional features of the invention are provided in the appended claims.

In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferable embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a waste collection bag <NUM> for connection to an ostomy appliance (not shown) is illustrated. The waste collection bag <NUM> includes a first wall <NUM>, a second wall <NUM>, an inlet <NUM> and a support system <NUM>.

The first wall <NUM> and the second wall <NUM> are connected to form a pouch arrangement which includes a collecting volume. In other words, the first and second wall <NUM>, <NUM> and the connection between them defines and internal volume in which waste is collected. In the present example, the collecting volume is around two litres but it should be appreciated that the bag <NUM> can be made to form the desired volume within.

The collecting volume is formed in a lower portion 16a of the pouch arrangement and the support system <NUM> is formed in an upper portion 16b of the pouch arrangement. In the present example, the collection bag <NUM> is between about <NUM> and <NUM> long (and preferably around <NUM> long in total and the collecting volume extends from a base of the collection bag <NUM> upwards, to between about <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the total length. The remaining area at the top of the collection bag <NUM> (the upper portion) includes the support system <NUM> that is used to support the collection bag <NUM> on an appropriate stand, holder or hanger.

The inlet <NUM> is fluidly connected to the collecting volume, so that waste can flow from a connected device or appliance and into the collecting volume. In use, the inlet <NUM> is connected to an ostomy appliance (usually a urostomy appliance) via a tube / conduit, so that waste can flow out of a user's appliance (that is adhered about their stoma) and through the connecting tube and into the waste collection bag <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the inlet <NUM> includes a body having two parts. The first part 20a is attached between the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The second part 20b extends away from the first part 20a and is configured to connect to a tube / conduit <NUM>.

As can be seen from the illustrated example in <FIG>, the inlet <NUM> is provided in a generally central region of the upper portion 16b of the pouch arrangement. In use, the connected tube / conduit <NUM> extends away from the collecting volume.

The support system <NUM> includes a first attachment zone <NUM>, a second attachment zone <NUM>, and a flexible portion <NUM>. The first attachment zone <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> and the second attachment zone <NUM> includes an opening <NUM>. Further, the first attachment zone <NUM> is closer to the collecting volume than the second attachment zone <NUM>. The flexible portion <NUM> extends between the first and second attachment zones <NUM>, <NUM>. The term flexible portion is used to describe a region that is relatively more flexible than the area or regions around it.

In some embodiments, the first attachment zone <NUM> includes multiple openings <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the first attachment zone <NUM> includes four openings <NUM>. The openings <NUM> are spaced across the upper portion of the pouch arrangement. In the illustrated example, the upper portion 16b of the pouch arrangement is between around <NUM> and <NUM> wide (and preferably between around <NUM>). The "outer" openings <NUM> at either side of the first attachment zone <NUM> (i.e. those closest to the edge of the collection bag <NUM>) are around <NUM> from the edge. The "inner" openings <NUM> are around <NUM> from the outer openings <NUM>. The distance between the "inner" openings <NUM> is around <NUM>.

In some embodiments, one or more of the openings <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM> are generally circular (and, in this example, are around <NUM> in diameter).

In some embodiments, the second attachment zone <NUM> includes multiple openings <NUM>. Referring to the example in <FIG>, the second attachment zone <NUM> includes two openings <NUM>. The openings <NUM> are each around <NUM> from the edge of the collection bag <NUM> and about <NUM> apart. In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> are slots (i.e. elongate apertures) that are around <NUM> long (i.e. in a lengthwise direction A of the collection bag <NUM>) and <NUM> wide
In some embodiments, the openings <NUM> of the second attachment zone <NUM> are substantially aligned with the outer openings <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM>. In other words, in the direction A, the openings <NUM> of the second attachment zone <NUM> are above the openings <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a handle <NUM> is provided in the upper portion 16b of the pouch arrangement. In the illustrated example, the handle <NUM> provides an opening, which forms part of the second attachment zone <NUM> (the functionality of this is discussed in more detail later).

In some embodiments, the flexible portion <NUM> extends across the pouch arrangement. In the illustrated example, the flexible portion <NUM> is split in two parts 36a, 36b. The first part 36a extends from an edge of the upper portion 16b to the opening provided by the handle <NUM>. The second part 36b extends from an opposing side of the opening provided by the handle to a second edge of the upper portion 16b. In other words, the flexible portion <NUM> extends in a substantially straight line across the upper portion 16b (this is advantageous for the folding functionality provided by the flexible portion <NUM> as described below). It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the flexible portion may be formed as a single part extending across substantially the entire width of the upper portion 16b, from one edge to the other.

As the term flexible portion describes a region that is relatively more flexible than the area or regions around it. In some embodiments, the flexible portion <NUM> is formed by the absence of toughened or thickened material compared to the surrounding area. In this example, the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM> are permanently connected together across the area that does not include the collecting volume, which creates a single sheet of material. This creates an upper portion 16b that is reinforced and able to support the weight of the collection bag <NUM>, even when full of waste. However, across the flexible portion <NUM>, the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM> are not connected together. This creates a region of comparatively higher flexibility because the two sheets of material are able to bend independently rather than being constrained by having to move together. This is advantageous for allowing the collection bag <NUM> to adapt to multiple support stands and hangers.

In some embodiments, the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM> are welded (preferably heat welded) about their peripheries in the lower portion 16a of the pouch arrangement and the area of the upper portion 16a is more extensively welded in order to provide a support system <NUM> that is strong / robust enough to support the collection bag <NUM> (from a hanging position) when full of waste. The flexible portion <NUM> is a line that is formed across the upper portion 16b between two areas that are substantially completely welded together (i.e. either side of the line is welded across the bag <NUM>). The line remains unwelded (as described as being advantageous above), so that the first and second wall <NUM>, <NUM> can fold along the line easily. In other words, the flexible portion <NUM> is provided in a generally straight elongate area across the bag. The relatively less flexible areas are provided both above and below the flexible portion <NUM>. Each of the less flexible areas extends adjacent the flexible portion <NUM> across the bag <NUM>. It should be appreciated that is the bag <NUM> includes a handle <NUM>, the flexible portion <NUM> may be interrupted in a central region for an opening that provides that handle <NUM>. In such an example, the flexible portion <NUM> and the less flexible areas above and below are formed in two parts that extend either side of the handle <NUM>.

The flexible portion <NUM> and the first and second attachment zones <NUM>, <NUM> are all located in an upper portion of the collection bag <NUM>. In other words, they are all located in a position above the main collecting volume (when the bag <NUM> is in use). It should be appreciated that the inlet <NUM> is generally centrally located and may be positioned just below the flexible portion <NUM>.

The waste collection bag <NUM> is adapted to provide at least two different configurations for connecting to more than one type of support stand, holder or hanger.

<FIG> illustrates the collection bag <NUM> on a "pinch" stand <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate two other types of stand / hanger that the collection bag <NUM> is also compatible with.

The stand <NUM> includes four pins that extend outwards, over which the four openings <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM> are placed. In other words, the pins extend through the openings <NUM>. The collection bag <NUM> is folded along the flexible portion <NUM>. This brings the openings <NUM> of the second attachment zone <NUM> into contact with the pins also. Thus, the pins extend through the openings <NUM> of the second attachment zone <NUM> as well as those of the first attachment zone <NUM>. Further, because the opening provided by the handle <NUM> flares outwards, this opening is positioned over the pins when the flexible portion <NUM> is folded. This allows a pinch piece 100a on each side of the stand <NUM> to be folded down and over the pins to secure the collection bag <NUM> in place. In other words, the first configuration of the collection bag <NUM> includes folding along the flexible portion <NUM>, so that both the first attachment zone <NUM> and the second attachment zone <NUM> are used to engage the supporting stand <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a stand includes four upward projecting hooks (see the stand <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>). There are four hooks 102a along a back plate of the stand <NUM>. In this example, the four openings <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM> are used to hang the collection bag <NUM>. The remainder of the upper portion 16b of the pouch arrangement is supported by the back plate of the stand <NUM> and a connected tube <NUM> is arranged upwards.

Alternative stands with four upward hooks may not include the back plate. In this case, the remainder of the upper portion 16b of the pouch arrangement will bend over the top of the stand.

In some embodiments, a hanger may be used (for example, in a hospital setting where bags are more likely to be hung from the side of a bed). These types of hangers <NUM> (one of which is shown in <FIG>), have two wide spaced hooks 104a. The outer openings <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM> or the openings <NUM> of the second attachment zone <NUM> could be used for hanging the collection bag <NUM> from a two hook hanger. It should be appreciated that if the hanger had four hooks, the opening <NUM> of the first attachment zone <NUM> would be compatible with that.

In general terms, the second of the configurations includes using only the first attachment zone <NUM> or the second attachment zone <NUM> to engage the supporting stand or hanger <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the handle <NUM> provides an additional way in which the collection bag <NUM> can be supported.

This allows a user to carry the collection bag <NUM> between locations. Furthermore, the handle <NUM> provides a larger opening that may allow the user to hang the collection bag <NUM> when it is not being used. For example, they may wish to hang it in a shower cubicle or another environment when the collection bag <NUM> has been cleaned and they are allowing it to dry out.

In some embodiments, the material of the waste collection bag <NUM> preferably does not include polyvinyl chloride (PVC). For example, a suitable material may be polyphenylene ether (PPE) or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material or a non-coated polyethylene (PE) may be preferred. A suitable PE may be low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), be high density polyethylene (HDPE) or a combination of two or more of them.

In should be appreciated that the first and second wall <NUM>, <NUM> and the inlet <NUM> will preferably be made of similar and / or compatible materials. This ensures that the inlet <NUM> seals to the wall <NUM>, <NUM> with a reliable and consistent seal when it is welded.

The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements, steps, examples and/or features referred to or indicated in the specification individually or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more said parts, elements, steps, examples and/or features. In particular, one or more features in any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment(s) described herein.

Claim 1:
A waste collection bag (<NUM>) for connection to an ostomy appliance including:
a first wall (<NUM>) and a second wall (<NUM>), which are connected to form a pouch arrangement including a collecting volume,
an inlet (<NUM>), for connection to the ostomy appliance, and which inlet (<NUM>) permits waste into collecting volume, and
a support system (<NUM>), wherein the collecting volume is formed in a lower portion (16a) of the pouch arrangement and the support system (<NUM>) is formed in an upper portion (16b) of the pouch arrangement, the support system (<NUM>) having:
a first attachment zone (<NUM>) including an opening (<NUM>),
a second attachment zone (<NUM>) including an opening (<NUM>),
characterized by
a flexible portion (<NUM>) which extends across the pouch arrangement and is formed where the first (<NUM>) and second walls (<NUM>) are not connected together, and which flexible portion (<NUM>) extends between the first (<NUM>) and second attachment zones (<NUM>) so that the first attachment zone (<NUM>) is closer to the collecting volume than the second attachment zone (<NUM>).