Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a prior art valve for an ostomy bag including a housing which is attached to an ostomy bag.

<CIT> discloses a prior art ostomy device having first and second chambers separated from each other by means of a membrane wall having at least one hole.

<CIT> discloses an ostomy appliance for collecting human waste includes two walls which are connected to each other to define cavity for receipt of waste, two apertures are provided in two walls, where appliance includes barrier member.

It is known to provide an ostomy appliance ('bag' or 'pouch' as they are commonly known in the art) with one or more intermediate walls to provide a tortuous path for gas to exit the ostomy appliance through a gas vent. Such tortuous paths are created to prevent or at least inhibit a filter, covering a gas vent, from becoming blocked with waste in a waste collecting cavity. In some prior art ostomy appliances such intermediate walls are provided directly opposite a stoma receiving opening, meaning that they can come into direct contact with bodily waste entering the ostomy appliance. Despite intermediate walls working reasonably effectively to prevent bodily waste from reaching the end of the tortuous path and making direct contact with (and blocking) a filter, they often allow bodily waste to travel part way through the tortuous path, for example in between the intermediate walls. This then ensures that those walls stick together thus preventing gas from escaping (even if the filter itself is not directly covered in waste / liquid. As gas pressure increases in the waste collecting cavity, this further exacerbates the problem, because the walls which are already stuck together are pressed further into contact by the gas pressure in the main cavity.

When bodily waste (in the form of solid or liquid) passes through and is trapped between intermediate walls, the intermediate walls can stick together which is referred to as 'pancaking'. When pancaking occurs in an ostomy appliance, there is an extremely limited or no path for waste gas to exit the ostomy appliance which leads to the further problem of ballooning. Ballooning as a direct result of pancaking occurs when gas inside the ostomy appliance inflates the ostomy appliance without escaping. At this point, a user will typically have to replace their ostomy appliance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an ostomy appliance which addresses these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide an ostomy appliance including:.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide an ostomy appliance including:.

Further features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set out in claims <NUM> to <NUM> appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-.

Referring firstly to <FIG> and <FIG> these show an ostomy appliance in accordance with the present invention, generally at <NUM>. The general construction of the ostomy appliance <NUM> is similar to those well known in the art in the sense that it includes a pair of outermost walls, first <NUM> and second <NUM>, which are connected to each other at or near their peripheries, <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, for example by heat welding or using an adhesive. The ostomy appliance shown is a closed appliance, meaning that its contents cannot be emptied, but it should be appreciated that the invention also relates to drainable ostomy appliances such as those having an outlet (shown in broken lines at <NUM> in <FIG>, by way of example). Whilst not shown, the appliance <NUM> may include further external walls to provide more skin comfort to a user, and to conceal some or all of any waste in the appliance <NUM>.

The first wall <NUM> has a stoma-receiving opening <NUM> and is connected to a generally circular connection member <NUM> in the form of a flange for adhering the appliance <NUM> to a user around their stoma. The connection member <NUM> could be any appropriate shape, however.

The ostomy appliance <NUM> as can be seen from <FIG>, defines a number of chambers therein. A waste collecting chamber <NUM> is defined between the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls and communicates with the stoma-receiving opening <NUM> and, in the case when the appliance is a drainable ostomy appliance, the outlet <NUM>. The waste collecting chamber <NUM> is provided as the primary chamber for receiving bodily waste and/or gas from the stoma-receiving opening <NUM>. A further chamber <NUM> is defined, in part, by third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls. The further chamber <NUM> is positioned above the waste collecting chamber <NUM> when the ostomy appliance <NUM> is in use.

The third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls are positioned in between the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls as shown more clearly by the exploded view of the ostomy appliance in <FIG>. The order of the walls is as follows: first wall <NUM>, third wall <NUM>, fourth wall <NUM> and second wall <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls are therefore sandwiched in between the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls and there are some portions of the peripheral connection / weld which are share between a number of the walls. Essentially, though, the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls are connected at or near their upper ends to the first <NUM> and/or second <NUM> walls, with lower portions of the walls <NUM>, <NUM> extending downwardly between the walls <NUM>, <NUM> towards the bottom of the appliance <NUM>. The connections are preferably carried out by way of heat welding but any known method of connecting walls could be utilised, for example an adhesive could be used.

The layering / welding connections of the walls of the appliance <NUM> are as follows. The outer peripheries <NUM>, <NUM> of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls are welded to each other generally around whole periphery of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls (save at the outlet <NUM> if one exists). The third wall <NUM> has an arcuate upper periphery <NUM> which is sandwiched between the respective upper peripheries of the walls <NUM>, <NUM> before welding all three walls together. The fourth wall <NUM> is connected to the second wall <NUM> by a weld <NUM> which extends laterally across the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, just below the filter <NUM>. The linear weld <NUM> connects at its ends to the peripheral weld which joins the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM> to each other.

The third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls are also connected to each other in a number of locations. Firstly, the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls are welded together over a relatively central area <NUM> which is positioned over the stoma receiving opening <NUM>. The central welded portion <NUM> permits a user to view the stoma through the walls <NUM>, <NUM> during use, which is advantageous. The area <NUM> has an upper portion which is semi-circular and a lower portion which is substantially trapezoidal. Thus, it is shaped substantially as the silhouette of a dome. At each side of the appliance <NUM>, e.g. at each side of the area <NUM>, the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM>, walls are connected to each other by respective weld lines <NUM> (to the left) and <NUM> (to the right). The welds <NUM>, 86are each curved and extend downwardly towards the bottom of the appliance and inwardly away from the peripheral weld between the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

In addition to the elongate or linear welds between the walls, there are also further welds, which in this example are spot welds. The term spot weld is intended to mean that walls are welded to each other over a small area, which is typically circular. It should be appreciated that connections could be provided by other means, and if welding is desired, the area of the weld might be any other appropriate form.

There is a first spot weld <NUM> which connects the first wall <NUM> to the third wall <NUM>. The spot weld <NUM> is located generally centrally of the lateral sides of the appliance <NUM> and a short distance below the upper periphery of the appliance <NUM>.

Two further spot welds <NUM> and <NUM> are provided, which connect the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls to each other. Those spot welds <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned one at either side of the weld area <NUM> and generally slightly lower than a centre of the stoma receiving opening <NUM>.

The further chamber <NUM> in this embodiment is therefore defined as the space enclosed between the peripheral weld at the upper part <NUM> of the third walls, the area weld <NUM>, the welds <NUM> and <NUM> and the weld <NUM>.

The further chamber <NUM>, unlike the waste collecting chamber <NUM>, is not provided for waste collection, but rather acts as a gas passage for waste gases to exit the ostomy appliance <NUM> to atmosphere. To provide this gas passage, at least one gas opening <NUM> is provided in the third wall <NUM>. The gas opening <NUM> permits waste gases within the waste collecting chamber <NUM> to pass through the third wall <NUM> and into the further chamber <NUM>. Preferably there is a plurality of gas openings <NUM>, although there could be one. In this example the openings <NUM> are in the form of right-angle slits provided in the third wall <NUM>. The gas openings <NUM> could be provided as a plurality of perforations in the third wall <NUM>. Despite the figures showing the gas opening <NUM> as being provided on the third wall <NUM>, the gas opening(s) <NUM> may in addition or instead be provided on the fourth wall <NUM>.

A gas vent, e.g. an aperture, is provided in the second wall <NUM> for permitting gases in the further chamber <NUM> to escape to atmosphere. The gas vent is covered by a filter <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In an alternative embodiment, the gas vent may be provided in the first wall <NUM> to permit waste gases to exit the ostomy appliance <NUM>. In such a configuration, the gas vent should communicate directly with the chamber <NUM>, so that gases in the waste collecting chamber <NUM> have to pass through the chamber <NUM> and then to the gas vent.

In some embodiments, a fifth wall <NUM> may be provided within the further chamber <NUM> positioned in between the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> and/or second <NUM> walls in order to divide the further chamber <NUM> into two sub-chambers. The fifth wall <NUM> preferably at least partially covers the gas vent and provides a tortuous path within the further chamber <NUM> for waste gas to escape to atmosphere.

The ostomy appliance <NUM> is configured such that when waste and/or gases enter the waste collecting chamber <NUM> from the stoma-receiving opening <NUM>, the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls are caused move away from each other. This is shown by the difference between <FIG> and <FIG>. In <FIG> little or no bodily waste and/or gas is inside the waste collecting chamber <NUM> (e.g. it is deflated) whereas in <FIG> bodily waste <NUM> and/or gas has been introduced into the waste collecting chamber <NUM> which expands and inflates the chamber <NUM>, thus moving the walls <NUM>, <NUM> away from each other (other than at their regions of connection, of course). The arrows F at the bottom of the ostomy appliance <NUM> in <FIG> show how the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls of the ostomy appliance <NUM> move away from each other when waste and/or gas is introduced into the waste collecting chamber <NUM>.

The movement of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls away from each other in turn, due to the weld <NUM> between the third <NUM> and first <NUM> walls and the weld <NUM> between the fourth <NUM> and second <NUM> walls, ensures that the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls also move away from each other (other than at their regions of connection, of course). Therefore, the movement of the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls away from each other, as a result of waste and/or gases entering the waste collecting chamber <NUM>, effects movement of the third <NUM> and fourth <NUM> walls away from each other, thus increasing or at least maintaining the volume of the further chamber <NUM>.

This increase in volume is beneficial for a user of the ostomy appliance <NUM> as it prevents or at least inhibits the walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that define the further chamber <NUM> from sticking together, if bodily waste/liquid has inadvertently entered the further chamber <NUM>. By ensuring that the defining walls of the further chamber <NUM> are kept apart or move away from each other when waste and/or gas enters the waste collecting chamber <NUM>, gas is permitted to pass from the waste collecting chamber <NUM> through a gas openings <NUM> and into the further chamber <NUM> where it can then escape the ostomy appliance <NUM> to atmosphere through the gas vent and filter <NUM>. Thus, the present invention actively maintains an open path for waste gases to follow to atmosphere.

Whilst it is not intended for any waste to flow from the waste collecting chamber <NUM> into the further chamber <NUM>, it is sometimes the case that a small amount of liquid waste may flow through the gas openings <NUM> provided in the third wall <NUM> when, for example, a user lies down to sleep. Advantageously, any of the waste which does inadvertently enter the further chamber <NUM> will fall under gravity to the waste collecting chamber <NUM> through advantageously positioned drainage outlets <NUM>.

The present invention includes two such drainage outlets <NUM>, one to each side of the appliance <NUM>, which are defined by continuations of the walls <NUM>, <NUM> towards the bottom of the appliance <NUM>. Each drainage outlet <NUM> extends to one side of the stoma receiving opening <NUM> and downwardly towards a bottom of the appliance <NUM>. Each drainage outlet <NUM> tapers, i.e. reduces in cross-section, as it extends towards the bottom of the appliance <NUM>.

The distal, lowermost, end of each drainage outlet <NUM> is moveable relative to the first and second walls <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the ends of the drainage outlets <NUM> are permitted to move freely between the first <NUM> and second <NUM> walls of the ostomy appliance <NUM>, which is advantageous, as it will assist in any trapped liquid being shaken into the waste collecting chamber whilst the user is moving around, e.g. walking. Advantageously, the spot welds <NUM>, <NUM>, which are positioned substantially at entrances to the drainage outlets <NUM>, ensure that the walls <NUM>, <NUM> in that region do not separate from each other, when the bag inflates / fills. This prevents or at least inhibits waste / liquid within the waste collecting chamber <NUM> from passing into the further chamber <NUM> through the drainage outlets <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An ostomy appliance (<NUM>) including:
first and second walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) connected to each other at or near their peripheries (<NUM>, <NUM>), the first wall having a stoma-receiving opening (<NUM>);
a connection member (<NUM>) connected to the first wall for attaching the appliance to a user;
a waste collecting chamber (<NUM>) defined by the first and second walls for receiving waste and/or gas from the stoma-receiving opening;
a further chamber (<NUM>) defined by at least third and fourth walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) which are connected to each other;
a gas opening (<NUM>) provided in either or both of the third or fourth walls for permitting waste gases to pass therethrough from the waste collecting chamber;
a gas vent for permitting gases in the further chamber to escape to atmosphere; and
characterised in that
movement of the first and second walls away from each other, as a result of waste or gases entering the waste collecting chamber, increases or at least maintains the volume of the further chamber.