Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an adaptable ostomy base plate comprising a reinforcement ring provided with undulations defined by a series of concentric ridges and valleys.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention.

In the following, whenever referring to proximal side of a device or part of a device, the referral is to the skin-facing side, when the ostomy appliance is worn by a user. Likewise, whenever referring to the distal side of a device or part of a device, the referral is to the side facing away from the skin, when the ostomy appliance is worn by a user. In other words, the proximal side is the side closest to the user, when the appliance is fitted on a user and the distal side is the opposite side - the side furthest away from the user in use.

The axial direction is defined as the direction of the stoma when the appliance is worn by a user. Thus, the axial direction is substantially perpendicular to the abdominal surface of the user.

The radial direction is defined as transverse to the axial direction that is transversely to the direction of the stoma.

When measuring the thickness of the laminate herein, the thickness is the distance from the proximal surface to the distal surface, measured perpendicular to the skin-facing proximal surface. The thickness is the combined thickness of the backing layer and the adhesive layer unless otherwise stated.

The invention relates to an adhesive ostomy product securing member comprising: a flexible arcuate laminate having a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and a proximal adhesive surface for securing the laminate simultaneously to the skin of an ostomate and to an ostomy flange; wherein the radial inner portion has a first thickness and the radial outer portion is provided with a pattern of discrete zones of a second thickness, the first thickness being smaller than the second thickness.

The base plate of an ostomy appliance forms a seal to the skin of a patient that surrounds the stoma and prevents leaks. The shape of a patient's body being curved and irregular means that it sometimes can be difficult to have the base plate fit tightly to the skin around a stoma. Furthermore, the skin may expand and contract with movement, causing the base plate to be stretched and distorted in use. This can result in failure of the seal between the base plate and the patient's skin, thereby introducing risk of leakage of stomal output creeping under the base plate and causing discomfort and embarrassment to the patient.

To cope with this problem, a securing member may be used, to provide additional security where required. Securing members are typically arc shaped flexible members, typically formed of a hydrocolloid adhesive laminate, and including an adhesive surface for securing in part to the patient and in part to the base plate. The semi-circular arc shape of the securing member is configured to sit over and overlap the outer edge of the base plate.

The pattern of discrete zones in the form of raised zones of enhanced thickness may have several advantages. The enhanced thickness provides a thicker layer of adhesive, and thereby an increased absorbing capacity of the adhesive in the outer portion of the member, being that portion of the securing member being outside the base plate when applied around the base plate of an ostomy appliance and thereby the portion being most exposed to moisture from leakage. The inner portion of the securing member, on the other hand, is thinner than the raised zones as it is placed over the base plate where a high absorbency is less needed. Furthermore, a thin inner portion reduces the combined thickness of the base plate and securing member and thereby facilitates a more flexible and less bulky device. By discrete zones are meant areas enhanced thickness where each zone is separated from the other zones by areas of the laminate having a thickness being thinner than the thickness of the discrete zones. The pattern of discrete zones may comprise at least two zones of enhanced thickness. In embodiments, the pattern comprises multiple zones of enhanced thickness.

The raised zones being arranged as discrete zones may provide more flexibility and stretchability to the securing member, thereby allowing the member to follow the movements of the body without introducing stress to the skin and thereby risk of detachment of the securing member and the base plate. Furthermore, the discrete zones provide a tactile sensation for the user during application as he/she is nudged to apply extra pressure over the raised zones and thereby a better attachment to the skin is facilitated.

Furthermore, when the adhesive absorbs moisture it swells and the raised zones may swell to connect to each other, thereby providing a tactile difference for the user who may be able to feel with his/her fingertips whether and where any leakage may occur.

In embodiments, the discrete zones of enhanced thickness are provided in the adhesive layer and on the distal side of the securing member, leaving the proximal surface of the adhesive layer generally flat and free from embossments. The backing layer may have the same thickness over the entire securing member and may follow the varying height of distal surface of the adhesive to provide an embossed distal surface of the laminate.

In embodiments, the laminate comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the pattern of raised zones is absent at end portions. This means that the end portions have an equal thickness. In embodiments, the thickness of the end portions corresponds to the thickness of the inner radial portion. The absence of the raised zones of the end portions facilitates that when two or more securing members are combined around a stoma base plate, any overlapping end portion will appear less bulky due to the reduced thickness.

In embodiments, the first end portion and the second end portion have third thickness, the third thickness being smaller than the first thickness. The reduced thickness of the end portions facilitates that when two or more securing members are combined around a stoma base plate, any overlapping end portion will appear less bulky due to the reduced thickness.

In embodiments, the pattern of discrete zones is in the form of radially extending lines or dots of enhanced thickness. This pattern may provide enhanced flexibility and stretchability of the securing member.

In embodiments, the pattern of discrete zones is in the form of lengthwise or arcuate extending lines of enhanced thickness. The lines may provide a better control of the stretching of the member during application. The lines may follow the arcuate shape of the securing member or they may extend lengthwise on the member in wave-shaped or linear form.

In embodiments, the proximal surface comprises a hydrocolloid adhesive. The hydrocolloid adhesive is absorbent and capable of absorbing moisture from leakage under the base plate.

In embodiments, the laminate comprises a backing film on the non-skin facing distal surface. The backing film provides a smooth non-stick surface against the clothes of the user.

In embodiments, the proximal adhesive surface is substantially planar. Such planar surface may provide a smooth and liquid tight fit to the skin and the base plate and decrease the risk of formation of channels under the adhesive.

In embodiments, the laminate comprises a release liner covering the adhesive surface of the laminate. In embodiments, the release liner comprises at least two parts. The release liner protects the proximal adhesive surface before application. Having a release liner in two or more parts may facilitate easier and more precise application of the securing member as the release liner part may be removed stepwise one by one during application. In embodiments, the release liner comprises a radially inner part and a radially outer part. During application the inner release part is first removed and applied to the base plate, then the outer part of the release liner is removed and the remainder part of the adhesive surface of the securing member is applied to the skin.

In embodiments, the adhesive securing member is beveled along the entire periphery. The beveled periphery provides a smooth transition to the surroundings and decreases the risk of the clothes catching the adhesive. In embodiments, the beveled periphery of the member has a fourth thickness being smaller than the first thickness.

When addressing the thickness of the laminate, hereunder the inner radial portion, the outer radial portion and the raised zones of enhanced thickness, the thickness is measured perpendicular to the skin-facing surface of the laminate and not at the beveled edge. Hence, the beveled edge portion is not considered a part of the raised zones of enhanced thickness.

In embodiments, the securing member spans a center angle of approximately <NUM> degrees. In embodiments, the securing member spans a center angle of approximately <NUM> degrees, such as <NUM> degrees or such as <NUM> degrees.

The width of the securing member is substantially equal over the entire laminate. The width is measured as the distance from an inner radial edge to an outer radial edge of the securing member, measured in radial direction.

In embodiments, the inner radial edge has constant radius. In embodiments, the outer radius has a constant radius.

In embodiments, the inner radial edge has constant radius, and the outer radius has a constant radius having the inner radial edge and the outer radial edge substantially parallel and the width of the securing member constant.

In embodiments, the end portions of the securing member may be rounded or have a more square configuration.

In embodiments, the adhesive securing member further comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the end portions have reduced thickness. The absence of raised pattern on the end portions facilitate an overlapping of securing members which may occur when using two or more members to secure the base plate.

The flexible laminate is a substantially planar laminate having a planar lower surface and wherein the lower surface is an adhesive surface. In other words, the raised portions of the radial outer portion occur in the distal portion of the member whereas the proximal skin-facing portion is planar without raised portions.

Embodiments, and features of the various exemplary embodiments described in this application, may be combined with each other ("mixed and matched"), unless specifically noted otherwise.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of an adhesive ostomy product securing member <NUM> seen from the distal side, the securing member comprising a flexible arcuate laminate having a radial inner portion <NUM>, a radial outer portion <NUM> and two end portions <NUM>. The laminate <NUM> has an elongated arcuate shape with a two end portions located at each end of the elongated laminate. The laminate comprises a proximal adhesive layer <NUM> having a proximal adhesive surface for securing the laminate simultaneously to the skin of an ostomate and to an ostomy flange, the adhesive layer being covered on the distal surface by a backing layer <NUM>. Apart from an optional beveling of the edge portion, shown in the figures as a broken line <NUM>, the inner portion <NUM> of the distal surface of the laminate is generally flat and the inner portion <NUM> is of substantially equal thickness. The outer portion <NUM> of the distal surface of the laminate is provided with a pattern of discrete zones <NUM> separated by intermediate zones <NUM> of a lower thickness. The thickness of the discrete zones <NUM> is larger than the thickness of the inner portion <NUM>. The thickness of the intermediate zones <NUM> may be equal to the thickness of the inner portion <NUM>. In this embodiment, the discrete zones <NUM> defines an array of dots, arranged side by side at the outer portion <NUM>. The discrete zones are extending to the edge of the outer portion <NUM> (apart from a beveled edge portion <NUM>). The beveling along the edge portion comprises a sloping area <NUM> where the thickness of the laminate decreases gradually and a thin peripheral portion <NUM> of equal thickness, the thickness of the peripheral portion <NUM> being thinner or equal to the thickness of the inner radial portion.

In <FIG> is disclosed another embodiment of an adhesive ostomy product securing member <NUM> seen from the distal side. In this embodiment, the discrete zones <NUM> are in the form of slightly curved lines, arranged lengthwise following the lengthwise arcuate shape of the securing member.

Claim 1:
An adhesive ostomy product securing member comprising: a flexible arcuate laminate having a radial inner portion, a radial outer portion, and a proximal adhesive surface for securing the laminate simultaneously to the skin of an ostomate and to an ostomy flange; wherein the radial inner portion has a first thickness, and the radial outer portion is provided with a pattern of discrete zones having a second thickness, the first thickness being smaller than the second thickness, characterized in that the laminate has an elongated arcuate shape with two end portions located at each end of the elongated laminate, and wherein the pattern of discrete zones is absent at the end portions.