WO2004004613A1

WO2004004613A1 - Bag and enema/flush sleeve cleaning unit

Info

Publication number: WO2004004613A1
Application number: PCT/CA2003/000942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brock Masters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-05
Filing date: 2003-07-04
Publication date: 2004-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2005-01-05
Also published as: AU2003281242A1; CA2392511A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a colostomy pouch (4)or enema/flush sleeve having an entrance (8) about which is secured a conne ctor (10) for sealingly and releasably engaging with a mating connector normally attached to a user's body about a stoma. The utensil (2) comprises an elongated, flexible tube (16) having two ends. An attachment (18) for a water source is secured to one end and a spray head (20) to the other end. A connector (26), adapted to sealably and releasably engage the connector about the entrance of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve, is secured to and circumscribes the spray head, extending outward therefrom. In operation, water spray from the head is directed under force into the pouch or sleeve through the entrance to clean the interior of the pouch or sleeve.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

BAG AND ENEMA/FLUSH SLEEVE CLEANING UNIT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a utensil for providing simple and hygienic cleansing of reusable drainable colostomy bags or pouches enema/flush sleeves.

Colostomy pouches normally comprise a connector secured about a circular entrance, the connector constructed so as to sealingly and releasably engage with a male connector secured, for example by adhesive means, to a wearer's body, about a stoma, the stoma being a surgical opening providing access to the wearer's bowel for flow of fecal material from the wearers' body into the colostomy pouch. Such colostomy pouches may have a lower exit passageway openable as required for gravity voiding of the fecal contents of the pouch. Alternatively, they may be emptied through the entrance. A wearer will simply open the exit passageway, or invert the pouch, when detached, over a toilet for example, and allow the pouch's contents to drain out.

Conventionally there has been no easy or sanitary way to clean or irrigate the pouch. Conventionally the drained pouch is placed under a tap and water is flowed into it, the water then being drained into a sink or toilet. It will be understood that often times this can be a messy and unhygienic process.

Of background interest is Canadian Patent Application No. 2,228,895 of Bugajski published February 27, 1997 which describes and illustrates a colostomy pouch cleaning system comprising a valve actuated nozzle to be inserted into the interior of a drained pouch.

Similarly, the cleaning of enema/flush sleeves, which are long sleeves intended to drain fecal matter from patients, through stomas, under enema conditions, has been difficult, again requiring flowing of water from taps and the like through the sleeve to be cleaned and into a sink or toilet.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, effective and hygienic system for cleaning or irrigating colostomy pouches and enema/flush sleeves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a utensil for cleaning a colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve having an entrance about which is secured a connector for sealingly and releasably engaging with a mating connector normally attached to a user's body about a stoma. The utensil comprises an elongated, flexible tube having two ends. An attachment for a water source is secured to one end and a spray head to the other end. A connector, adapted to releasably and sealably engage the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve, is secured to and circumscribes the spray head, to extend outwardly therefrom. In operation, water spray from the head is directed under force into the pouch or sleeve through the entrance to clean the interior of the pouch or sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment, a spacer flange is secured to and circumscribes the spray head, extending outwardly therefrom. In this embodiment, the connector for engaging the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve is secured to a free end of the flange.

The use of such a utensil, in accordance with the present invention, permits a colostomy pouch or an enema/flush sleeve easily and hygienically to be cleaned over a toilet area. As well, the use of jets of spray under force from a spray head provides a more effective and sanitary method of cleaning such pouches and sleeves, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a colostomy pouch (and an enema/flush sleeve in phantom) and a utensil according to the present invention for cleaning same, and

FIGURE 2 is a view in partial section of the spray head of Figure 1 attached to a colostomy bag for cleaning same.

FIGURE 3 is a view in partial section of the spray head of an alternative embodiment of the spray head of figure 1.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with an illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.

Turning to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a utensil (2) in accordance with the present invention for cleaning of a colostomy pouch (4) or an enema/flush sleeve (6) (phantom).

Colostomy pouch (4) is provided with a an entrance (8), which is conventionally circular, about which is secured a peripheral female connector (10) for sealingly and releasably engaging with a mating male connector (not illustrated) which is normally attached, for example by adhesive, to a user's body about a stoma which has been formed for the purpose of the colostomy. The pouch (4) may be provided with a lower exit passageway (14) which is normally in sealed, closed position, to prevent leakage of fecal material from pouch (4), but which is openable as required for gravity voiding of the fecal contents of the bag.

Utensil (2) comprises an elongated tube (16), preferably flexible, one end of which is secured an attachment means for a (18), for a water source (not shown). To the other end, is secured a spray head (20).

Attachment means (18) may be, for example, a rubber sleeve- shaped device (22) as illustrated, that frictionally and sealingly engages about the outlet of any standard bathroom faucet. Any other conventional attachment means for a water source may be provided at this end of tube (16).

Circumscribing and outwardly extending from the operative side of spray head (20) is a cylindrical spacerflange (24). On the free end of flange (24) is a male connector means (26), similar to that worn by the wearer of a colostomy pouch, for sealing, releasable attachment to connector (12). The flange (24) is preferably about 1cm in height.

In operation, as can be seen in Figure 2, flexible tube (16) is connected by attachment means (18) to a faucet and male connector (26) is sealingly engaged with female connector (12) of the drained colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve to be cleaned . Warm to hot water is passed through the soiled, drained colostomy pouch. As waterflows through tube (16) its spray head (20), the spray causes a pressurized turbulence and agitation to occur within pouch (4), breaking up any residual fecal matter not drained from the pouch. The presence of flange (24) minimizes splash back of fecal matter from within pouch (4), to spray head (20), thereby enhancing hygiene. As well, flange (24), by spacing spray head (20) from the interior surfaces of colostomy pouch (4) permits pressurized streams of spray to hit the interior surfaces of the pouch and enables the user rotate the head for directing the spray to different interior surfaces of the pouch. Where the pouch (4) is provided with an exit passageway (14), the operation is carried out using a continuous flow of water for example over a toilet. A disinfectant or deodorizer (not shown) can be poured into bag (4) or sleeve (6), or tube (16), before usage or during use. In this way, an effective and simple cleaning operation can take place. Depending on the length of tube (16), that cleaning can readily take place over a toilet, as opposed to over a sink, again enhancing hygiene.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in figure (3), spray head (20) does not have a circular spacer flange (24), but instead male connector means (26) secured directly to and circumscribes spray head (20).

Thus, there has been provided in accordance with the invention a utensil for cleaning a colostomy pouch or an enema/flush sleeve cleaning unit that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. For a drainable colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve having an entrance about which is secured a connector for sealingly and releasably engaging with a mating connector normally attached to a user's body about a stoma, a utensil for cleaning the pouch or enema/flush sleeve, the utensil comprising:

(a) an elongated, tube having two ends;

(b) attachment means for a water source secured to one end;

(c) a spray head secured to the other end, and

(d) a connector adapted to releasably and sealably engage the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve secured to and circumscribing the spray head, whereby, in operation water spray from the head is directed under force into the pouch or sleeve, through the entrance to clean the interior of the pouch or sleeve.

2. A utensil according to claim 1 further provided with a spacerflange secured to and circumscribing the spray head, and extending outwardly therefrom, the connector for engaging the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve being secured to a free end of the flange.

3. A utensil according to claim 1 for a circular entrance for the bag or sleeve, the flange being of cylindrical shape.

4. A utensil according to claim 1 , wherein the attachment means is constructed so as to secure releasably and sealingly to a standard bathroom faucet outlet.

5. A utensil according to claim 4, wherein the attachment means comprises a flexible sleeve that frictionally and sealingly engages about the faucet outlet.

6. A utensil according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube is flexible.

7. A utensil according to claim 5, wherein the elongated tube is flexible.

8. Fora drainable colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve comprising a circular entrance about which is secured a connector for releasably and sealingly engaging with a mating connector normally attached to a wearers' body about a stoma, and a normally closed and sealed lower exit passageway openable as required for voiding of fecal contents of the pouch or sleeve, a utensil for cleaning the pouch or sleeve, when opened, the utensil comprising:

(a) an elongated, flexible tube having two ends;

(b) attachment means, constructed so as to releasably and sealingly engage about a standard bathroom faucet, secured to one end fo the tube;

(c) a spray head secured to the other end, the head being of a size to cover the entrance of the pouch or sleeve so that, in operation, spray from the head is directed into the bag or sleeve through the entrance, and

(d) a cylindrical spacer flange secured to and circumscribing the spray head and, extending outwardly therefrom, the flange having a free end provided with a connector adapted to sealably engage the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve, whereby, in operation water spray from the head is directed under force into the pouch or sleeve, through the entrance to clean the interior of the pouch or sleeve.