WO2004004612A1

WO2004004612A1 - Flow control colostomy pouch

Info

Publication number: WO2004004612A1
Application number: PCT/CA2003/000943
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: AU2003281243A1; CA2392493A1

Abstract

A colostomy pouch constructed of lightweight liquid-impervious heat-sealable plastic sheets and having front and back panels sealed along their side, the top and bottom edges form an enclosed pouch for impermeably containing fecal matter and an aperture in the back panel for receiving within the pouch fecal matter from a stoma of a user. A gas release filter in an upper portion of the front panel allows gas from within the pouch to pass and escape to the outside environment. The front and back panels are impermeably secured together along a line extending between the filter and the aperture. This line has at least one gap through which gas from the pouch may pass to reach the filter while the line otherwise restricts fecal matter within the pouch from flowing to the filter.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

FLOW CONTROL COLOSTOMY POUCH

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved colostomy pouch of the type containing a gas release filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing disposable and reusable colostomy pouches are often provided with a gas filter. This filter is in an upper portion, to the front of the pouch, and is intended to allow gas from within the pouch to escape to the outside environment while reducing the odor of that escaping gas.

When fecal matter is expelled from the body of a person wearing a conventional colostomy pouch, it is given no path to travel within the pouch. This permits waste to travel freely throughout the pouch, soiling the gas release filter and rendering the filter useless, thus requiring replacement before pouch capacity has been reached.

Of general background interest relating to the present invention is Canadian Patent No. 2,145,586 of Colacello issued June 1999 which describes and illustrates a ventilated colostomy pouch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved design of filter-containing colostomy pouch, which will minimize the soiling of the filter and allow the pouch to be used to capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an improvement for a colostomy pouch for retaining fecal matter, the pouch constructed of lightweight impermeable, heat-sealable sheets, the pouch having front and back panels sealed along their side, top and bottom edges to form an enclosed impermeable pouch for retaining fecal matter, an aperture in the back panel for receiving within the pouch fecal matter from a stoma of a user, and a gas release filter in an upper portion of the front panel above the aperture, to allow gas from within the pouch to escape to the outside environment. The improvement is characterized in that the front and back panels are impermeably secured together along a line, which extends between the filter and the aperture, this line having at least one gap through which gas from the pouch may pass to reach the filter while the line otherwise restricts fecal matter within the pouch from flowing towards the filter.

In one embodiment of the present invention the line is spaced from each side of the pouch, leaving a gap for passage of gas on each side. In another embodiment, the line has a central gap with overlapping, spaced portions of the line, terminating in this gap, providing a passageway for the gas.

The present invention may be applied to both disposable and reusable colostomy pouch of the type having a gas filter seated in an upper wall of the pouch.

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 rear perspective view of a colostomy pouch according to the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of the colostomy pouch of Figure 1.

FIGURE 3 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a colostomy pouch according to the present invention.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with 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 the drawings, a colostomy pouch (2) having a front panel (4) and a rear panel (6) is illustrated. These panels are preferably made of impermeable, heat-sealable sheets, such as polyethylene sheets, which are heat-sealed closed along their side edges (8), top edges (10) and bottom edges (12) to form an enclosed pouch to impermeably contain fecal matter. An aperture (14) is located in an upper portion of rear panel (6) as illustrated for receiving fecal matter within pouch (2) from a stoma of a user. A conventional gas release filter (16) is positioned within front panel (4), near its top edge at a location higher than the aperture (14) on the rear panel, to allow gas from within pouch (2) to pass to the outside environment and reduce the odor of such gas.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, front and rear panels (4) and (6) are provided with an impermeable line (18), through heat sealing, adhesives, or the like. Line (18) passes between filter (16) and aperture (14) and it ends are spaced inwardly from side edges (8) to provide at least one gap (20). In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of gaps (20) are provided, one at either side of pouch (2). Gaps (20) permit gas from within the pouch, below line (18) to pass to filter (16). As can be seen in the drawings, line (18) passes laterally in undulating fashion, from one side to the other of pouch (2), rising towards its middle from lowered ends, so that the filter is located above the line and the aperture is located below that line.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in figure 3, line (18) is broken into two segments each extending from a corresponding side edge (8) towards the middle, to terminate at gap (20). Corresponding inner end portions of the line segments, about this gap (20), overlap as illustrated to provide a passageway (22) for passage of the gas, from the pouch below line (segments) (18), to filter (16) above. Obviously, line and gap configurations otherthan those illustrated in the figures will be suitable to carry out the desired objects of the invention, so long as the line/line segments provide a physical barrier between the pouch entrance (4) and filter (16) so as to restrict the flow of fecal matter (normally in the pouch and normally below line or line segments (19)) towards filter (16).

A suitable adhesive (24) may be provided on an upper portion of back panel (6) as illustrated, to allow a user to adhere the pouch firmly to the user's body, and thereby prevent sagging of the pouch when the pouch begins to fill.

It will be understood that by providing an impermeable line (18) between the aperture (14) and filter (16) as illustrated, fecal matter enters the pouch at a point below this line and is thus restricted from flowing towards the filter, thus reducing the soiling of that filter and extending the use of the colostomy pouch (2). It will be further understood that the invention can be applied to both reusable and disposable colostomy pouches.

Thus, there has been provided in accordance with the invention a flow control colostomy pouch 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. In a colostomy pouch constructed of lightweight impermeable, heat-sealable sheets, the pouch having front and back panels sealed along their side, top and bottom edges to form an enclosed impermeable pouch for retaining fecal matter, an aperture in the back panel for receiving within the pouch fecal matter from a stoma of a user, and a gas release filter in an upper portion of the front panel at a location higher than the aperture, to allow gas from within the pouch to escape to the outside environment, the improvement characterized in that the front and back panels are impermeably secured together along a line which extends between the filter and the aperture, this line having at least one gap through which gas from the pouch may pass to reach the filter while the line otherwise restricts fecal matter within the pouch from flowing to the filter .

2. A colostomy pouch according to claim 1 wherein the line has at least one end which is positioned so as to leave a gap between it and a corresponding side edge of the panels.

3. A colostomy pouch according to claim 1 wherein the line is configured into two segments, each segment commencing at a corresponding side edge of the pouch and extending towards the center of the pouch to terminate at the gap.

4. A colostomy pouch according to claim 3 wherein inner ends of the segments spaced from each other and overlap to provide a passageway which forms the gap.

5. A colostomy pouch according to claim 1 , wherein the line is formed by heat-sealing the front and back panels.

6. A colostomy pouch according to claim 1 , wherein an adhesive patch is secured to an upper part of the back panel of the pouch allowing a user to adhere to the pouch firmly to the user's body and thereby prevent sagging when the pouch begins to fill.

7. A colostomy pouch according to claim 2, wherein an adhesive patch is secured to an upper part of the back panel of the pouch allowing a user to adhere the pouch firmly to the user's body and thereby prevent sagging when the pouch begins to fill.

8. A colostomy pouch according to claim 1 , wherein the line is spaced from the side edges of the panels, leaving a gap for passage of gas on each side of the pouch.

9. A colostomy pouch according to claim 5, wherein an adhesive patch is secured to an upper part of the back panel of the pouch allowing a user to adhere to the pouch firmly to his or her body and thereby prevent sagging when the pouch begins to fill.

10. A colostomy pouch according to claim 8, wherein the line is formed by heat-sealing the front and back panels.

11. In a colostomy pouch for retaining fecal matter, the pouch having a back, and front, and top, bottom and sides, an aperture in the back for receiving within the pouch fecal matter from a stoma of a user, and a gas release filter in an upper portion of the pouch, at a location higher than the aperture, to allow gas from within the pouch to escape to the outside environment, the improvement characterized in that the front and back are secured together along a line passing between the filter and the aperture, this line being configured to leave a gap through which gas may pass to reach the filter, whereby, in operation, fecal matter enters the pouch below the line and is thereby restricted against flowing towards the filter.

12. A colostomy pouch according to claim 11 , wherein an adhesive patch is secured to an upper part of the back of the pouch allowing a user to adhere the pouch firmly to the user's body and thereby prevent sagging when the pouch begins to fill.

13. A colostomy pouch according to claim 11 wherein the line is spaced from each side of the pouch, leaving a gap for passage of gas to the filter on each side of the pouch.

14. A colostomy pouch according to claim 8, wherein the pouch sides back and front are made of heat sealable plastic, and the line is formed by heat sealing together portions of the front and back.

15. A colostomy pouch according to claim 11 wherein the line is configured into two segments, each segment commencing at a corresponding side edge of the pouch and extending towards the center of the pouch to terminate at the gap.

16. A colostomy pouch according to claim 15 wherein inner ends of the segments spaced from each other and overlap to provide a passageway which forms the gap.