Ostomy coupling

• US 20010004687A1
• Filed: 12/12/2000
• Published: 06/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Convatec Technologies, Inc. (ConvaTec Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Inventors: Whatley, Ian, Plass, Ron
• Granted Patent: US 6,802,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/338
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/4486 with operable locking ring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/448 Means for attaching bag to seal ring

Abstract

An ostomy coupling is described of the type comprising a locking member in the form of a resilient split ring, for fastening two ostomy coupling members together.

One feature of the invention is that one of the coupling members comprises a tapered seal seat surface for cooperating with a deflectable seal wing carried by the other member. The tapered seal seat has a smoothly curved taper, to enable a relatively large seal area to be provided within a low coupling profile height.

Another feature of one form of the invention is that the split ring has an inclined outer surface to form a smooth profile with the coupling member on which it is carried.

Another feature of another form of the invention is that each limb of the split ring is bifurcated to receive a radially projecting guide of the coupling member, on which the split ring is mounted. The split ring thus extends above and below the guide, removing the need for a mounting channel on the coupling member itself, and enabling the height of the coupling to be further reduced.

Claims

1. An ostomy coupling fastenable by a deformable locking member, the coupling comprising:

a first coupling member comprising a deflectable seal wing extending around a coupling aperture of the first coupling member;

a second coupling member comprising a seal seat surface extending around a coupling aperture of the second coupling member, the seal seat surface tapering with a curved taper in a direction towards the first coupling member when the coupling members are in an assembled condition; and

a deformable locking member in the form of, or behaving substantially as, a split ring, and being carried on one of the coupling members for releasably fastening the coupling members together;

wherein, in use, when the coupling members are in said assembled condition, the deflectable seal wing is deformed into a curvature to bear against the curved taper of the seal seat surface.

2. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 1

, wherein the seal seat surface curves through about 90 degrees.

3. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 2

, wherein the seal seat surface curves from a first direction generally parallel to the plane of the second coupling member to a second direction generally perpendicular to said plane.

4. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 1

, wherein the seal seat surface curves generally uniformly over a major portion of the seal seat surface.

11. An ostomy coupling according

claim 1

, wherein the deflectable seal wing has a natural shape in which it is curved in the same direction as the seal seat surface, the deflectable seal wing having less curvature than the seal seat surface whereby when the deflectable seal wing bears against the seal seat surface when the coupling members are assembled together, the seal wing is deformed into a more curved shape.

5. An ostomy coupling member for releasable attachment to a second ostomy coupling part, the ostomy coupling member comprising:

a guide for a locking member;

a deformable locking member movably supported by said guide, the deformable locking member being in the form of, or behaving substantially as, a split ring and comprising a plurality of locking projections, and the locking member being expandable to move the locking projections outwardly by rotation of the locking member relative to the guide; and

a seal seat surface extending around an aperture of the coupling member and facing the deformable locking member, the seal seat surface tapering with a curved taper in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the locking member, there being a clearance between the seal seat surface and one of the guide and the locking member for receiving the second ostomy coupling part.

6. An ostomy coupling fastenable by a deformable locking member, the coupling comprising:

a first coupling member comprising a rib carrying a deflectable seal wing;

a second coupling member comprising first and second walls defining at least one channel portion for receiving at least part of the rib, the first wall defining a seal seat for the deflectable seal wing and tapering in a curved taper towards the second wall such that the width of the channel portion narrows with a curved taper towards the channel floor; and

a deformable locking member in the form of, or behaving substantially as, a split ring, and being carried on one of the coupling members for releasably fastening the coupling members together.

7. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 6

, wherein the channel portion is wider at least at one point than it is deep.

8. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 6

, wherein the channel portion is substantially continuous.

9. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 6

, wherein the channel portion and the rib each have a generally annular shape.

10. An ostomy coupling according to

claim 6

, comprising a plurality of spaced apart channel portions defining spaced channel segments.

12. An ostomy coupling according

claim 6

, wherein the deflectable seal wing has a natural shape in which it is curved in the same direction as the seal seat surface, the deflectable seal wing having less curvature than the seal seat surface whereby when the deflectable seal wing bears against the seal seat surface when the coupling members are assembled together, the seal wing is deformed into a more curved shape.

13. An ostomy coupling member for releasable attachment to a second ostomy coupling part, the ostomy coupling member comprising:

first and second walls defining at least one channel portion for receiving the second coupling part, the first wall tapering in a curved taper towards the second wall such that the width of the channel narrows with a curved taper towards the channel floor;

a deformable locking member movably mounted around the second wall, the deformable locking member being in the form of, or behaving substantially as, a split ring and carrying a plurality of locking projections which project through or around the second wall towards the tapered first wall;

wherein the locking ring is expandable by rotation of the locking ring relative to the second wall to cause the locking projections to move outwardly away from the first wall.

14. An ostomy coupling member for releasable attachment to a second ostomy coupling part, the ostomy coupling member comprising:

an apertured flange from which upstands an annular wall having radially inner and outer surfaces, the radially outer surface being formed with an annular clearance,

a deformable locking member in the form of, or behaving substantially as, a split ring and received with the annular clearance;

wherein the flange extends radially outwardly of the annular wall, and the deformable locking member has an inclined outer face to form a generally inclined profile shape between the flange and the annular wall.

15. An ostomy coupling member according to

claim 14

, wherein the deformable locking member forms a generally smooth profile shape between the flange and the annular wall.

16. An ostomy coupling member according to

claim 14

, wherein the profile of the coupling member with the deformable locking member carried thereon is generally trapezoid.

17. An ostomy coupling member according to

claim 14

, wherein ostomy coupling member further comprises an annular channel for receiving the second coupling part, the annular channel communicating with the annular clearance through a plurality of apertures.

18. An ostomy coupling member for releasable attachment to a second ostomy coupling part, the ostomy coupling member comprising:

a generally radially projecting guide; and

a deformable locking member in the form of, or behaving substantially as, a split ring and mounted movably on the guide,

wherein the deformable locking member comprises first and second limbs, each limb comprising respective upper and lower projections with a clearance therebetween, the guide being received within the clearance and the upper and lower portions fitting above and below the guide to retain the locking member thereon.

19. An ostomy coupling member according to

claim 18

, wherein each limb of the split ring is bifurcated.

20. An ostomy coupling member according to

claim 18

, wherein the deformable locking ring comprises a plurality of locking projections, and wherein the coupling member further comprises a plurality of wall segments, the locking projections projecting through spaces between adjacent wall segments.