OSTOMY COUPLING

• US 20070129695A1
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Convatec Incorporated (ConvaTec Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Inventors: Blum, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,142,406 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 5/445 Colostomy, ileostomy or urethrostomy devices A61F5/441, A61F5/442, A61F5/443 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/448 Means for attaching bag to seal ring

Abstract

An ostomy coupling including a body-side coupling member, an appliance-side coupling member including plural fastener lugs, and a bracing member. The lugs flex independently of each other to provide plural independent latching fastenings. The bracing member is moved between a bracing position in which the bracing member locks the lugs by resisting flexing movement, and a non-bracing or dismounted position in which the lugs are free to flex. The ostomy coupling is used with an ostomy pouch or with a controlled evacuation device.

Claims

1. An ostomy appliance coupling comprising:

a. a body-side coupling member;

b. an appliance-side coupling member comprising a plurality of fastener lugs; and

c. a bracing member positionable in a bracing position with respect to the appliance-side coupling member for bracing the fastener lugs to limit flexing of the lugs;

wherein the bracing member is configured such that either (i) the bracing effect is independent of a rotational orientation of the bracing member, or (ii) the bracing member is not rotatable relative to at least one of the coupling members out of the bracing position.

2. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 1, wherein each of the fastener lugs is capable of flexing independently of the other lugs.

3. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 1, wherein each of the lugs comprises a latch profile.

4. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 1, wherein the bracing member is movable in a generally axial direction between a bracing position and a non-bracing position.

5. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 1, wherein in a bracing position the bracing member is directly mounted on the appliance-side coupling member, and in a non-bracing position the bracing member is demounted from the appliance-side coupling member prior to disassembly of the coupling members.

6. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 5, further comprising a flexible member linking the bracing member to the appliance-side coupling member.

7. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a positive engagement device for positively retaining the bracing member in a bracing position on the appliance-side coupling member.

8. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 7, wherein the positive engagement device comprises co-operating surfaces of the bracing member and the appliance-side coupling member.

9. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 8, wherein the co-operating surface of the appliance-side coupling member is a surface of a respective lug.

10. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 8, wherein the appliance-side coupling member comprises a wall segment between adjacent lugs, and wherein the co-operating surface of the appliance-side coupling member is a surface of the wall segment.

11. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 10, wherein said surface of the wall segment projects radially proud of the adjacent lugs.

12. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 11, wherein said co-operating surface of the bracing member comprises a projection having an arcuate length longer than an arcuate length of each lug.

13. An assembly comprising:

a. an appliance-side coupling member comprising a plurality of fastener lugs for fastening engagement with a body-side coupling member; and

b. a bracing member positionable in a bracing position with respect to the appliance-side coupling member for bracing the fastener lugs to limit flexing of the lugs;

wherein the bracing member is configured such that either (i) the bracing effect is independent of a rotational orientation of the bracing member, or (ii) the bracing member is not rotatable relative to the appliance-side coupling member out of the bracing position.

14. An ostomy appliance comprising:

a. an appliance-side coupling member comprising a plurality of fastener lugs for fastening engagement with a body-side coupling member; and

b. a bracing member positionable in a bracing position with respect to the appliance-side coupling member for bracing the fastener lugs to limit flexing of the lugs;

wherein the bracing member is configured such that either (i) the bracing effect is independent of a rotational orientation of the bracing member, or (ii) the bracing member is not rotatable relative to the appliance-side coupling member out of the bracing position.

15. The ostomy appliance of claim 14, wherein the bracing member forms part of an operative part of the ostomy appliance.

16. The ostomy appliance of claim 15, wherein ostomy appliance is configured to be usable in a first operation state in which the bracing member is in the bracing position, and in a second operation state in which the bracing member is demounted from the appliance-side coupling member.

17. The ostomy appliance of claim 15, wherein the appliance is a controlled evacuation device, and wherein the first operation state is a state in which the appliance obstructs stomal discharge, and the second operation state is a state in which the appliance permits stomal discharge.

18. The ostomy appliance of claim 17, wherein appliance further comprises a collection container of variable capacity, the second operation state is a state in which the capacity of the container is enlarged compared to the first operation state.

19. A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprising:

a. an appliance-side coupling member comprising a plurality of fastener lugs for fastening engagement with a body-side coupling member;

b. a housing member; and

c. a housing fastener for releasably fastening the housing to the appliance-side coupling member,

wherein the housing member is configured such that, when the housing member is fastened to the appliance-side coupling member, the housing member directly or indirectly braces the fastener lugs of the appliance-side coupling member to limit flexing of the lugs.

20. The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of claim 19, further comprising a collection container attached between portions of the housing member and the appliance-side coupling member.

21. The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of claim 19, further comprising a said body-side coupling member, wherein the body-side coupling member comprises a fastener formation for fastening engagement by the lugs.