Ostomy coupling

• US 8,142,406 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Convatec Technologies, Inc. (ConvaTec Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Convatec Technologies, Inc. (ConvaTec Group Plc)
• Inventors: Blum, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva, Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapman, Ginger T
• Application Number:
  US11/566,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20070129695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,940 Days
• Field of Search: 604/388, 604/338, 604/332, 604/337, 604/339, 604/341, 604/342
• 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 capable of coupling to and decoupling from the body-side coupling member, the appliance-side coupling member including a plurality of flexible fastener lugs for latching engagement with the body-side coupling member, each of said fastener lugs being capable of flexing independently of the other lugs;

c. an annular, continuous, non-dynamic, and integral bracing member on the body-side coupling member moveable so as to be positionable in a bracing position or a non-bracing position, in a bracing position the bracing member braces said flexible fastener lugs so as to resist outward flexing of the flexible lugs and brace said appliance-side and body-side coupling members together, in a non-bracing position the bracing member is demounted from the appliance-side coupling member so as not to brace the flexible fastener lugs and permit decoupling of the coupling members; and

d. a grippable tab projecting outwardly from said bracing member proximate to at least one fastener lug, said tab being grippable and manipulatable for applying a flexing force to said at least one fastener lug for separating the appliance-side coupling member from said body-side coupling member.

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

3. 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.

4. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 3, wherein the positive engagement device comprises co-operating surfaces of the bracing member and the appliance-side coupling member.

5. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 4, wherein the co-operating surface of the appliance-side coupling member is a surface of a respective lug.

6. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 4, 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.

7. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 6, wherein said surface of the wall segment projects radially of the adjacent lugs.

8. The ostomy appliance coupling according to claim 7, wherein said co-operating surface of the bracing member comprises a projection having an arcuate length longer than an arcuate length of each lug.