GB2329339A - Superabsorbent member for ostomy use - Google Patents

Abstract

A superabsorbent, or superabsorbent-containing, member 30 is provided in rigid/semi-rigid, elongate stick, rod or cylindrical form for insertion into an ostomy pouch 10, e.g. via the non-return valve thereof, without the need for a separate applicator. The member may be formed in a similar manner to a cigarette filter whereby granules of superabsorbent are packed into, or distributed in or on, a wad of material to be formed into a stick or rod. The superabsorbent may be carried on a water soluble material such as polyvinyl alcohol or the member may comprise an outer sleeve or case 32 of such material. The member may alternatively comprise a sleeve or case containing superabsorbent granules. Odour counteractants, disinfectants and preservatives may be included in the member.

Description

This invention relates to a superabsorbent member suitable for use in an ostomy pouch, and also to a method of introducing the superabsorbent member into a pouch.

The invention is particularly suitable for use with ileostomy pouches or 9uoetnmy pouches, but it is not limited only to such applications.

There have been a number of proposals to use superabsorbent material to gel the liquid contents of a pouch, for example, either a urostomy pouch or an ileostomy pouch. For example, reference is made to GB-A-2 268 882 (E.R. Squibb & Sons Inc.) in which a urostomy pouch is disclosed into which can be inserted a superabsorbent sheet to gel the urine in the pouch. Such an effect can increase customer acceptance and confidence in the pouch, because the gelled urine will not tend to slosh about in the pouch in the same way as liquid urine. Such sloshing is noisy and embarrassing for the wearer, and can raise doubts in the wearer's mind as to whether the pouch is attached y.

However, urostomy pouches normally employ a non-return valve in their uppermost region, through which the superabsorbent material has to be inserted. The valve is commonly formed by welds which hold the pouch walls together. The effect is to allow liquid entering the pouch to dribble through the valve under gravity, but substantially avoid any liquid in the pouch from splashing back through the valve as the wearer moves about. The above mentioned GB-A-2 268 882 describes a tubtilar applicator with which the superabsorbent sheet can be inserted through s the valve in rolled-up form. Although such a technique can solve many of the problems in the art, it would be desirable to facilitate introduction of a superabsorbeit material without the need, and expense, of a separate applicator.

Generally, ileostomy pouches do not employ a non-return valve, but it can nevertheless be quite difficult for a user to insert a superabsorbent sheet into the pouch, particularly for small diameter aperture pouches. Moreover, such pouches are often emptyable, and will require a new superabsorbent sheet to be inserted for each new use. It can be difficult for a user to insert the sheet without his or her hands contacting the inner surface of the pouch which may be fouled with ileostomy slurry. Such contact is unhygenic, unpleasant and embarrassing for the wearer.

The present invention has been devised bearing the above problems in mind.

In contrast to the prior art, one aspect of the invention is to provide a superabsorbent member (i.e. a member comprising or containing superabsorbent material) in a rigid or semi-rigid, elongate, stick or rod form.

Such a stick or rod can simply be inserted by hand endwise through the aperture and non-return valve of a urostomy pouch, without becoming fouled by the valve, and without the need for an applicator. When used for such and application, the member is preferably at least sufficiently rigid that it can be forced through the non-return valve.

The stick or rod can also be inserted easily into an ileostomy pouch, and manoeuvred and manipulated more easily into position, without the user having to touch the inner surface of the pouch.

Preferably, the superabsorbent member is made substantially entirely of one or more water gellable materials and/or of one or more water soluble materials. When the member comes into contact with liquid (e.g. urine in the pouch), the member can disintegrate without leaving any solid parts behind. This can avoid any solid parts in the pouch contents when the pouch is, for example, emptied into a toilet in a conventional manner.

In one form, the superabsorbent member is formed in a similar manner to a conventional cigarette filter. Granules, or powder-like micro-granules, of superabsorbent material can be packed into, or distributed in or on a wad of material to form, an elongate stick or rod using processing similar to that used conventionally in the cigarette filter production industry.

A particular advantage is that such members may be produced using the existing, proven production facilities already used in the cigarette filter industry, with little, if any, modifications being required to produce a batch of superabsorbent containing members.

The superabsorbent may be carried on material which is itself water soluble.

For example, a suitable material may be polyvinyl alcohol PVOH (either in film, fibre or filament form).

The member may comprise an outer sleeve or case to protect and maintain the shape the stick or rod member. Preferably, the sleeve or case is of water soluble material, for example, polyvinyl alcohol.

The member may alternatively comprise a sleeve or case containing superabsorbent granules. The sleeve or case may be of a water soluble material, for Wa-, polyvinyl alcohol.

Superahsorbent materials are known per se, and are available from a number of different manufacturers. An example is the material Salsorb CLIO produced by Allied Colloids.

It will also be appreciated that other "active" materials, such as odour c=, disinfectants, and preservatives, may be included in the member.

In another aspect, the invention provides a member as aforesaid, and an ostomy pouch having an opening (either a permanent opening, or a closable opening) through which the member can be introduced into the pouch. The opening may, for example, be the stoma aperture, or it may, for example, be a closable drain In ani:rne aspect, the invention provides a pouch (for example, a urostomy pouch) and a superabsorbent or superabsorbentcontaiing member, the urostomy pouch co-izing an inlet aperture and a non-return (or anti-splash) valve an to the ar, and the member being provided in the form of a rigid or semi- rigid, elorgate, stick or rod, the member being directly insertable through the aperture and the non-return valve into the liquid collecting chamber of the pouch.

heXrably, the length of the member is greater than the minimum distance between the aperture and the non-return valve.

In a yet further aspect, the invention provides a method comprising: providing a urostomy pouch having an inlet aperture and a non-return valve adjacent to the aperture; providing a superabsorbent or superabsorbent-containing member in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid, elongate, stick or rod; and inserting the member endwise through the aperture and through the non-return valve, into the liquid collecting region of the pouch.

In a yet further aspect, the invention provides a method comprising: providing an ostomy pouch having a (permanent or closable) opening; providing a superabsorbent or superabsorbentcontaining member in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid, elongate, stick or rod; and inserting the member endwise through the opening and into the collecting region of the pouch.

An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partially cut away rear view of a urostomy pouch; Fig. 2 is a schematic section illustrating introduction of a superabsorbent member into the pouch; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the superabsorbent member.

Fig. 4 is a partially cut away rear view of a second embodiment of a urostomy pouch; and Fig. 5 is a partially cut away rear view of an ileostomy pouch.

Referring to Fig. 1, a urostomy pouch 10 is formed by a front wall 12 and a rear wall 14 of plastics sheet, welded together around their periphery. A bagside connector 16 is secured to the rear wall 14 around a urine inlet aperture 18 in the rear wall 14. The connector 16 allows the pouch to be mechanically coupled to an adhesive bodyside component (not shown) worn by the ostomate.

Below the aperture 18 are a number of internal spot welds 20 securing the front and rear walls 12 and 14 together. The spot welds form a non-return, or anti-splash, valve for preventing urine in the main collection region 22 from splashing up to the aperture 18 a the wearer moves about. In the region of the spot welds 20, the front and rear walls are held in close contact with each other. Liquid entering the pouch through the aperture 18 is able to dribble through the gaps 24 between the spot welds, under gravity; however, liquid splashing inside the pouch is not able generally to pass back through the small gaps 24 (although the liquid might escape if the bag was inverted for any length of time).

Other forms of non-return valve may also be used, in particular other weld arrangements (for example as described in the above mentioned GB-A-2 268882) At the lower end of the pouch, the front and rear walls 12 and 14 define an integral outlet chute or tube 26 to facilitate emptying of the pouch. In normal use, the outlet tlfr 26 is closed by means of a conventional clip (not shown), which squeezes the walls together to form a liquid tight seal. In this embodiment, the tube 26 may be is relatively narrow, since the pouch will not be used to contain any solid matter Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a superabsorbent member 30 is provided for insertion into the pouch. The member 30 is generally rigid, or semi-rigid, and is in the form of an elongate rod or stick. In this embodiment, the member 30 is generally cylindrical, having a diameter of between about 0.5 and about 2 cm, and a length of between about 2 and about 20 cm. The member 30 is sufficiently rigid to enibe it to be introduced through the aperture, and forced through the non-return valve (i.e.

through a gap 24 between two spot welds 20), into the liquid collection region 22 without the need for an applicator. This can be performed easily by hand, by inserting the member 30 endwise through the aperture, and advancing it downwardly. Once the member 30 has passed the non-return valve it sits in the liquid collection region 22 where it will gellify urine as the urine is collected in the pouch.

The superabsorbent member is preferably produced by the conventional production facilities used in the cigarette filter industry. By using a superabsobeent- containing, or superabsorbent-carrying, material packed into a wad, suitable elongate members can be formed by processing the material in the same way as in conventional cigarette filter production.

In the present embodiment, the material is water soluble, for example, polyvinyl alcohol. The member also includes a generally cylindrical outer sleeve, also of water soluble material, for example, polyvinyl alcohol. The sleeve serves to protect and contain the superabsorbent-containing material, and can assist retention of the member's shape.

In use, when urine contacts the member 30, the outer sleeve 32 dissolves, thereby allowing the superabsorbent material to contact, and gellify, the urine. The material on which the superabsorbent material is carried also dissolves, such that there are no solid parts remaining in the pouch contents, in this preferred embodiment. In other embodiments which may employ at least some non-soluble/non-gelling material in the member 30, debris may remain in the pouch and require disposal with the pouch contents when the pouch is emptied.

On emptying, the user would have to squeeze the pouch to ensure that all of the gelled material is discharged through the drain tube 26.

It will be appreciated that, if desired, a new member 30 could be introduced through the drain tube 26, for example, after emptying, rather than through the inlet aperture. In such case, the use of a rigid (or semi-rigid) elongate member 30 can simplify introduction, being more easily controllable, and reduce the risk of the user's hand's touching the wet inner surfaces of the pouch and being fouled by urine on the pouch walls.

Fig.4 illustrates a second embodiment of urostomy pouch. This embodiment is very similar to the first embodiment described above, but the drain tube 26 is replaced by a tap positioned, for example on the front wall (shown schematically at 40). Many designs of tap are known in the art, varying from a narrow bore tube, which can be folded over to seal the tube (for example as illustrated in GB-A-2 058 011 - Kingsdown Medical Consultants), to a multi-piece tap (for example, a rotatable tap as illustrated in GB-A-2 101 274 - Craig Medical Products).

It will be appreciated that, with this embodiment, the superabsorbent member 30 can only be introduced through the inlet aperture, which emphasises the conventional problem of being able to manoeuvre the member through the non-return valve. The tap would be designed to enable the gelled contents of the bag to be forced through the tap upon squeezing the bag.

Fig. 5 illustrates an ileostomy pouch 42. In contrast to a urostomy pouch, an ileost pouch is not normally provided with a non-return valve, and acconingly such a valve is omitted in this embodiment. The ileostomy pouch is similar to the first embodiment in that it has a drainage chute 44 at its lower ends, defined by the front and rear walls of the pouch. The drainage chute is closed in normal use by means of a clip (not shown). As can be seen in Fig. 5 the chute is generally wider than the chute 26 of owe ostomy pouch, since the ileostomy pouch is required to be able to contain, at least some solid faecal matter, and to allow such solid matter to be emptied.

The ability to be able to manoeuvre an elongate rigid, or semi-rigid, superabsorbent member into the pouch (either through the inlet aperture, or through the drain chute 44) is especially advantageous for an ileostomy pouch, since after the initial use, the walls of the pouch will be contaminated with faecal slurry. It can be very unhygenic, unpleasant, and embarrassing for the wearer if his or her hands come into contact with the interior faces of the pouch walls when introducing the superabsorbent material. This is a serious problem when sheets of superabsorbent materials are used, but can be overcome by using an elongate rigid, or semi-rigid, stick or rod member as in the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the present invention can provide a superabsorbent member, or a superabsorbent-containing member, which is simple and clean to introduce manually into a pouch, even a urostomy pouch or an ileostomy pouch, without requiring the use of an applicator. Of course, if desired, an applicator can be used for reasons of hygiene. The superabsorbent member can be produced compactly, using coSonal production facilities used in the cigarette filter industry, which means that production costs need not be expensive.

Although features believed to be of particular importance have been idenSied in the faoy description and in the appended claims, the Applicant claims protection for any novel idea, feature and/or combination of features disclosed herein andlor illustrated in the drawings irrespective of whether emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (16)

1. A superabsorbent or superabsorbent containing member, the member being insertable into an ostomy pouch and being provided in a rigid or semi-rigid, elongate, stick or rod form.

2. A member according to claim 1, wherein the member is made substantially entirely of one or more water gelling materials and/or one or more water soluble materials.

3. A member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the member is generally cylindrical.

4. A member according to claim 1, 2 or 3, having a length of between about 2cm and about 20 cm.

5. A member according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, having a transverse dimension of between about 0.5cm and about 2cm.

6. A member according to any preceding claim, comprising a surrounding sleeve of water soluble material.

7. In combination, an ostomy pouch, and a member as defined in any preceding claim.

8. A pouch and a member as defined in claim 7, wherein the pouch is a urostomy pouch.

9. A pouch and a member as defined in claim 8, wherein the urostomy pouch includes one or more welds between front and rear walls of the pouch defining a non return valve to permit liquid to dribble therethrough under gravity, but to prevent liquid from lasing back through the valve.

10. A pouch and a member according to claim 9, wherein the member is insertable directly through an aperture of the pouch, and through the non-return valve. into a liquid collection region of the pouch.

11. A pch and a member as defined in claim 7, wherein the pouch is an ileostomy pouch

12. A pouch and a member as defined in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the pouch is drainable.

13. A pouch and a member as defined in claim 12, wherein the member is introduable into the pouch through the drain passage or opening.

14. A method comprising: providi a urostomy pouch having an inlet aperture and a non-return valve adjacent to the aperture; providing a superabsorbent or superabsorbent-containing member in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid, elongate, stick or rod; and inserting the member endwise through the aperture and through the non-return valve, into the liquid collecting region of the pouch.

15 A method comprising: providing an ostomy pouch having an opening; providing a superabsorbent or superabsorbent-containing member in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid, elongate, stick or rod; and inserting the member endwise through the opening and into the collecting region of the ostomy pouch.

16. A superabsorbent or super-absorbent-containing member, or a pouch in combination with a superabsorbent or superabsorbentcontaining member, or a method of introducing a superabsorbent or superabsorbentcontaining member into a pouch, being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.