GB2629792A

GB2629792A - Medical adhesive removal

Info

Publication number: GB2629792A
Application number: GB2306839.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hawtin Paul
Original assignee: Venture Healthcare Ltd
Current assignee: Venture Healthcare Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-09
Filing date: 2023-05-09
Publication date: 2024-11-13
Also published as: GB202306839D0

Abstract

A medical adhesive solvent applicator comprises: a solvent reservoir 10 having an outlet 20; a brush 22; solvent transfer pad 24 and grommet 26 arranged to transfer solvent from the reservoir outlet to the brush; and retaining means 40 arranged to retain the solvent transfer pad 24 and grommet 26 against the outlet 20 and the brush 22 against the solvent transfer pad 24. A method of using the applicator to remove an article which is attached by adhesive to the skin of a patient is also disclosed.

Description

MEDICAL ADHESIVE REMOVAL

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the rapid breakdown of the adhesive properties of self-adhesive medical applications, in particular for aiding their removal from the skin of a patient. It has particular application in ostomy care, but is also applicable for adhesive plasters and other cases of adhesive applied to the skin.

Background to the Invention

Ostomy bags or pouches typically have an opening with a flange around it which is connected to the skin around a stoma by means of adhesive. When the bag or pouch is removed or replaced the flange has to be separated from the skin, and this can result in discomfort and damage to the peristomal skin and wider stoma area.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a medical adhesive solvent applicator, the applicator comprising: a solvent reservoir having an outlet; a brush; solvent transfer means arranged to transfer solvent from the reservoir outlet to the brush; and retaining means arranged to retain the solvent transfer means against the outlet and the brush against the solvent transfer means.

The solvent transfer means may comprise a grommet arranged to fit in the outlet. The grommet may define a bore for transferring solvent from the reservoir.

The solvent transfer means may comprise a wicking pad arranged to absorb solvent from the reservoir.

The brush may comprise a bundle of fibres. The brush may have a base where the fibres are held together, for example by adhesive. The base of the brush may be arranged to receive solvent from the wicking pad. The base of the brush may have a hole extending through it to enable the transfer of solvent from the wicking pad to the fibres of the brush.

The retaining means may comprise a hollow cylindrical member arranged to surround the solvent transfer means. The retaining means may have an internal shoulder arranged to engage the brush, for example near its base, thereby to hold the brush against the solvent transfer means.

The solvent reservoir may comprise a nozzle in which the outlet is defined. The retaining means may be arranged to engage with the nozzle, for example by screw threads, a snap fit mechanism or clips, to retain the solvent transfer means against the outlet.

The reservoir may be defined within a flexible housing whereby the housing can be manually compressed to urge solvent from the reservoir via the solvent transfer means to the brush.

The invention further provides a method of removing an article which is attached by adhesive to the skin of a patient, the method comprising providing an applicator according to the invention, filling the reservoir with solvent, applying the solvent to the adhesive using the applicator, and removing the article.

The article may be the flange of a stoma bag, or an adhesive plaster.

The apparatus may include, in any working combination, any one or more further features of the embodiments of the invention as will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded vices of an adhesive solvent applicator according to an embodiment of the invention: Figure 2 is an expanded view of some of the components of the applicator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the applicator of Figure 1 in an assembled state; and Figure 4 shows the applicator of Figure 3 in use.

Detailed Description

An applicator 8 for adhesive remover comprises a solvent reservoir 10, a brush assembly 12, and a cap 14. The solvent reservoir 10 may comprise a hollow cylindrical housing 15 which defines the reservoir within it. The housing 15 may be closed at its rear end 16. At its front end 18 a hollow nozzle 20 may project from the end of the reservoir housing. The nozzle 20 may also be hollow and cylindrical defining a through bore that is in fluid communication with the reservoir 10. The nozzle 20 may be externally threaded and of smaller diameter than the reservoir housing 15. The reservoir housing 15 is formed of resilient flexible material such as polypropylene enabling it to be manually compressed as described below.

The brush assembly 12 comprises a brush 22, and may comprise a wicking pad 24 and a grommet 26 which are arranged to transfer solvent from the reservoir 10 to the brush 22. The brush 22 is formed of a bundle of fibres, for example of nylon, which are I5 joined together at their rear ends, for example by a layer of adhesive which forms a solid disc 28 at the base of the brush. The disc 28 may have one or more holes extending through it in the axial direction so as to allow solvent to flow from the wicking pad 24 into the main part of the brush 22. For example there may be a single hole in the centre of the disc. Any holes will result in a gap between the fibres at the base of the brush, into which the solvent can flow. The brush fibres can be of any suitable dimension, and may for example be 40mm long and 70gm in diameter.

As shown more dearly in Figure 2, the grommet 26 may be formed of rubber or polymer and may be tubular with a central bore 29 extending through it, and a thickened region or flange 30 part-way along its length. The bore may have a diameter of 1.5mm and may be of constant cross section along its length. The rear part 32 of the grommet, behind the flange 30, may conveniently fit into the front end of the nozzle 20 so that the flange 30 rests against the front end of the nozzle 20. The wicking pad 24 is formed of foam or another suitably absorbent material. The wicking pad 24 may have a recess 34 in its rear surface 36 to receive the front end 38 of the grommet, so that the flange 30 of the grommet rests against the rear surface 36 of the wicking pad 24.

Referring back to Figure 1, a brush cover 40 may enclose the base of the brush 22, the wicking pad 24 and the grommet 26. The brush cover 40 may be generally cylindrical and hollow. its rear end 42 may be open and internally threaded so that it can be screwed onto the nozzle 20 on the reservoir 10. The front end 44 of the brush cover 40 may have a reduced diameter connecting portion 46, which is arranged to fit in the rear end of a brush splay control member 48. The internal diameter of the connecting portion 46 is preferably also smaller than that of the main part of the cover 40, so as to form an internal shoulder. The splay control member 48 may also be tubular but it may narrow towards its front end 50 to form a narrow slot. The lengths of the cover 40 and splay control member 48 are such that, in the assembled state, the front end of the brush 22 projects through the slot at the front end of the splay control member 48. The splay control member 48, and specifically the shape of the slot at its front end, determines the shape of the front end of the brush 22. It also ensures that any gaps between the fibres at the base of the brush do not extend along the whole length of the brush as it urges the tips of the fibres together.

The splay control member 48 may be a push-fit onto the brush cover 40. The length of the brush cover 40 is preferably such that, when it is fully screwed onto the nozzle 20 on the reservoir, the internal shoulder in the brush cover holds the adhesive disc 26 against the wicking pad 24, and the wicking pad 24 against the grommet 26. The grommet may also be a push fit into the end of the nozzle 20. When fully assembled for use the applicator 8 appears as shown in Figure 3.

The lid 14 is a push fit onto the front end of the applicator and serves to protect the brush when not in use, and contain any adhesive remover that is on the brush.

Referring to Figure 4, in operation, the reservoir 10 can be filled with adhesive remover or solvent. The reservoir housing 15 can be compressed which urges solvent from the reservoir out through the nozzle 20 and the grommet 26 into the wicking pad 24. From there it flows through the hole(s) in the adhesive disc 28 and/or around the outer edge of the adhesive disc 28 into the brush 22. The brush is then used to apply the solvent to the adhesive at the edge 60 of the flange 61 of a stoma bag, on the area of skin around a stoma 62. When the solvent is applied to the adhesive, this dissolves the adhesive and allows the flange 61 to be partially removed from the skin. This exposes more of the adhesive to which further solvent can then be applied using the applicator 8, and the process repeated until the flange is completely removed.

Claims

Claims 1. A medical adhesive solvent applicator, the applicator comprising: a solvent reservoir having an outlet; a brush; solvent transfer means arranged to transfer solvent from the reservoir outlet to the brush; and retaining means arranged to retain the solvent transfer means against the outlet and the brush against the solvent transfer means.
2. An applicator according to claim 1 wherein the solvent transfer means comprises a grommet arranged to fit in the outlet and defining a bore for transferring solvent from the reservoir.
I5 3. An applicator according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the solvent transfer means comprises a wicking pad arranged to absorb solvent from the reservoir.
4. An applicator according to claim 3 wherein the brush comprises a bundle of fibres and has a base where the fibres are held together, the base of the brush being arranged to receive solvent from the wicking pad.
5. An applicator according to claim 4 wherein the base of the brush has a hole extending through it to enable the transfer of solvent from the wicking pad to the fibres of the brush.
6. An applicator according to any preceding claim wherein the retaining means comprises a hollow cylindrical member arranged to surround the solvent transfer means.
7 An applicator according to claim 6 wherein the retaining means has an internal shoulder arranged to engage the brush thereby to hold the brush against the solvent transfer means
8. An applicator according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the solvent reservoir comprises a nozzle in which the outlet is defined, and the retaining means is arranged to engage with the nozzle to retain the solvent transfer means against the outlet.
9 An applicator according to any preceding claim wherein the reservoir is defined within a flexible housing whereby the housing can be manually compressed to urge solvent from the reservoir via the solvent transfer means to the brush.
A method of removing an article which is attached by adhesive to the skin of a patient, the method comprising providing an applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, filling the reservoir with solvent, applying the solvent to the adhesive using the applicator, and removing the article.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the article is the flange of a stoma I5 bag.