US3736934A - Surgical drainage appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A surgical drainage appliance adapted to collect body wastes of patients who have had colostomy, ileostomy and ileum bladder operations. The appliance is positively adhered to the skin surrounding the stoma and is adapted to removably hold a disposable waste receptacle having an opening in registration with the stoma. The receptacle may be easily changed without affecting the face plate of the appliance which remains adhered to the patient without the necessity of belts and absorbent pads.

Description

United States Patent 1 Hennessy 51 June 5, 1973 [541 SURGICAL DRAINAGE APPLIANCE [76] Inventor: Alexander J. Hennessy, 55 Essex St.,

Cambridge, Mass. 02139 [22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 182,467

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 838,122, July 1,

1969, abandoned.

[52] US Cl. ..128/283 [51] Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search 128/283 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,639,710 5/1953 Fazio ....128/283 2,796,063 6/1957 Smelser ..128/283 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,021,145 3/1966 Great Britain ..l28/283 Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Joseph Weingarten, Lawrence A. Maxham and Stanley M. Schurzin ABSTRACT A surgical drainage appliance adapted to collect body wastes of patients who have had colostomy, ileostomy and ileum bladder operations. The appliance is positively adhered to the skin surrounding the stoma and is adapted to removably hold a disposable waste receptacle having an opening in registration with the stoma. The receptacle may be easily changed without affecting the face plate of the appliance which remains adhered to the patient without the necessity of belts and absorbent pads.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures FIG.5

g FIG.6

INVENTOR ALEXANDER J. HENNESSY logy/ (4.

ATTORNE SURGICAL DRAINAGE APPLIANCE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 838,l22, filed July 1, 1969 and now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to body waste receptacles and more particularly concerns a novel surgical drainage appliance for colostomies, ileostomies, and the like.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior surgical drainage appliances have provided means for holding an opening of a flexible bag over the incision or stoma of a colostomy patient, for example, but these devices have generally failed to meet one or more of the requirements necessary to provide an effective appliance capable of being satisfactorily and comfortably worn for substantial periods of time. Many of the prior devices, while generally satisfactory, do on occasion allow the waste material to leak outside of the receptacle. Also some of the prior devices, while having disposable receptacles, are not easily changeable in a sanitary manner and without contaminating the surrounding area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the primary object of this invention to provide a surgical drainage applicance which is fully satisfactory for use by patients who have had colostomy, ileostomy or ileum bladder operations and which effectively eliminates the possibility of leakage while the device is being worn. At the same time the appliance provides a disposable receptacle which is readily changeable under relatively sanitary conditions. This device is very versatile and may be applied immediately after the operation which necessitated the use of such a device.

This novel drainage appliance is extremely compact and simple, primarily comprising a face plate and a clamping ring, and is used together with a disposable thin flexible bag receptacle. The bag may be separate or it may be integral with the clamping ring. It should be noted that a belt is not required because the appliance is positively adhered to the patient with the result that the device is extremely easy to use, while the chances of malfunctions are substantially reduced. There may be cases where a patient would prefer to wear a belt to help hold the device in place and provisions may easily be made for its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the novel drainage appliance described herein in operative position on the body of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken throughcutting plane 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an unassembled perspective view of the appliance shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the appliance of FIG. 1 without the bag receptacle;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a partial front view showing a modification to the face plate for attaching a belt thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a surgical drainage appliance 11 comprising aface plate 12 having a centralcylindrical projection 18 with anopening 19, acylindrical retaining ring 13, aflexible bag receptacle 14 and aresilient gasket 15. Retainingring 13 is provided with a plurality ofinterior projections 16 which are intended to mate with. non-continuous, notchedthreads 17 on thecylindrical projection 18 offace plate 12. Theprojections 16 andthreads 17 are shown constructed so that only a partial turn is necessary to go from full engagement to full disengagement of the retaining ring on the mounting cylinder. As little as one-eighth turn may be sufficient to fully lock the retaining ring in place. It is possible that a locking device other than threads may be used which provide a positive but easily releasable connection. When locked in place,annular portion 21 ofretaining ring 13 is sealed torim 22 ofcylindrical projection 18 by means ofresilient gasket 15.Bag receptacle 14 is tightly sealed to the appliance 11 by inserting its open top through the opening 23 in retaining ring 13 a sufficient distance so that the edge of the bag opening extends entirely through the retaining ring. The combination bag and retaining ring is then engaged withcylindrical projection 18 so thatgasket 15 is held betweenannulus 21 andrim 22 with the edge of the bag firmly held betweengasket 15 andrim 22. A partial turn ofclamping ring 13 then locks and seals the bag, clamping ring and face plate together. The resiliency 0f gasket 15permits projections 16 to engage thenotches 17a inthreads 17 while still maintaining a tight connection between the bag and the appliance. It is evident that the edge ofbag 14 around its access opening is between the outside ofcylindrical projection 18 and the inside ofretaining ring 13 and is sealed with respect toface plate 12 bygasket 15 bearing uponrim 22.

Flat surface 25 offace plate 12 is normally coated with a pressuresensitive adhesive 26. After theskin 27 around the stoma 31 (see FIG. 2) has been properly conditioned, the face plate is pressed against the skin to form a tight wrinkle-free seal therewith. The plate may be adhered to the user either before or after the bag has been attached thereto. In order to further ensure against possible dislocation of the face plate by being caught on external objects,tape strips 32 may be placed across the elongated portions of the plate overlapping onto the skin of the wearer. Such tape strips are not absolutely necessary and may be omitted if desired. Alternatively, with reference to FIG. 6,belt 33 having securingelements 34 may be used to give the wearer a greater feeling of security.Face plate 12 is then modified by the addition ofpins 35 having enlarged heads. Securingelements 34 on either end ofbelt 33 are formed with slottedopenings 36 which readily engagepins 35 as show. Other simple attaching means may be used to secure the belt to the face plate.

This appliance as described above provides a positive, secure, leak-proof connection between the bag receptacle and the stoma of the user without the need for bacteria-breeding absorbent pads and uncomfortable belts or harness arrangements. When it is desired to change the bag receptacle, the face plate remains in place on the user and only the retaining ring is loosened, allowing the bag to be easily removed and thrown away. It should be noted that the retaining ring and that portion of the edges of the bag betweengasket 15 and the patient are uncontaminated by the waste material and do not become contaminated when the bag is changed. Thus, a used bag receptacle may be exchanged for a fresh sterilized receptacle in a few seconds without the need for removal of the face plate and extensive cleaning of the appliance and the surrounding area. The invention does notnecessarily include the bag receptacle since such bags are replaceable and to a large extent interchangeable.

The face plate and retaining ring are preferably made of a semi-rigid plastic or rubber which are very light and do not contribute to the discomfort of the wearer. The materials of the retaining ring and face plate may even be made sufficiently flexible so that a resilient gasket is unnecessary. However, where it is desired to usegasket 15, it may be secured to the inner side ofrim 21 if desired so that there is no danger of its becoming lost when the receptacle is changed.

In order to prevent possible abrasion of the skin around the stoma of the wearer, it is necessary to properly condition the skin and to use the proper pressure sensitive adhesive on the face plate. It has been found thatsurface 25 of the face plate may be coated with a silicon spray adhesive as an anchor base for a surgical semi-viscous adhesive compound which is then spread evenly acrosssurface 25 over the silicon spray adhesive. Similarly, the skin around the stoma is coated with a conditioning substance such as a compound of benzoine tincture and then the surgical semi-viscous adhesive is spread on the skin. After a few minutes, the adhesives are properly conditioned so that the face plate may be pressed in place with the opening through the plate aligned with the stoma of the user. If desired, the adhesive may be applied to either the face plate or the patient, rather than to both. In any event, the adhesive has the characteristic of remaining flexible so thatplate 12 may be easily peeled off in the manner of adhesive tape. This invention is so constructed that the face plate need not be removed for purposes of cleaning the stoma and the skin immediately surrounding the opening, together with opening 19 incylindrical projection 18.

A feature of the invention is thatcylindrical projection 18 protects the stoma from contact with and possible injury from foreign materials such as various articles of clothing. Another feature is that the appliance has such universal use and versatility in its field that it is readily adaptable to be made in various sizes for pediatric as well as adult users.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this preferred embodiment,face plate 12 withcylindrical projection 18 and interrupted bayonet type locking thread means 17 are substantially the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4. Likewise retainingring 13, gasket l andreceptacle 14 are also substantially the same as those previously shown. However, in this structure,receptacle 14 does not extend throughring 13 and aroundcylinder 18 but is fused to ring 13 as shown. Thus the retaining ring and thereceptacle 14 are formed as a unitary structure which is removably securable to faceplate 12. The appropriate positive seal is provided bygasket 15 as before. Alternatively, an additional seal may be provided by asecond gasket 37 located at the base of cylinder l8.

Manipulation and use of this embodiment is even easier than that previously described. The bag and retaining ring, being unitary, are attached and discarded together. Securing to the abdomen of the user is exactly the same as for the other embodiment. However, if it should happen that a change is needed but the wearer has no ring/receptacle available, it is possible to sepa rate the used receptacle from the ring and use any available plastic bag in the manner shown in FIGS. 2-4. This usage is available because the basic elements of the FIG. 5 embodiment are the same as the previously described embodiment.

In view of the foregoing, it is evident that many other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art which are within the scope of this invention. For example, theflat surface 25 offace plate 12 may be slightly concave to fit the contour of the wearers abdomen. The appliance may be made of many different and economical materials having varying characteristics of flexibility. The bag receptacle may be made of many different materials and have various shapes and sizes to suit its particular use.

What is claimed is: I

l. A surgical appliance adapted to hold a flexible waste receptacle with its open end in alignment with an abdominal stoma, said appliance comprising:

a unitary face plate formed with a central opening and an integral cylindrical projection extending forwardly therefrom in alignment with said central opening and forming a smooth continuous opening completely through said face plate, the external wall of said cylindrical projection being formed with releasable interrupted thread engaging means, the forward rim of said cylindrical projection being substantially planar;

a retaining ring having releasable engaging means on its inner surface configured to engage said interrupted thread engaging means on said cylindrical projection, said face plate and retaining ring being engageable and disengageable with a fraction of a revolution of one with respect to the other, said retaining ring having an annular portion projecting radially inwardly on vits forward end integrally formed therewith, said annular portion having a substantially planar rearward surface; and

a first resilient gasket disposed between said annular portion and said forward rim;

said gasket providing a seal between said appliance and said waste receptacle when said respective engaging means are mutually and fully engaged.

2. The surgical appliance recited in claim 1 wherein said waste receptacle and said retaining ring are secured together to form a unitary structure.

3. The surgical appliance recited inclaim 2 wherein said releasable engaging means on said cylindrical projection are non-continuous threads having indentations along their lower sides intermediate their ends, said releasable engaging means on said retaining ring are relatively small rounded projections adapted to engage the lower surface of said non-continuous threads and to be received and seated in said indentations when said engaging means are mutually and fully engaged to lock said retaining ring, resilient gasket and flexible waste receptacle to said face plate.

4. The surgical appliance recited in claim 1 wherein the open end of said waste receptacle extends through said retaining ring and resilient gasket projecting rearreceived and seated in said indentations.

6. The surgical appliance recited in claim 3 and further comprising adhesive means for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between said face plate and the abdomen of a person.

7. The surgical appliance recited inclaim 2 and further comprising a second resilient gasket around said cylindrical projection at the intersection with said face plate, said second resilient gasket being engaged by the rearward rim of said retaining ring.

Claims (7)

1. A surgical appliance adapted to hold a flexible waste receptacle with its open end in alignment with an abdominal stoma, said appliance comprising: a unitary face plate formed with a central opening and an integral cylindrical projection extending forwardly therefrom in alignment with said central opening and forming a smooth continuous opening completely through said face plate, the external wall of said cylindrical projection being formed with releasable interrupted thread engaging means, the forward rim of said cylindrical projection being substantially planar; a retaining ring having releasable engaging means on its inner surface configured to engage said interrupted thread engaging means on said cylindrical projection, said face plate and retaining ring being engageable and disengageable with a fraction of a revolution of one with respect to the other, said retaining ring having an annular portion projecting radially inwardly on its forward end integrally formed therewith, said annular portion having a substantially planar rearward surface; and a first resilient gasket disposed between said annular portion and said forward rim; said gasket providing a seal between said appliance and said waste receptacle when said respective engaging means are mutually and fully engaged.

2. The surgical appliance recited in claim 1 wherein said waste receptacle and said retaining ring are secured together to form a unitary structure.

3. The surgical appliance recited in claim 2 wherein said releasable engaging means on said cylindrical projection are non-continuous threads having indentations along their lower sides intermediate their ends, said releasable engaging means on said retaining ring are relatively small rounded projections adapted to engage the lower surface of said non-continuous threads and to be received and seated in said indentations when said engaging means are mutually and fully engaged to lock said retaining ring, resilient gasket and flexible waste receptacle to said face plate.

4. The surgical appliance recited in claim 1 wherein the open end of said waste receptacle extends through said retaining ring and resilient gasket projecting rearwardly thereof and around said cylindrical projection, both said resilient gasket and said waste receptacle being firmly sealed between said forward rim and said annular portion when said respective engaging means are mutually and fully engaged.

5. The surgical appliance recited in claim 4 wherein said releasable engaging means on said cylindrical projection are non-continuous threads having indentations along their lower sides intermediate their ends, said releasable engaging means on said retaining ring are relatively small rounded projections adapted to engage the lower surface of said non-continuous threads and to be received and seated in said indentations.

6. The surgical appliance recited in claim 3 and further comprising adhesive means for providing a substantially fluid-tight seal between said face plate and the abdomen of a person.

7. The surgical appliance recited in claim 2 and further comprising a second resilient gasket around said cylindrical projection at the intersection with said face plate, said second resilient gasket being engaged by the rearward rim of said retaining ring.

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