U.S. patent application number 12/724744 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-08 for adapter, lid, and connector for ostomy bags.
Invention is credited to Thomas Arnerdal, Robert Axelsson, Anette Johnsson, Johan Rinman.
Application Number | 20100174255 12/724744 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34928612 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100174255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Axelsson; Robert ; et
al. |
July 8, 2010 |
ADAPTER, LID, AND CONNECTOR FOR OSTOMY BAGS
Abstract
The invention relates to an adapter attached to a human or
animal body at a stoma, a detachable lid on the adapter, and a
connector for connecting an ostomy bag to the adapter. The adapter
includes a protruding section extending from the stoma, and a
member for mounting a detachable lid onto the end of the protruding
section. The adapter and lid are arranged such that the lid can be
slid onto and off the adapter in a direction relatively
perpendicular to the axis of the protruding section of the adapter.
The connector is arranged to connect the ostomy bag to the adapter
and to slide the lid off the adapter. In this way, there is no risk
of odors or waste leaking from the adapter or the ostomy bag while
the bag is being connected to the adapter.
Inventors: |
Axelsson; Robert; (Granna,
SE) ; Arnerdal; Thomas; (Bankeryd, SE) ;
Rinman; Johan; (Aneby, SE) ; Johnsson; Anette;
(Jonkoping, SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP;PATENT DEPARTMENT
1700 K STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34928612 |
Appl. No.: |
12/724744 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11740783 |
Apr 26, 2007 |
7699824 |
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12724744 |
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PCT/IB05/53504 |
Oct 26, 2005 |
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11740783 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/333 ;
604/338; 604/342 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/448 20130101;
A61F 5/4407 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/333 ;
604/338; 604/342 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/448 20060101
A61F005/448; A61F 5/441 20060101 A61F005/441 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2004 |
EP |
04077965.4 |
Claims
1. An adapter for attachment to a human or animal body at a stoma,
the adapter comprising: a protruding section that in use extends
from the stoma, and mounting means for mounting a detachable lid
onto the end of the protruding section, wherein the mounting means
is arranged such that the detachable lid is mountable onto and is
removable from the end of the protruding section by sliding the
detachable lid in a direction relatively perpendicular to the axis
of the protruding section.
2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means
comprises grooves or ridges formed complementary to ridges or
grooves respectively on the detachable lid, the grooves or ridges
running perpendicular to the axis of the protruding section.
3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter is an
implant.
4. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the protruding section is at a
first end of a tubular section of the implant and a radial flange
is provided at a second end of the tubular section for implantation
into the abdominal wall of the human or animal body.
5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the mounting means is formed on
the external surface of the end of the protruding section.
6. A detachable lid for use in combination with the adapter
according to claim 1, wherein the detachable lid is arranged to be
mounted onto and removed from the end of the protruding section of
the adapter by sliding the lid substantially perpendicularly to the
axis of the protruding section.
7. A detachable lid for use in combination with an adapter attached
to a human or animal body at a stoma, the lid comprising a pair of
parallel ridges or grooves for engagement with complementary
grooves or ridges respectively in said adaptor, whereby the
detachable lid is arranged to be mounted onto and removed from the
end of the protruding section of the adapter by sliding the lid
substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the protruding
section.
8. The detachable lid of claim 7, wherein the pair of parallel
ridges or grooves comprise a pair of opposed inwardly facing
rails.
9. The detachable lid of claim 8, further comprising a
substantially planar seal arranged to slide over the end of the
protruding section and to form a seal thereagainst.
10. A method of mounting a lid on an implant attached to a stoma in
a human or animal body, which method comprises: providing an
implant having a protruding section that in use extends from the
stoma and mounting means for mounting a detachable lid onto the end
of the protruding section, providing a detachable lid; and mounting
the detachable lid onto the end of the protruding section by
sliding the detachable lid in a direction relatively perpendicular
to the axis of the protruding section.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lid comprises a pair of
parallel ridges or grooves for engagement with complementary
grooves or ridges respectively in the adaptor and the detachable
lid is mounted onto the end of the protruding section of the
adapter by sliding the lid substantially perpendicularly to the
axis of the protruding section such that the grooves slidably
engage with the ridges or the ridges slidably engage with the
grooves, respectively.
12. A combination comprising a detachable lid and the adapter
according to claim 1, wherein the detachable lid is arranged to be
mounted onto and removed from the end of the protruding section of
the adapter by sliding the lid substantially perpendicularly to the
axis of the protruding section.
13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the lid further
comprises ridges or grooves which are formed complementary to
grooves or ridges respectively on the adapter which run
perpendicular to the axis of the protruding section of the
adapter.
14. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the lid further
comprises a first seal.
15. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the detachable
lid is gas permeable.
16. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the lid further
comprises an odor filter.
17. An ostomy bag arranged to connect to an adaptor according to
claim 1.
18. An ostomy bag that includes a combination according to claim
12.
19. A lid exchanger for use with an adapter for attachment to a
human or animal body at a stoma, wherein the adapter includes a
protruding section extending from the stoma, and mounting means for
mounting a detachable lid onto the end of the protruding section by
sliding the lid substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the
protruding section, with the lid exchanger comprising: a first
part, a second part arranged such that it is displaceable with
respect to the first part, a first through going opening in the
first part, arranged such that the protruding section of the
adapter is insertable into the first opening, a first recess in the
second part to accept the detachable lid, a second recess in the
second part beside the first recess, a replacement detachable lid
arranged in the second recess, and sliding means to slide the
second part relative to the first part, from a first position where
the first recess is aligned with the first opening to a second
position where the second recess is aligned with the first opening.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No.
11/740,783 filed Apr. 26, 2007 which is a continuation of
International application PCT/IB2005/053504 filed Oct. 26, 2005,
the entire content of each of which is expressly incorporated
herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates to an adapter attached to a human or
animal body at a stoma, a detachable lid on the adapter, and a
connector for connecting an ostomy bag to the adapter. The adapter
is of the kind which comprises a protruding section extending from
the stoma, and mounting means for mounting a detachable lid onto
the end of the protruding section.
[0003] The invention also relates to a method of connecting an
ostomy bag to an adapter at a stoma and a method of removing an
ostomy bag from an adapter at a stoma. A lid exchanger for
replacing the lid on the adapter with a replacement lid and a
method of using the lid exchanger are also provided.
[0004] Many diseases such as e.g. Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis, intestinal cancer and adenomatous polyposis or bladder
cancer require removal of all or part of the intestines or bladder.
When the intestines or the bladder are removed, the bodily wastes
are expelled through a new surgical opening in the abdominal wall.
The surgery to create the new opening, the stoma, is called
ostomy.
[0005] Once the stoma has been created, an external bag, typically
called an ostomy bag, is connected to the stoma in order to collect
bodily waste. When the ostomy bag is filled, it is removed and
emptied. Some ostomy bags can be cleaned and reused while other
ostomy bags are discarded and replaced with new ones.
[0006] The ostomy bag can be connected directly to the stoma by
attaching it to the skin with an adhesive substance. However,
typically the ostomy bag is detachably connected to an adapter
mounted at the stoma. The adapter is usually attached to the body
at the stoma with an adhesive wafer. This means that the bag can be
emptied or replaced more frequently without needing to disrupt the
adhesive contact at the body.
[0007] New adapters however have recently been developed which can
be implanted into the body at the stoma. See for example European
patent application 1632201. These "implants" become an integrated
part of the body which creates a stronger and more robust
connection between the body and the adapter. In addition, it is not
necessary to use an adhesive substance to attach the adapter to the
body.
[0008] There are many different types of systems which allow ostomy
bags to be connected to an adapter at a stoma. One example of such
a system is provided by WO 03/013404. WO 03/013404 provides a
coupling for connecting an ostomy bag to an adapter having a
tubular protruding section. The adapter could either be attached to
the skin around the stoma with an adhesive or the adapter could be
surgically implanted at the stoma. The coupling according to WO
03/013404 clamps onto the tubular protruding section of the adapter
when the user presses two co-axial discs together. The user
releases the bag from the adapter by pulling the two co-axial discs
away from each other. The two co-axial discs are located on the
inside surface of the ostomy bag.
[0009] However, the big disadvantage with currently available
systems is that during the exchange procedure, both the adapter and
the bag are open. This means that there is a risk of odors or waste
leaking from the stoma and/or the bag. This makes exchanging the
ostomy bag a rather unpleasant task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A first aspect of the current invention is to provide an
adapter, a detachable lid, and a connector as mentioned in the
opening paragraph in order to ensure that no waste or odors are
released from the adapter and/or the ostomy bag while the ostomy
bag is being exchanged or emptied.
[0011] A second aspect of the current invention is to provide an
adapter, a detachable lid and a connector as mentioned in the
opening paragraph which are easy to operate.
[0012] A third aspect of the current invention is to provide a
connector as mentioned in the opening paragraph which replaces the
detachable lid on the adapter when the ostomy bag is exchanged.
[0013] A fourth aspect of the current invention is to provide a
method of removing an ostomy bag from an adapter at a stoma and a
method of connecting an ostomy bag to an adapter at a stoma which
ensure that no waste or odors are released during the removing and
the connecting respectively.
[0014] The new and unique way in which the adapter according to the
current invention fulfills the above mentioned aspects is that the
mounting means are arranged such that the detachable lid is mounted
onto and removed from the end of the protruding section by sliding
the detachable lid in a direction relatively perpendicular to the
axis of the protruding section. In this way, the adapter can be
inserted into a connector which can slide the lid off the adapter
once the bag is connected to the adapter. The connector can then
slide the lid onto the adapter again, when the bag is to be removed
from the adapter. This means that the only time that the adapter is
open is when the ostomy bag is connected to the adapter. This
ensures that there is no leakage from the adapter and that no odors
are released during the exchange or the emptying of the bag.
[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the mounting means can
comprise grooves or ridges formed complementary to ridges or
grooves respectively on the detachable lid, the grooves or ridges
running perpendicular to the axis of the tubular section. This is a
simple way of allowing the detachable lid to be held in place
during normal use, but easily slid off the end of the adapter when
the bag is to be exchanged.
[0016] In an especially advantageous embodiment, the adapter can be
an implant. This allows the adapter to become an integrated part of
the body. This also allows the adapter to withstand higher forces
and allows the adapter to be used with the lid on for longer
periods of time. The traditional adapter which is attached to the
body with an adhesive can not withstand much back pressure before
the adhesive releases from the body.
[0017] The invention further comprises a detachable lid as
mentioned in the opening paragraph which is arranged to be mounted
onto and removed from the end of a protruding section of an adapter
by sliding the lid substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the
protruding section. This allows it to work together with the
adapter according to the invention.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the lid can further comprise
ridges or grooves which are formed complementary to grooves or
ridges respectively on the adapter which run perpendicular to the
axis of the protruding section of the adapter. This is a simple way
to make the lid slideable with respect to the adapter.
[0019] The detachable lid can further comprise a first seal which
prevents waste and odors from escaping the adapter. The lid can
furthermore be made gas permeable to ensure that high pressure is
not built up behind the adapter. In order to remove odors from the
gases passing through the lid, the lid can also comprise an odor
filter.
[0020] The invention further comprises a connector as mentioned in
the opening paragraph which comprises: a first part, a second part
arranged such that it is displaceable with respect to the first
part, a first through going opening in the first part, arranged
such that the protruding section of the adapter is insertable into
the first opening, a first recess in the second part to accept the
detachable lid mounted on the adapter, a second through going
opening in the second part beside the recess, and sliding means to
slide the second part relative to the first part, from a first
position where the first recess is aligned with the first opening,
to a second position where the second opening is aligned with the
first opening. In this way, a connector is provided which can
connect an ostomy bag to an adapter with a detachable lid and
disconnect an ostomy bag from an adapter with a detachable lid
without any waste or odor leakage.
[0021] The connector can be integrated directly into the ostomy
bag. In an advantageous embodiment the first part can be attached
to the inside surface of the ostomy bag. In this way, the connector
and all the waste remain inside the bag. In addition there is
nothing on the outside of the bag which can snag on clothing or
other objects.
[0022] In order to make the connector easier to operate, the
connector can further comprise a first tab on the first part and a
second and third tab on the second part, where in the first
position the second tab is substantially aligned with the first tab
and in the second position the third tab is substantially aligned
with the first tab. In this way, the connector can be moved from
the first position to the second position by squeezing the first
tab and the third tab together. The connector can be moved from the
second position to the first position by squeezing the first tab
and the second tab together.
[0023] The connector can further comprise a second seal around the
second opening which prevents waste or odor leakage when the bag is
connected to the adapter. The connector can furthermore be arranged
such that one surface of a first seal in the detachable lid and one
surface of the second seal lie on a common plane when the adapter
is inserted into the connector. In this way, no waste or odor
leakage occurs during connection and disconnection of the bag from
the adapter.
[0024] To hold the ostomy bag and the adapter together while the
bag is being filled, the connector can further comprise ridges or
grooves on the second part of the connector which engage with
grooves or ridges respectively on the adapter in the second
position of the connector.
[0025] The connector can further comprise first alignment means at
the first recess corresponding to second alignment means at the lid
of the adapter. In this way it is ensured that the adapter is
inserted properly into the connector. Proper alignment ensures that
it is possible for the connector to easily slide the lid off the
adapter.
[0026] In order to exchange the lid at the same time as the bag is
being exchanged, the connector can further comprise a second recess
in the second part beside the second opening and a replacement
detachable lid arranged in the second recess, the second recess
being placed on the opposite side of the second opening as the
first recess.
[0027] If the connector does not have means for replacing the lid,
a lid exchanger can be used to exchange the lid. According to the
invention, such a lid exchanger comprises: a first part, a second
part arranged such that it is displaceable with respect to the
first part, a first through going opening in the first part
arranged such that the protruding section of the adapter is
insertable into the first opening, a first recess in the second
part to accept the detachable lid, a second recess in the second
part beside the first recess, a replacement detachable lid arranged
in the second recess, and sliding means to slide the second part
relative to the first part, from a first position where the first
recess is aligned with the first opening to a second position where
the second recess is aligned with the first opening. In this way,
it is possible to insert an adapter closed by an old lid into the
lid exchanger, activate the lid exchanger and remove the adapter
from the lid exchanger with a new lid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The invention will be explained in greater detail below
where further advantageous properties and example embodiments are
described with reference to the drawings, in which
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation seen in perspective of
an adapter, a detachable lid, and a connector according to the
invention, where the connector is mounted inside an ostomy bag,
[0030] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the same, without the
ostomy bag,
[0031] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the lid,
[0032] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the adapter and lid
inserted into a part of the connector, in a first position,
[0033] FIG. 5 shows the same, in a second position
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of an adapter according to
the invention,
[0035] FIG. 7 shows an exploded schematic representation of a lid
exchanger according to the invention, and
[0036] FIG. 8 shows an exploded schematic representation of a
second embodiment of a connector according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The main components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are an ostomy bag
1, a connector 2, an adapter 3, and a detachable lid 4 mounted on
the adapter 3. The connector 2 is attached to the ostomy bag 1 on
the inside of the bag. The connector 2 is therefore shown using
dotted lines.
[0038] The connector comprises a first part 5 and a second part 6.
The first part 5 and the second part 6 are connected to each other
with sliding means which allows the second part 6 to slide sideways
with respect to the first part 5. This is achieved in that the
first part is formed with a groove 7 and the second part is formed
with a complementary ridge 8 which fits inside the groove 7 on the
first part. In this way, the first part and second part are held
securely together while simultaneously allowing the second part to
slide side to side with respect to the first part.
[0039] The first part 5 further comprises a first through going
opening 9. The second part 6 further comprises a first recess 10
and a second through going opening 11. A seal 12 with a flat
surface 13 is formed around the second opening 11. The seal 12 is
firmly connected to the second part thereby preventing it from
shifting sideways when the second part is slid with respect to the
first part.
[0040] A first tab 14 is formed on the first part. A second 15 and
third tab 16 are mounted on the second part. The tabs are used to
slide the second part 6 sideways relative to the first part 5. The
first tab 14 is slightly higher than the second 15 and third 16
tabs. This makes it easy for the user to distinguish between the
first tab and the second and third tabs.
[0041] The connector has two main positions. In the connector's
first position, the first through going opening 9 in the first part
is aligned with the first recess 10. In the connector's second
position, the first opening 9 is aligned with the second through
going opening 11 in the second part.
[0042] In the first position of the connector, the first tab 14 is
roughly aligned with the second tab 15. The third tab 16 is at a
distance to the left (as seen in the FIG.) from the first tab 14.
To slide the connector into the second position, the user applies
pressure to the first tab 14 and the third tab 16 in order to press
the two tabs together. This can be achieved by squeezing the two
tabs together using the thumb and the forefinger. Since the second
tab 15 and the first tab 14 are roughly aligned, the user won't be
confused as to which tabs he or she should squeeze together. This
is important because the connector in the current embodiment is
inside the bag and the user can't see connector.
[0043] Once the connector is in the second position, the third tab
16 and the first tab 14 will be roughly aligned. To slide the
connector into the first position, pressure is applied to the first
14 and second 16 tabs. Again since the first tab 14 and the third
tab 16 are roughly aligned, the user won't be confused as to which
tabs he or she should apply pressure to.
[0044] Another advantage of the tab setup, is that since the user
applies pressure between the two tabs, no force is transmitted to
the adapter. This reduces the risk of injuries to the body around
the adapter. In many current systems, the user has to force the
connector off the adapter. This applies large stresses to the
connection between the adapter and the body.
[0045] In the current embodiment, the first part 5 of the connector
is attached to the inside surface of the ostomy bag 1. This ensures
that all the waste remains inside the bag, both while the bag is
connected to the adapter and once it is removed. In another
embodiment, it could be imagined that the connector is attached to
the outside of the bag. In this case, the second part 6 of the
connector would be connected to the outside surface of the bag.
[0046] The adapter 3 in the current example is an implant and is
surgically implanted into the body of the user at the stoma. In
effect, the adapter forms the stoma. The adapter comprises a radial
flange 17, a tubular protruding section 18, a set of
circumferential ribs 19, and mounting means 20. The radial flange
is surgically implanted into the abdominal wall. The holes 21 in
the radial flange 17 permit tissue to grow through the flange 17,
thereby ensuring a strong and robust connection between the body
and the adapter. The circumferential ribs 19 in the protruding
section of the adapter serve to promote firm mechanical securing of
the protruding section to the surrounding tissue. Furthermore the
ribs impede downgrowth of the epithelium. More details of the
implant, as shown in the FIGs., can be found in the inventor's
European Patent application with application number 04077475.4 (not
yet published).
[0047] Once the adapter is implanted into the body, only the end of
the tubular protruding section 18 extends out of the body of the
user. Mounting means 20, for mounting a detachable lid 4 are
arranged at the end of the protruding section. In the current
example, the mounting means comprises two grooves 20 in the end of
the protruding section. The grooves 20 run perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the protruding section 18. This allows the lid
to be slid on and off the adapter in a direction which is
perpendicular to the axis of the protruding section.
[0048] The lid 4 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 has three components: a
rigid plastic part 22, a seal 23, and a carbon filter 24 (can only
be seen in FIG. 3). The rigid plastic part 22 is formed with two
rails 25 which engage with the grooves 20 on the adapter when the
lid is mounted on the adapter. The rails allow the lid to be slid
on and off the adapter in a direction which is perpendicular to the
axis of the protruding section.
[0049] The seal 23 is made from a sealing material, such as rubber,
and has three small holes 26 which go through the seal. This allows
gases to pass through the lid. The carbon filter 24, on the outside
of the lid, filters the gasses coming through the lid in order to
remove any odors.
[0050] In FIG. 3, one can see a number of through holes 27 in the
rigid plastic part of the lid which engage with protrusions 28 on
the first seal. These holes and protrusions hold the seal 23 in
place. A larger through hole 29 allows the gasses coming through
the small holes 26 in the first seal to get to the carbon filter
24.
[0051] The lid also has alignment means 30 which match
corresponding alignment means 31 in the first recess 10 of the
second part 6 of the connector 2. The first alignment means 31 in
the first recess comprise two raised ridges on the bottom surface
of the recess. The second alignment means 30 on the lid comprises
two flattened parts on the outer periphery of the rigid plastic
part. When the adapter with the lid is inserted into the connector,
the two alignment means engage each other. This ensures that the
adapter is inserted into the connector in the correct
orientation.
[0052] The alignment means could be formed in many other ways as
well. For example, the alignment means in the recess could be a
groove running along the bottom of the recess and the alignment
means on the lid could be a ridge which corresponds to the groove
in the recess. In addition, the adapter shown in the FIGs. has a
circular cross section. In other embodiments, the adapter could
have a non-circular cross section, for example elliptical. This
would ensure that the adapter and the connector are properly
aligned when the adapter is inserted in the connector.
[0053] The lid and the adapter can also have a locking arrangement
which secures the lid on the adapter during normal use and prevents
it from being slid off. This is not shown in the FIGs. For example,
an outer lid can be placed over the lid and adapter during normal
use. Before connecting the adapter to the bag, the outer lid would
be removed. After disconnecting the bag, the outer lid would be
mounted again.
[0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 show two of the steps of connecting the ostomy
bag equipped with the connector to the adapter. So that the inner
workings of the adapter and connector can be seen, the ostomy bag
and the first part of the connector are not shown. FIG. 4 shows the
connector in its first position and FIG. 5 shows the connector in
its second position. It should be noted that the first through
going opening 9 in the first part 5 would be aligned with the
protruding section 18 of the adapter 3 if the first part where
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0055] In FIG. 4 the adapter has just been inserted into the first
through going opening in the first part. As can be seen, the lid 4
fits into the first recess 10 in the second part of the connector.
In FIG. 5, the second part has been slid to the right (according to
the FIG) with respect to the adapter and the first part of the
connector. As can be seen, by sliding the second part to the right,
the protruding section of the adapter and the first opening in the
first part of the connector are brought inline with the second
opening in the second part of the connector. In this case, waste
can be expelled through the protruding section of the adapter and
be collected in the ostomy bag.
[0056] While the connector is in the second position, the lid is
held in the first recess. Also, while the connector is in the
second position, the ridges of the second part of the connector
engage with the grooves at the end of the adapter, thereby locking
the adapter to the connector.
[0057] Furthermore, it can be seen that the top surface 13 of the
seal 12 in the second part of the lid, is aligned with the top
surface of the second seal 23, thereby allowing the end of the
protruding section of the adapter to slide on a common surface
between the first position and the second position. In this way, it
is possible to ensure that no leakage occurs while the connector is
being moved from the first position to the second position.
[0058] When the user is finished with filling the bag, the user
applies pressure between the second tab 15 and the first tab 14.
This causes the second part to slide to the left (according to the
FIG) with respect to the first part of the connector and the
adapter. By sliding the second part to the left, the lid is slid
onto the protruding section of the adapter, the second opening in
the second part of the connector is closed, and the connector
unlocks the adapter which allows the user to remove the adapter
from the connector. The adapter is now closed again with the old
lid.
[0059] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment 32 of an adapter according
to the invention. This adapter 32 is designed to be attached to the
body around a traditional stoma using adhesive tape. The adapter
comprises a protruding section 33, mounting means 34, an adhesive
wafer 35 rigidly connected to the base of the protruding section,
and a peel off cover 36 on the adhesive wafer. The mounting means
34 on this adapter are identical to the mounting means on the
adapter 3 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. This means that a lid
identical to the one shown in FIGS. 1-3 and described above can be
attached to this adapter in the same way as was described
above.
[0060] The adhesive wafer is attached around the stoma in the same
way as a traditional connector for an ostomy bag is attached to the
stoma. Once the adapter is connected to the body, an ostomy bag
with a connector as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be attached to the
adapter in the same way as described above. This allows people with
a traditional stoma to use a bag with a connector according to the
current invention, thereby eliminating the risks of leakage during
the bag exchange process.
[0061] Since the adapter is only attached to the skin via the
adhesive wafer, the bond is not as strong as with an implant.
Therefore, the user should not go for too long with the lid on the
adapter. This could cause a pressure to be applied to the adapter
which could cause the adhesive to release. It would therefore be
recommended to use a bag connected to this type of adapter at all
times. In this case, the bag can be formed with a gas permeable
opening and a carbon filter in order to let gases escape from the
bag.
[0062] After a certain amount of time, the user will want to
exchange the lid on the adapter with a new one. There are many
reasons for this, for example the lid can accumulate waste
material, the seal can get worn, the holes in the seal be plugged
up, etc. A lid exchanger 37 as shown in FIG. 7 can be used for this
purpose.
[0063] The lid exchanger 37 is very similar in principle to the
connector 2 as described above. The lid exchanger 37 comprises a
first part 38, a second part 39, a seal 40, and a replacement lid
41. The replacement lid is identical to the one described above and
therefore won't be described further here.
[0064] The first part 38 comprises a first opening 42, grooves 43
and a first tab 44. The second part 39 comprises a first recess 45,
a second recess 46, ridges 47, and a second tab 48. The first and
second parts are slideably connected together via the grooves 43
and the ridges 47. The replacement lid 41 is arranged inside the
second recess 46.
[0065] The lid exchanger has two main positions, a first position
where the first opening is aligned with the first recess and a
second position where the first opening is aligned with the second
recess.
[0066] When it is desired to exchange the lid, the adapter with the
old lid is inserted into first opening of the lid exchanger when it
is in a first position. The lid is therefore inserted into the
first recess. The user then applies pressure between the first 44
and second 48 tabs and slides the second part relative to the first
part. In this way, the first lid is slid off the adapter and the
replacement lid is slid onto the end of the adapter. Once the lid
exchanger is in its second position, the adapter can be removed
from the lid exchanger. The old lid remains in the lid exchanger
which can now be discarded and the replacement lid is mounted on
the end of the adapter.
[0067] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment 49 of a connector according
to the invention. The connector 49 is similar to the connector 2 as
described above and the same reference numerals will therefore be
used to describe similar parts. The second embodiment 49 of the
connector however, exchanges the old lid with a replacement lid
after the bag has been filled.
[0068] The connector 49 comprises a first part 50, a second part
51, a seal 52 and a replacement lid 53. The replacement lid 53 is
identical to the lid 4 described above and it will therefore not be
described further here. The first part 50 has a first opening 9,
grooves 7, a first tab 14, and two indentations 54,55 on the top of
the first part. The second part 51 comprises a first recess 56, a
second recess 57, a second opening 11, ridges 58, a second 59 and
third 60 tab, and a protrusion 61. As in the previous example of a
connector 2, the recesses have alignment means 31. The new lid 53
is arranged inside the second recess 57. The seal 52 fits into the
second part 51 as was the case in the previously described
connector 2. The seal is made from a flat sealing material.
Circular protrusions (hidden in the FIG) on the seal 52 engage with
holes 62 in the second part in order to hold the seal in place.
[0069] The connector 49 has three main positions. In the first
position, the first opening 9 is aligned with the first recess 56.
In the second position, the first opening 9 is aligned with the
second opening 11. In the third position, the first opening 9 is
aligned with the second recess 57.
[0070] When the user desires to fill the bag, the user inserts the
adapter with the old lid into the first opening. This brings the
old lid into the first recess. The user then squeezes the first and
second tabs together, thereby causing the second part to slide
relative to the first part. The user keeps pressing until the
protrusion 61 clicks into the first indentation 54 with an audible
click. Waste can then be emptied from the user into the bag through
the second opening. The old lid is held in the first recess.
[0071] Once the user is finished, the user applies pressure between
the first tab 14 and the third tab 60. This causes the second part
51 to slide further to the right relative to the first part 50. The
user continues to apply pressure until the protrusion 61 falls into
the second indentation 55 in the first part with an audible click.
The second opening is now closed and the replacement lid is now
mounted onto the adapter. The user can then remove the adapter from
the connector. The adapter now has a new lid mounted on the end of
the adapter and the old lid is held in the connector inside the
bag. The bag can then be discarded.
[0072] It should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that
the above connector and adapter can be formed in many different
ways within the scope of the invention. The above description and
the FIGs. should therefore only be used as example embodiments.
[0073] For example, in the description and the drawings, the two
parts of the connector are linearly displaceable with respect to
each other. However, it could be imagined that the two parts are,
for example, rotatably displaceable with respect to each other.
* * * * *