BAG AND ENEMA/FLUSH SLEEVE CLEANING UNIT

UNITE DE NETTOYAGE D'UNE POCHE OU D'UNE POCHETTE DE LAVEMENT

English Abstract

The present invention relates to a colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve
having an entrance about which is secured a connector for sealingly and
releasably
engaging with a mating connector normally attached to a user's body about a
stoma.
The utensil comprises an elongated, flexible tube having two ends. An
attachment for
a water source is secured to one end and a spray head to the other end. A
connector,
adapted to sealably and releasably engage the connector about the entrance of
the
colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve, is secured to and circumscribes the
spray
head, extending outward therefrom. In operation, water spray from the head is
directed under force into the pouch or sleeve through the entrance to clean
the interior
of the pouch or sleeve.

Claims

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CLAIMS:
1. For a drainable colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve having an
entrance about which is secured a connector for sealingly and releasably
engaging
with a mating connector normally attached to a user's body about a stoma, a
utensil
for cleaning the pouch or enema/flush sleeve, the utensil comprising:
(a) an elongated, tube having two ends;
(b) attachment means for a water source secured to one end;
(c) a spray head secured to the other end, and
(d) a connector adapted to releasably and sealably engage the
connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve secured
to and circumscribing the spray head,
whereby, in operation water spray from the head is directed under force into
the pouch
or sleeve, through the entrance to clean the interior of the pouch or sleeve.
2. A utensil according to claim 1 further provided with a spacer flange
secured to and circumscribing the spray head, and extending outwardly
therefrom,
the connector for engaging the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush
sleeve being secured to a free end of the flange.
3. A utensil according to claim 1 for a circular entrance for the bag or
sleeve,
the flange being of cylindrical shape.

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4. A utensil according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is
constructed so as to secure releasably and sealingly to a standard bathroom
faucet
outlet.
5. A utensil according to claim 4, wherein the attachment means comprises
a flexible sleeve that frictionally and sealingly engages about the faucet
outlet.
6. A utensil according to claim 1, wherein the elongated tube is flexible.
7. A utensil according to claim 5, wherein the elongated tube is flexible.
8. For a drainable colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve comprising a
circular entrance about which is secured a connector for releasably and
sealingly
engaging with a mating connector normally attached to a wearers' body about a
stoma, and a normally closed and sealed lower exit passageway openable as
required
for voiding of fecal contents of the pouch or sleeve, a utensil for cleaning
the pouch
or sleeve, when opened, the utensil comprising:
(a) an elongated, flexible tube having two ends;
(b) attachment means, constructed so as to releasably and sealingly
engage about a standard bathroom faucet, secured to one end fo
the tube;
(c) a spray head secured to the other end, the head being of a size to
cover the entrance of the pouch or sleeve so that, in operation,

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spray from the head is directed into the bag or sleeve through the
entrance, and
(d) a cylindrical spacer flange secured to and circumscribing the spray
head and, extending outwardly therefrom, the flange having a free
end provided with a connector adapted to sealably engage the
connectorof the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve, whereby,
in operation water spray from the head is directed under force into
the pouch or sleeve, through the entrance to clean the interior of
the pouch or sleeve.

Description

CA 02392511 2002-07-05
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
BAG AND ENEMAlFLUSH SLEEVE CLEANING UNIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a utensil for providing simple and hygienic
cleansing of reusable drainable colostomy bags or pouches enema/flush sleeves.
Colostomy pouches normally comprise a connector secured about a
circular entrance, the connector constructed so as to sealingly and releasably
engage
with a male connector secured, for example by adhesive means, to a wearer's
body,
about a stoma, the stoma being a surgical opening providing access to the
wearer's
bowel for flow of fecal material from the wearers' body into the colostomy
pouch.
Such colostomy pouches may have a lower exit passageway openable as required
for
gravity voiding of the fecal contents of the pouch. Alternatively, they may be
emptied
through the entrance. A wearer will simply open the exit passageway, or invert
the
pouch, when detached, over a toilet for example, and allow the pouch's
contents to
drain out.
Conventionally there has been no easy or sanitary way to clean or irrigate
the pouch. Conventionally the drained pouch is placed under a tap and water is
flowed into it, the water then being drained into a sink or toilet. It will be
understood
that often times this can be a messy and unhygienic process.
Of background interest is Canadian Patent Application No. 2,228,895 of
Bugajski published February 27, 1997 which describes and illustrates a
colostomy

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pouch cleaning system comprising a valve actuated nozzle to be inserted into
the
interior of a drained pouch.
Similarly, the cleaning of enema/flush sleeves, which are long sleeves
intended to drain fecal matterfrom patients, through stomas, under enema
conditions,
has been difficult, again requiring flowing of water from taps and the like
through the
sleeve to be cleaned and into a sink or toilet.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, effective
and hygienic system for cleaning or irrigating colostomy pouches and
enema/flush
sleeves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a utensil for cleaning a colostomy pouch
or enema/flush sleeve having an entrance about which is secured a connector
for
sealingly and releasably engaging with a mating connector normally attached to
a
user's body about a stoma. The utensil comprises an elongated, flexible tube
having
two ends. An attachment for a water source is secured to one end and a spray
head
to the other end. A connector, adapted to releasably and sealably engage the
connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush sleeve, is secured to and
circumscribes the spray head, to extend outwardly therefrom. In operation,
water
spray from the head is directed under force into the pouch or sleeve through
the
entrance to clean the interior of the pouch or sleeve.

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In a preferred embodiment, a spacer flange is secured to and
circumscribes the spray head, extending outwardlytherefrom. In this
embodiment, the
connector for engaging the connector of the colostomy pouch or enema/flush
sleeve
is secured to a free end of the flange.
The use of such a utensil, in accordance with the present invention,
permits a colostomy pouch or an enema/flush sleeve easily and hygienically to
be
cleaned over a toilet area. As well, the use of jets of spray under force from
a spray
head provides a more effective and sanitary method of cleaning such pouches
and
sleeves, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings
in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a colostomy pouch (and an
enema/flush sleeve in phantom) and a utensil according to the present
invention for
cleaning same, and
FIGURE 2 is a view in partial section of the spray head of Figure 1
attached to a colostomy bag for cleaning same.
FIGURE 3 is a view in partial section of the spray head of an alternative
embodiment of the spray head of figure 1.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with an illustrated
embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the
invention to such

CA 02392511 2002-07-05
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embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the
invention as
defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been
given similar reference numerals.
Turning to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a utensil (2) in accordance
with the present invention for cleaning of a colostomy pouch (4) or an
enema/flush
sleeve (6) (phantom).
Colostomy pouch (4) is provided with a an entrance (8), which is
conventionally circular, about which is secured a peripheral female connector
(10) for
sealingly and releasably engaging with a mating male connector (not
illustrated) which
is normally attached, for example by adhesive, to a user's body about a stoma
which
has been formed for the purpose of the colostomy. The pouch (4) may be
provided
with a lower exit passageway (14) which is normally in sealed, closed
position, to
prevent leakage of fecal material from pouch (4), but which is openable as
required
for gravity voiding of the fecal contents of the bag.
Utensil (2) comprises an elongated tube (16), preferably flexible, one end
of which is secured an attachment means for a (18), for a water source (not
shown).
To the other end, is secured a spray head (20).

CA 02392511 2002-07-05
'S'
Attachment means (18) may be, for example, a rubber sleeve-shaped
device (22) as illustrated, that frictionally and sealingly engages about the
outlet of
any standard bathroom faucet. Any other conventional attachment means for a
water
source may be provided at this end of tube (16).
Circumscribing and outwardly extending from the operative side of spray
head (20) is a cylindrical spacer flange (24). On the free end of flange (24)
is a male
connector means (26), similar to that worn by the wearer of a colostomy pouch,
for
sealing, releasable attachment to connector (12). The flange (24) is
preferably about
1 cm in height.
In operation, as can be seen in Figure 2, flexible tube (16) is connected
by attachment means (18) to a faucet and male connector (26) is sealingly
engaged
with female connector (12) of the drained colostomy pouch or enema/flush
sleeve to
be cleaned . Warm to hot water is passed through the soiled, drained colostomy
pouch. As water flows through tube (16) its spray head (20), the spray causes
a
pressurized turbulence and agitation to occur within pouch (4), breaking up
any
residual fecal matter not drained from the pouch. The presence of flange (24)
minimizes splash back of fecal matter from within pouch (4), to spray head
(20),
thereby enhancing hygiene. As well, flange (24), by spacing spray head (20)
from the
interior surfaces of colostomy pouch (4) permits pressurized streams of spray
to hit
the interior surfaces of the pouch and enables the user rotate the head for
directing
the spray to different interior surfaces of the pouch. Where the pouch (4) is
provided
with an exit passageway (14), the operation is carried out using a continuous
flow of
water for example over a toilet. A disinfectant or deodorizer (not shown) can
be
poured into bag (4) or sleeve (6), or tube (16), before usage or during use.

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In this way, an effective and simple cleaning operation can take place.
Depending on the length of tube (16), that cleaning can readily take place
over a toilet,
as opposed to over a sink, again enhancing hygiene.
In the alternative embodiment illustrated in figure (3), spray head (20)
does not have a circular spacer flange (24), but instead male connector means
(26)
secured directly to and circumscribes spray head (20).
Thus, there has been provided in accordance with the invention a utensil
for cleaning a colostomy pouch or an enema/flush sleeve cleaning unit that
fully
satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the
invention has
been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident
that
many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those
skilled in the
art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to
embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad
scope of
the invention.

Representative Drawing