Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Title: OSTOMY BAG CLEANING APPLIANCE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of post-surgical
apparatus, and more particulary to apparatus for the cleaning of ostomy
bags.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that many people are required to use body waste
bags after undergoing colostomy, ileostomy, or other similar surgery on
their intestinal or urinary tract. Subsequent to surgery, in which portions
of the intestinal or urinary tract are removed, the waste products produced
by the body are excreted at the residual opening, or stoma, formed in the
abdominal wall. Excreta is typically collected by attaching an ostomy bag
having a mating ring to an attachment appliance which is affixed to the
outer side of the stoma. Such ostomy bags must be periodically evacuated
and sanitized whenever the bag becomes partly filled with excrement,
typically several times a day. While it is possible to simply remove and
discard the ostomy bag each time the bag is soiled, it is not desirable for
economical reasons. Further, it is not hygienically safe to dispose of a full
ostomy bag into general waste facilities, and accordingly it is preferable to
transfer the contents of an ostomy bag into a toilet facility.
Ostomy bag cleaning devices have been developed for the cleaning
of ostomy bags, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,285,076 to
Dickstein which provides a flexible tube mounted within a funnel-shaped
pan which is used to provide flushing water into an ostomy bag for
cleaning. However, this device can only practically be used to clean an
ostomy bag that has a bottom opening and in use, will result in splashing
of soiled water on the user. Further, this device does not provide the
ability to clean an ostomy bag in a location other than home or hospital
facility, in the case where an ostomy patient is otherwise healthy and able
to travel.
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Accordingly, there is a need for an ostomy bag cleaning appliance
which provides hygienic and efficient cleaning of an ostomy bag, which is
convenient and easy to operate, and which can be adapted for portable use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
ostomy bag cleaning appliance for cleaning an ostomy bag having a stoma
mating ring, said cleaning appliance comprising:
(a) a housing having an interior, the housing comprising
an accessible upper portion having an inside surface
and a lower portion configured to direct soiled water
out of said housing;
(b) an engagement device coupled to said housing for
engaging the stoma mating ring of the ostomy bag, the
engagement device having an aperture in fluid
communication with the interior of the housing; and
(c) a cleaning nozzle mounted within said housing and
extending through said aperture of said engagement
device, such that when the stoma mating ring is
engaged with said engagement device, said nozzle
extends into the ostomy bag through said aperture.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear
from the following description, taken together with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. lA is a front view of an ostomy bag cleaning appliance
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1B is a partially cut-away side view of the cleaning
appliance of Fig. lA;
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Fig. 1C is a top plan view of the cleaning appliance of Fig. lA;
Fig. 2A is a front view of a typical ostomy bag which may be
used in association with the cleaning appliance of the present invention;
Fig. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' of Fig.
2A;
Fig. 3A is a front view of the mounting plate of the cleaning
appliance of Fig. lA;
Fig. 3B is a partial cross-sectional side view of the mounting
plate of Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the nozzle of the cleaning
appliance of Fig. lA;
Fig. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of the mounting plate
and nozzle of Fig. lA in association with the ostomy bag of Fig. 2A;
Fig. 5B is a sectional view taken along the line B-B' of Fig. 5A;
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the cleaning appliance of Fig.
1A installed within a conventional bathroom facility;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view of an automatic ostomy bag
cleaning system for controlling the operation of the cleaning appliance of
Fig. 1A; and
Fig. 8 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a portable ostomy
bag cleaning system which incorporates the cleaning appliance of Fig. 1A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is first made to Figs. lA, 1B, and 1C which show
front, side and top views of the ostomy bag cleaning appliance 10, made in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Cleaning
appliance 10 comprises a housing 12 for housing the ostomy bag, a
mounting plate 14 for securing the ostomy bag within cleaning appliance
10, and a nozzle 16 for providing a mufti-directional water flow to the
inside of an ostomy bag in order to loosen and flush out waste contained
within the ostomy bag. For ease of understanding, the term "ostomy bag"
is hereinafter used to indicate any type of ostomy bag, including but not
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limited to, colostomy bags, ileostomy bags and the like.
Housing 12 has a funnel-shaped lower portion 20 and a
substantially cylindrical upper portion 22. Lower portion 20 terminates in
an outlet valve 24 having a handle 25 to allow the user to control the
delivery of soiled water flow into a toilet below (not shown). The upper
portion 22 of housing 12 has an open top 26 through which the user can
reach to install an ostomy bag within the cleaning appliance. A lid 28 (Fig.
1B) which is adapted to fit snugly on top of open top 26, is used to create a
spill-proof seal to prevent spillage when an ostomy bag is being washed
within cleaning appliance 10. Lid 28 (Fig. 1B) and housing 12 are made of a
suitable corrosion resistant metal (e.g. stainless steel).
A pair of mounting brackets 30 (Fig. lA) are welded to the
inside back wall of housing 12, near the top of housing 12 and are adapted
to receive mounting plate 14. Plumbing fixture 32 (Figs. 1B and 1C) is
extends through the back wall of housing 12. A conventional water pipe 34
may be coupled to the plumbing fixture 32 to provide a water flow into
cleaning appliance 10 from a conventional bathroom water supply. A
support .member 36 (Fig. 1B) is provided on the outer back surface of upper
portion 22 which allows for the attachment of cleaning appliance 10 onto a
support pole (not shown) so that cleaning appliance 10 can be moved from
a storage position away from the toilet to an operational portion over a
toilet.
Mounting plate 14 is generally flat and adapted to be slideably
received within mounting brackets 30. Mounting plate 14 has an opening
38 which is sized so that a variety of different sized attachment appliances
39 can be attached to mounting plate 14 over opening 38 and be supported
by the edges of mounting plate 14 surrounding opening 38. Once a user
attaches one of his/her own attachment appliances 39 onto mounting
plate 14 and installs mounting plate 14 within cleaning appliance 10, the
user's ostomy bag (not shown) can be easily installed onto, and removed
from, mounting plate 14 inside cleaning appliance 10. Mounting plate 14
can be manufactured out of any rigid impervious material (e.g. rigid plastic
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or metal).
Nozzle 16 is coupled to plumbing fixture 32 and is used to
direct a flow of water inside an ostomy bag. Nozzle 16 has a stem 42 and a
head 44 and is positioned within opening 38 of mounting plate 14 such
that head 44 of nozzle 16 projects past opening 38. Stem 42 includes an
inside threaded surface (not shown) which is sized to engage a mating
threaded outside surface (not shown) of plumbing fixture 32. Head 44
contains a number of apertures 45 on its various surfaces which provide a
multi-directional flow of water into cleaning appliance 10. It should be
understood that mounting plate 14 must be first inserted within mounting
brackets 30 before nozzle 16 can be coupled to plumbing fixture 32. Nozzle
can be manufactured out of any corrosive resistant metal (e.g. copper).
Referring now to Figs. 2A and 2B, a typical ostomy bag 50 is
shown comprising a flexible thin plastic pouch 52 made of an
impermeable plastic material (e.g. polyvinylchloride) and which is formed
to lie generally flat against the body. Ostomy bag 50 has a stomal orifice 54
which is surrounded by a stoma mating ring 56 of semi-rigid plastics
material (e.g. polyethylene). Stoma mating ring 56 has a grooved interior
58 and a locking rib 61 on the inside surface of the outer wall of grooved
interior 58, both of which run along the full extent of its periphery.
Stoma mating ring 56 typically includes several belt tabs 59
mounted along the sides of stoma mating ring 56 for use with an ostomy
bag support belt (not shown), as is conventionally known. Tabs 59 can also
be grasped by the user to assist in engaging it with, and disengaging it from,
an attachment appliance (not shown), which is used to adhere ostomy bag
50 to the skin of a user, as is conventionally known.
Figs. 3A and 3B show detailed views of mounting plate 14
which comprises a rigid plastic plate 60 having opening 38 (shown in
dotted outline). Mounting plate 14 is shown having an attachment
appliance 39 affixed to the front surface of plastic plate 60 over opening 38.
Attachment appliance 39 is well known, and comprises a medical grade
adhesive pad 64 (which is normally used to adhere attachment appliance
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39, and thus ostomy bag 50 to a user's body), and an annular collar 65 of
semi-rigid plastics material (e.g. polyethylene) which is permanently
formed with adhesive pad 64.
Collar 65 includes a flange 66 that extends away from the
front surface of collar 65 in a lateral direction and defines an aperture 70.
Flange 66 forms an inner peripheral recess 68 that extends around the
inside surface of flange 66 and which is of a size and shape that
corresponds to the size and shape of the grooved interior 58 of stoma
mating ring 56 of ostomy bag 50.
Accordingly, stoma mating ring 56 can be snap-fit within
collar 65 of attachment appliance 39 which is attached to mounting plate
14. Specifically, rib 61 of stoma mating ring 56 can be releaseably engaged
within peripheral recess 68 of attachment appliance 39 to provide a
substantially leakproof seal therewith. Generally, the diameter of rib 61 of
stoma mating ring 56 is designed to be from 2 to 10% smaller than the
diameter of recess 68 of the corresponding attachment appliance 39 to
provide a close fit therebetween and such that ostomy bag 50 can be
securely coupled to mounting plate 14 in an air-tight manner, as is
conventionally known.
It is preferred that collar 65 have an outer diameter which is
slightly larger than opening 38 of plastic plate 60, so that collar 65 is
supported by a support ledge 67 of plastic plate 60 which borders opening
38. This allows the user to attach an ostomy bag 50 to attachment
appliance 39 with greater ease. Further, each individual user has a
uniquely sized stoma opening which requires a uniquely sized stoma
mating ring 56 and attachment appliance aperture 70. Accordingly, it is
necessary to ensure that collar 65 has an outer diameter which is slightly
larger than opening 38 of plastic plate 60 for a number of different
attachment appliances 39.
By designing opening 38 to have a diameter which is slightly
smaller than the outside diameter of collar 65 of the smallest conventional
attachment appliance 39, a range of attachment appliances 39 can be
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accommodated by mounting plate 14 and the corresponding ostomy bags
50 can be cleansed within cleaning appliance 10. For example, for an
attachment appliance 39 having a collar 65 with an outer diameter of
approximately 6 centimeters and an aperture 70 of approximately 3.5
centimeters, a mounting plate 14 with an opening 38 of diameter of
approximately 5.5 centimeters would provide a sufficiently deep wide
support ledge 67 (e.g. .5 centimeters) to support collar 65.
Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of nozzle 16 which contains a
plurality of apertures 45 located on a number of surfaces of its head 44. A
relatively large aperture 74 is located on the underside of the head 44, to
provide a strong flow of water downwards. Apertures 45 are provided all
around the side surface as well as along the two rims 76 of head 44 to
facilitate a multi-directional flow of water through nozzle 16. Stem 42
terminates at one end in a threaded connector 43 having an inner
threaded surface (not shown) which is adapted to couple nozzle 16 to
plumbing fixture 32 (Fig. 1B) of housing 12.
Stem 42, connector 43 and head 44 must have an outer
diameter which is substantially smaller than the diameter of opening 38 of
mounting plate 14. This is to ensure that head 44 of nozzle 16 can pass
through opening 38 of mounting plate 14 and into ostomy bag 50 when
installed within cleaning appliance 10. Further, stem 42 must have an
outer diameter which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the
aperture 70 of the smallest attachment appliance 39 being accommodated.
This ensures that sufficient air space is provided between the outside
surface of stem 42 and the inside surface of flange 66 of attachment
appliance 39 to allow soiled water to be flushed back through stoma orifice
54 of ostomy bag 50, aperture 70 of attachment appliance 70 and into the
interior of housing 12, when flushing water is provided through nozzle 16
into ostomy bag 50.
In the previously cited example where a typical collar 65 has
an aperture 70 of diameter of 3.5 centimeters, a suitable nozzle would have
a stem 42 with a diameter of approximately 1 centimetre, to provide
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sufficient clearance therebetween for drainage of soiled water back through
stoma orifice 54 of ostomy bag 50.
Figs. 5A and 5B show side cross-sectional view and a top view
of mounting plate 14 and nozzle 16 in association with ostomy bag 50. As
discussed, when stoma mating ring 56 of ostomy bag 50 is installed onto
attachment appliance 39 of mounting plate 14, nozzle 16 will extend into
the body of ostomy bag 50. When flushing water is provided from water
pipe 34 through nozzle 16 into ostomy bag 50, a multi-directional flow of
water is provided in various directions which assists in cleansing all inner
surfaces of ostomy bag 50. Specifically, water flow can extend vertically in
the direction shown as "V", obliquely in the direction shown as "O", or
laterally in the direction shown as "L".
As previously discussed, the flow rate of water available for
cleansing the interior of ostomy bag 50 may be advantageously adjusted so
that the water emanating from nozzle 16 will strike the inside surface of
ostomy bag 50 at an appropriate rate to effect optimal cleansing action.
Further, large aperture 74 provides a strong downward flow of water
downwards into ostomy bag 50. The pressure of the strong flow of water
serves to agitate and loosen waste contained therein and to assist in
evacuating the waste. It has also been determined that water having a
temperature within the range of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius greatly assists in
the loosening and dissolution of any solid constituents of body waste held
within ostomy bag 50.
The strong stream of water flowing into ostomy bag 50
establishes water currents which force soiled water out through stoma
orifice 54 of ostomy bag 50, aperture 70 of attachment appliance 39 and into
the interior of housing 12, as shown. The process of simultaneously
dissolving and cleansing body waste from within ostomy bag 50, especially
when some form of antiseptic cleanser is provided within the water
stream results in a hygienically clean ostomy bag 50.
Although the ostomy bag 50 discussed hereto has been
formed with a closed bottom, it should be understood that cleaning
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appliance 10 may be used to clean ostomy bag 50 having various types and
sizes of openings, such as a bottom opening, by suitably varying the
temperature and pressure of the water flow through nozzle 16. It should
also be understood that for an ostomy bag 50 having more than one
opening (e.g. an opening at the bottom), it would be possible to utilize
nozzle 16 having a stem which has a diameter which is substantially equal
to the diameter of aperture 70 of ostomy bag 50. In such a case, soiled water
would be flushed out of ostomy bag 50 through the additional openings
(e.g. through a bottom or side opening).
Fig. 6 shows cleaning appliance 10 in association with a
typical bathroom facility. Support member 36 of cleaning appliance 10 is
shown rotatably coupled to a post 80 which is installed within the flooring
82 of the bathroom. This arrangement allows the user to move cleaning
appliance 10 from its storage position to its operational position (shown in
dotted lines) by swinging cleaning appliance 10 around post 80.
A water mixing valve 84 can be installed within the wall 86 of
the bathroom to provide a stream of water having adjustable temperature
and pressure. The water flow from mixing valve 84 is directed by water
tube 34 into cleaning appliance 10 as well by an additional water pipe 90
which can be used to provide water to the lower portion 20 of cleaning
appliance 10 through water fixture 92. The additional stream of water
provided directly to lower portion 20 assists with the flushing of soiled
water from cleaning appliance 10 through outlet valve 24. In order to
prepare cleaning appliance 10 for use by a particular user, a user would
attach one of his or her attachment appliances 39 onto mounting plate 14
over opening 38, and insert mounting plate 14 within mounting brackets
30. The user would then attach nozzle 38 to plumbing fixture 32 through
the opening 70 of attachment appliance 39.
To flush out ostomy bag 50, the user first moves cleaning
appliance 10 from its storage position to its operational position such that
lower portion 20 is positioned directly over a toilet 87 (shown in dotted
lines) by swinging cleaning appliance 10 around post 80. The user may
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then remove top 28 (Figs. 1A and 1B) from cleaning appliance 10 and open
handle 25 of outlet valve 24 to allow for the eventual delivery of soiled
water flow into toilet 87.
The user detaches ostomy bag 50 from his or her personal
attachment appliance and inserts nozzle 16 within opening 70 of stoma
mating ring 56 until it is possible to snap-fit stoma mating ring 56 onto
attachment appliance 39 of mounting plate 14. Once ostomy bag 50 is
secured within cleaning appliance 10, head 44 of nozzle 38 will project
substantially into the ostomy bag 50. The user repositions lid 28 on
housing 12 to prevent any leakage of soiled water during the cleaning
process. The user then turns on mixing valve 84 and adjusts the
temperature and pressure of the water depending on the type of waste to
be cleansed. Plumbing fixture 32 could be a T-type fitting, so as to permit
the user to inject liquid soap, detergent or deodorant into the pressurized
stream water entering ostomy bag 50.
When the appropriate water flow is provided from water
pipe 34 through plumbing fixture 32, the mufti-directional flow of water
through head 44 of nozzle 16, including the strong flow of water through
large aperture 74 downwards into ostomy bag 50, will provide for
improved cleaning. It has been determined that the amount of agitation
and turbulence caused by the strong flow of water downwards into ostomy
bag 50, along with a moderate temperature of water flow serves to break up
the contents and the mufti-directional flow of water causes the dissolved
waste to be flushed out through stomal orifice 54 of ostomy bag 50.
Once ostomy bag 50 has been cleaned, the user turns off water
mixing valve 84 and removes top 28 from housing 12 to retrieve the clean
ostomy bag 50 for reuse. Finally, user closes handle 25 of outlet valve 24
and moves cleaning appliance 10 back to its storage position away from the
toilet 87.
Fig. 7 shows an automated controller 100 which may be used
in association with cleaning appliance 10. Automated controller 100
comprises an on/off switch 102, a timer 104, solenoid switch 106,
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connection tees 107a, 107b, backflow preventors lO8a, 108b, 108c, control
valves 110a, 110b, 100c, soap injector 112 and soap container 114. It is
contemplated that all the components comprising automated controller
100 be installed within a bathroom wall.
When a user wishes to begin the cleansing of an ostomy bag
50, the user simply turns on switch 102. Switch 102 then activates timer 104
which will run for a preset period of time that is suitable for the complete
cleaning and disinfecting of ostomy bag 50. Specifically, timer 104 controls
the amount of time that solenoid switch 106 allows control valves 110a,
110b and 110c to be open. When solenoid switch 106 is activated, an
appropriate amount and proportion of hot water from inlet 120a and cold
water from cold water inlet 120b is allowed through control valves 100a
and 100b, backflow preventors 108a and 108b, and connection tees 107a and
107b, respectively. Backflow preventors 108a and 108b are used to prevent
contamination of the soiled water from cleaning apparatus 10 into the
water system.
Accordingly, the hot and cold water flows are mixed at
control valve 110c, so that the resultant water flow provided to back flow
preventer 108c and into cleaning appliance 10 (not shown) through soap
injector 112 has an appropriate temperature and pressure. Soap injector
112 provides a predetermined amount of soap from soap container 114
into the water flow to assist with the cleansing and disinfecting of ostomy
bag 50. When the cleaning cycle is over, timer 52 will trigger solenoid
switch 106 to stop the flow of water through control valves 100a, 100b and
100c.
Fig. 8 shows a portable embodiment of the invention. In the
travel context, permanent connection to installed plumbing is not feasible.
Accordingly, cleaning appliance 10 is connected to a portable water source
130 which comprises a reservoir 132 and a conventional water pump 134.
Cleaning appliance 10 includes a bracket 133 for releasable attachment to
reservoir 132 (e.g. using a conventional connector clip). Since size and
weight is a factor in a portable apparatus, the components of portable water
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source 130 and cleaning appliance 10 are preferred to be of moulded plastic
and of portable size (i.e. sized to fit within a portable carrying case).
Reservoir 132 is securely and operatively coupled to pump
134 which forces a stream of water into plumbing fixture 32 of cleaning
appliance 10 and through nozzle 16 (not shown), as previously described.
When using portable water source 130, it is necessary to fill reservoir 132
with water or another type of cleaning fluid before beginning the cleaning
process over a toilet. Pump 134 is a conventional motorized pump and
may either be electrically powered by connection to the building supply (as
shown) and/or battery powered.Pump 134 includes a switch 136 which
allows pump 134 to be turned on and off, once pump 134 is connected to a
power source.
Portable water source 130 can be adapted to fit on top of the
back of a conventional toilet facility, so that lower portion 20 of cleaning
appliance 10 may be allowed to drain through outlet valve 24 over a toilet.
Accordingly, reservoir 132 is held elevated above a toilet bowl (not shown)
such that water flow is further motivated by gravity.
When transporting cleaning appliance 10 and portable water
source 130, reservoir 132 and pump 134 are disengaged from cleaning
appliance 10 and carried together in a portable carrying case. To use the
portable version of cleaning appliance 10 in a conventional bathroom, the
parts must be taken out of the bag, and reservoir 132 must be filled from a
sink tap. Then cleaning appliance 10 is coupled to portable water source
130 and positioned over the toilet bowl, as discussed. Once pump 134 is
connected to a power source, pump 134 can be activated by switch 136.
Cleaning appliance 10 allows a user to hygienically and
efficiently clean an ostomy bag 50 over a conventional toilet. When
cleaning appliance 10 is permanently installed within a bathroom, a user
can conveniently and easily move cleaning apparatus 10 between a storage
and an operational position. Since cleaning appliance 10 includes a water
tight lid 28, user is protected from spillage of soiled water. For added
convenience, an automatic controller can be used to control the
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temperature, pressure and duration of water stream within cleaning
apparatus 10. Finally, cleaning apparatus 10 can also be adapted for portable
use.
As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various
modifications and adaptations of the structure described above are possible
without departure from the present invention, the scope of which is
defined in the appended claims.
