Seal for controlled evacuation ostomy appliance

Abstract

A stoma seal is described for a controlled evacuation ostomy appliance. The stoma seal may have a liquid-responsive property, such as hydrophobic, hydrophilic or absorptive. The stoma seal may have a non-smooth surface, e.g., at a microstructure scale. The non-smooth surface may consist of tortuous channels, protruding seals, or a confronting apertured or porous layer. The liquid-responsive property and/or the non-smooth surface may facilitate separation of flatus from faecal matter and/or facilitate venting of flatus while obstructing stool.

1 . A stoma seal for a controlled evacuation ostomy appliance, the stoma seal being configured to provide a liquid responsive property, in use to facilitate separation of flatus from faecal matter in contact with the stoma seal. 
     
     
         2 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid responsive property is repulsion of liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The stoma seal of  claim 2 , wherein the stoma seal comprises or carries hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         4 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid responsive property is attraction of liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The stoma seal of  claim 4 , wherein the stoma seal comprises or carries hydrophilic material. 
     
     
         6 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid responsive property is absorption of liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The stoma seal of  claim 6 , wherein the stoma seal comprises or carries a superabsorbent material. 
     
     
         8 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal comprises or carries carbon. 
     
     
         9 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal has a non-smooth surface. 
     
     
         10 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein an external surface of the stoma seal has the liquid responsive property. 
     
     
         11 . The stoma seal of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal is at least party porous, and an internal surface of the stoma seal has the liquid responsive property. 
     
     
         12 . A stoma seal for a controlled evacuation ostomy appliance, the stoma seal comprising a non-smooth surface. 
     
     
         13 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the non-smooth surface is configured in use to facilitate separation of flatus from faecal matter in contact with the stoma seal. 
     
     
         14 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the non-smooth surface is an external surface of the stoma seal. 
     
     
         15 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the stoma seal is at least partly porous, and the non-smooth surface is an internal surface of the stoma seal. 
     
     
         16 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the non-smooth surface comprises a micro structure. 
     
     
         17 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the non-smooth channels comprise a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         18 . The stoma seal of  claim 17 , wherein the channels are tortuous. 
     
     
         19 . The stoma seal of  claim 17 , wherein the channels lead generally in a direction extending outwardly from the stoma. 
     
     
         20 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the non-smooth surface comprises a plurality of protruding seals. 
     
     
         21 . The stoma seal of  claim 20 , wherein the seals are selected as one or more of: ridges; flaps; ribs. 
     
     
         22 . The stoma seal of  claim 20 , wherein the seals are arranged generally transverse to a direction of flatus flow from the stoma. 
     
     
         23 . The stoma seal of  claim 20 , wherein the seals are arranged in a generally concentric configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the non-smooth surface as a non-flat surface contour. 
     
     
         25 . The stoma seal of  claim 12 , wherein the stoma seal comprises a confronting cover layer, the cover layer being porous or apertured, whereby the cover layer provides the non-smooth surface. 
     
     
         26 . The stoma seal of  claim 25 , wherein the confronting cover layer has a mesh or net configuration. 
     
     
         27 .- 30 . (canceled)