Ostomy appliance

Abstract

An ostomy appliance comprises a pouch having first and second walls, with an inlet aperture in the first wall. A stoma seal is carried by the second wall, and is disposed generally in register with the inlet aperture for sealing against a stoma in use. An outer coupling element is coupled to the first wall and surrounds the inlet aperture. An inner coupling element for supporting the stoma seal, is coupled to the second wall and/or to the stoma seal. The outer coupling element surrounds a periphery of the inner coupling element. The stoma seal may be of an inflatable type or an insertable type. Manipulation tabs may be provided associated with the inner and outer coupling elements.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprising:
 a. a pouch including a first wall and a second wall, the first wall including a first aperture for receiving a stoma;   b. a stoma seal located at the first aperture and coupled to the second wall; and   c. a stoma seal support for supporting the stoma seal at the first aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal support includes a member positioned inside the first aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal support is coupled to the stoma seal to support the stoma seal directly. 
     
     
         4 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal support is coupled to the second wall, in order to support the stoma seal indirectly. 
     
     
         5 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance further comprises a first coupling element for supporting the pouch in use, and the stoma seal support further comprises a second coupling element. 
     
     
         6 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the outer and inner coupling elements is an adhesive coupling element. 
     
     
         7 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the outer and inner coupling elements is a mechanical coupling element. 
     
     
         8 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the outer and inner coupling elements are coupled together, at least initially. 
     
     
         9 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 8 , wherein the outer and inner coupling elements are coupled together by one or more frangible connections. 
     
     
         10 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the outer and inner coupling elements are integral with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the outer and inner coupling elements are arranged one within the other. 
     
     
         12 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the second coupling element is arranged within the first coupling element. 
     
     
         13 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the outer and inner coupling elements are substantially coplanar, at least initially. 
     
     
         14 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 5 , wherein further comprising a first manipulation tab associated with the first coupling element, and a second manipulation tab associated with the second coupling element. 
     
     
         15 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second manipulation tabs permit application of a force on one coupling element relative to the other. 
     
     
         16 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal support comprises a housing coupled to the second wall, the housing being of a material more rigid than the second wall. 
     
     
         17 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 16 , wherein the housing contains a foam member. 
     
     
         18 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 16 , wherein the housing contains a deodorizing filter. 
     
     
         19 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 16 , wherein the housing is at least partly domed. 
     
     
         20 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal is of a type insertable into the stoma for sealing against an internal surface. 
     
     
         21 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 20 , wherein the insertable stoma seal contains a foam member. 
     
     
         22 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 20 , wherein the insertable stoma seal contains a foam member and activated carbon. 
     
     
         23 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 20 , wherein the insertable stoma seal contains a hydrophilic foam. 
     
     
         24 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 20 , wherein the insertable stoma seal is of a tampon type. 
     
     
         25 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal is of a type comprising an occluder for sealing against the external surface of a stoma. 
     
     
         26 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal is inflatable. 
     
     
         27 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable is selected from a group consisting of silicone, polyurethane, synthetic rubber or blends thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the stoma seal member in direct contact with stoma is coated with an adhesive. 
     
     
         29 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 28 , wherein the adhesive is comprised of hydrocolloid, mucoadhesives, or blends thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the stoma seal and the stoma seal support are permanently attached directly or indirectly to the pouch. 
     
     
         31 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a one-piece appliance. 
     
     
         32 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the appliance is a two-piece appliance, the appliance further comprising a body fitment for adhesive attachment to peristomal skin. 
     
     
         33 . A controlled evacuation ostomy appliance comprising:
 a. a collector for collecting body waste, the collector having a first aperture;   b. an outer coupling element coupled to the collector around the first aperture, for supporting the collector;   c. a stoma seal for forming a seal against the stoma, the stoma seal being coupled to a portion of the collector generally opposite the first aperture; and   d. an inner coupling element coupled to the stoma seal for supporting the stoma seal;   
       wherein the inner coupling element is surrounded by the outer coupling element. 
     
     
         34 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the collector is a pouch. 
     
     
         35 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 33 , wherein the collector, the outer coupling element, the stoma seal and the inner coupling element are permanently attached one to another. 
     
     
         36 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 33 , further comprising a first manipulation tab associated with the outer coupling element, and a second manipulation tab associated with the inner coupling element. 
     
     
         37 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 33 , further comprising a pouch that can be folded up to itself by means of adhesives, or mechanical locking such as hook-loop or hook-hook fasteners, or zipper. 
     
     
         38 . The controlled evacuation ostomy appliance of  claim 36 , wherein the first and second manipulation tabs permit a separation force to be applied to one coupling element relative to the other. 
     
     
         39 . An ostomy appliance comprising:
 a. a pouch comprising a first wall and a second wall, the first wall including a first aperture for receiving body waste from a stoma,   b. an outer coupling element coupled to the first wall and surrounding the first aperture; and   c. an inner coupling element coupled to the second wall, the inner coupling element being disposed inside the outer coupling element such that the outer coupling element substantially surrounds a periphery of the inner coupling element.   
     
     
         40 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the inner and outer coupling elements are substantially coplanar, at least initially. 
     
     
         41 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the inner and outer coupling elements are integral with each other. 
     
     
         42 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the inner and outer coupling elements are connected by frangible connections. 
     
     
         43 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the inner and outer coupling elements are adhesive. 
     
     
         44 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the inner coupling element is configured for holding the second wall of the pouch close to the first wall, in the region of the first aperture. 
     
     
         45 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , further comprising a first manipulation tab associated with the outer coupling element and a second manipulation tab associated with the inner coupling element. 
     
     
         46 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 39 , wherein the second manipulation tab is attached to the second wall, at a position at or adjacent to, a connection of the inner coupling element to the second wall. 
     
     
         47 . The ostomy appliance of  claim 46 , wherein the first and second manipulation tabs permit a separation force to be applied to one coupling element relative to the other. 
     
     
         48 . An ostomy appliance comprising:
 a. a pouch comprising a first wall and a second wall;   b. a first manipulation tab associated with the first wall; and   c. a second manipulation tab associated with the second wall,   
       wherein the manipulation tabs permitting distension of the pouch.