Abstract: The fecal collector that includes a bag of elastomeric heat-sealable film having an opening for receiving fecal discharge and a thin attachment patch having a central opening in register with the opening of the bag. The patch includes a skin barrier layer of rubbery pressure-sensitive adhesive having hydrocolloid particles dispersed therein and having a backing layer secured to one side of the skin barrier layer. The backing layer is formed of stretchable and contractable heat-sealable material and is joined to the bag along a narrow annular heat seal line immediately surrounding the openings of the bag and patch. Because of the elastic properties of the materials, the openings may readily expand and contract to accommodate anatomical changes commonly occuring during defecation, thereby preventing disruption of the adhesive attachment between the patch and the patient.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch is disclosed having a filter assembly located therein, the filter assembly including a thin, flexible outer panel of liquid- and gas-impervious sheet material having a peripheral portion sealed to one wall of the pouch and a central portion unattached to, and preferably spaced from, that wall. The pouch wall overlying the central portion of the filter assembly's outer panel is provided with a flap vent in the form of a curvilinear slit defining at least one flap that normally assumes a closed position coplanar with surrounding portions of the wall but flexes outwardly into open position when venting gases from the pouch. The outer panel of the filter assembly is provided with a second flap vent similar to, but preferably out of register with, the first flap vent of the pouch wall, and components of the filter assembly within the pouch function to brace the flap (or flaps) of the second vent against opening in any direction other than outwardly.

Abstract: An odor-adsorbing gas-venting filter assembly for a collection appliance, such as an ostomy pouch, which includes a fibrous heat-sealable filter pad containing activated carbon and having a gas-pervious liquid barrier heat sealed to one face thereof. The pad and the liquid barrier integrated with it are confined between two panels of heat-sealable material joined together along their borders. One of the panels is formed of impervious thermoplastic material, has at least one central opening, and is heat sealed to the barrier layer along a zone extending about such opening. The sealed borders of the panels are in turn heat sealed to the wall of the collection appliance about its vent aperture so that gas escaping from the appliance cannot by-pass the odor-adsorbing filter.