Abstract: The hydrocolloid disk includes a polyethylene/PVDC film backing. The disk adheres to the acrylic adhesive layer of the collar over a large portion of the surface area of the disk. The collar is formed of a EVA/polyethylene perforated film on a polyethylene non-woven. In the one piece embodiment, the collar is secured directly to the pouch. In the two piece embodiment, the collar is secured directly to the coupling ring. Increased strength, better odor protection and improved breathability are achieved.

Abstract: A fluid shield for retarding the spraying and lateral leakage of body fluids from a pressurized anatomical structure includes a transparent flexible shield body terminating in a rim which defines an opening to the interior of the shield body. The rim is adapted to securely engage various body contours surrounding the structure so as to align the opening with the structure. The rim can be secured by adhesives or by manual pressure. The shield body can be penetrable by a surgical instrument for incising the structure, and fluids released from the ruptured structure are captured by the shield body for subsequent disposal. The shield body can be conveniently stored in a compressed stack disposed in a dispensing container. The outer surface of the rim can be textured to pull the next lower fluid shield of the compressed stack partially out of the dispensing container for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A convex adapter for use in connection with ostomy equipment comprises a ring-shaped member (10, 15, 18). The ring-shaped member (10, 15, 18) comprises a central, relatively rigid ring (10) with a convex face (12) as well as a peripheral, relatively flexible part (15) extending considerably longer and radially than the relatively rigid ring (10).

Abstract: An ostomy appliance of one-piece or two-piece construction having an adhesive faceplate with a stoma-receiving opening for peristomal adhesive attachment of the appliance to a wearer. The faceplate includes a flexible patch which may be formed of non-woven material and is covered on one side with a first layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive material--particularly a skinfriendly, tacky, hydrocolloid-containing, moisture-absorbing skin barrier material--surrounding the stoma-receiving opening, and a second layer of a soft, easily-deformable, and extrudable fluid-resistant sealant material also surrounding that opening. Inward displacement of the sealant material following adhesive attachment of the faceplate to a patient results in the formation in situ of a fluid-resistant gasket that prevents stomal fluids from contacting the peristomal skin surfaces and the first layer of skinfriendly adhesive and possibly dissolving that layer and/or disrupting its attachment to the skin.

Abstract: An adhesive hydrogel product includes a mixture comprising water, and a thermoplastic, water-soluble polymer extruded in a dry state. The thermoplastic, water-soluble polymer constitutes the principal water-soluble polymer of the mixture and is present in the mixture in a concentration, by weight, of at least 15 percent. The mixture having been exposed to a dose of radiant energy effective to provide an adhesive hydrophilic gel having a gel breaking strength of at least 10 p.s.i., and an absorption capacity per mil of thickness of the gel in excess of 10% by weight, and more preferably in excess of 30% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical tape comprising a highly conformable and deformable nonwoven web coated with an adhesive. The non-adhesive side of the web may be heat bonded to many different polymeric film materials and is particularly useful with ostomy pouch films. The present invention also provides ostomy bags comprising an elastic, breathable nonwoven based medical tape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid-impermeable protective shield for covering the proximal end of an indwelling, percutaneous catheter and the puncture site through which the catheter extends. A medical grade adhesive is used to attach the protective shield to the skin that surrounds the puncture site. The protective shield allows the patient to swim or bathe without undue risk of infection.

Abstract: Stoma equipment comprising a bag-carrier for fixing around an artificial opening in the body of a user by means of a base plate provided with an adhesive or with a pressure-sensitive adhesive rubber or with any equivalent means, together with a bag for collecting body wastes and/or fluids and suitable for being removably assembled to a sleeve or collar of the bag carrier by means of a rim on the bag, wherein the bag is fixed on the bag-carrier by deforming sealing means whose radial size is increased by operating an appropriate actuator device.

Abstract: An ostomy bag has a non-adhesive filter formed by a carbon fabric disc with impermeable layers on the front and back surfaces. The front layer has a central aperture whereas the rear layer is imperforate. The filter is releasably secured to an adhesive area around a vent opening of the bag with the aperture aligned with the opening so that gas can flow into the filter and radially outwards. The filter be peeled off and reversed to block escape of gas from the opening.

Abstract: An improved biomedical appliance having disposed on a skin-contacting, operant portion thereof, a film or layer of a skin compatible, tacky, pressure sensitive polymeric adhesive, the reaction product consisting of at least one fatty acid dimer based or derived component and a suitable co-reactant. Electrodes, surgical tapes, TENS devices and iontophoresis devices employing the adhesive are disclosed.

Abstract: The insert is received within the coupling ring of the faceplate of a two piece ostomy device. The coupling ring has an axially extending rib and a rigid sealing flange defined in part by a radially inwardly extending surface. The insert includes a convex annular body with an arcuate relatively non-deformable portion and a deformable circumferential portion. The deformable portion has an outer edge with a circumference which is normally slightly larger than the inner circumference of the sealing flange. The circumference of the deformable portion is temporarily reduced as the insert passes through the ring. Once the insert is situated under the flange surface, the circumference returns to its normal dimension and the insert is securely seated.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance in the form of a collection pouch and an adhesive faceplate respectively equipped with coupling rings for latching the two parts together. The coupling rings are relatively large and the pouch coupling ring has attached thereto a peristomal barrier ring of soft, deformable, skin-contacting sealant material extending radially inwardly from the pouch coupling ring and defining a stoma-receiving opening.

Abstract: A method for making individual contoured wound dressings comprising: providing a supply of a thin release web (40); and protective release covering (32); removably attaching and contouring a substantially continuous strip of an adhesive material (26) between said thin release web (40) and protective release covering (32) forming a first laminate (46); transporting said first laminate (46) to a delaminating station (54) where-at said thin release web (40) is peeled from said first laminate (46); supplying an adhesive carrier (28); merging and laminating said adhesive carrier (28) to the exposed adhesive layer forming a second laminate (64); and transporting said second laminate (64) to and through a cutting Station (68) to be cut into individual wound dressings or bandages.

Abstract: Occlusive attaching means comprising a first relatively thick adhesive component to be secured to the skin around the stoma and a relatively thin flexible second adhesive component to be secured to the skin at a distance from the stoma. Both adhesive components include an occlusive adhesive layer formulated as a blend containing one or more water soluble or swellable hydrocolloids dispersed in polyisobutylene along with other optional ingredients. The attaching means can be utilized as part of a one or two-piece ostomy system.

Abstract: An adhesive, flat skin barrier product for use as semi-manufacture in the production of, a.o., dressings, wound-care devices, electrodes and fastening means for ostomy equipment and catheters, consists of alternating zones of material of at least two different kinds (26,28,30) at least one of which is a skinfriendly self-adhesive material. The zones are parallel and extend in a direction usually at right angles to the main surfaces of the product. The zones may for instance be parallel strips, co-axial rings, co-wound Archimedean spirals or short strands.The skin barrier product offers the advantage that in a simple way it may be produced to comprise, besides the sealing material itself, other components for special purposes, e.g. having contents of antiseptics, medicaments or others biologically active substances of liquid-transporting or electrically conductive structures.

Abstract: An adhesive ring assembly for an ostomy bag comprises a circular ring of adhesive around the opening of the bag and protected by two release paper sheets. The release sheets are of siliconized paper and are of an annular shape. Each sheet is folded in half along its diameter so that one half releasably adheres to the adhesive and the second half overlays the first half. The folded edge of one sheet overlaps the folded edge of the other sheet. The release sheets are removed by pulling the edge of each second half parallel to the ring so that each sheet peels away from the adhesive from its folded edge.

Abstract: For use with one piece and two piece ostomy devices, the adapter is situated on the adhesive-coated body side of the dressing which attaches to the skin surrounding the stoma to mount the collection pouch. The adapter includes a substantially rigid, annular member with a convex surface and an annular adhesive wafer. The wafer overlaps the edge of the member exposing a portion of the adhesive surface. The wafer and member are protected by a plastic shield. The wafer and member are applied to the body side of the dressing, with the convex surface of the member adjacent the wafer, as they are removed from the plastic shield. The exposed adhesive surface of the wafer directly contacts the adhesive of the body side of the dressing to form a secure bond. The result is a dressing with a convex shaped body side having a substantially uninterrupted layer of adhesive.

Abstract: As ostomy appliance having a collection pouch and a flexible faceplate, the faceplate including an outer ring of thin, microporous sheet material and an inner ring of flexible, thermoplastic film impervious to gases and body fluids. The outer microporous ring surrounds the inner ring so that their adjacent margins overlap and are sealed to each other. The faceplate also includes a barrier ring secured to the inner marginal portion of the microporous ring on the side opposite from the attachment of the impervious inner ring. A fluid-impervious annular seal is provided between the impervious inner ring and the barrier ring at a location radially inwardly from the microporous ring, thereby securing the parts together and isolating the inner margin of the microporous ring from contact by stomal fluids.

Abstract: Pouch faceplate connecting rings have adhesive annular base layers with cover layers. Each cover layer has an annular portion covering the base layer and a radially extending gripping portion with a radially extending edge and a circumferentially extending tapering edge. The gripping portions are annularly offset to facilitate removal of the cover layers.

Abstract: A dressing comprising a dressing containing a water-soluble or water-swellable hydrocolloid, a water-insoluble, viscous, elastomeric binder and optionally also a tackifier resin, is bevelled along all outer edges and optionally also, if annular, along the inner edge.

Abstract: In a re-usable coupling means for securing flexible disposable bags for collecting intestinal wastes from ostomies and which consists (a) of a retainer plate of a comparatively stiff plastic material having an opening to lie around the stoma and having a gas passage duct communicating with a deodorizing filter, and (b) a flexible, sealing adhesive member for releasable adherence of the retainer plate to the skin and indirectly secured to the rear of the retainer plate, the gas passage duct is arranged in an annular bead protruding from the front of the retainer plate and communicates via gas inlet openings with the interior of the bag and via the filter and gas outlet openings in the coupling means with the outer world. The disposable bag may be releasably affixed to the holding means by the aid of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or by the aid of ring coupling systems known per se.

Abstract: A composite skin barrier including a first adhesive component which fits around the stoma, a coupling element, and a second adhesive component which is flexible, light, and has a degree of porosity. The second adhesive component contacts the skin at a distance from the stoma.

Abstract: A wc-disposable ostomy bag has an outer water soluble layer of polyvinyl alcohol and an inner relatively insoluble layer of polyvinylidene chloride. A flange of a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive ring has one side adhered to the outer layer only, around an opening into the bag so that the edge of the outer layer around the opening is left exposed to material passing through the opening. The other side of the flange in use is secured to the patient's skin around the stoma either directly or via a peristomal wafer.

Abstract: An improved ostomy appliance has two interengageable coupling elements, one of which (herein called the body side coupling element) is secured to a medical grade adhesive pad and the other side of which is secured to an ostomy bag. A flexible chute ring is interposed between the body side coupling element and the adhesive pad. The flexible chute ring is attached to a polymeric film surface of the pad at a first annular region and to the body side coupling element at a second annular region. The first annular region is located radially inwardly of the coupling element.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance comprises a body-attachable pad of skin-compatible adhesive material having a stomal orifice, and means whereby a plurality of ostomy bags can be attached in sequence to the pad by exposing a fresh region of adhesive each time it is desired to attach a clean ostomy bag.

Abstract: A flushing device for an ostomy bag is disclosed which comprises an adapter designed to fit in the ringed opening of an ostomy bag and having an internally threaded opening capable of receiving and forming a water-tight seal with a male-threaded water nozzle from a hose. The device is comprised of a circular plastic disk having a base flange and a cylindrical adapter projecting from the base flange including a forward circular flange positioned at the front end of the adapter at a distance from the base flange substantially the same as the width of the ring surrounding the opening of the ostomy bag. The flushing device enables the user to flush out an ostomy bag safely and effectively without mess or backspray.

Abstract: A collapsible mirror-heater unit for assisting in the application of ostomy pads is disclosed. A dual-faced mirror is pivotally mounted in a frame to expose either face and a heater is also pivotally mounted on the frame to be located in either of a stored or operative position. The device may be collapsed into its frame to provide a compact, box-like unit for storage.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance in which an ostomy bag is supported on the user's skin by a membrane adhesively held on the skin where the membrane and adhesive layer are very thin, flexible, elastic and highly permeable to water vapor and oxygen tranmission. A stiffening member is removably provided for mounting the very thin, flexible membrane in a spread out condition while it is being attached to the skin, and the stiffening member is thereafter removed so that the appliance is supported on the skin only by the flexible permeable membrane.

Abstract: An ostomy device for releasably connecting an ostomy bag to an adhesive backed label including a mounting member for connecting one of two coupling parts to the label. The mounting member comprises an expandable portion for facilitating displacement of the connected coupling part between a normal closed position and an expanded position. The expanded portion comprises a pair of accordion-like folds including an inner fold and a smaller outer fold. The connected coupling part comprises a rib portion having a deflectible sealing strip extending therefrom. The rib portion is connected to the mounting member adjacent the outer folds such that the sealing strip is positioned intermediate the inner and outer folds when the coupling part is in the normal closed position. The inner fold guides discharge from the stoma into the bag and away from the interengaged coupling parts. In an alternate embodiment, the mounting member is affixed to the label.

Abstract: A new breathable, conformable, polymeric adhesive composition is disclosed which comprises a self-sustaining pressure sensitive adhesive material and a hydrophilic filler, wherein the adhesive material forms a polymeric matrix characterized by the physical encapsulation of the hydrophilic filler within the matrix.

Abstract: A new ostomy bag having an integral breathable ostomy gasket derived from the non-aqueous reaction of a polyisocyanate and a polyoxyalkylene polyol moiety having a hydrophilic filler incorporated within the polyol moiety prior to the reaction of the polyisocyanate and the polyol. The bag includes hydrophobic material welded to the bag serving as a backing for the gasket.

Abstract: A pouch having a bottom wall secured to an adhesive layer that can be cut to fit around a wound or surgical opening, gusseted side walls, and a top wall provided with one or more access openings. An irrigation port and a catheter access port can be secured to these top wall openings. The bottom wall extends beyond the adhesive layer and is provided with a large exit port oriented so that gravity will drain wound exudate from the pouch. This exit port is also large enough to accommodate a hand to aid in locating the pouch on the body and permit access to the wound site without removing the pouch from the body.

Abstract: Medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive compositions comprising a homogeneous mixture of one or more polyisobutylenes or blends of one or more polyisobutylenes and butyl rubber, one or more styrene radial or block type copolymers, mineral oil, one or more water soluble hydrocolloid gums, and a tackifier. One or more water swellable cohesive strengthening agents, an antioxidant, and various other optional ingredients may be included within the adhesive composition.

Abstract: A loose-fitting garment for individuals wearing an ostomy appliance with an encircling band which contacts the body above the stoma. The downwardly extending fabric which covers the torso has a large vertical opening therein and a pocket on the exterior covering a portion of the opening. The appliance fitted to the stoma extends through the opening and rests in the pocket. A cover flap is provided to shield the appliance from view.

Abstract: An adhesive mount for adhesively attaching an ostomy bag about the stoma of a patient which comprises a layer of moisture vapor transmitting plastics foam and a layer of moisture vapor transmitting pressure sensitive adhesive in juxtaposition therewith and an ostomy bag device having an adhesive mount bonded about an aperture thereof is described.

Abstract: An open ended ostomy pouch having a folding bar attached to the bottom of the pouch. The folding bar extends on both sides beyond the width of the pouch at the bottom opening and includes interlocking closure components on opposite ends.

Abstract: A system is provided by which an ostomy bag can be securely coupled to an adhesive dressing that fits around the stoma and yet will permit the bag to be removed without disturbing the dressing. This system involves a first coupling member bonded to the dressing and a second coupling member bonded to the ostomy bag around the stomal opening. One coupling member consists of an upstanding rib or other projection which is dimensioned to sealingly engage an opening in the other coupling member.

Abstract: An open ended ostomy pouch having a folding bar attached to the bottom of the pouch. The folding bar extends on both sides beyond the width of the pouch at the bottom opening and includes interlocking closure components on opposite ends.