Abstract: An ostomy pouch (10) is described having an automatic pressure relief valve (82) which opens and closes automatically in response to the differential gas pressure across the valve to vent flatus. In one form, the valve comprises a diaphragm which seals against a seat by the use of a tacky gel or oil. The diaphragm is pinched towards one side and flexes as a flap. In one preferred form, the valve (84) is used in combination with a deodorizing filter (82). The filter may be mounted co-axially with the valve, or it may be mounted separately and offset from the valve. A sub-envelope assembly (80) is described carrying the valve (84) and the filter (82) and defining a buffer volume between the valve and filter to compensate for the different flow characteristics of the valve and filter.

Abstract: A flush fit ostomy coupling (110) includes a bagside coupling member (114) with a front flange (116) from which an outer wall (22) depends rearwardly. A channel is formed between the outer wall and an inner wall (124) supported by the outer wall. The bodyside coupling member (112) carries sealing means in form of first and second substantially radially projecting sealing fins (152). The sealing fins are able to deflect to form a cylindrical band seal against one wall (122) of the channel. The opposite wall (124) of the channel forms an interlock with the bodyside coupling member. The radial sealing fin may be used with other types of ostomy coupling. Also, the flush fit design may employ other types of seal.

Abstract: An orifice coupling, e.g. an ostomy coupling, includes a first coupling part (10) securable to a second coupling part (20) by a springy split locking ring (30). The locking ring (30) is held captive on the first coupling member (10) by lugs (13) extending radially from outside the locking ring and which enable the locking ring (30) to engage the second coupling member (20) substantially continuously around the periphery of the second coupling member. The coupling can be released when the ends (26,27) of the locking ring (30) are manipulated to expand the ring. The locking ring (30) may be integrally moulded with the first coupling member, and folded into an operative position on the first coupling member.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has first and second coupling members. These can be held together by a springy flexible split locking ring. A plurality of tabs, arranged, e.g., symetrically, on the limbs of the locking ring can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The movement of the locking ring which causes withdrawal of the tabs may be a vertically upward movement of the ring, or a vertically downward movement. The movement of the locking ring which causes withdrawal of the tabs alternatively may be a deformation of the ring in opposed horizontal directions. Preferably, however, the movement of the locking ring which causes a withdrawal of the tabs is a rotational movement relative to the second coupling member.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has a first coupling member and a second coupling member. These are mutually interengageable and surround a region which includes a stomal orifice. A springy resilient ring encircles the two coupling members and has a handle member which can be manipulated to cause the ring to be deformed such that radially-inwardly extending tabs on the ring are shifted between respective first positions in which the ring is undeformed and the tabs lock the two coupling members together and respective second positions in which the ring is deformed in such a way as to shift the tabs radially outwardly to positions where they permit separation of the two coupling parts. The ring has a portion which joins the ends of two limbs of the ring, said portion being readily deformable and optionally sufficiently elastic such that the limb ends are pulled towards each other by the elasticity of said portion.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 50, 60 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 70. A plurality of tabs 71 symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 70, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by an upward pull on the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The ring 70 is generally circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling includes a first coupling ring attached to a medical grade adhesive pad, a second coupling ring attached to an ostomy pouch, and an intervening ring. The intervening ring is slidable along the lower portion of the cylindrical wall of the first coupling ring. The intervening ring is also finger-engageable so as to facilitate the pushing together of the first and second coupling rings into a coupling arrangement while minimizing pressure on the stomal area.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 20, 40 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 30. A plurality of tabs 31, 32, symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 30, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The ring 30 is generally circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: It would be desirable to have improved designs of ostomy couplings which embody a springy or resilient split ring as a locking ring.In an ostomy coupling, first and second coupling members 80, 90 are held together by a springy flexible split locking ring 100. A plurality of tabs 101 symmetrically arranged on each limb of the locking ring 100, can be withdrawn generally radially outwardly by movement of the locking ring to permit separation of the two coupling members. The split ring 100 is for the most part circular in its unstressed condition.

Abstract: A combination of a liquid-containing bag and a tube 28 is disclosed. The bag may be a urine drainage bag and is made up of a pair of superposed sheets 20, 22, joined by a weld 24 whose configuration is chosen to define in a single welding operation the outline of the bag and the tube integral therewith. A single weld seam 24 defines the bag volume. The tube and portion of the weld seam 24 run adjacent to one another and are separated by a row of perforations 30 or by a line of weakening. In such an arrangement, means are provided for precluding face-to-face contact of selected parts of the inner surfaces of said sheets. This may be done by effecting heat shrinkage of selected parts of one or both sheets. One or preferably both sheets is biaxially oriented.

Abstract: A male incontinence device has one coupling part 200 attachable to a silicone pad 500 and a second coupling part 300 attached to a condom-like drainage member 400. A stretchable ring or wall 312 can be shifted ("snapped") by manual pressure between a locking position wherein the two coupling parts are locked together and an unlocking position wherein the two coupling parts can be separated to permit removal of the condom-like drainage member from the silicone pad.

Abstract: A retractile penis device comprises an apertured plate carrying an inflatable toroid ring, the ring being substantially aligned with the aperture and acting in use when inflated to apply pressure to the base of the penis and the surrounding skin area of the wearer.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a pad or dressing to an ostomy bag including a first member 10 of closed loop form for defining a stoma aperture therein, the first member having a formation which defines two opposed walls, 11, 12, and a second member 20 of closed loop form also defining a stoma aperture. The second member has a projection or wall 21 dimensioned and positioned to fit between and resiliently bear against at least one of the walls when the members are connected in such a way as to make sealing engagement with at least the said one wall. The first member is of channel formation seen in cross section and has an upstanding tapering rib 24 extending from the base of the channel and between its walls. The second member has a tapering groove, of substantially complementary shape to the rib, in that surface of the rib projection or wall 21 which faces towards the first member in the mutually coupled condition of the first and second members.

Abstract: An ostomy coupling has first and second coupling elements. One has a flange carrying a wall upstanding therefrom, the free end of this wall having an inwardly or outwardly extending sealing and latching member. The other coupling element has an inner (second) annular wall surrounding a stomal orifice and, radially outwardly therefrom, a third annular wall. The second or the third annular wall carries a projection arranged to cooperate with the free end of the sealing and latching member. The inner or outer surface of the first annular wall as the case may be and a confronting surface of the second or the third annular wall are tapered in a complementary manner.

Abstract: A synthetic plastic bag for containing liquids, e.g., urine, has a plastic outlet tube. It is manufactured by a first step of seam welding the tube between two superposed bag walls. In a subsequent step, an encircling sleeve is slide over the tube to a position where it contains within it the portions of the bag walls on either side of the tube. Thirdly, this sleeve is compressed onto the tube by a crimping operation conducted with the crimping force applied in a direction radially of the tube but at substantially right angles to the plane in which the bag walls lie. Alternatively, after the tube is seam welded between the bag walls, the bag and tube combination is then placed between the blocks of a mold, each block having confronting recesses of a particular shape and molten plastics material is injected to fill these recesses. The injected material forms a collar which completely surrounds the tube.

Abstract: An ostomy bag coupling appliance has body side and bag side couplings each including a seal means. The bag side coupling includes one ring like member carrying the seal means associated with a locking ring which can be rotated relative to the member. The locking ring and the body side coupling have interengaging parts whereby upon relative rotational movement (about the axis of the coupling) these cooperating parts can be engaged and disengaged so locking together, or allowing to be released, as the case may be, the body side and bag side couplings.

Abstract: A bag or pouch for receiving discharge from the human body is made of two superposed sheets of synthetic plastics material joined around their edges and has a filter attached to an upper part of an interior surface of one of the walls, there being a hole or slit in the wall to allow gases exiting the filter to pass to the exterior of the bag or pouch, and an intervening wall is included to separate the filter region from the remainder of the interior of the bag or pouch, said wall being characterized by having a series of scattered holes therein, there being from 100 to 300 holes per square inch (155000 to 465000 holes per square meter) and each hole having a maximum dimension of from 130 to 340 microns.

Abstract: A coupling element system for an ostomy bag including a bag-side coupling element having a stomal orifice surrounded by a channel shaped member, a body-side coupling element having a stomal orifice surrounded by a rib-like member which can make snap-fit engagement with the channel shaped member, and a locking member. The latter member has radially inwardly deformable arms and is rotatable relative to the body-side coupling. The deformable arms are shaped and positioned so that upon rotation of the locking member in one rotary direction relative to the body-side coupling element they are deformed radially inwardly and over-lie a portion of the bag-side coupling element.The locking member may be generally annular with the arms arcuate in shape each with a blade portion and a leg portion which connects the blade portion to the remainder of the locking member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bag for containing liquid, the bag provided with an outlet tube. The method entails seam welding the outlet tube between two superposed bag walls, placing the bag and tube combination between the blocks of a mold, each block having confronting recesses of a particular shape and then injecting molding plastic material to fill these recesses. The injected material forms a collar which completely surrounds the tube and adjacent bag material. The bag film material on either side of the tube is melted to itself and to the tube wall and the collar is thereby securely attached in an encircling configuration thereby to preclude leakage. The tube may be a part of tap or other outlet fitting such as a push pull tap.

Abstract: A bagside coupling for an ostomy bag is intended to cooperate with a filter cartridge. Inserting the filter cartridge in a suitable recess results in establishing connection between the interior of the bag and the exterior. Escaping gases are constrained to pass through filter material in the filter cartridge.