Abstract: Coupling systems including interlocking male and female members are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first coupling including a sidewall having an annular spring. The example apparatus also includes a second coupling to be coupled to the first coupling. The second coupling has an annular wall including a seal. The seal is to sealingly engage the annular spring when the second coupling is coupled to the first coupling.

Abstract: A wound dressing having a thin barrier layer of soft, pliant adhesive material with a flexible cover layer extending along one side of the adhesive layer and a removable release sheet on the opposite side is disclosed. The adhesive material has a center and border surrounding the center such that the adhesive is contoured. A method for making the contoured dressing using a gear pump and a laminating roller having a predetermined softness and firmness is also disclosed.

Abstract: Coupling systems including interlocking male and female members are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first coupling including a sidewall having an annular spring. The example apparatus also includes a second coupling to be coupled to the first coupling. The second coupling has an annular wall including a seal. The seal is to sealingly engage the annular spring when the second coupling is coupled to the first coupling.

Abstract: A wound dressing having a thin barrier layer of soft, pliant adhesive material with a flexible cover layer extending along one side of the adhesive layer and a removable release sheet on the opposite side is disclosed. The adhesive material has a center and border surrounding the center such that the adhesive is contoured. A method for making the contoured dressing using a gear pump and a laminating roller having a predetermined softness and firmness is also disclosed.

Abstract: A convex adapter for ostomy appliances is disclosed, the adapter including an adapter ring formed entirely of a soft, tacky, moisture-absorbent and swellable, hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material, one that retains its integrity on hydration and is shape-recoverable when compressive forces are removed, and a thin substantially non-stretchable cover film extending over and beyond the convex bodyside surface of that ring. The film is removably attached to the ring and is preferably transparent (or translucent) so that at least the outline of the ring may be seen through it. A flexible but substantially non-stretchable release sheet is removably attached to the opposite pouchside surface of the ring and may be peeled away from the ring during an initial step in the use of the product.

Abstract: A drainable ostomy pouch having at least one arcuate spring member, and preferably two such spring members, adjacent the discharge opening at the lower end of the pouch is disclosed. Each wall of the pouch with such arcuate spring member is normally bowed outwardly from the other wall to hold the discharge opening in open condition for draining of the pouch's contents. To seal the discharge opening, the lower end of the pouch is folded upwardly to force the spring member(s) into flattened condition, and the pouch's lower end is then secured in such upwardly-folded condition.

Abstract: A snap-in insert is disclosed for use with the faceplate of an ostomy appliance. The faceplate includes a convex pressure ring and an adhesive barrier pad or wafer that extends over the convex surface of that ring. The insert has an apertured support wall that is flexible but sufficiently stiff to support and thereby brace the barrier pad about the faceplate's stoma-receiving opening.

Abstract: A convex adapter for ostomy appliances, including an adapter ring formed entirely of soft, moisture-absorbent, hydrocolloid-containing adhesive material that retains its integrity on hydration and is shape-recoverable, and a thin stretchable cover film (preferably transparent or translucent) removably covering and extending over and beyond the ring's convex bodyside surface. A flexible but substantially non-stretchable release sheet is removably attached to the opposite pouchside surface of the ring and may be peeled away from the ring during an initial step in the use of the product. With the release sheet so removed, a user may grasp adapter ring and its cover film and reform the ring so that its opening is sized and shaped to match a patient's stoma, after which the reformed adapter ring is adhered to the adhesive faceplate of an ostomy appliance, the cover film is removed, and the combination faceplate/adapter is adhesively secured to a patient's peristomal skin surfaces.

Abstract: A low-profile faceplate assembly for a two-piece ostomy appliance, and a method for manufacturing it, are disclosed. The faceplate includes a wafer of an adhesive skin barrier material and a flexible plastic coupling ring (for detachably coupling the faceplate to an ostomy pouch having a mating ring), and is distinguished by the mounting flange of the coupling ring being embedded within the faceplate.

Abstract: A faceplate for an ostomy appliance is disclosed in which a unitary release sheet covers both the bodyside (rear) surface of an adhesive skin barrier layer and the surrounding adhesive surface of an outwardly-projecting porous covering layer. The barrier layer is beveled to a feathered outer edge and the release sheet contacts the adhesive surface of the covering layer immediately adjacent the outer edge of said barrier layer. A continuous in-line method for making such faceplates is disclosed.

Abstract: A low-profile faceplate assembly for a two-piece ostomy appliance, and a method for manufacturing it, are disclosed. The faceplate includes a wafer of an adhesive skin barrier material and a flexible plastic coupling ring (for detachably coupling the faceplate to an ostomy pouch having a mating ring), and is distinguished by the mounting flange of the coupling ring being embedded within the faceplate. The faceplate is made by a convergence of in-line processes taking place simultaneously with an injection/compression molding operation for the skin barrier wafer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,475, thereby eliminating or greatly reducing the assembly labor for the various process steps plus the handling, storing and transferring steps commonly associated with the manufacture of ostomy faceplate assemblies.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed, one component being a collection pouch and the other an adhesive faceplate for peristomal attachment to a patient. The two components are provided with coupling rings for mechanically and detachably joining them together. One of the rings has a bead-providing collar and a rocking wedge body as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,008. The other ring is of channel-shaped cross section having spaced concentric inner and outer side walls each provided with ribs positioned in direct opposition and extending into the channel along a single plane normal to the axis of that ring. In a preferred embodiment, the rib of the outer wall is interrupted to provide at least one wide notch or recess and an integral pull tab projects radially outwardly from the outer wall at the location of the notch for initiating either partial or complete separation of the rings during use of the appliance.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch is disclosed in which a flexible, shape-recoverable plastic dome is secured internally to a wall of the pouch over a vent opening. A peripheral portion of the dome spaced from the apex is provided with at least one slit therethrough traversing a radially and axially extending plane of the dome. The slit is curved or arched towards the apex and defines outer and inner lips that normally have their opposing edges in juxtaposition to restrain the escape of gases from the pouch but permit such escape in quantity when the apical portion of the dome is depressed (by axially squeezing the dome). The lips advantageously have beveled opposing surfaces with the surface of the outer lip generally facing towards the vent opening and that of the inner lip generally facing away from the vent opening.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is provided in which a thermoplastic convex pressure ring also functions as a belt-attachment ring. The pressure ring is directly and sealingly secured on its convex side to an adhesive faceplate and is also directly and sealingly secured on its opposite side to a collection pouch. Only two annular attachment zones, either in the form of heat seals or adhesive seals, are required to secure the pouch, pressure ring and faceplate together.

Abstract: An ostomy pouch is provided with a normally-closed vent valve in the form of a slit-providing flexible dome secured to the interior surface of the pouch wall over a vent opening in that wall. An odor-absorbing filter extends across the vent opening (either within the dome or externally of the pouch) to deodorize gases when they are vented from the pouch. The edges of the slit seal against each other to prevent the escape of gases and protect the filter from effluent contact when the dome is in its normal unflexed state but, when the dome is squeezed between the fingers in a prescribed manner, the slit opens to permit the venting of gases from the pouch.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance in which a collection pouch is provided with an adhesive faceplate, that may be equipped with a convex pressure ring, and in which a relatively stiff belt-attachment ring is interposed between the pouch and faceplate. Despite the stiffness of the belt-attachment ring and that of the convex pressure ring normally in close proximity it, the tab connectors of the attachment ring are readily accessible because the belt-attachment ring is supported in a limited "floating" condition by a thin, highly-flexible, annular web. The web is secured to both the pouch and faceplate along an inner first sealing zone and joins the belt-attachment ring along a second concentric sealing zone spaced a substantial distance outwardly from the first zone.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, the faceplate coupling ring is of conventional design and includes an axially extending rib with a radially outwardly extending rim and a radially inwardly extending deflectable sealing strip. The pouch coupling ring includes inner and outer spaced walls, forming a channel for receiving the rib. First and second protrusions extend inwardly from points on the interior surface of the walls proximate the ends thereof. The first protrusion cooperates with the rim and the second protrusion cooperates with the tip of the sealing strip, to securely retain the rib within the channel. The walls of the channel have reduced thickness and are easily deflectable as the rib is inserted into the channel, such that coupling of the rings is facilitated but decoupling requires the conventional amount of force due to the second protrusion.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance in which one of the components, preferably the pouch component, is provided with a dual-state, bistable coupling ring for sealingly engaging the companion ring of the other (e.g., faceplate) component. The ring is formed of relatively stiff but flexible plastic material and is capable of assuming two stable states or conditions. In one such state, its normal one, the ring is substantially untensioned and its configuration is frusto-conical; in its other state, the direction of the conical taper is reversed or inverted and the ring again assumes a stable but now tensioned condition. When in its normal state, the ring has an inside diameter substantially smaller than in its inverted state, so that in mating such rings together, a user may enlarge the opening to facilitate joining the parts together and may then return the bistable ring to its normal state to insure a secure, fluid-tight seal between the parts.

Abstract: A two-piece ostomy appliance with a low profile coupling ring assembly in which the rings are moved transversely rather than axially into and out of interlocked condition. The faceplate ring has an upturned flange along its lower border and the pouch ring has a downturned flange along its upper border, with the flange of each ring defining a channel for receiving a peripheral portion of the other ring for locking the rings together as they are shifted transversely (radially) into axial alignment. The configuration of each ring about the stoma opening thereof results in a preloaded annular seal when the rings are coupled together.

Abstract: In the first embodiment, the faceplate coupling ring is of conventional design and includes an axially extending rib with a radially outwardly extending rim and a radially inwardly extending deflectable sealing strip. The pouch coupling ring includes inner and outer spaced walls, forming a channel for receiving the rib. First and second protrusions extend inwardly from points on the interior surfaces of the walls proximate the ends thereof. The first protrusion cooperates with the rim and the second protrusion cooperates with the tip of the sealing strip, to securely retain the rib within the channel. The walls of the channel have reduced thickness and are easily deflectable as the rib is inserted into the channel, such that coupling of the rings is facilitated but decoupling requires the conventional amount of force due to the second protrusion.