US3123074A - Colostomy aid - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1954 M. A. TURNER COLOSTOMY AID Filed March 6, 1961 INVENTOR Mable A. Turner @WMWWQ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,123,074 COLOSTOMY AID Mable Alice Turner, 204 Sandra Drive, Azle, Tex. Filed Mar. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 93,743 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-283) This invention relates to an accessory for the use of colostomy patients, and it concerns more particularly a tubular fitting, adapted to be Worn by the patient, which normally provides a closure for the abdominal opening while at the same time providing convenient, sanitary means for attachment of an elongated tube for use in irrigating the colon.

A colostomy is a surgical repair procedure which involves a shortening of the colon, normal use of the rectal opening being discontinued and a new opening for the colon being provided in the 'front wall of the abdomen.

Colostomy patients may experience considerable annoyance and embarrassment for the reason that they have no control over the passing of gases or other fluids through the abdominal opening.

An object of this invention is to provide an accessory for the use of colostomy patients comprising a relatively short tubular connecting member, adapted to be worn by the patient and normally having one of its ends seated on the body of the patient, surrounding the abdominal opening, the opposite end of the connecting member being attachable to an elongated tube for use in irrigating the colon, and having a closure therefor which is interchangeable wlth the elongated tube.

The invention contemplates an accessory for the use of colostomy patients which comprises, in combination, an elongated tube for use in irrigating the colon, a relatively short, generally funnel shaped tubular connecting member, adapted to be worn by the patient, normally having its larger end seated on the body of the patient, surrounding the abdominal opening, and having its opposite end removably connected to one end of the elongated tube, and a cap interchangeable with the elongated tube and normally providing a closure for the tubular connecting member.

The invention further contemplates a structure as described in which the elongated tube has a self closing "valved opening in one side thereof, near its juncture with the tubular connecting member, through which a catheter, for use in irrigating the colon, may be removably inserted.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal view, partly in section taken on a median line, of a tubular connecting member embodying the invention, showing the elongated tube in place;

FIGURE 2 is a view of the tubular connecting member taken at right angles to the view shown in FIGURE 1, showing the elongated tube removed and showing the cap providing a closure for the tubular connecting memher in place;

FIGURE 3 is an end view showing the outer end of the tubular connecting member;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary end view showing the inner end thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one end of a strap whereby the tubular connecting member is adapted to be secured to the body of the patient; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary View showing the self closing valved opening of the elongated tube.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the numeral 3,123,674 Patented Mar. 3, 1964 1 designates generally an elongated tube for use in irrigating the colon of colostomy patients. The tube 1 advantageously may be formed of molded resilient material, such as soft rubber, and is characterized by its flexibility. The tube 1 has an inwardly turned peripheral bead or lip 2 on one of its ends for use as hereinafter described.

A relatively short, generally funnel shaped tubular connecting member, adapted to be worn by the patient, is indicated generally by the numeral 3. The tubular connecting member 3 advantageously may be formed of molded resilient material, such as soft rubber, and is characterized by its flexibility. The tubular connecting member 3 is corrugated circumferentially intermediate its ends, as at 4, whereby it is extensible longitudinally while at the same time being movable flexibly in any direction.

The tubular connecting member 3 normally has its larger end seated on the body of the patient, surrounding the abdominal opening. A cushioning ring 5, which advantageously may be formed of sponge rubber, is attached to the larger end of the tubular connecting member 3 for engagement with the body of the patient.

The tubular connecting member 3 has an outwardly turned peripheral head or lip 6 on its smaller end which, upon being depressed inwardly, is receivable in the end of the tube 1 having the inwardly turned peripheral bead or lip 2 thereon, in interlocking, sealing engagement therewith.

The head or lip 6 overlaps, and yieldably and frictionally engages the bead or lip 2 and coacts therewith to form a substantially fluid tight joint connecting the tube 1 to the tubular connecting member 3.

As shown in FIGURE 2, a cap 7, which is interchangeable with the elongated tube 1, is connected to the smaller end of the tubular connecting member 3. The cap 7 advantageously may be formed of molded plastic material, and has an inwardly turned peripheral bead or lip 8 thereon. The bead or lip 8, which corresponds to the bead or lip 2 of the tube 1, is engageable with the head or lip 6 of the tubular connecting member 3 to form a substantially fluid tight joint connecting the cap 7 to the tubular connecting member 3.

The cap 7 normally provides a closure for the tubular connecting member 3.

The tubular connecting member 3 has a pair of wire loops 9 positioned on opposite sides thereof, near its larger end. A flexible strap 10, which is adapted to be passed around the body of the patient, and which is shown fragmentan'ly, has a pair of metal hooks 11 attached to its opposite ends for engagement with the wire loops 9 whereby the tubular connecting member 3 is secured to the body of the patient.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the elongated tube 1 has a self sealing opening, indicated by the numeral 12, in one side thereof, near its juncture with the tubular connecting member 3, through which a catheter (not shown), for use in irrigating the colon, may be removably inserted.

As illustrated in FIGURE 6, a flexible flap valve element 13 is attached to the inner wall of the elongated tube 1, behind the self sealing opening 12. The flap valve element 13 is operable as a check valve whereby the self sealing opening 12 is adapted to be positively closed in response to fluid pressure within the tube 1.

It is not intended that the invention be necessarily limited to the specific structure shown and described since it is obvious that certain changes and modifications thereof may be resorted to, by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What-is claimed is:

An accessory adaptedto be Worn by a colostomy patient, and providing a closure for the body opening, comprising the combination of a relatively short, flexible, extensible bellowsdike tubular conduit; compact in its retractedt'position, having end portions of relatively greater andv lesser diameter and tapered progressively intermediate its. ends, said conduit having a cushioning ring on its larger end and having a flexible belt removably connected to opposite sides thereof adjacenttits larger end whereby the conduit is removably secured to the body about the opening therein, with the larger end of the conduit in opposing relation to the body, the conduit having an outwardly turned, flexible peripheral bead on its smaller end, and a substantially flat, flexible cap closing the smaller, end of the conduit, the cap having a peripheral flange engageable over said bead and terminating in an inwardly turned, flexible peripheral bead extending radially inwardly behind the first mentioned bead, in yieldable, ifrictional. engagement therewith, whereby the cap is removably secured to the conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,437,019 Eich MarfZ, 1948' 2,581,319 Baxter Ian. 1, 1952 2,692,597' Carstensen Oct. 26,V1954 2,973,759 Plymale Mar. 7, 1961

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