Hernia Belt Systems

Abstract

The present hernia belt ostomy support system is designed to provide support to a hernia and house a medical device (e.g., an ostomy appliance) within a compartment, wherein the device is comfortable, supportive, inconspicuous, and aesthetically pleasing.

Claims

1. A hernia belt ostomy support system comprising: a belt body including a front body portion and a back body portion, wherein the front body portion includes a front panel, a back panel, and two side portions, wherein the side portions extend from lateral edges of the front panel and back panels, wherein the side portions include a fastening mechanism to connect ends of the back body portion; a stoma opening within the back panel, wherein the stoma opening is a void within a fabric of the back panel; and an interior compartment between the front panel and the back panel, wherein a front bottom edge of the front panel is connected to a back bottom edge of the back panel to form a bottom edge of the interior compartment, wherein the front panel includes a first flap portion and a second flap portion, wherein the first flap portion overlaps with the second flap portion, wherein the interior compartment is accessible by folding back the first flap portion from the second flap portion, wherein the interior compartment is accessible by the stoma opening.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the first flap portion is curved.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism includes a hook and loop fastening system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the side portions include a fastening flap including a hook and loop fastening system on an inner surface of the fastening flap to attach to a hook and loop fastening system on an outer surface of the side portions.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the interior compartment includes an ostomy appliance.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the stoma opening includes a ring channel along the perimeter of the stoma opening.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a ring inside the ring channel of the stoma opening.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the back panel includes a support stabilizer.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the back panel includes support stitching in a criss-cross pattern surrounding the stoma opening.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the back panel includes support stitching of concentric circles surrounding the stoma opening.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a securing band attached to an outer surface of at least one side portion of the belt body, wherein the securing band surrounds an outer surface of the belt body.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein a length of the securing band is adjustable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a back view of an example of the hernia ostomy support device disclosed herein.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system disclosed herein.

[0028] FIGS. 3A-3B is a back view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system including a front body portion and back body portion.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system illustrating the compartment opening to receive a medical device.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system illustrating a medical device housed in the compartment opening.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a back view of the back panel of the hernia belt ostomy support system including a hernia opening.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system illustrating two compartment openings in the front panel.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a back view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system illustrating a support band.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a front view of an example of the opening for the stoma illustrating the rim.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a front view of an example of the interior compartment opening.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a front view of an example of the hernia belt ostomy support system disclosed herein.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a side view of an example of the fastening system disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the present hernia belt ostomy support system 10 can include a front body portion 12 and a back body portion 30. The front body portion 12 can include a front panel 14 and a back panel 16, as well as two side portions 18, 19 that can include a fastening mechanism.

[0039] The back panel 16 of the front body portion 12 can include a stoma opening 24 to provide access to the stoma for the appliance. The front body portion 12 can include a top edge 20 and bottom edge both 22 extending from a first end 18 to a second end 19. The top edge 20 and/or bottom edge 22 of the front body portion 12 can include curvature away from the center. In an example, the curvature of at least one of the edges provides ample (e.g., 2-5 inches) allowance above the stoma opening 24 to improve support to the potential hernia area or the hernia.

[0040] The belt body first end 18 and second end 19 can be removably connected to each other and/or to back body portion 30 of the belt body via any suitable closing mechanism including, but not limited to, hook and loop, clasps, buttons, fasteners, snaps, among others. Further, the fastener can provide a range of adjustability to account for different sized patients, hernias, and activities.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the device 10 can be comprised of two separate pieces, such as a front body portion 12 and back body portion 30, wherein a fastener system can be positioned on both ends of the front body portion and both ends of the back body portion such that maximum cinching support capability can be achieved from both the left and right sides evenly. For example, the belt body first end 18 can connect to a back body first end 61, and the belt body second end 19 can connect to a back body second end 62. In an example, the belt body first end 18 and the belt body second end 19 can include a hook and loop fastening system to engage with the back body first end 61 and the back body second end 62, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, the belt body first end 18 and second end 19 can include a second fastening flap 90 to attach to an external hook and loop system on the outer surface of the belt body first end 18 and second end 19. By adding a double locking closure including the second the hook and loop system, the front body portion 12 cannot be easily separated from the back body portion 30. This creates an added benefit of making sure the device is held securely in place at all times but can still be easily adjusted when desired.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the back panel 16 of the front body portion 12 can include a stoma opening 24 to provide access to the stoma for the appliance. The back panel 16 can be shaped as an oval with the circular stoma opening 24 in the center. The planar ovular shape of the back panel 16 provides the greatest coverage and support to the hernia. The back panel 16 can include reinforcing material to increase the strength of the back panel 16 while providing elasticity and comfort to the user.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the front body portion 12 of the hernia belt ostomy support system 10 includes a compartment system to hold, support and conceal a medical device, such as an ostomy appliance 32, while simultaneously providing hernia support. For example, the belt body (e.g., front body portion 12) can include a front panel 14 and back panel 16 of the front body portion 12, between which additional hernia support stabilizers may be included. In an example, the front panel 14 is outward facing and the back panel 16 is inward facing that fits snug against the body of the wearer.

[0044] The interior compartment cavity 45 can house an ostomy appliance 32, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, wherein the compartment cavity 45 is accessible by a compartment opening 28. In an example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7, the compartment opening 28 can be positioned on the front panel of the belt body, and in FIG. 4 the compartment opening 28 can be positioned on the upper edge of the compartment cavity 45, wherein the upper edge is where the top edge of the front panel and the top edge of the back panel meet. The compartment opening 28 can include an open seam, elastic seams, zippers, snaps, hook and loop, flaps, among any other suitable fastening or enclosing mechanisms. In an example, the compartment opening 28 can include at least one of a horizontal slit, vertical slit, and/or diagonal slit. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the compartment cavity 45 can be accessed via pulling apart two flap portions 70, 71 of the front panel 14.

[0045] In an example, as shown in FIG. 7, the compartment opening 28 can include two parallel horizontal zippers, wherein a lower zipper allows easy access to the bottom of the pouch area for drainage purposes, wherein an upper zipper allows access from the top of the pouch area downward to enable burping of the bag to release gas. In an example, a vertical pouch system can be used for patients wearing an urostomy option. Further, the pouching system can accommodate more than one compartment, such as a double compartment, for housing multiple types of appliances such as an ostomy, a urostomy, a colostomy, and/or ileostomy appliance.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the back panel 16 of the front body portion 12 can include a stoma opening 24 (e.g., a circular cut out within the back panel 16), wherein the stoma opening 24 is provided in different size ring perimeters to easily convert the hole size to a smaller hole. In an example, the stoma opening 24 can include a ring channel 40 inside the perimeter of the stoma opening 24 for receiving a ring (not shown). The solid ring can be positioned inside the fabric along the perimeter of the stoma opening 24. The rings can be provided of different diameters to customize the opening to the user. Alternatively, the ring provided can be adjustable to change the size of the diameter of the ring. In an example, the stoma opening is adjustable.

[0047] The stoma opening 24 can be any suitable shape including circular, square, rectangular, a non-symmetrical shape, oblong shape, among others. It is important that there is adequate support around the hole, especially at the top edge of the belt such that the flange patch is not exposed and unsupported. Providing even support around the stoma area is particularly important in order to help prevent the formation of a hernia or to mitigate the effects of an existing hernia.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, support stitching 52 on the back panel 16 around the stoma opening 24 can provide strength and durability to the support device 10. For example, the support stitching 52 can provide structural integrity to the stoma opening 24. The support stitching 52 can be in any suitable pattern. In an example, the support stitching 52 can include a criss-cross pattern, concentric circles, a grid pattern, among others.

[0049] The belt body (e.g., combination of the front body portion 12 and the back body portion 30) can be any suitable size to accommodate a variety of user sizes, and a variety of hernia sizes. For example, the hernia belt 10 can be made in any size, including from 26-57, and the hernia support panels can have lengths of up to 15, 13, 12, 10, among others. As a result, the device 10 allows for secure cinching to attain the desired tightness for different patients, different hernias, and/or different activities that require more or less support. In an example, the device provides adjustability from both sides of the body.

[0050] Further, the hernia belt ostomy support system 10 can include any additional securing member. For example, FIG. 8 includes an additional securing band 50 to further secure the hernia support system to the patient's body. As a result, if necessary additional securing strength is needed to support different hernias the belt system can accommodate further adjustments and support. The securing band 50 can be positioned to wrap around the outer surface of the front and back portions of the belt system to apply additional pressure towards the body of the user to further secure the belt system to the body. Alternatively, the securing band 50 can be positioned inside the front and back portions of the hernia belt ostomy support system 10 to secure the hernia belt ostomy support system 10 to the body.

[0051] In an example, as shown in FIGS. 10-11, the compartment opening 28 can include a flap opening in the front panel 14 of the front body portion 12. For example, the front panel 14 can include two flap portions 70, 71 that overlap to encase the ostomy appliance. The two flap portions 70, 71 can be pulled away from each other to access the inner compartment. In an example, the first flap portion 71 and/or the second flap portion 70 can include a reinforcement 81 between the front panel 14 and the belt body first end 18 and second end 19 to further increase the support level.

[0052] Specifically, the front panel 14 of the front body portion 12 can include a first flap portion 71 to support directly over the stoma as well as adds an additional layer of cushioning to help prevent damage or direct contact with the stoma during daily activities. The protective layer of the first flap portion 71 can add additional protection of the stoma, for example, while leaning over a car as a mechanic, carrying boxes, belt buckles, seat belts etc. The protective layer of the first flap portion 71 can include a curved edge connecting to the front panel 14 such that it directly covers the stoma area and the area directly around the stoma where a hernia would not normally be supported.

[0053] The curved seam 83 joining the first flap portion 71 to the front panel 14 in the specific way illustrated in FIG. 11 helps to ensure there is proper stretch so the interior compartment can fill normally and also add support to the pouch area to keep it secure and in place on the patient.

[0054] The second flap portion 70 is designed to support an ostomy appliance within the interior compartment. The second flap portion 70 can extend up into a top third of the front panel such that the second flap portion 70 can contain an ostomy appliance within the interior compartment.

[0055] An external edge 85 of the first flap portion 71 can be a curved seam and reinforced to provide a cup to fully support the hernia and also to secure an ostomy bag inside the interior compartment. The reinforced strength and design of the external curved seam 85 renders the need of a traditional zipper obsolete. The use of the flap system instead of the zipper is advantageous for some users with arthritis and other physical challenges with dexterity whom may struggle with operating the zipper. The use of the two flap portions makes it very easy to fully access the pouch and hernia area while still wearing the belt. Another benefit of the two flap portions is that there is no metal, making it ideal for travel and metal detectors.

[0056] The hernia belt support can be made of any suitable material. In an example, the hernia belt support, or a portion of the hernia belt support, can be made of any natural or synthetic material including but not limited to nylon, Pellon, Spandex, Lycra, among others. In an example, at least a portion of the hernia belt support can include stabilizer 70 weight or other material that can add volume. For example, the front panel 14 and the back panel 16 can include support panels that have a physical volume and tension that provides flexibility, thickness, and strength. Stabilizer fabric can have the characteristic of springing back into place when compressed, then released making the panel self-supporting.

[0057] In an example, the materials used for the hernia belt support can be made of water resistant material that can be used in water activities. The material can have wicking properties to prevent the material from becoming heavy in weight due to absorbing water.

[0058] In an example, the hernia belt support can be designed to have the appearance of a piece of clothing or accessory (e.g., belt, sash, etc.) that anyone would assume is a normal piece of clothing and not a medical device.

[0059] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.