Ostomy appliance

Abstract

An ostomy appliance comprising a main body portion comprising an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output; the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity; the ostomy appliance further comprising an outer comfort layer overlying at least a portion of the outer wall; wherein the outer comfort layer comprise a first part and a second part which are joined to the outer wall so that the first part partially overlaps the second part in an overlap region, wherein the first part and the second part are separable from each other in the overlap region to form a window opening for viewing the cavity; wherein the overlap region is angled obliquely to a horizontal direction when the ostomy appliance is orientated as it would be in use.

Claims

1. An ostomy appliance comprising a main body portion comprising an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output; the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity; the ostomy appliance further comprises an outer comfort layer overlying at least a portion of the outer wall; a separation wall located between the inner wall and the outer wall; and sealed together at an at least upper and side peripheral regions of the separation wall to at least the upper and side peripheral regions of the inner wall and to the outer wall to form a first chamber between the inner wall and separation wall and a second chamber between the separation wall and the outer wall, the separation wall further comprising a separation filter for filtering gases and/or liquids into the second chamber from solid matter contained in the stomal output as contained in the first chamber; and a gas vent with a gas filter provided in an upper portion of the outer wall and configured to allow the gases to exit the ostomy appliance, wherein the outer comfort layer comprises a first part and a second part which are joined to the outer wall so that the first part partially overlaps the second part in an overlap region, wherein the first part and the second part are separable from each other in the overlap region to form a window opening for viewing the cavity; wherein the overlap region is angled obliquely to a horizontal direction when a lower apex is vertically downward relative to an upper apex of the ostomy appliance; wherein the outer wall comprises one or more pleats which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output, the first part and the second part of the outer comfort layer being configured to slide over each other in the overlap region to accommodate expansion of the underlying outer wall; wherein the separation filter comprises one or more pleats aligned with the one or more pleats of the outer wall; and wherein the separation filter is configured to prevent at least stomal solids from passing from the first chamber, through the separation wall, into the second chamber, and contacting the gas filter.

2. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the window opening extends fully, or substantially fully, across a face of the outer wall.

3. The ostomy appliance of claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part of the outer comfort layer are joined to each other at a first end and at a second end of the overlap region.

4. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first part and the second part are welded to each other at the first end and at the second end of the overlap region.

5. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 4, wherein a single weld is provided for joining in one operation the inner wall, the outer wall and the outer comfort layer, including the welding of the first part and the second part to each other at the first end and at the second end of the overlap region.

6. The ostomy appliance of claim 1, further comprising either an ostomy wafer that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall, or a releasable coupling that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall and that is configured for coupling with a body fitment component comprising an ostomy wafer.

7. An ostomy appliance comprising an inner wall and an outer wall of flexible sheet material joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output; the inner wall comprising an inlet for receiving the stomal output into the cavity; the inner wall and outer wall defining a central region, a first lateral wing region and a second lateral wing region; a separation wall located between the inner wall and the outer wall within the cavity; and sealed together at an at least upper and side peripheral regions of the separation wall to at least the upper and side peripheral regions of the inner wall and to the outer wall to form a first chamber between the inner wall and separation wall and a second chamber between the separation wall and the outer wall, and the separation wall further comprising a separation filter for filtering gases and/or liquids into the second chamber from solid matter contained in the stomal output as contained in the first chamber; and a gas vent with a gas filter provided in an upper portion of the outer wall and configured to allow the gases to exit the ostomy appliance, wherein the outer wall comprises one or more pleats which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output to promote conformation of the inner wall against a body of an ostomate wearing the ostomy appliance; wherein the separation filter comprises one or more pleats; and wherein the separation filter is configured to prevent at least stomal solids from passing from the first chamber, through the separation wall, into the second chamber, and contacting the gas filter.

8. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more pleats are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output to promote displacement of the first lateral wing region and the second lateral wing region towards the body of the ostomate.

9. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, wherein the inner wall is free of pleats.

10. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, wherein the one or more pleats of the outer wall comprise two pleats which are arranged symmetrically about a vertical midline of the outer wall.

11. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, wherein the one or more pleats of the outer wall are orientated vertically when a lower apex is vertically downward relative to an upper apex of the ostomy appliance.

12. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, wherein the first lateral wing region and the second lateral wing region are foldable about a fold line that extends in a generally vertical direction when a lower apex is vertically downward relative to an upper apex of the ostomy appliance.

13. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the one or more pleats of the outer wall is aligned with each of the fold lines.

14. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more pleats of the separation filter are aligned with the one or more pleats of the outer wall.

15. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, wherein a free edge of the inner wall and a free edge of the outer wall are joined by a weld line.

16. The ostomy appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein an upper end and a lower end of each of the one or more pleats of the outer wall is traversed by the weld line.

17. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, further comprising an outer comfort layer overlying the outer wall, wherein the outer comfort layer is free of pleats.

18. The ostomy appliance of claim 7, further comprising either an ostomy wafer that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall, or a releasable coupling that is located in register with the inlet of the inner wall and that is configured for coupling with a body fitment component comprising an ostomy wafer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One or more embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of components of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of some of the components of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of some more of the components of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 5 is a schematic rear view of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 7 is a series of views illustrating use of an ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 8 is a close up perspective view of a part of an ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 9 a view illustrating use of an ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure in an extended configuration with a closure portion unfastened and unfolded;

(13) FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic exploded perspective view of components of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10;

(14) FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic exploded perspective view of some of the components of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10;

(15) FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic exploded perspective view of some further components of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10;

(16) FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic rear view of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10;

(17) FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic front view of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10;

(18) FIGS. 16a to 16d schematically illustrate the retractable drain of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10 in a) the extended configuration b) the extended configuration with the closure portion folded c) the extended configuration with the closure portion folded and fastened and d) the retracted configuration;

(19) FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic view of the retractable drain of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10 in the retracted configuration with the comfort layer omitted;

(20) FIGS. 18a to 18c schematically illustrate a cross-section of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 10 with the retractable drain in a) the extended configuration b) the extended configuration with the closure portion folded and fastened and c) a partial view in the retracted configuration;

(21) FIGS. 19a and 19b illustrate a schematic views of a another embodiment of ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure with a retractable drain in an extended configuration;

(22) FIG. 20 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of ostomy appliance according to the present disclosure;

(23) FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the ostomy appliance of FIG. 1; and

(24) FIG. 22 illustrates an exploded perspective view of components of a further embodiment of an ostomy appliance showing a further embodiment of a separation wall and exemplary locations of attachment regions and seals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

(25) In the following description, the equivalent reference numerals are used in different embodiments to denote equivalent or similar features.

(26) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as is commonly understood by the reader skilled in the art to which the claimed subject matter belongs. It is to be understood that the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following examples are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of any subject matter claimed.

(27) The following description is directed to embodiments of the disclosure. The description of the embodiments is not meant to include all the possible embodiments of the disclosure that are claimed in the appended claims. Many modifications, improvements and equivalents which are not explicitly recited in the following embodiments may fall within the scope of the appended claims. Features described as part of one embodiment may be combined with features of one or more other embodiments unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(28) In this specification, the use of the singular includes the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, use of the term “including” as well as other forms, such as “include”, “includes,” and “included,” is not limiting.

(29) As used herein, ranges and amounts can be expressed as “about” a particular value or range. About also includes the exact amount. For example, “about 5 mm” means “about 5 mm” and also “5 mm.” Generally, the term “about” includes an amount that would be expected to be within experimental error. The term “about” includes values that are within 10% less to 10% greater of the value provided. For example, “about 50%” means “between 45% and 55%.” Also, by way of example, “about 30” means “between 27 and 33.”

(30) A first example embodiment of an ostomy appliance 1 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. This example is a closed appliance. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ostomy appliance 1 may generally comprise an inner wall 2, an outer wall 3, a separation wall 4, an inner comfort layer 5, an outer comfort layer 6 and an ostomy wafer 7. The ostomy appliance 1 of this example is a one-piece appliance wherein the ostomy wafer 7 is permanently attached to the ostomy appliance 1, to the extent that the ostomy wafer 7 cannot easily be separated without risk of damaging the ostomy appliance 1. However, the teachings of this disclosure may also be applied, with suitable alteration where necessary, to two-piece appliance. For example, where the ostomy appliance 1 is a two-piece appliance the inner wall 2, the outer wall 3, the separation wall 4, the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 may together form a pouch appliance that in use may be coupled to a body fitment component that comprises the ostomy wafer 7.

(31) The inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 are joined together to define a cavity for containing a stomal output. The inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 are of flexible sheet material.

(32) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner wall 2 is provided with a stomal inlet 20 for receiving the stomal output into the cavity. The stomal inlet 20 may be an aperture that is cut out of the inner wall 2.

(33) The inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 may be joined together around their peripheral edges by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means. Welding is a preferred method of joining the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a peripheral weld 8 may extend around a full perimeter of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 to create a fluid-tight seal there between. The peripheral weld 8 may have a width of 1 to 3 mm, preferably about 2 mm.

(34) In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the inner comfort layer 5 overlies the inner wall 2 and the outer comfort layer 6 overlies the outer wall 3.

(35) The inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 may be formed of a flexible sheet material. The flexible sheet material may comprise a fabric layer. The fabric layer may be a textile layer. The textile layer may be a woven or a non-woven textile layer. Examples of suitable materials include one or more of polyester, nylon, viscose, polyethylene and polypropylene.

(36) The inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 may comprise at least one fabric layer and at least one film layer. The at least one fabric layer may comprise a non-woven textile layer but is preferably a woven textile layer. The woven textile layer may comprise one or more of polyester, nylon, viscose, polyethylene and polypropylene. The film layer may comprise one or more of polyurethane, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The at least one film layer may be laminated to the at least one fabric layer, and optionally may be laminated to the at least one fabric layer over an entire area of the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6.

(37) The inner comfort layer 5 may overlie the inner wall 2. The inner comfort layer 5 may cover only a portion of the inner wall 2. However, it is preferred that the inner comfort layer 5 covers all of the inner wall 2 (except for the stomal inlet 20 of the inner wall 2).

(38) The inner wall 2 and the inner comfort layer 5 may be joined together around their peripheral edges by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means.

(39) As shown in FIG. 5, a peripheral weld may extend around the perimeter of the inner wall 2 and the inner comfort layer 5. The peripheral weld that joins the inner wall 2 with the inner comfort layer 5 may be the whole or a portion of the peripheral weld 8 that joins the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. Optionally, the inner comfort layer 5 may comprise a drainage aperture 13. The drainage aperture 13 may comprise a gap in the peripheral weld. Preferably, the drainage aperture 13 is located at the lower apex 9b.

(40) As shown in FIG. 2, the inner comfort layer 5 is preferably provided with a wafer aperture 14 that is in register with the stomal inlet 20 of the inner wall 2.

(41) The outer comfort layer 6 overlies at least a portion of the outer wall 3. The outer wall 3 and the outer comfort layer 6 may be joined together around their peripheral edges by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means. A peripheral weld may extend around the perimeter of the outer wall 3 and the outer comfort layer 6. The peripheral weld that joins the outer wall 3 with the outer comfort layer 6 may be the whole or a portion of the peripheral weld 8 that joins the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3.

(42) In some embodiments, the peripheral weld 8 may be one weld that joins together the inner comfort layer 5, the inner wall 2, the outer wall 3 and the outer comfort layer 6.

(43) The inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 may be quadrilateral in shape when in an unfolded configuration as show in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 are also quadrilateral in shape when in an unfolded configuration as show in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, in the unfolded configuration the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 are flat or substantially flat. The figures illustrate a preferred example wherein the inner wall 2, the outer wall 3, the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 are square in shape in the unfolded configuration. The inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 may have a length of 120 mm to 200 mm, preferably 140 mm to 160 mm, for example 145 mm. The inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 may have a width of 120 mm to 200 mm, preferably 140 mm to 160 mm, for example 145 mm. The inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 may have the same external shape and dimensions as the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 so that the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 are preferably covered up to their edges.

(44) The inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 may have one or more rounded apexes 9. All of the apexes 9 may be rounded. It is preferred that the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 have four rounded apexes 9. The radius of curvature of each rounded apex 9 may be about 30 mm.

(45) When in use (i.e. when worn by an ostomate) the inner and outer walls 2, 3 may comprise an upper apex 9a which points generally vertically upwards, a lower apex 9b which points generally vertically downwards and opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d which point generally to each side, as shown by way of example in FIG. 5. The upper apex 9a may be joined to the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d by first and second edges 10a, 10b and the lower apex 9b may be joined to the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d by third and fourth edges 10c, 10d. In this configuration the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 may be considered to be ‘diamond-shaped’. One or more of the upper apex 9a, the lower apex 9b and the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d may be rounded, for example as described above.

(46) One or more of the first, second, third and fourth edges 10a-d may be straight, i.e. the edge 10a-d may be straight from a first apex at one end of the edge to a second apex at an opposite end of the edge. Where the apex 9 is rounded, the edge 10a-d may be straight between the rounded apex(es) 9.

(47) The outer comfort layer 6 may comprise multiple parts. The external shape and dimensions of the multiple parts when taken together may be the same as that of the outer wall 3. For example, the outer comfort layer 6 may comprise a first part 6a and a second part 6b which may be joined to the outer wall 3 so that the first part 6a partially overlaps the second part 6b in an overlap region 15 as shown in FIG. 6. The first part 6a and the second part 6b may be separable from each other in the overlap region 15 to form a window opening for viewing the cavity. The overlap region 15 may extend obliquely from at or near a mid-point of the first edge 10a to at or near a mid-point of the fourth edge 10d. Alternatively, the overlap region 15 may extend obliquely from at or near a mid-point of the second edge 10b to at or near a mid-point of the third edge 10c. In another alternative the overlap region 15 may extend horizontally when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use.

(48) According to the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 comprise at least one peripheral region 11a-d which may be configured to be folded in use between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 may comprise more than one peripheral region 11, for example, two, three or four peripheral regions 11a-d.

(49) The at least one peripheral region 11a-d may have a substantially triangular shape with a free edge that comprises the apex 9. The upper apex 9a may be in an upper peripheral region 11a, the lower apex 9b may be in a lower peripheral region 11b and the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d may be in left and right peripheral regions 11d, 11c as shown in FIG. 5.

(50) The at least one peripheral region 11a-d may comprise at least one lateral wing region and preferably comprises at least two lateral wing regions 11c, 11d, for example being the left and right peripheral regions 11d, 11c. The at least one lateral wing region 11c, 11d may each comprise an apex 9c, 9d that is pointed sideways when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use as shown in FIG. 7.

(51) According to the present disclosure the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 comprise at least one adjacent region 12a-d. Each of the peripheral regions 11a-d may be located next to an adjacent region 12a-d. A dedicated adjacent region 12a-d may be provided for each peripheral region 11a-d. Alternatively, an adjacent region 12a-d may be adjacent more than one peripheral region 11a-d. The one or more adjacent regions 12a-d may be located towards or in a central region of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3.

(52) In the illustrated example of FIGS. 2 and 3, two peripheral regions 11c, 11d are provided—a left lateral wing region 11d (as viewed in FIG. 5) and a right lateral wing region 11c. In this example two adjacent regions 12a-d are provided, one next to each of the left and right lateral wing regions—a left adjacent region 12d and a right adjacent region 12c.

(53) Each peripheral region 11a-d may be foldable about a fold line that extends between the peripheral region 11a-d and its adjacent region 12a-d. The at least one lateral wing region 11c, 11d may be foldable about a fold line 16c, 16d that extends in a generally vertical direction when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use. Optionally, an upper and/or a lower peripheral region 11a, 11b may be foldable about a fold line that extends in a generally horizontal direction when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use.

(54) The flexible sheet material of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 may be formed of polyurethane, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and/or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The flexible sheet material may have a thickness of 50 to 150 micrometres, preferably 75 to 100 micrometres.

(55) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the at least one peripheral region 11a-d may comprise a stiffening member 17. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one adjacent region 12a-d may comprise a stiffening member 18. Complementary stiffening members 17, 18 may be provided on both the peripheral region 11a-d and the adjacent region 12a-d as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, stiffening members 18 may be provided only on the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and not on the at least one adjacent region 12a-d as shown in FIG. 1A. In a further non-illustrated alternative, stiffening members 17 may be provided only on the at least one adjacent region 12a-d and not on the at least one peripheral region 11a-d.

(56) The one or more stiffening members 17, 18 are preferably covered by the inner comfort layer 5 to avoid contact between the skin of the ostomate and the stiffening members 17, 18.

(57) In a non-illustrated variant, for each peripheral region 11, a single stiffening member may be provided that extends from the peripheral region 11a-d to the respective one adjacent region 12a-d. However, preferably and as illustrated the stiffening members 17, 18 of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and the at least one adjacent region 12a-d may be separated from one another and may comprise two parts. The stiffening members 17, 18 of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and the at least one adjacent region 12a-d may be separated by a gap 19 which may define the location of folding of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d.

(58) The stiffening members 17, 18 of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and the at least one adjacent region 12a-d may be located equidistant from the fold line 16c-d that extends between the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and the at least one adjacent region 12a-d.

(59) Each stiffening member 17, 18 may have a rectangular shape. Each stiffening member 17, 18 may be of the same size. The stiffening members 17, 18 may have a length of 10 to 40 mm, a width of 10 to 30 mm and a thickness of 0.25 to 1.00 mm. The stiffening members 17, 18 may be formed of one or more of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene. ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

(60) The stiffening members 17, 18 may be integrated in, or affixed to, the outer wall 3 but is preferably integrated in, or affixed to, the inner wall 2. In some embodiments each stiffening member 17, 18 is adhered to the inner wall 2 using an adhesive. The stiffening members 17, 18 may be located on an inner or an outer face of the inner wall 2.

(61) In the example of FIG. 2, the stiffening members 17, 18 are each a rectangular piece of polystyrene measuring 30 mm by 20 mm by 0.50 mm that is adhered to the inner wall 2.

(62) Alternatively or additionally, the one or more stiffening members may comprise one or more welds in the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and/or the at least one adjacent region 12a-d. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more stiffening members may comprise local thickening of the flexible sheet material of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and/or the at least one adjacent region 12a-d.

(63) In a non-illustrated variant, the one or more stiffening members may comprise a flexible hinge. The flexible hinge may be elastically movable between an unfolded and folded configuration. The flexible hinge may be biased into its folded configuration. For example the flexible hinge may be a piece of resilient polymer that is folded when unloaded. The flexible hinge may be plastically movable between an unfolded and folded configuration. For example, the flexible hinge may be a piece of aluminium foil. The flexible hinge may have bi-stable configurations—folded and unfolded.

(64) One or more openings may be provided in the inner comfort layer 5 and/or the outer comfort layer 6 which are configured to receive a portion of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d of the inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 and to releasably retain the at least one peripheral region 11a-d in its folded configuration. The one or more openings may be so configured by one or more of their location, size and orientation. In some embodiments the one or more openings are provided in the inner comfort layer 5. In the following, the one or more openings will be described as being only in the inner comfort layer 5. However, openings of the same type as described may also or alternatively be provided in the outer comfort layer 6.

(65) The one or more openings may be slits 21 in the inner comfort layer 5. The slits 21 may be straight slits. The slits 21 may pass through the full thickness of the inner comfort layer 5. Where the inner comfort layer 5 is a laminate, the slits 21 may pass through one or more layers of the laminate. The slits 21 may be orientated vertically when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use. The slits 21 may be orientated horizontally when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use. The inner comfort layer 5 may comprise two slits 21. The two slits 21 may be located symmetrically about a vertical mid-line of the ostomy appliance 1.

(66) Alternatively, the inner comfort layer 5 may comprise three slits 21, with some slits 21 that are orientated vertically when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use and some slits 21 that are orientated horizontally when the ostomy appliance 1 is in use. In one example, two vertical slits 21 and one horizontal slits 21 are provided. In another example, two vertical slits 21 and two horizontal slits 21 are provided.

(67) In a non-illustrated embodiment, a central region of the inner comfort layer 5 may be joined to a central region of the inner wall 2 along a central contact line. The central region may be located in between the one or more openings of the inner comfort layer 5. The central contact line may be located between the two slits 21 in the inner comfort layer 5 and preferably equidistant from each of the two slits 21, and preferably orientated parallel to the two slits 21. The central contact line may be a central weld line.

(68) One or more layers of the ostomy appliance 1 may be pre-scored to assist in defining the location of fold lines 16c-d between the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and the at least one adjacent region 12a-d. For example, the inner wall 2 and/or outer wall 3 may be pre-scored.

(69) One or more layers of the ostomy appliance 1 may be provided with additional means to assist in defining the location of fold lines 16c-d between the at least one peripheral region 11a-d and the at least one adjacent region 12a-d. For example, the inner comfort layer 5 and/or the outer comfort layer 6 may be provided with permanent creases to demarcate the location of the fold lines.

(70) The ostomy wafer 7 may be located in register with the stomal inlet 20 of the inner wall 2. The ostomy wafer 7 may extend through the wafer aperture 14 of the inner comfort layer 5. The ostomy wafer 7 may be located in the upper peripheral region 11a of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The periphery of the ostomy wafer 7 preferably does not extend beyond the periphery of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 in the unfolded configuration.

(71) The ostomy appliance 1 may be provided with a gas vent 27 for venting of stomal gases from the cavity. The ostomy appliance 1 may comprise a gas vent filter 24, which may be an odour filter, for example a charcoal or activated carbon filter, for reducing the release of unwanted odours from the cavity. As shown in FIG. 4, the gas vent filter 24 may form a part of the gas vent 27, which may comprise at least one gas vent aperture 28 located in the outer wall 3. The gas vent filter 24 may be covered by a filter cap 25 and the gas vent filter 24 and/or filter cap 25 may be located on the outer wall 3 over the at least one gas vent aperture 28. The at least one gas vent aperture 28 may permit the passage of gas from the cavity towards an exterior of the ostomy appliance through the gas vent filter 24 and filter cap 25.

(72) The gas vent 27 may be located, in use, in the upper half or more preferably upper quarter of the ostomy appliance 1. In particular, the centre of the at least one gas vent aperture 28 may be located, in use, above the centre of the stomal inlet 20. Preferably the entire perimeter of the at least one gas vent aperture 28 is located, in use, above the entire perimeter of the stomal inlet 20 as shown in FIG. 17. The term “above” is intended to mean that the at least one gas vent aperture 28 is located in use uppermost of the stomal inlet 20 along a line parallel to the inner and outer walls 2, 3 when in a flat configuration.

(73) As shown in FIG. 2, the separation wall 4 may be located between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The separation wall 4 comprises a separation filter 100 for filtering stomal gases and/or stomal liquids from stomal solids contained in the stomal output. The separation filter 100 may thus prevent stomal solids from contacting the gas vent 27 and clogging or otherwise impairing the functionality of the gas vent filter 24.

(74) The cavity of the ostomy appliance 1 may be sub-divided into two volumes by the separation wall 4 to form first and second chambers 101, 102 as best illustrated in FIG. 17. The first chamber 101 may extend between the separation wall 4 and the inner wall 2 and the second chamber 102 may extend between the separation wall 4 and the outer wall 3. The first and second chambers 101, 102 may have substantially the same volume or they may have different volumes. The second chamber 102 may have a larger volume than the first chamber 101, particularly if pleats 50 are present and are unfolded (as discussed further below).

(75) The separation wall 4 may be joined to the inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 at or adjacent to a part or the whole of their peripheral edges, preferably by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means. Welding is a preferred method of joining and the peripheral weld that joins the inner wall 2, outer wall 3 and separation wall 4 may be the whole or a portion of the peripheral weld 8 that joins the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the peripheral weld 8 may extend around a full perimeter of the inner wall 2, outer wall 3 and separation wall 4 to create a fluid-tight seal there between. Therefore, the joining of the separation wall 4 with the inner and outer walls 2, 3 may be such that the first and second chambers 101, 102 are sealed from one another other than via the separation filter 100.

(76) The separation wall 4 may have the same external shape and dimensions as the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 so that the separation wall 4 extends entirely across all of the surface area of the inner and outer walls 2, 3. However, the separation wall 4 may instead be joined around at least part of its peripheral edge to only one of the inner and outer walls 2, 3. Therefore, the separation wall 4 may extend across at least 50% or at least 75% of the surface area of the inner and/or outer walls 2, 3. The separation wall 4 may at least partially extend across a lower half or lower quarter of the ostomy appliance 1 and may, as illustrated, extend entirely across the inner and outer walls 2, 3 and particularly between the peripheral weld 8 joining the inner and outer walls 2, 3.

(77) The separation wall 4 may comprise a flexible sheet material, which may be formed of polyurethane, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and/or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The flexible sheet material of the separation wall 4 may have a thickness of 50 to 150 micrometres, preferably 75 to 100 micrometres.

(78) The separation wall 4 may comprise a hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating applied to the flexible sheet material and/or the flexible sheet material may be hydrophobic and/or oleophobic.

(79) The separation filter 100 is liquid and gas permeable such that stomal liquid and stomal gas can migrate through the separation filter 100 to the second chamber 102 from the stomal output in the first chamber 101. The separation filter 100 may be substantially impermeable to the stomal solids in the stomal output such that the stomal solids substantially remain within the first chamber 101. Thus the separation filter 100 may effectively separate the stomal output into stomal solids in the first chamber 101 and stomal liquid and stomal gas in the second chamber 102.

(80) The separation filter 100 may comprise at least one wall aperture 103 and preferably an array of wall apertures 103. The separation filter 100 may be otherwise substantially impermeable to gas and liquid other than through the at least one wall aperture 103. The at least one wall aperture 103 may be laser perforated in the separation wall 4. The maximum diameter of each wall aperture 103 may be in the range of from about 0.03 mm to about 0.8 mm, from about 0.06 mm to about 0.8 mm or from about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm inclusive. The spacing between adjacent wall apertures 103 in the array may be in the range of from about 0.8 mm to about 2.2 mm or from about 1 mm to about 2 mm. The wall apertures 103 of the array may comprise a stochastic and/or regular distribution. Preferably the entire array has a regular distribution as shown in FIG. 2, although the array may have an entirely stochastic distribution or part of the array may comprise a stochastic distribution and part of the array may comprise a regular distribution.

(81) The separation filter 100 and preferably array of wall apertures 103 may extend across at least 50%, at least 75% or at least 90% of the surface area of the separation wall 4. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the array of wall apertures 103 may extend entirely across the separation wall 4. The separation filter 100 may extend across at least the lower half or lower quarter of the separation wall 4 and/or inner and outer walls 2, 3. The separation filter 100 may extend across at least the upper half or upper quarter of the separation wall 4 and/or inner and outer walls 2, 3. The separation filter 100 may not extend into the region of the peripheral weld 8 and, prior to assembly, the separation wall 4 comprises a peripheral region without any wall apertures 103.

(82) FIG. 22 illustrates a further embodiment of the ostomy appliance 1, similar to that of FIG. 1, when in an exploded configuration and in which the separation filter 100 extends across part of the separation wall 4. In particular, the separation wall 4 comprises a non-perforated area 104 at least partially, in this example entirely, surrounded by the separation filter 100 and the wall apertures 103. The non-perforated area 104 comprises only the separation wall 4 without wall apertures 103 or other perforations therethrough. The non-perforated area 104 may be aligned with and adjacent to the stomal inlet 20 in the assembled ostomy appliance 1. The surface area of the non-perforated area 104 may be at least, preferably at least 110% of, the area of the stomal inlet 20. The non-perforated area 104 and stomal inlet 20 may be round as illustrated.

(83) The ostomy appliance 1 may further comprise a protective structure 110 comprising a protective panel 26 for substantially protecting the gas vent 27 from liquid located in the cavity and second chamber 102. The protective panel 26 is attached to at least one wall 2, 3, 4, which as in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21 may be at least the outer wall 3 and more preferably the inner wall 2, outer wall 3 and separation wall 4. The protective panel 26 may define a protective chamber 111 around the gas vent 27 and the protective chamber 111 may be located within the cavity and second chamber 102. The protective structure 110 may comprise a protective chamber gas inlet 112 for allowing the stomal gas to migrate into the protective chamber 111 from the second chamber 102. The stomal gas may thus migrate through the protective chamber 111 to the gas vent 27 such that it can exit the ostomy appliance 1.

(84) The protective structure 110 may also comprise a protective chamber liquid outlet 114 for allowing stomal liquid to migrate out of the protective chamber 111. Some stomal liquid may undesirably migrate into the protective chamber 111 when the ostomy appliance 1 is oriented with its outer wall 3 facing downwards such that gravity directs liquid through the protective chamber gas inlet 112. The protective chamber liquid outlet 114 may enable such stomal liquid to exit the protective chamber 111 back into the second chamber 102. Stomal gas entering the protective chamber 111 may force the stomal liquid out through the protective chamber liquid outlet 114.

(85) The protective panel 26 may be substantially triangular in shape and thus have the same shape as upper portions of the inner and outer walls 2, 3. The edges of the protective panel 26 may extend from the upper apex 9a along the first and second edges 10a, 10b towards the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d. The protective panel 26 may comprise a lower edge 116, which may be straight, extending between the first and second edges 10a, 10b. The lower edge 116 may extend to between 25% and 50% of the length of the outer wall 3 from the upper apex 9a.

(86) The protective chamber gas inlet 112 may be located in the protective panel 26 and may comprise at least one panel aperture 115, preferably a plurality of panel apertures 115, preferably an array of panel apertures 115, through the protective panel 26. The at least one panel aperture 115 may be laser perforated through the protective panel 26. The maximum diameter of each panel aperture 115 may be in the range of from about 0.03 mm to about 0.8 mm, from about 0.06 mm to about 0.8 mm or from about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm inclusive. The spacing between adjacent panel apertures 115 in the array may be may be in the range of from about 0.8 mm to about 2.2 mm or from about 1 mm to about 2 mm and may be about 1.5 mm. The array may be up to about 70 mm or about 100 mm wide and up to about 4 mm or about 2 mm high.

(87) Preferably, as illustrated, the array comprises at least two lines of panel apertures 115 extending parallel to one another. The lines of the array may extend substantially parallel to the protective chamber liquid outlet 114 and the lower edge 116 of the protective panel 26.

(88) The protective chamber liquid outlet 114 may be formed between the protective panel 26 and the outer wall 3. As best shown in the embodiment of FIG. 22, at or adjacent to its lower edge 116, the protective panel 26 may be attached to the outer wall 3 at a plurality of attachment regions 117 and the protective chamber liquid outlet 114 may comprise a least one outlet gap 118 between the plurality of attachment regions 117. The attachment regions 117 may be between opposing surfaces of the protective panel 26 and outer wall 3 as illustrated. The plurality of attachment regions 117 and the at least one outlet gap 118 therebetween may extend substantially parallel to, adjacent to and/or along the lowermost edge of the protective panel 26. The plurality of attachment regions 117 preferably comprises welding between the outer wall 3 and protective panel 26. The at least one outlet gap 118 may be at least about 3 mm wide and may be about 5 mm wide. The plurality of attachment regions 117 may be at least about 2 mm high and may be about 3 mm high. The protective panel 26 may be sealed by a protective panel seal 119 along its upper apex 9a to the outer wall 3 and, optionally, the inner wall 2 between the ends of the plurality of attachment regions 117 and around the gas vent 27. The protective panel seal 119 may form part of the peripheral seal 8.

(89) The protective panel 26 may comprise a substantially impermeable sheet other than in the region of the protective chamber gas inlet 112. The protective panel 26 may therefore comprise a flexible sheet material, which may be formed of polyurethane, polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and/or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The flexible sheet material of the protective panel 26 may have a thickness of 50 to 150 micrometres, preferably 75 to 100 micrometres.

(90) The protective chamber gas inlet 112 may be located between the protective chamber liquid outlet 114 and the gas vent 27 (i.e. when the appliance 1 is viewed in plan view above the outer wall 3). In use, the protective chamber gas inlet 112 and protective chamber liquid outlet 114 may be located below the gas vent 27 (i.e. the gas vent 27 is located uppermost of the protective chamber gas inlet 112 and protective chamber liquid outlet 114 along a line parallel to the inner and outer walls 2, 3 when in a flat configuration). Thus the likelihood of liquid entering the protective chamber 111 and contacting the gas vent 27 is reduced. As a result, the plurality of attachment regions 117 may be located, in use, lower than the protective chamber gas inlet 112 and gas vent 27.

(91) The spacing between the protective chamber gas inlet 112 and protective chamber liquid outlet 114 may be in the range of about 10 mm to about 20 mm or about 10 mm to about 15 mm and may be for example about 12 mm, about 12.5 mm or about 14 mm. The spacing between the protective chamber liquid outlet 114 and centre of the gas vent 27 may be in the range of about 25 mm to about 40 mm or about 30 mm to about 38 mm and may be about 34 mm.

(92) FIG. 22 further illustrates a preferred arrangement in which the separation wall 4 is attached to the inner wall 2 by at least one first attachment region 105. The protective panel 26, separation wall 4 and inner wall 2 may be attached by at least one second attachment region 106. If the separation wall 4 is not present the at least one second attachment region 106 may attach the protective panel directly to the inner wall 2. In addition, in some embodiments the at least one second attachment region 106 may not attach the separation wall 4 and inner wall 2. The first and second attachment regions 105, 106 hold the separation wall 4 to the inner wall 2 when the ostomy appliance 1 is inflated by the stomal output entering through the stomal inlet (which may comprise any gases or fluids or solids produced by an ostomate) and allow an open volume to form between the separation wall 4 and protective panel 26 and/or outer wall 3. The at least one second attachment region 106 holds the protective panel 26 to the separation wall 4 and inner wall 2 when the ostomy appliance is inflated and allows an open volume to form between the protective panel 26 and outer wall 3.

(93) The first and/or second attachment regions 105, 106 may be discrete areas of attachment and may be separated from, and may be at least about 7 mm from, the first and second edges 10a, 10b of the inner walls 2. The ostomy appliance 1 may comprise at least two first attachment regions 105 and/or up to five attachment regions 105. The ostomy appliance 1 may comprise at least two second attachment regions 106 and/or up to four second attachment regions 106. At least one wall aperture 103 may be located between the first and/or second attachment regions 105, 106 and the peripheral weld 8 and/or first and second edges 10a, 10b of the separation wall 4. The first and/or second attachment regions 105, 106 may comprise at least one weld, tack weld, spot weld, adhesive or other such attachment means. The first and/or second attachment regions 105, 106 may have a maximum dimension of less than about 10 mm, less than about 7 mm or of about 5 mm and may be substantially rectangular. The first and/or second attachment regions 105, 106 may be located in the upper half of the inner and separation walls 2, 4. At least one of the first and second attachment regions 105, 106 may be located above the gas vent 27 and as illustrated in FIG. 22 all of the first and second attachment regions 106 may be located above the gas vent 27. The second attachment regions 106 may be located above the first attachment regions 106. The at least one second attachment region 106 may be located above the non-perforated area 104 and the first attachment regions 105 may be located on either side of the non-perforated area 104.

(94) As shown in FIG. 3, the inner wall 2, separation wall 4, the stiffening members 17, 18 and the ostomy wafer 7 may be assembled into a first sub-assembly. The ostomy wafer 7 may comprise an adhesive 30 and a release liner 31. The ostomy wafer 7 may be mounted to the inner wall 2 by a suitable means, for example, by use of adhesive. The stiffening members 17, 18 may then be adhered to the inner wall 2, preferably to an external face of the inner wall 2 not facing into the cavity by a suitable means, for example, by use of adhesive.

(95) As shown in FIG. 4, the outer wall 3, the protective panel 26, the gas vent filter 24 and the filter cap 25 may be assembled into a second sub-assembly. The protective panel 26 may be joined to the outer wall 3 by means of a plurality of the plurality of attachment regions 117. The gas vent filter 24 and filter cap 25 may be joined to an exterior face of the outer wall 3 by a suitable means, for example by use of an adhesive.

(96) The first subassembly and the second subassembly may then be assembled together with the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 to form the ostomy appliance. Preferably the first attachment regions 105 are applied to attach the inner and separation walls 2, 4. Preferably the second attachment regions 106 are applied to attach the inner and separation walls 2, 4 and the protective panel 26. Preferably welding of the peripheral weld 8 is used to join together the first subassembly, the second subassembly, the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6.

(97) In use, the ostomy appliance 1 may be mounted to the body of the ostomate using the ostomy wafer 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the ostomy appliance 1 may adopt an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. Preferably in both the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration the periphery of the ostomy wafer 7 does not extend beyond the periphery of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 such that the ostomy wafer 7 is hidden from view.

(98) Advantageously, the ostomy appliance 1 may be mounted to the ostomate with the lower apex 9b lowermost, e.g. closest to the ground when the ostomate is standing. It has been found that the combination of a cavity formed from an inner wall 2 and an outer wall 3 of rectangular, preferably square, shape which are orientated with one apex 9 lowermost may provide beneficial shaping of the ostomy appliance 1 when filled. In particular, it has been found that the edges 10a-d of the inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 may be subjected to less crinkling when the cavity is filled and also that the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d may be able to lie closer to the body of the ostomate when the cavity is filled. This can lead to a reduced degree of pulling on the ostomy wafer 7 and a reduction in the visual bulk of the ostomy appliance 1 beneath clothing.

(99) In addition, it has been found advantageous to position one apex 9 lowermost where the ostomy appliance 1 is intended to be mounted to the torso region of the ostomate. In this way discretion may be enhanced as the ostomy appliance 1 may more easily be perceived by third parties as a loose article of clothing, e.g. a shirt tail, rather than a medical device.

(100) In the folded configuration the cavity may have a first useable volume which may be 120 to 400 ml. In the unfolded configuration the cavity may have a second useable volume which may be 350 to 650 ml.

(101) Typically, a user after first mounting the ostomy appliance 1 will configure the ostomy appliance 1 into its folded state. The ostomy appliance 1 can be brought into the folded state by folding the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 as well as the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 of one or more of the peripheral regions 11a-d inwardly or outwardly into their folded configuration to overlie the at least one adjacent region 12a-d as shown in FIG. 7. This folding involves an ‘external’ fold (towards or away from the body of the ostomate) of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 (and where present the inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6) such that the inner wall 2 (I) and the outer wall 3 (O) are each rotated about the fold line 16c-d in the same sense, i.e. either both the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 being folded towards the body of the ostomate or both the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 being folded away from the body of the ostomate. For example, in the case of an external fold towards the body of the ostomate, after the external fold has been completed, the wall layers are ordered OIIO when listed from an outer side of the ostomy appliance to an inner side of the ostomy appliance (where ‘O’ stands for an outer wall layer and ‘I’ stands for an inner wall layer). In another example, in the case of an external fold away the body of the ostomate, after the external fold has been completed, the wall layers are ordered IOOI when listed from an outer side of the ostomy appliance to an inner side of the ostomy appliance. This is in contrast to the formation of a pocket where the inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 are pushed ‘internally’ to form a pocket. In the case of a pocket the wall layers are ordered OOII when listed from an outer side of the ostomy appliance to an inner side of the ostomy appliance.

(102) When in use and in its folded configuration, the at least one peripheral region 11a-d may preferably be located between the adjacent region 12a-d and a body of an ostomate wearing the ostomy appliance 1.

(103) A portion of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d may be inserted into one of the openings, for example slits 21, to releasably retain the at least one peripheral region 11a-d in its folded configuration. The one or more openings of the at least one comfort layer 5, 6 may be configured to receive and to releasably retain an apex 9 of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d.

(104) In some embodiments both lateral wing regions 11c, 11d may be folded inwardly. The ostomy appliance 1 may thus be folded into a substantially hexagonal shape in its folded state as shown in leftmost view of FIG. 7.

(105) In some embodiments only one lateral wing region 11c, 11d is folded inwardly. Additionally or alternatively, other peripheral regions 11a, 11b may be folded inwardly, for example the lower peripheral region 11b encompassing the lower apex 9b may be folded upwardly and/or the upper peripheral region 11a encompassing the upper apex 9a may be folded downwardly. Additional openings in the inner comfort layer 5 may be provided to retain these other peripheral regions, for example horizontally-orientated openings.

(106) Advantageously, the stiffening members 17, 18 may act to rigidify the one or more peripheral regions 11a-d to make them easier to fold and to improve retention in the openings, for example slits 21. Further, the stiffening members 17, 18 may advantageously help to define and control the location of fold lines 16c-d.

(107) The central contact line (where present) may assist in promoting retention of the at least one peripheral region 11a-d in the openings, for example slits 21, of the inner comfort layer 5 by restricting relative movement between the inner comfort layer 5 and the inner wall 2. In particular, the central contact line may limit lateral relative movement of the layers.

(108) In its folded state the ostomy appliance 1 can receive a quantity of stomal output while retaining the one or more peripheral regions 11a-d in their folded configuration. Advantageously, during this period of use the ostomy appliance 1 may be more discreet due to its reduced footprint. In some embodiments the ostomy appliance 1 provides a relatively slim width due to the folded lateral wing regions 11c, 11d which is more easily hidden under clothing.

(109) As the cavity continues to fill a point will be reached where the one or more peripheral regions 11a-d will be unfolded so that the ostomy appliance 1 is brought into its unfolded configuration. The at least one peripheral region 11a-d may be spontaneously unfoldable from its folded configuration when the cavity is subject to a build-up of pressure. The build-up of pressure may be due to an increase in gas pressure and/or fluid pressure. Advantageously, the unfolding may take place without manual intervention by the ostomate, i.e. solely under the driving force of the build-up of internal pressure in the cavity which overcomes the retaining force imparted by the inner comfort layer 5 on the at least one peripheral region 11a-d.

(110) Thus, as the cavity fills the at least one peripheral region 11a-d can ‘spring’ or ‘slide’ or ‘pop’ free of the opening in the inner comfort layer 5 allowing the at least one peripheral region 11a-d to unfold and increase the useable volume of the cavity.

(111) Advantageously, the user may also choose to manually unfold the at least one peripheral region 11a-d which promotes user-control of their ostomy appliance 1.

(112) During use, the user can inspect the cavity by pulling apart the first part 6a and the second part 6b of the outer comfort layer 6 to open a window opening 33 as shown in FIG. 9. The oblique angling of the window opening 33 may beneficially maximise the size of the window opening 33 and may also provide a more ergonomic orientation of the window opening 33 when the ostomy appliance 1 is mounted to the torso of an ostomate.

(113) In use, inside the cavity stomal output is received in the first chamber 101 from the stomal inlet 20. Stomal liquid and stomal gas are filtered through the separation filter 100 to the second chamber 102 whilst the stomal solids remain in the first chamber 101. The stomal liquid substantially remains within the second chamber 102 (although residual amounts will also remain in the first chamber 101) and the stomal gas is able to exit the ostomy appliance 1 via the gas vent 27. The stomal solids are substantially prevented from reaching the gas vent 27 by the separation filter 100. The protective structure 110 receives the gas through the protective chamber gas inlet 112 and communicates the gas through the protective chamber 111 to the gas vent 27. The gas exits the ostomy appliance 1 through the at least one gas vent aperture 28, the gas vent filter 24 and the filter cap 25. Any stomal liquid that reaches the protective chamber 111 can exit via the protective chamber liquid outlet 114 and thus any contact it may have with the gas vent 27 may be minimised.

(114) A second example embodiment of an ostomy appliance 1 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 10 to 19. Only those features that differ in this embodiment compared to the previous embodiment will be described in detail in the following description. For features that are common to one or more embodiments, reference should be made to the description as a whole.

(115) Compared to the first embodiment of ostomy appliance 1, the ostomy appliance 1 of the second embodiment is configured as an open appliance and further comprises a retractable drain 40. FIGS. 10 to 15 show the retractable drain 40 in an extended configuration.

(116) The retractable drain 40 may take the general form of an elongate extension of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 that together define an elongate drain passage that extends from the cavity to an outlet opening 200 located at a lower end of the retractable drain as shown in FIG. 14.

(117) As shown in FIG. 12, the inner wall 2 may comprise a main body portion 2a and an inner drain portion 41. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 13, the outer wall 3 may comprise a main body portion 3a and an outer drain portion 42. The inner drain portion 41 may extend from the main body portion 2a of the inner wall 2. The outer drain portion 42 may extend from the main body portion 3a of the outer wall 3. The inner drain portion 41 and the main body portion 2a may be formed from the same, integral, sheet of flexible sheet material, for example by cutting or stamping them out of sheet material as a single part. Likewise, the outer drain portion 42 and the main body portion 3a may be formed from the same, integral, sheet of flexible sheet material, for example by cutting or stamping them out of sheet material as a single part.

(118) The main body portions 2a, 3a may be a quadrilateral-shaped portions. For example, the main body portions 2a, 3a may each be a diamond-shaped portion, a rhombus-shaped portion, or a square-shaped portion.

(119) The main body portions 2a, 3a of the inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 may be joined together around their peripheral edges by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means. Welding is a preferred method of joining the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. As shown in FIG. 14, a peripheral weld 8 may extend around at least a portion of the perimeter of the main body portions 2a, 3a of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 to create a fluid-tight seal there between. The peripheral weld 8 may have a width of 1 to 3 mm, preferably about 2 mm.

(120) Preferably the retractable drain 40 extends from at or near a lower apex 9b of the main body portions 2a, 3a as shown in FIG. 14.

(121) The inner drain portion 41 and/or the outer drain portion 42 may be generally rectangular along the majority of their length.

(122) Lateral edges 43, 44 of the retractable drain 40 may be generally parallel to each other, such that the retractable drain 40 has a constant width along a majority of its length, and optionally along all of its length. The inner drain portion 41 may extend further from the cavity (i.e. have a longer length) than the outer drain portion 42, forming a lip 201 at the outlet opening 200 of the retractable drain 40 as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

(123) The outer and/or inner drain portion 41, 42 may have converging sides at their lower ends adjacent the outlet opening 200. In the illustrated example of FIG. 14 the lateral edges 43, 44 are parallel along their length and the lip 201 has a tapered shape.

(124) The inner drain portion 41 may be joined to the outer drain portion 42 at their respective lateral edges 43, 44 to form a fluid tight seal. The join may be formed by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means. Welding is a preferred method of joining the inner drain portion 41 and the outer drain portion 42.

(125) The joins between the inner drain portion 41 and the outer drain portion 42 may preferably comprise a continuation of the peripheral join extending around the main body portions 2a, 3a. For example, the peripheral weld 8 may start adjacent to the outlet opening 200 on a left hand side of the ostomy appliance 1 (as viewed in FIG. 14) and extend as a continuous weld up the lateral edge 43, clockwise around the four sides of the main body portions 2a, 3a and down the lateral edge 44 to a point adjacent to the outlet opening 200 on a right hand side of the ostomy appliance 1 (as viewed in FIG. 14).

(126) Communication between the cavity and the elongate drain passage may be via a drain inlet 45 that may be defined as the point of transition between the cavity and the retractable drain 40. The drain inlet 45 may function to allow passage of stomal output from the cavity into the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration. The outlet opening 200 may to allow outflow of the stomal output from the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration.

(127) The inner comfort layer 5 and the outer comfort layer 6 may define an opening 130 therebetween as shown in FIG. 18b through which the retractable drain 40 is moveable between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. The ostomy appliance 1 may comprise a closure 215 for closing the opening 130, the closure 215 being operable to retain the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the retracted configuration. The closure 215 may comprise a first closure element 215a arranged on the inner comfort layer 5 and a second closure element 215b arranged on the outer comfort layer 6. The first closure element 215a and the second closure element 215b may comprise any suitable fastener elements, for example hook-and-loop type fastener elements.

(128) The separation wall 4 may be joined to the inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 at or adjacent to a part or the whole of the peripheral edges of the main body portions 2a, 3a, preferably by use of welding, adhesive or equivalent means. Welding is a preferred method of joining and the peripheral weld that joins the inner wall 2, outer wall 3 and separation wall 4 may be the whole or a portion of the peripheral weld 8 that joins the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. As shown in FIG. 14, the welding of the separation wall 4 may extend around the four edges of the main body portions 2a, 3a. This portion of the weld may join both the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 to the separation wall 4. A lower portion of the separation wall 4 may extend into an upper portion of the retractable drain 40 as shown in FIG. 18. The welding of the edges of the separation wall 4 may also extend down into the retractable drain 40 to join the edges of the lower portion of the separation wall 4 to the edges of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. However, the lowermost edge of the separation wall 4 is left unattached from the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. In this way the folding of the retractable drain 40 when moved into the retracted configuration folds the inner wall 2, outer wall 3 and the separation wall 4 such that the first and second chambers 101, 102 are sealed from each other (other than via the separation filter 100). However, the lowermost edge being unattached permits stomal output from the first chamber 101 and the second chamber 102 to enter the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in its extended configuration.

(129) The retractable drain 40 is movable between a retracted configuration for storage, as shown in FIG. 17, and the extended configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, for draining stomal output from the cavity. In the retracted configuration the retractable drain 40 may be accommodated within the periphery of the main body portion 2a of the inner wall 2 and/or the main body portion 3a of the outer wall 3 and/or the one or more comfort layers 5, 6. The retractable drain 40 may be accommodated within a void space between the main body portion 2a of the inner wall 2 and the inner comfort layer 5 or between the main body portion 3a of the outer wall 3 and the outer comfort layer 6. Movement of the retractable drain 40 into the retracted configuration will be described in more detail below.

(130) The retractable drain 40 may comprise a lower section 40a and an upper section 40b as shown in FIG. 14.

(131) The retractable drain 40 may comprise a closure portion 202 which may comprise a part of the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40. The closure portion 202 may comprise a section of the retractable drain 40 which extends up from the outlet opening 200 to an upper limit 203c as shown in FIG. 15. The length of the closure portion 202 may be from one-third to one-half of the length of the retractable drain 40.

(132) The closure portion 202 may be configured to be folded or otherwise turned up on itself to close off the outlet opening 200 while the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration.

(133) The closure portion 202 may be folded into a plurality of segments having approximately equal segment lengths and separated by folds. The closure portion 202 may therefore be successively folded one or more times such that the segments overlie each other. Preferably, the closure portion 202 may be configured to be folded to form a plurality of folds across the width of the retractable drain 40 to inhibit and preferably prevent passage of stomal output out of the outlet opening 200. For example, the segments and fold lines may have appropriate lengths and locations respectively such that the closure portion 202 can be folded or rolled repeatedly in the same sense, folding forwards and upwards towards the upper end of the retractable drain 40 with each fold. The folds may be generally perpendicular to an elongate axis 204 of the retractable drain 40 and extend across the whole width of the retractable drain 40 to close off the drain passage at each fold location.

(134) Passage of stomal output through the closure portion 202 may initially be inhibited by folding the lip 201 over to close the outlet opening 200 of the retractable drain 40.

(135) One or more pursing strips 209-211 may be provided on the closure portion 202. The pursing strips 209-211 may function to both provide localised rigidity to the retractable drain 40 and also to define the locations and orientations of the segments and folds of the closure portion 202.

(136) The pursing strips 209-211 may comprise strips of material attached to the retractable drain 40. The pursing strips 209-211 may be formed from a material, preferably a flexible material, having a higher rigidity than the material of the retractable drain 40 and having some resilience such that once attached to the retractable drain 40 the pursing strips 209-211 can each be squeezed laterally to arch the pursing strip (and therefore the attached drain material) and thereby open the elongate drain passage.

(137) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a first pursing strip 209 may be attached to the inner drain portion 41. A second pursing strip 210 may be attached to the outer drain portion 42. A lip pursing strip 211 may be attached to the inner drain portion 41 below the first pursing strip 209 and adjacent to the outlet opening 200 of the retractable drain 40. Preferably, the lip pursing strip 211 may be arranged on the lip 201.

(138) As shown in FIG. 14, a longitudinal gap 220 may be provided between a lower edge of the first pursing strip 209 and an upper edge of the lip pursing strip 211. The longitudinal gap 220 may define the location of a first fold 202a of the closure portion 202.

(139) The first and second pursing strips 209, 210 may be positioned at the same point along the retractable drain 40 such that they are arranged directly opposite each other. They may therefore be laterally squeezed together to form a pair of opposing arcs, opening the drain passage to facilitate flow of the stomal output through the elongate drain passage.

(140) Preferably, each of the pursing strips 209-211 may extend the same distance along a length of the retractable drain 40.

(141) A first fastener 203 may be used to fasten the closure portion 202 in place in its folded state. The first fastener 203 may be arranged on the retractable drain 40, adjacent to or overlapping the closure portion 202.

(142) As shown in FIG. 15, the first fastener 203 may comprise a first flange 203a and a second flange 203b. The second flange 203b may extend from the first flange 203a, the first flange 203a and the second flange 203b may be one integral piece and may meet at a fold line such that the second flange 203b is rotatable about the fold line.

(143) The first flange 203a may be attached to the retractable drain 40 while the second flange 203b hangs free of the retractable drain 40. The first flange 203a may extend across the width of the retractable drain 40 and be attached to the retractable drain 40 at an attachment point, line or zone. The first flange 203a may be attached within an upper region of the closure portion 202. An upper limit of the attachment point, line or zone may coincide with the upper limit 203c of the closure portion 202. The attachment of the first flange 203a may preferably be formed using an adhesive or by welding.

(144) The fold line between the first flange 203a and the second flange 203b may be located coincident with the upper limit 203c. The second flange 203b may be a free flange (i.e. may be unattached to the retractable drain 40 except by its connection to the first flange 203a). When folded down, the second flange 203b may extend from the upper limit 203c towards the outlet opening 200 such that it extends over the closure portion 202.

(145) The first fastener 203 may include a pull tab 203d for gripping by the user to slide the retractable drain 40 from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, a free end of the second flange 203b may comprise the pull tab 203d.

(146) The second flange 203b may comprise a first fastening element 212a for attachment to a corresponding second fastening element 212b arranged on the closure portion 202. The second fastening element 212b may be attached to the inner drain portion 41 or the first pursing strip 209, such that after the closure portion 202 is folded upwards to close the outlet opening 200, the second fastening element 212b is arranged on an outer face of the retractable drain 40 for fastening to the first fastening element 212a. The first fastening element 212a and the second fastening element 212b may comprise any suitable fastener elements, for example hook-and-loop type fastener elements.

(147) The first fastener 203 may be formed from a flexible sheet material. The flexible sheet material may be more rigid than the flexible sheet material of the inner drain portion 41 and/or the outer drain portion 42.

(148) As described above, the closure portion 202 may comprise a plurality of segments, the segments having approximately equal segment lengths and being separated by fold lines. The length of the second flange 203b may be longer than one segment length but shorter than two segment lengths such that when the closure portion 202 is unfolded, the pull tab 203d does not extend to or beyond the outlet opening 200 of the retractable drain 40 and when the closure portion 202 is folded, the pull tab 203d extends beyond a distal end 214 of the folded retractable drain 40 as shown in FIG. 18b.

(149) The ostomy appliance 1 may further comprise a guide panel 206 and a push element 207 to assist in movement of the retractable drain 40 between its extended and retracted configurations.

(150) As shown in FIG. 11, the guide panel 206 may be arranged on the outer wall 3. The guide panel 206 may comprise flexible sheet material. The material may be the same as the flexible sheet material of the inner wall 2 and/or the outer wall 3.

(151) As shown in FIG. 13, the guide panel 206 may comprise an upper portion 206a which may be arranged on the main body portion 3a of the outer wall 3 and a lower portion 206b which may extend down from the upper portion 206a to overlie an upper region of the retractable drain 40.

(152) The upper portion 206a may have an upper section 206c extending down from an upper edge of the guide panel 206 of uniform width and a lower section 206d which is flared in that its width increases compared to the uniform width of the upper section 206c. The upper section 206c may transition smoothly into the lower section 206d as shown in FIG. 14 such that lateral edges 213a and 213b of the upper portion 206a may each have the form of a straight edge with a smoothly outwardly-curved lower end.

(153) The lower portion 206b may have a lower section 206f extending up from a lower edge of the guide panel 206 of uniform width and an upper section 206e which is flared in that its width increases compared to the uniform width of the lower section 206f. The lower section 206f may transition smoothly into the upper section 206e as shown in FIG. 15 such that lateral edges 213c and 213d of the lower portion 206b may each have the form of a straight edge with a smoothly outwardly-curved upper end.

(154) The lateral edges 213a, 213b of the upper portion 206a may meet the lateral edges 213c, 213d of the lower portion 206b at apexes 213e and 213f.

(155) The upper portion 206a of the guide panel 206 may be attached to the outer face of the outer wall 3 along the lateral edges 213a, 213b of the upper portion 206a. The attachment may be formed by any suitable means, for example by welding or using an adhesive. The upper portion 206a of the guide panel 206 may be positioned to overlie the cavity when viewed from the front (as arranged when the ostomy appliance 1 is being worn).

(156) The lateral edges 213c, 213d of the lower portion 206b are preferably not attached to the retractable drain 40 along all, or a majority of their length.

(157) The upper portion 206a may define a channel 205 between the upper portion 206a of the guide panel 206 and the outer wall 3. The channel 205 may therefore be arranged outside the cavity. The sides of the channel 205 may be demarcated by the attachment of the lateral edges 213a, 213b. A lowermost point of the lateral edges 213a, 213b may define a location of a mouth 205a of the channel 205 as shown in FIG. 14. The mouth 205a may be located at the transition point between the upper portion 206a and the lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206. For example the mouth 205a may be located at the level of the lowermost point of attachment of the upper portion 206a of the guide panel 206 to the outer wall 3. In particular, the mouth 205a may be located at the level of the apexes 213e and 213f as shown in FIG. 14.

(158) The guide panel 206 as a whole may be aligned with the elongate axis 204 of the retractable drain 40 and the upper portion 206a may have a length selected such that the channel 205 has a length sufficient to receive and retain greater than 50% of, optionally greater than 75%, optionally greater than 90%, optionally substantially all of the length of the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the retracted configuration.

(159) The channel 205 may have a constant width along a majority of its length. This channel width may be marginally wider than the width of the retractable drain 40, such that at least a portion of the retractable drain 40 may in use be slidingly received in the channel 205, with limited lateral movement. For example, the channel 205 may be 2 to 5 mm wider than external width of the retractable drain 40, typically 2 to 3 mm wider. The retractable drain 40 may thereby be constrained to move into the channel 205 in a direction substantially parallel with the elongate axis 204.

(160) As shown in FIG. 11, the push element 207 may comprise an elongate strip of sheet material having higher rigidity than the flexible sheet materials of the inner wall 2, the outer wall 3 and/or the guide panel 206. The push element 207 may be a generally planar.

(161) The push element 207 may comprise an upper section 207a and a lower section 207b. The upper section 207a may have a rounded upper edge 207c. The lower section 207b may have a straight lower edge 207d. On assembly of the ostomy appliance 1, the upper section 207a may be slidingly received in the channel 205 and the lower section 207b may be fixedly attached to the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40 and/or the lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 as explained further below.

(162) The width of the push element 207 may be the same or less than the width of the retractable drain 40 and therefore may have a width narrower than the constant width of the channel 205 such that the push element 207 may be slidingly received in the channel 205. The width of the push element 207 may be 85 to 100% of the width of the retractable drain 40. The width of the channel 205 may thereby restrict lateral movement of the push element 207 as it moves into the retracted configuration and ensure that it moves in line with the elongate axis 204.

(163) The lower section 207b of the push element 207 may be attached to the retractable drain 40, in particular to the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40 and preferably to the outer drain portion 42 of the outer wall 3. Preferably the push element 207 is only attached to the retractable drain 40 at the lower section 207b. The push element 207, for example the lower section 207b thereof, may be attached to the retractable drain 40 at an attachment 207e as shown in FIG. 15. The attachment 207e may be a point, line or zone of attachment. The attachment 207e may use, for example, adhesive or welding. The attachment 207e may extend over a majority or a whole of the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40.

(164) An upper limit 208a of the attachment 207e may be located at an intermediate point of the retractable drain 40 which may be the intersection between the upper section 40b and the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40. For example, the upper limit 208a may be located approximately half-way along the length of the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration with the closure portion 202 folded and fastened.

(165) The attachment 207e is preferably in the form of an attachment zone extending across all or substantially all of the width of the push element 207 from the upper limit 208a of the attachment 207e to the lower edge 207d of the lower section 207b of the push element 207. The whole face of the lower section 207b may be attached to the retractable drain 40.

(166) Once assembled and in the extended configuration, the upper section 207a of the push element 207 may extend upwards from the upper limit 208a of the attachment 207e to be slidingly received in the channel 205 wherein the rounded upper edge 207c of the push element 207 extends through the mouth 205a of the channel 205 sliding between the outer wall 3 and the guide panel 206.

(167) The upper section 207a is preferably unattached to the retractable drain 40. The upper limit 208a may therefore represent the uppermost position on the retractable drain 40 at which the push element 207 is attached to the retractable drain 40 (when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration). The upper section 207a may have a length configured to be long enough such that at least a part of the upper section 207a is still received in the channel 205 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration.

(168) The first fastener 203 may be directly attached, for example using adhesive, to the push element 207, preferably to the lower section 207b of the push element 207. As noted above, the push element 207 may be directly attached to the outer drain portion 42 of the outer wall 3. The first fastener 203 may thereby be indirectly attached to the outer wall 3.

(169) The first fastener 203 and the push element 207 may be arranged such that the first fastener 203 is operable to fasten the closure portion 202 in a folded or otherwise turned-up state when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration. The first fastener 203 may be arranged to hang below the upper limit 208a of the attachment 207e of the push element 207 to the retractable drain 40. The fastening of the first fastener 203 may therefore be independent of the position of the upper section 207a of the push element 207 in the channel 205. The first fastener 203 may thereby be configured to be operable independently of the position of the push element 207. The first fastener 203 and the push element 207 may be formed as separate components. In particular, this enables the fastening and unfastening of the first fastener 203 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration.

(170) The lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 may be attached to the retractable drain 40 at an intermediate location along the retractable drain 40. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18b, the lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 may be attached to the lower section 207b of the push element 207 which, as noted above, may itself be attached to the retractable drain 40.

(171) The lower portion 206b, for example a lower end thereof, may be attached to the retractable drain 40 and/or the push element 207 at an attachment 207f as shown in FIG. 18b. The attachment 207f may be a point, line or zone of attachment. The attachment 207f may use, for example, adhesive or welding. Note, the attachments 207e and 207f are shown schematically in FIG. 18b but omitted, for clarity, from FIGS. 18a and 18c.

(172) An upper limit 208b of the attachment 207f may be located at an intermediate point of the retractable drain 40. For example, the upper limit 208b may be located approximately half-way along the length of the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration with the closure portion 202 folded and secured. The attachment 207f may be positioned opposite the location of the attachment 207e.

(173) The lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 may thereby act as a tether, preventing movement of the push element 207 fully out of the channel 205 on extension of the retractable drain 40. The attachment 207f may preferably extend across the width of the retractable drain 40 and/or the push element 207, thereby assisting in maintaining the alignment of the retractable drain 40 and push element 207 within the channel 205 during retraction of the retractable drain 40.

(174) The lower section 207b of the push element 207 may overlap the closure portion 202 of the retractable drain 40. The overlap may have a length which is the same as or longer than the length of a fold segment of the closure portion 202. As shown in FIG. 15, a longitudinal gap 221 may be provided between the lower edge 207d of the push element 207 and an upper edge of the second pursing strip 210. The longitudinal gap 221 may define the location of a second fold 202b of the closure portion 202.

(175) Therefore, once the closure portion 202 is folded, the segments of the closure portion 202 below the second fold 202b may overlie the lower section 207b of the push element 207, and the lower edge 207d of the push element 207 may be arranged adjacent the distal end 214 of the folded retractable drain 40.

(176) The functioning of the retractable drain 40 will now be described starting with the retractable drain 40 in the extended configuration as shown in FIGS. 10 to 15.

(177) In the extended configuration, as shown in FIGS. 16a and 18a, the retractable drain 40 may extend through the opening 130 and the retractable drain 40 and its closure portion 202 may be entirely unfolded such that stomal output may move from the cavity down the elongate drain passage of the retractable drain 40 and out of the outlet opening 200. Passage of the stomal output out of the outlet opening may be facilitated by pressing on the pursing strips 209-211 to hold open the outlet opening 200 and/or to curve the lip 201 into a chute shape to guide the exiting flow of stomal output.

(178) After emptying the cavity, the outlet opening 200 may be sealed to prevent flow of stomal output out of the retractable drain 40. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, with the retractable drain 40 in the extended configuration, the outlet opening 200 may first be sealed by operation of the closure portion 202 which may be folded over at least once, and preferably a plurality of times. For example, the lip 201 may first be folded upwards about the first fold 202a to overlie the first pursing strip 209. Next the lip 201 and the next segment bearing the first pursing strip 209 and second pursing strip 210 may be folded upwards, about the second fold 202b to overlie the first flange 203a and lower section 207b of the push element 207 as shown in FIG. 16b. The second flange 203b of the first fastener 203 may then be folded over to fasten the closure portion 202 in its folded position by securing together the first and second fastening element 212a, 212b as shown in FIG. 16c. The user may then, if desired, let go of the retractable drain 40 if needed without stomal output being released through the outlet opening 200.

(179) To move the retractable drain 40 into the retracted configuration after folding and fastening of the closure portion 202, the user may grip the folded and fastened end of the retractable drain 40 and push upwards such that the push element 207 moves further up into the channel 205 as shown in FIG. 18b.

(180) Movement of the push element 207 may be used to create one more folds in the retractable drain 40 so as to shorten its length in the retracted configuration and to close off the elongate drain passage.

(181) Due to the attachment 207e between the push element 207 and the outer drain portion 42, the resulting upward movement of the push element 207 causes the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40 to be carried up and the unattached upper section 40b of the retractable drain 40 to start to bend away from the push element 207 as shown in FIG. 18b resulting in the formation of a first fold 216 and a second fold 217 in the retractable drain 40.

(182) As the push element 207 moves up the second fold 217 will start to form at the location of the upper limit 208a since the upper section 40b is unattached to the push element 207 and is thus free to move away therefrom. The associated first fold 216 forms intermediate the upper end of the retractable drain 40 and the second fold 217 as shown in FIGS. 18b and 18c.

(183) At the same time upward movement of the push element 207 may likewise cause the formation of a first fold 218 and a second fold 219 in the lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 as shown in FIG. 18b. The second fold 219 will start to form at the location of the upper limit 208b since lower portion 206b above the upper limit 208b is unattached to the push element 207 and is thus free to move away therefrom. The associated first fold 218 forms intermediate the upper end of the lower portion 206b and the second fold 219 as shown in FIG. 18b.

(184) Continued upward movement of the push element 207 may thus cause the retractable drain 40 to double back on itself and the lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 to double back on itself.

(185) In the fully retracted configuration as shown in FIG. 18c, the retractable drain 40 may comprise a generally Z-shaped form by virtue of the fully formed first fold 216 and second fold 217.

(186) The first fold 216 and the second fold 217 preferably extend fully across the retractable drain 40 such that the first and second folds 216, 217 close off the elongate drain passage and inhibit drainage of stomal output through the retractable drain 40. As can be seen in FIG. 18c, the lower end of the separation wall 4 extends below the final location of the first fold 216 such that the second fold 216 may effectively seal of the lower end of the first and second chambers 101, 102 when the retractable drain 40 is in its retracted configuration.

(187) The first and second folds 216, 217 may be folded in opposite senses such that the upper section 40b of the retractable drain 40 overlies the cavity adjacent to the main body portion 3a of the outer wall 3 and the lower section 40a of the retractable drain 40 overlies the upper section 40b, such that all of the retractable drain 40 directly or indirectly overlies the main body portion 3a of the outer wall 3.

(188) In the retracted configuration, the first fold 216 may have rolled up the upper section 40b of the retractable drain 40 to be located at or adjacent the drain inlet 45. The second fold 217 may be located approximately halfway along the length of the retractable drain 40 such that in the retracted configuration the distal end 214 of the retractable drain 40 (with the closure portion 202 folded) is arranged adjacent to the first fold 216 as shown in FIG. 18c.

(189) The channel 205 may have a depth between the guide panel 206 and the outer wall 3 configured such that the retractable drain 40 is a tight sliding fit in the channel 205 in the depth direction when the retractable drain 40 is in the retracted configuration.

(190) The folds 216, 217 formed in the retractable drain 40 as it moves into the retracted configuration may thereby be formed generally perpendicular to the length of the retractable drain 40. This may also assist in ensuring that greater than 50% of, optionally greater than 75%, optionally greater than 90%, optionally substantially all of the length of the retractable drain 40 (with the closure portion 202 folded) may be received within the channel 205 in the retracted configuration.

(191) The channel 205 of the upper portion 206a of the guide panel 206 may have a length which is at least half the length of the retractable drain 40 when the retractable drain 40 is in the extended configuration with the closure portion 202 folded. Preferably, the channel 205 may have a length marginally longer than the length of the push element 207 such that a majority of or substantially all of the push element 207 may be received in the channel 205 in the retracted configuration.

(192) Further example embodiments of an ostomy appliance 1 according to the present disclosure are described below. Only those features that differ in this embodiment compared to the previous embodiments will be described in detail in the following description. For features that are common to one or more embodiments, reference should be made to the description as a whole.

(193) In any embodiment, the lower portion 206b of the guide panel 206 may take a different form to that shown in FIGS. 10 to 18. An alternative form of guide panel is shown in FIGS. 19a and 19b. The guide panel 306 may comprise an upper portion 306a defining the channel 205 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 18 demarcated between lateral edges 313a and 313b of the upper portion 306a. The mouth 205a of the channel 205 may be located at the transition point between the upper portion 306a and the lower portion 306b of the guide panel 306.

(194) The lower portion 306b of the may have a lower edge 306c shaped such that it does not extend outside the outer comfort layer 6 in use. The lower portion 306b may therefore have a truncated shape compared to the lower portion 206b of guide panel 206. The lower edge 306c may be shaped to match the curve of the lower apex of the outer comfort layer 6. The lower portion 9b may be attached to the lower apex of the outer comfort layer 6, for example by use of adhesive or by welding, at or adjacent to the opening 130 of the comfort layer. Opening of the closure 215 to open opening 130 may tend to open out the mouth 205a of the channel 205, facilitating extension and retraction of the retractable drain 40 in use.

(195) The lower portion 306a may be unattached to the drain 40. A separate tether may be provided for tethering the push element 207 in the channel 205. The separate tether may be attached to the drain by an attachment 330 formed, for example, by use of adhesive or by welding.

(196) In any embodiment, the outlet opening 200 of the retractable drain 40 may be configured for connection of a night bag or other appliance for receiving stomal output from the retractable drain 40.

(197) Other features of the ostomy appliance, for example the shape and construction of the ostomy appliance inner and outer walls and comfort layer, may vary from those shown in the illustrated embodiment.

(198) In any embodiment, the retractable drain may alternatively be formed as a one-piece tube rather than from two sheets joined by lateral welds. The retractable drain may be integrally formed with the inner wall and/or the outer wall of the appliance. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more parts of the retractable drain may be formed from flexible sheet material or other material separately to the formation of the inner wall and/or the outer wall, and assembled by any suitable means, for example by welding or using adhesives.

(199) The fastening elements illustrated are hook-and-loop type elements. Alternatively, any form of suitable fastener elements may be used (for example, poppers, zippers or adhesives).

(200) The channel may be formed on the inner wall rather than outer wall of the cavity.

(201) The guide panel is preferably formed separately to the comfort layer. Alternatively, the guide panel may comprise a portion of the comfort layer. Alternatively, or in addition, the guide panel may be arranged on the inner wall or the outer wall and attached to the comfort layer instead of or as well as being attached to the wall.

(202) In addition or alternatively to the closure 215 and first fastener 203, alternative means of sealing the outlet opening 200 in the extended configuration may be provided. In any embodiment, the upper limit 208a of the attachment of the push element 207 to the retractable drain 40 may be arranged approximately halfway along the length of the retractable drain 40 with the outlet opening 200 of the drain sealed in the extended configuration.

(203) One or both comfort layers 5, 6 may optionally be omitted or formed from alternative materials to display the outer wall 3 and/or inner wall 2, for example for hospital use.

(204) In the illustrated embodiment, the closure portion 202 is configured to be turned up by folding. Alternatively, or additionally, in any embodiment the closure portion 202 may be turned up by rolling.

(205) A further embodiment of an ostomy appliance 1 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 20.

(206) Compared to the first embodiment of ostomy appliance 1, one or more components of the ostomy appliance 1 may be provided with one or more pleats to permit, enhance, control and/or configure expansion of the ostomy appliance 1 as the cavity fills with the stomal output. As shown in FIG. 20, the outer wall 3 may be provided with one or more pleats 50 which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output to promote conformation of the inner wall 2 against a body of an ostomate wearing the ostomy appliance 1.

(207) Each pleat 50 may comprise one or more folds of the flexible sheet material of the outer wall 3. Each pleat 50 may comprise a generally Z-shaped form having two distinct folds. The one or more pleats 50 may be configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output to promote displacement of a first apex and a second apex towards the body of the ostomate. In some embodiments, the first apex and the second apex are the opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d and the conformation of the inner wall 2 involves an improved conformation of the inner wall 2 to a torso of the ostomate.

(208) The inner wall 2 may be free of pleats. This may assist in promoting conformation of the inner wall 2.

(209) In some embodiments the one or more pleats 50 comprise two pleats 50 which are arranged symmetrically about a vertical midline of the outer wall 3 as shown in FIG. 16. The pleats 50 may be aligned with the fold lines 16c-d of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3.

(210) The one or more pleats 50 may each be 5 to 8 mm in width.

(211) Additionally or alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20, the separation wall 4 may be provided with one or more pleats 51 which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity, particularly the first chamber 101, receives the stomal output to promote conformation of the inner wall 2 against a body of an ostomate wearing the ostomy appliance 1. The one or more pleats 51 may have the same design and construction as the one or more pleats 50. The one or more pleats 51 may comprise two pleats 51 which are arranged symmetrically about a vertical midline of the separation wall 4 as shown in FIG. 20. The pleats 51 may be aligned with the fold lines 16c-d of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 as well as the pleats 50 of the outer wall 3.

(212) In some embodiments a free edge of the inner wall 2 and/or a free edge of the outer wall 3 and/or a free edge of the separation wall 4 may be joined by a peripheral weld 8 and the peripheral weld 8 may comprise an enhanced weld zone in the vicinity of each of the one or more pleats 50 of the outer wall 3 and/or the one or more pleats 51 of the separation wall 4. In one example the enhanced weld zone comprises a weld of increased thickness compared to the peripheral weld 8 outside the enhanced weld zone. It may be preferred that an upper end and a lower end of each of the one or more pleats 50 of the outer wall 3 and/or the one or more pleats 51 of the separation wall 4 is traversed by one of the enhanced weld zones.

(213) In examples where the outer wall 3 comprises one or more pleats 50 which are configured to partially or fully unfold as the cavity receives the stomal output, the first part 6a and the second part 6b of the outer comfort layer 6 may be configured to slide over each other in the overlap region 15 to accommodate expansion of the underlying outer wall 3.

(214) The first part 6a and the second part 6b may be joined to each other at a first end and at a second end of the overlap region 15. In some embodiments the first part 6a and the second part 6b are welded to each other at the first end and at the second end of the overlap region 15, preferably as part of the peripheral weld 8.

(215) These beneficial effects may be further increased by the provision of the one or more pleats 50 in the outer wall 3 as discussed above.

EXAMPLES

(216) The following table presents example configurations of an ostomy appliance 1 according to the present disclosure. These examples are not intended to be limiting on the present disclosure in any way or to limit the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the examples are provided to aid a better understanding of the present disclosure.

(217) The examples refer to features described in further detail elsewhere in the present disclosure. The skilled reader will understand that reference should be made to said further description where necessary for a fuller understanding of the examples. Where said further description refers to optional characteristics of said features then the skilled reader will understand that the following examples may optionally also include one or more of said optional characteristics.

(218) General Construction

(219) In the following examples in the table, the ostomy appliance 1 is a one-piece ostomy appliance 1 wherein the ostomy wafer 7 is permanently attached to the ostomy appliance 1, to the extent that the ostomy wafer 7 cannot easily be separated without risk of damaging the ostomy appliance 1. However, as noted above the teachings of this disclosure may also be applied, with suitable alteration where necessary, to two-piece appliances. The ostomy appliance 1 of the following examples is particularly suited as an ileostomy appliance but is not limited to this function.

(220) In the following examples in the table, the ostomy appliance 1 comprises an inner wall 2 and an outer wall 3 which are diamond-shaped having four apexes—an upper apex 9a which points generally vertically upwards, a lower apex 9b which points generally vertically downwards and opposed lateral apexes 9c, 9d which point generally to each side. In examples where a retractable drain 40 is present this extends from the lower apex 9b. The apexes 9a-9d are rounded with a radius of curvature of about 30 mm.

(221) In the following examples in the table, the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 comprise a left lateral wing region 11d terminating in lateral apex 9d and a right lateral wing region 11c terminating in lateral apex 9c. As described above, the lateral wing regions 11c, 11d are foldable about fold lines 16c, 16d to overlie adjacent regions 12c, 12d in a folded configuration of the ostomy appliance 1.

(222) In this table, the term “Wall Size” refers to the length of the sides of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The ‘length’ is measured as the perpendicular distance between opposite sides of the inner wall 2/outer wall 3. In the following examples in the table the length of each side is the same, i.e. the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 are generally square-shaped but with rounded corners as noted above.

(223) In this table, the term “Separation Filter” refers to whether a separation wall 100 as described above is present. The separation wall 100, where present, is located between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The separation wall 4 comprises a separation filter 100 for filtering stomal gases and/or stomal liquids from stomal solids contained in the stomal output.

(224) The inner wall 2 and outer wall 3 are formed from EVA/PVdC multi-layered film of 75 micrometres thickness. The separation wall 100 (where present) is formed from PE film of 51 micrometres thickness or EVA (with 4.5% VA) film of 50 micrometres thickness.

(225) The following examples may comprise at least an inner comfort layer 5 as described above that comprises two vertical slits 21 as described above for receiving the lateral apexes 9c, 9d of the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3 when the ostomy appliance 1 is in its folded configuration.

(226) In this table, the term “Type” refers to the nature of the ostomy appliance: “Closed” refers to an ostomy appliance that does not comprise a drain. “Open” refers to an ostomy appliance that comprises a drain. The drain may be a retractable drain. The retractable drain may be a retractable drain 40 as described above.

(227) In this table, the term “Wafer Size” refers to the length of the sides of the ostomy wafer 7. The ‘length’ is measured as the perpendicular distance between opposite sides of the ostomy wafer. In the following examples in the table the length of each side is the same, i.e. the ostomy wafer 7 is square-shaped but with rounded corners as shown in the appended figures.

(228) In this table, the term “Wafer Type” refers to the configuration of the ostomy wafer 7: “Flat” refers to an ostomy wafer 7 that is flat in shape. “Convex” refers to an ostomy wafer 7 that is convex in shape. “Flexible” refers to an ostomy wafer 7 that is flexible.

(229) In this table, the term “Wafer Aperture Type” refers to the nature of the aperture in the ostomy wafer 7: “Pre-Cut” refers to the presence of a pre-formed aperture in the ostomy wafer 7 for engaging in, on, over or against the stoma of an ostomate. “Cut-To-Fit” refers to an ostomy wafer 7 configured to allow an ostomate to cut an aperture therein for engaging in, on, over or against their stoma. In this way the aperture may be tailored to the specific requirements of each ostomate.

(230) In this table, the term “Aperture Size” refers to the diameter of the pre-formed aperture in the ostomy wafer 7 in the case of a Pre-Cut ostomy wafer and refers to the range of possible aperture diameters that may be formed in the ostomy wafer 7 in the case of a Cut-To-Fit ostomy wafer.

(231) In this table, the column “Colour” refers to the colour of the outermost layer of the ostomy appliance. “Neutral” refers to the presence of an outer comfort layer 6 having an opaque, neutral colour. In these examples the outer wall 3 is transparent and the inner wall 2 is opaque, e.g. white. “Clear” refers to an ostomy appliance without an outer comfort layer 6. In these examples the outermost layer is the outer wall 3 which is transparent. The inner wall 2 is opaque, e.g. white. All examples are provided with an inner comfort layer 5 that is an opaque, neutral colour. By “transparent” is meant a material that is substantially or fully transparent, or sufficiently translucent to permit viewing of the fill-level of the cavity through the outer wall 3.

(232) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE Example Wafer Wafer Wafer Aperture Wall Separation No. Type Type Size (mm) Aperture Type Size (mm) Size (mm) Colour Filter? 1 Closed Flat 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-50 140 Neutral Yes 2 Closed Flat 98 Pre-Cut 25 140 Neutral Yes 3 Closed Flat 98 Pre-Cut 30 140 Neutral Yes 4 Closed Flat 98 Pre-Cut 35 140 Neutral Yes 5 Closed Flat 98 Pre-Cut 40 140 Neutral Yes 6 Closed Flat 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-60 170 Neutral Yes 7 Closed Flat 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 8 Closed Flat 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 9 Closed Flat 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 10 Closed Flat 107 Pre-Cut 40 170 Neutral Yes 11 Closed Flat 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-60 170 Clear Yes 12 Closed Flat 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-60 170 Clear No 13 Open Flat 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-50 140 Neutral Yes 14 Open Flat 98 Pre-Cut 25 140 Neutral Yes 15 Open Flat 98 Pre-Cut 30 140 Neutral Yes 16 Open Flat 98 Pre-Cut 35 140 Neutral Yes 17 Open Flat 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-60 170 Neutral Yes 18 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 19 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 20 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 21 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 40 170 Neutral Yes 22 Open Flat 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-60 170 Clear Yes 23 Open Flat 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-60 170 Clear No 24 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Clear Yes 25 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Clear Yes 26 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Clear Yes 27 Open Flat 107 Pre-Cut 40 170 Clear Yes 28 Closed Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Neutral Yes 29 Closed Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Clear No 30 Open Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Clear Yes 31 Open Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Neutral Yes 32 Closed Convex 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 140 Neutral Yes 33 Closed Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 170 Neutral Yes 34 Closed Convex 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 35 Closed Convex 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 36 Closed Convex 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 37 Open Convex 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 140 Neutral Yes 38 Open Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 170 Neutral Yes 39 Open Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 170 Clear Yes 40 Open Convex 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 41 Open Convex 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 42 Open Convex 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 43 Closed Convex 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 140 Neutral Yes 44 Closed Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 170 Neutral Yes 45 Closed Convex 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 46 Closed Convex 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 47 Closed Convex 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 48 Open Convex 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 140 Neutral Yes 49 Open Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 170 Neutral Yes 50 Open Convex 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 51 Open Convex 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 52 Open Convex 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 53 Closed Convex 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-25 140 Neutral Yes 54 Open Convex 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-25 140 Neutral Yes 55 Open Convex 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-25 170 Neutral Yes 56 Closed Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Neutral Yes 57 Closed Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Clear No 58 Open Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Clear Yes 59 Open Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-55 170 Neutral Yes 60 Closed Flexible 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 140 Neutral Yes 61 Closed Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 170 Neutral Yes 62 Closed Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 63 Closed Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 64 Closed Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 65 Open Flexible 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 140 Neutral Yes 66 Open Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 170 Neutral Yes 67 Open Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-45 170 Clear Yes 68 Open Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 69 Open Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 70 Open Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 71 Closed Flexible 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 140 Neutral Yes 72 Closed Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 170 Neutral Yes 73 Closed Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 74 Closed Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 75 Closed Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 76 Open Flexible 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 140 Neutral Yes 77 Open Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-35 170 Neutral Yes 78 Open Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 25 170 Neutral Yes 79 Open Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 30 170 Neutral Yes 80 Open Flexible 107 Pre-Cut 35 170 Neutral Yes 81 Closed Flexible 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-25 140 Neutral Yes 82 Open Flexible 98 Cut-To-Fit 10-25 140 Neutral Yes 83 Open Flexible 107 Cut-To-Fit 10-25 170 Neutral Yes

(233) It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the disclosure have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the disclosure, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that the reader skilled in the art will appreciate may also be required. Because such elements are well known to the reader skilled in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure, a description of such elements is not provided herein.