US-12622802-B2 - Apparatus and method of using a urostomy belt

US12622802B2US 12622802 B2US12622802 B2US 12622802B2US-12622802-B2

Abstract

The disclosed urostomy belt includes a length of fabric having two ends. A protective unit includes a bracing member, wherein the bracing member forms a channel and is shaped to partially encircle a stoma. A shield integral with a top surface of the bracing member overlaps the channel. The protective unit is attachable to each end of the length of fabric.

Inventors

David Patrick Ross

Assignees

David Patrick Ross

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20231214

Claims (12)

1 . A belt for urostomy support, the belt comprising: a length of fabric having two ends; and a protective unit comprising: a bracing member shaped to partially encircle a stoma, wherein the bracing member forms a channel; and a shield integral with a top surface of the bracing member that overlaps the channel, wherein the protective unit is attachable to each end of the length of fabric; and wherein a thickness of the bracing member tapers from an edge proximal to the channel to an edge distal from the channel such that the bracing member is thicker proximal to the channel and thinner distal from the channel.
2 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the shield is adhesively attached to the bracing member.
3 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the shield is attachable to each end of the length of fabric.
4 . The belt of claim 3 , wherein the shield further comprises slots formed on opposing sides for receiving each end of the length of fabric.
5 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the length of fabric further comprises a hook and loop fastener formed on both ends of the length of fabric for fastening the length of fabric by passage of each end of the length of fabric through the slots formed on opposing sides of the shield and wherein each hook and loop fastener extends at least partially down the length of fabric from the ends of the fabric.
6 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the shield is a flat sheet of transparent, pliable plastic.
7 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the shield has a flat side integral with the top surface of the bracing member and a rounded side opposite the flat side.
8 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the bracing member further comprises two arms on opposite sides of the channel and the protective unit is attachable to each end of the length of fabric proximate to each of the arms.
9 . A method of applying a belt for urostomy support, the method comprising the steps of: adhesively attaching a urostomy pouch about a stoma, wherein an adhesive is affixed to the urostomy pouch; placing a protective unit against the urostomy pouch, wherein the protective unit includes a bracing member and a shield integral with a top surface of the bracing member, and wherein the stoma sits at least partially within a channel of the bracing member and at least partially beneath the shield; and fastening the protective unit against the urostomy pouch with a length of fabric having two ends attachable to the protective unit, wherein the protective unit applies pressure to the adhesive through the urostomy pouch; wherein a thickness of the bracing member tapers from an edge proximal to the channel to an edge distal from the channel such that the bracing member is thicker proximal to the channel and thinner distal from the channel and is configured to provide more relative pressure to the adhesive and less relative pressure to a portion of a body of a user lacking the adhesive who is applying the belt.
10 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the ends of the length of fabric are configured to pass through the slots and wrap around an edge of the shield.
11 . A belt for urostomy support, the belt comprising: a length of fabric having two ends; and a protective unit comprising: a bracing member shaped to partially encircle a stoma, wherein the bracing member forms a channel; and a shield integral with a top surface of the bracing member that overlaps the channel; wherein: the protective unit is attachable to each end of the length of fabric; a thickness of the bracing member tapers from an edge proximate to the channel to an edge distal from the channel such that the bracing member is thicker proximal to the channel and thinner distal from the channel; the shield is adhesively attached to the bracing member; the shield further comprises slots formed on opposing sides for receiving each end of the length of fabric; the length of fabric further comprises a hook and loop fastener formed on both ends of the length of fabric for fastening the length of fabric by passage of each end of the length of fabric through the slots formed on opposing sides of the shield; each hook and loop fastener extends at least partially down the length of fabric from the ends of the fabric; and the bracing member is constructed from polyethylene.
12 . The belt of claim 1 , wherein the bracing member is constructed from polyethylene.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/458,839 filed Apr. 12, 2023. This patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD This disclosure is in the field of medical devices and, more specifically, is in the field of post-surgery urostomy support devices. BACKGROUND A urostomy is performed when the bladder has been surgically removed or if it no longer works. Urostomy is most commonly associated with bladder cancer. During this procedure, a surgeon creates an opening in the belly just above the belt line or waist, called a stoma. A piece of the intestine is then used to remove urine from the body through that opening. For the rest of their lives, urostomy patients will only expel urine through the stoma in their belly, which will flow naturally and without any physical control. As the urine is able to be expelled through the stoma at any time of any day, urostomy patients must wear a plastic pouch over the stoma to capture expelled urine. The pouch needs to be changed every few days or whenever it a seal is undermined or leaking. The pouch is held in place with an adhesive area that encircles the stoma. The stoma protrudes from the surface of the belly and is both sensitive and exposed. Urine will eat away at the adhesive and cause it to fail over time (often at the worst times). If the skin or pouch bunches as the bag is adhered to the skin, there may be faults in the attachment that lead to leaks. The weight of the urine in the pouch will pull at the adhesive, which is why it needs to be drained when it is one-third to one-half filled. FIG. 1 is an illustration of a urostomy pouch as is known in the prior art. Exemplary instructions for applying the ostomy pouch is here: 1. Place all materials and tools in reach while positioning the stoma area over a tub, sink, or toilet to collect any flowing fluids.2. Cut the proper size hole in the back side of the pouch—where the adhesive area is located—to fit your particular stoma size and shape using curved scissors and avoiding cutting the bag portion of the pouch.3. Carefully and slowly peel the adhesive area of the existing pouch from your skin using solvent-soaked wipes to minimize sticking, pulling and irritating skin and dispose of the existing pouch.4. Clean the area all around the stoma using solvent-soaked wipes until all residue is removed, avoiding the stoma to which the solvent is an irritant.5. Wash away the solvent with warm water only.6. After drying, the area usually needs to be shaved carefully avoiding the stoma while shaving very close and cleaning again.7. After fully dried, preparation fluid-soaked wipes are used to coat and protect the skin, and assist in pouch adhesion, then wait to dry.8. Carefully place the pouch in the proper position to encircle the stoma, keeping the bag below, then holding it lightly until you can lay flat to the finish pressing in place, which needs to be done quickly and carefully, avoiding wrinkles and hold in place for a few minutes. If the adhesive becomes detached and leaks in a public place, this process needs to be undertaken in a public restroom. Urostomy patients need a medical device that can help maintain attachment of the pouch to the skin and reduce the frequency of leaks. SUMMARY The present disclosure, and embodiments provided herein, discloses an apparatus and method for a urostomy belt for protecting a stoma and adhesion of a urostomy pouch. The disclosed urostomy belt includes a length of fabric having two ends. A protective unit includes a bracing member, wherein the bracing member at least partially encircles a stoma and forms a channel. A shield integral with a top surface of the bracing member overlaps the channel. The protective unit is attachable to each end of the length of fabric. The disclosure further includes a method of applying the urostomy belt. The method includes: applying an adhesive around a stoma; pressing a urostomy pouch to the adhesive; placing a protective unit against the pouch, wherein the protective unit includes a bracing member and a shield integral with a top surface of the bracing member, and wherein the stoma sits at least partially within a channel of the bracing member and at least partially beneath the shield; and fastening the protective unit against the pouch with a length of fabric having two ends attachable to the protective unit, wherein the protective unit applies pressure to the adhesive through the pouch. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been selected principally for readability and instructional purposes and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matt