Drainage Bag

Abstract

A drainage bag for receiving bodily waste, such as an ostomy bag, comprises an outer bag of material soluble in cold water, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, and an inner bag of material insoluble in water at ambient temperature and body temperature but soluble in organic solvent, e.g. 2-oxepanone polymer (polycaprolactone). When the bag (and contents) are to be disposed of, appropriate organic solvent (e.g. benzyl alcohol) is applied to the inner bag. The bag can then be placed in a WC bowl and is flushable after about 1-2 minutes.

1 . A drainage bag for receiving bodily waste, comprising an outer bag of material soluble in cold water and an inner bag of material insoluble in water at ambient temperature and body temperature but soluble in organic solvent.  
   
   
       2 . A drainage bag according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner bag comprises 2-oxepanone polymer (polycaprolactone), polyester amide or copolyester.  
   
   
       3 . A drainage bag according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the outer bag comprises polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose or polyethylene oxide.  
   
   
       4 . A drainage bag according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer bag comprises polyvinyl alcohol coated with or incorporating alginate or gelatin.  
   
   
       5 . A drainage bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner bag comprises 2-oxepanone polymer (polycaprolactone) and the outer bag comprises polyvinyl alcohol.  
   
   
       6 . A drainage bag according to any one of the preceding claims, including a flange for attachment to the body of a user and secured with respect to the inner and outer bags, surrounding respective inlet apertures therein.  
   
   
       7 . A drainage bag according to  claim 6 , wherein a layer of film material soluble under the same conditions as either the outer bag material or the inner bag material is laminated to the surface of the flange remote from the body of a user, in use.  
   
   
       8 . A drainage bag according to  claim 7 , wherein the laminated film material is selected from 2-oxepanone polymer (polycaprolactone), polyvinyl alcohol and polyurethane.  
   
   
       9 . A drainage bag according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the laminated film material is attached directly to the bag wall material.  
   
   
       10 . A drainage bag accordingly to any one of  claims 6  to  9 , wherein the inlet aperture in the outer bag is larger than the inlet aperture in the inner bag.  
   
   
       11 . A drainage bag accordingly to any one of the preceding claims, in combination with a supply of organic solvent for the inner bag material.  
   
   
       12 . A drainage bag according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an ostomy bag.