Osto-EZ-Vent®
The #1 preferred air release venting device
The Osto-EZ-Vent® is a leading Ostomy product for any manufacturers' pouch. Whether you're a Colostomate or Ileostomate, have a one piece, two piece, drainable, or closed end pouch, the OEV® provides easy, quick access for a better alternative to burping or opening the bottom with less mess, less bother and more security.
The Osto-EZ-Vent® was specifically designed without a filter to quickly release air build up on demand. This ability aids in reducing pouch explosions and loose wafers. Because it is not a filtering device, the Osto-EZ-Vent® works efficiently, lasts as long as the pouch, does not become ineffective in water, and is easy to install and use.
Pinch down on the Osto-EZ-Vent® Glides to open. The Glides push against the OEV® base to help lift up and open the OEV®™. When the OEV® is closed, the Glides lie down so they don't catch on clothing.
Every component of the Osto-EZ-Vent® is made and assembled in the USA. This allows us at KEM Enterprises, Inc. to effectively monitor the Osto-EZ-Vent® and keep standards high.
How the Osto-EZ-Vent® was Invented
For over 30 years Hans Butterwegge worked in engineering and management for a large corporation, heading up their international division requiring travel to South America, Europe and Asia before retiring in 1992. His work had stopped, but his interest in traveling did not.
Shortly after retiring, Hans’s yearly physical revealed some blood in his stool. It was dismissed as being nothing to worry about, but in the fall of 1994, he was diagnosed with rectal cancer resulting in a Colostomy later that year.
The gas Hans would produce and the idea of burping his pouch almost convinced him that his life was changed for the worse; that his plans to continue traveling and enjoying life would be shelved. With nothing on the market to fully address this, Hans came up with a vent to quickly release built-up gas pressure. Still having contacts from his previous employer, he showed them his concept for a venting device that eliminated the need to burp the pouch and a working prototype was made.
With the basic idea for the vent established, he approached his daughter, Kellie Laine, whose background is in business management and commercial design, to take on the vent. Kellie founded KEM Enterprises, Inc. in 1996 and began the process of finding an adhesive that would bond permanently to any pouch.
Once the adhesive was found, trials began with nurses and ostomates resulting in a redesign to the original Osto-EZ-Vent®. A second redesign by Kellie’s son and KEM’s eventual marketing director, Aaron James, debuted in 2017 that helps people with dexterity issues open the OEV® easier.
KEM Enterprises, Inc. remains a family business, and as the popularity of the Osto-EZ-Vent® grows, the OEV® is now also available throughout the US, Canada, Japan, the UK and across the European Union.