Patent Application
20130072864
This invention was not made by any agency of the United States Government nor under any contract with any agency of the United States Government.
The invention relates to medical equipments and more particularly to colon irrigation devices and a method for performing colon irrigation.
The colon may retain a large amount of matter which accumulates and does not move out of the colon during long periods of time or less mobile matter due to bowel deficiencies. Such conditions of more or less permanent residence of feces material in the colon may lead to toxic effects, inflammation of the lining of the colon, or other serious complications. To avoid such difficulties, colon irrigation is suggested. Colon irrigation is also known by various names such as colon lavaging, colon cleansing, colon washing, and colon hydrotherapy which are herein after referred to as colon irrigation.
Numerous types of systems and device for irrigating and cleansing the colon can be found in the prior art. Prior art systems and devices typically include a fluid (such as water) inlet for introducing water into the apparatus, means for purifying the water such as a filter system, means for controlling the fluid flow and fluid pressure, and a fluid outlet which is in turn connected to a rectal speculum via a tubing.
Tap water or elevated gravity tank water is used for irrigation as source water. Tap water is generally available at a pressure of about 50 to 70 psi. To use tap water, the pressure of tap water is reduced to a predetermined pressure by using a pressure controlling valve, whereas in case of the elevated gravity tank, the gravity tank is adapted above the colon irrigation device at a high position to obtain required pressure with gravity flow of water.
For carrying out irrigation, a speculum secured to flexible hosing is inserted into the anal canal by the attendant and a supply of warm water injected via the speculum into the colon. While the therapist massages the patient's abdomen he observes the pressure of the water within the speculum and patient from a gauge. As the water fills the colon pressure increases. Once the pressure reaches a selected upper level, such as one pound per square inch, above which the patient would experience discomfort, the therapist operates a valve in a drain line that extends from the speculum whereupon the pressure decreases as waste water exits the colon. While drainage occurs the flow of fecal material and water is observed through a sight or view tube so that the therapist may observe the matter being discharged for diagnostic purposes. Once the pressure has dropped substantially, such as to one quarter pound per square inch, the drain valve is closed and the operative cycle repeated until the colon has been well cleansed. However, in the event the attendant or therapist engages in conversation with the patient or becomes otherwise distracted, he or she may fail to observe that the pressure has increased beyond the upper limit. In this case the patient will normally experience discomfort or even pain. A potential for damage to the intestine will also arise. Though gravity flow by using elevated gravity tank solves this problem, the system is cumbersome and requires more floor space.
Currently, various devices have been in use and in patent domain to control the pressure in the colon. However, there is still need for a colon irrigation device, which can reduce potential malfunction of the apparatus in addition to hazards as discussed above and also a method that is less cramping and safer to the patient.
The objective of the present invention is to provide a compact colon irrigation device that provides gravity flow and solves at least one of the above described problems or limitations.
Accordingly, in the first aspect, the present invention provides a colon irrigation device comprising a housing, a gravity tank having an inlet, an outlet at the bottom of the gravity tank to supply water by gravity, and an overflow drain, a means for filling the gravity tank with warm water connected to an inlet of the gravity tank, an extension tube extending vertically from the top of the gravity tank to create a required water head for providing a constant gravity flow of water substantially at a predetermined pressure, an overflow drain adapted in connection with the extension tube at a level required for maintaining the required water head in the extension tube, a speculum for insertion into rectum of colon for irrigation and extracting matter, a water supply line extending from the outlet of the gravity tank connected with the said speculum and a drain line connected with the said speculum.
According to the present invention, the means for filling the gravity tank includes a hot supply line and cold water supply line. Advantageously, the means for filling the gravity tank includes a mixer for mixing hot and cold water to supply warm water to the gravity tank.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gravity tank can be adapted adjoining to the top panel of housing. The gravity tank is preferably adapted at one of the corners of top panel in the housing. Alternatively, the gravity tank can be adapted over or near the housing.
According to the preferable embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an automatic shut off valve provided at the means for filling the gravity tank to fill the gravity tank and the extension tube and to maintain the predetermined water head in the extension tube. Alternatively, the automatic shut off valve can be adapted on the overflow drain to control drain so as to maintain the predetermined water head in the extension tube.
According to the present invention, the required water head is maintained in the extension tube to provide water at least at a pressure of about 1 psi to carry out colon irrigation. Accordingly, the required water head is constantly maintained between 20 to 40 inches up in the extension tube.
According to the present invention, a capacity of the gravity tank is between 1-2 liter. Advantageously, the capacity of the gravity tank is 1 liter to make the device compact.
In second aspect, the present invention provides a colon irrigation device, comprising a housing, a gravity tank adapted in the housing, said gravity tank having an inlet and an outlet to supply water by gravity, a means for filling the gravity tank with warm water, an extension tube extending vertically from the top of the gravity tank to create a required water head for providing substantially a constant gravity flow of water at a predetermined pressure, an overflow drain adapted in connection with the extension tube at a level required to maintain the required water head in the extension tube, a speculum for insertion into rectum of colon for irrigation and extracting matter, a water supply line extending from the outlet of the gravity tank connected with the said speculum, a bypass line adapted on the water supply line having a non-return valve operating in proportion to the back pressure developed in the colon to allow gently raising of pressure in the colon and a drain line connected with the said speculum. The non-return valve starts opening at a pressure of about 0.3 psi.
In third aspect, the present invention provides a colon irrigation device, comprising a housing, a first branch line for providing a gravity flow and a second branch line for providing a pressure flow, a three-way valve connected with the first branch line and second branch line a speculum for insertion into rectum of colon for irrigation and extracting matter, a water supply line extending from the three-way valve connected with the said speculum and a drain line connected with the said speculum. The first branch line includes a gravity tank for providing gravity flow, an extension tube extending vertically from the top of the gravity tank to create a required water head for providing substantially a constant gravity flow of water at a predetermined pressure, and an overflow drain for maintaining required water head in the extension tube. The second branch line includes a pressure controlling valve to reduce pressure of water.
In forth aspect, the present invention provides a colon irrigation device, comprising a housing, a first branch fine for providing a gravity flow and a second branch line for providing a pressure flow of water, a three-way valve connected with the first branch line and second branch line, a speculum for insertion into rectum of colon for irrigation and extracting matter, a water supply line extending from the three-way valve connected with the said speculum, a bypass line adapted on the water supply line, having a non-return valve operating in proportion to the back pressure developed in the colon to allow gently raising of pressure in the colon and a drain line connected with the said speculum. The first branch line includes a gravity tank to supply water by gravity, an extension tube extending vertically from the top of the gravity tank to create a required water head for providing substantially a constant gravity flow of water at a predetermined pressure and an overflow drain to maintain the required water head in the extension tube. The second branch line includes a pressure controlling valve to reduce pressure of water.
According to the present invention, the non-return valve start opening at a back pressure of about 0.3 psi and opens full at a predetermined maximum back pressure. Advantageously, the non-return valve set to open full at a back pressure of about between 1 to 5 psi depending on the back pressure in the colon.
In the fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for performing colon irrigation, comprising steps of using a colon irrigating device of the first aspect and carrying out the colon irrigation by directing gravity water flow from the gravity tank through to the colon for irrigating and extracting waste material therefrom and maintaining a predetermined water head in the extension tube to provide a pressure required to carry out colon irrigation by gravity.
According to an embodiment of the fifth aspect method of the present invention, a step of maintaining a predetermined water head in the extension tube comprises step of controlling water flow from either means for filling the gravity tank or the overflow drain of the gravity tank.
According to further embodiment of the fifth aspect method of the present invention, the method further comprising a step of bypassing the water of the water supply line based on the pressure developed in the colon.
The present invention in sixth aspect provides a method for performing colon irrigation, comprising steps of using a colon irrigating device of the third aspect and carrying out colon irrigation by directing gravity water flow from the gravity tank through to the colon for irrigating and extracting waste material therefrom and maintaining a predetermined water head in the extension tube to provide a pressure required to carry out colon irrigation by gravity. This method also may comprise a step of bypassing the water of the water supply line based on the pressure developed in the colon.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the general description given above and detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below serve to explain the principles of the invention:
The present invention provides a compact colon irrigation device and method for performing human colon irrigation.
The colon irrigation device of the present invention generally comprises at least a housing, a gravity tank to supply water by gravity, a means for filling the gravity tank with warm water, an extension tube extending vertically from the top of the gravity tank to create a required water head for providing substantially a constant gravity flow of water at a predetermined pressure, a speculum for insertion into rectum of colon for irrigation and extracting matter, a water supply line extending from the gravity tank connected with the said speculum, and a drain line connected with the said speculum.
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Now, the present invention is described in more detail with respect to gravity tank, supply line, drain line, gauges and other features arranged the colon irrigation device of the present invention with the help of
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The shut-off valve (115) is adapted at the inlet of the tank as shown in
To carry out the colon irrigation by gravity by using a colon irrigation device as shown in
When the water head reaches to a required level, the therapist inserts the speculum into the anal canal of a patient and starts filing warm water into the colon by gravity simultaneously automatic shut off valve starts operating for maintaining required level of water in the extension tube. Advantage of the present invention is that the colon irrigation device provides flow of water by gravity at about 1 psi which fills the colon slowly. This not only avoids a risk of injuring the colon of the patient but also fills the water slowly in the colon without substantially cramping or painful to the patient.
When the colon becomes full of water, a therapist commences a reverse flow by opening the drain valve (170) on the drain line so that water and extracted material flow back through the speculum into the drain line (Z). The waste water flowing from the colon is observed through the optically transparent tube (142) below which by a known way an illumination means (not shown) is arranged.
As shown in
A disinfecting or cleaning solution can be mixed in the warm water or waste water before discharging to sewage line for disinfecting or cleaning purpose by known ways.
Thus the present invention has various exceptional features. The device adjusts to the specific conditions of the colon and thereby needs of an individual. Its unique feature senses the applied pressure as it builds in the colon and automatically reduces the flow of water as pressure in the colon increases, thus provides for gentler and longer colon fill cycles. It is therefore an advantage that the present invention considers not only the effective removal of impacted materials but also the safety and comfort of the individual.
According to the present invention, the overflow drain and outlet of the bypass line are connected to the drain line. Alternatively, the overflow drain and the outlet of the bypass line can be connected to other than the drain line.
The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. The electric connection and other known parts are not described herein as the person skilled in the art can easily implement those things in the present invention, Further though a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein:
