Patent Application
20150018763
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to hemorrhoid pain relief and healing products, and more specifically to hemorrhoid pain relief and healing products that combine cold pack therapy with the soothing properties of witch-hazel. The products reduce the user's pain by cooling and covering the area with a healing astringent that aides in soothing and shrinking hemorrhoids.
2. Description of Related Art
“Hemorrhoids result from dilation of the submucosal vascular tissue in the distal anal canal. This vascular tissue is supported by connective tissue that, when weakened, leads to descent or prolapse of the hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids originate above the dentate line (i.e., the junction between columnar and squamous epithelium) and are viscerally innervated and, therefore, painless. External hemorrhoids originate below the dentate line, have somatic innervation, and can cause pain. Some patients have both internal and external (mixed) hemorrhoids.
Internal hemorrhoids are classified according to their degree of prolapse. Grade 1 hemorrhoids may bleed but do not protrude; grade 2 hemorrhoids protrude with defecation but reduce spontaneously; grade 3 hemorrhoids protrude and must be reduced by hand; and grade 4 hemorrhoids are permanently prolapsed.” (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0715/p204.html) “Fifty percent of Americans have hemorrhoids by age 50, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. This group of people ranges from middle aged to those over fifty and they are also extremely common in pregnant women.” (http://www.thehealthjournals.com/archive.php? id=453)
The use of cold therapy for the treatment and shrinkage of hemorrhoids is known in the field. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 20040126412 discloses a small, cylindrical-shaped, flexible bladder that is cooled or frozen before applied to the anus for instant relief and shrinkage of hemorrhoidal tissue. U.S. Pat. No. 20090076575 discloses a cold pack apparatus for abstracting heat to reduce pain for an extended period of time of one hour or more for joint pain or a diseased area, such as hemorrhoids. Both devices can be uncomfortable because applying a frozen pack directly to the affected area without a soft disposable protective sleeve can cause more pain. Both devices pose numerous hygienic problems when re-used on an area that involves potential high bacteria traffic. Besides the cooling agent, neither device provides any additional pain relieving or healing features.
Other devices are designed to relieve the pressure caused by hemorrhoids by using a small tube filled with cool liquid to separate the butt cheeks from the affected area. For instance U.S. Pat. No. 20130046328 discloses a fluid filled tube that produces gentle support and pressure over the hemorrhoid in order to lower pressure across the wall of the hemorrhoid and provide instant pain relief. While this device has a cool liquid inside, it isn't frozen, and therefore would do little in the way of shrinking hemorrhoids. Other than the tube separating the butt cheeks to reduce friction, this device offers no other forms of pain relief or healing properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 20070078417 discloses hemorrhoid relief through a systematic approach and for comprehensive treatment for hemorrhoid sufferers that includes educational materials, a cream for early stages for relief of minor symptoms, fiber pad wipes, cleanser, and the option of a prescription strength ointment for relief of more severe symptoms in relation to swelling. This method is not only time consuming but the use of topical creams and ointments can be messy as well as produce an undesirable odor, making the available times for use limited.
Therefore, there is still an overwhelming need for a hemorrhoid relief product that is simple, effective, safe, sanitary, and accessible to the population no matter their financial situation.
The hemorrhoid pain relief and healing pack according to the present invention meet all the criteria mentioned in [0008] something the aforementioned patents don't.
The primary objective of the present invention is to offer a simple and effective product to relieve the pain caused by hemorrhoids.
Another objective of the present invention is to offer a simple and effective product that heals hemorrhoids.
Another objective of the present invention is to offer a product that is safe and non-invasive in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to offer a product that is disposable, eliminating hygienic concerns.
Still another objective of the present invention is to offer a product that is easy to manufacture and is low-cost.
Finally, the present invention should provide a product that is safe, effective, and easily assessable to the population, regardless of gender, age, or financial status.
The product of the present invention is made up of the following materials:
1) An oval shaped gel filled cold pack approximately 3×5 inches in size
2) An ultra-soft disposable protective cloth sleeve approximately 3¼ inches in width, 4 ½ inches in length, and consisting of a 1 inch fold for pocket insertion
3) Approximately 10 ml of 100% witch-hazel which the above mentioned cloth is soaked in, allowing to infuse
The cold pack may be in different shapes, though preferably in an oval or round shape measuring around 3×5 inches, and include but not limited to freezable gel or liquid that is flexible, allowing for easy conformity to the hemorrhoidal bulge/s and alleviating pain with cold therapy. The protective disposable sleeve in which the cold pack is inserted is made of but not limited to an ultra-soft disposable cloth measuring around 3¼ inches in width, 4½ inches in length, and consisting of a 1 inch fold for pocket insertion, and is infused with but not restricted to 10 ml of 100% all natural witch-hazel. The soft disposable cloth offers a smooth and comforting buffer between the frozen cold pack and the hemorrhoidal bulge/s, which provides relief from itching, burning, and swelling, and the witch-hazel acts as a soothing astringent that aides in the shrinking of hemorrhoids. The prototype of the product is constructed using one 3×5 gel cold pack and one 3 1/4×4 1/2 x 1 inch ultra-soft disposable sleeve infused with 10 ml of 100% all natural witch-hazel.
The product of the present invention offers pain relief through three mechanisms. First, the flexibility of the cold pack conforms to the specific shape of the user's hemorrhoidal bulge/s, providing a subtle support to the affected area. Secondly, the cooling effect from the frozen gel within the cold pack offers instant pain relief due to swelling, itching, and burning. Thirdly, the ultra-soft disposable sleeve infused with witch-hazel provides not only a comforting buffer between the frozen cold pack and the area, but also offers the soothing properties of the witch-hazel astringent, which relieves irritation from burning and itching as well as aides in the shrinkage of hemorrhoids.
The product of the present invention not only offers pain relief of external hemorrhoids, it aides in the actual healing of hemorrhoids through the combined use of cold therapy and witch-hazel astringent to reduce swelling and prevent further bulge/s from prolapsing.
The product is easy to use. The person suffering from hemorrhoids takes the frozen cold pack out of the freezer, slips it in one of the disposable protective sleeves, and places it directly onto the hemorrhoid/s; this can be done in a sitting position or while laying on one's side. The product works instantly by conforming to the hemorrhoidal bulge/s, cooling the entire area, and coating the hemorrhoids with the infused witch-hazel.
The elements for the product of the present invention are simple and easy to manufacture, making the cost to construct the product low, and allow for accessibility to a wider market of those who suffer from hemorrhoids.
Before further explanation of the embodiments of the product of the present invention are given in detail, it is to be understood that the product isn't limited in it's application to the specifics of construction or that of the details set forth in the descriptions or drawings. The product of the present invention can have other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also the terminology and phraseology used above and following are for the purpose of description and shouldn't be regarded as restricting or limiting.
These descriptions can be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out several purposes of the present invention. It is important that these claims be regarded as including equivalent constructions as long as they don't stray far from the scope and spirit of the product of the present invention.
The above has outlined in broad terms the preferred features of the product of the present invention so that a better understanding of the detailed descriptions of the product follows. Subsequent features of the invention will be described below that form the subject of claims of the product of the present invention. The disclosed conception and specific embodiment of the product can be readily used as a basis for designing or modifying other structures carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and these other structures should not stray far from the scope and spirit of the product of the present invention in its broadest form.
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The shown, described, and labeled fundamental features of the present invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, should be taken as and understood that the foregoing is considered purely illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not meant to be taken as limiting or exhausting the invention to the precise or exact forms disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. These embodiments described and detailed above were used to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the present invention in a variety of embodiments and modifications as are suited to the specific use discussed. Any such modifications or variances are within the scope of the invention as determined by the above claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled.
