Patent Application
20250222194
A portable base for a system for irrigation of the bowels of a user as well as a system and a method of bowel irrigation is provided. The portable base comprises a canister unit for an irrigation liquid, and a lid unit for engaging with the canister unit. In particular, the lid unit of the portable base has a rim portion with a rotatable skirt that is rotatably arranged around the rim portion. The portable base is adapted to be shifted between an unsealed (open) configuration and a sealed (closed) configuration (and vice versa) by rotating the skirt. The arrangement of the rotatable skirt on the rim portion facilitates easier shifting between the unsealed and sealed configuration, and vice versa, because less torque is required to be applied by the user for the sealing/unsealing of the portable base.
Control of voluntary bowel functions is frequently limited or absent in patients suffering from certain disabilities, such as spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, or spina bifida. Such lack of control of voluntary bowel functions typically results in faecal incontinence or intractable constipation, as patients have significantly reduced ability to sense the presence of faeces in the colon terminal part and the rectum and to sense the evacuation stimulus.
It is known to accomplish bowel emptying by irrigation (i.e. flushing) of the bowels via the rectum, by an irrigating fluid, such as tap water or saline, which is provided through an intermittent catheter with a tip which is configured and sized for insertion into the rectum (the rectum being the terminal section of the alimentary canal; from the sigmoid flexure to the anus), where it remains in a fixed position and held by an inflatable element, which may be inflatable by air or by water with a pump.
Once the rectum or stoma has been flushed with the irrigating liquid, the inflatable element is removed, and the liquid and faeces can evacuate. Some known irrigation systems suffer from being bulky, complicated, and difficult to handle and to clean properly after use. Moreover, some users of irrigation systems have limited dexterity and/or finger strength due to medical conditions and therefore may have difficulty in handling the components of the irrigation system, including particularly the opening, and closing of the container in the process of cleaning the water container and/or in the process of filling (or emptying) irrigation liquid from the container.
Thus, users of irrigation systems and health care professionals alike would welcome improvements in components of bowel irrigation systems.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable base for a bowel irrigation system. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a bowel irrigation system including a portable base as described herein. In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of irrigating the bowels of a user with an irrigation system including the portable base disclosed herein. In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of sealing a canister unit of a bowel irrigation system disclosed herein. The aspects are further defined by the appended claims.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The figures illustrate embodiments and together with the description explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of all embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description.
Various exemplary embodiments and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the effects or advantages shown. Conversely, an effect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and may be practiced in other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
The figures include the following:
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” and equivalent, is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is not necessarily limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
It is to be understood that individual features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.
In this disclosure, solid and liquid wastes from the bowels of a person may be referred to as both “output,” “waste(s),” and “fluids” interchangeably. A person using the irrigation system may be referred to as “patient” or “user”. However, in some contexts, “user” can also relate or refer to a health care professional (HCP), such as a doctor/physician, nurse, or other person.
In this disclosure, ‘axial direction’ should generally be considered as vertical seen in relation to a top and bottom of the portable base. The radial direction should be understood as transverse to the axial direction. In some sentences, the words “inner” and “outer” can be used. These qualifiers should generally be perceived with reference to the radial direction, such that a reference to an “outer” element means that the element is farther away from a centre portion of a component than an element referenced as “inner”. In addition, “innermost” should be interpreted as the portion of a component forming a centre of the component and/or being adjacent to the centre of the component. In analogy, “outermost” should be interpreted as a portion of a component forming an outer edge or outer contour of a component and/or being adjacent to that outer edge or outer contour. In further analogy this is also the case about the use of the words “uppermost” and “lowermost”.
The use of phrases such as (but not limited to) “substantially” and “approximately” as qualifiers of certain features or effects in this disclosure, is intended to mean that any deviations are within tolerances that would normally be expected by the skilled person in the relevant field.
The use of the word “generally” as a qualifier to certain features or effects in this disclosure is intended to mean—for a structural feature: that a majority or major portion of such feature exhibits the characteristic in question, and—for a functional feature or an effect: that most outcomes involving the characteristic provide the effect, but that exceptionally some outcomes may not provide the effect.
The phrase “adjacent” should be interpreted as being “close to and/or in contact with, or temporarily brought into contact with, but not attached to [something].”
In the present disclosure, “portable” is to be understood as being easy to carry or move, so that a “portable” element can be used in different places and can be easily and conveniently transported. Particularly, this should be understood is relation to some types of available irrigation systems for the bowels of a user including components which are large and bulky and intended for bedridden and/or hospitalized users only.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a portable base for a system for irrigating the bowels of a user, comprising:
The canister unit includes a volume for an irrigation liquid. The irrigation liquid can be temperate tap water or in some cases a saline physiological solution. The canister unit comprising the volume for the irrigation liquid can be considered a first major or primary component of the portable base. The canister unit includes a neck portion circumscribing an annular opening around a central vertical axis of the portable base. In embodiments, the neck portion comprises a vertical flange extending generally parallel to a central vertical axis of the portable base. In embodiments, an upper part (area or zone) of the flange includes a tapering, i.e., is at an angle to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the neck portion transitions into a shoulder portion of the canister unit. The transition between the neck portion and the shoulder portion is located at a lower part (area or zone) of the neck portion. In embodiments, the shoulder portion of the canister unit (further or in turn) transitions into a sidewall of the canister unit. The transition between the shoulder portion and the sidewall of the canister unit is located at a lower part (area or zone) of the shoulder portion and can further be located radially outermost on the shoulder portion. In embodiments, the neck portion is offset radially inwardly from the sidewall of the canister unit by (or at) the shoulder portion and the neck portion is radially closer to the central vertical axis than is the sidewall of the canister unit. In embodiments, the neck portion includes one or more threads or thread segments in the form of protrusions and/or ledges extending generally radially from and perpendicular to the vertical flange.
In embodiments, the canister unit is adapted to stand by itself on a generally level surface of the surroundings. This is useful for making the portable base in its entirety stable when standing on a surface during use.
In embodiments, the sidewall of the canister unit extends substantially parallel to the central vertical axis. Thus, the canister unit generally takes the shape of a cylinder when viewed in cross-section.
In embodiments, the canister unit comprises a non-planar underside (or bottom).
The neck portion of the canister unit generally circumscribes the annular opening. The neck portion can be understood as delimiting, or defining or surrounding, the extent (or size) of the annular opening of the canister unit. Particularly, the annular opening provides a passage which is highly useful when cleaning or disinfecting the canister unit. In embodiments, the annular opening is relatively large, which greatly assists a user in cleaning the inside volume of the canister unit by inserting a hand or the fingers thereinto for cleaning. The annular opening can also at least partly provide a passage for filling and emptying irrigation liquid into and from the canister unit.
The portable base includes a lid unit configured for closing of the annular opening of the canister unit. The lid unit has an axial extent in a direction along the central vertical axis between a top and a bottom of the lid unit. Thus, the lid unit has a height in a direction parallel to the central vertical axis. The lid unit is provided with an external top surface (‘external’ to be understood as facing towards the surroundings away from the canister unit) and an internal bottom surface (‘internal’ to be understood as facing the volume for the irrigation liquid inside the canister unit). The use of the words ‘external’ and ‘internal’ shall also be understood in relation to the lid unit's being configured for attachment to (or engagement with) the canister unit over the annular opening (to close the canister unit).
The lid unit is provided with a rim portion. In embodiments, the rim portion is formed as a portion of a lateral wall of the lid unit. In embodiments, the rim portion is provided at a lower portion of the lateral wall (seen in relation to position on the central vertical axis). In embodiments, the lateral wall, or at least the rim portion thereof, is configured to be parallel to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the rim portion of the lid unit is offset radially inward in relation to an upper portion of the lateral wall of the lid unit when viewed in relation to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the lateral wall of the lid unit further defines or includes a shoulder at a transition between the rim portion and the upper portion. In embodiments, the lateral wall forms an annular sidewall of the lid unit.
The lid unit further includes a rotatable skirt. The rotatable skirt is rotatably attached around the rim portion of the lid unit. In embodiments, the rotatable skirt is arranged to be freely rotatable in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction when (at least ‘as long as’) the lid unit is not engaged with (or placed on top of) the canister unit. The rotatable skirt is engaged with the rim portion in such a manner as to allow rotation of the skirt around the rim portion. In other embodiments, the rotatable skirt is engaged with the rim portion such as to allow a partial rotation around the rim portion (i.e., the skirt is configured to be rotated only a portion of a full circle around the rim portion).
In embodiments, the rotatable skirt includes a first flange which is configured to engage with a ledge of the rim portion of the lid unit to allow the first flange of the skirt to slide on the ledge during rotation of the skirt. In embodiments, the first flange extends in a direction parallel to a plane which is perpendicular to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the first flange of the rotatable skirt extends radially inward towards the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the first flange extends radially inward towards the central vertical axis and is latched (held in place) between the ledge of the rim portion and a shoulder of the upper portion of the lateral wall of the lid unit. In embodiments, the shoulder is located at a transition between an upper portion of the lateral wall of the lid unit and the rim portion of the lid unit. In embodiments, the transition is defined at a location where the rim portion is radially inwardly offset in relation to the upper portion. Thus, in embodiments, the shoulder provides a downwardly facing surface of the upper portion of the lateral wall of the lid unit. In embodiments, the shoulder forms the transition between the upper portion of the lateral wall of the lid unit and the rim portion of the lid unit. In embodiments, the shoulder is provided as an annular shoulder extending annularly entirely along the upper portion (full circle of the lid unit). In embodiments, a radial extent of the shoulder in a direction perpendicular to the central vertical axis can be configured within a range of 5-30 mm (along the downwardly facing surface of the upper portion).
In embodiments, the rotatable skirt includes a second flange. In embodiments, the second flange extends in a direction parallel to a plane which is generally perpendicular to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the second flange of the rotatable skirt extends radially inward towards the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the second flange is configured to engage with and slide in the neck portion of the canister unit during closing (sealing) and opening (unsealing) action. In embodiments, the second flange is configured to engage with and slide in a groove or track of the canister unit. In embodiments, the groove or track is provided in the neck portion of the canister unit. In embodiments, the groove or track is formed between (or by) the neck portion and the shoulder portion of the canister unit.
In embodiments, the groove or track of the canister unit is delimited and/or defined by at least a portion of a first thread provided on the neck portion of the canister unit and the shoulder portion of the canister unit. In embodiments, the second flange of the rotatable skirt forms at least a portion of a second thread of the rotatable skirt. In embodiments, the second flange of the rotatable skirt forms the second thread of the rotatable skirt. The first thread of the canister unit and the second thread of the rotatable skirt are configured as complementary threads. Thereby, the first and second threads are suitable for and configured to go into engagement with each other to attach the lid unit to the canister unit.
In embodiments, the second flange of the rotatable skirt has a shorter radial extent than the first flange of the rotatable skirt. In embodiments, the first flange can be understood to help provide each of an attaching function, a movement controlling function, and a sliding function, or capability, of the rotatable skirt in relation to the rim portion of the lid unit (the first flange being engaged and held “in place” by the ledge and the shoulder). In embodiments, the engagement between the first flange of the rotatable skirt, the ledge in the rim portion, and the shoulder, allows the rotatable skirt to rotate around the central vertical axis and/or prevents the rotatable skirt from disengaging from the lid unit. In embodiments, a notch (e.g., U- or V-shaped) is provided in the rotatable skirt. In embodiments, the notch is provided or spatially defined by the first flange, the second flange, and a lateral wall of the rotatable skirt. In embodiments, the notch forms at least a part of a second thread of the rotatable skirt. In one embodiment, the notch of the rotatable skirt forms the second thread of the rotatable skirt.
A sealing is provided at the rim portion and configured to seal between a radially inward facing surface of the neck portion of the canister unit and the lid unit. In embodiments, the sealing is attached to the rim portion of the lid unit and brought into abutment with the neck portion of the canister unit when the lid unit is placed on the neck portion. A seal (sealing effect) is effectuated when the sealing is urged or pressed into engagement with the neck portion by rotation of the rotatable skirt to cause the complementary threads to come into engagement with each other and shift the portable base to the sealed configuration. During the sealing (closing) action, the engagement of the complementary threads with each other, and the force incurred on the components when the user rotates the rotatable skirt, results in an axially downward movement of the lid unit in relation to the canister unit, which in turn causes the sealing to be pressed into leak-tight engagement with the neck portion and creates a seal (sealing effect) between the lid unit and the canister unit. The rotation of the skirt and the resulting axially downward movement of the lid unit leads to pressure being applied on the material of the sealing. One advantageous effect of the provision of the sealing is that the irrigation liquid in the canister unit of the portable base can be pressurized, and maintained pressurized, independently of tubing of a system for irrigation the bowels of a user.
By rotation of the rotatable skirt the first thread of the canister unit and the second thread of the rotatable skirt, being configured as complementary threads, are adapted to come into engagement with each other, which both results in the securing of the lid unit onto the canister unit and shifting of the portable base to the sealed (closed) configuration. This is because the combination of the rotational movement of the skirt and the engagement of the complementary first and second threads causes an axially downward movement of the lid unit which in turn causes the sealing to seal between the lid unit and the canister unit. In embodiments, the first thread of the canister unit is adapted to provide a “male” part of the complementary threads. In embodiments, the second thread of the rotatable skirt is adapted to provide a “female” part of the complementary threads (e.g., in the form of a notch, as described above). In embodiments, the rotatable skirt includes at least one second thread provided on (or in) a radially inward facing surface of the skirt. In embodiments, exactly one second thread is provided. The one second thread can be configured to extend around a portion of an inward facing surface of the rotatable skirt. In embodiments, the second thread of the rotatable skirt is provided wholly or partially by the second flange of the rotatable skirt described above. Other implementations of complementary threads are acceptable.
In embodiments, the first thread of the canister unit includes three or more evenly distributed, individual, and finite thread segments. In embodiments, at least the first thread segment(s) on the canister unit are sloped or tapered such that by the rotational movement of the skirt comprising the second thread(s) in relation to the complementary first, sloping thread segment(s) on the canister unit, the lid unit is moved in an axial direction parallel to the central vertical axis (opening or closing action). In embodiments, the first thread(s) on the neck portion comprise at least three spaced apart thread segments provided on a radially outward facing surface of the neck portion. In embodiments, the second thread segment(s) on the rotatable skirt are sloped or tapered.
In embodiments, the rotatable skirt includes a gripping tab extending in a direction radially outward in relation to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the gripping tab advantageously extends radially beyond the annular sidewall of the lid unit and radially beyond the shoulder portion of the canister unit. A portion of the gripping tab extending radially beyond the annular sidewall and beyond the shoulder portion can be shaped to align with the sidewall of the canister unit. Thereby, access to and movement of the tab is made easy and unobstructed. In embodiments, the gripping tab on the rotatable skirt is configured to generally align with a second tab (or finger-hold) on the sidewall of the canister unit when the portable base is in the sealed configuration. Conversely, the gripping tab on the rotatable skirt and the tab or finger-hold on the canister unit can be configured to not align when the portable base is in the unsealed configuration.
A particular advantageous effect of embodiments of the above-described structure of the sealing of the portable base is that, for closing and opening of the canister unit with the lid unit, it is not necessary to overcome a frictional force required to rotate the sealing. The sealing itself does not have to be moved (rotated) annularly around the central vertical axis during the rotation of the rotatable skirt of the lid unit. Instead, in embodiments, the sealing only needs to move a relatively short distance in the vertical direction by the force incurred by the user by rotating the rotatable skirt of the lid unit. Thus, a portable base for a system for irrigating the bowels of a user is provided, wherein the force needed to seal and unseal (close and open) the container (canister unit) containing the volume of irrigation liquid is reduced, in that it is not necessary for the user to overcome a combination of both the frictional force for rotating the sealing itself and the normal force required to “lift” (or “push down”) the sealing in a vertical direction parallel to the central vertical axis. According to the disclosure, it is only necessary to overcome the normal force for moving the sealing a short distance in the vertical direction. This is particularly useful as it allows for easier unlatching or unfastening of the lid unit in its entirety. It also allows for the provision of an opening for an irrigation liquid container which can be of relatively large diameter or size thereby making it easier for the user to clean the inside of the container volume and/or potentially to fill the container with irrigation liquid for use. Making cleaning of the components of the portable base easier, particularly cleaning of the canister unit, holding the irrigation liquid, by allowing the user to get a hand inside the canister unit for the cleaning procedure, is useful and advantageous and provides a solution that is both convenient and intuitive for the user. Moreover, lowering or reducing the necessary force required to open and close the container is also advantageous and useful in that users of irrigation systems often lack hand dexterity due to various medical conditions and/or plainly lack sufficient physical strength. Additionally, the mere reason that some users have a relatively small hand size, can make it difficult to rotate closures or lids on containers having relatively large openings/lids. According to the present invention, the elimination of the need to overcome a frictional force required for rotation of a sealing in an irrigation liquid container, alleviates, or at least reduces, each of these issues and helps provide the option of providing a container having a large opening, which in turn helps provide for the easy cleaning solution.
It is thus to be understood that a portable base for a system for irrigating the bowels of a user is provided, in which closing and opening (and sealing) of the container for holding the irrigation liquid is more easily done by virtue of the rotatable skirt being rotatable on the lid unit in a direction around the central vertical axis. According to the disclosure, any need for simultaneously forcing the sealing to be rotated for closing and opening (“alongside” with the entire lid unit), can be avoided. The construction facilitates that only the axial ‘lifting up’ (opening) or ‘pushing down’ (closing) of the sealing takes place instead of having to additionally rotate the sealing for the opening/closing (and thus the sealing/unsealing) action to occur. In addition, the obtained axial ‘lifting up’ (opening action) of the sealing by rotating the rotatable skirt, allows for internal air-pressure in the portable base to be relieved (released or equalized) already prior to the lid unit being entirely freed from the engagement between the complementary threads of the rotatable skirt and the lid unit. The achieved result of ‘lifting up’ the sealing, and the “early” relief or “initial” equalization of pressure in the canister unit, at slightly different moments in time, also helps reduce or eliminate a frictional force required to perform any subsequent additional rotation/turning of the lid unit for its removal from the annular opening of the canister unit (i.e., “finally” disengaging the complementary threads from each other). It is to be understood, that the portable base shifts from the sealed to the unsealed configuration due to the rotation of skirt, the rotating movement causing a “lifting” or “pulling” up (upward movement) of the sealing, but not a rotation of the sealing. After the opening action, and relief of pressure in the canister unit, any force required for the subsequent removal of the lid unit from the canister unit is negligible, and thus much easier overcome by users. Additionally, the upward axial movement of the sealing can advantageously be assisted by adapting (or customizing) the size, shape, and/or form of the complementary threads, particularly the first thread(s) or thread segment(s) of the canister unit, for example, by way of tapering or sloping of this/these. In some embodiments, additional means for assisting the user in equalizing the pressure inside the canister unit and the surroundings can be incorporated.
It is an additional advantage of the present disclosure that no or only little rotation or turning of the entire lid unit is needed to unseal/open and/or seal/close the canister unit with the lid unit. Firstly, in analogy to above, avoiding rotation of the lid unit in its entirety means that less force is required to be applied by the user for the opening and/or closing of the container containing the irrigation liquid. Secondly, avoiding rotation of the lid unit is advantageous in embodiments of an irrigation system, wherein one or more components of the system are incorporated into the lid unit (for example control and power components and/or a pump unit) and further in embodiments wherein tubing for the irrigation liquid is attached to the portable base via (in engagement with) the lid unit. In such cases, the portable base including the lid unit and the canister unit makes handling of the different components of an irrigation system in relation to each other easier and less cumbersome. As an example, potential twisting or unintended winding of irrigation liquid tubing extending from the lid unit, caused by rotation of the lid during the opening and closing of the portable base can be avoided, thus reducing the potential risk of malfunction and/or of impeding of liquid flow in the tubing. Among other advantages, the lid unit can additionally house one or more delicate control components in one or more internal chambers, e.g., a CPU and/or other electronics, whereby it is useful to avoid movements of the entire lid unit to reduce unnecessary shifting and stress on the housed components from the externally incurred rotation forces. The option of attaching the lid unit on the canister unit and avoiding a substantial rotation of the entire lid unit itself, further adds flexibility for a user of an irrigation system incorporating the portable base in terms of easing requirements for putting together the components of the system in a specific, and/or, predetermined order. Thus, in embodiments according to the disclosure it does not matter if, for example, the irrigation liquid tubing has been inadvertently attached to the connection on the lid unit before closing/sealing of the lid unit onto the canister unit, because the lid unit itself with the attached tubing is not rotated during the closing/sealing action, only the rotatable skirt is rotated or turned to close and seal the portable base.
In embodiments, the portable base is configured to be pressurized in the sealed configuration. When the portable base is shifted to the sealed and closed configuration by rotating the rotatable skirt and engaging of the complementary threads of the canister unit, the sealing being in engagement with the neck portion of the canister unit provides an air- and/or liquid-tight seal between the lid unit and the canister unit. Thus, in the sealed configuration, the portable base can be pressurized by an air- (e.g., vacuum-) pump (e.g., incorporated in a system for irrigating the bowels of a user). The pressurization possibility facilitates setting irrigation liquid in the canister unit under a desired operating pressure suitable for irrigating the bowels of a user, by means of an air-pump rather than by using a water-pump for pumping the irrigation liquid out of the portable base and to the anal probe (by physically propelling or pushing the liquid). In embodiments, the portable base is configured for a liquid operating pressure of between 6.9-15.9 kPa (approximately 1.0-2.3 psi). In one embodiment, the operating pressure is configured at a maximum of approximately 13.8 kPa (˜2.0 psi). In embodiments, specific implementations of the first thread(s) or thread segment(s), and the second thread(s), of the complementary threads, can be adapted to help accommodate the desired air-pressurization capacity of the portable base (i.e., adapted to help operate the system with the desired irrigation liquid pressure). Again, such adaptation can be facilitated inter alia by varying the number of individual threads and/or segments, the tapering/sloping, size/dimensions, and the materials of the complementary threads and additionally and/or alternatively by customizing the sealing type and dimensions.
An advantage of the portable base according to the disclosure is that it allows for using an air-pump (e.g., vacuum-pump) to pressurize the irrigation liquid in the canister unit. Due to the way the sealing and the means for opening and closing (sealing/unsealing) combine to facilitate (de-)pressurization of the portable base, the invention allows for the use of an air-pump with a system for irrigating the bowels of a user as opposed to using a water (irrigation liquid) pump that physically propels the liquid. Thereby, the use of a water pump for pressurization of the irrigation liquid, and hence the disadvantages involved therewith, is avoided. In a water pump, the irrigation liquid is propelled through the water pump under pressure to irrigate the bowels. Propelling irrigation liquid/water through a water pump incurs a necessary requirement of frequent and thorough cleaning of the water-pump to prevent growth of microorganisms in the pump. With the portable base of the present disclosure, which allows the portable base to be pressurized while at the same time reducing the force needed to seal/unseal (close/open) the canister unit, a bowel irrigation system incorporating the disclosed portable base can rely on the use of an air pump and thus avoid sending irrigation liquid through a pump unit, in turn avoiding the need for frequent cleaning action. It is thus understood that the disclosure also provides a portable base for a system for irrigating the bowels of a user, in which no physical contact between the irrigation liquid and the pump unit is necessary. This advantageously prevents contamination of the pump unit and further offers a solution wherein no moving parts of the pump unit are subjected to contact with the irrigation liquid or to wear caused by propelling thereof.
In embodiments, the annular opening of the canister unit has a diameter of between 100-150 mm. In one embodiment, the annular opening of the canister unit has a diameter of 120 mm. These embodiments are particularly suitable for providing a possibility of thoroughly cleaning the insides of the canister unit, e.g., by allowing a user to insert a hand entirely through the annular opening or alternatively a brush or other cleaning tool.
In embodiments, the sealing is provided at a location of the rim portion being closer to the bottom of the lid unit than to the top of the lid unit. In embodiments, the sealing is configured to seal against a lowermost part of the radially inward facing surface of the neck portion of the canister unit in the sealed/closed configuration of the portable base. Different to other embodiments of the disclosure, these embodiments ensure that the sealing is moved a relatively long vertical distance while being in abutment with the neck portion of the canister unit during the closing and/or opening action and can therefore be adapted to require application of a relatively larger force for moving the lid unit in the vertical direction, should this be desired or needed. One reason would be to provide an option for adapting or customizing the principal force needed to seal between the lid unit and the canister unit, in turn e.g., allowing for pressurization of an irrigation system with a relatively higher air-pressure acting on the liquid in the canister unit.
The sealing is provided at the rim portion and configured to seal between a radially inward facing surface of the neck portion of the canister unit and the lid unit. In embodiments, the radially inward facing surface is parallel to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, the radially inward facing surface is an inner annular rim of the neck portion. In embodiments, the inner annular rim has an extent in a direction parallel to the central vertical axis of between 5 mm and 30 mm. In one specific implementation, the vertical extent of the inner annular rim is 10 mm. In another specific implementation, the vertical extent of the inner annular rim is 15 mm. In another specific implementation, the vertical extent of the inner annular rim is 20 mm. In yet another specific implementation, the vertical extent of the inner annular rim is 30 mm. Such implementations provide a good abutment surface for the sealing on the rim portion of the lid unit against the neck portion of the canister unit. In embodiments, an uppermost part of the radially inward facing surface of the neck portion of the canister unit is angularly offset seen relative to the central vertical axis, for example, such that the uppermost part tapers or slopes away from the central vertical axis. This implementation can be useful e.g., for assisting in guidance of the rim portion of the lid unit into correct position on top of the canister unit, in turn guiding the sealing into correct location.
In some embodiments, the sealing comprises an O-ring. In embodiments, the sealing is an O-ring. The O-ring is an annular sealing ring, e.g., made from a rubber-based or silicone-based material (or any other suitable polymeric material), and which extends around the rim portion of the lid unit. In embodiments, the O-ring is suitably made from a specific silicone material. The O-ring is suitably attached to the rim portion by an adhesive. Alternatively, the O-ring can be mechanically fastened or attached to the rim portion or by a combination of adhesive and mechanical fastening.
In embodiments, the lid unit includes a through-going passage for filling an irrigation liquid into the volume in the canister unit (i.e., through the lid unit). The through-going passage is provided generally parallel to the central vertical axis. In embodiments, access to the irrigation liquid passage is possible by removing a cap, which can be screwed or press-fitted onto the lid unit. In embodiments, the cap is provided in a top of the lid unit. In embodiments, the cap comprises an internal sealing (rubber or silicone gasket or gasket-like sealing) for providing an air- and/or liquid-tight seal with the lid unit and in turn the canister unit to assist in the pressurization of the portable base when it is to be used for irrigation. The cap facilitates filling (or in some cases emptying) of the canister unit with irrigation liquid without requiring removal or opening (unscrewing/unsealing) of the lid unit entirely from the canister unit. Also, the internal sealing of the cap can facilitate (de-)pressurization of the portable base independently of removal of the lid unit from the canister unit.
In embodiments, the lid unit includes at least one internal chamber. The at least one internal chamber is adapted to contain one or more control elements of a system for irrigating the bowels of a user. In embodiments, one or more control elements are held in the internal chamber and/or partially on an outer surface of the lid unit. In embodiments, a top of the lid unit comprises one or more connections and/or interfaces (e.g., spigots or studs) for engagement and correspondence with other elements and/or components of a system for irrigation the bowels of a user. In embodiments, the lid unit includes a passage for allowing irrigation liquid from the canister unit to exit from the canister, typically by means of a pumping action provided by a pump of the system for irrigating the bowels of a user. In one embodiment, the lid unit includes two separate, internal chambers. In embodiments, the lid unit includes more than two separate, internal chambers. In embodiments, one internal chamber of the lid unit includes or houses a pump and forms part of a system for irrigating the bowels of a user.
In embodiments, the components of the portable base are made from materials suitable for handling tap water with a temperature of between 5 and 60 degrees centigrade, such as between 30 and 45 degrees centigrade. In embodiments, the canister unit is made from materials suitable for handling temperatures up to approximately 100 degrees Celsius for cleaning purposes. In embodiments, the components of the portable base should be configured to support a system for irrigating the bowels of a user which allows a flow within the levels of approximately 1000 mL/min at 0 bar (0 kPa) and 250 mL/min at 0.1 bar (10 kPa).
The portable base of the disclosure offers the user increased flexibility and increased convenience, particularly, but not exclusively, when used in a system for irrigating the bowels of a user. Advantages include reduction of complexity of the portable base and minimization of requirements or increased ease of cleaning, drying and other maintenance thereof. Further advantageously, the portable base of the present disclosure can be seen to provide a solution without any electrical connections/engagements between the canister unit and the lid unit, thereby minimizing risks of faulty electrical connections and/or other electrical malfunctions.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a bowel irrigation system including the portable base described herein and further includes the following components: irrigation tubing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end of the irrigation tubing configured to be connected to the lid unit of the portable base, at least one anal probe configured to be connected to the second end of the irrigation tubing, optionally, a remote control for controlling one or more control elements of the system, optionally, a set of instructions for use, and optionally, a container for storing the components of the system (between uses). In embodiments, the lid unit of the portable base includes one or more internal chambers as described herein, wherein at least a pump unit and control components or an element adapted to control the irrigation procedure is provided in one or more of the internal chambers. An electrical supply unit for the irrigation system can also be incorporated or can be provided separately from the system itself.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of irrigating the bowels of a user with a bowel irrigation system including the portable base disclosed herein, comprising the steps of:
In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of sealing a canister unit of a bowel irrigation system including the portable base disclosed herein, comprising the steps of:
The method according to this aspect is advantageous in that using a portable base as disclosed above provides the effects and benefits to the user described in detail for the portable base device, including (but not limited to) ease of sealing and opening the canister unit using significantly reduced physical force, and further providing significantly easier access for cleaning of the canister unit.
The lid unit 24 can be configured to hold one or more control elements or control components of a bowel irrigation system. The lid unit 24 includes a lateral wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral wall forms an annular sidewall 28 of the lid unit 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the finger-hold 23 extends laterally out from a sidewall 30 of the of the canister unit 22. Further, in the embodiment of
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The rotatable skirt 26 is rotatably attached around the rim portion 54 of the lid unit 24. The rotatable skirt is at least partially rotatable in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction when the lid unit 24 is not engaged with (on top of) the canister unit 22. The rotatable skirt 26 is configured to engage with the rim portion 54 while allowing at least partial rotation of the skirt 26 around the rim portion 54.
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Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA202270196 | Apr 2022 | DK | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DK2023/050061 | 3/29/2023 | WO |
