CA1206051A

CA1206051A - Insertion device for facilitating release of gas from the gastro-intestinal tract of a human being and for muffling sounds associated with such gas release

Info

Publication number: CA1206051A
Application number: CA000435975A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Edward Richards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-09-22
Filing date: 1983-09-02
Publication date: 1986-06-17
Also published as: FR2533128A1; WO1984001097A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A device is disclosed which has a substantially tubular body having an open and a closed end. A portion adjacent to the closed end incorporates a plurality of radially disposed apertures. The apertures are in fluid communication with an internal passage or conduit of the tubular body, which is, in turn, in fluid communication with the open end. In use, the device is inserted into the anal opening and rectum of a person so that the portion having the apertures is disposed just outside of the anal opening. The device facilitates substantially continuous release of gas from the gastro-intestinal tract, and acts as a muffler to substantially eliminate unpleasant sound effects associated with the gas release.

Description

ll ~z~
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~ INSERTION DEVICE FOR FACILITATING RELEASE OF GAS F~OM

2 T~E GASTRO-IN~ESTINAL TRACT OF A HUMAN BEING, AND FOR

3 MUFYLING SOUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH GAS RELEASE

4 BACKGROlJND OF THE INVENTION
l. Field of the Invention e ~resent invention is directe~ t~ a device a~a~te1 F~
7 insertion into the anal opening of a human being. More 8 particularly, the present invention is directed to a device 9 which, when properly inserted into the anal opening of a person, is adapted for facilitating continuous and silent 11 release of gas from the gastro-intestinal tract of the person.
12 2. Brief ~
13 It is well known that the ~astro-intestinal tract or 14 digestiYe system of human beings produces gases whic1 are, from time-to-timeO released throu~h the rectum and anus. It is also 16 well known that, although such rel~ease of gas is a normal body 17 function, the release of odiferous gas, particularly when 1~ accompanied by unpleasant sound,, is considered socially lg undesirableO
It is further known that certain individuals suffer 21 from gastro-intestlonal disorders or discomfort which result in 22 enhanced production of gas. Moreover, certain individuals have ~3 difficulty controlling the above-noted socially unacceptable ~4 body function. Sorne other individuals frequently suffer from accumulation of undue amount of gas in their gastro-intestional 26 system. In addition to individuals having certain 27 gastro-intestional disorders, babies and small children are 28 particularly likely to suffer from the accumulated gas.
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Medical science is continuously strivin~ to provide remedies to the above-noted and other gastro-intestiorlal disorders or discomfort. Nevertheless, to the best knowledge of the present inventor, until the present invention, medical science has not provided an inexpensive, harmless, and ~ffective remedy in the form of an implantation or insertion device which eliminat2s or at least substantially alleviates the discomfort associated with accumulation of undue amounts of gas in the digestive system. Nor has the prior art provided a simple insertion device which eliminates the socially una~ceptable sound efect.c associated with the release of ~ccumul~te~d gas from a per~vn's g~st~o~i~testina~ t~act.
For further general backgrQund of the present invention, United States Patent No: 1,273,~65 issued 23rd July 1 1918 to Ernest D. Porter disclose!s a rectal ventrilatory deflator to be used in the treatment of cases of flatulency and constipation~ and U.S. Patent No: 2,891,539 issued 23rd June 1959 to J.J.~oper and R. M. ~oper dis~loses a device for alleviating the discomfort of hemorrhoids and assist in the healing of the same. -SUMMARY OF T~E I~IVE~TIO~
It is an object of the present invention ~o provide an insertion device into the anal opening of a person which facilitates substantially continuous release of ~as from the gastro-intestinal ~ract of the person.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an insertion devica into the anal opening of a person which substantially eliminates sound effects associa~ed wi~h .~
~ 2 ~6~3~

sudden release~of gas from the gastro-intestinal tract of the person.
In accordance with the present invention therP is provided a device adapted for aiding the release of gas from the d:Lgestlve system of a human b~ing, the device comprising:
an e.longated tubular body of unitary construction having an internal passage for gas;
a first end of said tubular body having a sealing plate disposed substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body for preventing axial escape of gas from the tubular body~ a second end of the tubular body having an axially disposed opening which leads into the internal passage, the second end of the tubular body having an enlarged flange substantially concentrical with the tubular body, said flange including a substantlally conical surface facing towards the tubular body, said flange being disposed within the interior of the rectum d~ring use of the device;
and a portion of the tubular body disposed adjacent to the sealed first end, said portion incorporating a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures being in fluid communication with the internal passage, being substantially radially disposed relative thereto, and being small relative to the sxial opening, the device being made of substantially resilient ma~erial which is compatible with ~he human body, and being dimensioned and adapted for insertion into the anal cpening of a human being so that the second end having the a~lally disposed opening is disposed withln the rectum, ~' ' 'J, 2a the portion incorporating the plurality of apertures slightly protrudes from said anal opening, whereby continuous passage of gas f~om the digestlve ~ys~em to the outside is facilitated and undeslrable sounds a~soclated with the same are substan~ially muffled.

Also in aceordance with the invention there is provided a substantially continuous gas release and sound muffling device of unitary construction and adapted for partial insertion into the anal opening of a human being, the device comprising:
a substantially cylindrical elongated tubular body having a first closed end, a second axially open end, and an internal passage for gas which is in fluid communication with the second axially open end, the second end of the tubular body having an enlarged flange substantially : 15 co~centrical with the tubular body9 said flange including a substantially conical surfac:e acing towards the tubular body, said flange being disposed within the interior of the rectum during use of the device;
a portion ad~acent to t:he first closed end and having a plurality of substantia~ly radially disposed apertures, each of said apertures being in fluid communication with the internal passage; and means attached to the first closed end of the tubular body for preventing complete entry of the tubular body into the an~l openlng.

-2b -The device preferably is made of resilient material which is compatible with the human body. During use, the device is partial~y inserted into the anal opening of its user so that the portion incorporating the apertures is disposed j~st outside of the anal opening. The device facilitates contin~ous release of gas from the gas~ro-intes~inal tract, and provides a muffling ef~ect for sounds associated with the gas release.
The features of the present invention can be best understood, together with further objects and advantages! by reference ~o the following description taken in ~onnection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
E'igure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the device inserted into the anal opening of a person~
,~ Figure 3 is a cross-sec~ional ~iew of the device, the cross-sectio~n being taken on lines 3,3 of Figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The following specification taken in connection with ~he drawings sets forth the preferred embodiment of the present invention. r~he e~bodiment of the invention disclosed herein i~
the best mode contemplated by the inventor or carrying out hi~

,,' I,h 20~D0 51 invention in a commercial environment, although it should be ¦ understood that various modifications can be accomplished 3 ¦ within the parameters of the present invention.
4 ¦ Referring now to the drawing Figures, the first S ¦ preferred ernbodiment of the insertion device of the present 6 ¦ invention is disclosed. In accordance with the present 7 ¦ invention, the device 10 is made of a material which is 8 ¦ resilient and compatible with the human body in the sense that 9 ¦ prolonged wearing of the device 10 in the anal opening 12 of a 10 ¦ person (no~ shown) does not cause undue irritation. Relatively 1~ ¦ soft rubber, and certain plastic materials, well known in the ~2 ¦ art, are ~minently suited for this purpose. Therefore, the ~3 ¦ scope of the present invention is not intended to be restricted 14 ¦ by the material~ from which the device 10 i5 constr~cted, as

5 ¦ long as ~h~ above-noted criteria are satisfied7 1~ ¦ Having now specific reference to the drawings, the 17 ¦ ~evice 10 is shown to have a substantially cylindrical tubular 1~ ¦ body 14. An internal passage or conduit 16 is disposed in the 19 ¦ ~ubular body 14. As is shown in the drawings, the conduit 16 is in fluid communication with a first open end 18 of the 21 tubular body 14.
22 As an important f~ature of the present invention, a Z3 second end 20 of the tubular body 14 is sealed, so as not to 24 ¦ permit ga s f low in a direction which is parallel with the 2~ ¦ longitudinal axis of the tubular body 14. In other words, 26 ¦ axial outflow of gas from the tubular body 14 is prevented~
27 However, immediately adjacent to the second, closed end 20 of 28 the tubular body 14, the tubular body 14 has a portion 22 o~
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enlarged diameter.
2 A plurality of apertures or holes 24 are provided in 3 the enlaryed portion 22 to permit o~tflow of gas from the conduit 16 towards a cylindrical outer surface 26 of the S enlarged portion 22. In other words, the apertures or holes 24 permit ou-tflow of gas in a substantially radial direction.
7 As is further shown in the drawing Figures, each ~ aperture or hole 24 is substantially smaller in diameter than 9 the internal conduit 16. Prefexably four or more apertures 24 are provided in the device 10.
Il Referriny still to the drawing Figures 1~3, the 12 herein described preferred embodiment of the device 10 is shown to include a curved plate or flange 28 which is attached to the sec~nd end 20 of the tubular body 14. The flange 28 is substantially larger in diamete~ than the tubular body 14. The 16 principal purpose of, and the advantage provided by the flange 17 28 is that it prevents inadvertent slippage or entry of the 18 entire device 10 into the rectu~ 30 through the anal opening 19 12.
A second flange 32, similar in configuration to the 21 first flange 28, is attached to the second, open end 20 of the 22 tubular body 14.
23 A portion 3~ of the tubular body 14 which is adjacent 24 to the second open end 20 is enlarged substantially in the same manner as the portion 22 adjacent to the first end 180 The 26 principal function of the second flange 32 is to pre~ent 27 inadvertent slippage, or removal to the outside, of ~he device 2~ 10 from its proper operating position which is shown on Figure 3011 _5_ 3;~

1 2. ~ ~0~
2 ¦ With regards to the specific, herein disclosed 3 ¦ configurations of the flanges 28 and 32, it should be 4 ¦ understood that these are not deemed essential for the proper 5 ¦ operation of the device 10. Accordingly alternative

6 ¦ embodiments are possible. The second flange 32 is particularly

7 ¦ considered to be optional; alternative embodiments of the

8 ~ device 10 may altogether lack the second 1ange 32. The entire

9 ¦ device 10 may be advantageously constructed as a unitary piece lO ¦ by rubber or plastic article forming techniques which are well 11 ¦ known and established in the art.
12 ¦ With regards to the dimensions of the device 10 of 13 ¦ the prese~t invention, it is noted that it must, of course, 14 ¦ conform to the corresponding dimensions of the human anatomy, ~5 ¦ so that the device 10 can be readily worn without discomfort.
l~ ¦ The device 10 of the present invention may be made in varying 1~ ¦ dimensions, to accommodate various individuals. It will be 1~ ¦ understood that a device 10 constructed for use by children 19 ¦ ~not shown) or babies ~not shown) will be Inuch smaller than a device 10 made for adult use.
21 As examplary dimensions of the herein disclosed 22 device 10, it is noted to be approximately 201" long; the 23 diameter of the tubular body 14 is approximately ~03"; ~he ~ diameter of the enlarged portion 22 incorporating the apertures 24 is approximately 0.42"; the diameter of the first flange 28 26 is approximately 0.685"; the diameter of the second flange 32 27 is approximately 0.625"; the internal diameter of the conduit 28 16 is approximately 1/8 ", and the diame~er of the ~ ¦apertures or holes 24 is approximately 1/16l'.
2 ¦ Referring now principally to Figure 2, the device 10 3 ¦is shown as it is used, disposed in the rectum 30 and anal 4 ¦opening 1~ of its wearer (not shown). The device 10 is 5 ¦inserted, preerably after slight lubrication by a suitable oil 6 ¦or lotion, so that the portion 22 incorporating the apertures 7 124 is disposed just outside of the anal oper.ing 12. The first 8 ¦flange 28 facilitates proper insertion by providing a part 9 ¦which may be gripped by the user (not shown~ for insertion (and ]0 ¦removal), and prevents inadvertent o~erinser~ion. When Il ¦properly inserted, the device 10 i5 held in position by the 12 ¦sphincter muscle (not shown)r For bowel movements the device 13 ¦lQ is removed from its operating posi~ion in the rectum 30, 14 ¦whereafter :i~ should-be reinsexted.
15 ¦ Experience has shown that the device 10 significantly 16 ¦facilitates continuous, slow removal or passage of gases from 17 ¦the gastro-in~estinal trac~ (not shown3 of its user. Therefore it substantially prevents, or at least alleviates discomforting 1~ accumulation of gas. Furthermc~re, the device 10 acts as a muffler to prevent~ or substantially diminish, the unpleasant 21 and socially unaccepta~le so~nd effects which are often 22 otherwise associated with release of gastro-intestinal gas.
23 Moreover, becaus2 the device 10 promotes continuous 510w 24 release of gas, no large amount of gas is released at any one time. Therefore, the unpleasant odiferous effect of a sudden 26 release of large amounts of gastro-intestinal gas is also 27 minimized.
2~ I~ is believed that the insertion device 10 of the 2~
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l present invention ha~ been described with sufficient 2 particularity to enable those skilled in the art to construct 3 and use the same. Furthermore, several modifications of the 4 herein described device may becorne readily apparent to those 5 skilled in the art in light of the above-disclosed generic 6 teachings and principles. Therefore, the scope of the present 7 invention should be extended to such modifications, and the 8 scope should be interpreted solely from the following claims.

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property of privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device adapted for aiding the release of gas from the digestive system of a human being, the device comprising:
an elongated tubular body of unitary construction having an internal passage for gas;
a first end of said tubular body having a sealing plate disposed substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body for preventing axial escape of gas from the tubular body, a second end of the tubular body having an axially disposed opening which leads into the internal passage, the second end of the tubular body having an enlarged flange substantially concentrical with the tubular body, said flange including a substsntially conical surface facing towards the tubular body, said flange being disposed within the interior of the rectum during use of the device;
and a portion of the tubular body disposed adjacent to the sealed first end, said portion incorporating a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures being in fluid communication with the internal passage, being substantially radially disposed relative thereto, and being small relative to the axial opening, the device being made of substantially resilient material which is compatible with the human body, and being dimensioned and adapted for insertion into the anal opening of a human being so that the second end having the axially disposed opening is disposed within the rectum, the portion incorporating the plurality of apertures slightly protrudes from said anal opening, whereby continuous passage of gas from the digestive system to the outside is facilitated and undesirable sounds associated with the same are substantially muffled.

2. The device of Claim 1 wherein a plate is attached to the first end of the tubular body, said plate comprising means for preventing inadvertent entry of the first end of the device into the anal opening.

3. A substantially continuous gas release and sound muffling device of unitary construction and adapted for partial insertion into the anal opening of a human being, the device comprising a substantially cylindrical elongated tubular body having a first closed end, a second axially open end, and an internal passage for gas which is in fluid communication with the second axially open end D the second end of the tubular body having an enlarged flange substantially concentrical with the tubular body, said flange including a substantially conical surface facing towards the tubular body, said flange being disposed within the interior of the rectum during use of the device;
a portion adjacent to the first closed end and having a plurality of substantially radially disposed apertures, each of said apertures being in fluid communication with the internal passage; and means attached to the first closed end of the tubular body for preventing complete entry of the tubular body into the anal opening.

4, The device of Claim 3 wherein the means for preventing complete entry comprise a plate substantially larger in diameter than the tubular body.

5. The device of Claim 4 wherein the said portion disposed adjacent to the first end is cylindrical and is enlarged in diameter relative to the tubular body.

6. The device of Claim 5 wherein the plate comprising the means for preventing complete entry has a substantially conical configuration.

7. The device of Claim 5 wherein the flange attached to the second open end of the tubular body is substantially larger in diameter than the tubular body and includes a substantially flat surface facing away from the tubular body.

8. The device of Claim 5 wherein the said portion incorporates four substantially radially disposed apertures.

9. The device of any one of Claims 5 to 7 wherein the device is made of soft rubber.

10. The device of any one of Claims 5 to 7 wherein the device is made of suitable resilient plastic material compatible with the human body.