EP0504090A1

EP0504090A1 - Disposable stick for stimulating defecation in children

Info

Publication number: EP0504090A1
Application number: EP92500024A
Authority: EP
Inventors: José Cobo de la Cruz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-13
Filing date: 1992-03-13
Publication date: 1992-09-16
Also published as: ES1016882Y; ES1016882U

Abstract

Sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct and which, being made of a suitable material such as rubber and/or transparent plastic strong enough to prevent the instrument from breaking during use, is made up of a stick-shaped body divided into three clearly differentiated parts, one of which consists of a point (1) of contact with and distension of the anal duct, another consisting of a safety disk (2) that acts as a buffer against excessive penetration, while the third consists of a handle (3) or grip. The instrument has been designed in such a way that the three parts form a -- single body without interruptions and are situated in a correlative way.

Description

The invention in question refers to an instrument called sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct, the purpose of which is to provoke expulsion of faeces in children with irregular bowel-movement rhythms, functional constipation or -- whose response to normal laxatives is poor, as well as in those cases in which the use of medicines is contraindicated and, generally speaking, in all situations of slothful bowel function which require the defecation habit to be boosted without having to adopt greater measures, and which may be done in the context of other hygienic and dietary measures used as home remedies.
As far as household measures for provoking defecation in children are concerned, a variety of procedures have generally been used by mothers in order to bring about a suitable or supposed bowel rhythm in the child, procedures which include dietary measures, use of laxatives (glycerine-type) and, very often, the insertion into the anal duct of objects ranging from a simple match (both head and stick) to ear-cleaners, and including small wires wrapped in cotton wool and lubricated paper (popularly known in Spain as a "calita", the diminutive of "cala" a word synonymous with probe).
The object is inserted a short way into the anus and kept there for a few minutes while being gently rotated in order to bring on the reflex and expulsion of the faeces.
In Spain (especially among mothers, grandmothers and so forth), this kind of anal stimulation has a long tradition and is very widespread, being one of the household remedies for simple problems of defecation.
At the present time there is no instrument specifically designed for such a purpose, that is for suit ably stimulating the defecation reflex in children. However, in must be pointed out that, despite bringing about the desired stimulation, the objects which are used, such as matches, cotton-wool wires, paper lubricated with oil, are unsafe, unpractical, unhygienic and not very efficient, whilst ear-cleaners present a series of drawbacks which render them unsuitable, the main ones being:

Their design does not match the use to which they are put.
On account of their size they are not perfectly adapted to the anal duct.
The material (cotton wool) is unsuitable since it may leave fibres and result in anal fissures, as well as causing foreign bodies to enter the rectum.
They are unsafe, being a possible cause of accidents. Thus, inserting then too far would result in irritation of the rectum, and even erosion and perforation of the rectum, as well the stick completely penetrating the rectum.
They are not the best stimulants.
They are not sterile and their hygiene is doubtful.
They are not suitably lubricated.
They cause rejection and discomfort in the child.

The aim of the invention put forward is to solve the problems described above, for which purpose an instrument has been designed under the name of sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct. It is suitably lubricated and fulfils the requirements of efficient stimulation of the defecation reflex, safety and proper hygiene.
Numerous manometric studies published in international scientific reviews have led to the knowledge that the distension of the anal duct and rectum results in stimuli that give rise, via the involuntary motor nerves to the spinal cord, to the response to these stimuli which return in an afferent way to the colon and rectum thus bringing about a bowel movement.
In fact, in order to provide a correct description of the instrument in question, it may be imagined as being divided into three parts as far as its clearly defined features are concerned, namely:

Point of contact with and distension of the anal duct.
Safety disk.
Handle.

The three parts are continuations of each other, there being no separation or joint between them. The material used may be entirely of rubber or transparent plastic, and is strong enough to prevent breaking and therefore accidents.
As regards the point of contact and distension of the anal duct, this is the distal part of the stick which is to be inserted into the anal duct and its main features are as follows:

It is completely straight, showing no curvatures along its length. The length and thickness have been conceived in accordance with the anatomy and morphology of the area.
It is cylindrical in an arrow-like sense with circular, bevelled notches on the whole of its surface in order to ensure better and greater contact with the mucous membranes.
The distal end forms a blunt, bevelled shape so as to facilitate insertion into the anus. The proximal end leads without any loss of continuity into the safety disk.
The safety disk is situated between the point of contact with and distension of the anal duct and the handle. Its purpose is to prevent the stick from being inserted too far. It places a limit on insertion, acting as a barrier in order to prevent accidents due to excessive penetration. Its design is adapted to the purpose for which it is intended, its size preventing it from entering the anal duct.

The safety disk is circular in shape with rounded edges.
Four spokes forming a right angle between each other connect the centre of the disk with the edge.
The spaces between the spokes provide better sight and ease of handling.
The handle is the means whereby the instrument is held and manoeuvred. It forms the continuation of the safety disk and consists of a straight, cylindrical stick the proximal end of which is rectangular-shaped with chamfers on each of the two sides (upper and lower) so that it can be easily held and manoeuvred.
Among its most outstanding advantages, mention may be made of the following:

There is nothing similar.
It has been specially designed to efficiently -- stimulate the defecation reflex.
It is innocuous, safe, sterile, disposable and lubricated.
It is adapted to the morphological and anatomical conditions, as well as to the physiological nature of the anal duct.
It comes in single units, thereby preventing contamination and probable contagion.
The existence of a suitable instrument would do away with the use of various household objects which are not devoid of danger.
It eliminates the possibility of an unnecessary use of laxatives with their side effects.
It makes it possible to re-educate bowel habits without the drawbacks of laxatives.
It is a fresh aid for paediatricians as regards prescription, diagnosis and therapy for functional constipation.

In order that the invention may be perfectly -- understood there follows a detailed description based on a page of drawings attached hereto, and which illustrate the following points:

Figure 1 shows a lengthwise view from above of the defecation-reflex stimulation stick.
Figure 2 shows a lengthwise, side-on view of the same instrument.
Figure 3 shows a sagittal section of the safety disk along the line III-III of the previous drawing.
Figure 4 shows a cross section of the grip and manoeuvring area along the line IV-IV of drawing 1.

The numbers on the above drawings correspond to -- the following parts and elements:

1.- Point of contact and distension.
2.- Safety disk.
3.- Handle.
4.- Grip and manoeuvring area.
5.- End of the point of contact.
6.- Bevelled notch.
7.- Chamfer in the grip and manoeuvring area.
8.- Chamfer in the grip and manoeuvring area.
9.- Safety-disk eyes.
10. Safety-disk spokes.

As can be seen in the drawings, the instrument -- known as children's defecation-reflex stimulation stick is made up of: a point of contact with and distension of the anal duct (1) a safety disk (2) and handle (3).
The length of the point of contact (1) will preferably measure 1.5 cm with a thickness of 8 mm. The distal end (5) is bevelled. while the proximal end continues into the safety disk.
The surface of the point of contact (1) shows -- small notches or bevelled, circular grooves (6).
The foregoing dimensions suitably match the morphology and anatomy of a child of up to 2 years old. For ages above this the measurements will be adapted to the normal anatomical features of older children or -- adults.
The safety-disk (2) will preferably measure 2.3 cm in diameter and will have a thickness of 4 mm. The edges are totally blunt.
These measurements are suitable for children of up to 2 years old; for ages above this they will be increased accordingly.
The disk (2) is provided with eyes (9) formed by the spokes (10) that join the centre to the disk itself. Through these eyes it is possible to see that the point of contact (1) is being inserted into the anus.
The handle (3) will preferably measure 6.8 cm in length, with 4.4 cm making up the section of the stick between the safety disk (2) and the grip and manoeuvring area, while its thickness will be 5 mm. The grip area (4) is 2.4 cm long and 1.6 cm wide with a thickness of 5 mm. The upper and lower sides are each provided with chamfers (7 and 8) to facilitate finger grip and manoeuvring.
The current standards as laid down by the health authorities for sterilization, lubrication and packing will be followed in the manufacturing process.
This instrument is easy and convenient to use and there are no risks for the child. It consists of the -- point of contact and distension (1) being inserted into the anal duct as far as the safety disk (2) allows. The stick is then rotated several times both ways until, after a short while (1 or 2 minutes at the most), the defecation reflex is brought on due to increased pressure in the anal duct and the reflex stimulus to the chalonic and rectal area, thereby allowing the bowel movement to take place.

Claims

1.- Sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct and which, being made of a suitable material such as rubber and/or transparent plastic strong enough to prevent the instrument from breaking during use, is essentially characterized due to its being made up of a stick shaped body divided into three clearly differentiated parts, one of which consists of a point of contact with and distension of the anal duct, another consisting of a safety disk that acts as a buffer against excessive penetration, while the third consists of a handle or grip. The instrument has been designed in such a way -- that the three parts form a single body without interruptions and are situated in a correlative way.

2.- Sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct, in accordance with -- claim no.1 and characterized by the fact that the point of contact is cylindrical and straight in shape and is provided with bevelled, ring-like notches, as well as a bevelled, rounded distal end in order to facilitate insertion into the anus.

3.- Sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct, In accordance with claims 1 and 2 and characterized by the fact that the safety disk consists of a large-diameter part between the handle and the point of contact. The disk in question presents spaces or eyes between spokes that join the outside body of the disk with its centre, while the edge is blunt in shape.

4.- Sterilized and disposable stick for stimulating the defecation reflex in children by contact with and distension of the anal duct, in accordance with the above claims and characterized by the fact that the handle is the longest part and consists of a straight, cylindrical stick, the free end of which widens into a flat, rectangular shape serving as a grip. Both sides of this flat, rectangular part are chamfered to provide a suitable finger hold for manoeuvring the instrument.