GB2063674A

GB2063674A - Cleaning fluid injection device

Info

Publication number: GB2063674A
Application number: GB7941026A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Corker C E F; Kabutz H R
Current assignee: Corker C E F; Kabutz H R
Priority date: 1979-11-28
Filing date: 1979-11-28
Publication date: 1981-06-10
Also published as: AU5354579A; GB2063674B

Abstract

A portable medical treatment device includes an injection nozzle 12 which is shaped and dimensioned to enter a human body cavity e.g. the ear or a wound cavity. The device includes at least one pump 20, 22 having a suction connection 28, 30 connectable to a cleaning fluid reservoir 36 and having a delivery connection 16, 18 to the nozzle. Drive means 24, 26 are provided for driving a pump during use in order to pump cleaning fluid under pressure from the reservoir to the nozzle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cleaning fluid injection device This invention relates to a portable medical treatment device for injecting cleaning fluid into a cavity to be cleaned such as, for example, an ear cavity or a wound.

According to the invention, there is provided a portable medical treatment device which includes an injection nozzle shaped and dimensioned to enter a human body cavity; at least one pump having a suction connection connectable to a cleaning fluid reservoir and having a delivery connection connected via a delivery conduit to the nozzle; and drive means for driving the pump during use in order to pump cleaning fluid under pressure from the reservoirtothe nozzle.

The pump may be in the form of a positive displacement pump and the drive means may include an electric motor drivingly connected to the pump.

The electric motor may be of a kind which is energisable from a low voltage source such as a battery or low voltage transformer.

The device may have a generally pistol-shaped appearance and may include a handle shaped like a pistol grip and may include a trigger like switch in the handle.

The device may be provided with two pumps, the pumps having their delivery conduits connected in parallel to the injection nozzle.

The device may further include a cleaning fluid reservoir, and a suction conduit inter-connecting the pump suction connection with the reservoir. The reservoir may be remote from the pump and the suction conduit inter-connecting the pump suction connection and the reservoir may be flexible.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a device according to the invention in three dimensional view with a cut-away section through its body and handle; and Figure 2 a cross-sectional side view of a switch for the device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a device 10 in accordance with the invention comprises an injection nozzle 12 for injecting cleaning fluid under pressure into a cavity such as an ear cavity. The nozzle 12 is provided at the end of a cylindrical tube 13 which is connected by a conduit 14 to the delivery conduits 16 and 18 of pumps 20 and 22 respectively. The pumps 20 and 22 are drivingly connected to electric motors 24 24and 26 respectively.

The suction connections 28 and 30 of pumps 20 and 22 are connected by means of a flexible tube 32 to the outlet 34 of a cleaning fluid reservoir 36.

The device 10 has a handle in the form of a pistollike grip 38, and the cylindrical tube 13 extending like a pistol barrel with respect to the grip 38. The motors 24 and 26 and the pumps 20 and 22 are positioned above a switch 40, with the cylindrical tube 13 positioned above the motors 24 and 26 and pumps 20 and 22. The switch 40 is provided in the grip 38.

The pumps 20 and 22 are preferably vane pumps.

The end 13.1 oftube 13 remote from the nozzle 12 is connected via conduit 14 to the delivery conduits 16 and 18 of pumps 20 and 22.

The motors 24 and 26 are energisable from a low voltage direct current source 42 via leads 44 and 46 and via switch 40 operable trigger fashion by button 48 pivotally connected at 50 to the grip 38.

The switch 40 has a housing 40.1, a piston member40.2, a compression spring 40.3, a contact point 40.4 connected to lead 44, and two contact points 40.5 and 40.6 connected to motors 24 and 26 via leads 52 and 54.

The device 10 is enclosed in a suitable housing 56 such as a housing moulded from synthetic rigid plastics material.

In use, the reservoir 36 is filled with a cleaning fluid and preferably placed at a higher elevation than the standard working level of an operator using the injection device 10, thereby providing fluid at a positive head to the pumps 20 and 22. The operator holds the device 10 by the grip 38.

To clean out a cavity such as an ear cavity, the nozzle 12 is carefully inserted down such cavity, and once in position, the trigger 48 is initially pulled only to such an extent as to energise motor 24. This results in pump 20 coming into operation and consequently pumping of cleaning fluid from the reservoir 36 to the nozzle 12 and from the nozzle into the ear cavity takes place.

Should a greater volume of cleaning fluid be desired, then the trigger 48 can be pulled even further so as to energise motor 26 and consequentially activate pump 22 as well.

The cylindrical tube 13 like the nozzle 12, is dimensioned to enter a human body orifice.

If desired, replaceable nozzles of different shapes may be provided for different cavities. Thus, a nozzle for washing an open wound may have a shape which is different from that needed for washing an ear cavity.

The device has the advantage that it can be transported by a medical practitioner from place to place and is even available for use in a patient's home.

Claims

1. A portable medical treatment device which includes an injection nozzle shaped and dimensioned to enter a human body cavity; at least one pump having a suction connection connectable to a cleaning fluid reservoir and having a delivery connection connected via a delivery conduit to the nozzle; and drive means for driving the pump during use in order to pump cleaning fluid under pressure from the reservoir to the nozzle.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the pump is in the form of a positive displacement pump, and in which the drive means includes an electric motor drivingly connected to the pump.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the electric motor is of a kind which is energisable from a low voltage source.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which has a generally pistol shaped appearance and which includes a handle shaped like a pistol grip, and which includes a trigger-like electric switch in the handle; the pump being provided above the switch and the nozzle being provided at the end of a cylindrical tube extending like a pistol barrel with respect to the handle.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which two pumps are provided, the pumps having their delivery conduits connected in parallel to the injection nozzle.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a cleaning fluid reservoir, and a suction conduit inter-connecting the pump suction connection with the reservoir.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the cleaning fluid reservoir is remote from the pump, and in which the suction conduit inter-connecting th#e pump suction connection and reservoir, is flex ible.

8. A cleaning fluid injection device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.