GB2312161A - Stool for use with WC - Google Patents

Abstract

The stool enables a person's knees to be raised up when seated on the WC to facilitate correct bowel function. It has a rubber top and lower edging and the upper surface is curved so as to cause the knees to come together.

Description

EXpP.LLIrtG TF. FAR Conventionally we sit on the W C pan in an upright position to exDel the faeces, squeezing when necessary. The Rectum is shown in FIG 1 and FIG2.

I suggest that we should sit on the W C pan in an upright position and support our legs by ptacing our feet on a stool.

The stool should be placed at the bottom of the W C pan or somewhere just in front, say one foot away, or where it is at its most comfortable FIG 3 and FIG 4. The feet should be placed on the stool so as to raise the knees which should be held together.

The excretor FIG 5 should then lean gently forward onto the thighs and take a deep breath, (causing the diaphragm to take up its lower position FIG 6. With the Diaphragm in it's lower position pressure is applied pushing the large and small intestine downwards thus sealing the Rectum at the slgmoid flexure, FIG 7. Leaning forward constricts the downward pressure to be directed fully on the Rectum so that it seals at the''Sigmoid Flexure, see below. If it is necessary to contract the muscle of the rectum (squeeze) the faeces will be totally proJected down throu'gh the Anus, FIG 8. If the Rectum is not sealed at the Sigmoid Flexure as descrihe above, when the muscles of the Rectum contract the faeces could move in two directions out through the Anus and out through the Sigmoid Flexure, the tatter direction causing backing up problems, see FIG 2.

WC stool This invention relates to a stool used in conjunction with a conventional WC.

The use of the conventional WC is not conducive to correct bowel function. It has long heen thought that the squatting position is the correct position and studies of this position were made.

Flexing the hip joints straightens out the anorectal angle and pulls the anal canal open. This lowers resistance of the anal canal and lessens the amount of pressure required to achieve emptying of the rectum. nIS COLON RRCTTlM 9:449-52 NOV/DEC 66.

This is not the only point to be made for the squatting position.

When straining at stool, in contracting the muscle of the rectum, it is an automatic action of the body to contract the abdominal muscles. This constricts the abdomen to move in two directions, up into the chest and down onto the rectum. With the glottis closed air cannot escape from the lungs thus the diaphragm resists the upward movement and all pressure is directed onto the rectum assisting in expulsion of the faeces.

When a deep breath of air is taken the diaphragm moves to its lower position applying pressure to the organs of the abdomen pushing them down expanding the abdomen. On straining at stool the abdominal muscles are contracted constricting the abdominal organs. The diaphragmatic pressure is then applied to the top of the rectum assisting in expulsion of the faeces.

Diaphragmatic pressure is then a natural pressure which occurs in a healthy person everv time that person is straining at stool.

Diaphragmatic pressure is part of correct bowel function.

Diaphragmatic pressure is reliant on the condition of the abdominal muscles. The condition of the abdominal muscles could be compromised, by accident and injury to the abdomen, in old age, during pregnancy.

Straining at stool can be divided in two, taking a deep breath and closing the glottis, contraction of the abdominal and rectal muscles Straining at stool also has a tendency to push the anal cushions out of the anal canal. Increased pressure in the blood vessels of these cushions, through straining at stool, is now only resisted by atmospheric pressure. This can lead to the cushions fracturing the elastic tissue which holds them in place leading to haemorrhoids.

Straining at stool increases intra-abdominal pressure and can lead to disease such as hiatus hernia.

Bowel cancer is another "Civilised Disease" and Diaphragmatic pressure may be an important factor in its prevention.

It is known that when digesting fats the liver produces bile acids and cholesterol to break them down, the more fats the more bile acids and cholesterol produced. the bile acids and cholesterol are acted upon by certain bacteria in the bowel converting them into carcinogens which lie in the faeces. It is thought that the longer the faeces remain in contact with the mucosa lining of the colon, the longer these carcinogens can act in promoting cancer.

The trick is therefore to have the faeces in contact with the bowel for as short a time as possible. We have been encouraged to increase fibre in our diet and this increases the bulk of the faeces which has the effect of shortening the transit time of the faeces There is another way the faeces could remain in contact with the lining of the colon, for longer than is necessarv, and that is if, when contracting the muscles of the rectum, the contents move in hoth directions.

Annex A contains a theorv on diaphragmatic pressure.

When straining at stool diaphragmatic pressure is constricted by the muscles of the abdomen to be directed onto the rectum.

With diaphragmatic pressure applied to the top of the rectum this ensures the faeces move in one direction, out through the anus.

If the abdominal muscles were compromised and could not, properly, constrict diaphragmatic pressure to he directed onto the rectum there would not be a correct bowel function.

In the squatting position the thighs give added support to the abdomen. This is not so in the conventional sitting position.

The sitting position does not provide for correct bowel function at all times.

There is a need to provide a device which will support a person on a conventional WC into a posture which will promote correct bowel function helping reduce the necessity for straining at stool by making maximum use of Diaphragmatic pressure in supnorting the abdominal muscles.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide that support on the conventional WC, for its llser to make maximum use of diaphragmatic pressure and support the abdominal muscles.

It is the intention of this invention to provide that support with a device that will be as small and unobtrusive as nossible, light and easily moved, so as not to obstruct the normal use of the WC.

In growing children, there are a number of years in which their feet do not touch the ground when using the conventional WC, and a position is taken up which does not support the legs and the weight of the knees and the calves pulls down. This is not the best position to help with the processes of expelling the faeces. This principle is best shown in the stick drawing FIG 6. Here the counter action of the legs causes, at worst, an upward pressure countering the downward motion and, at hest, no assistance at all to the downward motion of the faeces.

!sing the Stool the process of excretion is assisted with the knees raised and together. Pressure is applied to the lower abdomen via the thighs, assisting in the downward motion of the bowels.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG!JRE 1 Shows the plan view of the stool with indication of the rubber matting for comfort (1), and the rubber edging of the hase (2).

FIGIIRE 2 Shows the front elevation of the stool with indication of the rubber matting for comfort (l) and the rubber edging of the base (2). The foot platform is contoured at the edges so as to direct the knees together (3).

FIGIiRF 3 Shows the side elevation of the stool with the rubber matting for comfort on top (l) and the rubber edging of the base (2).

FIGIIRR 4 Shows the typical application of the stool.

FIGuRE 5 Shows diaphragmatic pressure being applied onto the top of the rectum. In the stick drawing, pressure is being applied to the abdomen by the lowering of the diaphragm, on taking a deep breath, the lines of pressure are shown to follow the line of the backbone and thigh to be applied to the top of the rectum.

FIGGIRE 6 Shows the upward pressure to the rectal area caused by the resultant leverage of the thigh bone in the normal position.

Without support, the weight of the knees and calves pull down.

The thigh bone and adjoining flesh tend to have a see-saw action by pivoting on the sides of the WC pan. the resulting upward pressure acts in the rectal area.

The stool is a moulded plastic or F R P shell. This can take shape in any form, such as a frog, or any shape as a novelty.

The shell could be filled, with a ridged P 11 foam to occuny the upper part of the interior whilst a dense material occupies the lower regions to provide for greater stability, or remain hollow.

The top is finished with soft rubber matting for comfort (1 in the drawings) optional. The plane of the top (3 in the drawings) is angled, or contoured, to have the effect of directing the knees of its user, together.

The bottom is capped with a rubber, edging strip (2 in the drawings), foot in the case of a filled shell.

Claims (3)

1. CT1ATMS

   A WC stool constructed of any material with or without a core which would be positioned in front of a conventional WC. use of which would bring the user into a posture whereby the knees would be raised so as to provide additional support to the abdomen by leaning onto the thighs, the purpose of which being to make maximum use of diaphragmatic pressure, and atso to benefit from straightening of the anorectal angle due to full flexation of the hin joints.
2. 2 A WC stool comprising a shell claimed in claim 1, in which the moulding takes the form of any novelty or humorous features.
3. 3 A redesigned WC pan including a support for the legs within the whole or incorporating a WC stool.