GB2426932A - Tonsil douche - Google Patents

Abstract

A piston action fluid dispenser with a directional nozzle 4 for douching the pharynx and nasopharynx. Preferably the dispenser has scored or ribbed finger grips 2, 7 and may be made from metal, wood, rubber, plastic or any combination of these materials. The dispenser may be used to spray fluid into the throat and tonsil area to flush out food or debris to prevent halitosis or for remedial or hygienic purposes. The nozzle may be flexible to alter the direction of the fluid flow.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: TONSIL DOUCHE The tonsil douche is a utensil designed to enable self-cleansing of the pharynx i.e. the rear of the mouth, and the nasopharynx i.e. the pharynx including that above and behind the soft palate; areas that are inaccessible by normal means e.g. behind the tonsils. Of specific benefit is the eradication of one common cause of halitosis (bad breath odour): pharyngeal boluses. These are small, roundish masses formed of food particles that get squeezed behind the tonsils by the action of swallowing, where they become trapped and coalesce. By the very nature of their formation, the boluses continue to evade being swallowed, and as the food particles rot, halitosis occurs.

The tonsil douche eradicates such boluses and the halitosis they cause and used regularly, it will prevent new boluses from forming.

Additionally, the invention can be used to medicate certain conditions under medical guidance e.g. to cleanse or sooth sore tonsils or nasopharyngal conditions with, for example, a soluble aspirin solution.

The invention works by enabling the user to direct a stream of fluid into the crannies of the pharynx where pharyngeal boluses form, to flush them loose so that they can be washed away. Essential to the design is a pump mechanism to drive the fluid, and a flexible nozzle to direct it properly. It is important that the nozzle is smooth so that there is no danger of accidental damage being caused to the soft tissue at the back of the throat, that the nozzle diameter is as specified so that the stream of cleaning fluid is neither so narrow that there is a risk of injury to the throat nor so wide that it cannot be directed accurately enough, and that there are ridged or scored flanges on the device to facilitate handling because in use, the device gets wet and becomes slippery.

Introduction to the drawings: The tonsil douche is in two parts; part one is shown in Figure 1 and part two is shown in Figure 2. Figures 4 and 5 are to illustrate the concertina-style' design that could be used to make the flexible neck (3). Figures 6, 7 and 8 are intended to clarif' the way flange (7) is shaped and the way the device is held during the fluid expulsion.

Figure 1: A hollow, open-ended cylinder (1) with a flexible neck (3) culminating in a nozzle (4) at one end, and two pairs of fixed, scored or ridged flanges (2) at the other.

Figure 2: A rod (5) with a piston (6) at one end, and a fixed, scored or ridged flange (7) at the other.

Figure 3: The tonsil douche as a whole i.e. with part two (Fig.2) inside part one (Fig.1).

Figure 4: Flexible neck (3) in compressed form.

Figure 5: Flexible neck (3) in expanded form.

Figure 6: Topside view of flange (7).

Figure 7: Side view of flange (7), indicating the topside, shaped for the first and second fingers, and the underside, shaped for the thumb.

Figure 8: Underside view of flange (7).

The tonsil douche could be fashioned from any of numerous materials e.g. metal, wood, or rubber but a rigid, composite plastic is preferable, particularly since it will be regularly exposed to water. The piston (6) must be watertight e.g. hard rubber.

The flexible neck (3) needs to be able to point back upon itself and maintain this position. This, and the hollow cylinder (1), could be made in one piece using a composite plastic i.e. a rigid tube with a flexible, concertina-style end (see figures 4 and 5), or it could be made as a separate attachment which screws onto the hollow cylinder.

The nozzle (4), which should be smooth and rounded, must be no wider than 5mm in diameter, with an opening of 2mm in diameter. The rod (5) needs to be slightly longer and narrower than the hollow cylinder (1). The piston (6) must fit tightly inside the hollow cylinder (1).

The flanges (2) and (7) are the points of manipulation, helping to prevent the utensil slipping in the fingers during use; the index finger and thumb should be able to be placed between the flanges (2) during the cleaning fluid expulsion part of usage, so there should be a gap of no less than 2cm between them. The flanges are scored or ridged to further facilitate handling. Flange (7) is shaped to fit the first two fmgers on the topside, and the thumb on the underside (Figure 7). The flanges are important though not essential although without them the device, when wet, is difficult to manipulate.

To use the tonsil douche, fit the rod (5) as far as it will go, into the hollow cylinder (I), Figure 3. Whilst holding the nozzle (4) under the surface of the cleaning fluid e.g. drinking water, pull the rod (5) almost all of the way out of the hollow cylinder (1); this will draw up cleaning fluid into the hollow cylinder (1). Whilst standing in front of a mirror, preferably over a washbasin or similar, the user opens his/her mouth as wide as possible; extending the tongue, insert the device into the mouth and aim the nozzle behind the tonsil on one side of the throat. Whilst either holding the breath, or breathing out, push the rod (5) into the hollow cylinder (1), driving the cleaning fluid out through the nozzle (4) and behind the tonsil. The water will dislodge any boluses that have formed there. Repeat until all boluses are removed, then repeat the process behind the other tonsil.

To alter the direction of the cleaning fluid e.g. to douche elsewhere in the rear of the mouth, the flexible nozzle can be adjusted to the desired angle. 2.

Claims (4)

1. A utensil consisting of a piston action fluid dispenser that enables douching of the pharynx and nasopharynx via a directional nozzle.

2. A utensil as claimed in claim 1, which includes scored or ribbed flanges to facilitate handling.

3. A utensil as claimed in claim 1 and 2 that is made from metal, wood, rubber, plastics material, or from a combination of these materials.

4. A utensil substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.