GB2555778A

GB2555778A - Mini anal irrigation system

Info

Publication number: GB2555778A
Application number: GB1616696.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Goswell Nick; Newton Mark
Original assignee: Welland Medical Ltd
Current assignee: Welland Medical Ltd
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-30
Publication date: 2018-05-16
Also published as: GB201616696D0

Abstract

A hand held anal irrigation device 1 comprising a vessel 2 with a resilient deformable wall (3, fig 4) defining a reservoir (4, fig 4) for containing an irrigation liquid (e.g. water or saline solution) and, extending therefrom, a separable nozzle 5 for affixing to a cone 6 that can be inserted rectally. Pressure applied to the wall of vessel 2 deforms the vessel and forces liquid from the reservoir through the nozzle 5. The cone may attach by friction fit or by screwing on to threads on the nozzle. The vessel may be bulb-shaped. The irrigator may be operated single-handedly. The irrigator may have a valve assembly (10, fig 5), comprising a conduit 11 extending into the vessel from the nozzle towards the opposing end of the reservoir. There may have a one-way vent (12, fig 5) that allows air in to, but not out of, the vessel. There may be an extension 14, such as a 50 cm tube 15, located between the nozzle and the cone. The extension may be attached to the nozzle and/or cone by friction fit or screw mechanisms. There may be a volumetric scale 13 on the device, optionally with 25ml increments.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Welland Medical Limited

Hydehurst Lane, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9AS, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Nick Goswell Mark Newton (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Fry Heath & Spence LLP

Unit A, Faraday Court, Faraday Road, Crawley,

West Sussex, RH10 9PU, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

A61M 3/02 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 0452550 A US 4259954 A

US 20100308133 A1 US 20066253087 A1

US 20030220620 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA47K, A61M Other: WPI, EPODOC (54) Title of the Invention: Mini anal irrigation system

Abstract Title: Hand-held anal irrigation device comprising a nozzle and a vessel with resilient deformable walls (57) A hand held anal irrigation device 1 comprising a vessel 2 with a resilient deformable wall (3, fig 4) defining a reservoir (4, fig 4) for containing an irrigation liquid (e.g. water or saline solution) and, extending therefrom, a separable nozzle 5 for affixing to a cone 6 that can be inserted rectally. Pressure applied to the wall of vessel 2 deforms the vessel and forces liquid from the reservoir through the nozzle 5. The cone may attach by friction fit or by screwing on to threads on the nozzle. The vessel may be bulb-shaped. The irrigator may be operated single-handedly. The irrigator may have a valve assembly (10, fig 5), comprising a conduit 11 extending into the vessel from the nozzle towards the opposing end of the reservoir. There may have a one-way vent (12, fig 5) that allows air in to, but not out of, the vessel. There may be an extension 14, such as a 50 cm tube 15, located between the nozzle and the cone. The extension may be attached to the nozzle and/or cone by friction fit or screw mechanisms. There may be a volumetric scale 13 on the device, optionally with 25ml increments.

Figure 13

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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The present invention relates to a mini anal irrigation system with a liquid reservoir connected to an insertion device for use in anal Irrigation.

Background Of The Invention

Anal irrigation is used to prevent chronic constipation and also where a user suffers from faecal incontinence. It also alleviates some of the symptoms of bowel dysfunction, reducing the time spent on the toilet and improving a user's health and quality of life. Anal irrigation is primarily intended for use by people suffering from neurological disorders, such as a spinal cord injury, spina bifida, Alzheimer's disease, brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or apoplexies. Anal Irrigation is also use by people with reduced tissue elasticity, such as the elderly or woman after multiple births. Anal irrigation is also used by people suffering from sensory disorder, which can occur after surgery and for other physiological and psychiatric disorders.

Existing anal irrigation devices and methods include those disclosed in patent publications WO 05032617 and EP 1434611. An anal catheter is inserted into the rectum through the anus and retained by a balloon. The balloon is inflated against the bowel wall. A liquid, such as water or a saline solution, is then pumped from a reservoir into the rectum through the anal catheter. A hand pump is used to pump air into the reservoir to force liquid to flow from the reservoir into the anal catheter and into the user, which triggers peristalsis. The balloon fixation device is then removed, allowing the bowel to evacuate.

Alternative, known anal irrigation devices make use of electrical and mechanical pumps to move liquid into an anal catheter. Any such pumps, which have the potential to be more powerful, need to be carefully controlled using a separate control unit. This increases the complexity and cost of such anal irrigation systems, which Is a significant disadvantage when the devices are necessary for a user's daily routine.

Electrical pumps can also be loud, which makes them indiscreet with the potential to cause embarrassment to a user.

To allow a user to conveniently carry out their dally routine it is important that the anal irrigation system is portable. Many prior art systems are cumbersome because they are designed for use in hospitals and nursing homes, where it is not so important for the system to be transported or for the user to be able to use the system independently. However, if a user Is mobile there is a need for the anal irrigation system to be portable and relatively discrete.

EP1531885 discloses a transportable irrigation system, which includes an electricallypowered pump. An anal probe used in this system comprises an inflatable cuff, which may be connected to a pneumatic container to inflate the cuff and secure the probe in position in the user. Irrigation liquid is then pumped from a reservoir to the probe using a manually operated pump, such as a resilient bulb.

An improved irrigation device is described in GB2511987. However, even the improved device described therein has a number of parts and is relatively complex, large and indiscrete.

Smaller hand held irrigation devices are known. Generally, they have a design which allows them to be used with one hand whilst a user hovers over a toilet. For example, one such device is shown in Figure 1.

One such irrigation device comprises a nozzle and a hand pump in the form of a resilient bulb. To fill the device with water, the bulb Is completely compressed byhand and the nozzle is dipped into a bowl of water. Whilst the bulb returns to its original shape it is draws water through the nozzle. The bulb is then squeezed again until any air in the buib is expelled. The nozzle is then dipped back into to the bowl of water to draw up additional water and this is repeated until there is only water in the pump. This can be a messy process if the user lacks adequate dexterity (water in the bulb may be expelled from the nozzle prematurely when squeezing the bulb after the first time when the user is trying to completely fill the bulb with water).

Known hand held irrigation devices hold about 90ml of water and, of this, only about 60ml can be used for irrigation because not all of the water drawn up by the bulb can be expelled for irrigation. According to nurses, the majority of users must refill the product up to 3 or more times, for each use, removing and reinserting a cone into their anus between each refill.

The known hand held irrigation devices also suffer from the disadvantage that they have no clear indication on the device of how much liquid is being used for irrigation.

In addition, the known hand held irrigation devices suffer from the disadvantage that once the cone is inserted into the anus of a user, the pump of the device can only be squeezed once whilst inserted, otherwise air is introduced into the rectum.

The present invention sets out to provide an anal irrigation system, which alleviates one or more of the problems described above.

Summary Of The Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides a hand held anal irrigation device comprising a vessel having a resilient deformable wall defining a reservoir for containing an irrigation liquid and, extending therefrom, a separable nozzle for affixing to a cone which can be inserted in the anus of a user, wherein pressure applied to the wail of the vessel deforms the vessel and forces liquid from the reservoir through the nozzle.

Preferably, the device comprises a cone which can be affixed to the nozzle for insertion in the anus of a user.

Preferably, the cone can be affixed to the nozzle by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the cone onto a corresponding thread of the nozzle, or by a quick release coupling.

Preferably, the wall of the vessel defines a mouth to which the nozzle is separably attached. This provides the advantage of allowing a user to remove the nozzle thereby exposing the mouth of the vessel and the reservoir can be filled with liquid by simply pouring liquid into the vessel through the mouth.

Preferably, the irrigation liquid is water or saline solution.

Preferably, the vessel is defined by a bulb. In other words, preferably the vessel is in the form of a bulb.

Preferably the wall of the vessel Is resilient. Preferably, it can be easily squeezed with one hand. In this regard, the wall is arranged to be deformed by pressure applied by a single hand of a user thereby pressurising any liquid in the reservoir. In addition, the wall of the vessel is arranged to return to its non-deformed configuration when pressure thereon is released.

Preferably, the device comprises a valve assembly. In this regard, preferably a conduit extends into the vessel from the nozzle between the nozzle and adjacent the opposing end of the reservoir. In other words, the conduit extends from the nozzle to the bottom of the reservoir, opposite the mouth of the vessel. When the nozzle is attached to the mouth of the vessel, the conduit provides a fluid tight path for any liquid in the reservoir from the bottom of the vessel, to the nozzle. Preferably, the conduit comprises a tube. In addition, a one-way vent Is provided in the nozzle adjacent the conduit, wherein the vent allows passage of air from atmosphere into the vessel, but it does not allow passage of air from the vessel into the atmosphere.

This provides the advantage of allowing a user to gently squeeze the wall of the vessel in use repeatedly, thereby creating positive pressure inside the reservoir which forces liquid from the nozzle. Advantageously, a user can squeeze the wall of the vessel to expel liquid from the reservoir as many times as they need without the risk of introducing air into their rectum (until there is no liquid left in the reservoir).

Preferably, in an embodiment, the reservoir has a capacity of about 150ml to about 250ml of liquid. More preferably, the reservoir has a capacity of about 180ml to about 220ml of liquid. Most preferably, the reservoir has a capacity of about 200ml of water. By comparison, known hand held irrigation products have a capacity of only about 90ml.

In alternative embodiments, the reservoir has a capacity of about 100ml or about 400ml, depending on the needs of a user.

Preferably, the mouth of the vessel is threaded. Preferably, one or more threads are provided on the wall of the vessel adjacent the mouth of the vessel, preferably on the external surface of the wall. In addition, preferably, the nozzle has one or more corresponding threads, preferably on its Internal surface, adjacent the end of the nozzle which abuts the vessel. The threads provide the advantage of allowing the nozzle to be screwed onto the vessel or unscrewed therefrom. This facilitates filling the reservoir with irrigation liquid.

Preferably, the device comprises an ergonomic screw top, which can be screwed onto the vessel in place of the nozzle. This provides the advantage of allowing a user to simply fill the reservoir much like a water bottle. This provides quicker, cleaner and easier filling than known products.

Preferably, the wall of the vessel is transparent or translucent. More preferably it is colourless. This provides the advantage of allowing any liquid in the reservoir to be seen.

Preferably, the vessel has at least one clearly seen volumetric scale which indicates the volume of liquid in the reservoir. Preferably the scale is at least marked in intervals of about 25ml.

Advantageously, if a user requires only 100ml of liquid for irrigation, then the reservoir can be filled to the 100ml indicator on the volumetric scale and the reservoir does not require being filled to the top in order to operate. In stark contrast, ail known products require their reservoirs to be completely filled.

Preferably, an extension is provided which can be affixed to the nozzle and the cone between the nozzle and the cone. Preferably the extension comprises a tube. Preferably the tube has a length of about 50cm.

Preferably, the extension can be affixed to the nozzle by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the extension onto a corresponding thread of the nozzle, or by a quick release coupling. In addition, preferably, the extension can be affixed to the cone by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the extension onto a corresponding thread of the cone, or by a quick release coupling.

Advantageously, the device of the invention is small, discrete, easy, safe and convenient to control for users with poor dexterity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows a view of a known anai irrigation device

Figure 2 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an anai irrigation device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention wherein the cone is detached from the nozzle;

Figure 5 show's a front section view of a first embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective section view of a first embodiment of an anai irrigation device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an anai irrigation device in accordance with the present invention having an extension between the no2zie and the cone;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention having an extension between the nozzle and the cone;

Figure 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an ana! irrigation device in accordance with the present invention wherein an extension is attached to the nozzie and the cone is detached from the extension;

Figure 10 shows a front view of a second embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an anal irrigation device In accordance with the present Invention;

Figure 12 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention wherein the cone is detached from the nozzie;

Figure 13 shows a front view of a second embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention having an extension between the nozzie and the cone;

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an anal irrigation device In accordance with the present invention having an extension between the nozzle and the cone; and

Figure 15 shows an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an anal irrigation device in accordance with the present invention wherein an extension is attached to the nozzie and the cone is detached from the extension,

Detailed Description Of The Invention

For the purposes of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments; however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of ail or some of the features described.

Within the context of this specification the word comprises is taken to mean includes, among other things. If is not intended to be construed as consists of only.

Within this specification, the term about is interpreted to mean optionally ±20%, preferably optionally ±10%, more preferably optionally ±5%.

Within this specification, the term hand held anal irrigation device is interpreted to mean a device which can be heid and operated by a user in one hand.

Referring to Figure 1, a known hand heid irrigation product (20) is shown. The nozzzle (21) is fixed to the vessei (22).

Referring to Figures 2 to 15, a hand heid anal irrigation device (1) of the invention comprises a bulb shaped vessei (2) having a resilient deformabie wall (3) defining a reservoir (4) for containing an irrigation liquid and, extending therefrom, a separable nozzle (5) for affixing to a cone (6) for insertion in the anus of a user, wherein pressure applied to the wall (3) of the vessel (2) deforms the vessei (2) and forces liquid from the reservoir (4) through the nozzle (5). In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 9, the reservoir (4) has a capacity of about 200 mi. In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 15, the reservoir (4) has a capacity of about 400 ml.

The device (1) additionally comprises a cone (6) which can be affixed to the nozzle (5) for insertion in the anus of a user. The cone (6) can be affixed to the nozzle (5) for example by a friction fit, by screwing the cone onto the nozzle or by a quick release coupling.

The wall (3) of the vessel (2) defines a mouth (7) to which the nozzle (5) is separably attached. This provides the advantage of allowing a user to remove the nozzle (5) thereby exposing the mouth (7) of the vessel (2) and the reservoir (4) can be filled with water or saline solution by simply pouring liquid into the vessel (2) through the mouth (7).

The wall (3) of the vessei (2) is resilient, but it can be easily squeezed with one hand. In this regard, the wall (3) is arranged to be deformed by pressure applied by a single hand of a user thereby pressurising any liquid in the reservoir (4). In addition, the wall (3) of the vessel (2) is arranged to return to its non-deformed configuration when pressure thereon is released.

The reservoir (4) has a capacity of about 200 ml of water. By comparison, known hand held irrigation products have a capacity of only about 90 ml.

The mouth (7) of the vessel (2) is threaded and threads (8) are provided on the external surface of the wall (3) of the vessel (2) adjacent the mouth (7) of the vessel (2). The nozzle (5) has corresponding threads (9) on its internal surface adjacent the end of the nozzle (5) which abuts the vessel (2).

The device (1) comprises an ergonomic screw top (not shown), which can be screwed onto the vessel (2) in place of the nozzle (5),

The device (1) comprises a valve assembly (10) in the form of a tube (11) which provides a fluid tight path for any liquid in the reservoir (4) from the bottom of the vessel (2), to the nozzle (5). in addition, a one-way vent (12) is provided in the nozzle (5) adjacent the tube (11), wherein the vent (12) allows passage of air from atmosphere into the vessel (2), but It does not allow passage of air from the vessel (2) into the atmosphere.

The wail (3) of the vessel (2) is transparent or translucent and it has at least one dearly seen volumetric scale (13) which indicates the volume of liquid in the reservoir (4). Preferably the scale (13) is at least marked in intervals of 25 ml.

An extension (14), comprising a tube (15) having a length of about 50 cm can be affixed to the nozzle (5) and the cone (5) between the nozzle (5) and the cone (6). The extension (14) can be affixed to the nozzle (5) by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the extension (14) onto a corresponding thread (9) of the nozzle (5), or by or a quick release coupling. In addition, the extension (14) can be affixed to the cone (6) by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the extension onto a corresponding thread of the cone, or by a quick release coupling.

The above described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A hand held anal irrigation device comprising a vessel having a resilient deformabie wail defining a reservoir for containing an irrigation liquid and, extending therefrom, a separable nozzle for affixing to a cone which can be inserted in the anus of a user, wherein pressure applied to the wall of the vessel deforms the vessel and forces liquid from the reservoir through the nozzle.

2. The device of claim 1, which comprises a cone which can be affixed to the nozzle for insertion in the anus of a user.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cone can be affixed to the nozzle by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the cone onto a corresponding thread of the nozzle, or by a quick release coupling.

4. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of the vessel defines a mouth to which the nozzle is separably attached,

5. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the irrigation liquid is water or saline solution.

6. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel is defined by a bulb.

7. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of the vessel is resilient and can be easily deformed by pressure applied by a single hand of a user thereby pressurising any liquid in the reservoir and the wall of the vessel is arranged to return to its non-deformed configuration when pressure thereon is released.

8. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a valve assembly.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the valve assembly comprises a conduit which extends into the vessel from the nozzle between the nozzle and adjacent the opposing end of the reservoir.

10. The device according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the valve assembly comprises a one-way vent in the nozzle, wherein the vent allows passage of air from atmosphere into the vessel, but it does not allow passage of air from the vessel into the atmosphere.

11. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir has a capacity of about 150ml to about 250ml of liquid.

12. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the reservoir has a capacity of about 100ml or about 400ml,

13. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mouth of the vessel is threaded.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein one or more threads are provided on the wall of the vessel adjacent the mouth of the vessel and the nozzle has one or more corresponding threads adjacent the end of the nozzle which abuts the vessel.

15. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises an ergonomic screw top, which can be screwed onto the vessel in place of the nozzle.

16 The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall of the vessel is transparent or translucent.

17. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vessel has at least one clearly seen volumetric scale which indicates the volume of liquid in the reservoir.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the scale is at least marked in intervals of about 25ml.

19. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an extension is provided which can be affixed to the nozzle and the cone between the nozzle and the cone.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the extension comprises a tube.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the tube has a length of about 50cm.

22. The device of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the extension can be affixed to the nozzle by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the extension onto a corresponding thread of the nozzle, or by a quick release coupling; and the extension can be affixed to the cone by a friction fit, by screwing a thread of the extension onto a corresponding thread of the cone, or by a quick release coupling,

23, An anal irrigation device substantially as described herein with reference to the description and Figures 2 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1616696.9 Examiner: Miss Laura Dixon