US2915058A - Dilating massager - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1959 s. n. WILLIAMS DILATING MASSAGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1956 INVENTQR. Steele D. W/H/ams v. wwwv vwm v 0 757/ HIS ATTORNEYS Dec. 1, 1959 s. D. WILLIAMS DILA'IING MASSAGER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 23, 1956 INVEN TOR.

Steele D. Williams ym hmi r HIS ATTORNEYS circles the urethraland the ejaculatory passages.

the prostate is swollen it tends to constrict and retard flow a United States Patent DILATING MASSAGER I Steele D. Williams, Weston, W. Va. I Application November 23, 1956, Serial No. 623,969

3 Claims. (Cl. 12864) This invention relates to a device that may be used to Patented Dec. 1, 1959 tion, to control the pressure-sensitivity at the selected predetermined regions of the jacket wall.

treat various parts of the body that may be reached through the openings into the body. Similarly the device may be utilized for treatment of the passages themselves.

The invention is particularly adaptable as a device for treating'the prostate gland byimpres sing a controllable pressure force on the gland through the opposite portion of'the rectum wall.

The prostate, located directly beneath the bladder, en-

When

through those passages, with consequent pain and discomfort. In such swollen condition, it also presses upon the opposite portion of the wall of the rectum, and tends to constrict the passage therethrough, with consequent retardation of movement therethrough.

The three forms of the treating device of the general character referred to, are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a schematic view of a portion of the male anatomy, to illustrate the general relative disposition and The general treatment under those conditionsconsists in applying gentle manual massage to the prostate by pressure of a finger applied through the wall of the rectal chamber.

An o bject of this invention is to provide a device equipped with an element, of the general size. and shape of a finger, which may be inserted into the rectum and then dilated, either generally and uniformly, or selectively at desired points lengthwise thereof. and in a desired direction only, so as to put pressure on the, wall of the v anothe modified 'fo m f apparatus, mb d i i rectum at a point such that'the pressure is transmitted to and against the prostate.

The same principle generally may be employed in a similar device but of difierent dimensions, and shape for accommodation in the nostrils for gentl e expansion and contraction of the nostrils for relief "from sinuspains. Similarly the device in a variation 'of-torm and dimensions may employed as a rectal expander.

1 In one preferred form for treating theprostate, the'delipiPeisiprovidfid With-an insftifin member consisting of sj-a the ejaculatory duct 12, and both the urethra 11 and the a hollow, stiff tubular supporting element covered with a rubber-like dilatable jacket, and areservoir bulb attached. to the outer end of the insertion member. The

entire device is filled either with warm water or air so that prss'ureon the bulb forces water or air through the hollow tubular supporting element into the dilatable jacket and causes the jacket: to dilate and enlarge, either fgenerally, or in. a relatively defined region annular'ly or mainlytoward a selected side, laterally of the axis of supportin'geelementf ThusQwhen the jacketed support member isinserted-into the rectum, pressure on the bulb causes "dilation of the jacket,; thus exerting pressure on the rectum wall in such a way as to transmitthe' pressure :ontothe prostate. Gentle periodic pressureon the bulb provides controllablegentle periodic pressure on the prostate" and causes it to gradually relieve itself of thexaccumulate'd foreign matter, with consequent relief of constrictingpressure on the urethral and ejaculatory paslsa ges. I r i i relatively symmetrical and uniform.

)This form with a arrangement of the bladder, the prostate and the rectum;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form or" the device as assembled;

Figure 3 is ajlongitudinal sectional view of another form of the device as assembled;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a symmetrical sleeve or jacket of dilatable material, such as rubber, or the like, with the thickness of the wall section somewhat exaggerated; v

Figure 5 is a similar vertical sectional view of such a jacket with a selected portionof the annular wall made of thinner section so as to be more sensitively responsive to pressure and so as to form an annular lobe;

Figure 5a is a plan view of the entire jacket of Fig. 5;

Figures 6 and 6a are views similar toFigs. 5 and 5a of a sleeve having a section of thinnermaterial along one side thereof,'to form into a radial or laterally extending lobe;

Figures 7 and 7a are similar figures of a jacket or sleevehaving two adjacent thin wall sections that dilate under pressure to form two spaced laterally projecting lobes; V

Figure 8 is a vertical fragmental, sectional view of vention, in which the dilatable sleeve is disposed within a rigid tubular member which is provided with longitudinally extending windows through which lobes formed in the sleeve may protrude; 1

Figure 8a is a plan view of the modification of Fig. 8, and shows how the lobesextend through thewindows of the supporting member. j Asshown in Figure 1, thelower end of the bladder 10 empties into the urethra 11, which is, also fed from duct'12 pass through the prostate 13 which is located in the region adjacent and directly beneath the bladder 10. A portion of the wall 14 of the rectum 15 is behind and opposite the prostate. A j

I When the prostate becomes enlarged, due to accumulation of foreignmatter, it exerts pressure on the urethra 11 and duct 12 and on the Wall 14 with consequent constriction of each of those passages, and resulting pain and discomfort. Treatment of prostate 13 to reduce its enlargement, consists of applying pressure to the prostate by pressing on the part of the wall of the rectum oppo site the prostate, generally in the region where the enlarged prostate presses against the rectum wall. Such pressure is presently established in the rectum by inserting a finger, dressed in a rubber cot, into the rectum, and gently pressing against the wall of the rectum so that pressure is transmitted'to the prostate. a

rectum and through the wall thereof to the prostate, from outside the body.

The device shown in Figure 2 illustrates the general construction andprinciple of operation. As shown, it comprises an insertion member 20 to be inserted into the rectum, and a pressure bulb 21 that may be pressed, outside of the body to be treated, to force water or air into the insertion member 20 and to thereby dilate it to press against the rectum wall.

The insertion member 20 consists of ahollow longitudinal tubular stem or supporting member 22, With one or more perforations 23 in its wall, a covering tubular jacket or element 24 of rubber or similar resilient stretchable material, a head anchor cap 25 to close the front end of the member 22 and to anchor the forward end 26 of the rubber jacket 24 in place thereon, and a stop or limit ring '27 to limit the extent of penetration of the insertion member 20 into the rectum. The stop ring 27 has a threaded body portion 28 that threads onto a shoulder piece 29 that is fixedly secured to the stem 22, at proper position, by any suitable means, such as cement.

The stop ring 27 is formed with an inner annular washer portion 36 that serves as a clamping ring to press and anchor the rear end 31 of the rubber tube 24 on and against the end annular face 32 of the shoulder piece 29.

The rear end of the shoulder piece 29 is provided with a flange 33 that serves as an annular shoulder or reaction surface for a portion of the flexible bulb, to be described. The rear end of the support member 22 is also provided with a flange 34 which cooperates with the flange 33 of the shoulder piece 29 to hold the bulb in position on the stem.

The bulb 21 is formed of rubber, or similar material,

that is shape-retaining but still soft enough to be easily deformed. As shown, the bulb is provided with hollow extension and flange sections 36 and 37 at its opposite ends, and, for simplicity in assembling, both ends are made similar. The front end 36 fits onto the supporting member 22 between the two flanges 33 and 34. The rear end portion 37 encloses and supports a neck piece 38 having a threaded bore 39 for receiving a similarly threaded cap screw 40 for sealing the bulb closed after it is filled with water. All of the parts are preferably made of rubber or rubber-like compositions which will be suitable for the purposes-indicated, and which may be treated in usual methods for sterilizing.

As shown in Figure 2, the rubber jacket or sleeve 24 maybe dilated symmetrically about its longitudinal axis substantially to the form indicated by the broken line 24a.

The stop ring 27 limits the extent of insertion of the insertion member 20 into the rectum, and the dimensions generally are made that the region of maximum dilation of the rubber-like sleeve will be adjacent the wall portion 14 of the rectum opposite the prostate, as shown in Figure 1.

The device is intended to be free of air when filled with water, so it may be readily operated by hydraulic action when the bulb 21 is compressed so that the water will move freely from the bulb 21 into and through the center member 22, and then through the passages 23 into the jacket or sleeve 24, to expand the same and put pressure on the surface engaged thereby. The release of pressure on the bulb permits the water to return from the jacket back into the bulb.

In the device in Figure 2 the top or front end of the rubber jacket has a small opening to permit the head screw 25 to pass therethrough for threading into the threaded front end 42 of the center stem 22 to anchor "the front end of the jacket on the front end of the center stem 22.

Figure 3 shows a modified form 50 in which the center member 51is provided with two longitudinal wall slots 52 and 53, peripherally spaced. The slots 52 and 53 may be narrow, merely wide enough to provide adequate fluid movement from the stem into the element or jacket 54 so as to expedite the expansion of the jacket.

The jacket or sleeve is fitted over the member 51 and the lower or rear end rim 70 thereof is stretched and passed over the anchor washer 55, to seat between that washer and the stop disc 56. To provide space for the rim of the jacket, a locknut 59 is threaded down while the jacket rim is stretched over the washer 55, and then the locknut is threaded upward to press the disc 56 tightly against the rim of the jacket. The jacket 54 may be of a size to prevent excessive stretching of its wall as it is secured to the stem 51. The outer surface of the jacket should be lubricated by any suitable material to permit free insertion into the rectal passage.

The Washer 55 may be secured to the member or stem 51 by a suitable cement. The stop disc 56 encircles the stem 51 and is free to move. A tube 57 may be cemented to the stem 51 below the stop disc 56, and has an outer threaded surface 58 to receive the tubular locknut portion 59. The lower end of the tube 57 has an annular shoulder 61 to serve as a seat and retaining surface for the neck 62 of bulb 63. The outer end of the bulb is provided with a closure device including a clamping tube 65, a nut 66 and a threaded cap screw 67. The screw 67 may be similar in structure and function to the cap screw 40 of Figure 2. That is to say, the tube 65 may be externally and internally threaded so as to receive both the nut 66 and the cap screw 67. It will be understood that the screw 67 will be removed in the operation of filling the bulb .63 with water and also in the operation of removing the water from the bulb.

In the modification of Figure 3, the front end of the stem 51 is closed by a piece 68 to provide a smooth rounded tip on the stem 51. A jacket 54 with a closed front end like that shown in Figure 4, may be used.

Where it is desired to form pressure lobes at predetermined regions of the jacket, corresponding areas of the wall of the jacket may be of reduced thickness so they will be more sensitive and susceptible to air pressure or hydraulic pressure. Several such jackets are shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

As shown in Figure 5, the dilation of a jacket 74 may be selectively confined, along the axial dimension, by forming one lengthwise section 75 of less thickness than the two adjoining sections 76 and 77 which may be thickened so as to resist dilation. With a jacket so formed the intermediate section 75 will expand to form an annular lobe 78.

Similarly, as in Figure 6, a section of the jacket 80 may be so formed that dilation of the jacket will produce a lobe 81 on one side of the jacket and projecting in one general direction only. The difference in strength will cause the strip of thinner material 82 to readily distend when pressure is applied, and the remainder of the jacket may retain its original shape. The thinner sections may be located at any point along the length of the jacket so as to position the dilation lobe at a desired location.

Where a double lobe is desired, as in Figures 7 and 7a, a jacket is provided with two peripherally spaced parallel longitudinal strips 91 and 92 of thin section surrounded by material 93 of greater thickness and requiring greater pressure for dilation. When distended, the jacket 90 of Figure 7, will form two spaced lobes 91a and 92a substantially as shown in Figure 7a.

In another form of the device, partly shown in Figures 8 and 8a, the rubber element or jacket is disposed within the tubular member 94, which is provided with two windows 95 and 96 through which two lobes 97 and v98 of the jacket may protrude when distended by air or hydraulic pressure. The lower rim of the jacket .is anchored in position against the lower edge of the stem 94 by a plug 99. Otherwise the device is similar to that in Figure 3.

What I claim is:

1. A medical applicance of the type described including in its make-up a rigid elongated tubular member open at one end and having a plurality of apertures formed in its cylindrical wall adjacent a closed end and communicating with the bore thereof; an open-ended flexible, expansible tubular element extending longitudinally of said member and having an annular edge about its open end; an annular tube secured to said member adjacent the open end thereof; means threadably engaging said annular tube for clamping the annular edge of said element adjacent said member; and means communicating with the open end of said member for delivering fluid into said member and said element.

2. A medical appliance of the type described including in its make-up a rigid elongated tubular member open at one end and closed at the other and having two apertures formed in the cylindrical wall thereof extending substantially parallel to each other and longitudinally of said member and located less than 90 apart circumferentially of said member; a pliant, expansible tubular element open at one end and closed at the other and located within said member in engagement with the inner surface of the apertured portion of the side wall of said member with the open end thereof adjacent the open end of said member and secured against movement relatively thereto; and means secured to the open end of said member for delivering fluid into said member and said element.

3. A medical appliance of the type described including a rigid elongated tubular member open at one end and closed at the other and having two substantially parallel, elongated apertures formed in the cylindrical wall of said member and extending to a point adjacent the closed end thereof; a pliant expansible tubular element open at one end and closed at the other, located within said member in engagement with the inner surface thereof and bridging each of said apertures and with the open end thereof projecting through the open end of said member, a tube encircling and secured to said member and extending beyond the open end thereof and a plug projecting into said tube and clamping the open end of said element against the open end of said member, and means secured to said tube for delivering fluid into said element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 901,376 Roberts Oct. 20, 1908 912,205 Talcott Feb. 9, 1909 961,034 Siebert June 7, 1910 1,764,838 Home June 17, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS 378,093 France July 30, 1907 129,728 Switzerland Jan. 2, 1929

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