US2947994A - Sitz bath - Google Patents

Description

Aug 9, 1930 Y s. sAULsoN r-:TAL 2,947,994

SITZ BATH Filed April l0, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1960 s. sAuLsoN ETAL SITZ BATH 2 Sheets-TSheet 2 Filed April 10, 1959 Z5 INVENTORS ,5d/MZ 'al ATTORNEY srrz B Arn Y Saul Saulson, Detroit, Mich., and Stanley H. Saulson, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Harlan M. Buck, Inc., Baltimore, Md., acorporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 10, 1959, Ser. No. 805,553

11 Claims.. (Cl. '4h-6) This application relates to an improved device for :therapeutic care and treatment of 4the perineal, rectal or genital areas o'f the human body.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a device for use in the post-operative care and treatment of patients who have undergone surgery, such as hemorrhoidectomy or other operative procedure on the rectum, anus, or other perineal regions of the body, `as well as for use in non-surgical therapy `and hygienic care of these areas. The therapeutic care and treatment normally requires lbathing of the area in Warm water, which may or `may not be medicated, for relatively lengthy periods several times each day, to minimizepain and promote healing. This post-operative treatment is usually required to be performed for a number of days following surgery. In the case' of a hemorrhoidectomy, for example, the practice -is generally for the patient to utilize such post-operative treatment forfve to twenty days immediately after the surgery.

In hospitals, this post-operative therapy is customarily performed in so-calledsitz baths installed as permanent fixtures, or by means of a mobile sitz bath. The permanently installed sitz baths are not only costly in themselves, but also entail provision of a separate room to accommodate the required number of them. The'mobile devices generally consist of a metal framework in the shape of a chair, on which is tixedly or removably mounted a pan into which ywater may be poured and into which the per-ineal regions ofthe body will extend when the patient is seated in the chair. ln the more desirable of these devices, they are fashioned also for mounting a heater assembly thereon, in orderto maintain the Water in-the pan at a suitable temperature before the patient is seated on the chair for the treatment.

Although the mobile sitz bath devices used in hospitals for these post-operative procedures adequately serve the therapeutic purposes of the treatment, they are expensive to the hospitals, not only in terms of their initial, relatively high cost (of the order of several hundred dollars each) but also in terms ofthe labor required for cleaning and sterilizing `the seat andthe pan, as well as of the space requirements theyimpose uponithehospitals for storing them during periods when they are not in actual use by a patient.

Patients who have undergone surgery ofthe type re-` day. This procedure is tr'oublesomeand objectionable to most patients, as 1it requires the patient to undress and dress for each such period of treatment. Furthermore,

many people frequently sufer debilitating or other illd 2,947,994 Patented Aug. 9, `1960 i effects from relativelylong periods of contact with water at the elevated temperature used.

' For carrying on such treatment by the patient at home, there have heretofore been proposed several forms of sitz baths,` consistingessentially of a pan or basin for holding a supply of water, and -arranged to be supported, by an outwardly extending llange thereon, upon the upper edge of the toilet bowl, or upon the top of the toilet seat, so that a considerable portion of the basin will extend down into the toilet bowl.

Portable sitz baths of this type are shown in the patents to Oliver, Nos. 2,427,807 and 2,450,607. In the rst ofy these patents, the basin is provided at its front and rear ends with spillways so that when the basin is suspended from a toilet seat, liquid that might otherwise be splashedV over the sides of the basin is directed by way of the spillways into the toilet tbowl. In Patent No. 2,450,607, the basin is held Within an annular ring formed to rest on the seat and having la depending ange to provide an annular channel between the outer surface of the basin and the inner surface of the flange, for conveying the overllow from the basin directly into the toilet bowl.

Another form of portable sitz bath adapted for use with a conventional toilet bowl by supporting the same from the upper edge of the toilet bowl or from the toilet seat, is disclosed inthe patient to Graber No. 2,426,303.Y

In the device of the Graber patent, provision is made for maintaining the water in the basin at a desired temperature,'fby aixing a water jacket to the exterior of the basin so as to surround and enclose the lower end thereof and arranged to be supplied with hot or cold water through a iexibletube connected to a faucet of a'conventional bathroom lavatory, the water jacket being arranged so as to permit excess water supplied to the jacket to overliow directly into the toilet bowl. Access of the outlet end of the flexible tube to the Water jacket is provided by openings formed in the flange by which the ybasin Vis supported on the toilet bowl, these openings extending a short distance downwardly from the flange into the basin at the front and rear thereof.` These openings also provide for the overow of the liquid from the basin proper directly into the toilet bowl.

While port-able sitz baths of the type shown in the above-mentioned patents would obviously be less costly? than the mobile devices currently in'use -by hospitals, andf can be merely lifted from the toilet bowl after each use and stored ina space of a` small area, they do not meet other requirements essential to provide a practical form of device for use either in hospitals or in homes, -for performing the therapeutic procedures referred to above. Thus, among other things, it is essential that such devices have provision whereby the patient can, While in seated position on the device, conveniently control the supply of -water to the basin, and its maintenance therein at a predetermined fixed level and at a desired temperature during the soaking period. for enabling the patient, Iat the conclusion oi the soaking, and while still in the seated position occupied during the soaking period, to drain the Water `from the bath, and thereby -avoid the annoyance of having Water from the perineal regions trickling down along the thighs and legs when the patient arises from the sitting position. It is desirable also that the introduction of the water into the basin be arranged so as toV promote rapid mixing of incoming water with that contained in the basin and so as to avoidlimpingement of the incoming stream upon the patients buttocks. Such an arrangement has the further advantageofprecluding the possibility of water splashing and wetting the clothing of the patient Whilesitz bath for use in therapy and other care of the types Desirable, also, are means set forth, constructed to meet the above-mentioned requirements and otherwise to avoid the shortcomings and disadvantages of the stationary, mobile and portable sitz baths heretofore proposed.

F[Ehe invention also aims to provide a sitz bath of this character, which will lend itselfv to use either inhospitals or; homes and which may4 beY inexpensively fabricated from various materials suitableA for the purpose.

According to our invention, there is 4provided a sitz bath having valve means located thereon within reach of the patients hand while occupying a sittingposition with the perineal regions ,submerged in the bath and'which enables the patient selectively to supply water to the basin in regulated flow or to cause the flow of water from the SDU-ree. ofASupply to bediverted so as to` discharge directly into; the toilet bowl. rEhevalve..rrieansseves also, incertain embodimentsof; the invention, as a means for drainingthecontentsl of the sitz bath directly into the toilet bowl, at the conclusion of the desired period of immersion and-:prior to arising from the sitting position occupied by the patienty during the period ofr'soaking in the bath.

By4 providing the sitz batliV with means 'which enable the patient, while in the sitting position, to admit water at a controllable rate or to stop the flow of water to the bath, atfanyftime during the soaking period in which the perineal regions are immersed in the bath, the temperature of the water in the bath may be adjusted by the patient as needed during the soaking period. Also, by providing for the entry of the water'into the bath at a point. adjacent its bottom, the patient is enabled, by continuingthe flow of the water into the basin while seated thereon, to gain the soothing and other beneficial effects of having 4the perineal areas immersed in water that is in al state of motion, as compared to a quiescent body of water.

' The' portable sitz bath of the invention may be connected by a flexible hose with a water faucet of a lavatory or other'bathrom fixture. In order to comply with the sanitary' codes in effect in many communities with respect to theV connection of plumbing xtures to the water supply system, aA suitable anti-Siphoning device may be interposedibetween the faucet and the inlet of the valve means, to 'insure' against back siphonage of water from the bath tothe water supply system.

These andothe'r purposes of the invention, andthe numerous practical advantages thereof, will be more readily understoodffrom the detailed description given herebelow, andfrom the accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments andV modifications thereof.

Fig. fl" is "aiview, in perspective, of a portionof a conventional toilet bowl, having the sitz bath embodying the present invention disposed in operative position thereon, andf illustrating means for connecting the same with a faucet of -a lavatory or other bathroornxture;

Fig. 2 isa view in cross-section, partly broken away, taken along line Z-Z-of Fig, l;

`Fig. 3A is a similar view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l, and showing one formof device that may be utilized for controlling the lling and draining of thesitz bath and for maintaining the water thereinat a ixed levelduring the desired soakingcycle;

' Fig.`4 is a View taken valong line 4-`-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view taken along line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig.V 3, but illustrating another embodiment ofthe invention;

' Fig. 7;i s a cross-section taken along line '7- 7,of,Fig. 6;

i s a` view .tak en alongA liner Sffo of Fig. 6;

Rigs. 9 and' l0 are fragmentary Iviews similar to Fig. 6, water-how control means thereof in other Fig. 13 is a similar view taken along line 13-13 of Fig. l2;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in cross-section, showing one form of anti-Siphoning device that may be employed in conjunction with the invention; and

Fig. 15 is a view in cross-seetiom taken along line 15- 15 of Fig. 14. .i

Referring now in more detail tothe drawings, numeral l0 designates a conventional toilet bowl having an upper. portion. 1l. with an inwardly extending 12 'whicl 1 has its uppermost Surface' 13. dispgsrd. a substantially herizontal plane, though rounded o i at the edgesthereof, as shown. The conventional seat for` the toilet bowl, usually hinged adjacent the rear end of` the toilet bowl, is not illustrated in the drawing. The sitz bath of the invention is preferably designed to be supported in its operative position on the uppermost surface of the bowl, with the seat in Afully Vraised position away from the bowl. However, the sitz bath may-be congured vand di-mensioned-so as to be selectively supported either-on the seat oron the rimfof the bowl.

' In the embodimentl of the'invention illustrated in Figs. 1- to 5, the sitz bath proper-, indicated., generally by numeral 20, comprises a basin made ofstainless steel, aluminum, or otherfsuitable metal,l or of molded synthetic plasticresin oflsuitable type, porcelain or enamelware, or, incertain instances, of molded brousmaterial.

The basin is preferably ovalshape` in-itshori-zontal configuration, andis dimensioned so thatits sidewall 22will' t more orlessloosely Within the-.rim 12 ofl the toilet bowl.

The side wall 2 2 preferably extends-inwardly-ata slight angle toward-` t'he bottom 23. At its upper margin, the basinis formedwith a horizont-a1 outwardly extending flange 2S, desirablyextending around itsventire. perimeter, and terminating in a rounded edge 26: The transverse dimension offlangeV 25 fromthe upper endl-of" side wall 22 to theedge 26 vwill b e such as to'enable the basin to be supported by the rim llffof` any ofthe several standard sized toiletbowls so as to retain the basin in its operative position onthe rimof the toilet bowland yet permitit to bereadily liftedV from operative position.

In order to provide for the admission ofwater into, the drainage of water from, andV maintenance of water at a fixed level for` the necessary period of'time within, the basin, by means associateddirectly with the basi n and in theeasy'reach of the user, the basin isY formed at its forward end with Ya relatively smallv open pocket or the like 27. The sides 30 ofthe pocketare integral-with the flange and extend downwardly therefrom preferably at a slight inward anglealong the exterior ofthe frontwall ofithe basin. 'The pocket 27 may/extenda distance of`several inchesv on each side of the major axis of the basin, A guide slot or opening 32 extends throughthejange 2 5 andintoV the pocket, this openingbeing relatively, elongated in the direction transverse to the major axis `to' the oval shaper of the basin, andV located symmetrically with respect thereto. Thus, guide slot 3'2 willbe positioned between the-.thighs'ofiapatient seated on the basin-with the legsof the patient spread slightly apart. An opening or openings 33 are formed in the wall of the basirrat asuitable distance lbelow its top, and lserving asian overflow discharging directly into the toilet bowl to maintain a uniform level of water in the basin.

Disposed forrotaryactuation within thepocket 27A is a valve plate 35 mounted on a pivot 36 fixed to the front ofr the basin. The valve plate Ct5-is-formedVV with an 'internal passageway 39, one end of which'terminatesI at' the: upper edgeof=the plate,.where itfis,thre,aded. or otherwise formed to receive. one end of avtting 40 extending throughv andy movable. from side,v to side.'y in opening 32. Thel opposite-. end: Ofi` the passageway- 39,.,I terminates at the-.innelzfaeofthe.plateadiacenti@ lower andi, Formed .in-.- thafrontthe. basteln anwrealnerrgrttlr of a size corresponding approximately tothe cross-sectionaldimension of passageway 39. Port 41 is located adjacent the bottom of the basin and with its axis displaced at an acute angle with respect to a vertical axis through-the pivot 36. Thus, whenthe valve plate 35 is in the full line position shown in Fig. 4, water entering throughconnection 40 will by-pass the port 41 and discharge into-the `toilet bowl through pocket 27.

When the valve plate is rocked on its pivot to the position indicated in dotted-lines Aat the right of Fig. 4, the inner end of passageway 39` coincides or registers with the port 41, thereby enabling water owing through connection 40` to pass directly into thebasin. When the valve plate 35 is rocked on its pivot in the opposite direction from the full line position to the other dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, the contents of the basin will drain out through port 41 directly into the toilet bowl, while at the same time water flowing through the valve will discharge directly into the toilet bowl through pocket 27.

Water may be fed to the basin through the valve device described, by means of a exible hose 45, having one end attached to the outer end of the fitting 4t), and its opposite end connected to the faucet of a lavatory or other conventional bathroom iixture.

The patient seated on the ange of the basin will thus have the Water feed control conveniently located between his or her thighs. By grasping the `tting 40 between the lingers of the hand and rocking it sidewise in one direction or the other to rotate valve plate 35,`

the patient may readily and selectively control the initial filling of the basin, the continued introduction of water into the basin, or its by-passing directly to the toilet bowl durng the soaking period, and also its drainage therefrom at the conclusion of the soaking period.

Aswill be observed, the construction is such as to provide for the introduction of the water into the basin` at a point adjacent its bottom. This serves to promote the rapid mixing of incoming water with the water already inthe basin, avoids direct impingement of a stream of water upon the buttocks of the patient, and enables the body of water in the basin to be kept in a state of motion.` At the same time, it vavoids splashing of any water over the top of the basin and onto the clothing of the patient.

In the embodiments of Figs. l to 5, the valve means 35 extends along the wall of the basin adjacent the front end thereof, in which case the fitting 4t) would be suitably modied for connection with and manipulation of the valve means to control flow of water into and out of the basin through suitably located ports formed in its bottom.

In the embodiment of Figs. 6 to 10, the basin is formed way 52..enters the basin through the opening 53. hWhen` a` desired level of `water in the basin has been attained the valve may be rotated approximately 90 degrees from the oposition shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 10.` In that position, water flowing through the passageway 52 will discharge directly into the toilet bowl. Atthe conclusion of the soaking period desired by the` patient, valve 51 may be rotated approximately 180` degrecs from the position shown in Fig. l() to theposition shown in Fig. 9. In the latter position of the valve, water owing through passageway 52 willl continue to discharge dir ectly into the toilet bowl, while at the same time, the contents of the basin are permitted to drain di# rectly into the toilet bowl through the `drainage opening 55 `by way" of the space between the latter and the surface 57. p p

For manipulating the valve, a suitable handle portion- 59 may b e formed atthe upper end thereof. As will be understood, the upper end of the valve may be suitably formed for connecting the same with a exible hose 45 leading from a lavatory faucet.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13, the basin is formed at its front end With an external compartment 60 extending from the ilange 25 down to the bottom of the basin, bottom wall 61 of the compartment being formed as an extension of the bottom wall 23 of the basin. The top wall 62 of the compart-v ment, comprising a portion of the flange 25, is formed with a central, relatively elongated opening 63 to receive for sliding or swinging movement a suitable tting 64 connected with the outlet end of a flexible hose. Extending upwardly from the bottom wall 61 of the compartment is a partition 65, disposed preferably in the plane of the major axis of the basin to divide the compartment into sides A and B. `Spaced from one side of the partition, at'a short distance below the top thereof,

' the wall ofthe basin constituting the inner wall"of the centrally of its front end with a cylindrical boss 50 on its exterior. The boss 50 accommodates an elongated valve member 51 extending from adjacent thebottom' of the basin and through a circular opening in the flange 25, to a point above the ilange, for rotatable movement on its longitudinal axis. A longitudinal passageway 52 extends centrally through member 51, the inner or discharge end of the passageway coinciding with an opening 53 extending through the side wall of the basin. As will be noted, the opening 53 is located at a short distance above the bottom of the basin. Below the opening 53, and immediately adjacent the bottom of the basin, another opening 55, preferably vertically elongated, and serving as a drainage opening, is formedin the side wall of the basin. Desirably, the b ottom wall of the basin is formedat the front end thereof with a lug or extension 56 serving. as a bottom rest to limit downward movement of the valve. The lower end of valve member Slis chamfered or bevelled, as indicated at 57,.this surface 57 being displaced about 90 degrees from the discharge endof passagewaySZ; In the position of the valve 51 shown in Fig. 6, water flowing through the passagecompartment is formed with an opening |66. Another opening67 is providedin this Wall of the basin immediately adjacentthe bottom wall 23, and spaced a short distance from the opposite side of partition 65. An opening 68 is also formed in the bottom wall 61 of the compartment on the same side of the partition as that on which opening 66 is formed. Thus, water flowing throughv the hose into side A of the compartment will flow through the opening 67 into the basin proper to the level of the opening 66, excess water overflowing therethroughinto side B of the compartment to be discharged through the drainage opening 68 into the toilet bowl. By sliding the fitting 64 along the length of the opening 63, or `by simply rocking it therein from one side of the partition` to the other, the flow of water may be diverted from one side of the partition to the other.

In this embodiment, as will be noted, the gap` between the outlet end ofthe hose or fitting, and the highest level of water serves electively as an anti-siphoning means to prevent back-siphoning of water from the sitz bath to the water supply system, as is required by the sanitary codes in many communities.

In lieu of the elongated opening 63 for enabling the discharge end of the hose or the iitting 64 to be slid or rocked for directing the water to either side of the partition `65, a circular opening may be employed so as to hold the hose or litting a substantially iixed position. In that case, the water flow may be directed to one side of the compartment or the other by means of a baffle or deflector plate in the compartment, and pivoted tothe outer wall of the ba'sin a suitable location adjacent `the upper end thereof.

Reference `has been hereinabove made to the sanitary `codes in many communities with regard to connecting plumbing fixtures toV the water supply system. It is another advantage of the present invention that in embodiments thereof such as illustrated in Figs. l to 10, suitable anti-siphoning devices may be interposed between the

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