US907839A - Douche-chair. - Google Patents

Description

s. A. MBNDENHALL.

DOUGHB CHAIR.

Ar rmcuzon mm 11:12.11. 190s.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

SARAH ANN MENDENHALL, OF HAMBURG, IOWA.

DOUCHE-GHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

Application filed February 11, 1908. Serial No. 415,407.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SARAH A. MENDEN- HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamburg, in the county of Fremont and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Douche-Chair, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to operating tables.

The objects of the invention'are to provide a tableor apparatus of this character, adapted more articularly'for the administration of recta enemas and vaginal douches, in the employment of which the patient will be supported in the most advantageous and comfortable position tosecure the best results from the treatment; in which the evacuated matter may be disposed of in a manner that will not be offensive either to the patient, or to the attendant, if there be one; to provide for the necessary adjustment of the parts of the apparatus to bring the limbs and body of the patient to the proper position to secure the most efficacious injection of the remedial or other agents; to render all of the parts that will be exposed to contact with contaminative matter thoroughly sanitary and cleanly; to adapt the a paratus to be knocked down or col apsed W en not in use, thus to occupy but small space; and, generally, to improve the construction and extend the range of usefulness of apparatus ofthis character.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in, the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts of an operating table, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed. I

In the accompanying drawings forminga part of this specification and in which llke characters of reference indicate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a view in erspective of an o crating table constructe in accordance with the present invention- Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of a receptacle used in connection with the table when vaginal irrigations are being administered, and which will hereinafter be termed a douche pan. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a receptacle used in connection with the table 'when rectal enemas are being administered, and which will hereinafter be termed a commode. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of a part of the table. 7. r F

' The apparatus comprises a frame embodying two side rails 1 and 2, and two end rails 3 and 5, the former having secured to them, and on their inner sides, longitudinal supporting bars 5, (one only being shown) the function of which will presently appear.

At the four corners of the frame, and on the inner sides thereof are arranged supporting legs 6 that are pivotally connected at 7 to the bars 5 and to the side rails. These legs are adapted to befolded inward and to lie along the inner sides of the side rails, thus to facilitate handling the apparatus, and also to cause it to occu y but small space when not in use. The legs are limited in their outward movement by the end rails, and in order to prevent inward movement thereof, when the apparatusis in use, each leg has combined with it a two-part brace 8, one member of each of which is pivotally connected with one of the legs and the other member with one of the bars 5. The two brace members are connected by an ordinary rule-j oint 9, the break of which is upward, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 1.

Pivotally connected with the end rail 3 by eyes '10 and hookslO", one only of each being shown in Fig. 4, is a table or platform 11 upon which the upper ortion of the body of the patient may rec ine. held at any desired angle of adjustment by' a pair of longitudinally adjustable legs 12, the upper ends of which are pivoted to brackets 13 secured to the under side of the table at or adjacent to its end, and, preferably, close to its outer side. Each of these legs consists of two members 14 and 14", the former of which is ivotally connected with a bracket, and the latter being provided with a longitudinal slot 14 through which project two bolts 14 and 144*, the former hav. ing combined with it a winged nut 14 and the latter being headed to hold the two sections assembled and also to act as a guide. The members 14 are connected near their lower ends by a rung 15, by which the legs are stayed. To elevate the table 11, the winged'nuts 14 are loosened, and the operator places his or her foot upon the rung 15 and draws upward upon the table, and when the proper adjustment is secured, the nuts 14 are again tightened. By the provision of the hooks 10 and eyes 10 that connect the table with the end rail, the former may be readily disconnected therefrom, and

This table is v which are secure by reason of the pivotal connection of the legs 12 with the table, the former may be folded against the underside of the latter, and thus occupy but a small space.

At the foot of the frame is arranged a cross-piece or support 16 to the terminals of 7 two end plates or pieces 17 that are pivotally connected at 18 to the outer sides of the side rails. One of the end plates is provided with a finger 19 that is adapted to be engaged by a toe 20 carried by a spring 21 firmly secured to the side rail 2, whereby to hold the cross-piece 16 in the position shown in Fig 1, when the apparatus is in use. As will be obvious, by releasing the toe from engagement with the finger, the cross-piece may be folded inward and rest upon the upper edges of the side rails.

The cross-piece has secured to its u per edge a hollow rectangular guide 22 in w iich works a standard 23 having a plurality of spaced orifices 24 that are designed to be engaged by a pin 25 carried by the guide and operating to hold the standard at any desired vertical adjustment. The upper inner end ortion of the standard carries a bracket or hook-shaped arm 26 that supports a fountain syringe bag 27 with which will be connected a tube that carries an appropriate nozzle, not shown.

As a means for supporting the limbs of a patient at any desired angle or at any required plane above the table while enemas or douches are being administered, a limb support is provided at each side of the former, and these supports are adapted for vertical and arcuate adjustments. Each support comprises an arm 28 that is provided with a longitudinal slot 29 through which projects a bolt 30 carried by the side rail and having combined with it a winged nut 31 by which the arm may be clamped at any desired adjustment. The upper end of the arm carries a longitudinally curved appropriately padded limb-rest 32 that is pivotally mounted in a slot in the arm and is provided with a shoulder 33 which, by contact with the inner face of the arm, will hold the rest against inward movement beyond an approximately horizontal plane. The rests are adapted to 5 be swung outward and downward against the outer sides of the arm, thus to be out of the way.

The douche pan shown in Fig. 2 comprises va receptacle 34 of metal, properly treated, as by being enameled, to render it sanitary, and which is provided with a curved bottom and straight side and end walls. One of the end walls has connected with it adjacent to the bottom and at its center line a discharge pipe 36 that is adapted to be closed by a plug 37 when the pan is in 1 use, and below the pipe is a spout 38 that will operate to direct the contents of the pan into a to a support 39 which is constructed preferably of wood, and is of a length and width to fit within the frame and to rest upon the bars 5. The support is provided with a longitudinal opening 40 somewhat smaller than the receptacle, and has its end walls preferably curved. This opening will be of a size to accommodate the buttocks of the patient and of a length to permit ready application of the douche. In order to sustain the hips of the patient, a longitudinally curved hip rest 41 is secured to one of the end walls of the opening 40 and is disposed at the proper angle to the support to insure perfect comfort. This rest will be covered with rubber or treated in such manner as to render it proof against the retention of any foreign matter, so that sanitation is assured.

The commode shown in Fig. 3 comprises a casing 42 preferably of wood, properly treated to render it sanitary, and which is provided with a straight bottom, side and end walls. One of the end walls 43 constitutes a door which is slidably connected with the casing, and carries a fastening device 44 of any preferred construction to hold the door closed. This casing is of a size to receive a suitable vessel to catch the fecal matter discharged as the result of an enema.

The casing is secured to a support 45 constructed. preferably of wood, and of a length and width to fit within the frame and to rest upon the bars 5. The support is provided with the usual opening 46 which is adapted to be closed by a cover 47 hinged at 48 to the sup ort, the cover serving also as a rest for the ack of the patient when using the commode.

In order that a patient may be shielded from unnecessary exposure during treatment, there is a curtain support 49 provided which is constructed of a length of heavy wire or tubing, one end of which is secured to the side rail 1, and the other end of which extended to the foot of the table and secured to the guide 22.

The side rail 1 is provided with a crotched syringe nozzle holder 50, and each of the supports 39 and 45 with appropriate handles 51 by which the douche pan and com- 1 mode can be lifted to and from the table.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1. The combination with a frame, of a table arranged at the head thereof and foldable into the frame, a cross-piece pivotally connected with the foot of the frame and foldable over upon the same, means for automatically locking the cross-piece in vertical position, and an adjustable standard carried by the foot piece.

2. The combination with a frame, of an angularly adjustable table pivotally connected with the head thereof and foldable suitable receiver. The receptacle is secured 1 into the frame, a receptacle supported by the frame, a cross piece pivotally connected with the foot of the frame and loldable over the same, means for automatically lockin the cross piece in vertical position, an a justable standard carried by the cross piece, and vertically adjustable rocking limb supports carried by the frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

SARAH ANN MENDENHALL.

Witnesses:

SARAH PAGE, SARAH M. WOODWARD.

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