WO2013035115A1

WO2013035115A1 - Device comprising a seat board for body irrigations

Info

Publication number: WO2013035115A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Giacomo GNALI
Original assignee: Luigi Giacomo GNALI
Priority date: 2011-09-05
Filing date: 2011-09-05
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat board (10) adapted for connection to a supply line of a body/bowel irrigation system comprising a cannula (48) for irrigation with a treatment fluid. A rear part of the seat board is provided with a duct (20) which can be connected both to a treatment fluid supply line and to the irrigation cannula (48), which is removably assembled in the centre of the rear part. The board is also provided with downwardly directed suction-cup members (21 ) for securing it to either the toilet board or the edge of a toilet bowl. The invention also relates to an irrigation device connected to the seat board (10) and comprising a central control assembly (30) including at least one of a manually-operated pressure reducer (31) and a sensor (36) for detecting the temperature of the treatment fluid supplied to the irrigation cannula (48).

Description

DEVICE COMPRISING A SEAT BOARD FOR BODY IRRIGATIONS

* * * *

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to a body irrigation device, notably for cleaning the colon and/or other intestinal parts using a treatment fluid such as water, and relates particularly to a seat board which can be mounted on toilet bowls and which, in use, is designed to receive and support said device.

Background art

Various devices for irrigating the intestine, particularly the colon, are already known. For example, document EP-A-1240911 discloses a system for intestinal washing treatment forming an integral part of a conventional seat of a toilet bowl, where the seat incorporates a duct for supplying a treatment fluid towards an irrigation cannula and where the fluid supply duct can be connected to a pressurized-water source through an ordinary manually-operated valve and a pressure regulator which are arranged in a fixed position on one side of the toilet board.

However, such an embodiment is impractical both because it is not possible to separate the irrigation system from the toilet board in order to associate and use it, for example, with another toilet board of a different type and/ or with a different configuration, and because the patient does not have the possibility of safely controlling the pressure and temperature conditions of the injected treatment fluid, in addition to the difficulty of manually operating the flow control valve which is located on one side of the toilet board.

Document EP-A-1579880 discloses a portable apparatus for body irrigation comprising a special support bracket for a body irrigation cannula, said bracket being positioned between the top edge of the toilet bowl and a conventional toilet board. Even in this case, secondly the assembly for controlling the pressure, temperature and flow of the treatment fluid, typically water, is arranged on one side of the toilet bowl, in a position which is not easily visible and accessible by a patient.

Other body irrigation devices are known, for example, from documents US-1 , 838,356, US-2,007,069, US-2,528,095 and US- 5,946,741 . A common problem of the body irrigation devices known hitherto is the difficulty of correctly centring the support for the irrigation cannula between the toilet board and the top edge of the toilet bowl, and consequently the difficulty for the patient to position correctly and access the irrigation cannula, this problem resulting in the risk of the patient suffering possible internal injuries, with consequent irritation and blood loss.

Moreover, these known apparatus are unsuitable for use in combination with all toilet bowls in view of the continuous evolution in the shape and size of toilet boards and toilet bowls onto which they are to be applied.

Another problem of these apparatus consists in the difficulty for subjects, in particularly elderly or obese subjects, to bend over on one side, when in the sitting position, in order to reach and operate the valve for adjusting the treatment fluid flow and control the temperature and pressure values of the flow to be supplied through the irrigation cannula.

Yet another problem consists in the difficulty of positioning, accessing and employing the device when, on one side of the toilet bowl, there is an obstacle which may hinder its connection to the fluid supply line, in addition to the difficulty of preventing the temperature of the treatment fluid from reaching dangerous values for any reason, which could result in scalding or possible internal injury of the patient. Objects and summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to solve effectively the above mentioned problems related the prior art and, therefore, one of its objects is to propose a body/ bowel irrigation device which can be positioned and used more easily on any toilet bowl, advantageously even by subjects who are elderly and have little experience in using similar conventional irrigation apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a body/ bowel irrigation device having an innovative board for supporting the irrigation cannula such as to allow the device to be used advantageously on any type of toilet bowl and/ or toilet board regardless of their shape, so as to ensure that the board can be firmly rested and secured in all cases as well as to allow the patient to assume a correct position with respect to the irrigation cannula, thus avoiding potential traumas or injury for the patient.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a body/ bowel irrigation device of a portable type, the components of which may be easily assembled at the time of use and disassembled so as to be stowed away inside a protective case for storage and/ or transportation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a body irrigation device which is simple to use and operate since it allows control of the pressure and temperature of the washing fluid during irrigation, while ensuring that the assembly for controlling the treatment fluid remains easily accessible for the patient without the latter having to twist around or assume awkward positions.

According to the present invention, these and other objects and advantages are achieved by a seat board according to Claim 1 and by a portable body irrigation device according to Claim 7 when used in conjunction with said seat board.

According to a first aspect, in fact, the invention proposes a seat board which is designed for connection to a supply line of a body/ bowel irrigation system comprising an irrigation cannula for internal washing with a treatment fluid, the portable board being arranged so as to rest on either a conventional toilet board of a toilet bowl or an edge of said toilet bowl.

In particular, the board has a C-shaped body with a top surface and a bottom support surface and two side arms which extend forwards from a rear part of the seat board, wherein the rear part of said board is provided with a duct defining a passage for the fluid, having at least one connector for connection to the fluid supply line and a front connector located in the centre of the board for fluid connection to an irrigation cannula removably assembled in the centre of said rear part of the board.

In particular, the board is provided with fastening means consisting of one or more downwardly directed suction-cup members, each of which has a rear shank extending upwards through a first hole obtained in the board, and a member extending upwards through a second hole in the board for raising the peripheral edge of the suction cup. This allows the board to be easily secured to the toilet board or directly to the edge of a toilet bowl, as well as to be easily removed after being used.

Further preferably, the two side arms of the seat board have a thickness decreasing towards one of their front ends so as to define a front seat surface, and the inner edges of both the rear part and the two side arms have an arch-shaped surface extending from a forwardly open central recess accommodating the front connector for connecting the irrigation cannula thereto.

According to another aspect, the invention proposes a body/ bowel irrigation device comprising a supply line for supplying a treatment fluid to an irrigation cannula for internal washing, characterized by a seat board, as defined above, carrying the irrigation cannula, and in that said supply line comprises: a central assembly for controlling the flow of treatment fluid towards the irrigation cannula; a first lateral assembly for connection to a source for supplying the treatment fluid; a second lateral assembly for connection to the duct of the seat board; and in that the central control assembly can be detachably connected to said first and second lateral assemblies by means of flexible and/ or extendable pipes.

When the body/ bowel irrigation device according to the invention is arranged in this manner, it has the advantages of allowing a rapid application/ removal to/ from any conventional toilet board or toilet bowl by means of the seat board; ensuring the correct sitting position of the patient with respect to the irrigation cannula; facilitating the installation and removal of the treatment fluid supply line; and simultaneously allowing the patient to maintain a frontal position and operate the control assembly while comfortably sitting with the trunk in the erect position.

Brief description of the drawings

However, further details of the invention will become clearer from the description provided below with reference to the accompanying exemplary and non-limiting drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the seat board from above; Fig. 1a shows a horizontal cross-section through the board in a preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the board from below;

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged section of a detail as indicated by the arrows 3-3 in Figure 1 ;

Fig. 4 shows an overall view of the body irrigation device in combination with the seat board according to Figure 1 ;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the central assembly for controlling the pressure and temperature of the treatment fluid;

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the unit for supporting the irrigation cannula;

Figs. 7 and 8 show respectively a perspective view and a longitudinally sectioned view of the irrigation cannula according to an embodiment; and Figs. 7a and 8a show respectively a perspective view and a longitudinally sectioned view of the irrigation cannula according to another embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the seat board 10 according to the invention is suitable for being removably applied either to a conventional toilet board of a toilet bowl or directly to the top edge of any toilet bowl, regardless of their shape.

In particular, the board 10 consists of a C-shaped body, preferably made of plastic, wood or the like, having a flat rear part 11 extending forwards with two side arms 12 having a thickness gradually decreasing towards their free ends.

The base portion of the board 10 has a flat support surface defined by a peripheral edge 14 and by a plurality of ribs 15 located at least on the two arms 12, while the top portion of the board 0 has a sitting surface which is substantially defined by the two side arms 12 and by a curved front surface 13 having an anatomical form such as to allow a patient to assume a correct sitting position.

The curved front surface 3 follows the path of the two arms 12, from a forwardly open recess 16 located substantially in the centre of the flat rear part 1. This recess 6 has a flat bottom surface from which two tongues 17 extend so as to receive and retain a tubular support 47 intended for carrying an irrigation cannula 48 in a centred position, as shown in Figure 4 and described further below.

The board 10 is also provided with a duct 20 which extends transversely into the rear part 1 1. This duct may consist of a hole obtained directly in the rear part 1 1 of the board 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, but more preferably it will be defined by a metal tubular insert 120 which is embedded as a reinforcement in the rear part of the board, as shown in Figure 1 a.

In any case, two first connectors 18 are assembled at the ends of the duct 20 for connecting either one of such connectors to a line supplying water or some other treatment fluid as required, while a middle part of the duct 20 has a branch-off point 20' fitted with a third connector 18 received in the front central recess 16 of the board 10.

The connectors 18 are preferably of the quick-fit female type and, in any case, they are suitable for being connected to male connectors 8' which are entirely similar to those normally employed for connecting rubber pipes or garden hoses. The connectors 8 may also incorporate a one-way check valve which is kept normally closed by either a spring or the pressure itself of the fluid supplied, and which opens automatically upon being coupled with a male type connector 18'.

Advantageously, the board 10 is also provided with a fastening system allowing it to be assembled and secured while in use and removed after being used.

In particular, this securing system comprises two downwardly directed suction cups 21 which are located on the flat rear part 1 1 of the board 10. Each suction cup 21 - Figures 1-3 - has a supporting shank 23 extending into a front cavity 22 through a first hole 24, as well as a raising member 25 which is associated with a point on the peripheral edge of the suction cup 21 for deactivating the same, and extending into the cavity 22 through a second hole 26 which is preferably conical. For example, the supporting shank 23 is inserted and pressure - retained inside the hole 24, and the peripheral edge of the suction cup 21 normally projects downwards beyond the bottom surface of the board 10; for its part, the member 25 for raising the edge of the suction cup 21 is accessible from above through the hole which facilitates the gripping thereof with the fingers of one hand.

Therefore, in order to secure the seat board 10 for example to a toilet board, generally denoted by 27, it is sufficient to correctly place it on the top of the toilet board and press the supporting shanks 23 with a finger of one hand until the suction cups 21 adhere to the support surface.

In this way, the seat board 10 is firmly fixed in position for mounting the irrigation cannula 48 thereto and allowing a patient to sit in the correct position for inserting the cannula and starting the intestinal washing treatment.

When the board 10 has to be removed, it is sufficient to pull the raising member 25 upwards until each suction member 21 is disengaged from the support surface. Then, the seat board 10 may be stowed away in a protective case so that it can be easily transported and, however, until the next time it is used.

Figure 4 shows the assembly consisting of a device with a treatment fluid supply line for body/ bowel irrigation which is connected to the seat board 10 as described above. The treatment fluid supply line can be easily connected to both the board and the irrigation cannula by using quick-fit connectors 18, 18'.

In particular, the treatment fluid supply line comprises a central control assembly 30 which can be connected, by means of the quick-fit connectors, to the other components of the system through flexible and/ or extendable pipes so as to allow the patient sitting on the board 10 to position him/ herself in front of the control assembly 30 for operating the same.

The central control assembly 30 - Figures 4 and 5 - comprises a pressure regulator 31 which can be operated manually by means of a respective knob 32, a manometer or pressure gauge 33, and a sensor 36 for detecting the temperature of the treatment fluid supplied to the irrigation cannula 48.

Preferably, the pressure regulator 31 has an associated safety valve 35 for preventing overpressures, which can be reactivated manually by operating a suitable pushbutton, while the temperature sensor 36 is provided with a respective dial 37 for reading-off the temperature. On either side of the control assembly 30 there is a female type connector 18 adapted for combining with a male connector 18' at the ends of flexible tubes 39 and 45.

The input side of the control assembly 30 can be connected to a treatment fluid source through a first tube 39, a filter 40, a second flexible tube 41 and a first lateral safety assembly 42. When water is used for an irrigation treatment, the fluid source may consist of an ordinary hot and cold water mixer tap of a washbasin, bidet or shower.

The first lateral safety assembly 42 may comprise a manually operated valve 43 and a normally open thermostatic valve 44, comprising a thermostatic sensor adapted for closing the valve when the temperature of the incoming fluid exceeds a preset safety value. The central control assembly 30 can also be connected to the duct 20 of the board 10 through a third flexible tube 45 and a second lateral control assembly 46 which includes a second manually operated valve 46.

In this device, the irrigation cannula 48, which is preferably made of silicone, is arranged vertically and connected to the central connector 18 of the central branch-off point of the duct 20 in the board by means of the tubular support 47.

In particular and as shown in Figure 6, the tubular support element 47 for the irrigation cannula 48 is formed by a tubular element bent as an "L" having, at one end, a head 49 resting on the tongues 17 and having a male connector 18' which can be coupled to the central female connector 18 of the board and, at the opposite end, a shank 50 with an upwardly directed extension 51 onto which the cannula 48 is fitted. The shank 50 is provided at the bottom with a safety valve 52 having a shutter 53 kept normally in the closed position by a spring 54 and intended to open automatically the valve 52 towards the toilet bowl when the pressure of the fluid supplied to the cannula 48 exceeds a predefined value.

Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment of the irrigation cannula 48 consisting of a tubular body ending at the top in a nozzle 55 for dispensing the treatment fluid and having, at its base, an internal diameter adapted for combining with the extension 51 of the shank 50. Moreover, the cannula 48 has, on one side thereof, a weakened fracture zone 56 adjacent to its base and adapted for allowing the cannula to be removed from the extension by operating a gripping tongue 57. Furthermore, said tongue 57 may be provided with a ring 58 for fastening to the safety valve 52 carried by the shank 50 - Figure 4 - in order to prevent the cannula 48 from coming off the extension 51 in an uncontrolled manner and penetrating entirely into the patient's body, for example if it is pushed therein by the pressure itself of the injected fluid or when the patient is inclined to stand up. Moreover, a one-way valve consisting, for example, of an inner bush 59 and a sealing sphere 60 may be inserted inside the cannula 48 in order to prevent any return of the fluid contaminated with organic fluids.

Differently from the embodiment according to Figures 7 and 8 where the cannula 48 forms a body integral with the gripping tongue 57, in a constructional variant as shown in Figures 7a and 8a, the cannula 148, which is otherwise entirely similar to the above mentioned cannula 48 except for an upper tapered portion, is preferably made of silicone and forms a separate member to be coupled with a bottom sleeve 148a. In this case, the cannula 148 has a foot 148b which is combined with said bottom sleeve 148a without the possibility of being upwardly extracted, said bottom sleeve being in turn arranged and dimensioned such as to engage the extension 51 of the shank 50 of the support 47 along with the cannula. Furthermore, the bottom sleeve 148a forms a body which is preferably integral with a gripping tongue 157 also ending in a ring 158 for fastening to the safety valve 52 mounted on the shank 50 of the support element 47.

How a patient can use the body/ bowel irrigation device in combination with the seat board 10 is self-evident. The patient, or other person assisting him/ her, has to position the board and secure it to either the toilet board or the edge of a toilet bowl by means of the suction cups 21. Then, the tubular support 47 has to be rested on the tongues 17 and connected to the connector 18 of the central branch-off point of the duct 20 obtained or embedded in the board, the irrigation cannula 48 or 148 mounted on this support 47 and then the central control assembly 30 connected, on one side, to an end connector 18 of said duct 20 via the tube 45 and, on the opposite side, to the treatment fluid source via the thermostatic safety assembly 42 located at the end of the assembly comprising the tube 30, the filter 40 and the tube 41 - Figure 4.

At this point, the patient may easily sit on the board 10 and insert the irrigation cannula 40 into the sphincter without causing traumas or injury, after which he/ she will be able to regulate the flow, pressure and temperature of the intestinal washing fluid by operating the control assembly instruments, with the possibility of repeating the treatment several times, if necessary.

The safety members, such as the safety valve 35 of the central control assembly 30 and/ or the valve 52 associated with the support 47, will be activated automatically and will stop the flow of fluid towards the irrigation cannula should any overpressure occur, while the thermostatic valve 44 will also be activated and will stop the fluid flow should an unwanted temperature be reached.

Finally, it should be noted that the seat board and the irrigation device described above may in any case be subject to further modifications or variations without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

DEVICE COMPRISING A SEAT BOARD FOR BODY IRRIGATIONS * * * * CLAIMS

1. Seat board (10) adapted for connection to a supply line of a body/bowel irrigation system comprising an irrigation cannula (48) for internal washing with a treatment fluid, wherein the seat board is arranged to rest on either a conventional toilet board of a toilet bowl or the edge of said toilet bowl, and wherein the seat board is formed by a C-shaped body having a top surface and a bottom support surface (14) and two side arms (12) extending forwards from a rear part (1 ) of the seat board, characterized in that the rear part (1 1) of said board is provided with a duct (20) defining a passage for the treatment fluid, provided with at least one end connector (18) for connecting to the fluid supply line and a front connector (18) located in the centre of the board for fluid connection to an irrigation cannula (48) removably assembled in the centre of said rear part of the board, and in that the board is provided with fastening means consisting of one or more downwardly directed suction-cup members (21), each having a supporting shank (23) extending upwards through a first hole (24) obtained in the board, and a gripping member (25) extending upwards through a second hole (26) in the board for raising the peripheral edge of the suction cup in order to deactivate it.

2. Seat board according to Claim 1 , wherein said two side arms (12) have a thickness decreasing towards one of their front ends so as to define a top seat surface with anatomical shape, and the inner edges of both the rear part (1 1) and the side arms (12) have an arch-shaped surface extending from a forwardly open central recess (16) which is located in the centre of said rear part to accommodate the front connector (18) to which the irrigation cannula (48) is to be connected through a tubular support element (47).

3. Seat board according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the duct (20) substantially defining the passage for the treatment fluid from the supply line to the irrigation cannula (48) through the tubular support element (47) consists of a hole obtained in the rear part (1 1 ) of the board (10).

4. Seat board according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the duct (20) substantially defining the passage for the treatment fluid from the supply line to the irrigation cannula (48) through the tubular support element (47) is delimited by a metal tube (12) embedded in the rear part (1 1 ) of the board (10).

5. Seat board according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein, at the central recess (16) of the rear part (1 1 ) of the board (10), said duct (20) has an intermediate branch-off point to which the central connector (18) is fitted for connecting the tubular support element (47) carrying the irrigation cannula (48) thereto.

6. Seat board according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said central recess (16) has a bottom surface with two forwardly extending tongues (17) intended to sustain the tubular support element (47) carrying the irrigation cannula (48).

7. Body/bowel irrigation device comprising a supply line for supplying a treatment fluid to an irrigation cannula (48) for internal washing, characterized by a seat board (10) carrying the irrigation cannula by means of a tubular support element (47) according to the preceding claims, and in that said supply line comprises: a central assembly (30) for controlling the flow of treatment fluid towards the irrigation cannula (48); a first lateral assembly (42) for connection to a source for supplying the treatment fluid; a second lateral assembly (45, 46) for connection to the duct (20) of the seat board, and in that the central control assembly (30) can be detachably connected to said first and second lateral assemblies by means of flexible and/ or extendable pipes (39, 41 , 45).

8. Body/bowel irrigation device according to Claim 7, wherein the central assembly (30) comprises at least one of a manually-operated pressure reducer (31 ) and a sensor (36) for detecting the temperature of the treatment fluid supplied to the irrigation cannula (48).

9. Body/bowel irrigation device according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the first and second lateral assemblies (42, 46) each comprise a manually operated intercept valve, and wherein the first lateral assembly comprises a thermostatic safety valve (44), said first and second assemblies being able to be connected to the central assembly by means of flexible and/ or extendable pipes using quick-fit connectors.

10. Body/bowel irrigation device according to one of Claims 7 to

9, wherein the tubular support element (47) of the irrigation cannula (48) is formed by a tubular element bent as an "L" having, at one end, a head (49) provided with a connector which can be coupled to the front connector (18) of the seat board and, at the opposite end, a shank (50) with an upwardly directed extension (51 ), and wherein the irrigation cannula (48) consists of a tubular body ending in a top nozzle (55) and having, at its base, an internal diameter adapted for combining with the extension (51 ) of the shank (50) of said tubular support element (47), said irrigation cannula being further provided with a gripping tongue ending in a fastening ring (57, 58).

1 1 . Body/bowel irrigation device according to one of Claims 7 to

9, wherein the tubular support element (47) of the irrigation cannula (48) is formed by a tubular element bent as an "L" having, at one end, a head (49) provided with a connector which can be coupled to the front connector (18) of the seat board and, at the opposite end, a shank (50) with an upwardly directed extension (51 ), and wherein the irrigation cannula (148) has a foot (148b) which is combined to a bottom sleeve (148a) without the possibility of being extracted upwardly, said bottom sleeve being designed to couple, together with the irrigation cannula, with the extension (51 ) of the shank (50) of said support element (47), said bottom sleeve being provided with a gripping tongue (157) ending in a fastening ring (158).