US2689567A - Hydrotherapeutic device - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 21, 1954 F. L. WELCH HYDROTHERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed June 29, 1951 a 0 Q a R mm ,mm L E EN R. ww u n] W M H m R...\ L. E8 B 8 L m Mm r 5w f w y 8 I Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to hydrotherapeutic devices and more particularly to a colostomy flushing device applicable to receive and to conduct for disposal into any desired receptacle bodily secretions and discharges in a convenient manner and providing douchin facilities conducive to sanitation.

Although the device of the present invention is adapted for use in receiving and conducting many bodily secretions and discharges for sanitary disposal and provides douching facilities for sanitary purposes, for descriptive convenience the structure and operation thereof is described in connection with its use as a, colostomy flushing device.

Recent surgical practices involving the removal of portions of patients large intestines not in frequently require the formation of permanent artificial openings in the colon referred to as colostomies. Not only are such operations serious in nature, but the discharge of colonic material from the artificial openings results in such inconvenience and embarrassment to patients frequently to cause them to lose the desire to survive. In addition to the complete loss of normal control incident to such operations, proper sanitation is extremely difficult to achieve and has heretofore required painstaking and exacting attention consuming much time. Further, to endeavor to effect such discharge at selected intervals, patients have had to assume grotesque positions and attitudes frequently attained with great discomfort and strain.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide animproved hydrotherapeutic device adapted to receive and to conduct for disposal into any desired receptacle bodily secretions and discharges.

Another object is to provide such a device having douching facilities for sanitation purposes and enematic use.

Another object is to provide a device of the character and for the purposes set forth that is useable by a patient in selected prone or seated positions without the bodily distortion and discomfort heretofore considered inescapable attendant the effecting of colostomic discharge.

Another object is to provide a colostomy device which is adapted for continuous wear or inter mittent utilization as patient requirements suggest.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a colostomy flush- 2 ing device embodying the ent invention.

Fig. 2 is a foreshortened vertical section of principles of the presthe device shown in Fig. 1 taken on line 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the device of the present invention somewhat similar to Fig. 2 but showing the device positioned for douching operations or to administer an enema.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 4 showing the device positioned for free colostomy discharge and flushing operations.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section, as taken on line 66 of Fig. 1.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing:

The device of the present invention provides a substantially cylindrical, hollow body It of rigid, preferably transparent, material such as glass, plastic or the like. The body is preferably centrally constricted andhas an open end portion I 1 adapted for fluid tight association with a skin surface of a patient and an open opposite end portion [2.

For convenience in mounting and rotatably positioning the body [0, a collar I5 is rotatably mounted in circumscribing relation on the con" stricted central portion and provides laterally extended belt loops IS. A belt I! is connected to the loopsll and provides a convenient means when constricted about a patient for attaining the fluid tight association described.

A diaphragm 20 preferably of flexible resilient sheet material such as rubber, plastic or other comparable material is removeably mounted on the end H of the body [0. Although the diaphragm is preferably. resilient to facilitate fluid tight engagement with the skin surface of a patient, such as that indicated generally at 2! in Figs. 4 and 5, it will be apparent that a rigid member may in some instances be employed, the resilience of the patients flesh being relied upon to facilitate the desired association. The diaphragm conveniently provides a circumscribing rib 22 that is elastic and removably constricted in circumscribing relation on the end H of the body I0. The diaphragm has a central opening 23 and the diaphragm material thereabout ribbed, at 24, to minimize tearing and other damage thereto.

An elongated fluid conduit or bag 30 of flexible material, such as rubber, plastic or waterproof cloth has an open end portion 3| and a closed end portion 32.' The open end portion 3|, is releasably closed by any suitable clamp such a the spring clamp, shown at 33, of well known form. Intermediate the opposite end portions, the bag provides an opening 34 therein defined by a circular elastic rib 35 which is releasably constricted on the end portion [2 of the body it.

A catheter is mounted in the closed end of the bag 32 and provides a parabolic portion All disposed within the bag which has a tubular extension 42. The catheter provides a shank at, about which the closed end 32 of the bag is either formed or about which it is releasably constricted in fluid tight engagement, having a flange at and an endwardly extended nipple 45. The nipple is of well known form adapted for the releasable mounting of a fluid conduit 46 thereover. The conduit 46 is removable so that the device may be conveniently Worn by a patient while moving about and even at work and conveniently reattached for flushing operations. The tube may be attached to any suitable source of flushing or douching fluid, not shown, preferably under pressure sufficient to assure dependable flow but insumcient to cause any patient discomfort. The applicant prefers simply to connect the conduit 48 to an elevated hot water bag or the like containing desired fluid. To achieve increased dependability of fluid tight engagement of the bag with the shank 43, an elastic band l! is preferably constricted thereabout.

Operation The operation of the device of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

When it is desired to wear the device constantly rather than to employ it periodically, the clamp 33, the bag 30, and the catheter M! are collapsed within the body Iii so as to attain a compact condition, and the strap ll utilized to mount the body in desired position. The diaphragm 28 provides fluid tight engagement with the wearer.

The overall length of the body it is such that it may be worn without unduly bulky appearance but in most instances the device is employed only at intervals and thus provides no undue inconveni nce incident to even its small bulk.

During use, the clamp 3! is removed opening the lower end 8! of the bag 36. The lower end is preferably extended downwardly into a water closet bowl, not-shown, or other receptacle and upon removal of the clamp all secretions or discharged material drained from the body memher it Lit.

The tube t? is connected to the catheter at as described and a flow of water, disinfecting fluid, or other liquid directed through the catheter which may be seated in the colostomy, indicated at 50, as shown in Fig. 4. By visual reference to the positioning of the catheter made possible through the body It], the insertion is eifected with minimum of inconvenience. Not only does such positioning of the catheter permit employment of the liquid flow therefrom for douching purposes but the very frequently required administration of an enema for such cases is thus facilitated. Further, the parabolic portion l! of the catheter exercises a stretching effect on the colostomy opposing the well-known tendency thereof to close or grow shut. The catheter is also useful as a nozzle in directing fluid flow to flush the body member I!) and bag 39 as well as to wash the patients skin surface disposed within the body member it through the opening 23 in the diaphragm 20.

After a thorough cleansing of the interior of the device, the liquid flow is interrupted. If the device is to be worn, the tube 45 is removed, the lower end 3| of the bag 30 closed, and the bag held against the users body in any convenient manner or permitted to han freely, as desired. If the device is worn subsequent to use, the catheter 10 is plugged or capped by any suitable means, not shown. If not to be Worn, the belt l; is simply released and the device stored for future use.

As a cleansin convenience, the diaphragm 20 and bag 36 are readily removed from the body l0 and the individual components disinfected, boiled, or otherwise treated. The ready disassociation of the parts also permits their replacement when broken, torn, or unduly worn.

The described hydrotherapeutic device obviates the conventional inconveniences and embarrassment incident to a colostomy. It is fully effective in its operation and provides a, sanitary convenience for the described discharge and cleansing operations. It is economical to produce and durable in form.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred method and embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A hydrotherapeutic device comprising a substantially rigid, transparent, cylindrical body member having open opposite ends; a diaphragm of resilient material mounted on one end of the body member for fluid tight engagement with a skin surface of a patient; means for releasably mounting the body member with the diaphragm in said fluid tight engagement with a patient; an elongated bag of flexible material having a closed end portion, an opposite open end portion, and a central portion intermediate the end portions releasably mounted in fluid communication with the body member on the end thereof opposite from the diaphragm and in spaced relation to the diaphragm to define an inspection window through the body member'therebetween; and a fluid supply means mounted in the closed of the bag in. alignment with the open end, portion of the bag and in suflicient spaced relation to the body member to permit extension thereof through the body member and outwardly of the diaphragm opening.

. A colostomy flushing device comprising a substantially cylindrical body member of sub" stantially rigid transparent material havin open opposite ends; a diaphragm of resilient sheet material having a central opening releasably mounted over an end of the body member; an elongated bag of flexible material having a closed end portion, an open opposite end portion, and a central'portion, the central portion of the bag having an opening therein circumscribed by an elastic rib releasably constricted about the end of the body opposite from the diaphragm; and a catheter mounted in the closed end of the bag in sufiicient spaced relation to the body member to permit extension of the catheter endwardly through the body member and outwardly of the diaphragm opening.

3. A colostomy flushing device comprising a substantially cylindrical body member of transparent material having open opposite ends and a constricted central portion, a collar mounted in circumscribing relation on the body member, a mountin strap connected to the collar, a circular diaphragm of resilient sheet material having a central opening mounted in covering relation to an end of the body member, the diaphragm having an elastic peripheral edge releasably constricted on the body member, a bag of flexible material having a closed end portion and an open opposite end portion, the ba having an opening therein intermediate the opposite ends thereof fitted over the end of the body member opposite to the diaphragm, the opening in the bag beingcircumscribed by an elastic edge of the bag constricted on the body member, a catheter mounted in the closed end of the bag in sufiicient spaced relation to permit extension of the catheter endwardly through the body member and outwardly of the diaphragm opening, a flexible liquid conduit connected to the catheter, and means for releasably closing the open end of the bag.

4. A colostomy flushing device comprising a substantially cylindrical body member of substantially rigid transparent material having open opposite ends; a diaphragm of resilient sheet material having a central opening mounted over an end of the body member; an elongated ba of flexible material having an open lower end portion, a closed upper end portion, and a central portion providing an opening therein, the bag being mounted on the end of the body member opposite to the diaphragm with said end of the body member extended into the central opening of the bag and with the bag and the diaphragm being in spaced relation defining a substantially cylindrical inspection window through the body member therebetween; and a catheter mounted in the closed end of the bag in sufficient spaced relation to the body member to permit extension of the catheter endwardly through the body mem- 7 posite to the diaphragm with said end of the body member extended into the central opening of the bag and with the bag and the diaphragm being in spaced relation defining a substantially cylindrical inspection window through the body member therebetween; and a catheter having a substantially cylindrical blunt end extended longtudinally into the ba and a colostomy stretching portion in adjacent spaced relation to the blunt end of substantially paraboloidal form and the catheter being mounted in the bag in sufficient spaced relation to the body member to permit extension of the blunt end and paraboloidal stretchin portion endwardly through the body member and outwardly of the diaphragm opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,294,537 Carhart Sept. 1, 1942 2,331,226 Pritchard Oct. 5, 1943 2,504,872 Perry Apr. 18, 1950 2,524,750 Bellinger Oct. 10, 1950 2,540,777 Deahl Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,661 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1885

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