Portable Self-Contained Bowel Lavage System

• US 20090043267A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jenifer Humming
• Original Assignee: Jenifer Humming
• Inventors: Jackson, Jenifer
• Application Number:
  US11/817,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20090043267A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/275
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/24 Parts or details not covered in, or of interest apart from, groups A47K13/02 - A47K13/22, e.g. devices imparting a swinging or vibrating motion to the seats
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 17/02 Body supports, other than seats, for closets, e.g. handles, back-rests, foot-rests; Accessories for closets, e.g. reading tables devices for lifting patients or disabled persons A61G7/10
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 2017/006 Defecation help for disabled persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1064 Large intestine
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1067 Anus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0208 before use
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/022 Volume; Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0225 Devices on which the patient can sit, e.g. mounted on a toilet bowl combined with bidets A61M3/06; Devices containing liquid pumped by the patient's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/025 supplied directly from the pressurised water source, e.g. with medicament supply combined with bidets A61M3/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/06 combined with bidets
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/08 Devices in the bowl producing upwardly-directed sprays; Modifications of the bowl for use with such devices showers A47K3/28; bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H33/00, for specific parts of the body A61H35/00 ; Bidets; Combinations of bowls with urinals or bidets; Hot-air or other devices mounted in or on the bowl, urinal or bidet for cleaning or disinfecting
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/085 Hand-held spray heads for bidet use or for cleaning the bowl

Abstract

A portable, self-contained bowel lavage system for supporting a person in a sitting or squatting position during an enema, comprising a housing (21) having a seat sloping to an opening (24) over a toilet (25) and a splash-guard enclosure (23) upon which the buttocks are pressed to direct effluent into the toilet receptacle. The housing (21) is supported by legs (27) and has a seatback (26) to support a user, both of which may be removed for storage or transport. Water is supplied from a water source to a water handling system, most of which is housed within the waterproof housing (21). Water pressure is controlled by a fixed flow-control valve (52). The device has two water passageways, a first communicating with a sprayer (49) for clean-up and a second communicating through an on/off valve (50), a water filter (53), and a back-flow check-valve (55) to a rectal nozzle (56) extending from the splash-guard enclosure (23).

Claims

1. An apparatus for lavaging the lower bowel of a user, comprising:

a. a waterproof housing having an upper portion for supporting the buttocks and feet of the user, a lower portion for engaging a toilet receptacle, a rearward end, a splash guard enclosure for engaging the buttocks of the user, and a drainage hole for allowing waste effluent to drain from said housing into the toilet receptacle;

b. a pair of legs mounted to said rearward end of said housing for supporting said rearward end;

c. a seatback mounted to said legs adjacent said rearward end of said housing for supporting the back of the user; and

d. a water handling system for delivering water from a water source to a rectal nozzle, wherein said rectal nozzle is mounted within said splash guard enclosure and extends therefrom for insertion into the user'"'"'s rectum.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said legs are adjustable in length.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said legs are detachable.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seatback is detachable.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said water handling system comprises an external water handling system and an internal water handling system, wherein said internal water handling system is housed within said housing.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said external water handling system comprises:

a. a water container having a support member for supporting said water container above said housing, an inlet for receiving water from a water source, and an outlet for allowing water to flow out of said container; and

b. flexible tubing connecting said water container to a water inflow port in said housing.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said external water handling system further comprises:

a. a hand-operated sprayer; and

b. flexible tubing connecting said sprayer to a water outflow port in said housing.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said external water handling system comprises:

a. a water diverter for attachment to a source of pressurized water; and

b. flexible tubing connecting said water diverter to a water inflow port in said housing.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said external water handling system further comprises:

a. a hand-operated sprayer; and

b. flexible tubing connecting said sprayer to a water outflow port in said housing.

10. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said internal water handling system comprises:

a. a water flow splitter in communication with a water inflow port, a water outflow port, and a water outflow valve, wherein said rectal nozzle is mounted to said outflow valve;

b. an on/off valve for controlling water flow between said splitter and said outflow valve;

c. a water flow controller for regulating the rate of water flow to said outflow valve; and

d. a water filter for filtering water flowing to said outflow valve.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a retractable handle in the center anterior of said housing for engagement between the toilet seat bolts for lateral stability.

12. An apparatus for lavaging the lower bowel of a user, comprising:

a. a waterproof housing having an upper portion for supporting the buttocks and feet of the user, a lower portion for engaging a toilet receptacle, a rearward end, a splash guard enclosure for engaging the buttocks of the user, and a drainage hole for allowing waste effluent to drain from said housing into the toilet receptacle;

b. a pair of detachable legs mounted to said rearward end of said housing for supporting said rearward end, wherein said legs are adjustable in length;

c. a detachable seatback mounted to said legs adjacent said rearward end of said housing for supporting the back of the user; and

d. a water handling system for delivering water from a water source to a rectal nozzle, wherein said rectal nozzle is mounted within said splash guard enclosure and extends therefrom for insertion into the user'"'"'s rectum.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said water handling system comprises:

a. a water container having a support member for supporting said water container above said housing, an inlet for receiving water from a water source, and an outlet for allowing water to flow out of said container;

b. flexible tubing connecting said water container to a water inflow port in said housing;

c. a hand-operated sprayer;

d. flexible tubing connecting said sprayer to a water outflow port in said housing;

e. a water flow splitter in communication with said inflow port, said outflow port, and a water outflow valve, wherein said rectal nozzle is mounted to said outflow valve;

f. an on/off valve for controlling water flow between said splitter and said outflow valve;

g. a water flow controller for regulating the rate of water flow to said outflow valve; and

h. a water filter for filtering water flowing to said outflow valve.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said water handling system comprises:

a. a water diverter for attachment to a source of pressurized water;

b. flexible tubing connecting said water diverter to a water inflow port in said housing;

c. a hand-operated sprayer;

d. flexible tubing connecting said sprayer to a water outflow port in said housing;

e. a water flow splitter in communication with said inflow port, said outflow port, and a water outflow valve, wherein said rectal nozzle is mounted to said outflow valve;

f. an on/off valve for controlling water flow between said splitter and said outflow valve;

g. a water flow controller for regulating the rate of water flow to said outflow valve; and

h. a water filter for filtering water flowing to said outflow valve.

15. A method for lavaging the lower bowel of a person, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning an apparatus over a toilet receptacle, wherein said apparatus comprises a waterproof housing having an upper portion for supporting the buttocks and feet of the person, a lower portion for engaging the toilet receptacle, a rearward end, a splash guard enclosure for engaging the buttocks of the person, a drainage hole for allowing waste effluent to drain from said housing into the toilet receptacle;

a pair of legs mounted to said rearward end of said housing for supporting said rearward end; and

a water handling system for delivering water from a water source to a rectal nozzle;

wherein said rectal nozzle is mounted within said splash guard enclosure and extends therefrom for insertion into the person'"'"'s rectum;

b. positioning the person on said upper portion of said apparatus such that the person'"'"'s buttocks and feet are supported on said upper portion, the person'"'"'s buttocks are engaged by said splash guard enclosure, the person is leaning forward in a crouched position such that the person'"'"'s chest is in close proximity to the person'"'"'s knees; and

said rectal nozzle is inserted into the person'"'"'s rectum; and

c. activating said water handling system to deliver water from the water source to said rectal nozzle, whereby water is expelled from said rectal nozzle into the person'"'"'s rectum and waste effluent is drained from said housing into the toilet receptacle.