Remote-controlled barium injection apparatus

• US 4,090,502 A
• Filed: 05/10/1976
• Issued: 05/23/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Institute of Hoshokai
• Original Assignee: Medical Institute of Hoshokai
• Inventors: Tajika, Akeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Kyle L.
• Application Number:
  US05/684,740
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2 A, 128/2 R, 128/230, 128/240, 128/241, 128/DIG. 1, 128/DIG. 12, 128/DIG. 13
• US Class Current: 600/431
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/481 involving the use of contrast agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/504 for diagnosis of blood vessels, e.g. by angiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/005 for contrast media
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/12 Pressure infusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/13 Infusion monitoring

Abstract

Injection of barium into the lower digestive tract of a patient to be examined and subsequent reflux and evacuation of the barium by air compression is effected by remote control whereby greater safety is achieved in production of double contrast studies or fluoroscopic examination. The apparatus employs detachable anal insertion units which are the only portion of the apparatus in direct contact with a patient. A new anal insertion unit is used for each patient, whereby cleaning of the apparatus is made easier and hygiene is improved.

Claims

1. A remote-controlled barium injection apparatus comprising:

an anal insertion unit insertable in the anus of a patient, said anal insertion unit having in a leading end portion thereof an air injection port and a separate barium injection and evacuation port;

barium supply system means, connectable to said barium injection and evacuation port, for supplying barium under pressure to said barium injection and evacuation port and therethrough into the intestine and rectal region of a patient;

air supply system means, connectable to said air injection port, for supplying air under pressure to said air injection port and therethrough into the intestine and rectal region of a patient;

barium exhaust system means, connectable to said barium injection and evacuation port, for evacuating barium from the intestine and rectal region of a patient through said barium injection and evacuation port;

first measurement means, operatively connected to said barium supply system means, for measuring the amount of barium supplied by said barium supply system means to said barium injection and evacuation port;

second measurement means, operatively connected to said air supply system means, for measuring the amount of air supplied by said air supply system means to said air injection port; and

a control panel separately located from the remainder of the apparatus and including;

barium supply actuation means, remotely connected to said barium supply system means, for actuating said barium supply system means and for supplying barium therefrom through said barium injection and evacuation port of said anal insertion unit into the intestine and rectal region of a patient;

first display means, remotely connected to said first measurement means, for displaying values measured by said first measurement means;

air supply actuation means, remotely connected to said air supply system means, for actuating said air supply system means and for supplying air therefrom through said air injection port of said anal insertion unit into and causing inflation of the intestine and rectal region of the patient;

second display means, remotely connected to said second measurement means, for displaying values measured by said second measurement means; and

barium exhaust actuation means, connected to said air supply actuation means and remotely connected to said barium exhaust system means, for actuating said barium exhaust system means and for removing excess barium from the intestine and rectal region of the patient through said barium injection and evacuation port of said anal insertion unit, while again actuating said air supply actuation means and thereby maintaining inflation of the intestine and rectal region of the patient.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anal insertion unit is removably attached to said air supply system means, said barium supply system means and said barium exhaust system means, wherein said anal insertion unit further includes selectively operable retention means for preventing undesired removal of said anal insertion unit from the anus of a patient, and wherein said air injection port is located closer to the leading end of said anal insertion unit than said barium injection and evacuation port.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said retention means comprises an inflatable ring member positioned externally around said anal insertion unit.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air supply system means comprises a cylinder connectable to said air injection port, and piston means movable within said cylinder for moving air therethrough, and said second measurement means comprises a bank of switches positioned in a line parallel with the direction of movement of said piston means within said cylinder, and switch actuator means mounted on said piston means and movable therewith for successively actuating said switches during movement of said piston means.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barium supply system means comprises a storage tank for storing therein an initial supply of barium, said storage tank being connectable to said barium injection and evacuation port, and said first measurement means comprises a vertical rod fixedly positioned within said storage tank, a plurality of switches vertically spaced along said rod, and float means, positioned about said rod and vertically movable therealong in response to the level of barium in said storage tank, for successively actuating said switches during movement of said float means.