Intussusception air reduction system

• US 5,061,239 A
• Filed: 01/31/1990
• Issued: 10/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William E. Shiels
• Original Assignee: William E. Shiels
• Inventors: Shiels, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rafa, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/473,088
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 604/26, 604/93, 604/187, 604/190, 604/217, 606/191, 606/197
• US Class Current: 604/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/772 operating alternately
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0014 removed from the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/02 Gases

Abstract

A system for the air reduction of intussusception in infants and children. The system comprises a main tube terminating of its distal end in an enema tip. The proximal end of the main tube is connected to an in-line filter which stops reflux of aerosol and liquid/solid contaminants therebeyond. The filter is connected to a three-way, lever-actuated stopcock which, in turn, is connected to a hand-operated insufflator bulb. The air reduction system is provided with an aneroid gauge. The guage and bulb may constitute a reusable, integral assembly, the remainder of the system being disposable. The entire system may be disposable with a disposable gauge connected ahead of the in-line filter. A reusable gauge may be remotely located and connected to the air reduction system via a branch tube and a T-fitting located between the filter and the three-way valve, all of the system save the remote gauge being disposable. All of the embodiments may be provided with a pop-off valve and adapter located between the filter and the stopcock. All of the embodiments are held and actuated by one hand of the operator, the lever of the stopcock being operated in fingertip, trigger-like fashion.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the air reduction of intussusception comprising an elongated main tube terminating at its distal end in an enema tip, the proximal end of said main tube being connected to an in-line filter capable of stopping reflux of aerosol and liquid/solid contaminants, a three-way lever-actuated stopcock, said stopcock having first, second and third ports, said first and third ports being coaxial, said second port being perpendicular to said first and third ports and opening to atmosphere, said first port being connected to said filter, a hand actuated one-way bulb having an outlet means for the expulsion of air therein when said bulb is squeezed and a separate inlet for the intake of air when said bulb is released, said third port of said stopcock being connected to said bulb outlet means, said stopcock being shiftable between a first position wherein said first port is closed sealing the remainder of said apparatus from atmosphere and said outlet means of said bulb, the outlet means of said bulb being connected to atmosphere via said second port, a second position closing said second port leading to atmosphere and connecting said bulb outlet means with the remainder of said apparatus for insufflation, and a third position closing said third port to said bulb outlet means and connecting the remainder of said apparatus to atmosphere via said second port for decompression, said stopcock lever being so positioned as to be shiftable by the index finger of the operator'"'"'s hand which holds and actuates said bulb, and an aneroid pressure gauge connected to said apparatus between said main tube and said bulb.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said bulb and said aneroid pressure gauge comprise an integral assembly.

3. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 including a Y-shaped connector tube having first, second and third branches, said first branch being connected to said distal end of said main tube, said second branch being connected to said aneroid pressure gauge, said third branch being connected to said filter, a support block having a passage therethrough connected between said filter and said first stopcock port, said aneroid pressure gauge being mounted on said support block.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 including a T-fitting connected between said filter and said first stopcock port, a branch tube having first and second ends, said first end of said branch tube being connected to said T-fitting, said second end of said branch tube being connected to said aneroid pressure gauge, said branch tube being of such length as to enable remote mounting of said aneroid pressure gauge.

5. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said main tube is transparent.

6. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said main tube is made of polyvinylchloride.

7. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said in-line filter contains a hydrophobic acrylic polymer with a pore size of about 0.2 micron.

8. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 including an adapter block having a passage therethrough connected between said filter and said first port of said stopcock, a hollow fitting mounted on said adapter block;

said adapter block having a branch passage leading to said fitting, an adjustable pressure relief valve being mounted on said fitting.

9. The apparatus claimed in claim 1 wherein said connections between the distal end of said main tube and said enema tip, the proximal end of said main tube and said filter, and said filter and said first port of said stop cock are adhesively bonded.

10. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said main tube is transparent.

11. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said main tube is made of polyvinylchloride.

12. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein said in-line filter contains a hydrophobic acrylic polymer with a pore size of about 0.2 micron.

13. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 including an adapter block having a passage therethrough connected between said filter and said first port of said stopcock, a hollow fitting mounted on said adapter block;

said adapter block having a branch passage leading to said fitting, an adjustable pressure relief valve being mounted on said fitting.

14. The apparatus claimed in claim 2 wherein all of said connections save that between said stopcock third port and said bulb/gauge assembly are adhesively bonded.

15. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said main tube is transparent.

16. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said main tube is made of polyvinylchloride.

17. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein said in-line filter contains a hydrophobic acrylic polymer with a pore size of about 0.2 micron.

18. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 including a hollow fitting mounted on said support block, said support block having a branch passage leading to said hollow fitting, an adjustable pressure relief valve being mounted on said hollow fitting.

19. The apparatus claimed in claim 3 wherein all of said connections are adhesively bonded.

20. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein said main tube is transparent.

21. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein said main tube is made of polyvinylchloride.

22. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein said in-line filter contains a hydrophobic acrylic polymer with a pore size of about 0.2 micron.

23. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 including an adapter block having a passage therethrough connected between said filter and said first port of said stopcock, a hollow fitting mounted on said adapter block;

said adapter block having a branch passage leading to said fitting, an adjustable pressure relief valve being mounted on said fitting.

24. The apparatus claimed in claim 4 wherein said connections between said distal end of said main tube and said enema tip, said proximal end of said main tube and said filter, said T-fitting and said filter, said T-fitting and said branch tube, said T-fitting and said stop cock, and said stop cock and said bulb are adhesively bonded.