Intra-rectal drain and receptacle for fecal incontinence

• US 5,520,669 A
• Filed: 07/19/1994
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin J. Mulholland
• Original Assignee: Kevin J. Mulholland
• Inventors: Mulholland, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Polutta, Mark O.
• Application Number:
  US08/276,354
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 604/348, 604/355, 604/327-331, 604/337, 600/29-31, 606/197
• US Class Current: 604/328
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/451 Genital or anal receptacles A61F5/441, A61F5/442, A61F5/443 take precedence ; other body securing means A61F5/4408; devices for taking faeces samples A61B10/0038; devices for taking urine samples A61B10/007

Abstract

A spring is imbedded in a collapsible rubberized ring with a flat broad bottom and peaked top having a wide inwardly sloping top face. The ring compresses together in a linear shape for anal insertion and expands out into a ring inside past the interior anal sphincter. A tapering funnel-shaped resilient neck connects the ring to an external receptacle to collect excretions. The receptacle may be formed integrally with the neck and ring or may be detachable. A gas release valve is built into the top of the receptacle. An enema tube may be inserted in the neck. Reinforcement on two opposing sides of the ring facilitates collapse of the ring by pulling on the neck for easy removal of the device from the patient. The spring may be a coil spring, a flat spring or a combination of the two. A slotted tube with a plunger and handle may be used to insert the compressed ring into the anal opening of a patient. The ring, neck, and receptacle are formed of a non-allergenic polymer such as Latex (TM).

Claims

1. An intra-rectal drain and receptacle for fecal incontinence comprising:

a rubberlike collapsible springy circular ring having a broad flat bottom surface and a wide inwardly sloping upper surface, wherein the ring may be squeezed closed and allowed to spring open;

extending downwardly from the ring a resilient water-tight collapsible neck tapering downwardly in a funnel shape from the ring;

flexibly connected with a water-tight connection to the neck, a resilient water-tight receptacle, wherein the receptacle is provided with a gas release valve;

wherein the ring is substantially triangular in cross-section with the widest side on the bottom and two unequal sides on the top forming a peak with the wider top side on the interior of the circular ring sloping inwardly toward the center of the circular ring;

inside the ring under the peak, a circular spring imbedded in the ring;

wherein the ring is reinforced on opposing sides of the ring, so that pulling on the neck of the ring, when the ring is in place inside a patient will cause non-reinforced sides of the ring to collapse inwardly pulling the ring into a linear shape allowing the ring to slip out of the patient.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising inside the ring under the peak, a circular spring imbedded in the ring.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the spring is a coil spring.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the spring is a flat spring.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the spring is a flat spring and a coiled spring combined together.

6. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a tube inserted in the tapering neck in a water-tight connection, wherein enema solution may be pumped through the tube into the neck.

7. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a tube having a longitudinal slot and a plunger with a handle at one end of the tube, wherein the ring may be squeezed together into a linear shape, inserted in the tube with the neck protruding out through the slot, and the handle pushed causing the plunger to insert the ring into the rectal opening of a patient, after which the tube is removed.

8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a second ring around the neck spaced apart from the first ring so that when the first ring is inserted into an anus of a patient with the first ring opening past an interior anal sphinctor of the patient, the second ring will remain Just outside the anus so that the two rings hold the invention in place.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein the ring and neck and receptacle are fabricated in one piece by molding a flexible non-allergenic polymer.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the polymer is a disposable elastomer such as LATEX (TM).

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein the receptacle is removably attached by a water-tight connection to the neck.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the receptacle is shaped to suit any desired usage by a patient.