Transanal irrigation device and system

The present application is the U.S. National Stage Application of PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/065266, filed Dec. 8, 2017, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/434,143, filed Dec. 14, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to body cavity irrigation devices, methods and systems and, in particular, to a transanal irrigation device that includes an extended handle that is usable by patients possessing a wide range of dexterity levels and systems that use such a device.

Transanal irrigation (TAI) is a process used by individuals who have bowel management issues, such as incontinence, constipation or other neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD). Alternatively, TAI may be used for regular bowel evacuations by individuals who are incapacitated due to illness or other medical conditions or injuries (such as spinal cord injury) and thus lack the mobility to access a toilet. During TAI, water or other lavage liquid is introduced into the rectum and colon through a device positioned through the anus so that feces are flushed and evacuated. This creates pseudo-continence for the patient/user. Furthermore, individuals that are bedridden may develop fecal impaction. Such bowel obstructions may be removed via TAI.

Systems for performing TAI currently on the market allow the user to introduce water into the bowel through a rectal catheter while the user sits on a toilet or a commode/shower chair or lays in a bed. The user introduces an amount of water or other liquid into the bowel (typically 500-700 mL) in order to flush out stool located in the bowel passage. The user typically introduces the water, waits for a period of time and then allows gravity to flush the water and stool out of the body.

For TAI users, independence, dexterity, and ease of use are important needs that must be addressed by a TAI system or method.

There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

In one aspect, a device for performing transanal irrigation includes an elongated neck having a proximal end and a flushing liquid channel passing therethrough. The flushing liquid channel is adapted to communicate with a source of flushing liquid. An insert is positioned on the proximal end of the neck and is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity of a user. The insert has a flushing liquid opening that is in fluid communication with the flushing liquid channel of the neck. A control housing is connected to the neck. A pump is positioned within the control housing and is configured so that when the pump is activated, pressurized flushing liquid is able to flow through the flushing liquid channel and exit through the flushing liquid opening of the insert. A pair of support arms are attached to the neck and configured to rest on a sitting user's legs with the insert positioned below a body cavity of the user.

In another aspect, a system for performing transanal irrigation includes a liquid pressurizing device configured to contain and pressurize a supply of flushing liquid. The system also includes a transanal irrigation device having an elongated neck having a proximal end and a flushing liquid channel passing therethrough. The flushing liquid channel is in fluid communication with the liquid pressurizing device. An insert is positioned on the proximal end of the neck and is adapted to be inserted into a body cavity of a user. The insert also has a flushing liquid opening that is in fluid communication with the flushing liquid channel of the neck. A control housing is connected to the neck. A pump is positioned within the control housing and configured so that when the pump is activated, pressurized flushing liquid from the liquid pressurizing device flows through the flushing liquid channel and exits through the flushing liquid opening of the insert.

In yet another aspect, a device for performing transanal irrigation includes an elongated neck having a proximal end and a flushing liquid channel passing therethrough. The flushing liquid channel is adapted to communicate with a source of flushing liquid. An insert is positioned on the proximal end of the neck and has a core having a sidewall and a tip. The tip includes a flushing liquid opening that is in fluid communication with the flushing liquid channel of the neck. The insert also includes a flexible body surrounding an exterior surface of the sidewall in a spaced fashion so that an annular chamber is defined. The annular chamber is adapted to contain a lubricant and the flexible body includes a pore. A control housing is connected to the neck of the device. A pump is positioned within the control housing and is configured so that when the pump is activated, pressurized flushing liquid is able to flow through the flushing liquid channel and exit through the flushing liquid opening of the insert.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a transanal irrigation system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the transanal irrigation device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective exploded view of the proximal end of the transanal irrigation device and the insert of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert of FIGS. 1 and 3 .

An embodiment of a transanal irrigation (TAI) system is indicated in general at 10 in FIG. 1 . The system includes a transanal irrigation device, indicated in general at 12 , a liquid pressurizing device, indicated in general at 14 , and a tubing or tube line 16 connecting the two components 12 and 14 .

While the invention is described below in terms of use as a transanal irrigation device and system, it is to be understood that the invention could be used to irrigate other body cavities of a user including, but not limited to, stomas and body cavities accessible by stomas.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the TAI device 12 takes the form of a wand and includes a control housing 22 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the control housing includes a chamber that houses a pump 26 , inlet and outlet valves 28 a and 28 b , control circuitry 32 and a battery 34 . Inlet and outlet valves 28 a and 28 b may be solenoid operated valves or alternative types of automatic valves. Alternatively, manual valves may be used. A power on/off button or switch 36 and an activate/deactivate pump button or switch 38 are mounted in the control housing 22 as well. The top and bottom surfaces of the control housing 22 include recesses 40 a and 40 b so that the control housing may function as a handle.

An intermediate portion 42 is attached to the proximal end of the control housing 22 , while an elongated neck portion 44 is attached to the proximal end of the intermediate portion 42 . As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a flushing liquid channel 46 extends through each of the control housing 22 , intermediate portion 42 and neck portion 44 . The control housing 22 , intermediate portion 42 and neck portion 44 may be integrally molded as a single piece, such as from plastic, or they may be formed as separate components that are joined together. In addition, the flushing liquid channel may be integrally molded within the control housing, intermediate portion and neck portion, or it may be separately formed as a tube that is positioned within these components.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the intermediate portion 42 includes an ear or tab 52 to which is pivotally mounted a support arm 54 . The pivot connection permits the support arm 54 to be folded between a use position, shown in FIG. 1 , where the longitudinal axis 56 of the support arm 54 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 58 of the intermediate portion 42 and the control housing 22 , and a transport or storage position, where the arm 54 is positioned adjacent to the intermediate portion 42 and the control housing 22 with longitudinal axes 56 and 58 parallel to one another. This folding action is illustrated by arrow 60 of FIG. 1 .

Support arm 64 is pivotally mounted to the intermediate portion 42 in a similar fashion and features a longitudinal axis 66 . As indicated by arrow 70 of FIG. 1 , the support arm 64 also folds between the use position shown in FIG. 1 to a transport or storage position where the longitudinal axis 66 is parallel to longitudinal axis 58 .

A squeeze bulb 72 is mounted on a fitting 74 . As illustrated in FIG. 1 , tubing line 16 is connected to the fitting 74 . As shown in FIG. 2 , fitting 74 includes a passage 76 that is in fluid communication with flushing liquid channel 46 . A pair of check valves, illustrated at 78 a and 78 b in FIG. 2 , are positioned between the interior chamber of the squeeze bulb 72 and the passage 76 of the fitting 74 .

With reference to FIG. 3 , the proximal end of the neck portion 44 is provided with an insert mount 82 that features a passage 84 . Passage 84 is in fluid communication with the flushing liquid channel 46 ( FIG. 2 ) via fitting 86 . As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , a disposable insert cone, indicated in general at 90 , is removably positioned on the insert mount 82 . The insert cone 90 includes a combination shield and stop 92 and a generally cone-shaped (or frusto-conical) core 94 . Core 94 may feature alternative shapes such as cylindrical. Core 94 includes a tip 95 that is provided with a flushing liquid opening 96 . Flushing liquid opening 96 is in fluid communication with the passage 84 of the insert mount 82 when the insert cone 90 is positioned thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , a flexible body 98 surrounds the exterior surface of the sidewall of the core 94 and is circumferentially attached to the tip 95 so as to surround, but not obstruct, flushing liquid opening 96 . The bottom of the flexible body is joined to the combination shield and stop 92 so as to be circumferentially spaced from the base of the core 94 and define an annular chamber 100 ( FIG. 3 ). The annular chamber 100 is filled with a lubricating gel. The flexible body 98 , which may be made of a material such as silicone, rubber or the like, is provided with a number of pores 102 .

Alternative heads may be positioned on the insert mount 82 in an interchangeable fashion. For example, a flushable pre-check head, which may or may not be cone-shaped, may be used.

As noted previously, with reference to FIG. 1 , a liquid pressurizing device 14 is joined to the TAI device 12 via tube line 16 . The liquid pressurizing device 14 features a body 104 which houses a flushing liquid reservoir 106 . The reservoir 106 contains a supply of flushing liquid, such as water. A handle 108 may be actuated by the user, as indicated by arrows 110 , to activate a pressurizing feature of the device 14 . As a result, the flushing liquid inside of the reservoir 106 is pressurized and flows to the TAI device 12 . Additional details regarding the liquid pressurizing device 14 may be found in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/053573 (International Publ. No. WO 2015/031851) to Hollister Incorporated, filed Aug. 29, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Alternative types of pressurizing devices and/or reservoirs known in the art may be used instead.

In operation, the flushing liquid within the liquid pressurizing device 14 is pressurized. The insert cone 90 is positioned on the proximal end of the device 12 , as illustrated in FIG. 1 , and the support arms 54 and 64 are placed in the use positions illustrated in FIG. 1 . The user then sits on a toilet, grasps the handle (control housing 22 ) and passes the neck portion 44 of the device between his or her legs so that the insert cone 90 is positioned below the anus 120 , as shown in FIG. 4 . The user then rests the support arms 54 and 64 ( FIG. 1 ) on the tops of his or her thighs so that a fulcrum is formed, and the TAI device 12 may be moved by the user as a lever or in a see-saw fashion.

The user next moves the handle (control housing 22 ) downwards so that the proximal end of the neck portion 44 , and thus the insert cone 90 , rises towards the anus 120 ( FIG. 4 ). As the user continues to move the handle 22 downwards, the insert cone 90 passes through the anus 120 and into the rectum 122 ( FIG. 4 ). As this occurs, the flexible body 98 of the insert cone is compressed by the anus and rectum and gel ( 124 in FIG. 4 ) is eluted through pores 102 of the insert. As a result, the surface of the insert cone 90 is lubricated thus easing insertion.

Once the insert cone 90 is inserted into the anus and rectum, the user may initiate flow of the flushing liquid through the flushing liquid channel 46 ( FIG. 2 ) of the TAI device 12 by first turning on the device by pressing power on/off button 36 . This opens the solenoid operated inlet and outlet valves 28 a and 28 b . Next, the user presses pump activation/deactivation button 38 , which activates the pump 26 ( FIG. 2 ). As a result, pressurized flushing liquid flows from the liquid pressurizing device 14 , through tube line 16 , through the flushing liquid channel 46 of the TAI device 12 , out of opening 96 of the insert cone 90 and into the patient's rectum. After a period of time, the user again presses the pump activation/deactivation button 38 to deactivate the pump and stop the flow of flushing liquid into the rectum. The user then presses the power on/off button to close the inlet and outlet valves 28 a and 28 b.

After a period of time, the user pulls up on the handle 22 so that the insert cone 90 is removed from the user's rectum and anus, and the flushing liquid and fecal matter drain by gravity into the toilet.

If the user finds that the pump 26 is too powerful and/or is more comfortable using a manual pumping mechanism, the squeeze bulb 72 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) may be used to deliver the flushing liquid to the user's rectum instead. More specifically, the user presses the power on/off button 36 to open the solenoid operated valves 28 a and 28 b , but does not press the pump activation/deactivation button 38 .

The user then repetitively squeezes and releases the squeeze bulb 72 . Due to the check valves 78 a and 78 b ( FIG. 2 ), flushing liquid from the liquid pressurizing device 14 (and tube line 16 ) is drawn into the interior chamber of the squeeze bulb 72 and then expelled in an alternating fashion so that the liquid is pumped through the flushing liquid channel 46 of the TAI device 12 , out of the opening 96 of the insert cone 90 and into the patient's rectum. The user then presses the power on/off button to close the inlet and outlet valves 28 a and 28 b.

The user may also wish to use the squeeze bulb 72 to add additional flushing liquid to the rectum after the pump 26 is used.

While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.