Fecal incontinence management device

Abstract

An apparatus, and corresponding method, for management of fecal incontinence comprising a catheter having at least two electrodes and an inflatable balloon, a non-conductive sleeve surrounding the electrodes, and an alarm box, wherein the catheter is insertable into a rectal vault and is inflatable to serve as a block to passage of stool and wherein moisture sensed by the electrodes triggers the alarm box and thereby notifies a user that fecal material has entered the rectal vault.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 401,479 entitled “Fecal Incontinence Management Device”, to Nemir et al., filed on Mar. 28, 2003 which claimed the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 435,808 entitled “Fecal Incontinence Management Device”, to Nemir et al., filed on Dec. 21, 2002, and the specifications and claims of both applications are incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC [0003] Not Applicable. COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL [0004] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field): [0006] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the treatment of fecal incontinence wherein a fecal dam and fecal matter sensor are retained within the rectal vault to both...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is an apparatus for managing fecal incontinence. It includes an inflatable balloon that blocks the passage of stool from a rectal vault, electrodes that detect an electrically conductive path when in contact with fecal matter, and a non-conductive sleeve surrounding the electrodes. The apparatus can alarm a user or caregiver upon detection of the electrically conductive path, alerting them of a need to evacuate the rectal vault. The non-conductive sleeve is porous but impedes intrusion of moisture onto the electrodes, allowing sensitivity of the alarming means to be tailored to different stool consistencies and reducing occurrences of false alarms during insertion. The balloon deflates over a period of time to enforce a minimum level of attention. The method also includes monitoring an amount of time that the catheter is in use, most preferably employing an integrated circuit comprising a memory device."

Problems solved by technology

Although not a life-threatening disease, symptoms are often distressing and socially incapacitating.

For patients who are under nursing care, there is a labor cost associated with disposing of fecal waste after a patient's incontinent episode and cleaning the patient after the event.

Other problems include the possible excoriation of the patient's skin when it is exposed to fecal waste for significant amounts of time, and the risk of contamination for patients and nursing personnel from fecal material.

Economically, the replacement of soiled bed linens, blankets and gowns compounds the loss of valuable nursing time and effort.

However, there are a large number of patients suffering from fecal incontinence for whom medical therapy and / or surgical therapy have either failed or are inappropriate due to the patient's medical condition, circumstances, or personal choice.

The above two inventions do not disclose a means to alert the user as to the need to void the bowels.

Since many patients suffer from nerve damage and cannot sense the need to evacuate the bowels, leakage or other undesirable effects may occur due to a prolonged retention of stool within the rectal vault.

The problem with these approaches is that they do not incorporate an alarming means to alert the user of the need to evacuate the bowels.

Left unattended, the devices can lead to impaction of stool and attendant problems such as necrosis of tissues in the anus and rectum.

One disadvantage of the device is that because fecal matter can cause permanent occlusion of the optical sensor, the device must be discarded after each use.

For a patient who has multiple daily bowel movements, the cost can be prohibitive.

The problem with the design is that annular electrodes are prone to nuisance tripping (false positives) upon insertion and during wear.

Images