Liquid container for an anal irrigation system

Abstract

A liquid container (30) for an anal irrigation system, wherein the liquid container comprises a top portion (33) and a bottom wall (32), at least one side wall (34) connecting the bottom wall (32) and the top portion (33) to form a cavity for storing liquid; wherein the liquid container (30) comprises a filling spout (41) in the at least one side wall (34) such that the filling spout is closer to the top portion than to the bottom portion, the filling spout (41) having a circumference; and wherein the liquid container (30) further comprises a handle (44); wherein the handle (44) is rotatable around the circumference of the filling spout (41), the liquid container (30) being configured to allow a user to lift and hold the container in different positions.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid container for anal irrigation systems. Attached Figure Description

[0002] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments and are incorporated in and are a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the anticipated advantages of the embodiments will be readily appreciated as they will become better understood by referring to the following detailed description. Elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The same reference numerals indicate corresponding similar parts.

[0003] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the anal irrigation system inside the bag is shown.

[0004] Figure 2 A perspective view of the bag, liquid container, and pump base unit for an anal irrigation system is shown.

[0005] Figure 3 A handle for a liquid container was shown.

[0006] Figure 4 Four views are shown of the liquid container used in the anal irrigation system: a side view, a front view, a perspective view, and a top view.

[0007] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a detachable liquid container is shown, which has a rotatable handle in a first position and a second position. Detailed Implementation

[0008] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the features of the embodiments described in this application and the various exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other (“mixed and matched”).

[0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description, and which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced by way of illustration. Because components of the embodiments may be positioned in different orientations, directional terminology is used for illustrative purposes and not in any way limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may be adopted, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0010] Anal irrigation is one of many treatments used to help people with bowel problems. People with bowel problems are typically paralyzed due to spinal cord injuries and are confined to wheelchairs or hospitalized. In these conditions, peristaltic function, i.e., the reflexes and muscles of the intestines, is often not properly stimulated. This leads to constipation or indiscriminate emptying of bowel contents. Anal irrigation can provide stimulation of the peristaltic movement of the colon. To perform such an irrigation, a device is provided comprising an anal probe, also known as an anal catheter, rectal catheter, or speculum. This anal probe is inserted into the rectum through the anus. The anal probe is typically held in place in the rectum by a retention device, most commonly a balloon, which is inflated and pressed against the rectal wall. A fluid, such as water or a saline solution, is then introduced into the rectum through the anal probe. Depending on the user, the volume of fluid is typically up to 1.5 liters.

[0011] Users of anal irrigation systems typically have limited flexibility. Therefore, a simpler system is advantageous for the user.

[0012] The embodiment relates to a liquid container for an anal irrigation system, wherein the liquid container includes a top portion and a bottom wall, and at least one side wall connecting the bottom wall and the top portion to form a cavity for storing liquid; wherein the liquid container includes a filling port located in the at least one side wall such that the filling port is closer to the top portion than the bottom portion, the filling port having a periphery; and wherein the liquid container further includes a handle, characterized in that the handle is rotatable about the periphery of the filling port, and the liquid container is configured to allow a user to lift and hold the container in different positions.

[0013] The rotatable handle described above is very convenient to use because its position allows the user to lift and hold the container in different positions (such as an upright position and / or a horizontal position). The handle is positioned and rotatable such that the center of gravity of the liquid container is aligned with the vertically downward side of the handle in at least two different positions. Therefore, the handle can be arranged in different positions, allowing the user to hold / lift the liquid container in different positions in a smooth and stable manner.

[0014] By rotating the handle to another position, the user can lift the liquid container from its upright storage position and hold it in a roughly horizontal position (e.g., when filling the container with liquid). Therefore, the rotatable handle allows the user to manipulate the liquid container during preparation for anal irrigation. Furthermore, when the handle is rotated to a position aligned with the front of the liquid container, the handle requires minimal storage space (e.g., inside the bag).

[0015] In one embodiment, the liquid container includes a spatially elongated oval shape, which is adapted to allow a user to hold the liquid container in a generally vertical or horizontal position via a handle.

[0016] The liquid container can be disconnected from the anal irrigation system, so that the relatively heavy pump base unit does not need to be lifted along with the liquid container when preparing the anal irrigation system. The liquid container can be (re)filled with irrigation fluid (such as water from the drain / faucet in the restroom).

[0017] Referring to the orientation of the liquid container (as shown in the figure, positioned above the pump base unit, which stands upright on a horizontal surface), directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "vertical," and "horizontal" are used. Therefore, the bottom wall extends in a plane generally parallel to the horizontal surface. Additionally, when the anal irrigation system is used in a configuration where the liquid container is connected to the pump base unit (in... Figure 5 When demonstrating (as shown in the image), the terms first direction (x), second direction (y), and third direction (z) are used (all directions extend perpendicular to each other). The first direction (x) extends approximately parallel to the front of the liquid container. The second direction (y) extends perpendicular to the first direction, and when the liquid container is in an upright position, the second direction is approximately equal to the imaginary vertical line of gravity. The third direction (z) extends laterally to the first direction (x) and the second direction (y), in the direction corresponding to the depth of the liquid container.

[0018] The longitudinal central axis A is defined by the line of symmetry of the liquid container and extends parallel to the second direction y. When the liquid container is connected to the pump base unit in an upright position in the flushing configuration, the longitudinal central axis A is approximately equal to the imaginary vertical gravity line. Figure 4 The longitudinal central axis A is shown.

[0019] The use of the word “approximately” in this disclosure as a modifier for certain characteristics or effects is intended to simply indicate that any deviations are within tolerances that would normally be expected by a person skilled in the art.

[0020] The embodiments relate to a liquid container as described above, wherein the handle is rotatable in a tangential direction around the periphery of the filling nozzle and at a distance from the center of the filling nozzle.

[0021] In this embodiment, the handle includes at least a first position and a second position relative to the liquid container. The ability to position the handle in relation to use is convenient during preparation of the anal irrigation system or when the liquid container is in a storage configuration. Typically, the handle is capable of rotating freely within an angle of at least 180 degrees between the first and second positions.

[0022] In one embodiment, the filling nozzle comprises a circular opening with dimensions ranging from 3 cm to 15 cm and 4 cm to 10 cm. This size is convenient because it allows the user to limit spillage during filling of the liquid container and provides space for the user to clean the liquid container (e.g., with a brush).

[0023] In one embodiment, the filling nozzle includes a rigid annular collar surrounding its periphery, to which the handle is rotatably connected. The embodiment relates to an annular collar including a ratchet mechanism and / or a stop flange that restricts rotation of the handle. The handle can rotate 180 degrees between a first position and a second position. The ratchet mechanism can determine the direction of rotation and / or stabilize the handle in a particular position through friction. This provides a more robust structure for the user, making it easier for them to operate or hold the liquid container via the handle.

[0024] In one embodiment, the handle is made of a rigid plastic material. In another embodiment, the handle is made of a flexible material.

[0025] In this embodiment, the handle has a thickness greater than 2 mm. It is envisioned that a thickness greater than 2 mm would be a convenient size for a user to grip the handle and carry the liquid container.

[0026] In one embodiment, the handle includes a figure-eight shaped inner surface with two inwardly extending flanges.

[0027] In one embodiment, the handle comprises two parts: a gripping portion and a peripheral portion of the nozzle. These two portions extend on two planes angled relative to each other, with the angle between the two planes ranging from 0 to 45 degrees, for example from 5 to 40 degrees, or for example from 10 to 30 degrees. Thus, the gripping portion of the handle is vertically aligned with the center of gravity of the liquid container, allowing the user to hold the liquid container in a generally horizontal or vertical position during preparation of the anal irrigation system.

[0028] In one embodiment, the filling nozzle is positioned at the center of gravity of the liquid container in a first direction and offset from the center of gravity of the liquid container in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction extending laterally to each other. Thus, depending on the position of the handle, the liquid container can take different orientations, and when the handle is rotated to a position juxtaposed with the front of the liquid container, the required storage space for the handle is smaller.

[0029] Typically, the bottom wall can include oval, elliptical, circular, triangular, or similar geometric shapes.

[0030] In one embodiment, the bottom wall comprises an oblong shape. In another embodiment, the liquid container comprises an oblong shape in a second direction.

[0031] In one embodiment, the bottom wall comprises an elongated rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the filling nozzle is positioned such that it is vertically aligned with the middle of one of the sides of the rectangular bottom wall. In another embodiment, the filling nozzle is positioned within the at least one side wall such that it is symmetrically placed along the centerline of the at least one side wall.

[0032] In one embodiment, the bottom wall includes an outlet connector for fluidly connecting the liquid container to the pump base unit.

[0033] The embodiments relate to an anal irrigation system comprising a liquid container and a pump base unit as described above.

[0034] The embodiments relate to an anal irrigation system as described above, wherein the liquid container is detachable from the pump base unit.

[0035] In one embodiment, the irrigation system further includes a tube and an anal probe.

[0036] Detailed description of the attached figures

[0037] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the features of the embodiments described in this application and the various exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other (“mixed and matched”).

[0038] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the anal irrigation system in its usage configuration is shown.

[0039] The anal irrigation system 10 includes a pump base unit 20 and a removable liquid container 30, which is stored in a first cavity of a bag 60. The pump base unit 20 is connected to a probe 15 via a tubing system 50. The tubing system and the probe can be stored in a second cavity of the bag, which is formed by the front wall in front of the pump base unit and the liquid container 30.

[0040] The liquid container can be removed from the pump base unit by grasping the rotatable handle 44. When removed, the user can fill the liquid container with liquid, and then the liquid container can be reinstalled into the pump base unit 20 inside the bag before using the anal irrigation system.

[0041] Figure 2 A perspective view shows a removable liquid container 30 and a pump base unit 20 stored in a sealed bag 60. During storage, the bag houses the anal irrigation system (shown by dashed lines).

[0042] The bag includes a self-supporting bottom 63 and sidewalls 64 that support the pump base unit and the liquid container. The bag can be carried via a handle 65, and the liquid container and pump base unit can be removed from the bag when the front wall 62 of the bag is opened.

[0043] Figure 3 A rotatable handle 44 for the removable liquid container 30 is shown.

[0044] The liquid container includes a bottom wall 32 with an outlet connector 31 adapted to connect the container to the pump base unit and piping system of the anal irrigation system.

[0045] The top portion 33 of the liquid container 30 is connected to the bottom wall 32 via side walls 34 and 35. These walls form a cavity for storing the liquid. The cross-sectional view of the liquid container comprises an elongated oval-shaped rectangle with rounded corners, and a relatively small depth relative to its width and vertical height. A filling nozzle 41 is located on the upper portion of the side wall 34 near the top portion 33. Therefore, the orientation of the liquid container can be changed by the position of the rotatable handle 44.

[0046] A rotatable handle is shown in the first storage position 44a, and a rotatable handle in the lifting / carrying position 44b is shown by a dashed line.

[0047] The user can rotate the rotatable handle 44 radially about 180 degrees around the filling nozzle 41 from the first position 44a along arrow R to the second position 44b (shown by the dotted line), which allows the user to lift the liquid container (e.g., from storage in a bag). By rotating the handle to the first position 44a, the center of gravity of the elongated liquid container changes, and the user can lift it to a roughly horizontal position (also...). Figure 5 (As shown in the image) Hold the liquid container.

[0048] The filling port 41 of the liquid container 30 includes an open and close cap 46.

[0049] The rotatable handle 44 includes a figure-eight shaped inner surface with two inwardly extending flanges 49. A portion of the figure-eight shaped inner surface surrounds the filling nozzle 41, and another portion of the figure-eight shaped inner surface serves as a handle portion that allows the user to grip the handle.

[0050] Figure 4 Four views are shown of the liquid container and pump base unit 20 for the anal irrigation system: a side view, a front view, a perspective view, and a top view.

[0051] The filling nozzle and rotatable handle 44 are centrally located on the upper part of the liquid container, at the longitudinal central axis A of the liquid container. The spatial structure of the liquid container has different extension dimensions in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction x, y, z.

[0052] The liquid container has a front sidewall 34 and a rear sidewall 35. The extension dimension of the front sidewall in the first direction x is greater than the depth extension dimension of the liquid container in the third direction z. In the third direction, the filling nozzle 41 is offset relative to the center of gravity of the liquid container.

[0053] The front of the liquid container is slightly curved, and the periphery of the filling nozzle extends in a plane that is not aligned with any of the x, y, and z directions. The handle comprises two parts: a gripping portion and a nozzle periphery portion, which extend in two planes angled relative to each other, with the angle between the two planes ranging from approximately 10 degrees to 30 degrees. The gripping portion of the handle is adjacent to the front wall 34 and is therefore compact during storage.

[0054] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a liquid container is shown, featuring a rotatable handle in a first position 44a and a second position 44b. In both views, the gripping portion of the handle is positioned with the center of gravity vertically upward. Arrows indicate the lifting force F exerted by a user holding the handle to carry the liquid container. When the liquid container is lifted by the handle, its center of gravity aligns it vertically downwards with the handle; therefore, the handle can be positioned in various ways to allow the user to hold / lift the liquid container in different orientations / positions.

[0055] A rotatable handle is positioned in the first storage location 44a, and the center of gravity of the elongated liquid container allows the user to hold the liquid container in a generally horizontal position via the handle. By rotating the handle approximately 180 degrees around the filling nozzle, the handle extends above the top portion of the container, and because the handle is vertically aligned with the center of gravity of the liquid container, the orientation of the liquid container changes, and the new position of the handle allows the user to carry / lift / hold the liquid container in a generally vertical direction.

[0056] The grip portion of the handle extends on a plane defined at an angle relative to the plane defined by the peripheral portion of the handle. The small angle between the two portions of the handle can be in the range of 0 to 45 degrees.

Claims

1. A liquid container for an anal irrigation system, wherein, The liquid container includes a top portion and a bottom wall, and at least one side wall connecting the bottom wall and the top portion to form a cavity for storing liquid; wherein the liquid container includes a filling port located in the at least one side wall such that the filling port is closer to the top portion than the bottom wall, the filling port having a periphery; and wherein the liquid container further includes a handle, characterized in that the handle is rotatable about the periphery of the filling port at least between a first position and a second position of the handle, wherein in the first position the handle extends in a first longitudinal direction, and in the second position the handle extends in a second longitudinal direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction, the liquid container being configured to allow a user to lift and hold the liquid container in different positions.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein, The handle is rotatable in a tangential direction around the periphery and is located at a certain distance from the center of the filling tube opening.

3. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the handle is in the second position, at least a portion of the handle extends beyond the top portion of the liquid container.

4. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The handle includes an 8-shaped inner surface with two inwardly extending flanges.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The handle comprises two parts: a gripping part and a peripheral part of the nozzle, the two parts extending on two planes at an angle to each other, wherein the angle between the two planes is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees.

6. The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein, The angle between the two planes is in the range of 5 to 40 degrees.

7. The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein, The angle between the two planes is in the range of 10 to 30 degrees.

8. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The filling nozzle is positioned at the center of gravity of the liquid container in a first direction and offset from the center of gravity of the liquid container in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction extending laterally to each other.

9. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The bottom wall includes an outlet connector for fluidly connecting the liquid container to the pump base unit.

10. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The filling port is positioned in at least one side wall such that the filling port is symmetrically placed along the center line of the at least one side wall.

11. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The bottom wall comprises an oblong rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the filling nozzle is positioned such that it is vertically aligned with the middle of one of the sides of the rectangular bottom wall.

12. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The filling nozzle includes a rigid annular collar surrounding the periphery, and the handle is rotatably connected to the rigid annular collar.

13. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The handle is made of rigid plastic material.

14. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The handle has a thickness greater than 2 mm.

15. An anal irrigation system comprising a liquid container and a pump base unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The anal irrigation system according to claim 15, wherein, The liquid container can be detached from the pump base unit.

17. The anal irrigation system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The anal irrigation system further includes a tube and an anal probe.

Images