Handheld Enema Pump With Compression Zones to Prevent Reflux
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enema devices require significant squeeze force, often causing discomfort and difficulty in self-administration, especially for patients with poor dexterity, and suffer from issues like air mixing with enema liquid, reflux, and the need for reloading.
Innovation Solution
A handheld enema device with a flexible, oval-shaped delivery container acting as a pump, featuring compression zones and a non-return valve to prevent air mixing and reflux, allowing easy one-handed operation without reloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the resistance to flow is increased to prevent reflux and leakage, then reliability is improved, but the squeeze force required increases making the device harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery container is divided into multiple compression zones with different resistance characteristics. The first compression zone has higher resistance to prevent reflux, while the second compression zone has lower resistance to facilitate easy squeezing and liquid delivery, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the delivery container are given different mechanical properties through the compression zones. The first compression zone is designed with higher resistance locally to prevent reflux, while the second compression zone has lower resistance locally to enable easy operation, allowing both requirements to be met in different locations
2Ease of operation
If the delivery container is made flexible to enable hand-held pumping, then ease of operation is improved, but control over compression becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible delivery container is segmented into multiple compression zones that can be independently controlled. This allows the user to apply compression to specific zones as needed, providing control over the pumping action while maintaining the flexibility required for hand-held operation
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery container is designed as a dynamic system with multiple compression zones that can be compressed in different sequences and to different degrees. This dynamic control allows flexible adaptation to user needs while maintaining manageable complexity through the structured zone design
3Device complexity
If the applicator nozzle is made short for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but patient comfort deteriorates due to irritation during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator nozzle is designed with an asymmetric structure featuring a tapered configuration that is wider at the insertion end and narrows toward the tip. This asymmetric design reduces insertion discomfort while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and patient comfort
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device facilitates comfortable, effective enema administration with reduced force requirements, preventing air mixing and reflux, and enabling self-administration without the need for reloading, thus enhancing user compliance and reducing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a non-return valve to prevent air mixing and reflux
Implementation Method 2
featuring compression zones and a non-return valve
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an enema device comprising a delivery container arranged for accommodating an enema and an applicator nozzle for dispersing the enema, and wherein the delivery container is arranged as a hand held pump and for remaining in an at least partly compressed configuration when the user releases the pressure on said delivery container during use. Thereby is provided a simple, inexpensive and essentially maintenance free enema device which can be used for self-administrating of an enema.