Irrigation Device with Liquid-Filled Fixation Balloon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation devices for administering liquids to the rectum are cumbersome, difficult to use for self-administration, and often result in discomfort and reflux, with existing solutions failing to provide effective and safe fixation of the catheter during use.
Innovation Solution
An irrigation device with a control unit that allows for the expansion and deflation of a fixation member using irrigation liquid, preventing reflux and ensuring the catheter remains in place, featuring a simple design with one-way valves to manage fluid flow and a handheld pump for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air-filled balloon is used for fixation of the catheter, then the catheter can be retained in the rectum, but the balloon cannot safely keep the tube in place due to body movements and peristaltic reflexes causing the catheter to fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the filling parameter from air to irrigation liquid (fluid). This provides more stable fixation because the liquid-filled balloon conforms better to rectal walls and is not affected by peristaltic movements, preventing the catheter from falling out while maintaining patient comfort and dignity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the irrigation liquid that is already part of the system to fill the balloon, rather than introducing a separate air filling mechanism. This integrates the fixation function with the existing irrigation fluid pathway, eliminating the need for additional air delivery components.
2Reliability
If additional elements are added to deliver air to the balloon, then the balloon can be inflated for fixation, but additional elements are needed to ensure air is delivered to the surroundings instead of into the body cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation liquid serves multiple functions: it fills the balloon for fixation, provides irrigation to the body cavity, and can be controlled to flow to the surroundings if needed. This eliminates the need for separate air delivery systems and complex valve mechanisms to prevent accidental inflation of the body cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the air filling mechanism entirely and replaces it with liquid filling from the irrigation system. This extracts the problematic air delivery components and replaces them with the already-present irrigation liquid pathway, simplifying the overall system.
3Device complexity
If a simple device without pump and control units is made, then the device becomes simpler, but reflux of liquid back into the reservoir cannot be prevented and catheter placement cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixation balloon filling function with the irrigation liquid delivery system. The same pump and control unit that manage irrigation also control balloon inflation, creating a unified system that prevents reflux by maintaining proper pressure gradients and fluid flow direction throughout the entire apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors and regulates fluid flow to the balloon, providing feedback control that prevents over-inflation and ensures liquid flows in the correct direction. This feedback mechanism prevents reflux back into the reservoir while maintaining reliable catheter placement through controlled balloon inflation.
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 allows for safe, comfortable, and effective self-administration of irrigation liquids, preventing contamination and discomfort by maintaining catheter placement and controlling fluid flow, making it suitable for self-use by patients, including the elderly or those with physical limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit may comprise a first one-way valve arranged for allowing a first fluid flow from the reservoir to the fixation member and a second one-way valve arranged for allowing a second fluid flow from the reservoir to the catheter
Implementation Method 2
a pump for pressurising the irrigation liquid in the reservoir and for delivering the irrigation liquid to the body cavity through the catheter
Implementation Method 3
an expandable fixation member for retaining the catheter in the rectum, wherein the expandable fixation member is to be expanded using irrigation liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
An irrigation device (1) comprising a reservoir (4) for an irrigating liquid, a catheter (2) in liquid communication with the reservoir (4), a fixation member (3) for fixation of the catheter (2) and a control unit (5). Said control unit (5) is arranged for in a first position transferring the irrigation liquid to the fixation member (3) and in a second position transferring the irrigation liquid to the catheter (2). Thereby is provided a simple, inexpensive and essentially maintenance free device (1) which can be used for administrating an irrigation liquid, and which at the same time comprises a fixation member (3) that will not be expelled from the body cavity by e.g. a peristaltic reflex, during use.