US3826242A - Method and apparatus for treatment of hemorrhoids - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the pain, distention and bleeding of hemorrhoids during defecation. The method involves maintaining pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins of the anal canal, lower rectum and anal area during defecation to prevent swelling and distention of the hemorrhoidal veins. The method also includes preventing extrusion of the internal hemorrhoidal veins out of the anal canal during defecation. In performing the method, a tubular member is inserted in the anal canal so that it engages the walls of the canal and the area around the rectal opening. This tubular member is held in place during defecation. The inner or forward end of this tubular member is closed during insertion and then opened after it is positioned in the anal canal to permit excrement to pass therethrough.

Description

Eggers METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOIDS [76] Inventor: Paul J. Eggers, 320 S. Green Bay 7 Rd., Lake Forest, 111. 60045 [22] Filed: Apr. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 351,472

[52] US. Cl. 128/1 R, 128/341 [51] Int. Cl .,.A61 n 129/00 [58] Field of Search 128/1 R, 343, 294, 283, 128/341 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 305,146 9/1884 Chamberlain 128/1 R 2,324,520 7/1943 Lamson 128/1, R 2,450,935 10/1948 Carr 128/1 R 2,695,024 11/1954 Krohmann 128/283 3,083,704 4/1963 3,157,180 11/1964 3,216,420 11/1965 3,447,533 6/1969 3,675,642 7/1972 July 30, 1974 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kinzer, Plyer, Dorn & McEachran [5 7] ABSTRACT and anal area during defecation to prevent swelling and distention of the hemorrhoidal veins. The method also includes preventing extrusion of the internal hemorrhoidal veins out of the anal canal during defecation. In performing the method, a tubular member is inserted in the anal canal so that it engages the walls of the canal and the area around the rectal opening.

This tubular member is held in place during defecation. The inner or forward end of this tubular member is closed during insertion and then opened after it is positioned in the anal canal to permit excrement to 7 pass therethrough.

5 Claims, 5 D aw n Figures METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOIDS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Piles or hemorrhoids involves swelling of the hemorrhoidal veins'in the anal canal. In extreme cases, these veins become distended and extend out of the rectal opening. Distention of the hemorrhoidal veins may occur during defecation and at such times both pain and bleeding may be severe.

Various methods of treating hemorrhoids have been tried in the past, including the use of ointments, supports, trusses and so forth, but none of these methods has been particularly successful. In severe. cases, surgery for the removal of the hemorrhoidal veins has been utilized, but this is not a permanent cure since the swollen veins may reoccur.-

Since most of the pain, distention and bleeding of the hemorrhoidal veins occurs during and as a result of defecation, my method involves maintaining pressure on the anal canal walls and the area around the rectal opening to prevent swelling of the hemorrhoidal veins and distention thereof during defecation. Pressure is maintained on these areas by means of a tubular member which is inserted in the anal canal before and maintained there during defecation. This tubular member also engages the area around the rectal opening and both exerts pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins to prevent their swelling and also prevents their distention out of the anal canal.

For ease of insertion of the tubular member into the anal canal, the forward or inner end of the tubular member is closed during insertion and is opened after it is properly seated in the anal canal. In one embodiment of the invention, the inner end of the tubular member is closed by an obturator which is removed as soon as the tubular member is properly positioned. The tubular member is held in firm contact with the anal canal walls and the area around the rectal openingdur- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention being positioned in a user;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tubular member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the obturator and tubular member;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 4.

- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The method of my invention involves the application of pressure to the walls of the analcanal and the area around the rectal opening'during defecation to prevent swelling and extrusion of the hemorrhoidal veins. This method is accomplished with the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 30f the drawings through the use of a tubular member 11 which is positioned in the anal canal so as to engage the wals of this canal thereby exerting pressure against the hemorrhoidal veins located on the surface and in the interior of the tissue adjacent said walls. This tubular member which preferably may be formed of a suitable plastic material,-preferably impervious, has a forward orinner end 13, ashoulder portion 15 and a flared skirt portion 17 at its lower or outer end. A rigid or semi-flexible plastic may be used, polyethylene or vinyl being examples of suitable materials.

As can best'be seen in the drawings, the tubular member may be slightly tapered from itsforward end 13 to theshoulder portion 15. Apassage 19 extends through the tubular member. I

Anobturator 21 may be positioned in thepassage 19 so as to project outwardly ofthe forward 'end 13 of the tubular'member 11 to close the passage through tubular member. The obturator is made sufficiently long so that it extends beyond the lower end 17 of the tubular member. Abulbous handle 23 is'formed atthe lower end of the obturator to facilitate its insertation into and removal from the tubular member.

A support 25 which spans the opening of atoilet seat 27 is provided. to hold the tubular member in position in the anal canal during defecation. The support member 25 has an opening 29 which aligns with thepassage 19 of the tubular member. Acircular ledge 31 surrounds this opening and receives the flared end 17 of the tubular member to support the tubular member.

In use, theobturator 21 is installed in the tubular member with the forward end of the obturator extending beyond theinner end 13 of the tubular member. Both the obturator and the tubular member are covered with asuitable lubricant 33 to facilitate insertion. The obturator and tubular member are inserted in the rectal opening of the user with the tapered portion of the tubular member engaging the walls of the anal canal. The shoulder portion 15' of the tubular member engages the area around the rectal opening to limit insertion of the tubular member and to prevent the sphincter muscles from drawing the tubular member into the rectum. The shoulder portion also provides support for the tissues surrounding the rectal opening and prevents distention of the hemorrhoidal veins. The user now sits on the support 25 and seats the flared portion 17 of the tubular member'on theannular ledge 31 thereby supporting the tubular member in position in his anal canal. As can be seen in FIG. 1, thebulbous portion 23 of the obturator will extend through the opening 29 in the support member. The obturator is then removed, opening thepassage 19 through the tubular'member. During defecation, the excrement can pass through thetubular opening 19 but the tubular member will be held in place by the support 25 therefore prevent expulsion thereof. After. elimination is completed, the tubular member may be removed from the anal canal and either disposed of or cleaned and retained for future use.

Another form of apparatus for practicing the method of my invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. This form of apparatus includes an inflatabletubular member 41 which may be formed of suitable plastic fllm, vinyl or polyethylene being two examples. The tubular member includeshollow walls 43 formed of inner and outer layers of plastic film defining anannular chamber 45 which may be filled with air under pressure to rigidify the structure. An outwardly curvingflare 47 is formed at the forward or inner end of the tubular member and a larger outwardly projecting shoulder orledge 49 is formed at the lower end of the tubular member. An air valve 51 is located on the outer edge of the shoulder and a hand operated air bulb (not shown) may be connected to the air valve to inflate the tubular member. Apassage 53 extends longitudinally through the tubular member. The tubular member may be slightly tapered from its forward flaredend 47 to the shoulder or ledge 49.

In preparation for use, the uninflatedtubular member 41 is rolled up about its longitudinal axis much like an umbrella is wrapped and is thoroughly lubricated. The tubular member is inserted into the anal canal in its uninflated condition. When properly inserted in the anal canal, it is inflated with a hand operated air bulb until it assumes the shape shown in FIG. 4. The length of the tubular member is proportioned so that the flaredinner end 47 extends inwardly of the anal canal and into the rectum, thus functioning to hold the tubular member in the anal canal to prevent expulsion of the tubular member during defecation. Theshoulder portion 49 of the tubular member engages the area around the rectal opening to limit insertion of the tubular member and to prevent the sphincter muscles from drawing the tubular member into the rectum. Th shoulder portion also provides support for the tissue surrounding the rectal opening and prevents distention of the hemorrhoidal veins.

After elimination is completed, the tubular member is deflated and removed. It may be discarded or cleaned and used again. Thetubular member 41 may be used with the support 25 of the first form of apparatus, but under most circumstances, such a support will not be necessary.

Whereas, the method of my invention and preferred forms of apparatus for practicing my method have been shown and described, it should be understood that there are modifications, changes and alterations which may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the claims attached hereto.

1 claim: l. A method for reducing the pain, distention and bleeding of hemorrhoidal veins in the natural anal canal during defecation including the steps of:

inserting an open ended appropriately shaped tubular member into the anal canal to contact the walls and the hemorrhoidal veins,

exerting pressure on said anal canal walls to reduce distension of said veins and support said tubular member during defecation, and

removing said tubular member from said anal canal after defecation.

2. The method of claim 1 including closing the inner end of said tubular member during insertion into the anal canal and opening said tubular member to permit excrement to pass through said tubular member.

3. The method of claim 2 in which closing of said inner end of said tubular member is accomplished by inserting an obturator therein while said tubular member remains in the anal canal.

4. The method of claim 1 in which said tubular member is also moved into supporting engagement with the area around the rectal opening upon insertion into the anal canal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure is exerted on said anal canal walls by inflating said tubular member.

Claims (5)

1. A method for reducing the pain, distention and bleeding of hemorrhoidal veins in the natural anal canal during defecation including the steps of: inserting an open ended appropriately shaped tubular member into the anal canal to contact the walls and the hemorrhoidal veins, exerting pressure on said anal canal walls to reduce distension of said veins and support said tubular member during defecation, and removing said tubular member from said anal canal after defecation.

2. The method of claim 1 including closing the inner end of said tubular member during insertion into the anal canal and opening said tubular member to permit excrement to pass through said tubular member.

3. The method of claim 2 in which closing of said inner end of said tubular member is accomplished by inserting an obturator therein while said tubular member remains in the anal canal.

4. The method of claim 1 in which said tubular member is also moved into supporting engagement with the area around the rectal opening upon insertion into the anal canal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure is exerted on said anal canal walls by inflating said tubular member.

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