Surgery – Body inserted urinary or colonic incontinent device or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-04-24
Winakur, Eric F. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Body inserted urinary or colonic incontinent device or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221004
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device to reduce problems with discharge of intestinal gas. All individuals emit a certain amount of flatus or intestinal gas continually during the chemical action of the digestive process. The amount of intestinal gas depends to a large extent upon the diet and the particular digestive chemistry. Some individuals have a sphincter that does not seal completely, so they unconsciously pass or ooze small amounts of intestinal gas continually with no backup or pressure build up.
Some other individuals have a sphincter that seals against such leakage. For those people, as intestinal gas is formed, pressure builds up in the anal area. The pressure buildup may cause severe pain. When pressure builds up sufficiently, it exceeds the sealing properties of the sphincter at the anus, causing a sudden escape of a sizable volume of this intestinal gas under pressure. This sudden discharge of intestinal gases vibrates membranes near the anus causing noise which can be very embarrassing to the person. Some people also experience “brown spots” on the underwear in conjunction with such intestinal gas emissions.
The prior art (See Ghedina Patent 4,943,276) teaches a device with a hollow inner tube as a pathway for the relief of intestinal gases and has small openings to allow the intestinal gases to reach the thin, hollow inner tube. However, these small openings are easily plugged by excreta and other material in the digestive tract, rendering this device ineffective.
In summary, there is a need to reduce the discomfort, pain, and embarrassment associated with flatus emission, and to eliminate “brown spots” on the underwear. This invention solves these problems as is set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device which breaks the gas sealing properties of the anus of the user, thus allowing a continual and controlled leaking or oozing of intestinal gases, thus preventing any pressure build-up.
The present invention utilizes a shaft with external grooves running the length of the shaft in order to help ensure that the pathway for the intestinal gases remains open. Adjacent to the first end of the shaft is an enlargement which serves as a trap to stop flow of excreta and which secures the device in its proper position while at the same time allowing the passage of intestinal gases. Along the exterior surface of the shaft and running along its length is at least one groove which runs from the first end towards the second end of said shaft, providing a path for intestinal gases to take so that they can escape continuously under control through the sphincter muscle and out the anus.
The second end of the shaft remains outside the body and may include any of a number of features that can be used to remove the device. It may also include a fibrous material which serves to filter the exiting intestinal gases and to stop any carryover which could lead to “brown spotting” of the underwear.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4182335 (1980-01-01), Matrullo
patent: 4261340 (1981-04-01), Baumel et al.
patent: 4406657 (1983-09-01), Curutcharry
patent: 4943276 (1990-07-01), Ghedina
patent: 5800338 (1998-09-01), Kollerup et al.
Camoriano Theresa Fritz
Camoriano and Associates
Szmal Brian
Winakur Eric F.
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