SELF-RETAINING HEMORRHOID TREATMENT DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for the treatment of hemorrhoids. More particularly, relates to a device for the treatment of hemorrhoids that is held by itself in the anal canal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the prior art, there is several anal treatment dialators and various mechanical devices that are intended to be inserted into the anal canal. AU of these prior art devices are bulky. Typically, these devices are inserted beyond the anal canal into the rectum. Most of the prior art devices are stationary devices. Other of these prior art devices are manually manipulated. [0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that movably retains itself within the anal canal without entering into the rectum so as to cause peristaltic movements within the anal canal.

[0004] It is another object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoid treatment device that maximizes the friction between the device and the inside wall of the anal canal. [0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoid device that performs a natural massage within the anal canal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention a hemorrhoid treatment device that is formed of a unitary body having a head and a shaft. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a stop is connected to the shaft opposite to the head. The shape of the head and the stop are generally spherical. The diameter of the head is between 6 millimeters and 12 millimeters. The diameter of the shaft is between one- quarter and one-half of the maximum diameter of the head. The maximum diameter of the stop is no smaller than the diameter of the shaft. The length of the unitary body from the end of the head to the opposite end of the stop is between 30 millimeters and 50 millimeters inclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device of the present invention.

[0008] FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device of the present invention.

[0009JFIGURES 3 and 4 are illustrations of the alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device of the present invention as shown in moving relationship within the anal canal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the hemorrhoid treatment device 10 of the present invention. The hemorrhoid treatment device 10 has a head 13 and a shaft 15 connected to the head 13. The head 13 is generally spherical. The maximum diameter of the head 13 is between 6 millimeters and 10 millimeters. Alternatively stated, the maximum diameter of the head 13 is less than one-half the length of the internal hemorrhoidal area.

[0011] The shaft 15 has a generally cylindrical, or solid tubular, configuration. The diameter of the shaft 15 is between one-quarter and one-half of the maximum diameter 14 of head 13. The length from the end 12 of the head 13 to the opposite end 19 of the shaft 15 is no less than 40 millimeters. [0012] FIGURE 2 shows a side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device 20 of the present invention. The device 20 has a head 23 that is connected to one end of the shaft 25. The unitary body of the device 20 also has a stop 27 that is connected to the shaft 25 opposite to the head 23. Head 23 has a generally spherical configuration. The maximum diameter of the head 23 and the maximum diameter of the stop 27 is between 6 millimeters and 12 millimeters inclusive. As with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shaft 25 has a generally cylindrical, or solid tubular, configuration. The diameter of the shaft 25 is between 1/4 and 1/2 of the maximum diameter 24 of the head 23. The shaft 25 has a constant diameter extending therealong between the head 23 and the stop 27. This constant diameter of the shaft 25 will cause a smooth movement within the anal canal. The distance between the end 22 of the head 23 and the opposite end of the stop 27 is between 30 millimeters and 50 millimeters inclusive. [0013] FIGURE 3 shows the hemorrhoid treatment device 20 as located within the anal canal. The broken line 80 is illustrative of the entrance of the anus. Area 81 represents the external sphincter area. This external sphincter area 81 is a voluntarily contracting sphincter. This external sphincter 81 contains the external hemorrhoids. Broken line 82 represents the intermuscular groove. Area

83 represents the pecten. The pecten 83 is a narrow passage section of the anal canal. Broken line

84 represents the lower edge of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85. Broken line 86 is representative of the upper edge of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85. Area 87 represents the ampulla of the rectum. Each of the areas 81, 83 and 85 will have an average length in a normally-sized human body. The average length of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85 is approximately 20 millimeters. The pecten area 83 has an average length of 20 millimeters. The external sphincter area 81 has an average length of 10 millimeters. The anal canal will be located by the intermuscular groove 82 to

the upper edge of the sphincter. The average length of the anal canal is 40 millimeters. The internal sphincter muscles are involuntary and tightly close the anal canal.

[0014] FIGURE 3 shows that the head 23 is inserted into the lower portion of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85. This is the minimum depth in which the head can stay by itself within the anal canal. As illustrated, this will be the first position of the head 23 within the anal canal. The head will stay at this position for a period of time. Even with the strongest voluntary evacuative rectal pressure, the head 23 cannot be pushed outside of the anus. The evacuative rectal pressure does not reach the head 23 as positioned deep within the internal hemorrhoidal area 85. The small diameter of the head 23 has more surface area and, thus, a relatively high friction ratio for its size. The head 23 and the shaft 25 are greatly different in diameter. As such, the underside of the head 23 will resist downward motion through the tight and narrow passage of the pecten area 83. [0015] The relatively small head 23 has greater ability to stay within the anal canal. When the diameter of the head is greater than 12 millimeters, it is difficult for the head 23 to be retained by itself within the anal canal. If the head had a diameter of greater than 12 millimeters, then the head 23 would push down to the outside of the anus or pushed up into the rectum. For example, it is easier to hold a slippery small bead between the thumb and index finger than to hold a large slippery bead.

[0016] The anal canal has a self-cleaning function. When the size of the foreign material is more than one-half of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85, it will be pushed outwardly of the anal canal. When the size of the material is less than one-half of the size of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85, it will be moved into the rectum by the peristaltic movement of the anal canal. [0017] FIGURE 4 illustrates the self-cleaning function of the anal canal. Peristaltic motion will start to bring up the small head 23 toward the upper edge 86 of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85. As the head ascends, the friction between the shaft 25 and the wall of the anal canal increases. As such, the head 23 will stay around in this position. This is the second position of the head 23 within the anal canal. Peristaltic motion alone cannot push up the head 23 further than this position. Once again, if the diameter of the head were more than 12 millimeters, or more than one-half of the length of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85, the head 23 would be pushed out into the rectum by the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area 85.

[0018] When the head 23 in the position as shown in FIGURE 3, this is an extremely unstable condition for the head 23. It is unstable because the self-cleaning function of the anal canal will push the head 23 downwardly while the peristaltic motion of the anal canal will push the head

upwardly to some degree. As a result, the head 23 will gradually move up-and-down within the internal hemorrhoidal area 85.

[0019] FIGURE 4 shows that either voluntary or involuntary rectal pressure can push down the head

23 no further than the position as shown in FIGURE 3. Then, the peristaltic motion within the internal hemorrhoidal area 85 will gradually bring the head 23 to the second position as shown in

FIGURE 3. This peristaltic movement will continue as long as the head 23 stays within the anal canal.

[0020] The main purpose of the stop 27 is for the limitation of the manual insertion depth so that the head 23 is not inserted beyond the anal canal and stays within the internal hemorrhoidal area.

As such, the alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGURE 2, will assure that the head will always be properly positioned within the internal hemorrhoidal area 85. Alternatively, the head 23 will stay within internal canal in the preferred embodiment of the present invention without the stop 27 when the length of the shaft 25 is less than 40 millimeters.

[0021] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.