APPARATUS FOR THE REMOVAL OF INTESTINAL

OCCLUSIONS

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the removal of intestinal occlusions.

More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus of the above kind, particularly studied and realized to permit removal of fecal masses from recto intestine.

As it is well known in the medical field, situations exist where, for different reasons, fecal masses can accumulate and block at the level of crasse intestine, and particularly of recto intestine.

Among the main reasons of this pathology, it must be mentioned surgical intervention, obliging the patient to stay lying down for a long time. In these cases, intestinal musculature losses tone and patient has difficulties in autonomously evacuating.

Another reason for the above complications is the extended use of drugs and antibiotics, often having among the counter indications chronic constipation.

These medical circumstances, besides causing strong pain for the patient, often involve further complications, such as hemorrhoids, that, as it is well known are painful and oblige taking other drugs for preventing their growing.

At present, in order to permit to patients suffering of the above pathologies, pharmacological remedies, e.g. clysters, are used. Pharmacological remedies are often contraindicated when the problem is not so serious. In fact, drugs have not effect when the intestinal block occurs in patients with a very scarce muscular tone, such as a very elder patient or a patient subjected to a very important surgical operation.

Clysters are widely used, but they are not efficient for fecal masses larger than a set size. In these cases, it is often necessary a surgical intervention in order to remove obstruction.

It well evident that the above solutions are strongly dangerous and fastidious.

In view of the above, it is object of the present invention that of suggesting an apparatus able removing intestinal obstructions without the need of a surgical intervention.

Another object of the present invention is that of permitting eliminating or reducing hemorrhoids in patients suffering from recto intestine block.

It .is therefore specific object of the present invention an apparatus for removal of intestinal obstructions, characterized in that it comprises retractor means, that can be at least partially inserted within the recto intestine of a patient through the anal orifice; a duct having a cross- section lower than said retractor means, said duct having a first and a second ends, said first end being engageable through said retractor means for reaching said recto intestine; and means for pumping a liquid suitable to deliver said liquid under pressure through said second end of the conduct.

Always according to the invention, said retractor means can have a tubular shape, particularly a cylindrical shape. Still according to the invention, said retractor means can have a cross-section with a diameter between 8 mm and 35 mm, preferably 25 mm, and said conduct has a cross-section with a diameter between 3 mm and 8 mm, preferably 6 mm.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said retractor means can comprise a grip comprised of a rigid rod.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said duct can have an "L" shape and it can be rigid.

Always according to the invention, said apparatus can comprise a further duct having its first end connected with the second end of said first duct by a coupling element; and a containment and pumping unit for said liquid, comprising pumping means, and its connected with the second end of said further duct.

Still according to the invention, said apparatus can comprise an element, having a first tapered end and a second end provided with a grip element, said element being engageable within said retractor means, and disengageable from said retractor means by said grip element and suitable to easy introduction of said retractor means through the anal orifice by said tapered end.

Furthermore, according to the invention, when said element is inserted within said retractor means, said first and second ends can project from said retractor means.

Advantageously according to the invention, said element and said first end can be removably coupled, and particularly they are coupled by threading permitting blocking each other.

Always according to the invention, said second end of said element can comprise an abutment, preferably a circular abutment.

Still according to the invention, said second end of said element can have a frustum-conical shape, so that when said element is inserted within said retractor means, it is fixedly coupled with the same, so that they are blocked each other. Preferably, according to the invention, said first end of said element is disposable.

Advantageously, according to the invention, said liquid pumping means can comprise an adjustable electric pump.

Furthermore, according to the invention, said pumping means can pump said liquid at a pressure between 5 l/min and 10 l/min, preferably 6 l/min.

Preferably, according to the invention, said liquid can be water or a mixture comprising a medicine and/or a disinfectant.

Always according to the invention, said liquid can be at a temperature lower than 10 ⁰ C.

Further, according to the invention, said apparatus can be realized at low costs.

Further particulars and advantages will be evident from the following specification, to be read along with the enclosed drawings, wherein it is represented (for illustrative and not limitative purposes) one of the preferred embodiments of a tap, and wherein: figure 1 shows a partially sectioned view of the apparatus for the removal of intestinal obstructions according to the present invention; figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of a retractor according to the present invention; figure 3 shows a view taken according to line A-A of retractor of figure 2; figure 4 shows a perspective view of retractor of figure 2; figure 5 shows a longitudinal view of a duct according to the present invention; figure 6 shows a perspective view of duct of figure 5;

figure 7 shows a longitudinal view of an element for easing introduction of a retractor according to the present invention; figure 8 shows a perspective view of element of figure 7; figure 9 shows a partially sectioned longitudinal view of element of figure 7 inserted within a retractor; figure 10 shows a longitudinal view of element of figure 7, inserted within a retractor; and figure 11 shows a longitudinal section view of element of figure 7 inserted within a retractor. Making reference to figure 1 it is possible observing a view of apparatus 1 according to the present invention.

Said apparatus 1 comprises a retractor 2, comprised of a hollow cylindrical body, with open ends, and preferably having circular section with a diameter of 25 mm. A grip element is coupled with said retractor 2, in this embodiment comprised of a rod 3.

Said retractor 2 can be introduced within the anal orifice of a patient, so as to open the passage.

Once retractor 2 is partially placed within the patient recto, end 4' of a duct 4 is inserted through it. Said duct 4 is "L" shaped and preferably is rigid.

Other end 4" of duct 4 is connected with a further duct 6 by a connection element 5, said further duct 6 being coupled with a liquid containment and pumping unit 7, provided with pumping means such as an electric pump.

Said containment and pumping unit 7 can pump a liquid up to a pressure of 6 l/min.

When- said retractor is partially placed within the patient recto, an operator or nurse can easily maintain in position at the same time said retractor 2, by said rod 3, and said rigid duct 4. Then, pumping means of said containment and pumping unit 7 can be activated.

Action of pumped liquid from nozzle placed on the end 4' of said duct 4 within the patient recto intestine crashes fecal mass and permits its removal through said retractor 2, along with outflow of the same liquid, since said retractor 2 has a section much more larger than the section of the duct 4.

Making now reference to figures 2 - 4, it is possible observing retractor 2, comprised of a hollow cylindrical body. It must be taken into consideration that in case further shape of the same suitable to make its insertion through the anal orifice can be provided. Cylindrical retractor 2, comprised of stainless steel, can deform when welding the rod 3. Therefore, in order to maintain inner wall perfectly cylindrical and smooth, bearing in mind that rod 3 is rather long, it is preferred that in place of the same a nut is welded, to which the rod can be threaded. Thus, without the handle, it is possible correcting inner deformations due to the welding.

Figures 5 and 6 show duct 4, at the end 4" of which it is coupled connection element 5. As already said, "L" shape and rigid structure of duct 4 permit to the nurse carrying out the treatment of removal of intestinal obstructions an easy handling of the same. Parts shown are all preferably made up of stainless steel.

Figures 7 and 8 show an element 8 having a first tapered end 9 and a second end 10 comprising a grip 10'.

Said element 8 can be inserted within retractor 2, as it can be observed from figure 9 and 10, so that both first and second ends 9, 10 project from retractor 2.

Said element 8 permits easing, by its first end 9, introduction of said retractor 2 within patient recto. After said introduction, it is possible removing said element withdrawing the same from said retractor 2, pulling it through grip 10'. Liquid contained within said containment and pumping unit 7 can be water or a mixture based on a medicine and/or a disinfectant.

Further, preferably, said liquid can be at low temperature, e.g. lower than 10 ⁰ C. it has been noted that this solution permits limiting possible occurring of hemorrhoids. In fact, it is known that for cure and prevention of hemorrhoids, "cryotherapy" is employed since many years, consisting of low temperature treatment of said hemorrhoids.

Finally, figure 11 shows a preferred embodiment of apparatus 1 according to the invention. Particularly, it is noted that only first end 9 can be removably coupled with said element 8 by a threading 9' in order to permit blocking each other. Finally, said element 9 is preferably comprised of a disposable material.

Furthermore, said second end 10 also an abutment 10a, preferably a circular abutment with a thickness of 2 mm, permitting stopping insertion of said element 8 within said retractor 2. Further, said second end 10 preferably has a frustum-conical (tapered) shape for about 10 mm of its length, so that said element 8, when enters within said retractor 2, slightly blocks, thus blocking each other, thus becoming integral each other.

Length of retractor 2 is of about 7 - 10 cm, but in any case such that, when element 8 is inserted within it, remains at a distance with the beginning of the first tapered end 9. Particularly, it would be better if said distance is of about 2 or 3 mm.

An advantage of the present invention is that of solving problem of constipation in a short time (even only five minutes) with respect to other known apparatuses, usually emitting hot water and require at least 40 - 60 minutes.

The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.