Hemorrhoid treatment device

Abstract

A hemorrhoid message device has a shaft with a first end section, a middle section and a narrow section. The middle section is positioned between the first end section and the narrow section. The narrow section has a concavity extending around the diameter of the shaft. The narrow section has a first end separated from a second end by between one-half inch and three-quarters inch diameters of the first end and the second end of the narrow section are equal. The shaft has a length between one and a half inches and four inches. The middle section can be of straight cylindrical, concave or convex shape.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,436 filed on Sep. 29, 2000 and entitled, "PROSTATE MASSAGE APPARATUS", presently pending.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of hemorrhoids. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for massaging internal and external hemorrhoids by the self-movement of the device. The present invention also relates to devices that are held within the anal canal and are driven by the pressure of the anal sphincter and by peristaltic activity of the surface of the anal canal for the purpose of massaging the internal and external hemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A hemorrhoid is a protrusion of the internal intestinal mucosa into the lumen of the rectum and, at times, outside the body. If untreated, a hemorrhoid can be painful and can cause irritation, discomfort and a soiling of clothing (typically underwear). Further, the untreated hemorrhoid can become thrombose, ulcerate and be prone to infection.

[0006] One current technique for treating external hemorrhoids involves the topical application of emollients, prescription and other over-the-counter medications. However, it is generally well accepted within the medical community that the key to proper hemorrhoidal care is to keep the area clean and to minimize inflammation. Emollients and creams tend to trap fecal film minutia on the surface of the skin. This fecal film and minutia can serve as an additional source of irritation and inflammation. Additionally, sitz baths are the currently preferred technique for treating uncomplicated hemorrhoids.

[0007] Sitz bath treatment involves soaking the affected area in a warm water bath three to four times per day. However, frequent bathing is impractical and inefficient for the average patient. Further, cold water is now recognized as being more effective in treatment of hemorrhoids than warm water. The obvious discomfort of a cold water bath is a significant limitation on the efficacy of the sitz bath treatment technique.

[0008] Anal-treatment dilators in the form of a hollow, relatively thin-walled, rotationally symmetrical cone are known. The cone is dimensioned to dilate the anus. Ointment can then be applied through the dilator to the hemorrhoidal tissues. However, it is often difficult to properly apply the ointment to the hemorrhoidal tissues since the ointment is often wiped off the instrument as it is introduced into the outer region of the anus.

[0009] In contrast to the ointment-type hemorrhoidal treatment devices, there are several anal treatment dilators and mechanical devices that are intended to facilitate the treatment of hemorrhoidal tissues. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,642, issued on Jul. 11, 1942, describes a stationary device having a shoulder at the bottom thereof which restricts free movement of the device within the rectum. The device has a diameter of greater than one inch. This large diameter will serve to induce the evacuative response of the anorectal area. The diameter of this device narrows by less than 1.5 inches from the base flange toward the top of the device. This large area of the narrowing tapered surface receives a downward thrust force from the lateral pressure of the anorectal area.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,914 describes a device which massages the anal canal manually. U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,542, issued on Apr. 22, 1986 to Z. R. Boyd, describes a stationary device with free self-movement which is restricted by a circumferential shoulder of the head and a large flange associated with the shaft. This device is intended to stay in a stationary position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,950, issued to the present inventor, utilizes the anal sphincter contraction to massage the prostate by reciprocal linear movement of the apparatus. The device is held by a rod set against the perineum region. U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,193, to the present inventor, utilizes the entire anal canal's static and dynamic lateral pressure, along with the peristaltic activity of the anal canal, in order to massage the internal and external hemorrhoids. With the exception of U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,193, none of the prior art patents mobilizes the device in order to message the internal and external hemorrhoids substantially by the activity of the pecten within the anal canal.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoidal treatment apparatus that induces peristaltic movement within the anal canal.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoidal treatment device which effectively massages the internal and external hemorrhoids without aggravating the condition.

[0013] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoidal treatment device which utilizes the peristaltic activity within the anal canal for back-and-forth movement.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoidal treatment device which relies on the peristaltic movement of the anal canal to consume a large amount of energy and increase fresh blood circulation to the anorectal area for improving hemorrhoidal conditions.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a small diameter device having smooth curved surfaces so as to avoid aggravating the hemorrhoidal condition.

[0016] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoidal treatment device which is easy to use, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.

[0017] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is a device for gently and naturally massaging the internal and external hemorrhoids without using external forces applied to the device. The device is movably held by the pecten within the anal canal so as to slightly move backward and forward, by itself, by way of the peristaltic activity of the pecten wall. The pecten is a narrow, concave portion of the anal canal. These slight movements of the device massage the internal and external hemorrhoids without aggravating the condition. The peristaltic movement within the pecten consumes a large amount of energy so as to increase fresh blood circulation to the anorectal area to improve the hemorrhoidal conditions.

[0019] The present invention comprises a shaft having a first end section, a middle section, and a narrow section. The first end section has a curved surface formed at the end thereof. This first end section has a cylindrical or narrowly tapering surface extending toward the middle section. The middle section is formed from a cylindrical shaft portion. The cylindrical shaft portion can have either a concave or a convex surface with an almost equal diameter at the ends thereof. This will avoid the influence of the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area. The average diameter of the middle section will be between 3/8 inch to 5/8 inch. This small diameter will serve to optimize the activity of the pecten and to decrease the influence of the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area. The middle section has a length of no more than one inch. The narrow section is located on an end of the middle section opposite the first end section. This narrow section has an area between a first end thereof and a second end thereof. This narrow section is provided so that the pecten can grip the device. The narrow section has a length of no more than one inch. The diameter of the device at the first end of the narrow section and at the second end of the narrow section is equal. The distance between the end of the first end section and the second end of the narrow section is between one and a half inches and four inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention as located within the pecten in the anal canal.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a hemorrhoid treatment device 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 is utilized so as to work with the pecten within the anal canal. This pecten is a narrow concave portion of the anal canal.

[0025] The device 10 has a shaft with a first end section 11, a middle section 20 and a narrow section 17. The first end section 11 extends between the end 7 of the device and the end 15 of the middle section 20 (designated with broken line "h"). The middle section 20 is located between first end 15 and opposite end 16. The narrow section 17 is located between the opposite end 16 of the middle section 20 and an opposite end 18 of the narrow section 17 (indicated by broken line "g").

[0026] The first end section 11 has a curved surface 12 at end 7. The curved surface 12 extends outwardly and downwardly from the end 7 in a direction toward the middle section 20. This curved surface 12 terminates in area 13 of the first end section 11. A cylindrical surface 14 extends from area 13 to the end 16 of the narrow section 17. The narrow section 17 is illustrated as extending in a concave manner between the ends 16 and 18 thereof. The device 10 can be terminated at the end 18 of the narrow section 17, if desired. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a handle shaft 21 is secured to the end 18 of the narrow section 17. Handle 22 is attached to the end of the handle shaft 21 opposite the middle section 17. The length from the end 7 of the first section 11 to the end 18 of the narrow section 17 is between one and a half inches and four inches.

[0027] Similarly, the distance between the broken line (h) at the end 15 of the middle section 20 and the broken line (g) at the end 18 of the narrow section 17 is between one inch and one and a half inches, inclusive. This distance represents an entire length of the human anal sphincter. The human sphincter includes the internal hemorrhoid area, the pecten, and the subcutaneous external sphincter. The subcutaneous external sphincter includes the external hemorrhoids. The length between the end 15 of the middle section 20 and the end 16 of the narrow section 17 is between one-half inch to three-quarters inch. This distance represents the length of the internal hemorrhoid area. The length between the end 16 and the end 18 of the narrow section 17 is between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive. This distance represents the length of the pecten. The diameters of the end 15 of the middle section 20 and the end 16 and the middle section 20, and the end 18 of the narrow section 17, are almost equal. Typically, these diameters will be between three-eighths inch and three-quarters inch. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optimum diameters would be between three-eighths inch to one-half inch.

[0028] The area between the area 13 of the first end section 11 and the opposite end 15 of the first end section 11 can be eliminated or replaced with various shapes of surfaces. Since this first end section 11 is outside the territory of the sphincter, the lateral pressure of the sphincter will not influence the first end section 11.

[0029] The cylindrical surface of the middle section 20 can include a slightly narrowing or widening tapered surface. If such a tapered surface is used, then the angle of taper should be less than eight degrees as extending from the end 15 of the middle section 20 to the end 16 of the narrow section 17. When the middle section 20 has a widening tapered surface from the end 15 of the middle section to the end 16 of the narrow section 17, the diameter of the narrowest cross section of the narrow section 17 is no more than the diameter of a cross section of the end 15 of the middle section 20.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the hemorrhoid treatment device 10 and components of the anal canal. The main components of the anal canal are the internal hemorrhoid area 80, the pecten 81 and the subcutaneous external sphincter 83. This subcutaneous external sphincter 83 contains the external hemorrhoids. The upper portion 85 of the internal hemorrhoid area 80 shows the ampulla of the rectum. When the device 10 is in use, it is inserted into the anal canal as the narrow section 17 of the device 10 fits to match the contours of the pecten 81. The device 10 is constructed so that the length of the narrow section 17 of the device 10 is between one-half inch to three-quarters inch in order to fit the typical length of the pecten 81.

[0031] The pecten 81 spans more than the middle third of the anal canal. The pecten 81 will have a length of about one-half inch to three-quarters inch. The pecten 81 is characterized by the formation of a thick hardened ring of fibrous tissue with resulting stenosis and contracture to form a narrow passage. The pecten 81 serves as a divider for the anal canal. When a small object is located in the upper section of the pecten, the pecten 81 retrieves the object within the rectum 85. When the object is at the lower section of the pecten 81, the pecten 81 serves to push the object out of the anus.

[0032] When the pecten 81 accommodates to the narrow section 17 of the device 10, the peristalistic motion of the pecten alone cannot clear out the device 10 from the pecten 81. This is because the ends 16 and 18 of the narrow section 17 serves as a bulwark. In other words, these ends 16 and 18 of the narrow section 17 send conflicting messages to the pecten 81 on whether to retrieve or evacuate the device from the anal canal. As the peristalistic motion within the pecten 81 continues to try to remove the device 10 from the pecten 81, the device 10 slightly moves backward and forward for a short distance within the pecten 81. Additionally, since the diameter of the cylindrical surface of the shaft throughout the middle section 20 is constant, there will be no thrust force caused by the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area to the middle section 20 and will not interfere the gripping ability of the pecten 81.

[0033] In those circumstances when the diameter of the middle section 20 is less than one-half inch and in those circumstances when the middle section 20 has a small tapered surface, the thrust force caused by the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area has a nominal effect on the device in comparison to the gripping power of the pecten 81. The ideal diameter of the end 16 and the end 18 of the narrow section 17 is less than three-quarters of the length of the pecten 81.

[0034] When the surface between the points 30 and 31 adjacent to the bottom 18 of the narrow section 17 has an average radius of less than three-eighths inch, this surface will perform a strong massage effect to the external hemorrhoidal area. The peristalistic motion of the pecten will consume a large amount of energy. This causes increased blood circulation and will cause an increased temperature of the hemorrhoidal area. As a result, it can serve to cure the hemorrhoidal condition.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows first alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device 700 of the present invention. The device 700 has an first end section 711, a middle section 720 and a narrow section 717. The end section 711 has a curved top surface 712 extending from end 707 to an area 713. A narrowing tapered surface 714 extends from the area 713 to the end 715 of the middle section 720, indicated by broken line (h) in the illustration of FIG. 3.

[0036] In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3, the middle section 720 is illustrated as extending in a convex manner between the end 715 of the middle section 720 and the end 716 of the narrow section 717. The narrow section 717 is illustrated as extending in a concave manner between the end 716 and the end 718. End 718 of the narrow section 717 is illustrated with broken line (g). The device 700 can be terminated at the end 718 of the narrow section 717. However, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a handle shaft 721 can be attached to the end 718 of the narrow section 717. The length from the area 713 of the first end section 711 to the end 718 of the narrow section 717 is between one inch and four inches. The distance between the end 715 of the middle section 720 and the end 718 of the narrow section 717 is between one inch and one and a half inches inclusive. The length between the end 715 of the middle section 720 and the end 716 of the narrow section 717 is between one-half inch and three-quarters inch, inclusive. The length between the end 716 and the end 718 of the narrow section 717 is between one-half inch and three-quarters inch, inclusive.

[0037] The diametric difference between the end 715 of the middle section 720 and the end 716 of the narrow section 717 is .+-.20%. As a result, the convex surface of the middle section 720 will not yield significant thrust forces caused by the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoid area and will not interrupt or interfere with the gripping ability of the pecten. The diameters of a cross section of the end 716 and the end 718 of the narrow section 717 are almost equal. This diameter can be between three-eighths inch to three-quarters inches, inclusive.

[0038] In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the end section 711 can be replaced by various shapes of surfaces extending from the area 713 to the end 715 of the middle section 720.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a second alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device 900 of the present invention. The device 900 has an end section 911, a middle section 920 and a narrow section 917. The end section 911 has a curved surface 912 extending from area 913 to end 907 of the device 900. A cylindrical surface 914 will extend from the area 913 to the end 915 of the middle section 920 at the area designated with a broken line (h) in FIG. 4. The middle section 920 is illustrated as extending in a concave manner between the end 915 of the middle section 920 and the end 916 of the narrow section 917. The narrow section 917 also extends in a concave manner between the end 916 and the end 918 thereof. The device 900 can be terminated at the bottom 918 of the narrow section 917, as illustrated by broken line (g) in FIG. 4. In the preferred form of this alternative embodiment, a handle shaft 921 is secured to the end 918 of the narrow section 917 of the device 900. The length between the area 913 to the end 918 of the narrow section 917 is between one inch and four inches, inclusive.

[0040] The length between the end 915 of the middle section 920 and the end 918 of the narrow section 917 is between one inch and one-half inches, inclusive. The length between the end 915 of the middle section 920 and the end 916 of the narrow section 917 is between one-half inch and three-quarters inch, inclusive. The length between the end 916 and the end 918 of the narrow section 917 is between one-half inch and three-quarters inch, inclusive. The diametric difference between the end 915 of the middle section 920 and the end 916 of the narrow section 917 is .+-.20%. As a result, the concave surface of the shaft at this middle section 920 does not yield significant thrust force effects caused by the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area and does not interfere with or interrupt the gripping ability of the pecten. The diameters of the end 916 and the end 918 of the narrow section 917, at a cross sections thereof, is of almost equal. This diameter can be between three-eighths inch to three-quarters inch, inclusive. The diameter of the narrowest portion of the narrow section 917 is no more than the diameter of the end 915 of the middle section 920.

[0041] In the present invention, it should be noted that the upper portion 911 can be replaced by various shapes of surfaces that extend from the area 913 to the end 915 of the middle section 920.

[0042] 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.

Claims

I claim:

1. A hemorrhoid massage device comprising: a shaft having a first end section and a middle section and a narrow section, said first end section having a curved surface at an end opposite said middle section, said middle section positioned between said first end section and said narrow section, said narrow section having a concavity extending around at least a portion of a diameter of said shaft, said narrow section having a first end and a second end at opposite ends of said concavity, said first end and said second end being separated by between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said middle section having a length of between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said shaft having a length between said end of said first end section and said second end of said narrow section of between one and a half inches and four inches inclusive, an end of said middle section adjacent said first end section having a diameter that is .+-.20% of a diameter of said first end of said narrow section, said diameter of said first end of said narrow section being approximately equal to a diameter of said second end of said narrow section.

2. The device of claim 1, said middle section being cylindrical extending from said first end section to said first end of said narrow section.

3. The device of claim 1, said middle section having a concave surface extending from said first end section to said first end of said narrow section.

4. The device of claim 1, said middle section having a convex surface extending from said first end section to said first end of said narrow section.

5. The device of claim 1, said first end of said narrow section having a diameter of between 3/8 inch and 5/8 inch inclusive.

6. The device of claim 1, said second end of said narrow section having a curved surface with an average radius of no more than three-eighths inch.

7. The device of claim 1, said shaft having a handle extending outwardly from said second end of said narrow section.

8. A hemorrhoid massage device comprising: a shaft having a first end section and a middle section and a narrow section, said first end section having a curved surface extending outwardly from an end thereof opposite said middle section, said shaft having said narrow section positioned at an end of said middle section opposite said first end section, said narrow section having a concavity extending around at least a portion of a diameter of said shaft, said narrow section having a first end and a second end at opposite ends of said concavity, said middle section having a straight cylindrical surface extending between said first end of said narrow section and said first end section, said cylindrical surface having a length of between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said first end and said second end of said narrow section being separated by between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said shaft having a length between said end of said first end section and said second end of said narrow section thereof of between one and a half inches and four inches inclusive, said second end of said narrow section having a diameter approximately equal to a diameter of said first end of said narrow section.

9. The device of claim 8, said first end of said narrow section having a diameter of between thee-eighths inch and one-half inch inclusive.

10. A hemorrhoid massage device comprising: a shaft having a first end section and a middle section and a narrow section, said first end section having a curved surface extending outwardly from an end thereof opposite said middle section, said narrow section positioned at an end of said middle section opposite said first end section, said narrow section having a concavity extending around at least a portion of a diameter of said shaft, said narrow section having a first end and a second end at opposite ends of said concavity, said first end section having a narrowing tapered surface extending from said curved surface to said middle section, said middle section having a convex surface between said first end section and said first end of said narrow section, said middle section having a length of between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said narrow section having a length of between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive between said first end and said second end thereof, said shaft having a length of between one inch and four inches inclusive between said end of said first end section and said second end of said narrow section, a diameter of said middle section adjacent said first end section being .+-.20% of a diameter of said first end of said narrow section, said diameter of said first end of said narrow section being approximately equal to a diameter of said second end of said narrow section.

11. the device of claim 10, said shaft having a diameter between 3/8 inch and 5/8 inch inclusive at said first end of said narrow section.

12. A hemorrhoid massage device comprising: a shaft having a first end section and a middle section and a narrow section, said first end section having a curved surface extending outwardly from an end thereof, said shaft having said narrow section positioned at an end of said middle section opposite said first end section, said narrow section having a concavity extending around at least a portion of a diameter of said shaft, said narrow section having a first end and a second end at opposite ends of said concavity, said middle section having a concave surface extending between said first end section and said first end of said narrow section, said narrow section having a length between said first end and said second end thereof of between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said middle section having a length of between one-half inch and three-quarters inch inclusive, said shaft having a length between said end of said first end section and said second end of said narrow section of between one and a half inches and four inches, said middle section having a diameter adjacent said first end section that is .+-.20% of a diameter of said first end of said narrow section, said diameter of said first end of said narrow section being approximately equal to a diameter of said second end of said narrow section.

13. The device of claim 12, said shaft having a diameter at said first end of said narrow section diameter of between three-eighths inch and five-eighths inch inclusive.

14. The device of claim 12, said first end section having a straight cylindrical shape extending from said curved surface to said middle section.

15. The device of claim 12, said first end section having a narrowing tapered surface extending from said curved surface to said middle section.

16. The device of claim 12, said shaft having a handle extending outwardly of said second end of said narrow section.