Suppository

Abstract

A suppository includes a shaft, a bulbous head secured to one end of the shaft and a conical tail secured to the other end. The head comprises an outwardly curved retention surface and a gradually inwardly curved insertion surface. The tail includes an outwardly tapered retaining surface and a flat base, and has a maximum diameter that is greater than the maximum diameter of the head. A pressure relieving passageway extends through the suppository from one end to the other.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 35,999, filed May 11, 1970 now abandoned.

Description

This invention relates to a suppository, and more particularly to a rectal suppository for use in the treatment of hemorrhoids and proctitis.

In the treatment of hemorrhoids and similar ailments, suppositories are employed to apply medication to the affected areas of the anus and rectum. In the past, a wide variety of rectal suppository designs have been employed. Unfortunately, most prior suppositories have been characterized by a number of deficiencies.

For example, most currently available suppositories are solid in construction. During the use of such a suppository, any pressure within the rectum results either in the expulsion of the suppository or, if the suppository is mechanically retained, in the ballooning of the rectum out of contact with the medication of the suppository. Also, most prior suppositories have not provided for the reduction of and the application of medication to protruding external hemorrhoids. Finally, many suppositories have been uncomfortable in use, principally because of external configurations that prevent easy insertion and comfortable retention.

In accordance with the present invention, a suppository is provided that overcomes the difficulties that have been experienced in the use of prior suppositories. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a rectal suppository including a pressure relieving passageway and an enlarged tail that medicates and reduces protruding external hemmorhoids. The suppository further comprises a bulbous head including a gradually inwardly curved surface that eases insertion of the suppository and an outwardly curved surface that facilitates comfortable retention. Preferably, the suppository consists entirely of a medicament that melts or dissolves during use of the suppository.

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the use of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a first embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 3 is a reduced end view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a second embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a reduced end view of the second embodiment.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof, there is shown a suppository 10 comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The suppository 10 includes a relatively long, relatively small diameter shaft 12, a bulbous head 14 secured to one end of the shaft 12 and a conical tail 16 secured to the other end. The suppository 10 is comprised entirely of a medicament and is circular in cross section throughout its length. A pressure relieving passageway 18 is formed in the suppository 10 and extends from one end of the suppository to the other. The passageway 18 comprises a groove formed along one side of the suppository 10.

The bulbous head 14 includes an outwardly curved retention surface 20 that extends from the shaft 12 and a gradually inwardly curved insertion surface 22 that extends from the surface 20 to a rounded nose 24. The shape of the surfaces 20 and 22 is important in that the surface 22 facilitates easy insertion of the suppository 10 and in that the surface 20 facilitates comfortable retention of the suppository. It should be noted that the intersection between the retention surface 20 and the insertion 22 does not comprise a sharp edge or corner. In and of itself, this greatly reduces the discomfort involved in the use of suppositories employing the present invention.

The conical tail 16 includes an outwardly tapered retaining surface 26 that extends from the shaft 12 to a flat base 28. The portion of the surface 26 located adjacent the base 28 is of substantially larger diameter than the maximum diameter of the head 14 and is employed in the suppository 10 to reduce and to medicate protruding external hemorrhoids. The flat base 28 is also important in that it facilitates the positioning of the suppository 10 on a bedside table prior to insertion, and in that it facilitates insertion of the suppository 10 by providing an outwardly facing thrust surface.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a suppository 30 comprising a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The suppository 30 includes a shaft 32, a bulbous head 34, and the conical tail 36, all of which are identical in shape to the corresponding portions of the suppository 10. The suppository 30 differs from the suppository 10 in that it includes a pressure relieving passageway 38 comprising an axial bore extending the length of the suppository.

It will be understood that the dimensions of the various portions of a suppository employing the present invention are very important to the successful practice of the invention. That is, the suppository must be of such a size that it is retained in the anus and yet must not be of such a size that it causes undue discomfort during insertion and use. It has been found that the ideal dimensions for a suppository employing the present invention are as follows:

A. Shaft: Diameter 8.7 mm Axial Length 26.8 mm B. Head: 1. Insertion Surface: Maximum Diameter 12.2 mm Axial Length 14.4 mm 2. Retention Surface: Maximum Diameter 12.2 mm Axial Length 3.8 mm C. Tail: Maximum Diameter 21.7 mm Axial Length 10.0 mm

Suppositories employing the present invention preferably consist entirely of a medicament that melts or dissolves during use. For example, a medicament comprising a suitable vehicle, such as cocoa butter, and a suitable medicinal substance dispersed through the vehicle may be used. Alternatively, the suppository may be comprised of either the hemorrhoid medicament sold by Warner-Chilcott of Morris Plains, N.J., under the trademark "ANUSOL - HC" or the hemorrhoid medicament sold by Wyeth Laboratories, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pa., under the trademark "WYANOIDS HC".

The use of suppositories employing the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. A suppository S is positioned in the anus A of a patient P by pushing on the base of the suppository. Insertion of the suppository is greatly facilitated by the shape of the insertion surface of the bulbous head, which renders the insertion of the suppository relatively easy and painless. When in place, the suppository is retained by the normal action of the anal sphincter muscle of the patient P. The shape of the retention surface of the head of the suppository renders the retention of the suppository relatively painless when compared with the use of prior suppository designs.

During the use of the suppository S, the pressure relieving passageway prevents the accumulation of pressure in the rectum R of the patient P. This eliminates both the danger of expulsion of the suppository S due to such pressure and the possibility of the ballooning of the rectum away from the head of the suppository. Also, the normal action of the sphincter muscle of the patient P draws the tapered retaining surface of the conical tail of the suppository into engagement with protruding external hemorrhoids. Thus, the present invention assures both the reduction of and the application of medication to protruding external hemorrhoids. Because the suppository S is comprised entirely of a medicament that melts or dissolves when the suppository in place, there is no need to remove the suppository after use.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the use of the present invention results in several advantages over the prior art. For example, the pressure relieving passageway of the suppository of the present invention eliminates both the possibility of the expulsion of the suppository due to pressure in the rectum and the possibility of the ballooning of the rectum away from the medication of the suppository. Also, the large conical tail of the suppository reduces and medicates protruding external hemorrhoids during the use of the suppository in the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. Finally, shape of the head of the suppository both facilitates the insertion of the suppository and renders the retention of the suppository considerably more comfortable.

Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and described herein, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of rearrangement, modification and substitution of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A suppository comprising:

a shaft;

a bulbous head secured to one end of the shaft and having a maximum diameter substantially greater than that of the shaft; and

a conical tail secured to the other end of the shaft and having a maximum diameter substantially greater than that of the head,

said suppository further characterized by a pressure relieving passageway comprising a groove formed along one side of the suppository and extending the entire length thereof.

2. The suppository according to claim 1 wherein the bulbous head comprises an outwardly curved retention surface extending from the shaft and a gradually inwardly curved insertion surface extending from the retention surface

3. The suppository according to claim 1 wherein the conical tail includes an outwardly curved retaining surface extending from the shaft to a flat base.

4. A suppository comprising:

a relatively long, relatively small diameter shaft;

a bulbous head including an outwardly curved retention surface extending from the shaft and a gradually inwardly curved insertion surface extending from the retention surface to a rounded nose;

a conical tail including an outwardly tapered retaining surface extending from the shaft to a base having a diameter substantially greater than the maximum diameter of the bulbous head;

said shaft, head and tail comprising a unitary structure and being formed entirely from a medicament; and

said suppository further characterized by a pressure relieving groove formed along one side of the suppository and extending the entire length thereof.

5. The suppository according to claim 4 wherein the shaft, the head, and the tail are characterized by the following dimensions:

6. A suppository comprising:

a relatively long, relatively small diameter shaft;

a bulbous head at one end of the shaft and comprising a rounded nose extending to a gradually curved surface adapted to facilitate insertion of the suppository into the anal canal and a surface curving inwardly from the insertion surface to the shaft and adapted to retain the suppository in the anal canal following insertion; and

a relatively large diameter conical tail at the opposite end of the shaft from the head and comprising a flat base adapted to support the suppository in an upright orientation and a surface tapering inwardly from the base to the shaft and adapted to medicate protruding external hemorrhoids when the suppository is in place in the anal canal;

said suppository further characterized by a pressure relieving passageway comprising a groove extending along one side of the suppository through the entire length thereof.

7. A suppository for use in the anal canal comprising:

a bulbous head comprising a rounded nose extending to a gradually curved surface for facilitating insertion of the head through the anal canal and a surface curving inwardly from the retention surface for positioning inside of the anal sphincter muscles to retain the suppository in the anal canal following insertion;

a relatively long, relatively small diameter shaft extending from the retention surface of the head for positioning in the anal canal; and

a relatively large diameter conical tail at the opposite end of the shaft from the head and comprising a flat base adapted to support the suppository in an upright orientation and a surface tapering from the base to the shaft for positioning outside of the anal sphincter muscles to retain the suppository in the anal canal and for medicating protruding external hemerrhoids when the suppository is in place in the anal canal;

the retention surfaces of the head and the tail being positioned relative with respect to each other to properly locate the suppository in the anal canal;

said suppository further comprising a pressure relieving passageway extending the entire length thereof for permitting fluid flow outwardly through the anal canal when the suppository is in place therein, thereby relieving pressure which would otherwise cause the suppository to be expelled;

said head, tail, and shaft of the suppository comprising a unitary structure formed entirely from a medicament.

8. The suppository according to claim 7 wherein the pressure relieving passageway comprises an axial bore.

9. The suppository according to claim 7 wherein the pressure relieving passageway comprises a groove extending along one side of the suppository.

10. The suppository according to claim 7 wherein the shaf, the head, and the tail are characterized by the following dimensions: