US2421294A - Vaginal irrigator - Google Patents

Description

y 7, 1947. J. c. SHOTTON 2,421,294

VAGINAL IRRIGATOR Filed March 9, 1945 f0 7 INVENTOR. 1 y flaw Patented May 27, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VAGINAL IRRIGATOR John C. Shotton, Lakewood, hio

Application March 9, 1945, Serial No. 581,832 a 4 Claims.

This invention relates to douches and, as shown herein, is especially adapted for use in irrigating vaginas.

It is the general purpose and object of the invention to provide a douche or irrigator which, when used for the purpose specified, will enable the wall of a vagina to be irrigated and/or disinfected in a most effective manner.

- A further and more limited object of the invention is to provide an instrument of this character by means of which the wall of a vagina may be dilated, whereby the entire surface of the same may be subjected to a cleansing and/or disinfecting liquid. Further and more limited objects of the invention will be realized in and through the construction and arrangement of the parts shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevational view of the aforesaid instrument and of the means for supplying and controlling the flow of an irrigating and/or disinfecting fluid thereto; Fig. 2 a sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l with a portion of the inflatable jacket broken away; Fig. 3 a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 an elevational view, with parts broken away, of the said inflatable jacket; Fig. 5 an end elevational View of said jacket; and Fig. 6 an elevational view of the screw plug used with the instrument shown in Fig. 1.

Describing the various parts herein by reference characters, Iii denotes generally the body of the douche or irrigator, the said body comprising a rear tapered portion ll having a shield l2 at the rear or outer end thereof. The front end of the said body is also tapered and comprises a plurality of radially extending ribs l3 providing angular or V-shaped channels I l therebetween, Which channels receive the irrigating liquid from a distributing chamber [5 located centrally of the inner ends of the ribs and at the rear ends of the latter and adjacent to and in front of the rear portion of said body and from outlets I 5 delivering the liquid to said channels. The rear portion ll of the body is provided with a downwardly and forwardly extending channel l6 for irrigating liquid, formed therein and within a sleeved extension ll of such rear portion. This channel is contracted at its front or delivery end, as shown at l6, and delivers liquid supplied thereto to the chamber l5 at said contracted front or delivery end. The rear portion of the body is also provided with a downwardly and outwardly extending channel l8 formed therein and within a sleeved extension l9, said channel having its inlet end arranged below the contracted delivery end l6 of the channel l6 and communicating with the chamber l5 and forming a discharge outlet for the irrigating liquid, the front or discharge end of the channel communicating with the chamber I5 and being located beneath the delivery end of the channel l6. The sleeved extension is is provided with a valve 20. A tube 26 is shown as communicating at one end with an elevated receptacle 22 and at its lower end with the end of the sleeved extension H, the said tube being shown as provided with a clip 23. A discharge tube 24 is shown as connected to the delivery end of the sleeved extension I9.

With the parts constructed and arranged as thus far described, it will be evident that, With the instrument inserted in place and the shield l2 engaging the parts surrounding the exterior of the vagina, an irrigating and/or disinfecting liquid may be supplied through the pipe 2| to the chamber l5 and distributed thence to and through the channels I4 to the surface of the wall to be treated, the pressure being regulatable by elevating or lowering the receptacle 22, as well as by manipulating the valve 20 or the clip 23. It will be evident that, by thus controlling the flow of liquid to and from the douche or irrigator, the pressure of the liquid may be correspondingly variedfrom a pressure merely sufiicient to rinse the wall of the vagina to a pressure sufficient to dilate-the wall to an extent to contact the entire surface thereof. As has been pointed out hereinbefore, the delivery end of the channel I 6 and the inlet end of the channel It both communicate with the chamber IS, the latter channel communicating freely with said chamber. The arrangement of the inlet and outlet channels with respect to the said chamber and the location of the chamber with respect to the rear portion of the body enables the liquid to be delivered into the vaginal cavity near the outer end of the same and to be circulated inwardly (or forwardly of the irrigator) throughout substantially the full length of said cavity before returning to the chamber and being delivered thence through the outlet channel. Thus a free in-and-out circulation of the liquid is obtained, thereby insuring a constant dilution of the contents of the vaginal cavity with Water and which contents can escape freely and without any blocking or obstruction.

Where, because of the pressure of the liquid employed, there may be difiiculty in effecting a seal against the escape of liquid other than through the channel 18, I have overcome this to enable the liquid difiiculty as follows: The surface of the rear portion of the body H is unbroken or continuous and is provided with a threaded aperture 25 extending from the channel 16 to the exterior of the body and which aperture is normally closed by a screw plug 26; and I have provided the rear portion H of the body with annular grooves 21 and 28 located on opposite sides of the said aperture. These grooves are for the reception of a sleeve 29 of inflatable materiahsuch' as rubber, said sleeve having side flanges or beads 30 which are adapted to fit snugly under compression within the grooves 21 and 28. It will be evident that, by applying this sleeve in the manner shown Fig. 1, having first removed the plug 26,}; rela tively high pressure of the liquid in'the channel IE will inflate the said sleeve, as shown, thereby providing, with the shield (2, a most effective seal against the escape of liquid except through the channel 18. The restriction of the outlet from shared it e a l hash Pr ssure 9 e bui t Y ree iitv hi ihfiaiiQn iii the 1. the d lleh q ir is i as herein. Prim ril ada ed ea e o le islhe r ir i aor var in th d mens i ns v. y .e li@ ii l eh@atmhts i .hrdr and riser wea -id F r heev ihi 9ifi fi th par 9!. he

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