Wash bottle and method for ameliorating hemorrhoids

A wash bottle adapted for use in irrigating body tissue surfaces. The bottle comprises a container constituted of flexible resilient material having a mouth. A closure for the mouth is detachable to permit filling of the container with a wash liquid. A nozzle on the closure permits delivery of wash liquid from the container. Conduit means inside the closure and in communication with the nozzle provide for delivery of wash liquid to the nozzle. Valve means comprise a valve seat at an inlet of the conduit means and a stem attached at one end to a portion of a wall of the container and having a free end engageable with the valve seat to prevent entry of liquid into the conduit means from the interior of the container when the container is in an unstressed condition. Said portion of the wall is movable outwardly on squeezing the container to move the stem away from the seat, thereby opening the conduit means to the interior of the container and resulting in the delivery of wash liquid out through the conduit means and nozzle when the bottle is in an inverted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the field of devices for ameliorating 
hemorrhoidal conditions and more particularly to a novel wash bottle and 
method for removing fecal matter from the anal area by irrigation thereof. 
Hemorrhoidal conditions are aggravated by removal of fecal material from 
the anal area by the conventional method of wiping with toilet paper. 
Because of its abrasive character, even the softest of toilet paper causes 
irritation to the tender anal tissue surfaces affected by hemorrhoids. In 
view of the prevalence of hemmorhoidal conditions there has been a serious 
need for devices or techniques which permit cleansing of the anal area 
without aggravating the irritation and inflammation caused by hemorrhoids. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Among the several objects of the present invention, therefore, may be noted 
the provision of a novel device for cleansing the anal area with minimal 
irritation thereof; the provision of such a device which is effective for 
cleansing an anal area affected by hemorrhoids without aggravation of that 
condition; the provision of such a device which is operative to irrigate 
the anal area with a cleanising liquid that does not aggravate 
hemorrhoidal irritation; the provision of such a device which is uniquely 
adapted for use in the orientation necessary for cleansing the anal area, 
the provision of such a device which is effective for such purpose without 
the cleansing liquid either leaking onto the hands or otherwise by-passing 
the stream applied to the anal area; and the provision of a method for 
ameliorating hemorrhoids by cleansing the anal area without the abrasive 
effect of the conventional application of toilet paper or other solid 
state materials. 
Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a wash bottle 
adapted for use in irrigating body tissues surfaces. The bottle comprises 
a container constituted of flexible resilient material and having a mouth. 
There is a closure of the mouth detachable to permit filling of the 
container with a wash liquid and a nozzle on the closure for delivery of 
wash liquid from the container. Conduit means inside the closure and in 
communication with the nozzle provide for the delivery of wash liquid to 
the nozzle. Valve means comprise a valve seat at an inlet end of the 
conduit means and a stem attached at one end to a portion of a wall of the 
container and having a free end engageable with the valve seat to prevent 
entry of the liquid into the conduit means from the interior of the 
container when the container is in an unstressed condition. Said portion 
of the wall is movable outwardly on squeezing the container to move the 
stem away from the seat, thereby opening the conduit means to the interior 
of the container and resulting in delivery of the wash liquid out through 
the conduit means and nozzle when the bottle is in an inverted position. 
The invention is further directed to a method for ameliorating hemorrhoids 
by removal of fecal matter from the area surrounding the anus without the 
use of paper or other solid state material. The method comprises 
positioning in an inverted orientation adjacent the anal area a wash 
bottle comprising a container constituted of flexible resilient material 
having a discharge nozzle for delivery of wash liquid when the bottle is 
in an inverted position and an internal valve that is opened by movement 
of a valve stem away from a valve seat on deformation of the container by 
squeezing thereof and which is closed by return of the container to its 
original configuration in an unstressed condition. The wash bottle is 
squeezed so as to open the valve and deliver a stream of wash liquid out 
through the tube; and the stream is directed to areas of body tissue 
bearing fecal matter so as to irrigate such areas and remove the fecal 
matter therefrom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In accordance with the present invention, a novel wash bottle and method 
are provided whereby the body tissue in the anal area can be cleansed of 
fecal material without irritation of already inflamed tissue. By use of 
the wash bottle in accordance with the method, the anal area is irrigated 
with a wash liquid, typically warm water, which is impinged on the body 
tissue with a force that is sufficient for removing fecal matter but which 
is not so great as to cause irritation. By this method a substantial 
proportion of the fecal matter is directly removed, and irrigation of the 
anal area with water has a lubricating effect which permits removal of 
residual fecal matter by toilet paper without the abrasion incurred in the 
conventional use of paper. The wash bottle is uniquely adapted for 
operation in a position necessary for cleansing of the anal area without 
the wash liquid either leaking onto the hands or otherwise bypassing the 
stream that is impinged on the body tissue. Use of the novel wash bottle 
and method of the invention is, therefore, effective for ameliorating 
hemorrhoidal conditions. 
Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown at 1 a wash bottle comprising a 
cylindrical container 3 having a bottom wall 5, a head 7, and a neck 9 
leading to a mouth 11 centrally located of the head substantially on the 
axis of the container. The container is constituted of a flexible 
resilient material and is also preferably transparent or translucent so 
that the operator can visually observe the liquid level therein. 
Conveniently, a plastic material such as polyethylene is used as the 
material of construction. 
Neck 9 is threaded to receive a screw cap type closure 13. Extending 
through screw cap 13 is a delivery tube 15, the inner end of which 
constitutes a conduit that termintes inside neck 9 and is essentially 
coaxial with the container, and the outer end of which comprises a 
discharge nozzle bent at 90.degree. angle to that axis. At the inner end 
of tube 15 is a valve 17 which comprises a valve seat 19 in the tube and a 
solid stem 21 attached at one end to bottom wall 5 and having a free end 
23 which is engageable with seat 19 to close the tube when the container 
is in its normal unstressed condition. The fixed end of stem 21 is 
cemented in a hole in wall 5 and secured by flanged collar 22 on the 
inside of the bottle wall. The internal surface of the inner end of tube 
15 may serve as valve seat 19 through a simple interference fit with end 
23 of stem 21 in which event the inner end of the tube is preferably 
flaired slightly as at 25 so as to permit smooth entry of the stem into 
the tube. For the same purpose, it is also preferred that end 23 be a 
reduced end as indicated at 27. This feature not only facilitates entry 
but modulates opening and closing of the valve on squeezing and release of 
the bottle. 
When container 3 is squeezed, the portion of wall 5 to which stem 21 is 
attached moves away from seat 19, thereby opening valve 17 and permitting 
expulsion of liquid when the bottle is in the inverted position. Release 
of squeezing pressure permits the bottle to return to an unstressed 
condition, whereupon free end 23 of stem 21 engages seat 19 to close the 
valve. 
Gross offset of stem 21 and tube 15 is prevented by a valve stem guide 29 
which comprises a spider shaped member comprising an inner collar 31, for 
guiding the stem, attached by ribs 33 to an outer collar 35 which is in 
turn attached to the inside base of neck 9. 
A vent 37 is provided on head 7 in proximity to mouth 11 and includes a 
check valve 39 comprising a ball 41, an inner stop 43, and a seat 45 
contained within a screw cap 47 attached to the outer end of the vent. 
Stop 43 is configured to permit passage of air when ball 41 is in 
engagement therewith but seat 45 is configured to prevent passage of air 
when it is engagement with the ball. Thus, when the bottle is squeezed for 
expelling liquid through tube 15, ball 41 moves into engagement with seat 
45 to prevent leakage of fluid out the vent while upon withdrawal of 
squeezing pressure the resilient container returns to its unstressed 
state, thereby drawing air in through vent 37 and causing ball 41 to be 
moved into engagement with stop 43 in which position air can enter the 
container to replace the liquid expelled during the squeezing portion of 
the cycle. A continued pumping action can thereby be achieved without 
either leakage of liquid or reduction of pressure inside of the container. 
To provide a stream of the desired volume and intensity the outlet end of 
tube 15 should have a diameter of between about 1/32" and 3/16". 
Preferably the diameter is approximately 1/16". 
FIG. 2 illustrates the inverted position in which the wash bottle is 
operated in accordance with the method of the invention for irrigation of 
body tissue in the anal area to remove fecal matter therefrom. 
In the alternative configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 the bottle 
comprises a container 3a that is again constituted of flexible, resilient, 
preferably translucent, material but is of generally rectangular 
cross-section having a bottom wall 5a and a reduced rectangular 
cross-section upper portion 48. A neck 9a on a side wall 49 of upper 
portion 48 leads to a mouth 11a the container. 
Neck 9a is threaded to receive a screw cap type closure 13a having an 
integral discharge nozzle 51 thereon whose diameter is in the same range 
as the discharge end of tube 15 of FIG. 2. Also integral with the screw 
cap is an internal tube 53 which is in communication with nozzle 51, 
terminates inside of neck 9a and is essentially perpendicular to the axis 
of upper portion 47. Tube 53 is adapted for a telescopic fit within a 
tubular member 55 to constitute a sleeve therein and provide an assembly 
which affords a conduit for delivery of liquid from the interior of the 
bottle to discharge nozzle 51. Tubular member 55 is adapted to fit within 
neck 9a and has a flange 57 at its outer end which is engageable with the 
outer rim 59 of the neck to limit inward travel of member 55 and permit 
the fixing of its position when screw cap 13a is in its closed position. 
Flange 57 is preferably cemented to rim 59 to fix tubular member 55 in 
place. 
Tubular member 55 has a closed inner end 61. Ports 63 in the side wall 
thereof permit filling of the container when the screw cap is removed. 
When screw cap 13a is in the closed position, sleeve 53 is oriented within 
tubular member 55 so as to close ports 63. 
In the side wall of tubular member 55, located inwardly port 63 and of the 
inner end of sleeve 53, are linearly aligned openings 65 and 67. A valve 
17a is comprised of a seat 19a defined by port 65 and a solid stem 21a 
that is attached at one end to bottom wall 5a and has a free end 23a which 
extends through port 67 to engage seat 19a. Port 67 serves as a guide for 
the valve. The fixed end of stem 21a is cemented in a hole in wall 5a and 
secured by a flanged collar 22a on the inside of the bottle wall. 
In top wall 69 of container 3a is a vent 71 comprising a flanged rubber 
tube 73 extending through an aperture in the wall and a rubber flapper 
valve 75. Valve 75 is closed by internal pressure when the container is 
squeezed but opens to admit air when the internal pressure falls below 
atmosphere as the bottle returns to its unstressed condition after 
squeezing. 
Operation of the bottle is essentially identical to that of FIGS. 2 and 3. 
Thus, the bottle is conveniently utilized in an inverted position with the 
axis of the container at approximately 45.degree. to the vertical. 
Squeezing of the container withdraws free end 23a from seat 19a, opening 
valve 17a and permitting flow out through sleeve 53 and nozzle 51. Release 
of squeezing pressure allows valve 17a to reseat and close. 
In accordance with the method of the invention, the wash bottle is filled 
with a wash liquid, typically warm water, inverted to permit expulsion of 
water therefrom, and positioned so that the stream emanating from the tube 
is directed towards the areas of body tissue to be cleansed. Conveniently 
the filled bottle is placed between the legs, and then squeezed to direct 
the liquid to the desired area, thereby irrigating such areas and removing 
fecal matter therefrom. Irrigation of those areas has a lubricating effect 
which facilitates subsequent removal of residual fecal matter by toilet 
paper without abrasion of sensitive body tissue. 
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the 
invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. 
As various changes could be made in the above methods and products without 
departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter 
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings 
shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.