HEMORRHOID TREATMENT AND PROSTATE MASSAGE APPARATUS

Abstract: An apparatus for massaging a prostate gland and for providing treatment for hemorrhoids through the contraction of a human sphincter including a head (12) having a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter and a resistor (14) connected to a bottom (22) of the head. The head has a bulbous upper portion (18) and a tapered section (20) extending from the upper portion. The tapered section narrows in diameter from the upper portion of the head. The resistor has a spindle shape with a first tapered surface (24) widening from the bottom of the head so as to define a wide section of the resistor. The resistor has a second tapered surface (79) extending and narrowing from the wide section of the first tapered surface.

Description: HEMORRHOID TREATMENT AND PROSTATE MASSAGE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of hemorrhoids, more particularly, the present invention massages internal and external rectal venous plexus by a self- movement of the apparatus inside the anal canal. This apparatus is movably held by itself inside the anal canal and driven by the contraction of the anal sphincter, peristaltic movement of the surface of the anal canal and the rectal pressure, to move inside the anal canal linearly and laterally. 2. Description of Related Art There are many inventions related to the hemorrhoid treatment, all of those inventions are stationary types. U.S. Patent No. 4,583,542, issued on April 22, 1986, is stationary type. Free movement is restricted by the steep circumferential shoulder of the head and the flange of the shaft. It is designed ' to stay still in place. U.S. Patent No. 4,263,914, describes a device that massages an anal canal manually. U.S. Patent No. 5,797,950, to the present inventor, describes an invention which utilizes the anal sphincter's contraction for massaging the prostate by the reciprocal linear movement of the apparatus. No previous invention mobilizes the apparatus massaging the anal canal both linearly and laterally inside the anal canal by the sphincter's contraction and the peristaltic movement of the anal canal. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus for gently and naturally massaging the internal and external rectal venous plexus without external force. This apparatus can be movably held inside the anal canal and moves up and down by the contraction and the peristaltic movement of the anal canal and the rectal pressure. Those acts make it possible by the properly distanced combination of the opposed tapered surfaces of the head and the resistor. The head has a bulbous upper portion and a tapered section extending from the upper portion. The tapered section narrows in diameter from the upper portion. The resistor section has a tapered surface in which the average taper angle is widening from the bottom of the head to the end of the resistor. The diameter throughout the resistor is smaller than the diameter of the head. The diameter of the end of the resistor is 90 to 110% of the section of the head that is separated from the end of the resistor by the length of the sphincter. The apparatus body has an ovate cross section and the axis of the apparatus is slightly twisted (less than a quarter turn from top of the head to the bottom of the resistor) for creating the lateral movement while apparatus is moving linearly inside the anal canal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 shows a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged diagrammatic illustration of the relationship between the resistor section and the bottom of the head portion of the present invention. FIGURE 3 shows the prostate massage apparatus of the present invention with dimensional relationships indicated. FIGURE 4 shows an enlarged diagrammatic illustration of the relationship between the resistor section and the bottom of the head portion of the prostate massage apparatus of the present invention. FIGURES 5 (A) - (C) shows the movement of the prostate massage apparatus of the present invention within the human sphincter. FIGURES 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of the prostate massage apparatus of the present invention. FIGURE 8 shows cross-sectional orientations of the ovoid shape of the prostate massage apparatus of the present invention. FIGURE 9 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a side elevational view. FIGURE 10 shows the positioning of the preferred embodiment of the prostate massage apparatus of the present invention as located within ahuman sphincter and oriented for the treatment of internal and external hemorrhoidal conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGURE 1 shows massage apparatus 10 of the present invention. The hemorrhoid massage apparatus 10 includes a head 12, a resistor section 14 connected to the bottom 22 of the head 12. The head 12 has a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter. The head 12 has a bulbous upper portion 18 and a tapered section 20 extending from the upper portion 18. The tapered section 20 narrows in diameter from the upper portion toward the bottom 22 of the head which is joined to the resistor section 14. The resistor 14 has a tapered surface 24. The average tapered surface 24 from the bottom of the head 22 to the bottom of the resistor 142 tapers outwardly so as to widen from the bottom 22 of the tapered surface 20 to the bottom 27 of the resistor 14. The average diameter at the end 25 of the resistor at the broken line (g) is 90 to 110% of the diameter of the section 23 at the broken line (h) of the head, which is separated from the end of the resistor by the length of the sphincter (HI). For effective and smooth operation, the angle (p) between the tapered surface 20 of the head and the tapered surface 24 of the resistor is greater than 130 degrees and narrower than 116 degrees. The length of the head is less than 3 inches to 3 1/2 inches to assure a free movement, since the rectum bends backwardly at 3 1/2 to 4 inches from the anal entrance. The handle 28 is attached by the rod 29 at the bottom of the resistor. Rod 29 assures free movement of the apparatus 10. The bottom 27 of the resistor should be just inside the anal entrance to effectively massage the external hemorrhoid gland. The rod 29 has a much smaller diameter than the bottom 27 of the resistor 14. The apparatus 10 is made of rigid or firm polymeric material. FIGURE 2 shows prostate massage 30 of the present invention. The hemorrhoid massage apparatus includes a head 32 and a short resistor section 34 connected to the bottom 42 of the head 32. The head 32 has a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter. The head 32 has a bulbous upper portion 38 and a gradual tapered section 40 extending from the upper portion 38. The tapered section 40 narrows in diameter from the upper portion toward the bottom 42 of the head which is joined to the resistor section 34. The short resistor 34 has a tapered surface 44. The tapered surface 44 from the bottom of the head 42 to the end 47 of the resistor 34 tapers outwardly so as to widen from the bottom 42 of the tapered surface 40 to the end 47 of the resistor 34. The average diameter at the end 47 of the resistor, at the broken line (g) is about 100% to 120% of the diameter at the section 43 at the broken line (h) of the head, which is separated from the end of the resistor by the length of the sphincter (HI). The necessity of the larger diameter at the end 47 of the resistor is to compensate for a smaller surface of the resistor surface than a tapered surface of the head. FIGURE 3 shows prostate massage apparatus 70 of the present invention. The hemorrhoid massage apparatus 70 includes a head 76 and a resistor 72 is connected to the bottom 74 of the head 76. The head 76 has a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter. The head 76 has a bulbous upper portion and a tapered section 82 extending from the upper portion. The tapered section 82 narrows in diameter from the upper portion. The resistor 72 has a spindle shape with a first tapered surface 78 and a second tapered surface 80. The first tapered surface 78 tapers outwardly so as to widen from the bottom of the head 74 to the wide section 84 of the resistor 72 at the bottom of the first tapered section 84 of the resistor 72. The second tapered surface 80 narrows from the wide section 84 of the resistor 72 toward the end 79 of the resistor. The average diameter of the end of the resistor 79 at the broken line (g) is 90 % to 110% of the diameter of the section of the head 83 at the broken line (h) distanced from the end of the resistor by the length of the sphincter (HI). For effective and smooth operation, the angle (p) between the tapered surface 82 of the head 76 and the average taper degree of the first tapered surface 78 and the second tapered surface 80 of the resistor 72 is greater than 130 degrees and narrower than 176 degrees. FIGURE 4 shows some of the dimensional relationships between the head 76 and the resistor 72. The broken line (a) extends across the bottom of 74 of the head 76. The broken line (b) is a transverse line which is positioned below the broken line (a) by a distance equal to the length of the sphincter(Hl). Conventionally, in human bodies, the sphincter will have a length of between 1 and 1 inches. The broken line (d) is a transverse line extending across the wide section 84 of the resistor 72. The broken line (c) is a transverse line which is positioned above the broken line (d) by the length of the sphincter (HI). The broken lines (s) and (s') are lines which extend parallel to the tapered surface 82 on the head 76. Broken lines (s) and (s') will intersect broken line (d) at a desired location and will intersect each other at point 83. The broken lines (s) and (s') are spaced from the tapered surface 82 of the head 76 by a distance shown by broken lines (k) and (k'). The diameter of the resistor 72 at any location within the broken lines (s) and (s') will have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the head 76 at a location greater than the length of the sphincter HI . Similarly, the diameter of the resistor outside the broken lines (s) and s') will have a greater diameter than the head 76 at any location along the head 76 within the length of the sphincter HI. The second tapered surface 80 of the resistor 72 has a narrower tapered angle than the tapered surface 82 of the head 76. As can be seen, there is a portion of the second tapered section 80 of the resistor 72 that crosses the broken lines (s) and (s') at the broken line (g) so as to reside outside of the lines (s) and (s'). The diameter of the resistor at the broken line (g) is equal to the diameter of the head at the section (h), separated by the length of the sphincter (HI) from the section (g) of the resistor. This section (g) is an end of the resistor. The section of the resistor 72 at point (b') is located on the resistor at a length equal to the length of the sphincter (HI) from the bottom 74 of the head 76. Thus, the diameter of the bottom 74 of the head 76 is slightly less than the diameter of the resistor at the location (b'). The distance (H2) between the bottom 74 of the head 76 and the wide section 84 of the resistor 72 is less than a length of the sphincter (HI). For effective and smooth operation, the angle (p) between the tapered surface 82 of the head 76 and the first tapered surface 78 of the resistor 72 is greater than 130 degrees and narrower than 176 degrees. In case the length of the resistor is shorter than half the length of the sphincter, the taper angle of the first tapered surface 78 of the resistor 72 is greater than a taper angle 82 of the head 76. FIGURES 5(A)-(C) show the operation of the apparatus 70 as located within the sphincter. The broken line (h) illustrates the upper edge of the sphincter 30. The broken line (g) illustrates the lower edge of the sphincter. In FIGURE 5 (A) , the first position of the apparatus 70 is particularly illustrated. Apparatus 70 is inserted into the sphincter 30. The lateral pressure of the sphincter 30 onto the tapered surface 82 of the head 76 forces the apparatus 70 upwardly. The bottom 74 of the head 76 will be positioned against the lower edge (g21) of the sphincter 30. The diameter of the head 76 as positioned at position (hi) is wider than the diameter of the apparatus 70 at (gl). Lateral pressure of the sphincter 30 continues to force the apparatus 70 upwardly. FIGURE 5(B) shows the wide section 84 of the resistor 72 as barely passed through the lower edge (g2) of the sphincter. To achieve this condition by the lateral pressure of the sphincter 30 alone, the diameter at the wide section 84 of the resistor 72 needs to be slightly smaller than the corresponding section of the head 76 at (h2). In certain situations, it is necessary to set the diameter of wide section 84 of the resistor 72 slightly larger than the corresponding diameter of the section of the head 76 at (h2) because the peristaltic movement of the surface of the sphincter muscles will also force the resistor 72 upwardly. FIGURE 5(C) shows how the diameter of the head 76 at the upper edge (B) of the sphincter 30 equals the diameter of the section of the second tapered surface 80 of the resistor 72 at the lower edge (g3) of the sphincter 30. The lateral pressure of the sphincter 30 alone is no longer able to push the apparatus 70 up or down from this position. The body's natural reactions take place to retract the resistor 72 inside the rectum 50 by peristaltic movement of the surface of the sphincter 30. Also the second tapered section of the resistor rests within the subcutaneous external anal sphincter muscle as shown between the dotted lines (e) to (g). This muscle works to pass residues to the upper anal canal. Compared with the other sphincter muscles, the degree of the contraction and relaxation of this muscle is more easily controlled. The narrowing tapered section of the second tapered section of the resistor is designed for receiving subcutaneous muscle lateral pressure to allow the most effective upward movement. As a result, the diameter of the head 76 at section (h3) becomes narrower than the section of the resistor 72 at the lower edge (g3) of the sphincter 30. Then, the lateral pressure of the internal sphincter 30 forces the resistor 72 downward. The diameter of the section of the head 76 at the upper edge (h3) of the sphincter 30 becomes wider than the section of the second tapered surface 80 of the resistor 72 at the lower edge (g3) of the sphincter. As a result the lateral force of the sphincter 30 forces the resistor upward. This subtle up-and-down movement of the resistor 72 within the sphincter 30 will continue constantly even when the external anal sphincters are relaxed. The movement of the apparatus 70, as forced by the peristaltic movement of the surfaces of the sphincter muscle 30 and the lateral pressure of the sphincter muscles 30, gives good massage effects to those muscles. The surface of the sphincter 30 will received improved blood circulation so as to further improve hemorrhoidal conditions. FIGURE 6 shows apparatus 700 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The head 740 and the resistor 720 are slidably connected together. The diameter of the head at the broken line (h) and the diameter of the resistor at the broken line (g) are equal and both lines are separated by the length of the sphincter. FIGURE 7 shows that the resistor 720 slides downward so as to create a longer distance for the longer sphincter length (H2) between the broken lines (h) and (g). This allows the present invention to fit a longer sphincter length. FIGURE 8 shows a side view of the part of the tapered section of the head and or the resistor 81. The plane perpendicular to the head and the resistor or only the resistor is an elliptical shape or an ovoid shape other than a true circle with the ratio of the long axis and the short axis at less than 1.2: 1. The plan view at the dotted lines a and b are shown at 82 and 83, respectively. The axis of the head and the resistor or resistor alone twisted less than one-quarter turn from the top of the head to the bottom of the resistor. Since the longitudinal lateral pressure is somewhat weaker than the latitudinal lateral pressure inside the sphincter, the long axis of the resistor tends to align in a longitudinal direction. Thus when the apparatus moves linearly inside the sphincter canal, this gradual twisted axis of the apparatus enables a slight lateral movement inside the sphincter canal. FIGURE 9 shows apparatus 90 of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The head 91 has a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter. The head 91 has a bulbous upper portion 92 and a tapered section 93 extending from the upper portion 92. The tapered section 93 narrows in diameter from the upper portion 92 toward the bottom 97 of the head. The handle 63 is connected at the bottom of the head by the rod 62. The diameter of the rod 62 is much smaller than the bottom of the head so that the handle does not restrict the movement of the head inside the sphincter canal. The length of the top of the head 95 to the bottom of the head 97 is equal or 10% to 20% longer than the distance from the entrance of the anus to the bending point of the rectum, about 3 inches to 4 inches. The lower part 96 of the head, about 1 3/4 inches below the top of the head, has a gradual taper angle, less than 10 degrees on average. FIGURE 10 shows the apparatus 90 as fully inserted into the rectum. The top of the head 95 comes to the bending point 71 of the rectum 76. This lower part 96 of the head 91 comes within the internal sphincter 72 and the external sphincter 73, and because of the gradual taper angle of the lower part of the head, the contraction of the sphincter gives a weak upward thrust to the apparatus so that the bending point of the rectal wall 77 hampers forward movement of the apparatus 90. The rectal pressure easily pushes down the apparatus until the step 95 comes to the upper edge of the sphincter. Then sphincter contraction pushes the apparatus up again. During those movements, the widest portion 94 of the head effectively massages the internal hemorrhoid gland 75 and the bottom of the head 97 effectively massages the external hemorrhoid gland 74 while the end of the head 97 gently massages the entrance of the anal canal. Apparatus 90 is made of rigid or firm polymeric material. The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction may 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: CLAIMS I CLAIM: 1. An apparatus for massaging hemorrhoids by contraction of a human sphincter comprising: a head having a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter, said head having a bulbous upper portion and a tapered section extending from said upper portion, said tapered section narrowing in diameter from said upper portion; and a resistor connected to a bottom of said head, said resistor having a first tapered surface widening from said bottom of said head so as to define a wide section of said resistor, said wide section of said resistor extending to a point distal said head, said resistor having a diameter at said point which is 90% to 110% of a diameter of said head at a location spaced by a length of the sphincter from said point distal. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1, said resistor having a spindle shape, said resistor having a second tapered surface extending and narrowing from said wide section of said first tapered surface. 3. The apparatus of Claim 2, said bottom of said head being spaced from said wide section of said resistor by less than the length of the sphincter. 4. The apparatus of Claim 2, said second tapered surface having an angle of taper which is smaller than an angle of taper of said tapered surface of said head. 5. The apparatus of Claim 2, said tapered section of said head having a diameter equal to a diameter of said second tapered surface of said resistor at a distance equal to the length of the sphincter. 6. The apparatus of Claim 2, said bottom of said head having a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of said second tapered surface of said resistor at a distance from said bottom of said head equal to the length of the sphincter. 7. The apparatus of Claim 1 , said head and said resistor having a combined length less than four inches. 8. The apparatus of Claim 1, said resistor having a length less than the length of the sphincter. 9. The apparatus of Claim 1, said tapered section of said head and said first tapered surface of said resistor being spaced between 130 and 176° from each other. 10. The apparatus of Claim 1, an angle of taper of said first tapered surface of said resistor and an angle of taper of said tapered section of said head having a difference of no more than three times. 11. The apparatus of Claim 1 , said resistor having a bottom with a diameter which is 90% to 110% of a diameter of said wide section of said resistor. 12. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising: a rod affixed to a bottom of said resistor opposite said head and extending outwardly therefrom. 13. The apparatus of Claim 1, at least one of said resistor and said head having an ovoid cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof. 14. The apparatus of Claim 13, at least one of said head and said resistor being twisted along a longitudinal axis thereof such that an ovoid cross-section at one point along said longitudinal axis is angularly offset from an ovoid cross-section at another point along said longitudinal axis. 15. The apparatus of Claim 14, said ovoid cross-section having a long dimension to a short dimension of less than 1.2 : 1. 16. The apparatus of Claim 14, said head being twisted approximately one quarter turn along said longitudinal axis. 17. The apparatus of Claim 1, said head being adjustably connected to said resistor. 18. An apparatus for massaging a hemorrhoid by contraction of the sphincter and by rectal pressure, the apparatus comprising: a head having a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter, said head having a bulbous upper portion and a tapered section extending from said upper portion, said tapered section narrowing in diameter from said upper portion, said tapered section having an angle of taper of less than 8 degrees, said upper portion having a length of 1 1/4 inches to 2 inches , said tapered section having a smooth rounded end surface. 19. The apparatus of Claim 18, further comprising: a rod affixed to said head and extending outwardly from said rounded end surface. 20. The apparatus of Claim 18, said head having a length of between 3 and 4 inches. 21. The apparatus of Claim 18, said head having an ovoid-shaped cross-section transverse to a longitudinal axis of said head. 22. The apparatus of Claim 18, said head having an ovoid-shaped cross-section and being twisted along a longitudinal axis thereof.

Inventors: TAKASHIMA JIRO, TAKASHIMA, JIRO
Applicants: TAKASHIMA JIRO, TAKASHIMA, JIRO
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A61M29
IPC codes: A61F5, A61H21, A61M29