Abstract:
A device to reduce flatulence includes a shaft with at least one axial groove in its outer surface. The shaft is enlarged and rounded at the insertion end. This enlarged end is inserted beyond the sphincter muscle. The muscle then closes in on shaft itself, but the grooves provides a path for the continual relief of gas pressure.

Description:
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/093,593, filed Jul. 21, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device to reduce problems with discharge of intestinal gas. All individuals emit a certain amount of flatus or intestinal gas continually during the chemical action of the digestive process. The amount of intestinal gas depends to a large extent upon the diet and the particular digestive chemistry. Some individuals have a sphincter that does not seal completely, so they unconsciously pass or ooze small amounts of intestinal gas continually with no backup or pressure build up. 
     Some other individuals have a sphincter that seals against such leakage. For those people, as intestinal gas is formed, pressure builds up in the anal area. The pressure buildup may cause severe pain. When pressure builds up sufficiently, it exceeds the sealing properties of the sphincter at the anus, causing a sudden escape of a sizable volume of this intestinal gas under pressure. This sudden discharge of intestinal gases vibrates membranes near the anus causing noise which can be very embarrassing to the person. Some people also experience “brown spots” on the underwear in conjunction with such intestinal gas emissions. 
     The prior art (See Ghedina Patent 4,943,276) teaches a device with a hollow inner tube as a pathway for the relief of intestinal gases and has small openings to allow the intestinal gases to reach the thin, hollow inner tube. However, these small openings are easily plugged by excreta and other material in the digestive tract, rendering this device ineffective. 
     In summary, there is a need to reduce the discomfort, pain, and embarrassment associated with flatus emission, and to eliminate “brown spots” on the underwear. This invention solves these problems as is set forth below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a device which breaks the gas sealing properties of the anus of the user, thus allowing a continual and controlled leaking or oozing of intestinal gases, thus preventing any pressure build-up. 
     The present invention utilizes a shaft with external grooves running the length of the shaft in order to help ensure that the pathway for the intestinal gases remains open. Adjacent to the first end of the shaft is an enlargement which serves as a trap to stop flow of excreta and which secures the device in its proper position while at the same time allowing the passage of intestinal gases. Along the exterior surface of the shaft and running along its length is at least one groove which runs from the first end towards the second end of said shaft, providing a path for intestinal gases to take so that they can escape continuously under control through the sphincter muscle and out the anus. 
     The second end of the shaft remains outside the body and may include any of a number of features that can be used to remove the device. It may also include a fibrous material which serves to filter the exiting intestinal gases and to stop any carryover which could lead to “brown spotting” of the underwear. 
     The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of one embodiment of the device installed in the anal canal; 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1A with an insertion sheath installed over the shaft; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the device in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  5 — 5  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  6 — 6  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  7 — 7  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the embodiment of the device in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  10 — 10  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  11 — 11  of FIG. 8; and 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section  12 — 12  of FIG.  8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the first embodiment of the present invention includes a shaft  2  with a first end  4  and a second end  6 . Adjacent to the first end  4  is an enlargement  8  with a hollow section or recess  12 . The enlargement  8  is generally oblong in shape with a rounded point at its first end  13  and a more blunt second end  11  which connects to the shaft  2 . This generally oblong shape with a generally pointed first end  13  of the enlargement  8  allows for ease of insertion of this device through the sphincter muscle  1  of the user. 
     The shaft  2  has an outer surface, defining at least one groove  10 , extending axially along its length from the first end  4  toward the second end  6  of the shaft  2 . In this embodiment there are two opposed grooves  10 . The grooves  10  extend axially beyond the first end  4  of the shaft  2 , and beyond the blunt end  11  to the recess  12 . The grooves provide the paths for the intestinal gases to escape past the sphincter muscle  1  of the user, so that the intestinal gases can continually leak, thereby continually relieving the intestinal gases and the pressure build-up and thus preventing a sudden discharge of said intestinal gases. 
     The enlargement  8  may have any of a number of different shapes, though in the preferred embodiment it will have the oblong shape discussed earlier, with a rounded point at its first end  13  for ease of insertion of the device through the sphincter muscle  1  of the user. The second end  11  of the enlargement  8  is connected to the shaft  2  at the first end  4  of the shaft  2 . This second end  11  of the enlargement  8  will preferably have a wider, more blunt shape in contrast to the narrower first end  13  of said enlargement  8 . This more blunt shape prevents “accidental” expulsion of the device, does not have the tendency to be trying to pry open the sphincter muscle  1  during usage, and yet will still allow for removal of the device with relative ease. The purpose of the recess  12  in the enlargement  8  is to act as a trap to provide for collecting small amounts of intestinal fluids and fecal matter and to reduce the potential clogging of the grooves  10 . 
     Adjacent to the second end  6  of the shaft  2 , there may be any of several mechanisms to aid in the removal of the device. FIGS. 2 and 3 show one embodiment in which there are two string-like extensions  14  attached at one end to the second end  6  of the shaft  2  and, at the other end, to a sphere  18 . This design permits the string-like portions  14  to be molded together with the shaft  2 , enlarged end  8 , and sphere  18  as a single piece. 
     Adjacent to the second end  6  of the shaft  2 , and extending through a slot  17  between the string-like extensions  14  is a mass of soft, fibrous material  16 . This is an optional attachment. This fibrous material  16  may be a wad of sterilized cotton or other soft fibrous material, and it may be scented or otherwise treated to neutralize or offset the odors of the intestinal gases and/or of excreta which may have been carried over by the intestinal gases. The fibrous material  16  serves the main purpose of intercepting any excreta so as to minimize the possibility of “brown spotting” of the underwear. 
     When properly installed, the shaft is inserted in the rectum with the enlarged first end first, until the enlargement is just past the sphincter muscle. As soon as the enlargement  8  gets past the sphincter muscle  1  of the user, the sphincter muscle  1  closes in behind the enlargement  8  and around the shaft  2  at the first end  4  of the shaft  2 . The grooves running axially along the shaft provide a path for intestinal gases to continually escape before the gases get a chance to build much pressure inside the intestines. The grooves along the shaft in essence provide a “leak” through the anus at the sphincter muscle, regardless of how leakproof the anus may be when the device is not installed. 
     The sphincter muscle  1  extends approximately 1½ inches from the anus. The length of the shaft  2  shall be such that it allows for the enlargement  8  to be inserted beyond the sphincter muscle  1 , as well as for the shaft to provide the grooves necessary for the intestinal gases to escape. However, the length shall not be so long that it becomes an annoyance to the user. Typically, the shaft will be from one-and-one-half inches to three inches long. 
     In some instances, depending on the individual as well as on the type and rigidity of the materials of manufacture used for the device, the insertion of the device may be aided by the use of a tubular application sheath  15 , shown in FIG.  1 B. This sheath  15  provides support during the insertion of the device, provides a means for lubrication prior to application, and a means to prevent the lubricant from clogging the gas flow channels or grooves. Once the device has been inserted, the sheath  15  is removed. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. As in the first embodiment discussed above, this embodiment includes a thin, elongated shaft  202  with a first end  204  and a second end  206 , an enlargement  208  with a rounded point at its first end  213  and a wider, more blunt second end  211 , at least one groove  210 , and absorbent material  216 . The main differences between the first embodiment and this second embodiment are as follows: 
     First, the two string-like extensions  14  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 have been replaced by a string  214  with a knot  218  tied at the end in lieu of a sphere  18 . Second, the enlargement  208  is a solid piece which has no recessed area  12 . Third, the groove  210  runs beyond the first end  204  of the shaft  202 , to the pointed end  213  of the enlargement  208 . 
     It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.