Patent Publication Number: US-2021186733-A1

Title: Rectal insertion device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to international patent application no. PCT/IB2019/058738 filed on Oct. 14, 2019 which claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/747,409, filed on Oct. 18, 2018, entitled “RECTAL INSERTION DEVICE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This patent specification relates to the field of devices for relieving human or animal gas. More specifically, this patent specification relates to a device for suitable for rectal insertion to provide gas relief. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion and is normal for humans and animals to pass gas (flatus) through the rectum, although the volume and frequency may vary greatly between individuals. Gas is brought to the rectum via contractions of the muscles in the intestines and colon. Unfortunately, some individuals have trouble releasing gas from the rectum. This can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as pain, bloating and abdominal distension. This can be especially troublesome for infants and young children as they lack understanding and communication skills. While some devices exist for providing gas relief via rectal insertion, they are not only difficult and expensive to produce, but they can easily damage the delicate tissue of the anal canal resulting in severe injury. 
     Therefore, a need exists for novel devices for relieving gas in a human or animal. There is also a need for novel devices for suitable for rectal insertion to provide gas relief. A further need exists for novel devices for relieving gas in a human or animal that are not difficult and expensive to produce. Finally, a need exists for novel devices for relieving gas in a human or animal that are safe and able to prevent damage to the anal canal. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A rectal insertion gas relief device is provided. In some embodiments, the device may include a body that may be coupled to a shaft. The body may have a distal end and the shaft may have a proximal end. A conduit may extend between the distal end of the body and the proximal end of the shaft. A nose may be coupled to the proximal end of the shaft via one or more nose arms. One or more shaft apertures may be in communication with the conduit, and portions of one or more of the shaft apertures may be formed by the nose arms, nose, and/or proximal end of the shaft. A stopper may be coupled to the shaft, and the stopper may extend above the shaft. The device may be used by inserting the shaft into the anus of an individual with the insertion limited by the stopper. Gas may exit the individual by optionally passing through the conduit. 
     In further embodiments, the shaft may include one or more grooves which may be depressed into the shaft, and the stopper may include one or more stopper apertures which may extend through the stopper. Preferably, each groove may be aligned with a stopper aperture. Gas may exit the individual by optionally passing in or through a groove and out through a stopper aperture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front perspective view of an example of a rectal insertion device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of an example of a rectal insertion device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front elevation view of an example of a rectal insertion device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a rear elevation view of an example of a rectal insertion device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional elevation view of an example of a rectal insertion device according to various embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side elevation view of an example of a rectal insertion device according to various embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims. 
     A new device for relieving gas in a human or animal is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. 
     The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below. 
     The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments.  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate examples of a rectal insertion device (“the device”)  100  according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a body  11  that may be coupled to a shaft  12 . The body  11  may include a distal end  24  and the shaft  12  may include a proximal end  16 . A conduit  13  may extend through the body  11  and the shaft  12  between the distal end  24  and the proximal end  16 . The shaft  12  may include a nose  14  which may be opposingly positioned to the body  11 . One or more shaft apertures  15  may be disposed in the nose  14 , and each shaft aperture  15  may be in communication with the conduit  13 . A stopper  17  may be coupled to the shaft  12 , and the stopper  17  may surround and extend above a portion of the shaft  12 . The shaft  12  may include one or more grooves  18  which may be depressed into the shaft  12 , and the stopper  17  may include one or more stopper apertures  19  which may extend through the stopper  17 . Preferably, each groove  18  may be aligned with a stopper aperture  19  as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 . The device  100  may be used by inserting the shaft  12  into the anus of an individual with the insertion limited by the stopper  17 . Gas may exit the individual by passing through the conduit  13  and/or by passing in a groove  18  and out through a stopper aperture  19 . 
     In preferred embodiments, the device  100  or one or more elements of the device  100  may be made from or comprise a polymer or plastic material, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic, natural rubber, such as vulcanized rubber, synthetic rubber, such as styrene-butadiene rubber. In further preferred embodiments, the device  100  or one or more elements of the device  100  may be made from or comprise a flexible biocompatible material include man-made polymers, such as silicones, poly (ethylene), poly (vinyl chloride), polyurethanes, polypropylene, Polymethylmetacrylate, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Polyamide, Polyethylenterephthalate, Polyethersulfone, polylactides, Polyetherimide, and natural polymers, such as collagen, gelatin, elastin, silk, and polysaccharide. In other embodiments, the device  100  or one or more elements of the device  100  may be made from or comprise any material which may be suitable for contacting internal and/or external portions of the body including combinations of materials. 
     In some embodiments, the body  11  may be generally cylindrical in shape with portions of the conduit  13  extending centrally through the body  11 . Likewise, in some embodiments, the shaft  12  may be generally cylindrical in shape with portions of the conduit  13  extending centrally through the shaft  12 . The body  11  may have a distal end  24  and the shaft  12  may have a proximal end  16 . The body  11  and the shaft  12  may be coupled together so that the distal end  24  and proximal end  16  are opposingly positioned to each other, and the conduit  13  may extend the length of the body  11  and the shaft  12  between the distal end  24  and proximal end  16  as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 4 . In preferred embodiments, the body  11  and the shaft  12  may both comprise a generally elongated shape. In further preferred embodiments, an elongated body  11  may be coupled to an elongated shaft  12  so that the body  11  and shaft  12  are in a generally linear orientation. In preferred embodiments, the shaft  12  may comprise a shaft surface  27  that may be generally smooth to ease insertion and removal from the anus. 
     In some embodiments, a conduit  13  may comprise a generally elongated cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, a conduit  13  may comprise a generally elongated triangular prism shape, rectangular prism shape, hexagonal prism shape, or any other shape including combinations of shapes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the device  100  may comprise a body length dimension (BL) which may describe the length of the body  11 . In some embodiments, a body length dimension (BL) may be approximately between 1.0 and 6.0 inches. In preferred embodiments, a body length dimension (BL) may be approximately between 2.0 and 4.0 inches. The device  100  may also comprise a shaft length dimension (SL) which may describe the length of the shaft  12 , nose arms  25 , and nose  14 . In some embodiments, a shaft length dimension (SL) may be approximately between 0.75 and 6.0 inches. In preferred embodiments, a shaft length dimension (SL) may be approximately between 1.0 and 4.0 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the shaft  12  may include one or more grooves  18  which may be depressed into the shaft surface  27  of the shaft  12 . The one or more grooves  18  may allow gas trapped by the anal sphincter to exit the individual optionally by entering a groove  18  and passing between the groove  18  and the anal wall to exit the anus (optionally by also passing through a stopper aperture  19 ). A groove  18  may be configured in any size and shape and may be positioned anywhere on the shaft  12 . In preferred embodiments, one or more grooves  18  may extend from the nose  14  along all or portions of the shaft  12  towards the body  11  so that the groove(s)  18  may be parallel with the conduit  13 . In further preferred embodiments, each groove  18  may be aligned with a stopper aperture  19 . In still further preferred embodiments, a groove  18  may extend through the stopper aperture  19  of stopper  17 . 
     In some embodiments, the body  11  may be configured as a handle which may be used to position the shaft  12  in and out of the anus of an individual. Optionally, the body  11  may comprise texturing  21  which may be suitable for increasing a user&#39;s ability to grip the body  11 . Texturing  21  may be positioned anywhere on the body  11 , such as between the portion of the body  11  that is coupled to the shaft  12  and the distal end  24  of the body  11  that is farthest from the shaft  12 , and may be configured in any shape and size. Generally, texturing  21  may comprise a protrusion and/or depression that may extend above or below the surface  29  of the body  11 . For example, the device  100  may comprise texturing  21  that may be configured as a rib-like protrusion that may extend above the body surface  29  and that extends around or encircles the body  11 . 
     In some embodiments, portions of the body  11  distal to the shaft  12  may be configured with a lobed shape. For example, the body  11  may comprise three body lobes  22  which may be in a generally triangular orientation which the conduit  13  extending centrally through the body lobes  22 . In further embodiments, the body  11  may comprise one or more body channels  23 . Generally, a body channel  23  may form a depression in the distal end  24  of the body  11 . Optionally, a body channel  23  may be in communication with the conduit  13 . In further embodiments, the body  11  may comprise three triangularly oriented body lobes  22 , with each body lobe  22  comprising a body channel  23  so that the body channels  23  may be generally triangularly oriented. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  may include a nose  14  which may be coupled to the proximal end  16  of the shaft  12  so as to be opposingly positioned to the body  11 . Generally, the nose  14  may form the portions of the device  100  that are farthest from the distal end  24  of the body  11 . When the device  100  is in use, portions of the shaft  12  that are proximate to the nose  14  and the nose  14  may be configured to be inserted into the anus of an individual so that at least the nose  14  may be positioned past the anal sphincter. In this manner, gas trapped by the anal sphincter may be allowed to exit the individual optionally by entering the nose  14  and passing through the conduit  13  to exit the device  100 . 
     The nose  14  may function as the initial element of the device  100  that contacts and enters a user&#39;s body, such as a blunted or rounded tip. In some embodiments, a nose  14  may be positioned away from the proximal end  16  and coupled to the proximal end  16  via one or more nose arms  25 . In preferred embodiments, a nose  14  may be coupled to the proximal end  16  of the shaft  12  via three nose arms  25 . 
     In some embodiments, the nose  14  may comprise one or more shaft apertures  15 , and each shaft aperture  15  may be in communication with the conduit  13 . In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise one or more nose arms  25  which may bound or form all or portions of a shaft aperture  15 . In further embodiments, all or portions of a shaft aperture  15  may be bounded or formed by portions of the proximal end  16 , portions of one or more nose arms  25 , and/or portions of the nose  14 . For example, the device  100  may comprise three shaft apertures  15  and a nose  14  which may be coupled to the proximal end  16  of the shaft  12  via a first nose arm  25 , a second nose arm  25 , and a third nose arm  25  so that each shaft aperture  15  is formed and bounded by portions of two nose arms  25 , portions of the nose  14 , and portions of the proximal end  16 . 
     The nose arms  25  may separate the rectal tissue as the nose  14  and shaft  12  are inserted into the anus to facilitate insertion. In some embodiments, the nose  14  may comprise three nose arms  25  which may bound three shaft apertures  15 , and the shaft apertures  15  may be generally triangular in shape. In other embodiments, the nose  14  may comprise one, two, four, five, six, seven, or more nose arms  25  which may bound two, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more shaft apertures  15 , and the shaft apertures  15  may be configured in any shape and size. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  may comprise a stopper  17  which may be coupled to the shaft  12 . A stopper  17  may extend away from or above the shaft  12  to contact portions of the individual that are external to the anus. In this manner, the stopper  17  may function as a barrier that limits how far the nose  14  and shaft  12  may be inserted into the rectal canal. A stopper  17  may be configured in any size and shape. In preferred embodiments, the stopper  17  may surround or encircle a portion of the shaft  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the device  100  may comprise a stopper offset dimension (SO) which may describe the closest distance of a stopper lobe  22  (and therefore the stopper  17 ) is positioned away from the nose  14 . In some embodiments, a stopper offset dimension (SO) may be approximately between 0.5 and 3.0 inches. In preferred embodiments, a stopper offset dimension (SO) may be approximately between 0.7 and 2.0 inches. 
     In preferred embodiments, the stopper  17  may comprise one or more stopper lobes  26 , such as three stopper lobes  26 , which may be arranged in a generally triangular orientation around portions of the shaft  12 . In further preferred embodiments, the stopper lobes  26  may contact each other and may be positioned to encircle the shaft  12 . In alternative embodiments, one or more stopper lobes  26  may not contact another stopper lobe  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the device  100  may comprise a stopper height dimension (SH) which may describe the distance that the highest part of a stopper lobe  22  (and therefore the stopper  17 ) extends above the shaft surface  27 . In some embodiments, a stopper height dimension (SH) may be approximately between 0.15 and 1.5 inches. In preferred embodiments, a stopper height dimension (SH) may be approximately between 0.15 and 0.75 inches. 
     In some embodiments, device  100  may comprise one or more stopper apertures  19  which may be positioned in the stopper  17  and which may extend through the stopper  17 . Gas and other objects may exit the anus of an individual having the device  100  inserted into their anus via a stopper aperture  19  without requiring the gas and other objects from having to pass through the conduit  13 . Preferably, all or portions of a stopper aperture  19  may be formed into or by a stopper lobe  26  and/or portions of the shaft  12 , such as a groove  18 . 
     In further embodiments, the stopper  17  may comprise one or more stopper lobes  26 , and each stopper lobe  26  may comprise one or more stopper apertures  19 . For example, a stopper  17  may comprise three stopper lobes  26  and each stopper lobe  26  may comprise a stopper aperture  19 . A stopper aperture  19  may be configured in any size and shape, and a stopper aperture  19  may be positioned anywhere on a stopper  17 . In preferred embodiments, a stopper aperture  19  may be generally positioned at a junction between the stopper  17  and the shaft  12 . 
     In preferred embodiments, device  100  may comprise an equal number of grooves  18  and stopper apertures  19 , and each groove  18  may be in communication with a respective stopper aperture  19 . For example, the device  100  may comprise a first groove  18 , a second groove  18 , and a third groove  18 , and a stopper  17  which includes a first stopper aperture  19 , a second stopper aperture  19 , and a third stopper aperture  19 . The first groove  18  may be in communication with the first stopper aperture  19 , the second groove  18  may be in communication with the second stopper aperture  19 , and the third groove  18  may be in communication with the third stopper aperture  19 . 
     Optionally, the stopper  17  may comprise one or more stopper channels  28  which may be positioned anywhere on the stopper  17 . A stopper channel  28  may generally form a depression or recess into portions of the stopper  17 , and a stopper channel  28  may be configured in any size and shape. In preferred embodiments, a first stopper channel  28  may be positioned on the side of the stopper  17  that is closer to the nose  14 , and a second stopper channel  28  may be positioned on the side of the stopper  17  that is closer to the body  11 . In further preferred embodiments, a stopper channel  28  may comprise a partially annular or ring shape so as to generally match the partially annular or ring shape of a body lobe  22  and more preferably each body lobe  22 . 
     While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device  100 , it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body  11 , shaft  12 , conduit  13 , and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 
     Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device  100  may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device  100  may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.