Patent Publication Number: US-7211059-B2

Title: Hemorrhoid treatment device

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/740,248, filed on Dec. 19, 2003, and entitled “Hemorrhoid Treatment Device”, now abandoned. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/740,248 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/883,900, filed on Jun. 19, 2001, and entitled “Hemorrhoid Treatment and Prostate Massage Apparatus”, issued on Jul. 8, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,193. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/883,900 was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/675,436, filed on Sep. 29, 2000, and entitled “Prostate Massage Apparatus” issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,850 on Oct. 12, 2004. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not applicable. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to apparatus for the treatment of hemorrhoids. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for massaging internal and external hemorrhoids by the self-movement of the device. The present invention also relates to devices that are held within the anal canal and are driven by the peristaltic activity of the surface of the anal canal for the purpose of massaging internal and external hemorrhoids. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   One treatment for non-bacterial disorders of the prostate such as chronic prostatitis and a congested prostate is the prostate massage. Some urologists believe that the most effective treatment for such prostatitis is for the doctor to massage the prostate at regular intervals. Other urologists are far less enthusiastic about this procedure, and some do not believe in it at all. To perform such a massage, the physician simply inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and strokes the prostate very gently. It serves to relieve the symptoms of chronic prostatitis by draining accumulated prostatic fluid from the glands and ducts. 
   Given the difference of opinion of urologists as to the need for prostatic massages, such massages can be difficult to obtain. In any event, the regular and repeated massaging of the prostate can often require frequent visits to the doctor&#39;s office. This causes the patient to incur a considerable expense and inconvenience. As such, a need has developed for allowing an individual to carry out his own prostatic massage. 
   Hemorrhoids can be of severe pain to the individual. In may circumstances, external medicines are applied to the hemorrhoid for the treatment of such hemorrhoidal tissues. However, the external application of such medicines is only moderately effective in the treatment and remedying of severe hemorrhoidal conditions. It is believed that a hemorrhoid massage is most effective in stimulating blood flow in the area of the hemorrhoidal tissues. Heretofore, no device has been developed which effectively stimulates blood flow in such area. 
   In the past, some patents have issued relating to rectal devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,753, issued on Sep. 24, 1985 to Brenman et al., describes an apparatus and method for stimulating penile erectile tissue. In this invention, a body is provided which may be inserted into the rectum of a user. The body is shaped so as to closely conform to the topological configuration of the rectum within the anal area to a site adjacent to the prostate gland. Electrical circuitry for generating a neurally stimulating electrical signal is located within the body. Electrodes, placed at particular locations on the surface of the body, apply the signal to the user. At least one of the electrodes closely contacts the prostate gland when the body member is operatively disposed, at a region or spot on the prostate gland previously determined to be sensitive to electrical stimulation. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,881, issued on Apr. 11, 1995 to Cathaud et al., describes a trans-rectal probe. This trans-rectal probe includes a probe body made of a flexible self-supporting polymer material whose degree of flexibility is designed to enable it to comply with the shape of the rectum while having substantially no compression effect on the rectum when inserted therein. The invention makes it possible to achieve accurate, safe and reliable positioning of an instrument for detection or therapeutic treatment level with the organ to be observed or treated. In particular, this device is designed for treatment of the prostate. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,478,786, issued on Aug. 9, 1949 to H. M. Smallen, describes a prostate gland massaging implement. This implement includes a lever having an interior handle which constitutes a power arm to extend down in front of the abdomen and a substantially horizontal portion extending under the groin and offset laterally to avoid the genital organs. The implement has an upwardly and forwardly bent posterior portion which forms the work arm. This work arm extends into the rectal passage to bear across the frontal wall thereon adjacent the prostate gland. The bent portion between the horizontal and the posterior portions serves as a fulcrum point against the front wall of the rectal opening when the implement is subject to pivotal movement around this point. 
   The present inventor has two United States patents showing devices for releasing congested prostate fluid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,950, issued on Aug. 25, 1998, describes such a device including a head having a size suitable for fitting in a human rectum and through a sphincter. The head has a size suitable for rubbing the prostate gland. A rod is connected to the bottom of the head and extends outwardly therefrom. The rod serves to position the head and guide a movement of the head as the sphincter contracts and relaxes. An abutment surface is affixed to the rod distal the head. The abutment surface contacts the perineum area and pushes up on the perineum area as the sphincter contracts. The rod is a rigid rod having a generally L-shaped or Comprising:-shaped configuration with a radius of curvature such that the head tilts toward the prostate gland as the sphincter contracts and draws the head upwardly. The head has a generally ellipsoidal shape. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,009, issued on Jan. 19, 1999 to the present inventor, describes an apparatus for releasing congested prostate fluid having a head with a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum and through the sphincter and having a surface for pushing on the prostate gland. A rod is connected to the bottom of the head and extends outwardly therefrom so as to guide a movement of the head as the sphincter relaxes and contracts. An abutment member is positioned on the rod opposite the head so as to push on the perineum area simultaneously with the head pushing on the prostate gland. The abutment member has a variable angular relationship with the head. 
   In each of these prior art patents to the present inventor, the rod movably holds the head within the sphincter, and when the external sphincter contracts, the lateral pressure of the external sphincter drives the head upwardly and the rod adds pressure against the perineum area simultaneously. The power of the sphincter&#39;s contraction is divided into one for pressure on the prostate and one for pressure onto the perineum area. Under certain circumstances, some persons have felt that the perineum pressure by this rod was strong and uncomfortable. 
   There are several anal treatment dialators and other mechanical devices that are intended to be received within various human body orifices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,642, issued on Jul. 11, 1942, is a stationary device having greater than one inch diameter. The diameters of a narrow section and a middle section of the device are more than two times the length of the narrow and middle section. The device has a proportionately large diameter, in comparison with the length of the device, and induces an evacuative response of the anorectal area. Also, the diameter of the first section of the device is smaller than the middle section of the device. This large area of narrowing tapered surface toward the top end of the device receives an outward thrust force from an lateral pressure of the anorectal area. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,763,265 and 3,916,906 are devices that each has a middle section with very small ends in comparison with the first and second ends of the concave section and a proportionately large diameter at the first end of the narrow section compared to the length of the middle section. The diameters of the middle section and the narrow section are not equal. Since both devices have smaller diameters at the ends sections with larger diameters in the middle sections, the device is very difficult to retain within the anal canal. 
   U.S. Design Pat. No. 428,488 shows the design of a device having a very large diameter in comparison with the length of the middle section. The device also includes large spherical objects at the first end and the second end thereof. As such, the device makes it very difficult to initiate peristaltic movement within anal canal. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,193, to the present inventor, utilizes balance for the purpose of retaining the device within the anal canal. The balanced position is the result of the tapered surfaces at the head and at the resistor. 
   It is an object of the present invention to neutrally hold the device within the anal canal by the pecten and induce peristaltic movement of the anal canal. As such, the device can be driven slightly backward and forward by the peristaltic activity within the anal canal. 
   It is another object of the present invention to utilize the slight movements of the device as caused by peristaltic movement to effectively massage the internal and external hemorrhoids without aggravating the hemorrhoidal condition. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a device which utilizes the peristaltic movement within the pecten to consume a large amount of energy in order to increase fresh blood circulation in the anorectal area in order to improve hemorrhoidal conditions. 
   It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a small diameter device having smooth curved surfaces so as to avoid further aggravating the conditions of the hemorrhoids. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a hemorrhoid treatment device which is easy to use, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a device a hemorrhoid massage device that comprises a unitary body having a first end and a second end. The first end has a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum. The unitary body has a first surface extending from the first end to an end of a middle section thereof. The middle section extends from the first surface to a first end of a concave section. The concave section has a concavity formed therein. The middle section has a length of between 12 mm and 20 mm inclusive. The concave section has a length of between 12 mm and 20 mm inclusive. The concave section has a first end on an opposite side of the concavity from the first end of the concave section. The first and second ends of the concave section and the end of the middle section have approximately equal diameters. Optimally, each of these diameters is less then one-half a total length of the middle section and the concave section. 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the first surface is a straight cylindrical surface. The middle section has a straight cylindrical surface extending from the end thereof to the first end of the concave section. The middle section will have a maximum diameter that is equal to a maximum diameter of the first surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first end has a bulbous portion formed thereat. The first surface is a tapered surface that narrows in diameter and extends from the bulbous portion to an end of the middle section. In one form of this embodiment, the middle section has a convex surface extending from the end thereof to the first end of the concave section. In another form of this embodiment, the middle section has a concave surface extending from the end thereof to the first end of the concave section. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention as located within the pecten in the anal canal. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of second alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoidal treatment device of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the hemorrhoid treatment device  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hemorrhoid treatment device  10  is particularly configured so as to work with the pecten of the anal canal. This pecten is a narrow concave section of the anal canal. 
   The device  10  has a first end  7  and a second end  8 . The device  10  has a unitary body  9  that extends between the first end  7  and the second end  8 . In particular, this unitary body  9  has a first end section  11 , a middle section  20  and a concave section  17 . The first end  11  extends between the end  7  of the body  9  and an end  15  of the middle section  20 . The end  15  of the middle section  20  is designated with the broken line “h”. The middle section  20  is located between the end  15  and the first end  16  of the concave section  17 . The concave section  17  is located between the first end  16  and a second end  18 . This second end  18  of the concave section  17  is illustrated by the broken line “g”. As can be seen, a concavity  19  is formed in the concave section  17  between the ends  16  and  18  thereof. 
   The first end section  11  has a curved surface  12  adjacent to the end  7 . The curved surface  12  extends from end  7  in a direction toward the middle section  20 . This curved surface  12  is suitable for fitting into a human rectum. The curved surface terminates in an area  13  of the first end section  11 . A straight cylindrical surface  14  extends from the area  13  toward the end  15  of the middle section  20  and to the first end  16  of the concave section  17 . The concave section  17  is illustrated as having a concavity  19  formed between the first end  16  and the second end  18  thereof. In practice, the device can be terminated adjacent to the second end  18  thereof. There is a tail  22  that extends toward the second end  8 . A curved surface  23  is formed at the end of tail  22  adjacent to the end  8 . Tail  22  can include various kinds of auxiliary attachments. The tail  22  can have a cylindrical or slightly widening curved surface toward the end  23 . This tail can be used as a handle. The arrangement of this handle will not disturb free movement of the device  10  by friction with skin on both sides of the anus. The preferred length of the device  10  as extending from the area  13  to the end  18  of the concave section  17  is 40 mm to 100 mm. 
   The distance between the broken line “h” at the end  15  of the middle section  20  and the broken line “g” at the end  18  of the concave section  17  is between 26 mm and 40 mm inclusive. This distance represents an entire length of the human anal sphincter. The length of the middle section  20  is between 12 mm and 20 mm. This distance represents the length of the internal hemorrhoidal area. The length of the concave section  17  is between 12 mm and 20 mm. This distance represents the total length of the pecten and the external sphincter. The preferred length from the area  13  of the first section  11  and the end  15  of the middle section is no less than the length of the middle section  20 . This area works as a buffer or stabilizer zone of the device  10  to avoid slipping out of the anal canal. The length of the middle section  20  and the length of the concave section  17  are approximately equal. The diameter of the end  15  of the middle section  20  and the first end  16  and the second end  18  of the concave section  17  are approximately equal. Optimally, these diameters are less than half of the entire length of the human anal sphincters. The maximum diameter of the middle section  20  and the first end  11  are equal. 
     FIG. 2  shows the relationship between the hemorrhoid treatment device  10  and the components of the anal canal. The main components of the anal canal are the internal hemorrhoidal area  80 , the pecten  81  and the subcutaneous external sphincter  83 . The subcutaneous external sphincter  83  contains the external hemorrhoid  84  in the side skin of the anus. Above the internal hemorrhoidal area  80  is the ampulla of the rectum  85 . When the device  10  in use, it is inserted into the anal canal as the concave section  17  is grabbed by the pecten  81  and the external sphincter  83 . The length of the concave section  17  of the device  10  is between 12 mm and 20 mm in order to fit the length of the pecten  81  and the external sphincter  83 . 
   The pecten  81  spans more than the middle third of the anal canal. The pecten  81  will have a length of about 10 mm to 15 mm. The pecten  81  is characterized by the formation of a thick hardened ring of fibrous tissue with resulting stenosis contracture to form a narrow passage wall. 
   When the pecten  81  grips the concave section  17  of the device  10 , the device  10  cannot move from the anal canal unless the evacuative pressure is added to the device. This is because the first end  16  and the second end  18  of the concave section  17  serves as a bulwark. As the peristaltic motion within the pecten  81  continues to try to remove the device  10  from the pecten  81 , the device  10  slightly moves backward and forward for a short distance within the pecten  81 . Additionally, since the diameter of the end  15  of the middle section  20  and the end  16  are equal, there will be no thrust force caused by the lateral pressure of the internal hemorrhoidal area to the middle section and, as a result, will not interfere with the gripping ability of the pecten  81 . 
   The peristaltic movement of the pecten consumes a large amount of energy. This causes increased blood circulation and will cause an increased temperature in the hemorrhoidal area. As a result, the device will not only massage the hemorrhoids but will also cure the hemorrhoidal condition. 
     FIG. 3  shows a first alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device  700  of the present invention. The device  700  has a first end section  711 , a middle section  720  and a concave section  717 . The first end section  711  has first end  707  with a curved surface  712  extending therefrom to an area  713 . A narrowing tapered surface  714  extends from the area  713  to an end  715  of the middle section  720 . The end  715  of the middle section  720  is indicated by the broken line “h” in  FIG. 3 . 
   In  FIG. 3 , the middle section  720  is illustrated as extending in a convex manner between the end  715  and the first end  716  of the concave section  717 . The concave section  717  is illustrated as extending in a concave manner between ends  716  and  718 . The end  718  of the concave section  717  is illustrated by broken line “g”. The tail  722  or handle is attached to the end  718  of the concave section  717 . The length from the area  713  of the end section  711  to the end  718  of the concave section  717  is between 30 mm and 100 mm. The distance between the end  715  of the middle section  720  and the end  718  of the concave section  717  is between 26 mm and 40 mm inclusive. The length between the end  715  of the middle section  720  and the end  716  is between 12 mm and 20 mm inclusive. The length between the end  716  and the end  718  is between 12 mm and 20 mm inclusive. The diameters of the end  715  of the middle section  720  and the ends  716  and  718  of the concave section  717  are approximately equal. Optimally, these diameters can be between 6 mm and 19 mm inclusive. 
   In the alternative embodiment of the shown in  FIG. 3 , the end section  711  can have various shapes of surfaces extending from area  713  to the end  715  to the middle section  720 . The maximum diameter of the middle section  720  is no more than a maximum diameter of the end section  711 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a second alternative embodiment of the hemorrhoid treatment device  900  of the present invention. The device  900  has a first end section  911 , a middle section  920  and a concave section  917 . The first end section  911  has a first end  907  with a curved surface  912  extending therefrom to an area  913 . The first end  907  has a bulbous upper portion with a size suitable for fitting into a human rectum. A narrowing tapered surface  914  extends from the area  913  to an end  915  of the middle section. This end  915  is indicated by the broken line “h”. The middle section  920  is located between the end  915  and a first end  916  of the concave section  917 . The middle section  920  has a concave surface extending between the end  915  and the first end  916  of the concave section  917 . The concave section  917  a concavity extending from the first end  916  to a second end  918 . This second end  918  is indicated by the broken line “g”. As stated with the previous embodiments of the present invention, the device  900  can be terminated at the second end  918  of the concave section. However, it is preferable that a tail  922  be secured to the end  918  so as to provide an extension surface suitable for use as a handle. The preferred length from the first end section  907  to the second end  918  of concave section  917  is less than 100 mm. 
   The length from the broken line “h” and the broken line “g” is 26 mm to 40 mm inclusive. The length of the middle section is 12 mm to 20 mm inclusive. The length of the concave section is also 12 mm to 20 mm inclusive. The diameters of the end  915  and the end  916  and the end  918  are approximate equal. The length of these diameters are less than a half of the length of human anal canal. Optimal diameters are between 8 mm and 12 mm inclusive. The maximum diameter of the middle section  920  is no more than the maximum diameter of the first section  911 . 
   Within the concept of the present invention, in order to properly be configured for receipt within the human anal canal, each of the optimal diameters of the ends of the middle section and the concave section are less than one-half a total length of the middle section and the concave section. As such, in contrast to prior art devices, the unitary body associated with each of the embodiments of the present invention is suitable for manipulation within the anal canal and suitable for manipulation by the pecten, along with the sphincter muscles. The device can be retained within the anal canal in a proper massaging manner. 
   The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can 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.