Improvements in Syringes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1895
Improvements in Syringes.
I, CHARLES VER PREESE POLLOCK, of Greenwich, in the County of Fairfield,
and State of Connecticut, United States of America, Gentleman do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
tatement:-
My invention relates to syringes, and particularly to syringes designed for
medical and surgical use; and while my syringe is adapted for general uses, it is
particularly adapted for washing sensitive surfaces or membranes, as for instance
those of the throat, where an ordinary straight stream or spray syringe cannot be
used without causing pain or discomfort, or for use as a vaginal syringe, for washing
out the vagina and particularly the upper portion thereof, around the mouth of the
uterus, where it difficult to use ordinary straight stream or spray syringes because
of the danger of water entering the uterus and so causing great pain and suffering.
Most vaginal syringes heretofore used have been arranged to deliver water in
straight streams projected outwardly and but little, if at all, upwardly, with the
object of avoiding all danger of water entering the uterus. The streams from such
syringes do not reach the upper portion of the vagina at all. By my invention
provide a syringe which produces a very gentle and soft stream, which may be
directed against sensitive surfaces without causing pain or discomfort, and which
may be used as a vaginal syringe for washing the vagina to its extreme upper end
and around the mouth of the uterus, without danger of water entering the uterus.
My invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, combination, and
form of the parts of the syringe, whereby the peculiar kind of stream bereinafter
described is produced, in the novel means employed for holding in place the
diffusing plug, hereinafter described, which in conjunction with the walls of the
discharge opening produces this stream, in the novel means employed for adjusting
the position of the diffusing plug with respect to this discharge opening and for
centering the same with respect thereto, and in the novel means employed for
permitting the removal of the diffusing plug and the parts connected therewith
for the purpose of cleaning the syringe.
The objects of my invention are, first, to provide a syringe which shall produce
a stream so soft that it may be used against sensitive surfaces without causing pain
or discomfort, and which may be used as a vaginal syringe for washing the extreme
upper portion as well as the sides of the vagina without danger of water entering
the uterus; second, to provide a syringe which shall produce a stream having the
qualities above mentioned, and which at the same time shall be capable of passing
a large quantity of water in a brief time, with low water pressure; third, to provide
means for adjusting the position of the diffusing plug, hereinafter mentioned, with
respect to the discharge opening, for varying the density of the stream and for
adjusting the syringe for different pressures of water; fourth, to provide means for
centering the diffusing plug with respect to the discharge opening, so that the
stream may be symmetrical and even; and fifth, to make the syringe compact,
simple, easily adjusted and operated, not liable to derangement, certain in action,
durable, and inexpensive.
These objects are attained in the syringe herein described and illustrated in the

page_text: drawings which accompany and form a part of this application, in which the same
reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts, and in which :-
Figure is an elevation of one form of syringe showing likewise the character
of stream produced when the stream is not obstructed by an object in front of the
syringe ;
Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section of the syringe, showing its constructiou
and the preferred means for holding the diffusing plug in place, viz., by an
elastic holder or band, the stream being likewise sectioned to show its hollow
character;
Figure 3 is an elevation of another type of syringe, and Figure 4 is a sectional
view thereof, showing a different device from that shown in Figure 2 for regulating
the density of the stream and for adjusting the syringe to different pressures of
water;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a syringe, in which the diffusing plug is held in
place by a coiled spring;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a syringe, in which the diffusing plug is mounted
upon a hollow sleeve arranged to screw into the end of the syringe;
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the syringe shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a modification of the construction shown in Figures 6 and 7, the
diffusing plug being held to the sleeve screwing into the end of the syringe by
means of a spring; and Figure 9 illustrates a further modified construction, in
which the diffusing plug screws directly into the end of the syringe.
In the drawings, 1 is a tube which forms the main portion of the syringe. It is
provided with a screw socket at the lower end, adapted to receive a screw nipple
on the end of an elastic tube, by which it may be attached to a suitable source of
water supply, in the manner customary with what are known as fountain syringes.
The other end of the syringe is partly closed, but has a central discharge passage
or opening, 2, which tapers or flares outwardly. Within the flaring portion of this
discharge opening 2 is a tapering plug, 3, constituting the above mentioned diffusing
plug, and corresponding generally to the shape of the discharge opening but having
a somewhat greater taper, so that the plug can make contact with the sides of the
discharge opening only at points near the outer end of the plug, the purpose of this
being to cause the plug to center itself automatically in the discharge opening when
water is flowing through the syringe.
The plug 3 acts, as will be seen hereafter, to diffuse or spread the stream passing
out through the discharge opening, converting it into a hollow conical sheet or
film of water. At its smaller or inner end it is provided, in the preferred
construction shown in Figure 2, with an extension 4, which passes completely
through the discharge opening 2, and terminates in a hook 5. At the other end of
the syringe is a thin bar 6, having a head 7 adapted to rest against a shoulder 8 in
the internal bore of the syringe. The bar 7 is provided with hooks 9, 9, similar
to the hook 5. An elastic band 10 connects the plug 3 and the bar 6, passing over
the hooks 5 and 9, and constituting an elastic holder to hold the plug 3 in place in
close proximity to or against the walls of the discharge opening. By placing the
band in one or another of the hooks 9 the tension of this elastic band or holder may
be adjusted. The bar 6, being thin, does not obstruct seriously the flow of water
through the bore of the syringe.
The exterior of the syringe is shown as grooved longitudinally, after the manner
of ordinary vaginal syringes, these grooves being used to permit water to flow back
after it has passed through the syringe and entered the vagina.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another conimon type of vaginal syringe, curved to
facilitate its use. There is shown in connection with this syringe a slightly
different device for adjusting the tension of the elastic band 10, which may be
applied also to the syringe shown in Figures 1 and 2. The band, instead of being
secured to a hooked bar 6, as in Figure 2, is secured by a catch to a transverse
shaft 11, passing through the sides of the syringe, and having on one end a uut to
hold it in place and on the other end a milled head or key 12 by which it may be

page_text: turned. By revolving this shaft 11 the band 10 may be wound upon the shaft or
unwound therefrom, thus increasing or decreasing its tension.
In the syringe shown in Figure 5 the elastic bands of the syringe shown in
Figures 1 to 4 are substituted by a coiled spring 13, to one end of which the
diffusing plug is directly connected, while the other end of the spring engages a
shoulder in the bore of the syringe. The syringe so constructed is not adjustable
except by varying the strength of the spring, but has the merit of great simplicity.
The use of an elastic holder for the plug 3, such as the band 10 or the spring 13,
has many advantages, as it is a simple and inexpensive method, permits the
diffusing plug to adjust its position in the discharge orifice automatically for
different pressures of water, and being a loose connection, permits the diffusing.
plug to center itself in the discharge orifice. The proper position of the diffusing
plug in the discharge orifice differs somewhat with different pressures of water, and
the plug should be closer to its seat for low pressures of water than for high
pressures. If the plug be too far from its seat for the pressure of water used, the
stream will be too coarse and dense and not sufficiently widely diffused, and if the
plug be too near its seat the stream will be too thin and will not supply a sufficient
quantity of water. By using an elastic band or holder of proper strength an
automatic adjustment of the position of the diffusing plug is obtained, which is
sufficiently accurate, for all ordinary variations of water pressure, to produce the
character of stream desired. The thickness of the film of water composing the
stream, and consequently its delicacy and softness and the quantity of water
supplied may be varied, also, by increasing or decreasing the tension on the
elastic holder. If the tension be increased, the film of water becomes thinner but
softer.
In order that the diffusing plug may be centered in the discharge opening
automatically, I prefer to make the diffusing plug 3 with a taper greater than the
sides of the discharge opening, so that the friction of the water against the plug
and the tendency of the water to push the plug out of the discharge opening shall
be greatest at the points furthest from the point of connection to the elastic band
or holder. When this is the case, the plug is in a condition of stable equilibrium,
and as the action of the water is practically uniform on all sides, the tendency is
for the plug to remain in the center of the discharge opening, and since the elastic
holder leaves the plug entirely free to move from side to side, it tends to center
itself in the discharge opening. I find that with the parts proportioned and
arranged substantially as shown in the drawings the plug centers itself automatically
in the discharge opening, producing a uniform stream, and if pushed to the one
side the plug, as soon as released, centers itself again.
It is not absolutely necessary that the discharge opening 2 shall be flaring or
tapering, as shown. have obtained moderately good streams with tapering plugs
fitting into the bores of ordinary tubes with parallel walls, the larger end of the
plug being of course of greater diameter than the diameter of the opening in the
tube. But the best results I have obtained with the form of opening 2 shown in
the drawings, and this I prefer. Neither is it necessary that a conical diffusing
plug should be used. Spherical plugs may be used, the shape of the discharge
orifice being changed accordingly, if necessary; and still other forms of diffusing
plugs may be found practicable. I do not limit myself to any particular form of
diffusing plug. My best results have been obtained, however, with the form of
plug shown in the drawings, and this I prefer.
While the use of an elastic holder for the diffusing plug is advisable because
of its simplicity, cheapness, automatic action, and readiness of adjustment, the
elastic holder may sometimes be objected to because of the possibility that it may
break or deteriorate. To obviate this objection I have devised the forins of syringe
shown in Figures 6, 7, and 9. In the syringe shown in Figures 6 and 7 the
diffusing plug 3 has at its smaller end a stem 15, which projects into the bore 16
of a hollow sleeve 17, the bore of which is larger in diameter than the stem 15, so
as to permit water to pass therethrough. The plug and sleeve are connected by a

page_text: The sleeve 17 screws
into the discharge opening in the end of the syringe, and the distance of the
plug 3 from its seat in the flaring portion of the discharge opening may be adjusted
by screwing the sleeve 17 in or out.
pin 18, which leaves the plug free to move from side to side.
In the form of syringe shown in Figure the plug 3 screws directly into a
re-entrant portion 20 of the end of the syringe, which has in it the flaring discharge
opening and ports 21, 21, which connect the discharge opening with the interior of
the syringe.
In Figure 8 is shown a construction combining some of the features of the
syringes shown in Figures 1 to 5 with the features of the syringe shown in
Figures 6 and 7. A plug or sleeve 25, screwing into the end of the syringe, has
in it a discharge opening with a flaring mouth, and the diffusing plug is held within
this discharge opening and to the sleeve 25 by a spring 26, which bears against
the inner end of the sleeve.
The operation of all of the forms of syringe shown and described herein, and the
kind of stream produced, is practically the same. When the tube 1 is connected
to a source of water supply and water is passed through the syringe, as the stream
issues from the discharge opening in the end of the syringe it is divided and diffused
by the diffusing plug 3, which converts it into a sheet or film thin enough to pass
between the plug 3 and the sides of the discharge opening 2. The stream so
formed is circular and hollow and of substantially uniform thickness throughout,
and when unobstructed by a surface in front of the syringe, commonly converges
a few inches from the end of the syringe, forming a sort of bubble of water, not
unlike a soap bubble. The formation of this bubble, however, is not material, but
is cited merely to show the evenness and continuity of the film of water produced,
as such a bubble would be impossible were the stream broken up into drops or into
a succession of straight streams. In the actual use of the syringe there is in
general no opportunity for the formation of the complete bubble, as the surface
against which the stream is directed will ordinarily be located with respect to the
end of the syringe at a distance such as that indicated by the line 14, 14 of
Figure 1. The important characteristic of the stream is that it is composed of a
perfectly continuous, thin, circular, and hollow film of water, which does not
strike a succession of blows upon the surface against which it is directed, as does
the ordinary spray such as is produced, for instance, by the ordinary rose sprinkler,
but maintains a uniform, soft, and gentle pressure against the surface against which
it is directed. The feeling of the stream can be compared most readily to the
touch of a soft camels-hair brush or to a gentle blast of air.
Such a stream,
because of its softness and evenness, and because it covers a considerable surface
and is not confined to one small point, may be applied to extremely sensitive
surfaces without causing pain or discomfort. Also, when used as a vaginal syringe,
the stream has sufficient force to cause distension of the vagina, washing the folds
thereof thoroughly, and because the stream is directed upwardly, washing the
extreme upper portion of the vagina. The stream may be applied in the immediate
vicinity of the mouth of the uterus, also, with perfect safety, because if the stream
be directed to one side or the other of the uterus the direction of movement of the
water at the point where the uterus may intersect the stream is angular, so that
the water will not pass into the uterus; while if the stream be directed directly
at the uterus the uterus will lie within the stream, which as before stated is
hollow, so that no water will reach and penetrate the uterus although the stream
will surround it on all sides. My syringe therefore accomplishes what I believe
has been accomplished by no former syringe, viz., a thorough washing of all parts
of the vagina without the slightest danger of water entering the uterus.
The quantity of water which may be passed through the syringe with a given
head is very large as compared with former syringes, so that abundant flushing of
the surfaces against which the stream is directed is secured. The quantity of water
furnished by the stream may be regulated by regulating the tension on the elastic
holder 10, of the syringes shown in Figures 2 and 4, or by regulating the tension

page_text: or strength of the springs 13 and 26 of the syringes shown in Figures 5 and 8, or
by screwing inward or outward the plugs 3 of the syringes shown in Figures 6
and 9. The nearer the diffusing plug 3 is brought to the sides of the discharge
opening, or the greater the tension on the elastic band or the spring by which it is
held in place, the thinner is the film of water produced and the less is the amount
of water passing through the syringe.
The tension on the elastic band 10 may be regulated, in the form of syringe
shown in Figure 2, by changing the band from one hook 9 of the bar 6 to another,
and in the form of syringe shown in Figure 4 may be regulated by turning the
shaft 11.
In all of the syringes the diffusing plugs may be removed readily for the purpose
of cleaning the syringe. In the syringes shown in Figures 2 and 4 this may be
done by pulling the diffusing plug out of the discharge opening and unhooking the
and 10. In the syringe shown in Figure 5 the diffusing plug may screw on to
the end of the spring 13, or may be attached in some other manner so as to be
readily removable. And in the syringes shown in Figures 6, 8 and 9 the diffusing
plug may be removed by screwing it out of the end of the syringe.
While all of the syringes shown in the drawings are of the class known as
fountain syringes, I do not desire to limit myself thereto, as the devices for
producing the thin, continuous, and hollow film which constitutes the stream from
the syringe are applicable as well to piston syringes, and may be so applied without
departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage and
a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug adapted to fit into the mouth of
said discharge opening, and means, located within the syringe, for holding said
diffusing plug within said discharge opening and concentric with and in close
proximity to the sides thereof, whereby, when water is passed through the syringe,
there is produced a thin, continuous, and hollow film of water, substantially as
described.
2. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage and
a discharge opening therefor, of a tapering diffusing plug adapted to fit into the
mouth of said discharge opening, and means, located within the syringe, for holding
said diffusing plug within said discharge opening and concentric with and in close
proximity to the sides thereof, whereby, when water is passed through the syringe,
there is produced a thin, continuous, and hollow film of water, substantially as
described.
3. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage
with a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug adapted to fit into the mouth
of said discharge opening, and an elastic holder, located within the syringe and
connected to said plug, and arranged to pull the diffusing plug inward and against
the sides of the discharge opening, whereby, when water is passed through the
syringe, there is produced a thin, continuous, and hollow film of water, substantially
as described.
4. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage
with a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug adapted to fit into the mouth
of said discharge opening, a spring, located within the syringe and connected to
said plug, and arranged to pull the diffusing plug inward and against the sides of
the discharge opening, whereby, when water is passing through the syringe, there
is produced a thin, continuous, and hollow film of water, and means for regulating
the tension of said spring, substantially as described.
5. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage and
a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug screwing into the end of the
syringe and adapted to fit closely to the sides of said discharge opening, whereby,

page_text: when water is passed through the syringe, there is produced a thin, continuous, and
hollow film of water, substantially as described.
6. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage, of
a plug or sleeve screwing into the end of the syringe, and a diffusing plug carried
thereby and lying within a suitable discharge opening for the syringe, said diffusing
plug being arranged to fit closely to the sides of the discharge opening, whereby,
when water is passing through the syringe, there is produced a thin, continuous, and
hollow film of water, substantially as described.
7. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage, of
a plug or sleeve screwing into the end of the syringe, and a diffusing plug carried
thereby and loosely secured thereto and lying within a suitable discharge opening
for the syringe, said diffusing plug being arranged to fit closely to the sides of the
discharge opening, whereby, when water is passing through the syringe, there is
produced a thin, continuous, and hollow film of water, substantially as described.
8. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage
with a discharge opening therefor, said discharge opening being contracted at the
base and flaring outwardly, of a tapering diffusing plug adapted to fit into the
mouth of said discharge opening and having a taper greater than the taper of
the sides of the discharge opening, and a holder for said diffusing plug, located
within the syringe and holding the plug loosely, whereby, when water passes
through said discharge opening, the plug is caused to center itself therein,
substantially as described.
9. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage
with a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug adapted to fit into the mouth
of said discharge opening, and having a hooked extension on its inner end, a bar 6,
within the syringe, having a head bearing against a limiting shoulder of the syringe
body, and having a plurality of hooks, 9, and an elastic band 10 connecting said
diffusing plug and bar 6 and arranged to draw the diffusing plug inward and against
the sides of the discharge opening, substantially as described.
10. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage
with a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug adapted to fit into the mouth
of said discharge opening, and having a hooked extension on its inner end, a shaft 11,
revolubly mounted, and extending across the bore of the syringe, means for rotating
the same, and an elastic band secured to said shaft and to said hooked extension of
the diffusing plug, and arranged to draw the diffusing plug inward and against the
sides of the discharge opening, substantially as described.
11. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage
with a discharge opening therefor, of a diffusing plug adapted to fit into the mouth
of said discharge opening, and a coiled spring, lying within the bore of the syringe,
and secured to the body of the syringe and to said diffusing plug, and arranged to
draw the diffusing plug inward and against the sides of the discharge opening,
substantially as described.
12. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage,
and a discharge opening therefor, of a screw-threaded hollow plug or sleeve screwing
into the discharge opening and carrying a tapering diffusing plug adapted to lie
within the discharge opening and to make close contact with the sides thereof,
whereby, when water is passed through the syringe, there is produced a thin,
continuous, and hollow film of water, substantially as described.
13. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a fluid passage, of
a plug or sleeve screwing into the end of the syringe and having a discharge
opening therein communicating with the bore of the syringe, a tapering diffusing
plug adapted to lie within said discharge opening and to make close contact with
the sides thereof, and a spring holding said diffusing plug in said discharge opening,
substantially as described.
14. In a syringe, the combination, with a syringe body having a Aluid passage
and having in its end a re-entrant portion having therein a discharge opening and
ports connecting said discharge opening with the bore of the syringe, of a tapering

page_text: diffusing plug screwing into said re-entrant portion of the end of the syringe, and
adapted to lie within said discharge opening and to make close contact with the
sides thereof, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of August 1895.
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.