rup
Year: 1895

page_text: RICHARD PRITT 39 Regent Street Lancaster, Lancashire Commission Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
:-
The Patent claimed for the pneumatic triss or rupture belt now submitted to you
is on the following grounds.
That this truss or rupture belt is the first that has been offerd to those suffering
from a rupture of the bowels, which depends on air for its power of support and
pressure to retain the bowels within the abdominal cavity. From this fact I wish
to call it the pneumatic truss or rupture belt.
The truss consists of a circular india rubber tube with 2 pads attached each
being inflated at the same time by means of an air pump. The adaption and easy
fitting of the truss is maintained by the india rubber tube & straps attached to
ends of each of the flaps.
It retains itself and gives with the movements of the body in bending &c.
Dated this 16th day of Anril 1895
I, RICHARD PRITT late of 39 Regent Street, now of 63 South Regent Street,
Lancaster in the County of Lancaster, Commission Agent, 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 statement:-
The truss or rupture belt consists of a circular india rubber tube A with one
pad B at the end for a single rupture truss or belt (Fig. 1) and with two pads, B
one at each end for a double rupture truss or belt (Fig. 2). The circular india
rubber tube is fitted with an air valve C (Fig. 3) through which the air is forced by
means of an air pump through the entire length of the air tube A into the single or
double pads B in (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2).
To the outer side of the pad or pads I fix a piece of india rubber cord D or cords
made from fiberous substances, say flax, cotton, leather or the like.
This cord I enclose inside a hollow india rubber core or sheath E as in (Fig. 4).
This is designed to be used as an under-strap and prevent friction on the skin
when the truss or belt is being worn and at the same time assists to maintain the
truss or belt in its proper position when being worn.
Where it is found necessary to have exceeding strength I place a metal frame or
à frame made from other materials having the necessary strength or elasticity
inside the tubular belt and pads in such a position as to apply the pneumatic
pressure in the best and most efficient way.
To further describe my invention it may be applied to any of the existing form
of spring trusses or belts as commonly in use enabling better fitting, better retention
of the truss or belt in its proper position and a power of giving way to the
movements of the body in bending and the like.

page_text: To further describe my invention is that the air pressure is not a fixed quantity
as commonly applied to air pads, or air cushions but is adjustable in such a way that
providing the belt or truss bad been made somewhat large for the patient he can at
will make it fit perfectly by increased inflation.
Having now described my invention what I do claim is :-
1. The application of an adjustable pneumatic pressure to a rupture of the
bowels and other parts by means of a continuous air belt and air pressure pads.
2. The application of an adjustable pneumatic pressure to a rupture of the
bowels and other parts by means of a continuous air belt and air pressure pads
having a frame inside to enable me to apply the air pressure in the best
known way.
3. The application of an adjustable pneumatic pressure to a rupture of the bowels
and other parts by means of a continuous air belt and pressure pads having inside
a frame similar to any existing truss or belt to enable me to apply the air pressure
in the best known way.
4. The application of an understrap or straps made of india rubber cord or cord
of a fiberous substance say cotton or flax or leather or the like, enclosed but moveable
inside a core or sheath of india rubber or any other suitable material such as
leather, cotton or flax or the like. This being intended to minimise friction on the
skin when passed under or round the leg of the patient and attached to the belt at
the side or back or most convenient part of the belt.
Dated' this 15th day of February 1896.
RICHARD PRITT.