IMPROVEMENTS IN VAGINAL 'SYRINGES.
Year: 1879

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by Robert Hiram Woodward at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st August 1879.
ROBERT HIRAM WOODWARD, of the City, County, and State of New York, in the
United States of North America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VAGINAL 'SYRINGES.'
و
This Invention is an improvement of that class of vaginal syringes formed of a
rigid tube or nozzle and an elastic bulb, the latter being attached directly to the
nozzle without an intervening or connecting flexible tube. In some cases the
nozzle or tube of such syringes has been constructed with its outer end fully open
to facilitate the withdrawal of liquid that has been injected, as for instance in the
local treatment (by astringents &c.) of menorrhagia or prolapsus uteri, where it
is essential that the patient should be kept in a recumbent position. Syringes of
this sub-class have proven defective or inefficient in operation, mainly because no
means have been provided for supplying air to take the place to a greater or less
extent of the liquid when being removed from the vagina.
The object of my Invention is to remedy this defect, and to this end I provide
an air tube attachment in the manner represented in the accompanying Drawing,
which shows a longitudinal central section of a vaginal bulb syringe having such
attachment. The elastic compressible bulb A has the ordinary shape, but I prefer
to make its walls thicker than usual heretofore, in order that it may have increased
strength and power of expansion. The bulb is attached directly to a nozzle or
vaginal tube B, having a series of divergent but concentrically arranged holes a in
its outer end, through which the liquid used in treatment is alternately injected
and withdrawn.
An elastic air supply tube C extends from the outer end of the vaginal tube B to
the larger end of the bulb A, to each of which its ends are respectively secured in
suitable manner.
In using the syringe the bulb A is first compressed in the hand, and the tube B
inserted in the liquid to be injected, and being relieved of compression the bulb A
at once expands, and becomes filled with the liquid. The tube B being then
inserted in the vagina, the bulb is compressed to expel the liquid, and cause its
injection through the holes a, in contact with the os and walls of the vagina.
Upon releasing the bulb from compression the liquid will be forced back into it by
the action of atmospheric pressure, the air passing through the small tube C and
entering the vagina, so that the withdrawal of the liquid is effected rapidly and
•

page_text: completely, a result hitherto unattainable with the previously known bulb syringes.
It is usually desirable the liquid shall remain a few moments in contact with the
parts to be treated, and in such case a few drops may escape from the outer or
bulb end of the tube C. The same result may also take place when the liquid is
reinjected and withdrawn once or more times, which it is sometimes desirable to do.
To prevent the liquid which thus escapes from tube C falling upon and thereby
soiling the bed or other clothing, I provide a small drip bulb or holder D, which
is of spherical shape and attached to the bulb A, so as to form practically both a
continuation of said air tube and the enlarged end or termination thereof.
The portion of the liquid which would therefore drip from the air tube C is
received by the holder D, and retained until the instrument can be removed and
its contents conveniently discharged. To facilitate discharge of the liquid from
the drip bulb D, I provide it with a small aperture on the upper side as
shown by d.
Having now described my Invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed I claim :—
L
די
1st. The combination of an air conducting tube with the tube B and the com-
pressible bulb of a vaginal syringe, as set forth.
-
2d. The combination of a drip bulb with an air conducting tube, the ejecting
tube and the compressible bulb of a vaginal syringe, as and for the purpose
specified..
1
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Hiram Woodward, have hereunto set
'my hand and seal, this First day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
"
Signed, sealed, and executed,
in the presence of
RUSSELL PARKER,
Book Keeper,
150, William Street,
ROBERT HIRAM WOODWARD. (L.S.)