Improvements in Enema-syringes and, other similar Instruments.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th. Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1895-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Enema-syringes and, other similar Instruments.
I ERNEST MITCHELL of Saint Leonard Street Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Surgical Instrument Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of enema-syringes and other similar
instruments used for injecting exhausting, or forcing fluids, wherein; a hollow india
rubber or other compressible ball is used in connection with an india rubber or
other flexible tube.
Hitherto in such instruments the compressible ball has been made with a short
neck or necks, and the flexible tube has been attached to one or both sides thereof:
by cementing binding or otherwise uniting the same, and the joint thus formed was
liable to become leaky or even disunited.
The object of my invention is to dispense with this joint (or joints) whereby the
ball and tube are practically seamless and in one piece, by which means not only is
the liability to leakage or breakage entirely avoided, but the cost of manufacture
is considerably reduced and at the same time the appearance of the article greatly
improved.
To manufacture an enema-syringe (for example) 1 first take a piece of india
rubber tubing of the diameter and full length required.
I then take a hollow india rubber ball of about the size required and made with
a hole at each side. This ball I then coat with india rubber cement and compress
into one end of an inelastic tube of as small a diameter as possible, the holes in the
ball being in a line with the centre of the tube, the outside of which I lubricate
with soap or otherwise.
I then expand one end of the india rubber tube and insert therein the inelastic
tube containing the compressed ball, and force the same about midway along the
tube. I now insert a wire by means of which I hold the ball in this position whilst
I withdraw the inelastic tube leaving the ball inside the india rubber tube.
I then plug or otherwise close one end of the india rubber tube and connect the
other end with a tap supplying water under pressure which will expand the hollow
ball to its original size at the same time distending that part of the india rubber
tube into which it was forced. It is left in this position under pressure for some
hours by which time the cement will have thoroughly united the ball to the inside
of the tube and on removing it from the tap the ball will retain its form, the tube
and outer ball being all in one piece without joint.
The syringe is then completed by the addition of the valve and nozzle in the
usual manner.
Did this 10th day of April 1894.
IIITAG e. SON

page_text: Improvements in Enema-syringes and other similar Instruments.
I ERNEST MITCHELL of St. Leonard Street Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Surgical Instrument Manufacturer, 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 :--
This invention relates to the manufacture of enema-syringes and other similar
instruments used for injecting exhausting or forcing fluids, wherein a hollow india
rubber or other compressible ball is used in connection with an india rubber or
other flexible tube.
'
Hitherto in such instruments the compressible ball has been made with a short
neck, or necks, and the flexible tube has been attached to one or both sides thereof
by cementing, binding, or otherwise uniting the same.
The object of my invention is to dispense with this joint (or joints) whereby the
ball and tube are practically seamless and in one piece, by which means the cost of
manufacture is considerably reduced, and at the same time the appearance of the
article greatly improved.
The nature of my said invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed or carried into practical effect will be readily understood on reference to
the sheet of drawings hereunto annexed and the following explanation thereof.
To manufacture an enema-syringe (for example) according to my invention I first
take a piece of india rubber tubing (see a Fig. 1 on the annexed drawing) of the
diameter and full length of the instrument required.
I then take a hollow india rubber ball of the size and form required and made
with a bole at each side. This ball I then coat with india rubber cement, or
solution, and compress it into the enlarged end c' of an inelastic metal or other
tube c of as small a diameter as possible (see sectional view Fig. 2) the two holes
in the ball b being in a line with the tube c in the interior of which is fitted a wire d
with a cupped end d¹ which assists in holding the ball b in place.
I then lubricate the outside of the tube c with soap, india rubber solution or
other lubricant (preferably india rubber solution, in which case I partially saturate
the tube a in benzine or its equivalent) and I insert it into the end of the tube a
and force it along until the larger end c¹ containing the ball b is brought to about
midway along the tube a (as shown in the partial sectional view Fig. 3) or to any
other desired position; I then hold the ball in place by means of the wire d
whilst I withdraw the inelastic tube c in the direction of the arrow as shown in
dotted lines and I withdraw the wire d leaving the ball b inside the centre of the
india rubber tube a.
I then tie, plug, or otherwise close one end of the india rubber tube (see a¹ Fig. 4)
and I connect the other end of the tube a with a tap supplying water under pressure
or with the nozzle of an air pump or other inflator which will partially expand that
part of the india rubber tube a in which the ball is confined.
I then grasp the tube a at either side of the ball and by forcing the hands
together I cause the air or fluid to expand the ball b almost to its original size and
form, still further distending that part of the tube a in which the ball b is confined,
as seen at Fig. 4..
It will be found unnecessary to leave the article under pressure, and on removing
it from the tap or nozzle the ball b will retain its form, the tube and outer ball or
bulb being all in one piece without joint.
I find it necessary to make the instrument so far of only partially vulcanized
rubber, the tube a being only so far vulcanized as to regain its form, after the
tube c has passed through it, and the ball being so far vulcanized as to prevent the

page_text: tube a from wrinkling it again after expansion. The whole instrument is then
completely vulcanized into one mass in the usual manner, and the syringe is then
completed by the addition of the valve and nozzle as usual.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
The manufacture of enema-syringes (and other similar instruments consisting
principally of a hollow compressible ball in connection with an india rubber tube)
practically in one piece and without joint substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings annexed.
Dated this 8th day of January 1895.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.