US2190384A - Therapeutic bag - Google Patents

Description

fliforney w m e V Tm Louis 8. N w'man Patented Feb. 1-3, 1940" THERA EU IO BAG Louis-l3. ewman; Chicago, I11. I i .l Applicati on July 6; 1937,, Serial No. 152,006 v i 3 6 Claims. (01. i'sjs o'o i This,app1ication is a continuationxin part of I mypencling application serial No. 98,437, filed August 29; 1936;

This invention relates it therapeutic devices, and more particula'rly,'to such apparatus as is used. for theapplication of heat or co ldto internal or external parts of the human body; as for improving the circulation or aiding in the resolution of -abscjesses,,or other, abnormal conditions, forthe destruction of pathogenic microorganisms and for improving the distribution and action of medicaments that are applied to, the surfaces)? the human body; either internally of eX-Q- ternally' I can be destroyed by the application of heat at a temperature somewhat below the temperature whic'h isdestructive pf human tissue. In one form of therapeutic treatment a highlyelastic thin has i's'inserted into a bodycavity, suchas the vagina, and is inflated by circulating hot water therethrough, theintentic n being. to main- ,jtain the temperature of the Water below, that which will causedestruction of the surrounding tissue and above that. at which certainyinfecting microorganisms can live,- with, the Iresult that the infection is cleared up. In my prior appfi; 0 Serial ,;No. 93,437, to which reference may be had, I disclosesuch' apparatus wherein the heated fluid that is being circulated is air, instead of water. The presentinvention relates to the construction of theapplicatorthatis inserted into or placed against thebody andthrough which, the heated or Waterisheing circulated. The applicator must necessarily comprise'an elasa tic bag which is very thin ormembranous W-here-' by upon inflation it assumes the shape of the cavity within which it is inserted so that it contacts all of the surface oitthe cavity to be treat,-

ed. If the bag shouldfail to contact certain of the bag. If this occurs the physician must be:

able. to quickly remedy the defect.- I accomplish the above' result by providing-v a'n applicator head comprising preferably afstiifl rubber; tube, ;v to '1 which applicator. head the thin rubber bag is line 5 5 of'Figure 3. l v i I had more particularly to Figure' l wherein I illustrate a therapeutic applied by merely slippingthe same over the open end of thefapplicatonheajd, Inorder to seal "against leakage of the heating medium, whether the same be air or water, I provide, an additional tubje of rubber which slips over the open end-of thebapplicatorbag'and provides a double seal against outward lealra'ge. Byclipplacementby agood bag. p n v V,

min therapeutic treatment of the above charac ter itis desirable that the temperature bemaine v tained as high as possible consistent with non- Certain micro-.organisms which are pathogenic I EN OF IC ping the second tube back-I expose the endhf the applicator bag and thus provide for the ready'removal of a torn applicator bag and re.-

iniu'ry, to thehuman tissue. As a result it becomes necessary for the. physician to operate at a temperatureveryclose lto the dangerous tern- L perature audit is therefore necessary that the physician know exactly What is the temperature Within theapplicator bag. In the prior =constructionswith which Iam familiar the tempera ture of the circulating water was read at some point remote from. the bag and was frequently erroneous, resulting in many instances either in an excessive temperaturebeing reached, causing burning of the tissue, or the temperature maintained ,was too low, whereby the desired beneficialjefiects from the therapeutic treatment were not obtained. ER is an object of the present with the bulb of the thermometer within the apinvention to overcome both of the above men-' 5 tioneld difiiculties. I accomplish this resultv by placing a" thermometer inthe applicator head,

plicator itselfjs'o that the thermometer reads di- 3 By this arrangement the physician knows at all times what is the actual temperature within the" ture is high enough to effect the desired results rectly the temperature withinthe applicator bag. t

. c ,30 ,applicator and therefore ,knows if the temperaandif the temperature is approaching the darn ger point where burning might result. p v c The attainment of the above and further 010- jects of thepresent'iiivention will be apparen'fl v from the following specification taken in con-c ing a part thereof.

In the drawing:

junction with the accompanying drawing formv v .40 v Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one embodiment of therapeutic'apparatusto.

which my applicator may be applied; p

Figure 2 isan enlarged sectional view through .aportion of the applicator of Figure l, said-view illustrating the manner whereby: the applicator bag is applied to theapplicator. head;

' Figure 3 is a viewcor're sponding to Fig-ure z- ,n

and showing the applicator bag. on the applicator and ready for use;

1 Figure 4 is a sectional -view takenlalongfthe line 4-4yof Figure 3; and] Figure 5 is a sectional .view taken along; the

, Reference may now; be.

apparatus .of the type showntin myapplication above referred to, which isone type of apparatus" rubber bag of a proper shape, depending upon the particular body cavity for which the applicator is intended. The bag is of a thin rubber so that upon inflation it expands to fill the body cavity in which it is placed and contacts as large a' portion of the surface of the cavity or external area as is desirable. The applicator illustrated at l is of a shape particularly adapted for treat-1W eter 3 extends through a suitable opening in the applicator head and its thermo-responsive part extends into the applicator proper, so that "the thermometer indicates the actual temperature within the applicator. The applicator'l is provided with an air inlet opening adapted to receive a pipe or tube 4, and an air outlet opening adapted to receive a pipe or tube 5.

The tubes i and 5 extend to the control apparatus located at a convenient adjacent place and which includes a tempering casing .1 for heating or cooling the air, and a fan 8 in a housingzconnected together and to-the pipes, 4 and 5 so as to constitute a closed air circulating system. -Air is moved by the fan 8 through the casing" l,

thence throughqthe tube or pipe l,fthrough.the

applicator l, outlet pipe 5 and back to the inlet of the fan.v The pressurewithin this circulating 3 system is determined by the quantity-of air in I the system. The system is made leak-proof to guard against escape of air and consequent loss of pressure. Means is provided for increasing or decreasing the amount of airin' the system vso that any desired pressurefis' obtained; This means comprises a bulb pump I6 connected by a 1 tube II to the air circulating system at any desired point; for instance at the casing i The bulb pump HI comprises a rubber }bulb and a suitable valve'arrangement so that upon com pression of the bulb the air therein is forced through the tube I I, whereas upon release of the pressure on the bulb 10, air is drawn: into the bulb from the atmosphere throughan inlet 12, instead of through the tube H. The inlet l2 may also be operated'manually to permit escape of air from the system. This is the' usual type of bulb pump used-with the ordinary portable blood pressure determining device; A pressure gauge I4 is provided for determining the pressure inthesystem. v f

An electric motor fl5-is provided for operating the fan 8, and a coil 16, hereinafter referred to as a tempering coil, is provided for heatingor cooling the air in the circulating system-.- In the case of an apparatus designed for cold treat- "ment, the tempering coil it may comprise'a coil connected to receive a refrigerant from a refrigerating system. In the case of a heat treating apparatus, the coil I6 comprises an electrical resistance coil. The desired temperature for which automatic regulation is maintained can be changed by operating a. knob ll of an automatic thermostatic control I8. 'In thev case; of an electric system the knob ll adjusts a resistance in the control apparatus!!! to alter the value control apparatus.

of the temperature Theapplicator head consists of an outer pipe 20, preferably of rather thick rubber to give it tion 2! extending longitudinally thereof at its lower endfwhich thickened portion has'a bore 22 for receiving the-thermometer 3. The thermaintained constant by the mometer seals in the bore22 so that therecan be no escape of air from the applicator through I the bore 22 at the pointof entrance of the ther mometer. 'The pipe 2'!) is adapted to be connected with a short pipe 24 by means of a severable sealing coupling 25suitably gasketed and secured to prevent the leakageof air. The pipe 24 has two branches, namely a branch 28 and a branch 29. The branch 28 is adapted to receivev the rubber tube 5 at its outer end, and constitutes the air, outlet side'of the appli'cator.- The branch 29 has a pipe 30 therein which extends through:

' that branchand through the pipe 20 to the applicator bag. The applicator [bag l-is formed,-

preferably, of pure rubber having great strength and elasticity and constitutes a very thin mem-' brane. Thepipe 20 has a length of thin rubber, tubing slippedover the lower end thereof and secured in place-in any. desired'manner; as by' vulcanizing the same to the pipe 20"around the.

periphery 36, or cementing it thereto around the periphery 36. This vulcanization or jcement ing is only along the end of the, tubin g 35, and I all around the periphery thereof; so that the,

lower end of the tubing 35'is unsecured to, the

adjacent portion'of the pipe 20; :It is therefore its rolled form of appreciably-greater thickness than its actual thickness; That end of the applicator bag 'i-which is to besecured to the tube: 20 is tubular in section'so that it may be rolled upon itself in the manner illustrated-in Figure 2,

and the rolled part thereof'then slipped over the end of the pipe 20, as indicated at 39 in Figure 2.;

The roll 39 of Figure 2 has also been shown. as appreciably thicker than the actual thickness thereoff-in order to f-acilitate lillus'tration. since the rubber of the applicator I isexceedingly thing After the applicator has been placed in the posi tion illustrated in Figure 2 the roll 39 isrolled up' Wardly. so that the tubular portion of the ap- I plicator tightly embraces the lower end of the applicator head or pipe 2!]. Thereafter the roll 38 of the tubular section 35 isrolled downwardly over the top portion of the tubular extension the parts assume the;

It is apparent from the construction illustrated.

of the applicator; whereby position illustrated in Figure 3.

in Figure'B that any air leaking out of 'theapplicator bag I must travel between the tubular section 40 and the outer surface'gof the pipe 20 until it passes over the top of thetubular section 41],- and then must travel down between the tubular section 40 and'the inner-surface of ,the tube 35,'whereby a double seal isobtained. Furthermore, the tubular section 49 tightly embraces the tube 20, and the tube 35 tightly embraces the" section 40, thereby further facilitating the sealing action. 'Anyfluid that might pass between the tubular section 30 and the outer lower surface of the tube2il'wi1l cause a slight increase,

in the effective diameter of the tubular. portion 40 and thereby press that tubular section intofirmer contact with the rubber of the tube 35. Thus any weakening of the innermost s'eaLtowitzfthe seal between the section 40 and the pipe 20, must necessarily result in a tightening of the outer seal, to witzthe seal between the section Ml and the section 35.

The applicator I may readily be removed from the tube 2 0 vby merely rolling: the tube 3 5'up- 'Wardly back to the position illustrated'in Figure 2, and then rolling the tubular section In down to the positionfillustrated-in Figure 2. This facilitates removal of the applicator bag lfor replacement purposes or for removal ofthe ther-t mometer 3, which may become necessary in the event ofbreakage of the thermometer.

While I have here illustratedmy invention as applied to a therapeutic device constructed in the manner shown in my prior application for Letters Patent, wherein the circulating medium is air, it is to be understood that this invention is equally applicable to therapeutic apparatus for like purposes Whe'rein'the circulating medium is water, which latter apparatus is well known at the present time, or wherein a cooling instead of a heating-fluid is circulated.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my imzention. Itis, however, to be understood that they invention is .not limited to the precise construction here shown,

the samebeing merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.-A therapeutic device comprising an appli cator head havinga't'ube, an'applicator bag having a neck detachably and intimately embracing theentire'. outer circumference of saidtube throughout a substantial distance lengthwise of said tube, and a. resilient sheath having a per-- manent leak-proof connection around said tube and detachablyv embracing the tube-embracing portion of said neck and exerting a pressure I thereagainst,

2. A therapeutic device comprising an appli cator head including a tube and a relatively elastic sheathv about and having a leak-proof fixed connection with said tube at. the end of the sheath that is farthest from the end of the head and separable from the tube at'the opposite 'end of-the sheath, and an elastic membranous applicator bag having a neck detachably elastically and intimately fitted about said tube and within the unconnected part of said sheath, said sheath engaging and exerting a pressure on said appli- .cator bag. I I

3. A therapeutic device comprising an applicator head including a tube and a relatively elastic sheath tensioned around said tube and hav 1 0' ing a leak-proof fixed connection with said tube around the periphery of the sheath at the end .of the sheath thatisfarthest from the end of the head, and an elastic membranous applicatube and sheath and by said sheath.

7 no 4. A therapeutic device comprising an appliI- tor bag having a neck detachably elastically and intimately fitted about said tube and within the unconnected part of said sheath and engagingsaid tube substantially to the juncture of said pressed towards said tube cator head including a tube and a membranous relatively elastic sheath'joined to said tube and extending free of said, tube beyond its juncture with said tube, said juncture being leak-proof,

and an elastic membranous applicator bag having a neck formed to be rolled upon itselfand to be expanded to fit over an end of said tube and then unrolled to elastically clasp said-tube and remaining mechanically separate from said tube to permit it who subsequently rolled upon itself for removal of saidneck from said tube,

from adjacent an end of the head to a point on the headsubstantially spacedfrom said end and secured 'to'said head at said point by a leakproof seal encircling the head, said sheath and head being disoonnectedfrom said point of sealing connection to the end of the sheath so that the sheath may be rolled upon itself within its elastic limits to expose the end of the head and unrolled to lie along the head, ,anqelastic membranous applicatorbag having a tubular neck which can be sprung within its elastic limit about the end of the applicatorwhen the sheath has been rolled from the end of the head to expose the same, and to intimately'and firmly embrace the head and form a leak-proof detachable consaid sheath being formed to permit complete un. rolling of the same to overlie and tightly embrace the neck of the bag and form a sealing detachable fit over the outside of the neck of the bag, said sheath being mechanically separate from said bag to permit the end of the-sheath which overlies the end of thehead to berolled back upon itself and expose the 'neck'of the applicator bag to permit removal and replacement of the ap plicator bag;

' 'd Atherapeutic device comprising a tubular applicator head, a membranous tubular rubber sheath sprung about and embracing saidzhead from adjacent an end of the head to a point on thehead substantially spaced'from said end and secured to said head, at said point by aleakproof seal encircling the head, saidsheath and nection between the bag and the applicator head,

head being disconnected from said point of seal- I ing' connection to the end of the sheath so that the sheath-may be rolled upon itself within its elastic limits to expose the endof the head and branous applicator bag having a tubularneck which can be sprung withinits elastic limit about the end of the applicator when the sheath has been rolled from the end of the head to' expose the same, and, to intimately and firmly embrace the head and form a leak-proof detachable connection betweenthe bag and the applicator head, said sheath being formed to permit complete unrolling of the same to overlie and tightly embrace the neck of the bag and form a sealing detachable fit over the outside of the neck of the bag, said sheath being mechanically separate fromsaid bag to permit the I end of the sheath which overlies the endfof the head to be rolled back upon itself. and expose the neck, ofthe applicator bag-to, permit removal, and replacement of'the applicator ,bag, said head having a hole in its side between the inner and outer surfaces thereof from said end to a point beyond the first-mentioned connection, and a thermometer detachably inserted in said hole from said end of said head and forming a leak-proof'fit in said hole, I I

' LOUIS B NEWMAN unrolled to lie along the head, an elastic",Inem--

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