Enema device and a method of refilling said device with an enema
The present invention relates to an enema device ( 1;1 ′) comprising a delivery container ( 2 ) and an applicator nozzle ( 3 ), and wherein said delivery container ( 2 ) comprises two cavities ( 6,8;6′,8 ′), an outer cavity ( 6;6 ′) defined by an squeezable external body ( 7;7 ′), and an inner cavity ( 8;8 ′) defined by an inner flexible bladder ( 9;9 ′), and wherein one of said cavities ( 6;8 ′) is communicating with an outlet ( 10 ) for dispersing the enema though the applicator nozzle ( 3 ) and the other cavity ( 8;6 ′) is communicating with the surroundings via an air inlet ( 12 ). Thereby is provided a simple, inexpensive and essentially maintenance free enema device ( 1;1 ′) which can be used for self-administrating of an enema. The device ( 1;1 ′) will not only effectively prevent air from being mixed with the enema, but also ensure that the user easily can expel the enema, as the device ( 1;1 ′) will be perceived as full of enema at all times.
1. An enema device comprising a delivery container and an applicator nozzle, wherein said delivery container comprises two cavities, an outer cavity defined by a squeezable external body, and an inner cavity defined by an inner flexible bladder, wherein the outer cavity is communicating with an outlet for dispersing an enema accommodated in the outer cavity though the applicator nozzle and the inner cavity is communicating with the surroundings via an air inlet, and wherein the inner cavity is separated from the outer cavity by the inner flexible bladder, thereby preventing any exchange of fluid between the inner cavity and the outer cavity at any stage of an administration procedure.
2. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer cavity are not in flow communication.
3. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein a first non-return valve is placed in communication with the outlet, and/or a second non-return valve is placed in communication with the air inlet.
4. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the air inlet is placed in the enema device at a position separate from the applicator nozzle, preferably opposite the applicator nozzle.
5. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the enema device is arranged for deflating the inner cavity communicating with the air inlet.
6. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the enema device is arranged for being opened and closed.
7. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the enema device comprises a closure member arranged for being releasable attached to the delivery container, e.g. by means of a first coupling unit.
8. An enema device according to claim 7 , wherein the outlet is placed in the closure member, and that the enema device is arranged such that when the closure member is opened/removed there is only access to the outer cavity communicating with the outlet.
9. An enema device according to claim 7 , wherein the enema device is arranged for releasing the air in the inner cavity communicating with the air inlet, to the surroundings when the closure member is opened/removed from the delivery container.
10. An enema device according to claim 7 , wherein the closure member is made of a rigid material, and releasable attached to the delivery container via an intermediate member.
11. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein air in the inner cavity communicating with the air inlet is released through a release valve, which is activated when the pressure drops in the outer cavity communicating with the outlet, or when the pressure in the inner cavity communicating with the air inlet exceeds a predetermined limit.
12. An enema device according to claim 11 , wherein the air inlet and the release valve is combined in a dual function valve, preferably a diaphragm valve, a lip valve, a duck bill valve, an umbrella valve, a dome valve, and/or a combination valve, e.g. an umbrella/duckbill combination valve.
13. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the delivery container has a shape arranged to fit into a user's hand, e.g. an elongated spherical shape, an oval shape or a bulb shape.
14. A method of refilling the enema device according to claim 1 , with an enema, said method comprises the following consecutive steps:
opening the delivery container,
deflating the inner cavity communicating with the air inlet,
refilling the outer cavity communicating with the outlet with an enema, and
closing the delivery container.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein air in the inner cavity with the air inlet automatically is expelled to the surroundings when the closure member is opened/removed from the delivery container.
16. An enema device according to claim 1 , wherein the inner flexible bladder is made of a material arranged for expanding/unfolding and collapsing in response to the amount of air placed in the inner cavity.