DEVICE FOR THE REPETITIVE SUPPLY AND DRAINING OF SUBSTANCES FOR MEDICAL THERAPY, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING FAECAL CONTINENCE BY INTERMITTENT COLON LAVAGE BY MEANS OF A PERMANENTLY PLACED TRANS-ANAL OCCLUDING OR ACCESS CATHETER

Abstract

The invention relates to a device, a system and a method for carrying out a lavage-like, repetitive supply and draining of a flushing, cleaning or other therapeutically active substance, in particular in the context of an evacuation by irrigation of a patient's colon. The device has a bag unit or bag/hose unit which has a combined flushing and collecting function and also at least one flow-directing function which prevents flushing liquid which has already been drained into the bag from flowing back towards the patient. The invention also relates to the combination of the bag unit or bag/hose unit with a catheter unit which can be placed in position in a permanent and atraumatic manner, is positioned trans-anally, seals off the anal canal, preferably by means of a dumbbell-shaped balloon component, and can be left in the patient's rectum, preferably after lavage is complete.

Claims

1. A device for carrying out a lavage-like, repetitive supply and draining of a flushing, cleaning or other therapeutically active substance, in particular in the context of a large lumen flushing or draining cleaning of a patient's colon, comprising: a catheter unit (SK) for receiving and draining feces, which can be permanently placed atraumatically and anorectally; a flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) with a combined flushing and collecting function; and a hose unit (4) connecting the catheter unit (SK) to the flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB), comprising a single-lumen or multi-lumen, film-like, flatly collapsible, hose; characterized by at least one element with a flow-direction-dependent throttle function, which allows a large-lumen draining of the patient's intestinal contents, and which facilitates a supply of liquid towards the patient that is throttled in relation to the draining and thereby reduces the supply to a non-irritating amount that is compatible with the organ.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that both the inward flow from the flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) towards the patient, as well as the outward flow from the patient to the flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) are flow-directed by corresponding elements, for example valves, in particular one-way valves, or by valve-like functional or control elements.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that merely the outward flow from the patient to the flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) is flow-directed by a corresponding element, for example a valve, in particular a one-way valve, or by a valve-like functional or control element.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply to the patient takes place either via the same lumen as the draining, or by a separate lumen having a smaller cross-section relative to the draining lumen.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized by an element with a feces-separating function, which allows shaped fractions in the bag (5, SB) to be separated out of the intestinal contents already drained into the bag and to keep them captive there and/or merely allow the return flow of liquid fractions of the repetitively supplied and drained medium from the bag to the patient.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the separating element has a mesh-like, a web-like or a sieve-like perforated structure, which allows liquid or feces suspended in liquid to pass through, but prevents formed feces fractions from flowing back to the patient.

7. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bag (5, SB) has a separating layer (TL), which either completely separates two compartments (5c, 5d) from each other, or is configured as a feces-separating or feces-filtering, mesh-like, fleece-like or sieve-like perforated structure, which separates liquid feces fractions from solid ones.

8. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that an element (12) with a flow-reducing function and, preferably terminally, an element (13) with a flow-directing function is integrated or disposed inside the bag (5), in the terminal extension of the connecting hose unit (4) having a single-lumen, combined supply and draining structure.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the catheter unit (SK) passing through and sealing the anal canal over the entire length thereof is configured as a single-walled or a double-walled balloon component (2), preferably made of polyurethane formed from blow molding to the anatomically required dimensions.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the single-walled or a double-walled balloon component (2) is configured to be dumbbell-shaped on the exterior thereof, such that the waist-like tapering passes through the anal canal, while a distal widening is disposed intrarectally and a proximal widening is disposed extracorporeally.

11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a preferably tapered hose component (4d), which is feces-draining, can be placed trans-anally and bears the balloon component is disposed inside a dumbbell-shaped balloon component, which hose component is reinforced in particular by an undulated profile and therefore facilitates comparable elastic straightening properties with lower wall thicknesses in relation to a hose which is formed in a non-undulated manner of the same diameter and material.

12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting hose unit (4) and/or a connector (17) disposed on the proximal end thereof is flatly collapsible from outside atraumatically with a slight exertion of force in order to thereby prevent the development of pressure spots in the event that the patient lies on it.

13. A system (S) for establishing and/or maintaining a quasi-continent state of a patient by the greatest possible removal or lavage of intestinal contents, comprising: a catheter unit (SK), which can be placed atraumatically and permanently in a trans-anal manner, passing through and sealing the anal canal preferably over the entire length thereof; a hose unit (4) attached proximally to the catheter unit (SK) and made of easily collapsible, film-like hose material, wherein the hose unit (4) transitions proximally to a likewise atraumatically collapsible connector element (17); and a flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) having a combined flushing and collecting function according to the invention for a detachable connection to the connector element (17).

14. The system (S) according to claim 13, characterized by an extracorporeal collecting and/or degassing unit that can be optionally connected to the connector element (17).

15. A method for establishing a quasi-continent state of a patient in the case of an ano-rectally incontinent patient, wherein with the permanent trans-anal placement of a large-lumen supply and draining catheter unit, said catheter unit is used as access for an intermittent evacuation or high-volume lavage of the colon, which keeps the descending colon or the rectum clear of feces, and thus temporarily facilitates the state of a so-called quasi-continence, wherein furthermore the combined flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) remains connected to the catheter unit following the lavage until the colon is completely evacuated, and wherein the catheter unit (SK) placed in the anus ensures a continuous sealing of anus in the interval between the irrigations and is terminated with a lightweight, film-like, secretion collecting bag acting in a degassing manner or a degassing element filled with gauze-like or absorbent cotton-like material.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the connection of the catheter unit (SK) to a flushing and collecting bag unit (5, SB) or a terminating, collecting and/or degassing element remaining in the patient preferably takes place close to the patient's body at a distance from the anus of 30 cm to 80 cm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other features, details, advantages, effects and functional aspects of the invention are yielded from the following description of several embodiments of the invention as well as on the basis of the attached drawings, which show:

[0024] FIG. 1 A device according to the invention with a single-chamber, combined irrigation and collecting container with flow-direction-separated supply and draining, as well as with a retention unit for receiving the stool and anchoring the device in the rectum

[0025] FIG. 2a A double-lumen hose element made of thin-walled, easily collapsible tubular film, having a parallel progression of the individual lumens

[0026] FIG. 2b A double-lumen hose element made of thin-walled, easily collapsible tubular film, with a concentric progression of the individual lumens

[0027] FIG. 3 A preferred single-chamber embodiment of the device according to the invention for the repetitive supply and draining of a substance, with an integrated deposit function of shaped elements already drained into the collecting container, in conjunction with a preferred trans-anally sealing catheter unit

[0028] FIG. 4 A completely separated, double-chamber flushing/collecting bag system with integrated flow-directing functions in the outlet region of the bag

[0029] FIG. 5a An element of a set-based embodiment of a device according to the invention, which is designed in particular for the continuous fecal management of permanently immobile, incontinent patients with normal stool characteristics, wherein a special method for intermittent trans-anal colon irrigation to establish a quasi-continence of patients will be described in the context of the figure, wherein the individual components of this set are depicted in FIGS. 5a to 5e. In this case, FIG. 5a shows a flushing and collecting bag with an integrated feces-separating and flow-directing function and terminal connector.

[0030] FIG. 5b A lightweight, proximally terminating collecting and degassing bag

[0031] FIG. 5c A terminating element filled with a gauze-like material and having a degassing function

[0032] FIG. 5d A special embodiment of a trans-anally placed head unit having a trans-anally tapered, feces-separating shaft element formed in an undulated manner

[0033] FIG. 5e An axially pluggable, flatly collapsible connector with an axially acting lock function

[0034] FIG. 6 The simplest embodiment of the head unit of a device according to the invention

[0035] FIG. 7 A further embodiment of the invention, which has a separate, trans-anally running, thin-walled tube or hose piece, which continuously connects the funnel to the preanal connector

[0036] FIG. 8 A combination of the anchor balloon with a trans-anal segment according to

[0037] FIG. 6 emanating from the anchor balloon sleeve, with the stabilizing tube piece depicted in FIG. 7

[0038] FIG. 9 A modified embodiment of the invention, whose trans-anal segment has two concentric hose layers

[0039] FIG. 10 An embodiment of the invention that is modified in turn, which combines the previous embodiment according to FIG. 9 with the elastically deformable, self-straightening and aligning, tubular mesh depicted in FIG. 8

[0040] FIG. 11 A perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention, and

[0041] FIG. 12 A longitudinal section through FIG. 11 along Line XII-XII

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In the context of the invention, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary, single-chamber flushing catheter system 1 for the flow-direction-separated, feces-separating supply of liquid in the patient's rectum or colon as well as for draining mobilized intestinal contents. Located at the forward end of the catheter is a preferably flat, toroidal retention balloon 2, which forms a large-lumen central opening 3 having a diameter of preferably 15 to 30 mm for the intra-rectal reception of liquid or flowable stool. Attached to the anchor balloon towards the proximal is a thin-walled, preferably flatly collapsible tubular film element 4 that integrates two parallel running lumens and connects the part of the device inside the patient to the flushing and collecting bag 5 situated outside of the patient. The lumen 4b supplying the irrigation liquid has a relatively smaller diameter, which reduces or throttles the flow of supplied irrigation liquid in order to prevent irritations from inflow that is too rapid and/or an associated abrupt dilation of the rectum. On the other hand, the lumen 4a draining the intestinal contents has a diameter whose dimensions are large enough to allow an outflow of shaped stool fragments into the container or bag 5 that is as unimpaired as possible. The special functional principle of the device is based on the integration of flow-directing and feces-separating elements or functions, which overall prevents shaped stool fractions that are already in the bag from being flushed back into the intestines during a subsequent inflow phase. To this end, a valve-like unit 6 is attached, for example as a flap valve or lip valve, in the leg 4a draining from the patient, preferably in the transition area of the draining leg to the bag. A corresponding flow-direction-separating valve function in the supplying leg 4b is preferably established in the region of the patient-side outlet of the leg by a functional element 7, which is constituted for example as a thin-walled, easily collapsible hose connecting piece, which opens with force acting from the inside and closes with force acting from the outside. Alternatively, the elements 6 and 7 can also be installed in other segments of the hose systems or even in the container itself.

[0043] To separate or deposit already drained, flaky or shaped stool fractions from the bag contents, the device is provided with a depositing inlet element 8, which projects into the interior of the bag preferably up to the upper rim of the bag and ensures that already drained shaped stool fractions are prevented from reentering the intestines during supply phases. The element 8 can be designed for example as a tubular-mesh-like structure or even as a sieve-like tube with multiple perforations. To affix and protect the inlet element in the bag, the element 8 can also be enclosed by a separating film 9 inside the bag, which is likewise perforated, sieve-like or mesh-like, the perforations of which are in turn preferably larger than the perforations of the element, whereby especially large, shaped stool fragments are prevented from infiltrating into the compartment accommodating the element. The occlusion of the inlet element via stool from the repetitive lifting and lowering inflow is prevented in the depicted design by the combination of an inlet element extending an especially long way inside the bag up to the upper rim of the bag as well as by an additional filtering function upstream from the inlet of the supplied liquid. The single-chamber bag is filled through a sealable opening 10.

[0044] FIG. 2a shows a double-lumen hose element 4 made of film-like, easily collapsible, tubular film, having a parallel progression of the individual lumens. The supplying lumen 4b in this case has a round cross-section of 5-10 mm, preferably 6-8 mm. The draining lumen has a rounded diameter measuring 20 to 35 mm, preferably 20 to 25 mm. The tubular film body is divided in this case into two separate lumens by a longitudinally running separation, e.g., a continuous welded seam. The material used for the hose is preferably a polyurethane with a hardness of 80A to 90A and has a wall thickness of 150 to 300 m, preferably 200 to 250 m. Alternatively, the hose can be constructed of PVC, LDPE or other material with the option of forming sufficiently thin-walled, preferably easily collapsible film hoses. The function according to the invention notably requires that the hose element is capable of collapsing in a flat manner without the formation of impinging or cutting edges so that the development of pressure-related lesions can be prevented in the case that the patient lies on the hose.

[0045] FIG. 2b shows a hose element 4, wherein the lumens 4a and 4b are positioned coaxially to each other. The supplying inner hose 4b that has a smaller lumen is preferably designed in this case to be especially thin-walled in relation to the outer hose. It has a wall thickness of 30 to 150 m, preferably of 50 to 100 m. Because of this, the lumen 4b collapses already in the case of a small amount of force acting from the outside. The special tendency to collapse ensures that, during the phase of purging the intestinal contents, the outflowing material compresses the supplying hose and thereby frees up the entire draining lumen without any substantial space requirement. In order to prevent a space-consuming damming effect in the lumen 4b during drainage, the flow-directing valve function in the supplying leg is preferably attached at the distal end of the drainage, as shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows an especially simply designed bag 5 according to the invention having a large-lumen tubular body 11 welded into the bag on the base side. The tubular body is provided with a plurality of small-lumen openings 12, through which flow can come out of the bag and be guided through the draining/supplying hose 4 towards the patient, which, however, prevent shaped fractions from flowing out of the bag. In the preferred embodiment, a thin-walled, spontaneously collapsible hose element 13 is attached on the inside end of the tubular body. Said hose element makes a valve function possible and allows only the inflow of drained material directed towards the bag, and prevents the outflow through the lumen of the tubular body. The depicted design ensures the feces-separating function according to the invention, wherein the inflow and outflow into the bag and/or the supply and drainage takes place through a single, common lumen, i.e., not separately from one another. As a result, the device requires only one single flow-directing component or function.

[0047] As another feature, the bag can be provided with an IN scale 14, which indicates the volume filled into the bag. Opposing it is an OUT scale 15, which is located in a position rotated by 180 degrees and measures the outflowing material when the bag is turned upside down following the initial repetitive flushing and draining and then can be used on a sustained basis as the collecting bag. The bag is provided with corresponding mounts 16 for this in the lower region.

[0048] The illustration furthermore shows a head unit preferably designed as a part of the invention, which is positioned in the rectum with a trans-anally sealing retention balloon 2, which comprises a rectally placed widening 2a, a preanal widening 2b and trans-anally tapered portion 2c. It also has a special shaft hose 4c bearing the balloon, which shaft hose collapses radially in an elastic manner in the case of anally applied force and spontaneously straightens when the force abates, as well as compresses like an accordion with the axial application of force and thus prevents the intestines from getting perforated.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a completely separate, double-chamber bag or container system 5, which completely prevents a commingling of the inflowing and outflowing material. The two compartments 5c (inflow compartment) and 5d (collecting compartment) are completely spatially separated by a separating layer TL. On its lower end, the compartment 5c merges into the lumen 4b supplying the inflow. The collecting compartment 5d in this case is completely closed and cannot be evacuated. Only the inflow compartment has a filling opening. The valve functions 6 and 7 in this case are respectively ensured by valves designed to be like lips or even beaks.

[0050] In the functional transition from a double-chamber system to a single-chamber system, the separating layer TL can be configured as a mesh-like, fleece-like or sieve-like perforated element and thereby prevent the transfer of shaped stool fractions from the compartment 5d into the compartment 5c.

[0051] FIGS. 5a to 5e show an irrigation system for establishing or maintaining a quasi-continent state of a patient through the greatest possible removal or lavage of intestinal contents, as an overall set-based embodiment S. As components comprising the set, said embodiment, first of all, has a trans-anally sealing head unit SK, which is preferably designed in accordance with FIG. 3, and is equipped with a dumbbell-shaped, trans-anally sealing balloon and a trans-anally positioned, atraumatically foldable or compressible shaft hose, to which an elastically foldable supply and draining shaft hose 4 is attached, which merges, in turn, into a terminal connector element 17 in the relative vicinity of the head unit, preferably at a distance of approx. 20 cm from the anus.

[0052] Attached to said connector element in cyclical alternation, as another component of the set, is a bag system 5, SB for the combined high-volume irrigation and subsequent drainage, or, alternatively, a simple, lightweight collection bag SLB for receiving outgoing secretions with a degassing function according to FIG. 5b, or a gauze-filled, neck-like terminating element SG according to FIG. 5c, for primary degassing of the abdomen.

[0053] Connecting the head unit, which remains trans-anally in the patient on a sustained basis, to the respectively attached components SB, SLB and SG is preferably established by a connector element 17 whose design corresponds preferably to that of FIG. 5d. Said connector element is designed in such a way that, in the event that the patient lies on the connector, it collapses in an elastically reversible manner and/or merges into a strip-like structure that is as flat as possible and consequently prevents pressure spots.

[0054] The special structural design of the device described here as a set of product components is conceived primarily for immobile patients, who are continuously fecally incontinent or for sporadic, in some cases, prolonged intervals and predominantly produce feces of normal, shaped consistency. The especially high-volume, reliably trans-anally sealing lavage of the colon that can be executed with the system prevents stool from being able to form and harden in the colon, and keeps the descending colon going towards the rectum largely clear of feces, so that, in an ideal case, no feces can advance into the rectum, and thus quasi-continence is facilitated.

[0055] The method according to the invention for establishing a quasi-continence combines the following functional features of the set: [0056] A head unit SK placed continuously on a sustained base in the patient, which head unit facilitates, for one, a sealing of the anus against secretions or intestinal contents exiting from the rectum, and, secondly, creates a permanent large-lumen access for an intermittent, high-volume, repetitive flushing and drainage within the sense of return-flow enema; [0057] A combined flushing and collecting bag SB, which is connected to the permanently placed head unit in approximately a two-day rhythm, and makes a repetitive return-flow enema possible, wherein the liquid supplied to the patient is preferably separated from shaped stool fractions already drained into the bag, and, following the lavage phase, the bag subsequently receives on a delayed basis the mobilized intestinal contents deposited in fractions and/or allows a closed, leak-free, multi-hour, stool drainage following the drainage; and [0058] Optionally a lightweight, small terminating bag SLB having a secretion-receiving and degassing function, or a terminating stopper SG filled with light gauze, which, during the phases between the washouts, respectively protect from exiting secretions and intestinal contents and/or make a continuous degassing possible.

[0059] The method for achieving a quasi-continence through a high-volume washout of intestinal contents is described as follows: [0060] After trans-anal positioning of the trans-anally sealing head unit, which drains with a large lumen, to carry out an initial lavage cycle, a combined flushing and collecting bag having an optional feces-separating function and/or a correspondingly functionally designed flushing and collecting vessel is attached to the terminal connector piece of the head unit; [0061] Following the irrigation, the bag/vessel then remains attached to the patient or to the head unit to collect subsequent stool eliminated on a delayed basis until no further elimination of mobilized stool takes place; [0062] If stool discharge is no longer identifiable, the flushing and collecting bag is replaced with a light degassing bag or a degassing connecting piece, which remains connected to the head unit until the next irrigation cycle; and [0063] In the case of intermittent lavage of the colon, the patient's rectum ampulla can thereby be kept in a largely feces-free state for approx. 48 hours.

[0064] FIG. 5a shows a secretion collecting bag SB according to FIG. 3, whose supply and draining hose unit 4 has a terminal connecting cone 17.

[0065] FIG. 5b shows a bag SLB having a degassing or filter element 18 integrated into the wall of the bag.

[0066] FIG. 5c shows a ventilating terminating stopper SG filled with gauze 19, which primarily vents intestinal gas and optionally also has a secretion-absorbing function, or protects the terminal gauze portion 19 from draining secretions or feces by means of a gas permeable, but liquid impermeable, layer 20.

[0067] FIG. 5d shows a head unit SK, whose design corresponds preferably to FIG. 3, the trans-anally feces-separating shaft component 4d of which preferably has a central tapering relative to the distal and proximal end of the shaft of approx. 15 to 17 mm to approx. 10 to 12 mm in diameter, and which allows an especially atraumatic, long-term trans-anal positioning of the device. In particular, the shaft hose tapered in this manner accommodating the anal canal can be reinforced by an undulated profile and/or the elastic folding and straightening properties thereof can be optimized. The amplitude and/or width of the undulation diminish in this case when transitioning from the respective terminal large lumen towards the central small lumen. The shaft component 4d should develop a profile in the anal canal that is a flat as possible, but is nonetheless easily flexible and spontaneously foldable and bendable.

[0068] FIG. 5e shows a special connector element 17 that has two optionally slightly conical cylinders 17a and 17b that are congruently pluggable into each other, made of a soft body-friendly material, which is elastically deformable and/or flatly collapsible with the moderate application of force from the outside and elastically straightening with abating force. Said material is e.g., injection-molded polyurethane with a Shore hardness of 40A-80A, preferably of 60 to 70A. The cylinders 17a and/or 17b bear annular sealing elements or sealing lips 20 applied to the contact surface, which follow the elastic deformation mechanics of the cylinders and/or corresponds thereto. The convex radius of the sealing lips preferably rests in the counterpart in correspondingly formed, receiving annular grooves, in order to produce, along with the seal, an axial affixing of the cylinders to one another and prevent the axial disconnection thereof. The sealing lips and grooves are designed such that they lift or sink from the cylinder in the smallest possible transition radii and thereby form a perpendicular angle as much as possible, which counteracts the axial disconnection in particular. An axial disconnection due to stronger tensile force applied to the connection can furthermore be prevented by cone-like, claw-like or adhesively adherent structures or elements 21 or even those provided with Velcro fasteners. In the process, the respective structures mortise or interlock both parts of the cone with each other, or connect through peel-off-able or reversibly detachable adhesive or even by hook-and-loop fixation, or for example also secure with a bayonet-like locking mechanism. In order to design the connecting cylinders even softer and/or as atraumatically as possible for the patient, the connecting component 17 can be ensheathed by a soft, preferably gel-like or gel-elastic, sock-like sleeve 22, which is e.g., firmly applied to one half of the connector or rolled up on it a sock-like manner, and from there can be unrolled onto the surface of the opposing connectors, and be applied thereto with a certain tension in a sealing and/or even adherent or reversible adhesive manner. The two halves of the connectors inserted into each other can respectively have varying wall thickness in certain circumferential regions 23, whereby it is preferred that wall thickness regions having the same wall thickness are opposite from each other. This particular manner of wall thickness distribution makes a preformed collapse of the connector possible so that its profile bends slightly and/or collapses in a flat way with pressure from the outside. In this case, the elements 21 are attached preferably in the regions having walls that are designed to be relatively thicker.

[0069] In the case of the head piece depicted in FIG. 6 of a device for carrying out a lavage-like, repetitive supply and draining of a flushing, cleaning or other therapeutically active substance, in particular in the context of a large-lumen flushing or draining cleaning of a patient's colon, an intra-rectal anchor balloon can have the form of an intra-rectal segment 101 and be fabricated together with a trans-anal intermediate segment 102 of a single, common tubular blank 108, wherein the trans-anal segment 102 of the formed balloon film 108 can merely have a one-layer wall. Even though intra-rectal and trans-anal segments 101, 102 of the balloon film 108 form one structural element in the depicted variation of the device, they have a functional separation, however, in the mounted state and in the state attached to/on a funnel element 103.

[0070] The two segments 101, 102 of the film 108 can be separated from each other and/or be separated in a sealing manner by a funnel element 103 inserted distally into the anchor balloon 101. Due to the permanent connection of the balloon film 108 in the region of the intra-rectal anchor balloon segment 101 to the funnel element 103, a fillable compartment 106 forms that can unfold like a type of collar around the lateral sections of the funnel element 103. The connection can be simplified and/or improved by specially designed preformations 107 of the funnel surface and/or the balloon film 108, which are described in more detail in the following.

[0071] Following the trans-anal segment 102 towards the proximal direction is a hose unit 105 connecting the head unit 101, 102 to a flushing and collecting bag or to a collecting and degassing unit.

[0072] The embodiment of a head piece for a device according to the invention depicted in FIG. 7 has, instead of a proximally extended balloon end 110 emanating from anchor balloon segment 101 (as depicted e.g., in FIG. 6), a separate, trans-anally running, thin-walled tube or hose piece 125, which continuously connects the funnel 103 to the preanal connecting element or hose 104. In this case, it is an element made of an elastic material having a high restoring force, which, despite a wall designed as thin as possible, endeavors to independently straighten in the case of a radial deformation and/or to independently disentangle around the longitudinal axis thereof in the case of torsion, and thereby spontaneously return to its low-tension initial state with an open lumen

[0073] FIG. 7 shows an example of how the connection between the tube or hose piece 125 and the funnel element 103 can be designed by a preformed annular groove 124 at the proximal end of the funnel. In this case, the proximal end 126 of the intrarectal balloon sleeve segment 101 can be laid, put or guided in another way over the distal end of the tube or hose piece 125 such that same is connected in a permanently sealing manner to the funnel element 103 by inserting the distal end of the trans-anal segment 101 into the annular groove 124.

[0074] FIG. 8 shows a combination of an intra-rectal anchor balloon 101 with a trans-anal segment 102 emanating from the anchor balloon sleeve 108, as depicted in FIG. 6, with the stabilizing tube piece 125 described in FIG. 7. The trans-anal segment 102 in this case forms a separately fillable compartment 128, which forms between the inner tube or hose piece 125 and the outer proximally extended anchor balloon sleeve 127. When this compartment 128 is filled, depending on the volumetric expandability of the sleeve and/or the diameter thereof formed during manufacturing, the radial expansion of the outer sleeve 127 can improve the seal towards the anus. In addition, with forced filling, the drainage lumen of the head unit can be constricted towards the center and be substantially sealed. As an alternative to forming the sleeve 127 from the proximal offshoots of the intra-rectal anchor balloon segment 101, a separately manufactured balloon- or tubular film body can also be used for the sleeve 127. The sleeve 127 outwardly delimiting the compartment 128 can also be preformed to be shaped like a dumbbell or an hour glass. A tapering 129 that is preferably disposed approximately in the center is formed in this case such that it accommodates the structures of the anal canal. If pressure is applied to the trans-anal compartment 128, such as takes place e.g., with the instillation of irrigation liquid, the described preformation 129 ensures, firstly, a secure anchoring of the head part 101 of the device, and, secondly, contributes to sealing against the irrigation liquid being applied rectally.

[0075] The previously described techniques can be used for affixing and for the sealing termination of the components required for this embodiment in the transition area between the intra-rectal and trans-anal compartments 106, 127.

[0076] Analogously, the tubular film segment 127 preferably emanating from the intra-rectal anchor balloon segment 101 can be combined with a radially deformable tubular mesh 130 fitting snuggly under slight tension to the trans-anal contours. In a non-deformed, tension-free initial state, the tubular mesh 130 has an open lumen of approx. 2 to 3 cm. The radially directed restoring force on the anus that develops with lumen constriction is low in this case and rules out the development of pressure ulcers. If there is a tone reduction of the anal sphincter with a defecation reflex, the tubular mesh 130 follows the then opening trans-anal canal and thus facilitates the outflow of stool. The tubular mesh 130 connects the intra-rectal funnel 103 with a preanal connecting element or connecting hose 104 preferably continuously. It is preferably arranged inside the hose segment, but alternatively can also run over the outer surface thereof. In a radially constricted state 130a, the mesh 130 that is constructed preferably of rigid, flexibly deformable filaments has a considerable increase in length, which is taken into consideration by a corresponding length requirement of the surrounding trans-anal tubular film 127.

[0077] Assembling the components thereof follows the previously described techniques.

[0078] FIG. 9 represents an embodiment, the trans-anal segment of which has two concentric hose layers 127a and 127b. As previously described, they can be fabricated from the extended ends of the intra-rectal balloon segment 101. In the preferred embodiment, the inner hose layer 127b emanates from the proximal extension of the intra-rectal balloon sphere 109. The outer hose layer 127a is preferably designed as a separate thin-walled, cylindrical tubular film element or even one preformed to be congruent with the anal canal.

[0079] Alternatively, the two hose layers 127a, 127b can also be made of separately fabricated tubular films.

[0080] The space 128 that forms between the two hose layers 127a, 127b can be filled partially or completely extracorporeally with a medium via a supply 131 guided via a connecting element or connecting hose 104 or even be completely evacuated.

[0081] In an evacuated state, the two hose layers 127a, 127b fit closely next to each other and behave virtually as a one-layer wall. In a filled state, the two layers 127a, 127b separate from each other, and the drainage lumen is opened to a maximum.

[0082] In a bulgingly filled state, the inner layer 127b expands towards the center of the drainage lumen and seals it so that it is impervious to liquid. The outer layer 127a, on the other hand, expands towards the anal wall and fits snugly against it, likewise in a sealing manner following the respective anatomy.

[0083] In the case of partial filling or filling with a few milliliters of filling medium, the two layers 127a, 127b separate. The two thin-walled film layers 127a, 127b slide freely displaceably to each other, virtually supported by the filling medium. Due to the free play and the sliding of the film layers 127a, 127b, lesions in the especially sensitive region of the anal canal, such as those known from statically abutting, less dynamic films, can be better prevented.

[0084] Connecting the components thereof to the proximal end of the funnel can take place on the basis and/or by means of an annular support 123, which is inserted into an annular preformation 124 on the proximal rim of the funnel. In this case, the inner layer 127b can be guided via the ring 123, as in FIG. 6c, and be connected to the funnel 103. In a preceding assembly step, the outer layer 127a can be affixed on its distal end to the ring 123.

[0085] FIG. 10 combines the previous described embodiment with the elastically deformable, self-straightening and aligning tubular mesh 130 described in FIG. 8. The previously described hose or tube element 125 can be used as an alternative to a tubular mesh 130.

[0086] The previously described elements 125, 130 are preferably installed between the two film layers 127a and 127b, connecting the funnel 103 to a connecting element or connecting hose 104.

[0087] In the case of all embodiments according to FIG. 6 to FIG. 10, the funnel element 103 can also be situated inside the intra-rectal compartment 106, i.e., between the outer film layer 109 and the inner layer and/or compartment 111 of the intra-rectal anchor balloon segment 101.

[0088] All these head parts 101, 102 according to one of the FIGS. 6 to 10 can be coupled via a tubular film element 4 to a flushing and collecting bag 5 according to one of the FIGS. 1 to 5. In addition, an element with a flow-directing function can be situated in the region of each of these head parts 101, 102, preferably in a hose element provided for the supply of flushing or irrigation liquid to the patient.

[0089] FIGS. 11 and 12 depict another head unit for a device 201 according to the invention for carrying out a lavage-like, repetitive supply and draining of a flushing, cleaning or other therapeutically active substance, in particular in the context of a large-lumen flushing or drainage of a patient's colon, which can likewise be coupled via a tubular film element 4 to a flushing and collecting bag 5 according to one of the FIGS. 1 to 5. In this case as well, an element having a flow-directing function can be situated in the region of each head part 201, preferably in a hose element provided for the supply of flushing or irrigation liquid to the patient.

[0090] The device 201 is used for flushing and/or sealing a natural or artificial outlet from the bowel. It comprises a preformed hose 202 that is folded back on itself made of a thin-walled material, for example polyurethane with a Shore hardness degree of A 90 and a wall thickness of less than 25 m.

[0091] The hose 202, whose original diameter is approximately between 15 mm and 30 mm, obtains two radial widenings 203, 204 as a result of the preformation. The one, preferably larger, widening 203 is located approximately in the center of the hose, which forms the patient-proximal end of the device 201 after fold-over. The other preformation 204 is located approximately in the center of the outward hose section 205 after the fold-over, while the inward hose section 206 does not have this kind of widening, but has a constant cross-section.

[0092] One or both of the free ends 207, 208 of the two hose sections 205, 206 can be connected to a connector piece 209, which is sleeve-shaped for example. The connector piece 209 can have, in particular in the region of its patient-distal end, an internal and/or external thread for connecting various medical apparatuses, for example a flushing and collecting bag 5, an extracorporeal degassing unit or the like.

[0093] It is preferred that the outer layer 205 of the balloon 202 be adhesively bonded to the exterior of the connector piece 209, and the inner layer 206 of the balloon 202 can be adhered to the inside thereof. As a result, the cavity 210 between the inner and outer layers 205, 206 of the balloon 202 is sealed in an airtight manner; located only in the region of the connector piece 209 is a connection to the outside (not shown in the drawing) to which a source with a medium that can be pressurized can be attached for deploying the balloon 202. Instead of a sleeve-shaped connector piece 209, the two balloon layers 205, 206 can also be fastened directly to each other, for example adhered together.

[0094] Due to the relatively great material hardness of the balloon 202, said balloon is only marginally elastic and, in an inflated state, assumes its shape predetermined by the preformation that is recognizable in FIG. 11. Said shape has an approximately cylindrical basic shape having an approximately spherical widening 203 at the patient-proximal end opposite from the connector piece 209 or another closure there and having an annular or discoid widening 204 approximately in the center between the two ends 203, 209.

[0095] The spherical widening 203 is placed in a deflated state in the patient's rectum (indorectal section), while the subsequent, cylindrical section 211 up to the annular or discoid widening 204 leads through the anal canal to the outside (transrectal region), [and] the patient-distal widening 204 is located in the anal fold.

[0096] In the transrectal region 211 between the two widenings 203, 204, the two layers of the balloon 202, namely the outer layer 205 and the inner layer 206, are connected to one another, preferably by welds 212 or bonds. In doing so, these can be punctiform, linear or laminar welds. The depicted embodiment foresees four welding lines 212 running in the axial direction, each of which is offset from one another by approximately the same circumferential angle. Thanks to said welded connections 212, the inner lumen 213 within the inner layer 206 of the balloon 202 can open more easily when the intestines are supposed to be evacuated.

[0097] In the region of the patient-proximal widening 203, the inner lumen 213 is kept open by a reinforcing sleeve 214, the length of which is preferably the less than or equal to the axial extension of the radial, indorectal widening 203 of the balloon 202. The material hardness of the reinforcing sleeve 214 is preferably less than or equal to the material hardness of the balloon; the sleeve 214 obtains its rigidity from its increased wall thickness. The same material as for the hose or balloon 202 can preferably be used for the sleeve 214. This facilitates the affixing of the sleeve 214 inside the inner lumen 213, in particular by adhesion with the inner layer 206 of the balloon 202, wherein, in such a case, a means solubilizing the material in question can be used as the adhesive or for welding.

[0098] A hose 215 extends preferably inside the inner lumen 213 from the patient-proximal end 203 to other side of the connector piece 209. An irrigation medium can be introduced into the patient's intestines through said hose 215, which can be affixed to the balloon 202, preferably on the inner layer 206 thereof, for example by adhesion. The opening of the hose 215 is located at the forward-most region of the indorectal end 203 of the device 201 so that, in such a case, no bacteria can be washed into the intestines from the transrectal region 211 or from the region on the other side of the transrectal widening 204. The hose 215 can be fed internally through the reinforcing sleeve 214 or between the same and the inner layer 206.

[0099] An occlusion balloon 216 is also provided in order to be able to optimally block the central lumen 213 during an inflow. Said balloon preferably sits inside the reinforcing sleeve 214 and, in the case of the embodiment according to FIGS. 11 and 12, has a spherical performation with a diameter that is somewhat larger than the diameter of the reinforcing sleeve 214. As a result, the inflated occlusion balloon 216 seals the central lumen 213 completely and, when under pressure as well as under less deformation all around, rests against the inside reinforcing sleeve 214 thereby sealing same.

[0100] Discharging at the occlusion balloon 216 is another hose 217, with which a preferably liquid pressure medium can be guided into the occlusion balloon 216 in order to seal the lumen 213 in the region of the reinforcing sleeve 214. The hose 217 is guided through the connector piece 209 on the inside of the balloon inner layer 206, and is therefore accessible from the outside. Approximately in the region of the discharging of the hose 217 into occlusion balloon 216, the latter is affixed to the reinforcing sleeve 214, for example adhered approximately in a punctiform manner.

[0101] A short hose piece can be formed on the respective head unit 2, 101, 102, 201, 201, which hose piece then can merge into or discharge into a hose 4, whereby then there is proximally a connector 17 for optionally connecting a flushing and collecting bag 5 or a collecting and degassing unit or a further peripheral element.

[0102] FIGS. 6 to 12 are supposed to document that the system according to the invention and especially the device according to the invention can be used with different head units. While in FIG. 1 a simple, preferably intrarectally placeable head unit can be used, which, similar to FIG. 6, consists of only a single balloon compartment, which is accommodated in situ completely in the rectum, while the trans-anal section consists only of a single hose layer of this balloon, in the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 7, a separate, preferably reinforcing element is used. In the case of FIG. 8, a hose layer of the balloon is used in the trans-anal section, on the one hand, with a reinforcing element that is separate therefrom. The embodiment according to FIG. 9 has two concentric two hose layers in the trans-anal region, which delimit a compartment, which is completely separate from the intra-rectal balloon compartment and, therefore, can be filled independently of the other compartment, for example in order to achieve a sealing. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 10, a reinforcing element is also included within the trans-anal compartment, which is completely separate from the intrarectal compartment. On the other hand, in the case of the head unit 201, the intermediate space remaining the between the concentric layers of the hose section folded back to form a balloon is not divided into two compartments, rather the intra-rectal cavity communicates with the trans-anal cavity. On the other hand, the two hose layers can be welded to each other in a punctiform, linear or laminar manner in order to keep a draining lumen open for example.

TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Numbers 1 Flushing catheter system 2 Retention balloon 2a Rectal widening 2b Preanal widening 2c Trans-anal tapering 3 Central opening 4 Tubular film element 4a Draining leg 4b Supplying leg 4c Shaft hose 4d Shaft component 5 Flushing and collecting bag 5c Compartment 5d Compartment 6 Valve-like unit 7 Functional element 8 Inlet element 9 Mesh-like separating film 10 Sealable opening 11 Tubular body 12 Openings 13 Hose element 14 IN scale 15 OUT scale 16 Mount 17 Connector element 17a Cylinder 17b Cylinder 18 Filter element 19 Gauze 20 Sealing lip 21 Element 22 Sleeve 23 Circumferential regions 101 Intrarectal balloon segment 102 Trans-anal balloon segment 103 Funnel element 104 Connecting hose 105 Evacuation hose 106 Compartment 107 Preformation 123 Ring-like element 124 Annular groove-like preformation 125 Tube or hose piece 126 Proximal end 127 Outer sleeve, tubular film 128 Compartment 129 Tapering 130 Tubular mesh 131 Supply 201 Device 202 Preformed hose 203 Radial widening 204 Radial widening 205 Hose section 206 Hose section 207 Free end 208 Free end 209 Connector element 210 Cavity 211 Cylindrical section 212 Welded connection 213 Inner lumen 214 Reinforcing sleeve 215 Hose 216 Occlusion balloon 217 Hose 218 Hose 219 Inner sleeve 220 Canal S Set-based embodiment SB Flushing and collecting bag SG Terminating element SK Head unit SLB Collection bag