Abstract
A safe; effective squatting toilet seat has multiple embodiments to simulate the natural mode of bowel and urine evacuation in the squatting position practiced for centuries before modern sitting toilet was introduced. This inventive design bends the thigh at hip, which pushes back the pubic bone and tilts the pelvis forwards that bends the torso resulting in relaxation of the puborectalis and pubourethralis muscle noose at anorectal junction while straightening the rectum to come in alignment with the anus for fast easy and fast bowl evacuation. This invention also provides a separate insertable squatting toilet seat placed on the top of the existing toilet seat on the toilet bowl. It is provided with urinal embodiment to prevent urine spilling and to induce easy flow of urine in females due to relaxation of pubo-rectalis-urethralis muscle. Embodiments include toilet bowl sterilization by germicidal visible violet-blue spectrum light, toilet deodorizer, and seat warmer.
Claims
1. A Squatting Toilet Seat (STS), that replaces the exiting sitting flat position toilet seat that is capable of correcting a defecation and urination posture, to make it more ergonomically facilitating for the evacuation of waste products from the colon, rectum and bladder during bowel movement and urination comprising: a) a seat ring, that is slanting upwards anteriorly at the front edge of the toilet bowl rim; b) a seat slanting upwards begins slightly near the midpoint of the toilet seat which gradually increases in size reaching ±3 inches at the front tip of the toilet rim; c) a seat in the back, where it is attached to the toilet bowl, in front of the moving hinge, is provided with slight bump in front of the moving hinge and from the edge of this posterior elevation to form an indentation angle, a curved positioning plate extends down from the interior rim edge to contour to the interior edge of the toilet bowl between the 2-10 O'clock position at the back of the toilet bowl; d) a seat, at the front end is provided with a round wedge extending from the lip of the seat extending down towards the bowl rim to facilitate the catching of urine and delivering it into toilet in the squatting urination position; e) a seat, at the front end is provided with leading edge extending downwards to hold the toilet seat in position firmly on the toilet bowl rim when one uses the toilet; f) a seat for use with an existing toilet, permanently attached to the tank end of the bowl rim akin to the existing toilet seat; g) a seat that provides a safe and effective method to generate germicidal visible blue spectrum (400 nm-460 nm) light either incorporated into or attached to the toilet bowl seat or cover to destroy microbials such as viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, saprophytes, spores, and such in and around toilet bowl seat, its residual water and the surrounding toilet surfaces before and after use.
2. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is inclined to lift the thighs of the user sitting on the seat such that an angle between the torso (upper body), and the thighs of the user is sustained between 35.sup.˜50° such that the front of the thighs of the user are placed higher than the rear of the hips of the user to reduce the acute angle between rectum and anus for easy movement of bowel contents through the anus from the rectum and as well easy flow urine through urethra.
3. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, toilet seat ring is easily movable up and down pivotable at a hinge axis to be mounted on a toilet bowl; two mutually coaxial hinges disposed at a fixed spacing distance.
4. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the rounded portion is at a lower level than the front end of the inclined seat.
5. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is provided with groove and edges on both sides to engage on the edge of the toilet bowl rim to hold Squatting Toilet Seat in position without side-to-side movements during use.
6. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, to be designed without permanent attachment to the toilet bowl so as to be a portable toilet seat that can be easily placed on an existing toilet seat, covering the existing toilet as inlet for evacuation of colon waste.
7. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, further comprises of attachable, movable, and removable Squatting Toilet Seat cover for covering the toilet seat when not in use.
8. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is provided with automatic motion activated visible violet-blue spectrum light below the Squatting Toilet Seat or on the toilet under the bowl cover that emits bactericidal blue wavelength of light on the toilet bowl and surrounding surfaces to sterilize the toilet bowl, remaining water pool, its upper surface and toilet seat and its cover.
9. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1 is provided with a duration timer, to terminate the light emission.
10. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is provided with air refreshener dispenser to dispel the odor that emanates from the use of toilet bowl during expelling the lower colon contents.
11. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is provided with side bars to support a user, especially the senior people with comorbidities.
12. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is provided with side poles that have adjustable leg rests to rest the feet and further induce a squatting posture.
13. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, provided with soft padding, for providing comfort while seated on the toilet.
14. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, provided with toilet cushion warmer element to keep the toilet seat warm for users' comfort during cold weather.
15. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is made up of unbreakable synthetic non-toxic material, with any number of colors and combination thereof.
16. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, is designed to be inserted as potty trainer for growing infants.
17. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, wherein a rounded portion curved from the hips of the user to the back of the user is formed at a rear portion of the seat.
18. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat is tethered to a rear of a top of the toilet main body for easy to be placed on or lifted from the top of the toilet main body, and is disposed on the top of the on the rim of main toilet body.
19. Squatting Toilet Seat according to claim 8 is provided with a duration timer, to terminate the light emission.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0123] The purpose of the present invention will become readily valued and understood from deliberation of the following comprehensive descriptions of the preferred embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0124] FIG. 1 shows the drawing of 100 showing broad sheet of pelvic floor levator ani muscle.
[0125] FIG. 1A is a drawing showing the pubo-vaginalis and pubo-urethralis muscle fibers drived from the levator ani from below.
[0126] FIG. 1B shows the levator ani visualized from below along with the puborectalis muscle and puburethralis muscle that controls the urine flow.
[0127] FIG. 2 shows the drawing of 200 showing the puborectalis muscle.
[0128] FIG. 3 shows the drawing of 300 displaying the sitting position used in the traditional toilet seat.
[0129] FIG. 4 is presentation of the drawing 400 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS).
[0130] FIG. 4A is the presentation of drawing 400a showing our toilet seat with handles on both sides 17 for the convenience of the user.
[0131] FIG. 4B is the presentation of drawing 400b showing our toilet seat with handles on both sides with footsteps for the convenience of the user to adjust to the leg height by moving at the hinges.
[0132] FIG. 5 is presentation of the drawing 500 showing sagittal section our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0133] FIG. 6 is presentation of the drawing 600 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0134] FIG. 7 is presentation of the drawing 700 showing the sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0135] FIG. 8 is presentation of the drawing 800 showing the sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat that is inserted to on the existing toilet seat.
[0136] FIG. 9 is presentation of the drawing 900 showing western style toilet seat on the rim of the toilet bowl and the position of the person on the toilet seat.
[0137] FIG. 10 is presentation of the drawing 1000 showing the use of Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0138] FIG. 11 is presentation of the drawing 1100 showing another device using Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0139] FIG. 12 is presentation of the drawing 1200 showing the sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0140] FIG. 13 shows the drawing of 1300 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0141] FIG. 14 illustration 1400 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat used by the person for evacuating the bowl contents, sitting on the device.
[0142] FIG. 15 illustration 1500 showing frequency of use of toilet for bowel movement and urination
[0143] FIG. 16 illustration 1600 showing usual sitting position on the traditional toilet in use in millions of houses all over the world.
[0144] FIG. 17 illustration 1700 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet seat use and its effect on the anorectal angle during defection on the toilet.
[0145] FIG. 18 illustration 1800 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet seat that incorporates visible violet-blue spectrum light and a hidden emitter to sterilize the toilet and prevent bad odors.
[0146] FIG. 19 illustration 1900 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet seat that is incorporated into a portable bedside toilet on a chair which can be provided with folding legs to be set up and used conveniently at camping site or other recreational places.
[0147] FIG. 20 illustration 2000 showing an embodiment the Squatting Toilet Seat with an attachment module that emits visible violet-blue light that is situated on toilet cover to sterilize the toilet and the surrounding surfaces before and after use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0148] It is known that a squatting position by a user of a toilet promotes a healthy easy, smooth, fast, bowel movement. Attempting a bowel movement in a sitting posture with a current western-style toilet seat used in millions of homes all over the world, can create a kink in a user's anorectal junction (FIGS. 9, 16) that hinders a smooth, fast and easy bowel movement. An upright sitting position used on the toilet during defecation as it is case in millions of western homes, can also lead to many health issues, including but not limited to constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistula and such. Thus, while a western toilet offers the comfort, sitting on a typical toilet is not conducive to a productive and healthy smooth, bowel movement.
[0149] A Squatting Toilet Seat of this invention allows a user to squat on the toilet seat inclined to lift the thighs to induce an angle between the upper body (torso) and thighs of the user is maintained between 35-50° instead of 70-90° in a traditional toilet. A rounded portion of this invention is curved from the hips to the back at the rear portion of the seat. The rear end of the rounded portion is lower than or at the same level as a front end of the inclined seat. The seat is detachably disposed on the top of the toilet main body and hinged to the rear of the top of the toilet main body to be placed on or lifted from the top of the toilet main body.
[0150] The Squatting Toilet Seat of our invention is capable of correcting a defecation and urination posture and may further include many embodiments detailed in the figures. This Squatting Toilet Seat of the flush toilet may further include a feet rest unit disposed under the toilet main body to protrude forward to support the user's feet and handrails for the comfort of users with comorbidities while sitting and getting up from our Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0151] In the following detailed description of the invention described briefly above, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention described herein. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0152] FIGS. 1, broad sheet of pelvic floor levator ani muscle 100 and its part the puborectalis, pubovaginalis and pubourethralis muscles. FIG. 1 shows the pelvic floor muscles (levator ani) that surrounds the urethra 68 as pubourethralis and vagina 69 as pubovaginalis 46, and rectum 44 as puborectalis 56. Puborectalis and its components arise from the posterior surface of the pubic symphysis bones 45 of the pelvis which also contribute muscle fibers to form with pubourethralis around the urethra 68 and pubo vaginalis encircling the vagina 69. Puborectalis muscle 56 as part of the pelvic floor is also formed by the contribution from pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus 57, ischiococcygeus 58 (coccygeus) muscles component of levator ani muscle which form the pelvic floor. Though puborectalis 56 plays a major role in defecation and control of bowel movement, both voluntary and involuntary, the pubococcygeus 56 which is located just adjacent to puborectalis muscle 46 also plays some role in controlling defecation. Further, lifting the thigh using our Squatting Toilet Seat and bending forwards the torso forwards during defecation plays and important role in straitening the rectum by tilting the pelvis so that the anus and rectum are aligned for easy and fast evacuations of rectal contents due to relaxation of pelvic floor muscles, though the puborectalis muscle 56 plays a major role in easy fast evacuation of the rectal contents.
[0153] FIG. 1A is the drawing of 100a showing the pubo-vaginalis 46 and pubo-urethralis 46a muscle fibers derived from the levator ani, and it is view of this muscle from below. The diagram shows how closely the puborectalis muscle 56 contributed to pubourethralis 46a, 68 and vaginalis muscles 69 to control the urine flow and menstrual blood. Using our Squatting Toilet Seat will relax these muscles derived from the puborectalis muscle 56 which is also relaxed for easy flow of urine, in addition, easy flow of menstrual blood in female during periods. The rest of the explanation is same as FIG. 1.
[0154] FIG. 1B is the drawing of 100b showing the pubo-urethralis 46a muscle fibers derived from the levator ani 56, and it is view of this muscle from below. The diagram shows how closely the puborectalis muscle 56 contributed to pubourethralis 46a, to control the urine flow. Using our Squatting Toilet Seat will relax these muscles derived from the puborectalis muscle 56 which is also relaxed for easy flow of urine thus prevents the residual urine in the bladder, thus reducing the urge to urinate. The rest of the explanation is same as FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the drawing of 200 displaying the puborectalis muscle 46 arising from the pubic symphysis bones 45, curls backwards to encircle the rectum, creating anorectal angle 51 and its effect on holding the rectal 44 contents due to the acute angle 51 it creates (long connecting arrow) to hold the undigested food in the rectum at the anorectal junction sling without incontinence. It also shows the angling of the rectum 44 and anus surrounded by anal sphincters 47 with anal opening 48 which runs downwards and backward during sitting position or standing position or during lying down surrounded by anal sphincters 47. Defecation is both voluntary and involuntary, and the voluntary control of holding the recital content can be voluntarily controlled of your own free will or accord due to anal sphincters 47.
[0155] FIG. 3 shows the drawings of 300 displaying the sitting position used in the traditional toilet seat 60 covering the toilet bowl 84, used for defecation and urination in millions of homes. Note the angle between the thighs, knees and as well as anorectal angle 51 is about 90° in this method of traditional toilet use. The puborectalis muscle 46 arising from the pubic symphysis bones 45, curls backwards to encircle the rectum at anorectal junction, creating anorectal sling and its effect on holding the rectal 44 contents due to the acute angle 51 it creates to hold the undigested food at the anorectal junction in the rectum. It also shows the angling of the rectum 44 and anus 47 which runs downwards anus slightly backwards to open at anal opening 48 to the exterior, during sitting position or standing position or during lying down surrounded by anal sphincters 47, at the anal opening 48. Defecation and urination is both voluntary and involuntary, and the voluntary control of holding the rectal and bladder content can be voluntarily controlled due to anal sphincters 47 and puborectalis 46 muscle as well as pubourethralis.
[0156] FIG. 4 is presentation of the drawing 400 showing our inventive device Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 that can be inserted to on the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet bowl at the water tank along with toilet closure (not shown in the diagram). The sitting position is used in the traditional toilet seat covering the toilet bowl, used for defecation and urination in millions of homes all over the world. This invention embodies the inner shelf 65 coming from the toilet seat, with slight elevation 14 close to the hinges and extending between 2-10 O clock position around the toilet seat rim. The undersurface of the STS is provided with depression wedge that latches on to the toilet seat or on the top of toilet bowl rim. As the STS seat advances anteriorly 12, it incorporates a smooth wedge type elevation 64 extending to the edge of toilet bowl rim. It gently slopes from the middle of the toilet seat 12 and increase in size to 2-3 inches more or less 64 to the end of this toilet seat. At the end of the seat in front of the STS seat, there is 1-2 inches long, by MA inch wide projection 15 that hooks to the fore front of the toilet bowl rim, thus prevent it sliding during use. It also has a sliding bump 14 at the end the toilet seat close to water tank and the lower edge is extended downwards less than an inch 65 to cover the back of the toilet bowl edge. The toilet seat is provided with hinge and can be attacked to the back of the toilet bowl close to the water tank akin to regular toilet seat.
[0157] FIG. 4a is presentation of the drawing 400a showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 that can be inserted to on the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet at the water tank along with toilet closure (not shown in the diagram). The Squatting Toilet Seat is provided with side handlebars on both sides 17 extending out to support the hand while sitting or getting up from the Squatting Toilet Seat. The rest of the explanation is the same as FIG. 4.
[0158] FIG. 4b is presentation of the drawing 400b showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 that can be inserted onto the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat affixed to the rim of the toilet bowl adjacent to water tank along with toilet closure (not shown in the diagram), provided with side handlebars on both sides 17 extending out to support the hands to be utilized while sitting or getting up from a sitting position. It is also provided with a horizontal foot bar 56 with footrest 80 extending from the handlebars and is adjustable according to the height of the user which can be moved up or down at the hinges 79. The rest of the explanation is the same as FIGS. 4 and 4a.
[0159] FIG. 5 is presentation of the drawing 500 showing sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 shown in FIG. 4, that can be inserted to on the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet at the water tank level along with toilet closure 59. At the end of the seat in front of the STS seat, there is 1-2 inches long, by ½ inch wide projection 15 that hooks to the fore front of the toilet bowl rim, thus prevent it sliding back and side to side during use and is provided with toilet closure 59. The rest of the explanation is same as FIG. 4.
[0160] FIG. 6 is presentation of the drawing 600 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 that can be inserted to on the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet at the water tank level along with toilet closure (not shown in the diagram). It is provided with urine draining depression 51 at the anterior end of the STS with wedge protruding 51 into the interior of the toilet bowl to facilitate the urine that drips drained with ease to the toilet bowl water. The rest of explanation is same as FIG. 4.
[0161] FIG. 7 is presentation of the drawing 700 showing the sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 shown in the FIG. 6, that can be inserted to on the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet at the water tank along with toilet closure (not shown in the diagram). It is provided with urine draining depression 51 at the anterior end of the STS with wedge protruding into the interior of the toilet bowl to facilitate the urine that drips are drained with ease to the toilet bowl water. The rest of explanation is same as FIG. 4.
[0162] FIG. 8 is presentation of the drawing 800 showing the sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 that is inserted to the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet bowl at the water tank along with toilet closure 59, and the excreta drops into toilet bowl water 28. The rest of explanation is same as FIG. 4.
[0163] FIG. 9 is presentation of the drawing 900 showing western style toilet seat 60 on the rim 82 of the toilet bowl 84 and the sitting position of the person on the toilet seat to defecate or urinate. Note the anorectal junction (long arrow) expanded to show this sitting effect on the puborectalis muscle 46 that originates in pubic bone 45 encircles the anorectal junction of the rectum 44 and anal canal 47 with anal sphincters which opens on the buttocks skin 48 surface. Note the angle 51 created by the tension at the ano-rectal junction by the puborectalis muscle 46 contraction/tone arising from the pubic bone 45. The STS sits on the toilet rim 82, opening into toilet water 84, which receives the excreta 72 from the anal canal. If the stools are hardened, one may have to strain deeply by contracting abdominal muscles 49 and diaphragm to evacuate the bowl due to this acute angle created by puborectalis muscle sling that can create hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulae, anal infections and such that can be reduced using our inventive device Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0164] FIG. 10 is presentation of the drawing 1000 showing the use of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat 35 positioned on the rim 82 of the toilet bowl 84 and note the squatting position of the person on the toilet seat with buttocks 72 protruding into the toilet bowl 84 produced by our toilet seat. Note the anorectal junction expanded to show this squatting position created by our STS and its effect on the puborectalis muscle 46 relaxation that encircles the junction of the rectum 44 and anal canal 47 which opens on the buttocks interspace skin 48 surface. Note the angle 51 created by the tension/tone at the ano-rectal junction by the puborectalis muscle 46 contraction is made more obtuse and brining anus in line with the rectum lumen 44 for easy movement of bowel contents through anus 48. The straight arrow shows the alignment of the rectum and anus to facilitate the evacuation of the stool fast with least strain and effort. Use of our inventive STS reduces the bent at anorectal angle and makes it more obtuse (see FIGS. 16. 17), rectum becomes in line with the anus for fast and easy bowel movement with least effort and least staining. The movement of the lower colon contents are facilitated by peristalsis 50 of the sigmoid colon and rectum with increased abdominal pressure and gravity.
[0165] FIG. 11 is presentation of the drawing 1100 showing another view of using our Squatting Toilet Seat 35 positioned on the rim 82 of the toilet bowl 84 and note the squatting position of the person on the toilet seat with buttocks 72 protruding into the toilet bowl 84 with anus pointed down towards center of toilet bowl in line with rectum by the use of our device. It is another view of using our STS as toilet seat during defection. Note the anorectal junction expanded to show this squatting position created by our STS and its effect on the puborectalis muscle 46 relaxation that encircles the junction of the rectum 44 and anal canal 47 which opens on the buttocks skin 48 surface. Note the angle 51 created by the tension at the ano-rectal junction by the puborectalis muscle 46 contraction is made more obtuse and brining anus in line with the rectum for easy movement of bowel contents through anus 48. The straight arrow shows the alignment of the rectum and anus to facilitate the evacuation of the stool with least strain and effort. Use of our inventive STS reduces the bent at anorectal angle and makes it more obtuse, rectum lumen becomes in line with the anal canal (straight arrows) for easy bowel movement as shown by plain arrows. The movement of the lower colon contents are facilitated by peristalsis, increased abdominal pressure and gravity due to relaxation of puborectalis muscle using our STS toilet seat.
[0166] FIG. 12 is a presentation of the drawing 1200 showing the sagittal section of our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 that is inserted to on the existing toilet seat 60, and that has a cover 59 fixed to the rim of the toilet bowl 82. This STS can be moved from one bathroom to another bathroom toilet for use, and all the existing toilet seats do not have to be changed. It has elevated anterior extension 64 as described in FIG. 4, with projection 15 to anchor to the existing seat and allows anchoring of the STS to the toilet bowl rim 82 by this anterior anchoring lip 15. It is provided with urine draining depression (not shown, see FIGS. 6 and 7) at the anterior end of the Squatting Toilet Seat with wedge protruding into the interior of the toilet bowl to facilitate the urine that drips are drained with ease to the toilet bowl water 84. The rest of explanation is same as FIG. 4.
[0167] FIG. 13 shows the drawing of 1300 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 used by the person for evacuating the bowel contents and urine, sitting on the STS device shows how the lower end of the butt 72 protrudes into toilet bowl 84 below the rim of toilet. STS can be inserted to the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet seat at the water tank along with toilet closure.
[0168] FIG. 14 illustration 1400 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat (STS) 35 used by the person for evacuating the bowel contents in squatting position by sitting on the STS device and the mechanism of the device and how it helps in the act of defecation as well as urination. STS can be inserted to the existing toilet seat or incorporated as a toilet seat fixed to the rim of the toilet seat as described in above diagrams. STS helps to produce squatting position to helps to increase the intra-abdominal pressure (multiple arrows) due to contraction of diaphragm 53 and abdominal wall muscles 54. Increased abdominal pressure shown as arrows, pushes the undigested food content of lower colon 43 and to the rectum 44, out to the anal canal 47 to be evacuated through the anal opening 48 as natural toilet posture simulating squatting method of emptying our lower colon to eliminate body waste comfortably, fast, and easily as practiced in many Asiana countries. This STS 35 toilet seat posture affects our body's rectal evacuation system immensely and provides correct toilet posture that is necessary for smooth and fast release of waste material from the bowels including urine without any or a less amount of straining to increase the release of intra-abdominal contents.
[0169] FIG. 15 shows average bowel movement frequency per day by an individual and the use of toilet for defecation and urination. The toilet is also used for urination between 7-14 times a day depending on the age, sex, and health condition of the urogenital system. Hence using our Squatting Toilet Seat can facilitate both the bowel movement and urination no matter how many times one uses it.
[0170] FIG. 16 is illustration 1600 showing the acute anorectal angle 51 in sitting position on the traditional toilet due to puborectalis muscle 46 pulling and creating the angle between the rectum 44 and the anus 47 and is responsible holding continence of the bowel voluntarily.
[0171] FIG. 17 is illustration 1700 showing the obtuse anorectal angle 51 in squatting position on the Squatting Toilet Seat toilet due to puborectalis as well as pubourethralis muscle 46 relaxation, thus reducing the angling between the rectum 44 and the anus 47 and is responsible making the rectum 44 lumen in line with the anal canal 47 opening for easy rectal collection move during bowel movement without straining rapidly with ease.
[0172] FIG. 18 is the illustration 1800 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat 35 that incorporates visible violet-blue spectrum light 55 to sterilize the toilet bowl and deodorizer emitter 64 to prevent bad odors emanating from the toilet use. The deodorizer can be incorporated in the device, so that it geminates inside the toilet bowl. The LED visible violet-blue light are incorporated into the seat with a groove undersurface to allow the embodiment to be incorporated. These lights are arranged in a strip or arrays that emit powerful visible violet-blue light down the inside the toilet bowl ridge, whose illumination covers the entire toilet bowl and the STS to kill any, and all, microbials that are sticking to the bowl and its reserve water after defecation and urination. This will eliminate the use of toilet bowl disinfectants to sterilize the toilet bowl. The energy source for this embodiment is provided by battery pack or home electrical outlet. This can blue light sterilizer unit can be also a separate unit inserted under the STS through a wiring channel to facilitates its use as an independent unit with the STS unit or in a regular toilet which does not have the STS provided. This Figure shows that we incorporate ancillary toilet night/day light to light up the toilet bowl (FIGS. 4-8, 13-14) with antiseptic powerful visible violet-blue spectrum light irradiation. Further, the light and the deodorizer can be activated by movement of the toilet seat cover to the closed position.
[0173] FIG. 19 is the illustration 1900 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat 35 placed on a portable chair 88 which can be used as a bedside toilet or used during camping and outdoor activities that used flexible legs that adjust and fold (not shown in the diagram) for convenience to carry to different locations. The toilet is provided with a toilet cover 59 which covers our Squatting Toilet Seat 35 placed on the chair 88. It has a toilet bowl 84 that can be lined with toilet bag 84a that can be conveniently removed after each evacuation of bowel and urine for hygienic sanitary purpose. The chair is provided with adjustable legs 89 to adjust the height of the chair and to adjust the toilet seat to a convenient height of the user, so the legs of user are flat on the floor while in use.
[0174] FIG. 20 is the illustration 2000 showing our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat 35 with a separate visible violet blue light module 55 that is attached to the back underside of the toilet bowl cover inside the toilet seat hinge assembly using an attachment clip which is attached to a power supply 55a that is affixed to the toilet water tank but can also be applied to any smooth surrounding toilet surface. The visible violet blue light module automatically turns on when the toilet cover is moved into the close (horizontal) position for a set time duration for sterilization of toilet bowl and the other surrounding surfaces of the toilet seat before automatically shutting off at set time. This embodiment is of most useful besides using on our regular toilet for the toilet lids in aero plane lavatories, recreational vehicles, on Porto Poti, bedside toilets and camp site toilet to keep them completely sterile.
[0175] Use of Blue Light Embodiment with Squatting Toilet Seat to Keep the Toilet Bowl Sterile without Microbial Contaminants
[0176] The visible violet-blue spectrum light incorporated in the Squatting Toilet Seat or used with existing toilet seat acts as killer of viruses, microbes, yeast, protozoa and such in the toilet bowl water and its exposed surrounding surfaces. The visible violet-blue light is already in use to disinfect bacterial contamination of blood and plasma that are used for transfusions, which are performed millions of times in the US and around the world, and also used in water decontamination
[0177] Bacterial contamination of vivo stored injectable biological fluids such as blood and blood components preserved in plasma is a major complication for transfusion medicine, resulting in both wasteful discarding of valuable blood products and, more significantly, health risks for recipients of contaminated donor blood [Burnouf T., Radosevich M., Reducing the risk of infection from plasma products: specific preventative strategies. Blood Reviews. 2000; 14(2):94-110. Maclean M et al. A New Proof of Concept in Bacterial Reduction: Antimicrobial Action of Violet-Blue Light (405 nm) in Ex Vivo Stored Plasma. J Blood Transfus. 2016; 2016: 2920514]. Maclean et al. (2016), report the first proof-of-concept results on the use of a novel visible 405 nm visible violet-blue light method that does not require the addition of photosensitive chemicals for inactivation of bacterial and other microbial pathogens in plasma which is akin to the toilet contaminated water and toilet bowl surrounding surfaces. Our method utilizes light with an optimal wavelength, which causes photoexcitation of endogenous microbial porphyrin molecules and oxidative damage through reactive oxygen species that are multiplying in the toilet bowl after defecation and urination. Visible violet blue spectrum light has previously been shown to inactivate a wide range of bacterial pathogens and is used widely in disinfection technology; hence we use this technology to keep the toilet bowl and its remanent water sterile from the fecal and urine microbial contamination.
[0178] This visible violet-blue spectrum light is incorporated and/or separate unit into our inventive device Squatting Toilet Seat as well used with existing toilet seats and it is effective killing the bacterial and their spores in the toilet bowl and urinal. The blue light be incorporated into toilet cover of any toilet bowl to sterilize the toilet bowl, residual water, toilet seat and ambient air before and after use of the toilet.
[0179] Studies have demonstrated increased susceptibility of viral, bacterial cells, spores and fungus compared to their mammalian counterparts—potentially providing the ability to preferentially inactivate microbial contamination in wound and tissue environments now in the toilet bowl. The visible violet-blue spectrum light involves the photoexcitation of endogenous porphyrin molecules in microbes in the toilet bowl, a process which generates: [0180] a) reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (1O2), [0181] c) superoxide anion (O2-), [0182] d) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and [0183] e) hydroxyl groups (OH),
These free radical generated by visible violet-blue spectrum light are toxic to microbes in the toilet bowl, contaminated by coming in contact with toilet bowl and its water are killed. Overall, studies provide the first evidence that visible violet-blue light has the ability to inactivate bacterial contamination within or outside the biological tissue that are exposed to this irradiation in structures like toilet bowl and its residual water. Our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat device with visible violet-blue spectrum light fluorescence kills free floating microbes in the toilet bowl water, toilet interior surface and its seating may even skin surface microbes of the buttocks exposed in the toilet bowl during use.
[0184] Scented Squatting Toilet Seat in Our Inventive Squatting Toilet Seat
[0185] Bathroom deodorizers are very well known in the art. Many attempts have been made to control the odor that is commonly found in a bathroom containing a standard toilet as such odors are offensive and embarrassing to other users, although it does not eliminate the microbes of the toilet bowl. Most commonly, various spraying devices have been used in the air surrounding the toilet. Even though this method is effective for masking the odor, it is not very practical for public bathrooms, since there is a natural reluctance to touch things in public restrooms including the toilet seat, faucets, etc. There are many other methods to deodorize the bathroom due to use of toilet and the smell that emanates from the bowel movement. In general, none of the existing ventilation systems for removing odors directly at the toilet have been commercially successful. The present invention is directed to a device used in conjunction with our squatting toilet seat in order to disperse a pleasant-smelling spray into the air. By automatically disperse a pleasant-smelling spray directly into the toilet bowl, neutralizing the odor while it is still confined within the toilet bowl, without the user intervention.
[0186] The use of our invention Squatting Toilet Seat from early life ensures that there will be no continuous trauma to the anus and rectum linings due to hardened stools and the excreta evacuated with least or no straining. It is obvious from the above studies that puborectalis muscle relaxion is important for easy, smooth and quicker movement of stools
[0187] The Puborectalls Muscle of the Pelvic Floor and Levator Ani Muscle
[0188] The puborectalis muscle (FIGS. 1-3, 9-14) is a U-shaped sling suspends the anorectal part of the colon in the pelvic floor besides supporting pelvic organs. These muscles extending backwards from the bodies of the pubic bones (origin of the puborectalis muscle), past the urogenital hiatus, around the anal canal, urethra, and vagina in the female. Its tonic contraction and tension bends the anal canal anteriorly, creating the anorectal angle (±90 degrees FIG. 2) at the anorectal junction (where the rectum meets the anus. By using our Squatting Toilet Seat allows the rectal and anal lumen in line for easy, fast evacuation of bowel contents during defecation. The main function of this thick muscle is to maintain fecal and urinary continence—during defecation and urination this muscle relaxes allowing the rectal contents to be evacuated through the anal canal and its opening outside of our body. Some fibers of the puborectalis muscle (pre-rectal fibers) form another U-shaped sling that flank the urethra in the male and the urethra and vagina in the female (in some textbooks they appear as pubovaginalis and sphincter urethrae/vaginae). These fibers are very important in preserving urinary continence and preventing the prolapse of the pelvic organs especially during an abrupt increase of the intra-abdominal pressure i.e., during sneezing, coughing, lifting weights etc. If the control of puborectalis muscle is weak or lost, it can result in stress incontinence. This levator ani muscle can be strengthened by Kegel pelvic floor exercises and use of our Squatting Toilet Seat helps to evacuate the bladder completely, allowing the bladder to fill completely that results in less urge to urinate, reducing the frequency of micturition.
[0189] Anus, Defecation and Use of Our Squatting Toilet Seat
[0190] The anus is the terminal opening of the alimentary canal, but this term is used for the combination of the internal and external anal sphincters that control the defecation involuntarily or voluntarily. The anal canal is about 2 inches long and lies between the termination of the rectum and the anal orifice and is angled at anorectal junction to create angle which helps to maintain continence when the urge to empty bowels develops. It is here that the use of our Squatting Toilet Seat plays a role to make rectum in line with the anus with the least angling for the evacuation of excreta with ease and fast.
[0191] Urination: How Many Times One Uses Toilet for Urination (Pee) and how Our Squatting Toilet Seat Facilitates Urination.
[0192] How often you urinate is actually a very important sign of your overall health, beginning in infancy and continuing throughout your life. Frequency of urination refers to the number of times you go to the toilet to pass urine in a day. If you need to go to the toilet very often, more than seven times a day on drinking approximately 2 liters of fluid, you may have a urinary frequency problem. This can be caused by an overactive bladder or prostate afflictions. The bladder might contract even when it doesn't need to; for example, if your bladder only has a small amount of urine in it, or it may be oversensitive. This means that you feel the need to go to the toilet more often. Frequency is often associated with urgency and urge incontinence. By reducing the residual urine in the urinary bladder by the use of our Squatting Toilet Seat can reduce this condition, by facilitating an easy urine flow due to relaxation of pubourethralis muscle with complete emptying of the bladder.
[0193] Urinary Incontinence and Use of Our Squatting Toilet Seat to Help the Afflicted
[0194] The Squatting Toilet Seat provides a provision for safe urination without spilling outside the toilet bowl (FIGS. 1-1a, 1b, 4-12), this is specially so for female who uses squatting position on the toilet for urination and may reduce the frequency of urination and incontinence. The current step stools have no provision to direct the urine to the toilet bowl, especially in females, and will ensure the complete emptying of the bladder by relaxing the pubourethralis muscle. Many women, in fact, 1 in 3, experience certain forms of urinary incontinence which can be eliminated or reduced using our Squatting Toilet Seat due to complete emptying of the bladder without any residual urine.
[0195] Pelvic Floor Role in Defecation and Urination
[0196] The pelvic floor is a system of muscles, ligaments, tissue and nerves arranged at the bottom of the pelvis that form a hammock supporting female bladder and uterus, rectum and prostate in male. A women's pelvic floor goes through an assortment of changes, especially during pregnancy, childbirth, C-section, menopause and old age. As a matter of fact, natural childbirth, short or prolonged delivery, and c-sections can increase your chances of developing urinary incontinence due to weakening of pelvic floor muscle levator ani muscle after having children and also prostate hypertrophy in the aged male. Multiple pregnancy and prostate afflictions enhance the possibility of urinary incontinence which may be helped by use of our Squatting Toilet Seat.
[0197] Act of Defecation and Use of Our Squatting Toilet Seat to Facilitate this Natural Processes
[0198] Normal defecation and maintenance of fecal continence involve a highly coordinated mechanism that involves the levator ani, puborectalis, and the external (EAS) and internal anal sphincter (IAS) muscles of the anus which are under the control both voluntary and involuntary. The pelvic floor is composed of the levator ani, the underlying sheets of which form a sling around anorectal junction (FIGS. 1-2, 2a 2b, 9-14). The levator ani, puborectalis, and external anal sphincters (EAS, -FIGS. 2, 3) are skeletal muscles that constantly maintain tone and sustain pelvic organs in place against the forces of gravity and peristalsis. Synchronized contraction of these muscles prevents the involuntary loss of stool and helps maintain the regular pattern of defecation. One can elect to defer defecation, nevertheless, by volitionally contracting the puborectalis muscle and EAS.
[0199] The rectum is filled with intestinal undigested food waste until just before defecation. Perception of rectal contents and pressures is essential for signaling voluntary contraction of the anal sphincter (FIGS. 3, 9-14). Normal defecation begins with reflexes triggered by rectosigmoid distention produced by approximately 200 mL of feces. A recto rectal reflex occurs in which the bowl proximal to the distending bolus contracts and the bowel wall distally relaxes, serving to propel the bolus further caudad—to the anal canal. This relaxation, called the recto anal inhibitory reflex, correlates with the urge labeled “the call to stool.” One can then volitionally contract the levator ani to open the proximal anal canal and relax the EAS and puborectalis muscles. This allows a straighter, shorter, and more open anorectal passage, which permits the bolus to pass. Increasing the intraabdominal pressure by squatting and by Valsalva's maneuver assists bolus elimination.
[0200] Continence is maintained by the anal sphincter mechanism, which consists of the internal anal sphincters (IAS), external anal sphincters (EAS), and puborectalis muscle (see 1, 1a, 1b, FIG. 3). Anal pressure can be increased volitionally by contracting the EAS and puborectalis muscles (FIG. 3, 11, 12, 14). The EAS is physically larger than the IAS, and its contraction is under both reflex and volitional control. Normal baseline reflex action of the anorectal mechanism allows spontaneous stool elimination. The remarkable degree of learned EAS coordination allows the selective discrete passage of gas while juggling a variable mixture of solids, liquids, and gases.
[0201] Defecation Dysfunction: Constipation and use of our Squatting Toilet Seat
Constipation can be a huge enigma in neurologic states and can be the result of not eating fiber rich diet and having a sedentary lifestyle. Infrequent, incomplete emptying of hard stools is due to decreased water and electrolyte secretion into the colon lumen, resulting from reduced excitation of the secretomotor neurons. A lack of rectal sensation and a decreased urge to defecate can be strongly associated with constipation in various conditions that present with lesions in the brain, spinal cord, sacral nerves, and hypogastric and pudendal nerves. Outlet obstruction can ensue because of delayed colonic transit times and lack of perineal and recto anal sensation. Our inventive Squatting Toilet Seat allows a person to relax the puborectalis muscle by inducing a better posture for defecation for induce easy fast passage of bowel movements.
[0202] Defecation Dysfunction: Fecal Incontinence (FI) and use of our Squatting Toilet Seat
[0203] True fecal incontinence is described as an unconscious loss of stool, often occurs in neurologic conditions with lesions affecting the lumbar spinal cord, cauda equina, S2-S4 nerves, pudendal nerve, and pelvic floor nerves that supply the muscles around anorectal regions. It is important to rule out overflow incontinence resulting from constipation. With this condition, use of our Squatting Toilet Seat will completely relax the puborectalis muscle and easy fast passage of bowel contents completely and thus delay the incidence of fecal incontinence.
[0204] Benefits of Using Our Inventive Squatting Toilet Seat
[0205] According to the present Squatting Toilet Seat invention, allows for smoother and faster defecation by converting the acute angle formation between the rectum and the anus to an obtuse angle during defecation by correcting the posture of a user into a squatting posture instead of the common sitting posture used by billions. Consequently, defecation becomes a fast, easy, pleasant experience with little or no straining when evacuating the bowels and may even prevent a person's legs from becoming numb due to long sitting with results in pressure on the leg nerves. Hence the advantages using our Squatting Toilet Seat are as follows: [0206] a) Bowel evacuation is convenient, easier and faster with little or no straining. [0207] b) It prevents fecal stagnation and helps to evacuate the rectum completely due to proper alignment of rectum with anus due to relaxation of puborectalis muscle. [0208] a) It guards the pelvic nerves from becoming overstretched and damaged due to acute stretching of nerve supply to the urogenital organs such as anus, anorectal junction, prostate, bladder, and uterus sue to straining. [0209] b) reduces the frequency of straining episode during the bowel movement due to reducing the stretching of anorectal angle caused by ano-rectalis muscle. [0210] c) Bending of the torso on the thighs temporarily blocks the ileocecal valve due to increased abdominal pressure during squatting position with reduced chance of contaminating the small intestines from colon contents retrograde flow and its bacterial colony. [0211] d) Relaxes puborectalis muscle which usually blocks the passage of rectal contents into the anus for evacuation with ease. [0212] c) Draws the thighs close to abdomen which supports the colon that runs around the periphery which presses the colon contents of the abdominal cavity which prevents hernia and prolapse of the pelvic organs due to increased abdominal pressure during defecation. [0213] d) Squatting is useful during pregnancy by preventing intra-abdominal pressure exerted on the uterus when using the toilet. Regular squatting is also beneficial for delivery. [0214] e) Although causal relationship has not been completely established, it is known that those who squat during bowel evacuation have shown that the incidence of hemorrhoids is uncommon. [0215] f) Having a knees-up posture on the toilet induces an anatomical benefit of squatting during defection. It negates the need to use a foot stool and a person doesn't have to worry about storing it, finding it, and positioning it. [0216] g) Helps females to urinate with ease and promotes evacuation of the blood and blood clumps during menstruation due to relaxation of pubourethralis and pubovaginalis-urethralis muscles of levator ani along with puborectalis muscle. [0217] h) Provides automatic disinfection and sterilization of the toilet bowl and surrounding surfaces using visible violet-blue spectrum light that will eliminate the need to scrub and clean the toilet bowl using antimicrobial sprays and relieve the possible fear of getting infections or contaminated. [0218] i) It is provided with anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-protozoal-microbiocidal violet blue light emitted into toilet bowl water, surface and ambient air which automatically turns on and off at set time. Such light is provided attached to the undersurface of toilet seat or toilet cover that will sterilize the entire toilet from toilet seat to toilet water pool, toilet bowl and ambient air. Such an embodiment is of great benefit in public lavatories, airplane toilet, porta Poti, camping sites and on best side toilet chairs to keep the toilet sterile before and after use.
Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements of steps explained herein regarding our invention may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that several modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in combining or mixture of arrangement and patterns of using our embodiments to the invention form function and manner of procedure, assembly and use may be made. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made thereto. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to details of the illustrated invention.
