Anti-constipation method and device

Abstract

A device and method for treatment of constipation wherein a horizontal bar is positioned a sufficient distance above a toilet that a person using the toilet can passively “semi-hang”. The act of passively “semi-hanging” partially removes weight from the perianal area and straightens the torso thereby unfolding the sigmoid colon, increasing the sigmoid-rectal angle and the anorectal angle to facilitate defecation.

It is claimed:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for treatment of constipation comprising a substantially horizontal bar supported by a suspension means and suspended a sufficient distance above a toilet to allow a person using said toilet to passively semi-hang from said bar.  
     
     
         2 . An apparatus in accordance  claim 1  wherein said suspension means is a free-standing base having four downwardly extending legs.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said base comprises 
 a cross-bar having attached at a substantially right angle to each end thereof a downwardly extending leg, each said leg having a lower end constructed and arranged for contacting and positioning on a surface, and  
 a downwardly extending support member attached to an upper end of each said leg by a sleeve, each said support member having a lower end adapted to contact said surface,  
 wherein each said leg together is said suspension means.  
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said horizontal bar includes at each end thereof a section of pipe attached at a right angle to said horizontal bar, each said section of pipe adapted to slidably circumpose a respective said leg.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the length of each said leg and each said support member is adjustable.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein each said sleeve comprises a pathway for receiving an upper end of a respective said support member and a cylinder adjacent thereto for receiving an upper end of a respective said leg, 
 wherein said support member is hingedly affixed to said sleeve.  
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus in accordance with claims  5  wherein said lower end of each said support member includes a suction cup for securing each said support member to a surface.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said lower end of each said leg comprises a non-skid foot hingedly attached thereto.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for treatment of constipation comprising: 
 a cross-bar having attached at a substantially right angle to each end thereof a downwardly extending leg,    a downwardly extending support member hingedly attached to an upper end of each said leg, and    a horizontal bar connected at each end thereof to a respective said leg, said horizontal bar supported a sufficient distance above a toilet to allow a person using said toilet to passively semi-hang from said cross-bar.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said horizontal bar includes at each end thereof a section of pipe attached at a right angle to said horizontal bar, each said section of pipe adapted to slidably circumpose a respective said leg.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the length of each said leg and each said support member is adjustable.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for treatment of constipation comprising: 
 at least one arm extending upward from a toilet, and    a horizontal bar supported by said at least one arm,    wherein said horizontal bar is a sufficient distance above said toilet to allow a person using said toilet to passively semi-hang from said horizontal bar.    
     
     
         13 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said at least one arm has a means of adjusting the length of said at least one arm.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one arm extends from a lid of said toilet.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one arm extends from a water tank of said toilet.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said toilet includes at least one brace for releasably securing said lid in an open position.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said horizontal member includes handles.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein said water basin includes a recess for receiving said at least one arm when said at least one arm is retracted into said water tank.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said lid includes a recess for receiving said at least one arm when said at least one arm is retracted into said lid.  
     
     
         20 . A method of treating constipation comprising steps: 
 positioning a person on a seat of a toilet,    straightening a person's torso,    slightly reclining said person's torso toward a water tank of said toilet, and    positioning a person's feet on a surface a sufficient distance in front of said toilet so that said person's hips are positioned above said toilet seat.    
     
     
         21 . A method of treating constipation in accordance with  claim 20  wherein a person's arms are extended upward.  
     
     
         22 . A method of treating constipation in accordance with  claim 21  wherein said person passively semi-hangs from a bar.