Fecal incontinence management device

Abstract

An apparatus, and corresponding method, for management of fecal incontinence comprising a catheter having at least two electrodes and an inflatable balloon, a non-conductive sleeve surrounding the electrodes, and an alarm box, wherein the catheter is insertable into a rectal vault and is inflatable to serve as a block to passage of stool and wherein moisture sensed by the electrodes triggers the alarm box and thereby notifies a user that fecal material has entered the rectal vault.

1 . A device for insertion into the human rectum to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal material, said device comprising: 
 a probe body defining a lumen having a distal and proximal end;    said distal end having a tip;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said probe body near said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit to establish an alert signal in the presence of fecal material, and wherein said sensor means are axially spaced-apart conductive means; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body at a location on said body spaced from said sensor means, said cuff having air release means allowing the inflatable cuff to deflate over a period of time.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said axially spaced-apart conductive means comprise conductive point contacts.  
   
   
       3 . A device for insertion into the human rectum to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal material, said device comprising: 
 a probe body defining a lumen having a distal and proximal end wherein at least a portion of said probe body defines venting means to allow venting of flatus;    said distal end having a tip;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said probe body near said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit to establish an alert signal in the presence of fecal material, and wherein said conductive means are conductive contacts and said sensor means are shielded by a perforated sleeve; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body at a location on said body spaced from said sensor means, said cuff having air release means allowing the inflatable cuff to deflate over a period of time.    
   
   
       4 . A device for insertion into the human colon to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal matter, said device comprising: 
 a generally flexible tubular probe body defining a lumen, said body having a proximal and distal end;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said probe body adjacent said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit which will transmit an alert signal in the presence of fecal matter;    a removable sleeve extending about said sensor means, said sleeve partially shielding said sensor means to prevent false alarms; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body connectable to an air supply.    
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said sleeve has a generally cylindrical body with a bore selected to define an annular space between said cylindrical body and said sensor and wherein said cylindrical body defines an aperture to allow fecal matter to pass into said annular space.  
   
   
       6 . A device for insertion into the human rectum to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal material, said device comprising: 
 a probe body defining a lumen having a distal and proximal end;    said distal end having a tip;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said body near said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit to establish an alert signal in the presence of fecal material; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body at a location on said body spaced from said sensor means, said cuff having air release means allowing the inflatable cuff to deflate over a period of time and being a material permeable to gas.    
   
   
       7 . A device for insertion into the human rectum to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal material, said device comprising: 
 a probe body defining a lumen having a distal and proximal end;    said distal end having a tip;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said body near said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit to establish an alert signal in the presence of fecal material, and wherein said conductivity sensors are axially spaced-apart conductive means; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body at a location on said body spaced from said sensor means, said cuff having air release means allowing the inflatable cuff to deflate over a period of time.    
   
   
       8 . A device for insertion into the human rectum to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal material, said device comprising: 
 a probe body defining a lumen having a distal and proximal end;    said distal end having a tip;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said body near said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit to establish an alert signal in the presence of fecal material, and wherein said sensors are conductive point contacts; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body at a location on said body spaced from said sensor means, said cuff having air release means allowing the inflatable cuff to deflate over a period of time.    
   
   
       9 . A device for insertion into the human rectum to monitor bowel incontinence by detecting the presence of fecal material, said device comprising: 
 a probe body defining a lumen having a distal and proximal end;    said distal end having a tip;    conductivity sensor means on the exterior of said body near said distal end, said sensor means being connectable to an electrical circuit to establish an alert signal in the presence of fecal material and shielded by a perforated sleeve; and    an inflatable cuff extending about said probe body at a location on said body spaced from said sensor means, said cuff having air release means allowing the inflatable cuff to deflate over a period of time.    
   
   
       10 . A method of detecting and controlling bowel incontinence, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a rectal probe having a distal and proximal end and defining a lumen;    providing conductivity sensors on said probe which are connectable to an alert system, said sensors located so an electrical circuit is completed in the presence of fecal matter which will activate an alarm;    providing an inflatable cuff of a material having predetermined permeability on said probe having air release means;    inserting the probe and cuff into the patient's colon; and    cyclically inflating and deflating the cuff to retain the probe in position and to block passage of fecal matter and to stimulate the rectal area.