ANAL SPHINCTER DEVICE AND BARIUM ENEMA PLUG

摘要

ANAL SPHINCTER DEVICE AND BARIUM ENEMA PLUG An apparatus for stimulating the anal sphincter is provided in order to maintain the anal sphincter in a substantially continuously contracted condition. The apparatus includes a plug which is inserted in the anus such that a portion of the plug is surrounded by the anal sphincter. Electrodes are mounted on the plug in contact with anal sphincter and a signal generator generates a biphasic output signal having a positive pulse portion, a negative pulse portion and a zero output portion. The output signal is applied to the anal sphincter through the electrodes, thus causing the anal sphincter to contract and remain in a substantially contracted condition. The signal generator comprises a timer circuit which is used to operate a counter and an output driver which is controlled by the counter. The output signal from the output driver is applied to the anal sphincter through the electrodes. The plug comprises a suppository member which has an enlarged forward portion, a narrower central portion and an enlarged rear portion. The device may be used in conjunction with a barium enema to maintain the anal sphincter in a substantially contracted condition during barium enema examinations. In this arrangement, the plug has a channel which passes through the center along the axis thereof. The contrast material is then passed through this channel into the rectum and colon. The contrast material is held in the body because of the maintained contraction of the anal sphincter.