Pneumatic device for treating intussusception

A pneumatic system for intussusception treatment, comprising:

• a source of compressed air;
• a rectal insertion tube adapted for insertion into the rectum of a patient suffering from intussusception;
• a conduit connecting the source of compressed air with the rectal insertion tube;
• an electronically controlled pressure regulator disposed in the conduit between the source of compressed air and the rectal insertion tube, the pressure regulator defining a high pressure side between the source of compressed air and a low pressure side between the pressure regulator and the rectal insertion tube;
• a mass flow controller disposed in the conduit on the low pressure side;
• a flow meter disposed in the conduit on the low pressure side downstream from the mass flow controller, the flow meter generating an electrical signal corresponding to instantaneous flow rate of air through the conduit on the low pressure side;
• a pressure sensor disposed in the conduit on the low pressure side between the flow meter and the rectal delivery tube, the pressure sensor generating an electrical signal corresponding to instantaneous air pressure on the low pressure side;
• and
• a computer controller having a CPU, a monitor, and a keypad, the computer controller having:
• means for user entry of a maximum pressure on the low pressure side;
• means for sending a signal to the pressure regulator to deliver air from the source of compressed air to the low pressure side at the user-entered maximum pressure;
• means for controlling the mass flow controller to deliver the compressed air at a user-entered flow rate;
• means for receiving the signals from the pressure sensor and the flow meter;
• means for continuously computing volume of air as a function of pressure from the signals received from the pressure sensor and the flow meter;
• and
• means for alerting the user upon sudden increase of the volume with no corresponding increase in pressure, thereby indicating release of the intussusception.

A method for the pneumatic treatment of intussusception, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a pneumatic intussusception treatment system for maintaining desired pressure and/or flow of gas into the intestine of the patient through a rectal insertion tube intussusception treatment, the intussusception system including:
• i) a gas supply tube having an inlet end and an outlet end opposite the inlet end;
• ii) a supply of pressurized gas selectively connected to the inlet end of the gas supply tube;
• iii) a rectal insertion tube removably connected to the outlet end of the gas supply tube;
• iv) a filter disposed in line along the gas supply tube;
• v) at least one selectively operable valve disposed in line along the gas supply tube;
• vi) at least one pressure sensor disposed in line along the gas supply tube;
• vii) at least one pressure regulator disposed in line along the gas supply tube;
• viii) an exhaust gas tube extending from the gas supply tube adjacent the outlet end thereof;
• ix) a selectively operable valve disposed in the exhaust gas tube;
• x) a computerized control system communicating electronically with the at least one valve and the at least one sensor disposed along the gas supply tube, whereby the desired pressure and/or flow of gas into the intestine of the patient through the rectal insertion tube is maintained;
• and
• xi) a visual monitor communicating with the computerized control system;
• b) inserting the rectal insertion tube into the patient's rectum;
• c) delivering pressurized gas to the intestines through the rectum;
• and
• d) maintaining and monitoring the desired pressure and/or flow of gas into the intestine of the patient through the rectal insertion tube until the pressure forces the intestines back to their normal place.