GB2546109A

GB2546109A - A belt

Info

Publication number: GB2546109A
Application number: GB1600444.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Virdee Tirath
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-11
Filing date: 2016-01-11
Publication date: 2017-07-12
Also published as: GB201600444D0

Abstract

The belt comprises at least one abdomen compression means, which may be positionable over the users ascending or descending colon. The pressurising means may comprise a powered or hand-pumped pneumatic air bladder or an electro-mechanical device, acting on a plurality of compressing regions. There may be an external controller to activate the compression regions consecutively to mimic peristalsis. By compressing the abdomen the belt stimulates defecation to encourage weight loss, and prevent obesity.

Description

A Belt Field

The present invention relates to belts. More specifically, the present invention relates to belts for improving the passing of stool to facilitate weight-loss.

Background

There is irrefutable evidence that shows that the incidence of obesity in populations in general, especially in developed nations, has increased significantly over the past few hundred years. As the stomach increases in size, the amount of waste retained in the human body increases. Retaining more waste requires more to be eaten in order to dilute the toxins produced by the waste. This, in turn, leads to a larger stomach. Therefore, it is beneficial to reduce retention of waste in the stomach.

The way in which humans in the western world defecate has also changed, with the advent of the flushing toilet. The current preferred method is shown in Figure la.

Here, the user sits on the toilet l with their legs bent at the knee with an approximate 90 degree angle. This position restricts the flow of stool passing through the excretory system.

Prior to the advent of the toilet 1, the aforementioned problem was avoided as users would squat when excreting. This position tightens the transverse abdominal muscle, and applies pressure to the colon, causing a larger volume of faeces to be deposited in each sitting.

Therefore, apparatuses have been designed to allow users to combine the modern toilet 1 with a squatting posture. One such device is shown in Figure lb. Here, a footstool 2 is used to raise the user’s knees above their anus. In other words, when squatting, the user’s thighs meet their torso at an approximate 35 degree angle. However, footstools 2 are not convenient for the user to transport, and so are typically only used when the user is at home. Additionally, squatting can be difficult when the user is out of practice, if they are disabled, or when they already have a large stomach.

Aspects of the present invention aim to address one or more drawbacks inherent in prior art methods and apparatus for improving passing of stool.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a belt for improving the passing of stool, the belt comprising at least one abdomen compression means, and associated activation means, wherein, upon activation, the at least one compression means is configured to apply pressure to the abdomen of a user wearing the belt such that the user’s colon is compressed.

Advantageously, the belt provides the effect of squatting without the user being required to physically squat, and this allows a larger volume of faeces or stool to be deposited when the user goes to the toilet. The result of this is that weight-loss is greatly facilitated, and the health of the user is improved.

The at least one abdomen compression means maybe embedded within the belt. Alternatively, the compression means may be positioned on the surface of the belt.

The at least one abdomen compression means maybe configured to be repositioned on or in the belt, so that the belt is able to fit users of different sizes. For example, the belt may comprise one or more pocket in which the at least one abdomen compression means is disposed. Preferably, the size of the pocket is greater than the size of the compression means allowing it to be moved and repositioned as desired.

Alternatively, the abdomen compression means may be fixed in position, and belts may be produced in a number of different sizes having compression regions in different but corresponding positions.

The compression means is preferably arranged to compress at least one of the user’s ascending colon and descending colon.

Preferably, the belt comprises two or more spaced-apart abdomen compression means. The two or more compression means maybe 3,4 or 5 cm apart from each other. The two or more compression means may be 8, 9 or 10 cm apart from each other. The two or more compression means may be disposed on the belt such that, when worn by a user, they are located in a position that corresponds with the user’s ascending colon and descending colon.

Each of the compression means maybe configured to apply different pressures. Particularly, each of the compression means may be configured to alternately apply pressure to the ascending colon and descending colon. Alternatively, the compression means may be configured to apply uniform pressure.

The belt may further comprise a reusable fastening means. The reusable fastening means may comprise Velcro (RTM). Alternatively, the fastening means may comprise a button, buckle or zipper.

The belt may be made of elasticated material. For example, the belt may be made of elastic, neoprene, or any other suitable material.

The at least one compression means maybe inflatable. The belt may further comprise a conduit for coupling the plurality of compression means to each other. This enables the plurality of compression means to be inflated using a single activation means. Alternatively, each compression means may be coupled to a respective activation means.

The means for activating the compression regions may comprise a hand pump for inflating the compression means. Alternatively, the means for activating the compression regions may comprise a power supply, and an electro-mechanical device. Preferably, the electro-mechanical device is an electrically-operated pump. The power supply may be, for example, a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack.

The means for activating the compression means may further comprise a regulator for preventing excess inflation. Alternatively, the means for activating the compression means may further comprise a pressure gauge to allow the user to inflate the compression means to a predetermined pressure.

The means for activating the compression means may comprise a power supply, and an electronically-activated mechanical expansion means disposed in each compression means.

The belt may further comprise a communication unit for communicating with an external device for controlling the means for activating the compression means. The external device may be coupled to the belt by a wireless connection. For example, the wireless connection maybe WiFi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee. Alternatively, the external device may be coupled by a wired connection. Preferably, the external device is a mobile phone.

The means for activating the compression means may be controlled to activate each of the compression means consecutively. Alternatively, the means for activating the compression means maybe controlled to activate each of the compression means simultaneously.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising the belt according to the first aspect, and an external device for controlling the means for activating the abdomen compression means.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for improving the passing of stool in a user, the method comprising placing the belt according to the first aspect on a user, and activating the abdomen compression means to apply pressure to the abdomen such that the user’s colon is compressed.

All features described herein (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Brief Description of the Figures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures la and lb show examples of sitting on the toilet according to prior art methods; Figure 2 shows a diagram of the excretory system;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a belt according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a belt according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a belt according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 6 shows a belt according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like features throughout.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figure 3, an elongate belt 100 is shown that comprises a plurality of spaced apart compression regions 102a, 102b (collectively 102), which apply pressure to the abdomen of a subject wearing the belt 100. Specifically, the compression regions 102 apply pressure to the subject’s abdomen such that the user’s colon is compressed. Compressing the colon, increases the intra-abdominal pressure, which forces more stool out through the user’s rectum in each sitting. In other words, the compression regions increase the amount of defecation when a user goes to the toilet by reducing the volume of the colon.

The compression regions 102 of which there are two in this embodiment are pressure pads that can be inflated using air. The compression regions 102 are coupled by a conduit 106 that allows air to pass between the compression regions 102. In this embodiment, the diameter of both ends of the conduit 106 are equal to each other, and so the compression regions 102 inflate at approximately the same rate.

The body 108 of the belt 100 is made of elasticated material, and can stretch so that one belt 100 can fit users of different figures. The compression regions 102 in this embodiment are spaced apart and embedded in pockets 109 within the main body 108 of the belt 100. In other words, the compression regions 102 and the conduit 106 are covered by fabric on both sides, and are therefore fully concealed. The compression regions 102 are configured to slide within the pockets 109 of the body 108 of the belt 100 so that the user can position them in the correct position on their abdomen to provide the aforementioned advantageous effect.

The positioning of the compression regions 102 will now be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a user’s excretory system. The navel 12 defines the centre of the system. Stool travels up the ascending colon 10, across the body in the transverse colon 16, and down the descending colon 14 to the rectum 18, from which it leaves the body. The compression means are positioned such that they apply pressure to the abdomen such that only the ascending colon 10 and descending colon 14 are compressed. The ascending colon 10 and descending colon 14 maybe compressed simultaneously, or alternately. The compression regions 102 do not compress any part of the body other than the ascending colon 10 and descending colon 14.

The ends of the belt too are provided with a fastening means 104a, 104b. In this embodiment, the belt too is fastened using Velcro. Alternatively, the fastening means 104a, 104b may comprise a buckle fastening. It would be readily understood that the regions denoting the fastening means 104a, 104b shown in Figure 3 are not to scale, and, for example, region 104b may have a much greater surface area than region 104a.

The belt too comprises means for activating the compression regions 102. Three different embodiments having different means for activating the compression regions 102 are shown in Figures 4,5 and 6.

Figure 4 shows the belt 100 of Figure 1 comprising a hand pump 112, in fluidic communication with the compression regions 102, for inflating the compression regions 102. The hand pump 112 is connected to a one-way valve for preventing air from escaping out of the belt 100. The hand pump 112 is coupled to a pressure gauge 110. The user is able to read the pressure gauge 110 and stop inflating the compression regions 102 when the compression regions 102 exert a predetermined pressure.

Figure 5 shows the belt 200 according to another embodiment. Here, although not shown, the belt 200 comprises the same compression regions 102 and conduit 106 as the belt 100 shown in Figure 3. Additionally, the belt 200 of this embodiment comprises a manually operable switch 202, and a regulator 206. The regulator 206 consists of a second switch operable to be disconnected automatically when the regulator’s 206 pressure sensor detects the pressure of the compression regions 102 has reached a threshold. The pressure sensor is preferably a piezoelectric device.

In this embodiment, the compression regions 102 are inflated using an electromechanical device 204, which is a pump. The electromechanical device 204 is activated by the switch 202. When the switch 202 is closed, power is supplied to the electromechanical device 204 from a power supply 208, such as a lithium ion battery pack.

As shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments the electro-mechanical device 204 is controlled using an external device 310. To facilitate this, the belt 300 includes a communication unit 306. In this embodiment, the communication unit 306 is configured to perform wireless communication with the external device 310. The communication unit 306 is configured to receive a signal from the external device 310 for connecting and disconnecting the switch 202.

The external device 310, for example a mobile phone, includes a communication unit 312. In this embodiment, the communication unit 312 is configured to perform wireless communication with the communication unit 306 in the belt 300. The external device 310 further includes a controller 316. The controller 316 generates control signals to be output by the communication unit 312. The control signals are for controlling the belt 300 to activate or deactivate the switch 202. The switch 202 is controlled to be deactivated on the command of the user, or after a predetermined amount of time. The controller 316 is able to access memory 318, which is preconfigured with the volume of the compression units and the flow rate of air being pumped by the electro-mechanical device 204. Therefore, the controller 316 can calculate the pressure being exerted by the compression units 102 at any moment in time. When the pressure exceeds a threshold, the electro-mechanical device 204 is controlled to be disconnected from the power supply 208.

The external device 210 further comprises a display 314. The display 314 according to this embodiment is a touchscreen display. Alternatively, the external device 310 may include an input unit (not shown). The display is configured to show the current pressure being exerted by the compression units 102, and/or an indication of when the optimal pressure is being exerted to user’s colon so the user can begin excretion.

The input unit or touchscreen display 314 is used for setting user-defined preferences of the belt too. Advantageously, this allows the user to configure the distribution of pressure, and/or the time for which the pressure is exerted, according to their personal needs. For example, the belt too maybe configured to compress firstly the ascending colon 10, and then the descending colon 14 after a preset period of time, to create a peristalsis-like effect. Alternatively, the belt 100 maybe configured to compress both the ascending colon 10 and descending colon 14 simultaneously. Alternatively again, the user may configure the belt not to compress one of the ascending colon 10 and descending colon 14, if they have an injuiy such as an ulcer, or have an upset stomach and wish to reduce the effectiveness of the belt 100.

In alternative embodiments, instead of being pneumatically operated, the compression regions 102 may comprise one or more electro-mechanical devices 204. In these embodiments, the electro-mechanical devices 204 comprise two arms coupled together. The outer diameter of the first arm is configured to be less than the internal diameter of the second arm, so that one arm can fit inside the other and so that the arms can translate with respect to each other. The outer ends of the arms comprise pads for applying pressure towards and away from the user when the electro-mechanical device 204 is activated. A motor, coupled to the power supply 208, drives gears to extend one arm away from the other so that pressure is applied.

Advantages of the belt 100,200,300 reside in the provision of the compression regions 102 for applying pressure to the user’s colon. This allows the advantages of squatting to be obtained, such as larger volumes of faeces being excreted, without the user having to squat.

Claims

1. A belt for improving the passing of stool, the belt comprising: at least one abdomen compression means, and associated activation means, wherein, upon activation, the at least one compression means is configured to apply pressure to the abdomen of a user wearing the belt such that the user’s colon is compressed.

2. The belt according to claim l, wherein the at least one abdomen compression means is configured to be repositionable.

3. The belt according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compression means is arranged to compress at least one of the user’s ascending colon and descending colon.

4. The belt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the compression means is configured to apply different pressures.

5. The belt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one compression means is embedded in the belt.

6. The belt according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reusable fastening means.

7. The belt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt is made of elasticated material.

8. The belt according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one compression means is inflatable.

9. The belt according to claim 8, further comprising a conduit for coupling a plurality of compression means to each other.

10. The belt according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the means for activating the compression regions comprises a hand pump for inflating the at least one compression means.

11. The belt according to any one claims 1 to 9, wherein the means for activating the compression means comprises a power supply, and an electro-mechanical device.

12. The belt according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the means for activating the compression means further comprises a regulator for preventing excess inflation.

13. The belt according to any one claims 1 to 9, wherein the means for activating the compression means comprises a power supply, and an electronically-activated mechanical expansion means disposed in each compression means.

14. The belt according to claim 11, claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising a communication unit for communicating with an external device for controlling the means for activating the compression means.

15. The belt according to claim 14, wherein the means for activating the compression means is controlled to activate each of the compression means consecutively.

16. A system comprising: the belt according to claim 14 or claim 15; and an external device for controlling the means for activating the compression means.

17. A method for improving the passing of stool in a user, the method comprising: placing the belt according to any one of the preceding claims; and activating the abdomen compression means to apply pressure to the abdomen such that the user’s colon is compressed.