REVIEW of BRAUN ‘IRRIMATIC’:
Electrical Irrigation Pump for (Stoma and Rectal) Intestinal Flushing.
I wish to be as objective as possible about this gadget so I will declare my interest and position at the outset.
I have a colostomy and have been irrigating successfully for about 18months. After my surgery and the initial healing process, one of the (peristalsis) muscles inside the stoma seemed to migrate across the hole and close it up. This made getting the cone in and passing water into the stoma much more difficult, to the point of becoming impracticable and unsatisfactory. I did not want to simply keep pushing the cone in as hard as I could and risk rupturing the lining of the stoma so I adapted a hand-pumped pressurised (3 litre) spray that was in the garden shed and connected the cone and piping to that.
This pumped the water with reasonable force passed the obstruction without damaging anything in the process. Once the water was flowing, the cone was easy enough to push in to the stoma in the normal way but following the waterline. This home-made device has been satisfactory and without problems for about 9 months.
Looking ahead to possible travel abroad. I did not think that customs and boarder control would appreciate me taking on board a device with ‘KILLASPRAY’ emblazoned in bold letters across the side of it. Thus, when Braun brought out their device I thought I ought to give it a trial.
Point 1) I had the device with an option of returning it within 30days if it was not satisfactory. This is a very useful option for those who wish to give it a go to see how they get on.
Point 2) This gadget seemed expensive:
Totalling £322.37 including VAT & carriage costs. (£260.64 excl; VAT )
(I made mine for nothing so this might have influenced my perspective on the price)
Point 3) It is not available on prescription in the UK.
Point 4) It comes complete with everything you need to complete the task.
This includes cone, sleeves etc. Although I find that the type of sleeves Braun supplied are not to my liking. However, that does not detract from the gadget itself as it is easy enough to use someone else’s sleeves.
Point 5) The Irrimatic looks good, is well designed and fit for purpose. (for most people)
(It was not so good for me as it only has 2 litres capacity and I waste a lot of water initially whilst trying to insert the cone into my blocked stoma. I need at least 2.5 to 3 litres capacity otherwise I would have to refill half way through the procedure. Instead I filled up my own gadget as well as theirs and used the Braun first.
Point 6) General:
The Braun Irrimatic is and does what it says it does.
I liked the easy fit hose and the slightly protruding lights on the front. These can be seen if the device is on the floor the floor - from where it works perfectly well. The pressure is easily adjustable via a swivel switch on top and it is adequate for ‘normal’ use.
As previously explained it did not flow fast enough for me to press passed the obstacle in my stoma. However, this condition would not apply to most people. Once the cone was in and past the obstacle it did the job as expected.
I liked the square shape as it enabled me to put it on the bath board as well as on the floor.
My own preference would be for the water compartment to have a lid. I could envisage having problems in public toilets carrying an open container from sink to toilet without spilling it.
The instruction manual was easy to read and gives a clear indication as to prerequisites and contraindications.
If there is no electricity in your bathroom – and for safety reasons there shouldn’t be, it can be charged up at any socket. It does not say when it is fully charged but the recommendation is to leave it on charge. (I’m not sure what conservationists would have to say about that!)
The charger and plug does not look like a ‘professional’ device but more like something I would have made up in my shed. I feel that they let themselves down on this design and could have got a better looking adapter from a local electrical shop.
Summary :
For those of you who are seriously interested in gadgets and have this sort of money going spare (and are not into DIY.) I would recommend the Braun Irrimatic.
It has functionality and style. It does look good in the bathroom. It has some drawbacks and minor flaws but it is to Braun’s credit that they are developing new devices for our benefit and they should be applauded and supported in that.
I also feel sure that it would be acceptable as a medical aid to customs officers and the like.
I will be returning my Irrimatic within the time period. However, this is only because I need something with greater water capacity and a faster flow in the initial phase.
I hope you find this review useful
Best wishes
Bill Withers
Electrical Irrigation Pump for (Stoma and Rectal) Intestinal Flushing.
I wish to be as objective as possible about this gadget so I will declare my interest and position at the outset.
I have a colostomy and have been irrigating successfully for about 18months. After my surgery and the initial healing process, one of the (peristalsis) muscles inside the stoma seemed to migrate across the hole and close it up. This made getting the cone in and passing water into the stoma much more difficult, to the point of becoming impracticable and unsatisfactory. I did not want to simply keep pushing the cone in as hard as I could and risk rupturing the lining of the stoma so I adapted a hand-pumped pressurised (3 litre) spray that was in the garden shed and connected the cone and piping to that.
This pumped the water with reasonable force passed the obstruction without damaging anything in the process. Once the water was flowing, the cone was easy enough to push in to the stoma in the normal way but following the waterline. This home-made device has been satisfactory and without problems for about 9 months.
Looking ahead to possible travel abroad. I did not think that customs and boarder control would appreciate me taking on board a device with ‘KILLASPRAY’ emblazoned in bold letters across the side of it. Thus, when Braun brought out their device I thought I ought to give it a trial.
Point 1) I had the device with an option of returning it within 30days if it was not satisfactory. This is a very useful option for those who wish to give it a go to see how they get on.
Point 2) This gadget seemed expensive:
Totalling £322.37 including VAT & carriage costs. (£260.64 excl; VAT )
(I made mine for nothing so this might have influenced my perspective on the price)
Point 3) It is not available on prescription in the UK.
Point 4) It comes complete with everything you need to complete the task.
This includes cone, sleeves etc. Although I find that the type of sleeves Braun supplied are not to my liking. However, that does not detract from the gadget itself as it is easy enough to use someone else’s sleeves.
Point 5) The Irrimatic looks good, is well designed and fit for purpose. (for most people)
(It was not so good for me as it only has 2 litres capacity and I waste a lot of water initially whilst trying to insert the cone into my blocked stoma. I need at least 2.5 to 3 litres capacity otherwise I would have to refill half way through the procedure. Instead I filled up my own gadget as well as theirs and used the Braun first.
Point 6) General:
The Braun Irrimatic is and does what it says it does.
I liked the easy fit hose and the slightly protruding lights on the front. These can be seen if the device is on the floor the floor - from where it works perfectly well. The pressure is easily adjustable via a swivel switch on top and it is adequate for ‘normal’ use.
As previously explained it did not flow fast enough for me to press passed the obstacle in my stoma. However, this condition would not apply to most people. Once the cone was in and past the obstacle it did the job as expected.
I liked the square shape as it enabled me to put it on the bath board as well as on the floor.
My own preference would be for the water compartment to have a lid. I could envisage having problems in public toilets carrying an open container from sink to toilet without spilling it.
The instruction manual was easy to read and gives a clear indication as to prerequisites and contraindications.
If there is no electricity in your bathroom – and for safety reasons there shouldn’t be, it can be charged up at any socket. It does not say when it is fully charged but the recommendation is to leave it on charge. (I’m not sure what conservationists would have to say about that!)
The charger and plug does not look like a ‘professional’ device but more like something I would have made up in my shed. I feel that they let themselves down on this design and could have got a better looking adapter from a local electrical shop.
Summary :
For those of you who are seriously interested in gadgets and have this sort of money going spare (and are not into DIY.) I would recommend the Braun Irrimatic.
It has functionality and style. It does look good in the bathroom. It has some drawbacks and minor flaws but it is to Braun’s credit that they are developing new devices for our benefit and they should be applauded and supported in that.
I also feel sure that it would be acceptable as a medical aid to customs officers and the like.
I will be returning my Irrimatic within the time period. However, this is only because I need something with greater water capacity and a faster flow in the initial phase.
I hope you find this review useful
Best wishes
Bill Withers
