I am writing this blog post, in the form of Q&A's, especially for our 15 colleagues who have agreed to take part in our smooth bore waste tubing trial. Its purpose is to make the trial more beneficial, both for you and for us.
1. Why is there a need to have another type of waste tubing?
All UK colon therapists now have to use fully disposable client kits (finally!). It is now the industry-wide standard. Many therapists who work with Wood's Gravity would have moved to disposables a long time ago, however they find that disposable tubing that they have tried slows down release of the wastes compared to the smooth latex tubing that they are used to. This is because the disposable tubes currently available on the UK market are corrugated, and the ridges restrict the speed of the flow. Unlike therapists who use machines and can mechanically boost the flow, gravity therapists only have one speed of flow and sometimes they find the release too slow. They also found corrugated tubing not as responsive as latex. Finally, they miss the viewing tube which they use for observation of the wastes.
2. Does the Ultra-Clear Smoothbore tubing solve all these problems?
It solves two out of three problems completely.
It is ultraclear: here is the photo of a selection of different cat food kibbles inside the tube:
That's pretty clear, it doesn't get much better than this.
Release is not impeded, so the speed of release is the same or slightly faster that the latex tube.
3. How responsive is it?
At the start of the treatment you will need to use the forceps. It takes around five minutes for the tube to warm up fully, and then you can use both the forceps and manual restriction. After around the same time the tubing also becomes very responsive to the peristaltic action of the bowel.
PLEASE PRACTISE SCRUNCHING AND RESTRICTING THE TUBING WITH FORCEPS BEFORE YOUR REAL-LIFE TRIAL TREATMENTS. LEARN YOUR TOOL.
IT IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRIAL.
4. Why is it unsuitable for use with machines with a built-in view tube?
The tubing is thicker than corrugated tubing, it's not as flexible. There needs to be a straight line between the speculum and the waste outlet, and the tube needs to go into the waste outlet at a 45 degree angle:
(ignore my awkward mock-up but you get the idea).
If you don't have a 45 degree elbow, get it in a DIY store like B&Q: 
5. What forceps do you use? You can use any strong medical forceps. We use and sell these: https://www.colonicsupplies.online/stainless_steel_loop_forceps
6, Any other useful tips?
Lay the tubing flat somewhere warm before the start of the treatment, if you have a radiator and it's on, warm it up to make your own life easier. Push it right up the speculum. You don't need any lubricant, it fits snugly on the speculum.
7. What questions do you want us to answer?
Here are the questions, please send me an email to info@colonicsupplies.co.uk with the answers:
1. What is your general impression of working with disposable tubing? What positives and negatives do you see?
2. Have you noticed a difference in the speed of release between the clear and corrugated tubing?
3. What type of tubing was easier to work with?
4. What type of tubing is closer to what you are used to working with now?
5. What advice would you give to therapists migrating to disposable waste tubing?
6. Provided the price of both corrugated and smoothbore tubing is the same, which kit are you likely to choose in the future?
7. What other comments would you like to make?
Thank you all!
Galina