1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of collecting urine and conveying it from point of collection to storage. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for human urine collection, storage, and disposal, that addresses the problems associated with such devices of current art. Most particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus that addresses the problem of human incontinence.
2. Description of Related Art
Apart from finding some form of medical or surgical cure, ambulatory adult human males who are urine incontinent generally are faced with two alternatives to manage their condition: using a system of devices worn on the body to collect and store the urine for periodic disposal, or wearing an absorbent pad or undergarment which they must periodically change. The “system of devices” generally consists of a device for urine collection, a device for conveying the collected urine to storage, and a device for storing the conveyed urine with periodic draining into a toilet. Current urine collection and storage technology for urine incontinent males relies almost exclusively on the use of external or sheath catheters (also called condom catheters) that surround the penis with a waterproof tube to collect the urine and that are attached to a storage bag by means of a length of standard-wall rubber or vinyl polymer tubing. Said bag is often worn attached to the user's leg.
Unfortunately, these current “devices” are severely lacking in several key areas. For example, many of the current collection devices are difficult to apply and remove, and can lead to injurious and painful penile skin conditions. The conveyance tubing generally used is stiff, bulky, and often visible under clothing. Lastly, current leg-mounted storage bags are bulky, uncomfortable, and a potential source of leakage and consequent major embarrassment.
Suitable solutions for these problems are not obvious. For example, the relative stiffness of the conveyance tubing renders it resistant to kinking and bending movements that could crimp the tube lumen shut. Unfortunately, the same stiffness property also does not lend itself well to comfortable, discreet use because it does not easily conform to tight bends such as are needed in fitting closely to the human body.
Simply substituting a thinner-walled tube for the thicker-walled one, while providing more flexibility, conformation and movement, will likely result in significantly poorer performance with respect to collapsing and sealing off of periodic, low volume flows such as incontinence leakage. In addition, use of a simple open-lumen tube may result in drainage problems. While any open tube may be used as a conduit channel for gravity-driven, descendant fluid flow, that same tube will present difficulties in fluid transport situations where the drainage path involves some ascendant flow to a higher point prior to reverting to descendant flow to a point below the source (e.g., for a seated user, a flow path proceeding from the urethral opening up the thigh to the knee prior to flowing down to a storage vessel attached to the lower leg). In order to make the system work as described, the urine must accumulate in sufficient quantity to fill the tube to the highest point before it can overflow down to the storage bag. Such a situation is extremely detrimental to the health of the user's urethral tract as well as to the health of the penile skin, and is very likely to lead to significant leakage around the collection device and fittings. To avoid these problems, users must rise periodically to facilitate gravity flow.
Collector Background
Current art sheath catheters are very thin-walled tubes of latex or silicone rubber (often 0.002–0.004 inch) that are deliberately sized to be larger in diameter than the penis, have an opening in the proximal end for insertion of the penis, and have an opening in the distal end to conduct the urine away. They are usually packaged in an axially rolled condition. For use, they are unrolled directly onto the shaft of a penis that is in a flaccid condition. Virtually all current sheath catheters are attached to the penis using an adhesive that is either on a strip of double-sided adhesive tape pre-applied to the penis, or is a coating applied to a portion of the catheter's interior surface during manufacture. The adhesive is employed for two purposes; to hold the catheter in place on the penis; and to help to effect a seal between the catheter and the skin. Unfortunately, the adhesive makes the application and removal of the catheter from a flaccid organ difficult and irritating to the user. In order to reduce pain associated with removing the sheath catheter from adhered skin, users are often instructed to remove hairs in the bodily area surrounding the penis.
Although the over-sized diameter is necessary for current art sheath catheters to facilitate the application method of unrolling onto a flaccid penis, it is not at all conducive to achieving a good urine seal, because folds in both the excess condom material and the loose skin of the penis can create potential urine leakage pathways along the bends and seams of folded material. Current art sheath catheters use either the attachment adhesive coating described above or a mechanical ring as a means to attempt to compress the folds and to seal off these seams to prevent urine leakage at the proximal end of the catheter.
Examples of the current art include the following. A typical sheath catheter is in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,099 which describes a tubular elastic sheath catheter having a band of adhesive on the internal wall, and means for applying the adhesive layer to the internal wall. A non-adhesive catheter is in U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,816 which describes a complete urine collection and containment system that includes a tubular elastic sheath which utilizes a compressive elastic rubber ring over the sheath near the proximal opening to provide an o-ring mechanical and liquid seal around the penis.
Current art condom catheters can suffer from incomplete drainage of urine (also known as “pooling”). The resulting prolonged exposure of the penile skin to liquid urine, urine decomposition products (e.g. ammonia, etc), and moisture frequently leads to skin irritation and breakdown. Flow blockage due to crimping of the catheter or catheter tube is one of the main causes of pooling. The catheter is 1-inch or larger diameter, very thin-walled tubing while the conveyance tube used to transport the urine from the catheter to the storage container is almost always of 0.25–0.31-inch inside diameter, thick-walled (0.06 inch) latex or vinyl polymer tubing. In order to connect the two very different forms of tubing it is therefore necessary to make a gradual reduction in diameter and thickening of the walls resulting in a “funnel-like” shape in the transition zone that will connect to the conveyance tube. In typical current art, the distal discharge end of the sheath catheter is thick-walled (often 0.06 inch), relatively stiff, and somewhat resistant to movements that could otherwise constrict and crimp the tube lumen and, thereby, impede the urine flow. This transition zone has been addressed in various modifications made to the catheter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,324 describes a catheter having a thicker material used at the distal end, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,816 describes multiple convolutions in the tip region of the catheter that allow limited bending at each successive convolution thus affording adequate change in direction. Unfortunately, thick-walled tubing does not lend itself well to comfortable and discreet use.
Another cause for pooling in existent collection devices is their complete dependence on descending (gravity-driven) flow to convey the urine. When the wearer is in a seated position, urine must move along an ascending flow path (i.e., counter to gravity) from the collection point (i.e., the urethral opening) up the leg to the knee as a high point before flowing down to the storage bag which is generally attached to the user's calf. The conveyance tube must remain filled with urine to achieve overflow. Thus, with existent external catheters, such accumulation of urine in the existent art catheter and conveyance tube can be a major problem for a seated user because urine will completely fill the catheter-collector and conveyance tube, with serious risk of leakage and consequent embarrassment in addition to the health effects on skin. With current art devices, this problem can only be alleviated by rising from the seated position periodically to facilitate gravity drainage of the urine being held up in the collection device.
Conveyance Tube Background
Current devices used by ambulatory, incontinent males for collection and storage of their urine almost exclusively employ a length of a generic “laboratory-type” rubber or vinyl polymer tubing to convey the urine from the collection device (usually an external or internal catheter) to the storage bag (usually worn on the leg). The tubing used generally has a ¼- or 5/16-inch internal diameter and a 1/16-inch wall thickness, Tubing of this type depends upon wall rigidity in the radial direction combined with limited longitudinal elasticity (i.e., relative “stiffness”) to prevent the kinking, crimping or other lumen-collapsing actions that can occur during bending and that can seal off the fluid path, effectively stopping urine flow.
Unfortunately, because of the same stiffness property, the tubing does not easily conform to tight bends such as are needed in fitting closely to the human body. Because the tubing does not fit closely to the body, in urine conveyance use, such tubing can be visible beneath clothing, and thus does not lend itself well to discreet use. Some prior art applications have incorporated axial pleats or convolutions into this conventional-wall tubing to aid bending movements in the regions of connection to collectors or storage bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,816 describes a complete urine collection system that includes urine conduit tubing that is circumferentially pleated to enhance flexibility.
Simply substituting a thinner-walled tube for the “standard”-wall version, while possibly providing more flexibility, conformability, and movement, would likely result in significantly poorer performance because such a tube would be much more susceptible to crimping and blockage of periodic, low volume flows such as incontinence leakage.
The simple, open-lumen tube in current urinary incontinence use also has other limitations that can cause problems in liquid drainage under certain conditions. One limitation lies in the open tube's complete reliance on gravitational force to promote drainage. Any open tube may be used as a conduit channel for gravity-driven, descendant fluid flow from a collector source at one level to a receiver at a lower level. However, that same tube will present difficulties in fluid transport situations when the drainage path involves some ascendant flow to a higher point before reverting to descendant flow to a receiving point below the source. For example, for an incontinent user in the seated position, such a flow path would run from the urethral opening up the thigh to the knee (a location that is higher than the urethral opening) prior to flowing down to a storage vessel attached to the lower leg. In order to make the collector-to-storage “system” work as described, the urine must accumulate in sufficient quantity to fill the tube to the highest point before it can overflow down to the storage bag. Such a situation is very likely to lead to significant leakage around the collection device and tube connections. Moreover, such constant exposure to liquid urine is extremely detrimental to the health of the user's urethral tract as well as to the health of the urogenital skin in contact with the urine. To avoid these problems, seated users must rise periodically to facilitate gravity-dependant flow.
A second limitation lies in the potential for gas-bubble blockage. Drainage of liquid such as urine through a single tube lumen into a sealed, non-expandable receptor usually is expected to result in a simultaneous countercurrent flow of displaced air (atmosphere within the tube and connected storage bag) upward within the same tube lumen. The relatively narrow bore size, stiff wall structures, and wetting properties of the tube wall materials often cause conventional elastomeric urine conveyance tubes to be subject to the formation of liquid slugs where portions of the tube lumen become completely filled with urine. These slugs of urine prevent displaced air from rising in the lumen, thus creating a backpressure in the tube and storage container that slows flow into the bag. At the same time, gravitational force acting on the mass of the urine in the one or more slugs in the partially-filled column causes those slugs to be pulled further down the tube, thus creating a slight vacuum in the upper part of the tubing and in the connected collector. The slight vacuum can then result in in-leakage of air through imperfect seals in the collector with consequent formation of air bubbles and still more liquid plugs in the line. To counter this problem, means for venting the drainage tubing have been described, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,795.
Other means of avoiding crimping or kinking of similar tubing products include changing the tubing wall configuration. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,555 and 5,776,115 disclose catheter drainage tubes having protuberances molded into the inner wall to prevent collapse of the tube lumen when the tube is crimped or kinked. Gravity is relied entirely upon for in-situ drainage. Incorporation of a protruding geometry into the inner wall of a tube requires relatively thick walls in order for the molded or extruded wall to maintain shape, and also generally implies that the resultant tube is similar to conventional tubes in terms of rigidity, weight and degree of discomfort in use.
In urinary drainage applications, connections to elastomeric conveyance tubing are generally accomplished utilizing the radial elasticity and the frictional properties of the tubing wall material. The end of the conveyance tube is pushed onto and over the opening of a rigid tube (often called the “tube fitting” or “connector”) which is either a physical part of or connected to the urine collector or storage container. This fitting frequently has raised ridges (appearing on the fitting as a series of “rings” around the rigid tube circumference) and may also have an increasing outside diameter moving away from the opening. Both the ridges and the increasing diameter are intended to improve the frictional grip holding the conveyance tubing onto the fitting. Because of its frictional characteristics, the elastomer material can cause physical discomfort to the wearer during prolonged rubbing contact with the skin.
As noted above, current urine conveyance devices and prior art with few exceptions depend solely upon gravity-induced flow of urine for transfer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,901 describes a urine collection device for females that includes a conveyance tube that may contain some amount of wicking material to conduct the urine away from the collection area. The conveyance tube is of sufficient rigidity to resist crimping or kinking. No mention is made or implied regarding use of the wicking to enable ascendant (counter gravity) pumping of urine or siphoning urine over a hump.
Devices for removal of body and irrigation fluids during and after surgical procedures have made some use of wicking to induce fluid flow. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,966 discloses fluid irrigation drainage using wicking material. In this invention which focuses on aiding surgery on the brain and eye, the wick is placed at the site to be drained in situ, and it draws the fluid into a collection sack that, in turn, is connected via tubing to a disposal bag. U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,307 discloses an eye irrigation system, one component of that is a capillary tube for withdrawing waste solution during active irrigation of the eye. Both patents are focused on the application of capillary-aided and siphon-based fluid movement to effect careful in-situ drainage of delicate regions during surgical procedures, and both reflect the efficacy of the technology when the wicks and tubes have been carefully set in place by skilled practitioners as part of the surgical procedure. However, such processes have not been described for hygiene-related devices intended for use by the patient.
The patents noted herein provide considerable information regarding the developments that have taken place in this field of technology. However, improved means for conveying urine are needed, in particular because none of the prior art meets the objects of providing the following for ambulatory incontinent individuals.
Urine conveyance devices that can be worn unnoticed, thus preserving privacy.
Urine conveyance devices that incorporate separate components within their lumen that will ensure that the lumen cannot be completely sealed by a crimping or kinking action on the conveyance tube.
Urine conveyance devices that will enable ascendant flow of urine thus enabling conveyance of urine to take place while the user is in a seated position.
Urine conveyance devices that will transfer urine by means of a wicking and surface wetting action, thus enabling removal of pools and drops of liquid urine from regions within urine collection and conveyance devices that have components for such wicking or surface wetting deliberately included within them.
For conveying urine from point of collection to point of storage, simple substitution of a thin-walled tube for the thicker-walled ones such as are in current use would likely result in a poorer performance with respect to collapsing and sealing off of periodic, low volume flows such as urine incontinence leakage. Additionally, while any open tube may be used as a conduit channel for gravity-driven fluid flow, in order to provide active fluid transport in circumstances where the fluid path is ascendant to a higher point prior to reaching the descendent path, a simple open tube will not work (for example, when the user is seated, urine flow proceeding from the urethral meatus “up” the thigh to a higher point near the knee and thence flowing “down” to a storage container attached to the lower leg). Different technology is needed to accomplish these ends.
Storage Devices Background
In terms of storing collected urine in liquid form, the most widespread means in current use is a flexible-wall storage container that is connected to the collector via a conveyance tube and either is attached to the user's leg (hence the term, “leg bag”) or is suspended from the waist. Such storage containers are designed to contain up to 450 cc of liquid urine (ca. 1-pint volume or one pound of weight). They are generally made from heavy-gauge film of latex rubber, vinyl, or similar polymer, made with a single storage chamber, and have some type of outlet valve at the bottom of the container for periodically draining the stored urine (e.g. into a toilet). They may also have a valve or inlet control at the conveyance tubing connection. The collected urine accumulates in the container to give a bulging, bulky volume of liquid that moves and sloshes around in response to the motions of the wearer. There are some containers with baffles or other internal attachments between the walls that are intended to limit the wall movement or bulging; however the overall container still bulges. In addition, the containers must be cleaned and disinfected regularly to avoid odor and buildup of microbiological contaminants when they are used for multiple collection cycles. Use patterns and user comments suggest that most containers are discarded after a short use period of 1–2 weeks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,816 describes a typical liquid urine storage container that is hung from the waist, and attached to the leg for stability, as part of a complete urine collection system for males. This container includes a manually operated drain valve to control urine discharge.
Storage devices containing liquid-absorbent materials are found in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,901 discloses a urine collection system that includes a storage pouch container, which may be filled with a wicking material to store the collected urine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,932 discloses a disposable urine-collecting and storage device that incorporates an absorbent packed in cylindrical shapes that are packaged in a box-like container into which the user urinates.
Gel-forming polymeric absorbents are used in some urine-related applications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,116 discloses a urine collection container into which a healthy user may urinate and which contains a polymer to gel the urine. The polymer is initially confined in a teabag-like porous sack that will rupture and release the gel upon being wetted by the urine. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,354,132 and 5,531,724 disclose bodily fluid containment bags that contain gelling materials to absorb bodily fluids, including urine, which the user transfers directly by urinating into the bags. These bags have inlet openings that also act as flapper closure devices to limit expulsion of the contained gelled fluids. The polymer absorbent, present in an amount that is described as capable of becoming fully gelled within 30 seconds and sufficient to essentially sequester the bodily fluids and to prevent them from being expelled from the bag, is placed in the bag without confinement to any area within the bag. Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,724 and related World Intellectual Property Organization # WO97/39705 disclose a fluid containment bag for gelling bodily fluids which has an opening for receiving those fluids from a catheter.
All of these describe the locus of the liquid absorption and gel formation in a single chamber envelope or bag with an inlet and containing gelling agent or absorbent either in a highly-confined mass or in an undefined shape. No provisions are described for deliberate distribution or mixing of the fluid to ensure rapid wetting and gel formation, nor are any provisions made for ensuring a particular shape or form of the absorbed or gelled fluid other than noting the geometrical shape of the envelope or bag. Moreover, placement of unconfined dry solids such as these absorbents in a bag with angular corners often results in accumulation in one corner or along one edge as a result of settling and movement during shipping and handling.
Based on these descriptions, prior art for absorptive gelling and solidification of urine in a storage container does not appear to recognize nor to make provision for “blinding”, a physical characteristic of many chemical absorbents that can have a marked effect on their performance in the management of urine leakage for incontinent individuals. This is especially true for the gel-forming super-absorbent polymers. As absorbents begin to imbibe liquid, ones such as the gelling polymers are converted from solid particles to viscous, rubbery gels that swell as they absorb the liquid, developing an ever-thickening layer of gel that surrounds and coats the mass of as-yet unwetted material contained inside. The result is often seen as lumps or chunks of material, having an outer gel coating and containing much of the unused absorbent trapped inside, in a surrounding volume of unabsorbed liquid. Such partially or incompletely swollen gel materials take up liquid at a much slower rate than the dry materials because absorption of the additional liquid is slowed by a change in liquid absorption mechanism; the liquid being absorbed at a later time must move into the absorbent mass via diffusion, which is a much slower process than the surface absorption process initially operative. As a result, the outer layer of swollen gel absorbent becomes an impediment to rapid absorption of the liquid by the remainder of the unused absorbent, an effect frequently termed “blinding” or “blocking” of the incompletely wetted material. To a lesser extent, the same effect is seen in solid, inorganic water absorbents (such as calcium sulfate salts) which when absorbing water undergo changes in crystal structure while they remain in solid form. Such blinding can seriously delay the overall absorption of a liquid resulting in the inability of a given mass of solid absorbent to completely absorb an expected ratio of liquid, and consequently leaving free liquid remaining present for a much longer time than anticipated.
This blinding problem is common when liquid is added slowly without mixing to a mass of absorbent that is piled or packed in a shape that yields a minimum surface-to-volume ratio. This is just the situation that can occur for a urine-incontinent individual whose urine flow is generally delivered in small volume increments at moderate volumetric flow rates at frequent intervals. The result of the problem as perceived by the user can be a storage container filling with a fluid mixture of liquid urine and lumps of incompletely reacted absorbent which slowly absorb the free liquid urine.
If the solid and free liquid are subject to mixing, such as from mechanical stirring or even from the energy of the new liquid forcefully entering the absorption region, then the effect of blinding can be significantly reduced by the continuous break-up of the bulk of unreacted absorbent that exposes fresh dry surfaces before they become blinded. This is just the situation that occurs in single packages of absorbent materials when used by healthy individuals to collect and contain a full, forceful urination. Thus, the amount of absorbent added to the prior art urine gelling bags and the means of bringing the urine and absorbent together, while potentially sufficient to take up most of the urine from healthy individuals, may not be at all adequate to effectively immobilize the urine collected and confined in a storage container of undefined structure on the leg of an incontinent user.
Based on the above, the prior art absorption systems which are intended for healthy individual users and thus may require their urine flow rate and volume to provide the mixing forces required to ensure good absorption, are inadequate to ensure effective and acceptable performance when used by incontinent persons. The urine collection/disposal devices which are single chambers containing dry absorbents either in confined porous packages or distributed as solids in an undefined distribution such as appear in the prior art are all subject to potential blinding and blocking that will result in unpredictable liquid uptake performance and under-utilization of absorbent.
The prior art approaches that employ a single envelope for all of the absorbent without means to control the end location of gelling absorption process also have no control on the distribution of the gelled solids after absorption of the urine. There are no means to ensure that the gelled solids will not end up mal-distributed with more of the material in one region such as the lower portion of the envelope, thus resulting in a container that is not of uniform shape or thickness and not at all conformable to body contours. Indeed, it may be less conformable than a current liquid leg bag without a gelling compound. A lumpy, non-conforming container may be useful as a one-time urinate-and-discard device, but it will not be acceptable for wearing for a finite time period by an incontinent user. In order to ensure effective performance, urine storage devices for incontinent users require more deliberate and uniform distribution of urine and of the absorbent materials than is disclosed in prior art. Different technology is needed to accomplish these ends.
Current liquid-storage leg bags rely on elasticized straps around the calf or suspension from a waist belt to maintain a desired position on the leg. Putting on these straps is tedious and time consuming. In addition, an improperly fastened leg bag may be more easily dislodged from the secure fastened position with consequent possible urine spillage. From the above, it is clear that the current-art technologies and products available to incontinent individuals who wish to use a system of devices to meet their personal urine management needs are inadequate. Improved means for storing and ultimately disposing of urine are needed.
The patents noted herein provide considerable information regarding the developments that have taken place in this field of technology. However, improved means for conveying urine are needed, in particular because none of the prior art meets the objects of providing the following for ambulatory incontinent individuals.
Urine collection and storage devices that accommodate the problems of ease of application, removal and changing.
Urine conduit devices that can be worn unnoticed, thus preserving privacy.
Urine collection, conveyance and storage devices that offer minimum potential for embarrassing leakage.
Urine storage devices that afford a convenient, discrete, and sanitary means for disposing of collected urine.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a urine management system that is comprised of a collection device, a conveyance tube, and a storage container, that accommodates ambulatory use, and that, in particular, addresses the problem of incontinence, overcoming the above-described limitations and disadvantages of the prior art.
A specific object of the present invention is to provide a urine conveyance tube that is readily adaptable to a range of routine human body motions and that will reliably conduct the flow of urine without blockage due to such motions. This tube connects a urine collection device with a urine storage device.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a urine conveyance tube that, can collapse to a flatter geometry when no fluid urine is in the lumen of the tube, and yet can also easily change in internal shape and dimensions so as to accommodate simultaneous, countercurrent flow of urine and atmospheric gases internal to the urine collection and storage devices.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine conveyance tube whose internal lumen contains along its entire length a separating body that prevents complete blockage of fluid flow due to kinking, crimping, or otherwise collapsing.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine conveyance tube that can, when desirable, accommodate ascending flow of urine, overcoming the force of gravity for a finite distance.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine conveyance tube that will have capability for limiting the growth of microbial organisms in that urine by maintaining antibacterial conditions at one or more locations along the urine flow path within the tube.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a set of one or more devices for connecting this novel urine conveyance tube with novel collection devices and novel storage devices. These connecting devices can be combined with combinations of the novel urine conveyance tube and other urine handling devices to form kits of devices from which various urine management systems for incontinent individuals may be constructed.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide an easy-to-use, secure, minimally protruding and comfortable means to store urine that has been conveyed from urine collection means.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine storage container that is readily adaptable to human body contours and movements, and that will reliably absorb urine conveyed to it, converting the urine to a form in which the urine no longer has liquid-like flow properties.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine storage container that will provide a more uniform weight distribution than current urine storage leg bags. The container may be provided in flattened configuration which expands open only as it fills with urine. The container may be attached around the leg, worn attached and hanging from the waist, or worn attached to clothing.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine storage container that can be shape-fitted around a limb and that can be self-tightening to maintain position as the container fills with urine.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a storage container containing an absorbent or gel-forming polymer that will, when contacted with the conveyed urine, become partially or wholly filled with absorbed or gelled liquid that does not move or flow like a liquid when the container wearer moves.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a storage container that will convey and distribute liquids to be absorbed such as urine by wicking or other distributive means into the immediate vicinity of unused or partially used absorbent material so as to facilitate fluid transfer to the absorbent materials which are intended to absorb that increment of liquid.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a storage container that ill have the capability for limiting the growth of microbial organisms in that urine by maintaining antibacterial conditions at one or more locations along the urine flow path within the storage container.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a single-use storage container that may be made of lightweight materials. Without the need to withstand multiple cycles of cleaning and reuse, the wall structure of the storage container does not need to be especially heavy or rugged. A single-use storage container eliminates cleaning of the storage container and assures cleanliness and freedom from residual urine odor. The storage container may be provided in internally sterile condition, if so desired.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a storage container that, together with its content of absorbed or gelled urine, can be disposed of as sanitary solid waste.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a storage container in which no drain opening for liquids is needed, thus avoiding that significant source of accidental leakage from liquid storage containers.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a storage container that will facilitate absorption of liquids delivered from other storage containers.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a set of one or more devices for connecting this novel urine storage container with currently existent devices for collecting, conveying, and storing urine. These connecting devices can be combined with combinations of this novel urine storage container and existent urine handling devices to form kits of devices from which various urine management systems for incontinent individuals may be constructed.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use, secure, leak-free, minimally visible, and health-promoting urine collection device for human males.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine collection device for human males that is easy to put on and remove, that provides a urine-resistant leak seal, and that will reliably transfer urine emitted from the penile urethral opening to a conveyance device for transfer to storage.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine collection device that will remove residual drops and pools of urine, especially those in contact with the users skin, and will promote the exchange of atmosphere next to the penile skin, thus promoting the health of those skin surfaces.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a urine collection device for human males that can be easily and conveniently applied to the penis.
A yet still further object of the present inventions is to provide a urine collection device for human males that will adhere to the penis in any condition of the organ without the need for adhesives or similar adherent materials.
A yet still further object of the present inventions is to provide a urine collection device for human males that will remove any freestanding pools or drops of urine from the collection device and transport that urine to the conduit tube for removal.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine collection device that will have the capability for limiting the growth of microbial organisms in that urine by maintaining antibacterial conditions at one or more locations along the urine flow path within the collection device.
A yet still further object of the present invention is to provide a set of one or more devices for connecting this novel urine collection device with currently existent devices for conveying and storing urine. The connecting devices can be combined with combinations of this novel urine collection device and the existent urine handling devices to form kits of devices from which various urine management systems for incontinent individuals may be constructed.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a novel urine management system that, in addition to performing its functions of urine collection, conveyance, and storage, will also provide capability to remove residual liquid urine remaining in the collector and conveyance devices after the aforementioned functions are completed.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a novel urine management system that will provide enhanced capability to remove residual liquid urine that is not removed from the collection device and the conveyance device by gravity drainage. Removal of this residual urine will minimize excessive exposure of penis skin to the moisture and decomposition products from this residual urine can result in injury to that skin.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a novel urine management system that will have capability for gathering residual urine and for limiting the growth of microbial organisms in that urine, thereby minimizing the potential for introduction of any system-generated microorganisms into the urinary tract of the user. By facilitating the gathering of isolated pools of residual liquid urine into the wicking, and by maintaining antibacterial conditions at one or more locations along the urine flow path within the management system, both the growth of such infectious agents and transport into the urethral region will be discouraged.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a set of one or more devices for serially-connecting the novel devices for collecting, conveying, and storing urine such that the several contiguous connections of wicking and wetting components are maintained.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male comprising means for collection of urine from a human male comprising proximal and distal ends and outer and inner surfaces; means for storage of urine before disposal of urine comprising proximal and distal ends and outer and inner surfaces; means for conveying urine from the means for collection of urine to means for storage of urine comprising proximal and distal ends and outer and inner surfaces; and means for wicking urine away from a human male wherein the means for wicking moves urine away from a human male through the means for collection and the means for conveyance, and deposits the urine in the means for storage. The system further comprises a first means of connection which connects the means for collection with the means for conveying and which comprises an outer surface and an inner surface; and a second means of connection which connects the means for conveying with the means for storage and which comprises an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the first means of connection is selected from a group consisting of fixed and removable, and the second means of connection is selected from a group consisting of fixed and removable, and wherein the distal end of the means for collection is connected to the proximal end of the means for conveyance through the first means for connection, and the distal end of the means for conveyance is connected to the proximal end of the storage device through the second means for connection. The first means for connection further comprises a collector-conveyance connector; and a conveyance-collector connector; and the second means for connection comprises a storage-conveyance connector; and a conveyance-storage connector, wherein the conveyance-collector connector forms the proximal end of the means for conveyance, the collector-conveyance connector forms the distal end of the means for collection, the conveyance-storage connector forms the distal end of the means for conveyance, and the storage-conveyance connector forms the proximal end of the means for storage.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for wicking comprises a first wicking spacer disposed within the means for collection; and a second wicking spacer disposed within the means for conveying, and a third wicking spacer disposed within the means for storage of the urine; wherein the first wicking spacer piece forms contiguous wicking connections between the first wicking spacer and the second wicking spacer; and the second wicking spacer piece forming contiguous wicking connections between the second wicking spacer and the third wicking spacer, wherein the first wicking spacer, the first wicking spacer piece, the second wicking spacer, the second wicking spacer piece, and the third wicking spacer collectively form a complete wicking path from the means for collection to the means for storage that can transmit urine both anti-gravitationally.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male comprising at least one continuous urine impervious shell disposed on the outer surface of the means for collection, the outer surface of the means for storage, and the outer surface of the means of conveying.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for wicking comprises a material selected from a group consisting of rayon acetate needled felting; single component fibers selected from a group consisting of wool, cotton, rayon, nylon, and polyester; blended fibers selected from a group consisting of wool, cotton, rayon, nylon, and polyester; the single component and the blended fibers fabricated into a form selected from a group consisting of yarns, woven fabrics, mats, and felts; open-cell foamed polymers, elastomers such as polyurethane foams; open-mesh materials such as steel wool; meshes of synthetic polymers such as polypropylene; and flexible solids such as latex.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for collection comprises a means for wicking the urine away from the penis; a thin-wall hollow conduction tube having proximal and distal ends and a cavity sufficiently large to surround the penis; and a compression tube having proximal and distal ends and sufficient size to be disposed around and provide radial compression contact upon the penis at the proximal end of the conduction tube, wherein the means for wicking is disposed within the conduction tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the compression tube for securing a liquid collection device onto the penis of a human male comprises a thin-wall material having exterior and interior surfaces from which the compression tube is constructed; means for expanding the compression tube wherein the means for expanding is attached to the thin-wall material for opening the compression tube to insert the penis; collection device interface; and wherein the compression tube is properly sized to provide an area of radial compression contact on the conduction tube that is sufficient to minimize the slippage of the conduction tube and to seal against leakage of the urine from the means for collection, and further wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the compression tube proximal end is connected to the conduction tube proximal end and is properly sized to provide an area of radial compression contact on the penis that is sufficient to minimize the slippage of the compression tube and to seal against leakage of the urine between the penis and the compression tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the conduction tube comprises a material selected from a group consisting of thin-wall PE “lay-flat” tubing, rubbery polymer, silicone rubber, latex rubber, polyolefin, flexible film material, fabrics, elastic, and elasticized fabric wherein the material is physically flexible, facilitates liquid sealing, and enables frictional stability of the collection device when worn by the human male.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the thin-wall material of the compression tube comprises at least one layer and is selected from a group consisting of woven elastomeric fabric, non-woven elastic fabric, elastic fiber-containing fabric, elastomeric sheeting made from latex rubber, and elastomeric sheeting made from silicone rubber wherein the material is adaptable to waterproof coating and wherein the material, after waterproof coating, can still allow evaporation of water vapor from the penis.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the compression tube distal end is connected to the collection device interface proximal end and the conduction tube proximal end is connected to the collection device interface distal end, the compression tube is properly sized to provide an area of radial compression contact on the penis that is sufficient to minimize the slippage of the compression tube and to seal against leakage of the urine between the penis and the compression tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for expanding the compression tube comprises at least two tube-spreading tools each having at least one leg and at least one tip; and at least two receiving openings disposed upon the perimeter of the thin-wall material for holding in place the tube-spreading tool, wherein the tool-spreading tool tips fit into the receiving openings to be used in opposition for expanding the compression tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the tube-spreading tool tip is long enough to enlarge the entire length of the compression tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the receiving openings have a form selected from a group consisting of one or more recesses along the perimeter of the compression tube and loops of fabric or fiber.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein each the tube-spreading tool is disposed with two handles that are connected to and operate in scissors-like cooperation with the tube-spreading legs in mated pair such that when one the handle is moved towards the other the handle, one the leg moves away from the other the leg.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the tube-spreading tool is an integral part of the compression tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male further comprising a human ale penis tip inserted into the means for collection wherein the first wicking spacer disposed within the means for collection is located between the penis tip and the first means of connection.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for wicking comprises first wicking spacer disposed within the means for collection; second wicking spacer disposed within the means for conveying, third wicking spacer disposed within the means for storage of the urine; first wicking spacer piece forming contiguous wicking connections between the first wicking spacer and the second wicking spacer; and second wicking spacer piece forming contiguous wicking connections between the second wicking spacer and the third wicking spacer, wherein the first wicking spacer, the first wicking spacer piece, the second wicking spacer, the second wicking spacer piece, and the third wicking spacer collectively form a complete wicking path from the means for collection to the means for storage, and further comprising a human male penis tip inserted into the means for collection wherein the first wicking spacer disposed within the means for collection is located between the penis tip and the collector-conveyance connector.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the first wicking spacer comprises a y-shape having a tail and two legs such that the legs of the y-shape lie in proximity to the interior surface of the means for collection.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for collection comprises slitted sheath tube having left and right slit flaps and a tube cavity sufficiently large to surround the penis; means for securing the left slit flap to the right slit flap; and means for wicking the urine away from the penis that is disposed within the slitted sheath tube, wherein the slitted sheath tube is held in place on the penis by the means for securing, and wherein the means for securing the left slit flap to the right slit flap comprises multiple hook-and-loop fasteners or a zip-lock-type fastener.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for collection comprises sheath tube having a tube cavity sufficiently large to surround the penis and an opening radial edge; means for covering the penis with the sheath tube; means for securing the sheath tube to the penis; and means for wicking the urine away from the penis that is disposed within the sheath tube, wherein the sheath tube is held in place on the penis by the means for securing.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for covering the penis, having tip and shaft, with the sheath tube comprises a ring of expandable tubing sized to fit the penis shaft, wherein the ring is fixedly connected to the sheath tube opening radial edge, the sheath tube is rolled upon the expandable tubing, and the sheath is rolled off of the expandable tubing starting from the penis tip and traveling up the penis shaft until the sheath is fully extended, and wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises the ring of expandable tubing.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for covering the penis, having tip and shaft, with the sheath tube comprises a rigid plastic bellows expandable to fit the penis shaft, wherein the bellows is removably connected to the sheath tube opening radial edge, the sheath tube is rolled upon the expandable bellows, the sheath is rolled off of the expandable bellows starting from the penis tip and traveling up the penis shaft until the sheath is fully extended, and the bellows are removed from the sheath tube, and wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for covering the penis, having tip and shaft, with the sheath tube comprises a spring expandable to fit the penis shaft; and a toothed plastic strap disposed within the spring that allows the spring to expand but not contract, wherein the spring/strap combination is removably connected to the sheath tube opening radial edge, the sheath tube is rolled upon the expandable spring/strap, the sheath is rolled off of the expandable spring/strap starting from the penis tip and traveling up the penis shaft until the sheath is fully extended, and the spring/strap is removed from the sheath tube, and further, the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for covering the penis having tip and shaft with the sheath tube comprises a jaw ring expander for extending the sheath the length of the penis shaft comprising hand rest having hand end and ring end wherein a user grasps the hand rest at the hand end; expandable jaw ring having means for connection to the ring end of the hand rest; and lever having means of connection to the hand end of the hand rest, wherein the expandable jaw ring expands when the lever is depressed by the user, the sheath is draped over the expandable jaw ring, the sheath is moved longitudinally up the penis shaft by the expandable jaw ring, the sheath contracts to fit the penis, and the lever is depressed to expand the expandable jaw ring sufficiently to remove the expandable jaw ring from the penis, and further, the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for conveyance comprises waterproof conveyance tube film layer; conveyance tube having an exterior surface upon which the waterproof conveyance tube film layer is disposed and a hollow interior into which the penis is placed; means for wicking the urine through the conveyance tube wherein the means for wicking prevents the interior of the conveyance tube from becoming blocked when crimped or kinked; wherein the means for wicking is disposed within the conveyance tube film layer and the combination of the means for wicking with the film layer is sufficiently flexible to conform to normal bodily movement and position.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for wicking comprises a material, having internal structure and external surface, wherein the internal structure is flexible, of low density so as not to add substantial weight to the conveyance tube, open/porous, and relatively more wettable by water than polyolefins, and wherein the surface is rough.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for wicking is selected from a group consisting of rayon felt having a width from approximately 15 to 50 mm (0.6 to 2 inch) and a thickness from approximately 2.54 to 5.08 mm (0.1 to 0.2 inch); bonded cellulose acetate fiber bundle; nylon mesh; and polyethylene films in 3- to 10-mil thickness.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the waterproof conveyance tube film layer is selected from a group consisting of a wettable material and a material that has been subjected to surface treatments to render that the conveyance tube film layer wettable for holding liquid.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the means for storage comprises means for wicking the urine into and within the means for storage; means for directing the urine into specific parts of the means for storage; means for absorbing the urine within the means for storage; and means for retaining the urine within the means for storage, the means for wicking, the transport channel, the barrier wall, and the urine absorption element are all enclosed in the urine impervious outer walls wherein the outer edges of the urine impervious outer walls are sealed by a means selected from a group consisting of folding, thermal bonding, and adhesive bonding, and further, wherein the means for directing the urine into specific parts of the means for storage comprises barrier walls and compartment-defining lines, and still further, wherein the means for storage comprises straps connected to the means for storage for mounting the means for storage onto the human male.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male further comprising means for mounting the means for storage onto the human male.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein the conveyance tube comprises thin-wall material.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide, in creating an opening for inserting a human male penis into an expandable urine collection tube disposed with receiving openings along the perimeter of the urine collection tube, a method for using a tube-spreading tool having at least two legs each attached to at least one tip comprising inserting the tips of the tube-spreading tool into the receiving openings; applying pressure to the legs to expand the expandable urine collection tube to form a cavity within the urine collection tube; inserting the penis into the cavity; releasing the pressure on the legs wherein the urine collection tube compresses on the penis; and removing the tips of the tube-spreading tool from the receiving openings.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine collection device for collecting urine from the penis of a human male comprising thin-wall hollow conduction tube having proximal and distal ends and a cavity sufficiently large to surround the penis; means for wicking the urine away from the penis that is disposed within the conduction tube; and compression tube having proximal and distal ends and sufficient radial size at the proximal end to be disposed around and provide radial compression contact upon the penis and the proximal end of the conduction tube, and further, wherein the means for wicking is disposed primarily within the distal end of the conduction tube, and still further wherein the compression tube is properly sized to provide radial compression contact on the conduction tube that is sufficient to minimize the slippage of the conduction tube and to seal against leakage of the urine between the penis and the conduction tube, and yet still further, wherein the compression tube distal end is connected to the conduction tube proximal end and is properly sized to provide an area of radial compression contact on the penis that is sufficient to minimize the slippage of the compression tube and to seal against leakage of the urine between the penis and the compression tube, and yet still further, wherein the conduction tube comprises a material selected from a group consisting of thin-wall PE “lay-flat” tubing, rubbery polymer, silicone rubber, latex rubber, polyolefin, flexible film material, fabrics, elastic, and elasticized fabric wherein the material is physically flexible, facilitates liquid sealing, and enables frictional stability of the collection device when worn by the human male, and yet still further, wherein the wicking comprises a material selected from a group consisting of rayon felt, and yet still further, comprising a means for expanding the compression tube comprising at least two tube-spreading tools each having at least one leg and at least one tip; and at least two receiving openings disposed upon the perimeter of the thin-wall material for holding in place the tube-spreading tool, wherein the tool-spreading tool tips fit into the receiving openings to be used in opposition for expanding the compression tube, and yet still further, wherein the tube-spreading tool tip is long enough to enlarge the entire length of the compression tube, and yet still further, wherein the receiving openings have a form selected from a group consisting of one or more recesses along the perimeter of the compression tube and loops of fabric or fiber, and yet still further, wherein each the tube-spreading tool is disposed with two handles that are connected to and operate in scissors-like cooperation with the tube-spreading legs in mated pair such that when one the handle is moved towards the other the handle, one the leg moves away from the other the leg, and yet still further, wherein the tube-spreading tool is an integral part of the compression tube, and yet still further, wherein the first wicking spacer comprises a y-shape having a tail and two legs such that the legs of the y-shape lie in proximity to the interior surface of the conduction tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine collection device for collecting urine from the penis of a human male comprising slitted sheath tube having left and right slit flaps and a tube cavity sufficiently large to surround the penis; means for securing the left slit flap to the right slit flap; and means for wicking the urine away from the penis that is disposed within the slitted sheath tube, wherein the slitted sheath tube is held in place on the penis by the means for securing, and further, wherein the means for securing the left slit flap to the right slit flap comprises multiple hook-and-loop fasteners, and yet further, wherein the means for securing the left slit flap to the right slit flap comprises a zip-lock-type fastener.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine collection device for collecting urine from the penis of a human male comprising sheath tube having a tube cavity sufficiently large to surround the penis and an opening radial edge; means for covering the penis with the sheath tube; means for securing the sheath tube to the penis; and means for wicking the urine away from the penis that is disposed within the sheath tube, wherein the sheath tube is held in place on the penis by the means for securing, and further wherein the means for covering the penis, having tip and shaft, with the sheath tube comprises a ring of expandable tubing sized to fit the penis shaft, wherein the ring is fixedly connected to the sheath tube opening radial edge, the sheath tube is rolled upon the expandable tubing, and the sheath is rolled off of the expandable tubing starting from the penis tip and traveling up the penis shaft until the sheath is fully extended, and further wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises the ring of expandable tubing, and yet further, wherein the means for covering the penis, having tip and shaft, with the sheath tube comprises a rigid plastic bellows expandable to fit the penis shaft, wherein the bellows is removably connected to the sheath tube opening radial edge, the sheath tube is rolled upon the expandable bellows, the sheath is rolled off of the expandable bellows starting from the penis tip and traveling up the penis shaft until the sheath is fully extended, and the bellows are removed from the sheath tube, and yet still further, wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine collection device wherein the means for covering the penis, having tip and shaft, with the sheath tube comprises a spring expandable to fit the penis shaft; and a toothed plastic strap disposed within the spring that allows the spring to expand but not contract, wherein the spring/strap combination is removably connected to the sheath tube opening radial edge, the sheath tube is rolled upon the expandable spring/strap, the sheath is rolled off of the expandable spring/strap starting from the penis tip and traveling up the penis shaft until the sheath is fully extended, and the spring/strap is removed from the sheath tube, and further, wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a urine collection device wherein the means for covering the penis having tip and shaft with the sheath tube comprises a jaw ring expander for extending the sheath the length of the penis shaft comprising hand rest having hand end and ring end wherein a user grasps the hand rest at the hand end; expandable jaw ring having means for connection to the ring end of the hand rest; and lever having means of connection to the hand end of the hand rest, wherein the expandable jaw ring expands when the lever is depressed by the user, the sheath is draped over the expandable jaw ring, the sheath is moved longitudinally up the penis shaft by the expandable jaw ring, the sheath contracts to fit the penis, and the lever is depressed to expand the expandable jaw ring sufficiently to remove the expandable jaw ring from the penis, and further, wherein the means for securing the sheath tube to the penis shaft comprises elastic-like material from which the sheath tube is fabricated.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a compression tube having proximal and distal ends for securing a liquid collection device onto the penis of a human male comprising thin-wall tube having interior and exterior surfaces; means for expansion; and collection device interface, wherein the thin-wall tube surrounds the penis through the means for expansion and secures the collection device onto the penis through the collection device interface, and further, wherein the thin-wall material comprises at least one layer and is selected from a group consisting of woven elastomeric fabric, non-woven elastic fabric, elastic fiber-containing fabric, elastomeric sheeting made from latex rubber, and elastomeric sheeting made from silicone rubber wherein the material is adaptable to waterproof coating and wherein the material, after waterproof coating, can still allow evaporation of water vapor from the penis, and further, wherein the compression tube distal end is connected to the collection device interface proximal end and the conduction tube proximal end is connected to the collection device interface distal end, the compression tube is properly sized to provide an area of radial compression contact on the penis that is sufficient to minimize the slippage of the compression tube and to seal against leakage of the urine between the penis and the compression tube, and yet further, wherein the means for expanding the compression tube comprises at least two tube-spreading tools each having at least one leg and at least one tip; and at least two receiving openings disposed upon the perimeter of the thin-wall material for holding in place the tube-spreading tool, wherein the tool-spreading tool tips fit into the receiving openings to be used in opposition for expanding the compression tube, and yet still further, wherein the tube-spreading tool tip is long enough to enlarge the entire length of the compression tube, and yet still further, wherein the receiving openings have a form selected from a group consisting of one or more recesses along the perimeter of the compression tube and loops of fabric or fiber, and yet still further, wherein each the tube-spreading tool is disposed with two handles that are connected to and operate in scissors-like cooperation with the tube-spreading legs in mated pair such that when one the handle is moved towards the other the handle, one the leg moves away from the other the leg, and yet still further, wherein the tube-spreading tool is an integral part of the compression tube, and yet still further, comprising a human male penis tip inserted into the means for collection wherein the first wicking spacer disposed within the means for collection is located between the penis tip and the first means of connection.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a method for pretreating with rayon felt and liquid cleaner a urine collection tube having an interior surface for collecting urine from human males comprising wetting the rayon felt with the liquid cleaner; wiping the interior surface completely with the wetted rayon felt; and allowing the interior surface to dry for at least one hour at room temperature so that the interior surface enabled the urine collection device to draw the urine away from the point of collection of the human male, and yet further, comprising inflating the urine collection tube with air in order to break the wall-to-wall adhesion of the tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a process for rendering the interior surface of a urine collection tube wettable by water selected from a group consisting of pretreatment by corona discharge, pretreatment by flame, and retreatment by liquid cleaner.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a compression tube, having interior and exterior surfaces, for stabilizing and securing the location of a urine collection tube and liquid sealing the compression tube using liquid rubber cement, spandex fabric, latex rubber, and rayon felt comprising connecting a rectangle of the spandex fabric to itself along its short edges; lightly coating portions of the interior surface of the compression tube with the liquid rubber cement; allowing the interior surface coating to dry; coating the exterior surface of the compression tube with the liquid rubber cement; bonding a sheet of the latex rubber to the exterior surface of the compression tube where the exterior surface was coated with the liquid rubber cement; and attaching a strip of the rayon felt to the interior surface of the compression tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a method for use of a urine collection system for a human penis having a conduction tube having interior and exterior surfaces and a compression tube having interior and exterior surfaces comprising applying friction enhancer coating to portions of the compression tube; applying at least one circumferential ring of fluid impervious coating to the surface of the penis and not coincident with the friction enhancer coating wherein the coating is a material selected from a group consisting of urine resistant cream and urine resistant jelly product; extending the conduction tube proximally along the shaft of the penis; extending the compression tube adjacent to the conduction tube proximally along the shaft of the penis wherein the compression tube overlays the conduction tube for a distance sufficient such that the compression tube is completely underlain by the conduction tube and the compression tube provides compression onto the conduction tube so that both the tube and the tube remain in position on the penis, and further, wherein the friction enhancer coating is latex rubber, and yet further, wherein the fluid impervious coating is a material selected from a group consisting of silicone rubber of low durometer and foamed polymer having elastomeric properties.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a method for use of a urine collection system for a human penis having a conduction tube having interior and exterior surfaces and a compression tube having interior and exterior surfaces and proximal and distal ends comprising attaching the conduction tube to the compression tube forming a conduction tube/compression tube combination; applying friction enhancer coating to portions of the compression tube; applying at least one circumferential ring of fluid impervious coating to the surface of the penis and not coincident with the friction enhancer coating wherein the fluid impervious coating is a material selected from a group consisting of urine resistant cream and urine resistant jelly product; extending the conduction tube/compression tube combination proximally along the shaft of the penis wherein the compression tube provides compression onto the penis so that the conduction tube/compression tube combination remains in position on the penis, and further, wherein the friction enhancer coating is latex rubber, and further, wherein the fluid impervious coating is a material selected from a group consisting of silicone rubber of low durometer and foamed polymer having elastomeric properties, and yet further, comprising enlarging the compression tube to fit over the penis wherein the enlarging step is accomplished by applying outward tension forces to open the compression tube at the proximal end.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a method of use for a system for collecting, conveying through a tube, and storing urine discharged from a human male comprising collecting the urine from incontinence leakage from the human male; conveying the urine through said tube; storing said urine in immobilized form in a means for storage; filling said first means for storage to its capacity; replacing said first means for storage when it has reached said capacity with second means for storage; and disposing of said first means for storage as solid sanitary waste.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a conveyance tube for conveying urine from a human male collection device to a urine storage device comprising a conduction tube having walls of any thickness and an interior cavity within said walls; and wicking spacer disposed within said conduction tube wherein said wicking spacer wicks said urine away from said collection device and prevents said conveyance tube from completely collapsing when said interior cavity is empty, and further, wherein said conduction tube comprises a material having thin walls of varying cross-section selected from a group consisting of rubbery polymer such as silicone rubber, latex rubber, elastic or elasticized fabric coated; polyolefins; latex; and Polymeric film, and further, wherein said wicking spacer comprises knitted nylon, and further, wherein said conduction tube is flat tube when said interior cavity is empty of said urine and inflated when said interior cavity is filled with said urine, and yet further, wherein said wicking spacer is connected to said interior cavity of said conduction tube, and yet still further, wherein said interior cavity of said conduction tube comprises a wettable material.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a means for storage of liquid urine collected through a means for collection from an incontinent and mobile human male comprising storage container for said liquid urine having an outer shell and an inner cavity; and spacer wicking disposed within said storage bag to store said urine within said storage container, and further, wherein said inner cavity of said storage container is divided into areas to facilitate immobilization of said urine within said storage container and is coated with a gel selected from a group consisting of polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid: Na+ salt, polyacrylic acid: Na+ salt on starch, resin fine particles in paper fiber matrix, needled felt pads, absorbent paper towels, and gel resin combined with inorganic absorbent, and yet further, comprising absorbent material disposed within said inner cavity of said storage container selected from a group consisting of super absorbent polymers, cellulose, cellulose-derived materials, and wettable, fiberous materials, and yet still further, comprising a means for distributing said urine throughout said inner cavity of said storage container, and yet still further, comprising a means for attaching said storage container to said human male, and yet still further, wherein said means for attaching said storage container comprises leg straps attached to said outer shell of said storage container for wrapping around the leg of said human male, and yet still further, comprising a means for connecting said storage container to said means for collection, and yet still further, wherein the material of said outer shell of said storage container is selected from a group consisting of thin polymer film and heavy polymer film, and yet still further, wherein said storage container is disposable as sanitary waste.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a system for collecting, conveying, and storing urine discharged from a human male wherein said urine is transported upgradient from said urine collection device through said conveyance tube.
A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a method for use of a human urine management system comprising a urine collection device, a thin-walled flat tube containing wicking and spacers, a means for attaching said tube to said human, a storage container, a means for attaching said storage container to said human, and a means for presenting a fresh storage container, said method comprising attaching said urine collection device to said human; attaching said tube to said urine collection device; attaching said tube to said human via said means for attaching said tube; attaching said storage container to said tube; attaching said storage container to said human via said means for attaching said storage container; depositing urine into said urine collection device; and changing said storage container when said container is full, and yet further, wherein said storage container is disposable, and yet still further, wherein said storage container is reusable.
Additional objects, advantages, and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.