1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a urinary collection bag and tubing support system used in combination with a standard, folding wheelchair. The invention is particularly characterized by the construction and attachment of the system's tubing support and collection bag support to the wheelchair so that it can be left in place even when the chair is folded.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
Persons who are unable to control normal bladder functions are typically provided with a urinary catheter which is connected by tubing to a urinary collection bag. In hospital situations, the bag is normally hung from the foot of the patient's bed. However, in many instances, the patient is not entirely bedridden, but may require the assistance of a wheelchair for moving about. Thus, for patients fitted with a urinary catheter, some means must be provided in combination with the wheelchair for retaining the tubing and collection bag in a safe, sanitary and efficient manner.
Consideration of prior art patents reveals that devices for supporting urine collection bags are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,959,386 to Garth discloses a support for suspending bags and drain tubes at the side of a hospital bed. A functionally similar device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,968 to Buono. Yet another bedside hanger construction is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,434 to Garth. Not only do each of these three patents specifically relate to means for hanging a collection bag from a bed, but also a study of the devices as disclosed in the patents confirms that none is particularly suited or intended for use in combination with a wheelchair. For example, none of these three patents disclose any means for retaining the relatively lengthy (usually about four feet) tubing interconnected between the catheter and the collection bag. Obviously, then, if any of these three devices were used in combination with a wheelchair, it probably would be necessary simply to place the tubing in the seat next to the patient. This could easily result in the formation of a kink or tight bend in the tubing, thereby restricting the flow of urine into the collection bag. Furthermore, it apparently would be necessary to suspend the devices taught in these three patents as from the side or arm of the wheelchair. Frankly, such would be relatively dangerous and certainly inconvenient, for the bag could restrict the patient's ability to propel the chair and, in any event, the bag could easily become entangled in the chair's wheel or spokes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,159 to Sieklucki does describe and claim a urinary bag support specifically intended for use in combination with a conventional, foldable wheelchair. According to the disclosure of that patent, a pivoted arm is attached to the wheelchair below its seat. By pivoting the arm toward the rear of the chair, conventional folding of the chair may be accomplished. Without in any way questioning the utility of the device disclosed and claimed in this patent, it is nevertheless apparent that certain problems remain to be solved.
For example, the collection bag and tubing are placed in an envelope behind the patient's legs and under the wheel chair seat. Such placement is undesirable for the following reasons: (1) Obstructed visibility of the collection bag. Nursing personnel are responsible for continuous monitoring of not only the quantity of the catheterized patient's output, but also its quality. Constant visualization of the collection bag is necessary for the prompt detection of reportable abnormalities. It is impossible to monitor either the quantity or quality of the patient's urine when the collection bag is hidden from view within an enclosing envelope situated immediately behind a patient's legs, clothing and lap robe. (2) Inaccessibility. In order to empty the collection bag (done each shift in hospitals to obtain output records), one must first remove the tubing and collection bag from the supporting envelope. One must hold the collection bag and tubing with one hand while manipulating the drain valve with the other. This must be done while working through or around the patient's legs, clothing and lap robe. (3) It is unsafe, in many instances, for hospital personnel. Many catheterized patients are also confused and/or combative. While they would normally be restrained to the wheelchair, their hands and feet would not normally be restrained. Emptying of the collection bag cannot be accomplished with safety when it must be done within easy reach of the unrestrained hands and feet of confused and/or combative patients. Further problems are apparent in that placement of the tubing within the supporting envelope on top of the collection bag and under the securing top strap of the supporting envelope would require sharp bending of the tubing. Sharp bending of the tubing would restrict or stop the flow of urine to the collection bag and could result in patient discomfort or injury. Another problem is that the pivoting arm used to suspend the support envelope must be manually engaged with a receiving support bracket with each unfolding of the wheelchair and must be manually disengaged and pivoted rearward to accomplish refolding of the wheelchair. In hospitals, wheelchairs are routinely folded when not in use to comply with fire regulations that require unobstructed entry and exit ways. Manual manipulation of the pivoting arm with each folding and unfolding of the wheelchair is undesirable in that it increases the work load of hospital personnel.
It is therefore clear that there is a great need in the art for simple yet reliable means of supporting not only a urinary collection bag but also the associated tubing on a folding wheelchair in a manner that will not obstruct fluid flow through the tubing and into the bag, in a manner that will permit ready access to the bag, in a manner that will permit visibility of the collection bag's contents by nursing personnel, and in a manner that would permit the chair to be folded without necessarily having to remove the collection bag support system therefrom.