DETECTOR DEVICE FOR DETECTING UNINTENTIONAL URINATION

• US 3,809,078 A
• Filed: 07/20/1972
• Issued: 05/07/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alexander Mozes
• Original Assignee: Alexander Mozes
• Inventors: Mozes, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, Charles F.
• Application Number:
  US05/273,443
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2,2.1,138,294,295
• US Class Current: 128/886
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/48 Devices for preventing wetting or pollution of the bed

Abstract

Devices for detecting unintentional urination are well known. However, they have generally employed complex detector electrode means. The detector electrode means of the present invention is extremely simple, employing a narrow strip of plastic material with electrodes woven through the body of the strip and extending outwardly from the strip in spaced relationship over a predetermined length of the strip spaced inwardly from the end of the strip. The electrodes are covered by a water pervious cover. The cover serves to act as a barrier between the metal electrodes and the wearer. The cover may be in the form of a disposable paper sleeve.

Claims

1. In a device for detecting and signalling unintentional urination, the improvement of detector means suitable for use within a water pervious cover, a detector means comprising a narrow strip of a flexible, electrically insulating, plastic material having an inner face and an outer face and a pair of metal electrodes mounted on and exposed at said inner face in a spaced relationship and exposed thereon such that in use the unintentional release of urine will complete the detector circuit of the electrodes.

2. In a device for detecting and signalling unintentional urination, the improvement of a detector means and a disposable cover for said detector means, said detector means comprising a narrow strip of a flexible, electrically insulating, plastic material having an inner face and an outer face and a pair of metal electrodes mounted on and exposed at said inner face in a spaced relationship and exposed thereon, said cover means consisting of a disposable sleeve of moisture absorbent material having a passage therein adapted to receive said strip such that said sleeve forms a barrier between the electrodes and the wearer which when wet serves to complete the detector circuit of the electrodes.

3. In a device for detecting and signalling unintentional urination, the improvement of the waistband adapted to be worn by a patient and a detector means consisting of a narrow strip of a flexible, electrically insulating, plastic material having an inner face and an outer face, one end of said strip being permanently secured to said waistband and the other end of said strip being adapted to be secured to said waistband in a spaced relationship with respect to said one end whereby a portion of said strip may be located in the vicinity of the urine outlet of a patient in use, a pair of wire electrodes mounted on and exposed at the inner face of said strip in a spaced relationship in said portion of said strip which is to be located in the vicinity of the urine outlet of the wearer, said electrodes being embedded in and electrically insulated by said strip between said one end thereof and said exposed portion, and a disposable sleeve of moisture absorbent material having a passage therein receiving said strip such that said sleeve forms a barrier between said electrodes and said patient which when moistened by unintentional urination will complete the detector circuit of the electrodes and means for connecting said detector to a source of electrical power and a signalling device as required in use.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said metal electrodes are made from wire which is woven to and fro through the thickness of said strip so as to be exposed on said inner and outer faces.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strip has a width in the range of .25 inches to 1.5 inches.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plastic strip is made from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of polyethylene, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cover is made from a moisture absorbing paper.

8. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said metal electrodes are made from wire which is woven to and fro through the thickness of said strip so as to be exposed on said inner and outer faces.

9. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said metal electrodes are made from wire which is woven to and fro through the thickness of said strip so as to be exposed on said inner and outer faces.