Liquid removal system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A liquid removal system comprising:
- a) an interface device, said interface device comprising an entrance zone and a second zone and having a porous membrane separating said entrance zone from said second zone, said second zone having a vacuum source connected thereto by means of a drain tube;
said porous membrane being capable of maintaining a vacuum in said second zone without permitting air from said entrance zone to pass through said membrane into said second zone when said membrane has been wetted with a first liquid;
said vacuum being maintained until said membrane is contacted with a second liquid;
and wherein said second liquid upon entering said entrance zone and contacting said porous membrane is removed from said entrance zone by said vacuum in said second zone by passing through said porous membrane into said second zone.
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Abstract
The liquid removal system of the present invention is designed to permit efficient liquid removal as needed through the use of an interface device. The interface device is provided with a membrane which has and is capable of maintaining a vacuum on one side so that when liquid contacts the opposite side of the membrane the liquid passes through the membrane and is removed from the interface device by a maintained vacuum to a receptacle for disposal. When used as a female external catheter system, the present invention is designed to remove urine from incontinent female hospital and nursing home patients and even patients under home care.
450 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A liquid removal system comprising:
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a) an interface device, said interface device comprising an entrance zone and a second zone and having a porous membrane separating said entrance zone from said second zone, said second zone having a vacuum source connected thereto by means of a drain tube; said porous membrane being capable of maintaining a vacuum in said second zone without permitting air from said entrance zone to pass through said membrane into said second zone when said membrane has been wetted with a first liquid;
said vacuum being maintained until said membrane is contacted with a second liquid;and wherein said second liquid upon entering said entrance zone and contacting said porous membrane is removed from said entrance zone by said vacuum in said second zone by passing through said porous membrane into said second zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of removing liquid comprising:
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contacting a first liquid with an interface device, said interface device comprising a first zone and a second zone and having a porous membrane separating said first zone from said second zone, said second zone having a vacuum source connected thereto be means of a drain tube;
said porous membrane having been wetted with a second liquid prior to the contacting of the first liquid with the interface device whereby a vacuum is maintained in said second zone without permitting air from said first zone to pass through said porous membrane;passing said first liquid into said first zone of said interface device; contacting said porous membrane with said first liquid; passing said first liquid through said porous membrane into said second zone, such that said first liquid is removed from said first zone; said porous membrane retaining liquid therein after said first liquid passes through said porous membrane such that said porous membrane remains capable of maintaining a vacuum in said second zone, without permitting air to enter said second zone through said porous member.
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26. A system for removing liquid comprising;
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a) a liquid contacting means, said means having a first zone and a second zone and having a porous membrane between said first and second zones, said membrane being capable of maintaining a vacuum in said second zone without permitting air from said first zone to pass through said membrane when said membrane has been wetted with a first liquid; b) a means for maintaining a vacuum in the second zone of said liquid contacting means so that upon a second liquid contacting said porous membrane said vacuum causes said second liquid to pass through said porous membrane and be removed from said first zone. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification