Urine collection system

• US 6,296,627 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwards, Richard L.
• Original Assignee: Edwards, Richard L.
• Inventors: Edwards, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOGART, MICHAEL G
• Application Number:
  US09/434,887
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 604/322-324, 604/326, 604/327, 604/331, 604/335, 604/345-347, 604/349-351, 604/353
• US Class Current: 604/347
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/453 for collecting urine or other discharge from male member A61F6/04 takes precedence ; devices for taking sperm samples A61B10/0058

Abstract

A urine collection system for use by a person using a float tube comprises a flexible pouch housing a urine collection reservoir in fluid communication with the person. The pouch defines first and second openings, one for receiving a tube connected to the urine collection reservoir that is coupled to the user with a condom catheter and a second for receiving a drainage valve for conveniently emptying urine from the reservoir. A unidirectional valve is associated with the tube for preventing urine from exiting the reservoir while allowing urine to freely enter the reservoir. The pouch is preferably placed outside the float tube at or above the water level so that water pressure does not affect the operation of the urine collection system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving and containing urine configured for use by a person using a float tube, comprising:

a substantially flexible housing comprised of a first panel having an outer perimeter, a distal end and a proximal end, a second panel having an outer perimeter, a distal end and a proximal end, said first and second panels secured relative to one another along a substantial portion of said outer perimeters and defining a first opening at said distal ends and defining a second opening at a proximal end thereof, said first panel defining a third opening extending across a portion thereof;

a fastening device secured to said first panel proximate said third opening configured for selective opening and closing of said third opening;

a urine collection bag having a distal end and a proximal end positioned within said housing;

a first valve secured to said distal end of said bag and extending at least partially through said first opening;

a tube having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said tube in fluid communication with and secured to a proximal end of said bag;

a second valve attached to said bag and in fluid communication with said tube for substantially preventing fluid in said bag from entering said tube while allowing fluid in said tube to enter said bag;

a urine receptacle secured to said proximal end of said tube configured to be coupling to a user for receiving urine of the user; and

an attachment device secured to said housing for securing said housing to the gear of the user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fastening device is positioned proximate an upper portion of said first panel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first opening is positioned proximate the center of said proximal ends of said first and second panels.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second opening is positioned proximate the center of said distal ends of said first and second panels.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is comprised of an opaque nylon fabric.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first valve is comprised of an externally threaded tubular member and an internally threaded cap member threadedly engageable with said externally threaded tubular member, said cap member defining a longitudinally extending bore therethrough and including a sealing member positioned within and attached to said cap member, whereby rotation of said cap member relative to said tubular member in a direction that moves said sealing member into engagement with a distal end of said tubular member closes said first valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cap member includes an internal abutment ring positioned therein for engaging with an external abutment ring around said tubular member to prevent said cap member from being removed from said tubular member upon rotation of said cap member in a direction that disengages said sealing member from said distal end of said tubular member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second valve is comprised of an elongate, flexible, flattened tubular member disposed within said bag having a first end in fluid communication with said tube and a second end that encouraged to close when positive pressure is placed on the bag.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tube is provided with a first lure lock connection at said distal end of said tube for removable attachment to said second valve and a second lure lock connection at said proximal end of said tube for removable attachment to said urine receptacle.

10. An apparatus for collecting urine of a person using a float tube, comprising:

a pouch defining a first opening and a second opening;

a urine collection reservoir positioned within said pouch;

a unidirectional valve associated with said first opening, in fluid communication with said reservoir, and configured for allowing urine to enter said reservoir but substantially preventing urine from escaping from said reservoir;

a manually operable valve extending through said second opening and in fluid communication with said reservoir for selectively allowing urine contained within said reservoir to be drained therefrom;

a condom catheter; and

an elongate tube having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to and in fluid communication with said unidirectional valve and said second end connected to and in fluid communication with said condom catheter.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further including an securing device attached to said pouch for attaching said pouch to a float tube.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said manually operable valve is comprised of an externally threaded tubular member and an internally threaded cap/member threadedly engageable with said externally threaded tubular member, said cap member defining a longitudinally extending bore therethrough and including a sealing member positioned within and attached to said cap member by a plurality of fins, whereby rotation of said cap member relative to said tubular member in a direction that moves said sealing member into engagement with a distal end of said tubular member closes said first valve.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said cap member includes an internal abutment circumscribing said bore for engaging with an external abutment ring extending around said tubular member to prevent said cap member from being removed from said tubular member upon rotation of said cap member in a direction that disengages said sealing member from said distal end of said tubular member.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said unidirectional valve is comprised of an elongate, flexible, flattened tubular member disposed within said bag having a first end in fluid communication with said tube and a second end that encouraged to close when positive pressure is placed on the bag.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said tube is provided with a first lure lock connection at said distal end of said tube for removable attachment to said second valve and a second lure lock connection at said proximal end of said tube for removable attachment to said urine receptacle.