Method and device for removing and collecting urine

• US 5,002,541 A
• Filed: 12/22/1986
• Issued: 03/26/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin & Associates PA
• Original Assignee: Martin & Associates PA
• Inventors: Ten Eyck, Richard E., Conkling, J. Michael, Israel, Gary P., Ediger, Glen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam X.
• Application Number:
  US06/945,844
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 604/317, 604/318, 604/319, 604/320, 604/321, 604/322, 604/323, 604/324, 604/325, 604/326, 604/327, 604/328, 604/329, 604/330, 604/331, 604/349, 128/138 A, 128/760, 128/761, 128/765, 128/766, 4/301, 4/313, 4/314, 4/316, 4/144.1, 4/144.2, 4/144.3, 4/144.4, 4/DIG. 3
• US Class Current: 604/319
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/44 Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge; Portable urination aidsabsorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00; emptying devices for urine bags B65B69/0016; Colostomy devices adhesives for colostomy devices A61L24/00; materials for colostomy devices A61L28/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/451 Genital or anal receptacles A61F5/441, A61F5/442, A61F5/443 take precedence ; other body securing means A61F5/4408; devices for taking faeces samples A61B10/0038; devices for taking urine samples A61B10/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/455 for collecting urine or discharge from female member

Abstract

A device for detecting the presence of urine at the genital region of an individual and removing and storing the urine. The device includes an external urine collecting vessel which is supported at the genital region to contain the urine within the vessel. Liquid sensors are contained within the vessel for detecting the presence of urine and automatically activating a pump to draw the urine through a tubing to a temporary storage chamber. A liquid impermeable liner is place within the collecting vessel for improved hygiene and for directing the urine away from the individual.

Claims

1. A device for use by an individual which removes urine from a genital region of the individual and stores the urine, said device comprising a collecting vessel shaped for external placement at the genital region to catch discharged urine within the vessel, storage means for temporarily storing the urine for subsequent disposal, conduit means connecting the collecting vessel and storage means, and pump means coupled with the conduit means for removing urine from the collecting vessel and transferring it through the conduit means to the storage means, said collecting vessel being shaped to substantially conform to the genital region and including an air permeable and substantially liquid impermeable liner within the vessel for directing urine to the conduit means and away from the individual and for separating the individual from the vessel.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the collecting vessel includes interior ribs to allow air to be drawn through the collecting vessel when the pump means draws urine from the vessel.

3. A method for removing urine from a genital region of an individual and temporarily storing the urine, said method comprising the steps of positioning a urine collection vessel at the genital region with a supporting garment, said vessel substantial conforming to the genital region, coupling the vessel to a pump and a storage chamber, activating the pump when urine is present in the collecting vessel to remove the urine to the storage chamber, and lining the urine collection vessel with an air permeable and substantially liquid impermeable liner prior to positioning the vessel at the genital region to separate the individual from the vessel and to direct urine away from the individual.

4. The method of claim 3, including the steps of:

detecting the presence of urine in the collecting vessel using liquid sensing means located within the vessel; and

automatically activating the pump when the urine is detected.

5. The method of claim 3, including the step of inserting an air permeable pad at a lip of the vessel to allow the flow of air through the vessel when the pump is activated to remove the urine to the storage chamber.

6. In a device for use by an individual which removes urine from a genital region of the individual and stores the urine, said device including a collecting vessel shaped for external placement at the genital region to catch discharged urine within the vessel, storage means for temporarily storing the urine for subsequent disposal, conduit means connecting the collecting vessel and storage means, and pump means coupled with the conduit means for removing urine from the collecting vessel and transferring it through the conduit means to the storage means, wherein the improvement comprises,

an air vent port in communication with said storage means to permit the release of air from the storage means as the air is replaced with the urine, said vent port including a foam pad with a deodorant specific to urine and a covering over the foam pad which is air permeable and liquid impermeable to permit the escape of air but prevent the escape of urine from the storage means.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the covering is spun polypropylene.