Apparatus for fluid collection

• US 8,308,705 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Yao, Nan-Kuang, Lin, Zhan-Sheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapman, Ginger T
• Application Number:
  US12/488,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20100160881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 604/327, 604/307, 604/308, 604/318, 604/315, 604/304, 604/305, 602/47, 602/56, 602/900
• US Class Current: 604/327
• 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: A61M 1/64 Containers with integrated suction means containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/69 Drainage containers not being adapted for subjection to vacuum, e.g. bags devices worn by the patient for reception of urine A61F5/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/80 Suction pumps A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/982 with means for detecting level of collected exudate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/984 portable on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body

Abstract

An apparatus for fluid collection is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, composed of a plurality of unit cells, each being made of an absorbent polymer composite; and a bag, for receiving the frame while being connected to a conduit provided for enabling a fluid to flow in and out the bag therethrough.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fluid collection, comprising:

a frame, composed of a plurality of coplanar-disposed unit cells, each being made of an absorbent polymer composite and formed with at least a penetrating hole for consequently enabling the frame to have a plurality of holes; and

a bag, for receiving the frame while connected to a conduit provided for a fluid to flow in and out the bag therethrough;

wherein the plural unit cells are coplanar-disposed on a configuration plane while enabling the two neighboring sides of any two neighboring unit cells to be formed with irregular fringes that can be mated with each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each unit cell is made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural unit cells are interconnected with each other by the use of at least a connector.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plural unit cells are coplanar-disposed on a configuration plane and accordingly the at least one connector is disposed on the same configuration plane for enabling the sides of the plural unit cells corresponding to the at least one connector to be interconnected with each other while leaving the other sides thereof opposite to the at least one connector to be disconnected.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plural unit cells are coplanar-disposed on a configuration plane and accordingly the at least one connector is disposed in a manner selected from the group consisting of:

it is sandwiched between any two neighboring unit cells at a position about the centers of two; and

it is sandwiched between any two neighboring unit cells at a position about the bottoms of two.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the unit cells and the connector are integrally formed.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the connector is made from an object selected from the group consisting of:

an adhesive film and an adhesive tape.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each connector is a pivotal connecting mechanism.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each pivotal connecting mechanism, being formed on the two neighboring sides of any two neighboring unit cells, includes a convex arc-shaped fringe formed on one of the two neighboring sides and a concave arc-shaped fringe formed on another side that are capable of mating with each other for enabling the two neighboring unit cells to pivot thereby.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural holes of the frame are arranged as an array.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural holes of the frame are formed of the same shape.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each irregular fringe is a wave-shaped fringe.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural unit cells are arranged in an inverted U-shaped formation.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag is further connected to an exhaust tube provided for any gases in the bag to be exhausted therefrom.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit is connected to a pump while the pump is further connected to a reservoir containing a liquid;

thereby, the liquid is withdrawn from the reservoir by the action of the pump and then fed into the bag through the conduit where it is absorbed by the frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag is configured with a window made of a waterproof, ventilative material.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag is made of a waterproof, flexible material with a specific degree of transparency.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the bag is made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plural unit cells are shaped different from one another.

20. An apparatus for fluid collection, comprising:

a frame, composed of a plurality of coplanar-disposed unit cells, each being made of an absorbent polymer composite and formed with at least a penetrating hole for consequently enabling the frame to have a plurality of holes; and

a bag, for receiving the frame while connected to a conduit provided for a fluid to flow in and out the bag therethrough;

wherein the plural unit cells are interconnected with each other by the use of at least a pivotal connecting mechanism, and each pivotal connecting mechanism, being formed on the two neighboring sides of any two neighboring unit cells, includes a convex arc-shaped fringe formed on one of the two neighboring sides and a concave arc-shaped fringe formed on another side that are capable of mating with each other for enabling the two neighboring unit cells to pivot thereby.

21. An apparatus for fluid collection, comprising:

a frame, composed of a plurality of coplanar-disposed unit cells, each being made of an absorbent polymer composite and formed with at least a penetrating hole for consequently enabling the frame to have a plurality of holes; and

a bag, for receiving the frame while connected to a conduit provided for a fluid to flow in and out the bag therethrough;

wherein the plural unit cells are arranged in an inverted U-shaped formation.

22. An apparatus for fluid collection, comprising:

a frame, composed of a plurality of coplanar-disposed unit cells, each being made of an absorbent polymer composite and formed with at least a penetrating hole for consequently enabling the frame to have a plurality of holes; and

a bag, for receiving the frame while connected to a conduit provided for a fluid to flow in and out the bag therethrough;

wherein the plural unit cells are shaped different from one another.