INCONTINENCE APPLIANCE FOR MEN

Abstract: An incontinence appliance for a man consists of a pouch (1) which is made of a water-impermeable material and is lined with a layer of absorbent material (3). The layer of absorbent material (3) is in a form of a segment of such a size and shape that the entire inner surface of the pouch is covered by the layer of absorbent material (3). The only means of attachment of the layer of absorbent material (3) is at the free end of the pouch (1) by stitching (4), around the periphery of the pouch aperture. This arrangement thereby allows the layer of absorbent material (3) to be pulled out from the pouch (3) through the aperture. The pouch is adapted to fit loosely around the penis. In an alternative design (Figure 4 and 5 not shown), the pouch is designed such that it can retain both the penis and scrotum comfortably and a stretchable material around the periphery of the pouch aperture helps to retain it between the contraction of the scrotum and the wearer's body.

Description: INCOt.TI_.ENCE APPLIANCE FOR MEN This application relates to incontinence appliances for men and is intended to provide an appliance which is washable and therefore re¬ usable. Such an appliance would be particularly useful for men who suffer from "post-micturition dribble", ie who leak small quantities of urine after voiding. Many elderly men,, particularly those with prostate problems, suffer from this, and although there are several so-called "dribble pouches" on the market, most of them, or the absorbent pads inserted in them, have to be thrown away after use. Although not expen- sive individually, a man might need 2 or 3 every day and the total cost would be considerable for someone living on a low income. Another appliance presently available consists of an impermeable pouch having a sewn-in absorbent lining. This is washable and hence re¬ usable, but suffers from the disadvantage that the lining is at all times held in loose contact with the interior surface of the pouch. It is therefore not possible to gain access to both faces of either the lining or the pouch for washing, and the time needed for drying is in¬ ordinately long for the amouunt of moisture to be removed. The present invention meets the same requirements as the dribble pouches referred to above, in that it is capable of holding 50ml or so of urine. It is designed however to provide ready access to all the material surfaces, giving a more hygenic product which can be dried 'more quickly than other devices. This invention therefore consists of an incontinence appliance for men comprising a pouch made of a water-impermeable material lined with a layer of absorbent material, the said layer of absorbent material being in the form of a segment of such a size and shape as to cover sub¬ stantially the entire inner surface of the pouch when folded into place, and whose sole means of attachment to the said water-impermeable material of the pouch is around the periphery of it s aperture. By this con¬ struction, the lining may be pulled out from within the pouch to be washed and dried before being re-inserted into the pouch for further use. In one embodiment, the dribble pouch is adapted to fit loosely round the penis and held in position by stretch pants, for example. In a further embodiment, the dribble pouch is adapted to loosely enclose the penis and the scrotum, and the aperture of the pouch adapted to loosely fit around the contraction of the scrotum adjacent the wearer's body By way of example, one embodiment of the invention will now be des¬ cribed with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an appliance constructed in accordance with the invention and ready for use, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same appliance whose lining has been pulled out for washing and drying, Figure 3 is a section view taken at X-X on Figure 1, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further design in accordance with the invention, and Figure 5 is a section view taken at Y-Y on Figure 4. With reference to Figure 1, the appliance consists of a shaped pouch made * from a sheet of plastic, polyurethane-backed nylon fabric welded along the line marked 2 to form the appropriate shape. A lining for the pouch is formed from a sheet 3 of absorbent nylon- faced rayon, better seen when opened out (see Figure 2) . The lining and pouch are stitched together around the opening of the pouch: the lining is placed in position inside the pouch, the free edge of the pouch material is turned inwards over the edge of the lining and the stitching -4 is passed through a layer of lining sandwiched between layers of waterproof material. In this way, external loose edges of material are avoided and wearer discomfort and any tendency to fray are reduced. The lining material has no further means of attachment to the pouch; provided the lining is of the correct shape, opposite sides 5 and 6 of the opened-out sheet of lining material will lie in close abutment when in place inside the pouch. The comfort and absorptive capability are not affected by any small gaps between the abutting sides and washing and drying of the appliance are much easier since, as strøwn in Figure 2, all of the pouch and lining material is readily accessible when the lining is pulled out from within the pouch through the aperture. An alternative to the above described design is shown in Figure 4, where both the penis and the scrotum of the wearer can be retained com¬ fortably in the pouch 7. With reference to Figure 4, the appliance and materials used are similar to those used in the embodiment of Figure 1 except that the pouch 7 and the lining material 8 are shaped such that they can accomodate both the penis and scrotum. There is also a stretchable material, such as, for example, a form of an elastic band, introduced around the periphery of the pouch aperture, better seen on Figure 5, the use of which will become more apparent later in the description. Stitching 10 of the pouch 7, the lining 8 and the stretchable material 9 can be better seen in Figure 5. The lining 8 is placed in position inside the pouch 7, the stretchable material 9 is then held . adjacent the edge of the lining 8, and the free end of the pouch material is turned inwardly over the edge of the lining and the elastic member 9, but extended beyond the stretchable material 9. The stitching 10 is then passed through a layer of lining sandwiched between the pouch material such that the stretchable material 9-and the edge of the lining are en¬ closed by the layers of pouch material and the stitching. In use, the stretchable material 9 allows the wearer to increase the diameter of the pouch aperture, so that he can position it comfortably over the penis and the scrotum. The stretchable material 9 then loosely retains the pouch in position around the contraction of the scrotum adjacent the wearer's body. It should be understood that the length of stretchable material 9 used around the aperture should be such that the wear feels comfortable during use. it will also be clear to those skilled in the art that many alter¬ native methods could be adapted instead of using elastic material, for retaining or increasing the diameter of the pouch aperture. For example, a cord with free end extending from aperture, may also be used in well known manner. it is also possible that for appliance according to the invention, an additional form of lining material in the pouch could result in even further comfort for the wearer. A layer of permeable hydrophobic material such as, for example, polyester/viscous layer on the existing lining for the pouch and forming a first layer closest to the wearer's body, would allow the urine to pass quickly through and away from the wearer into the lower lining of the pouch. This layer could either be stitched or quilted to the lining for the pouch before it is cut to shape. It will also be clear to those skilled in the art that many alter¬ native materials may be used in the construction of the appliance. The nature and thickness of the impervious material of the pouch is necessarily a compromise between durability and suppleness, whilst the material of the lining is chosed to provide an optimum balance between high absorbency or ease of wetting, and ease of drying following laundering. Cotton polyester towelling, for example, may also be used effectively for the lining.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An incontinence appliance for a man comprising a pouch made of a water-impermeable material lined with a lay of absorbent material, the layer of absorbent material being in the form of a segment of such a size and shape as to cover substantially the entire inner surface of the pouch when folded into place, and whose sole means of attachment to the water-impeameable material of the pouch is around the periphery of its aperture. 2. An incontinence appliance as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the layer of absorbent material may be pulled out from within the pouch through the aperture. 3. An incontinence appliance as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the free end of the pouch is turned inwardly over the free end of the layer of absorbent material and stitching is passed through the layer of absorbent material and through the -layers of the water impermeable material. 4. An incontinence appliance as claimed in any one of Claims 1-3 wherein the water-impermeable material is a sheet of plastic polyurethane-backed nylon fabric. 5. An incontinence appliance as claimed in any one of Claims 1-4 wherein the- layer of absorbent material is a nylon-faced rayon. 6. An incontinence appliance as claimed in any one of Claims 1-4 wherein the layer of absorbent material is a cotton-polyester towelling. 7. An incontinence appliance as claimed to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pouch is adapted to loosely fit around the penis. 8. An incontinence appliance as claimed in any one of Claims 1-6 wherein - a stretchable material in a form of a band is placed in parallel with the free end of the layer of absorbent material, so that the aperture of the pouch can be expanded for retention of the penis and the scrotum. 9. An incontence appliance as claimed in Claim 8 where the stretchable material is elastic. 10. An incontinence appliance as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the aperture of the pouch is loosely retained in a postion around the contraction of the scrotum adjacent the wearer's body. 11. An incontience appliance as claimed to any one of the preceding claims wherein the layer of absorbent material has an additional layer of sewn- in permeable hydrophobic material. 12. An incontinence appliance as claimed in Claim 11 wherein the additional layer is of polyester/viscous material. 13. An incontinence appliance as claimed in Claims 11 or 12 wherein the additional layer is the first layer exposed to the wearer. 14. An incontinence appliance substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: COTTENDEN ALAN MICHAEL, COTTENDEN, ALAN, MICHAEL
Applicants: SECR SOCIAL SERVICE BRIT, THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5, A61F13