Abstract:
A portable urine collection device having a closed loop system that is easily usable by a patient. The urine collection device includes a urine collection receptacle for receiving a fluid from a patient. The urine collection receptacle may be coupled to a reservoir with a conduit. The reservoir may be a disposable plastic bag having markings for determining the amount of urine contained in the bag. The urine collection receptacle may have multiple configurations and may be configured to receive urine from a female or male human being, or both. The urine collection device may also include a pump for pumping urine from the urine collection receptacle to the reservoir without components of the pump contacting the urine being pumped.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention is directed generally to urine collection devices, and more particularly, to portable urine collection devices for collecting urine from incapacitated patients who are unable to use conventional facilities.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Removal of urine from incapacitated humans has been undertaken using a variety of devices and methods with mixed amounts of success. For instance, diapers have been used to remove urine from patients. While diapers collect most of the urine produced by a patient, diapers leak, which can cause rashes on patients. In addition, diapers must be changed to function adequately. Otherwise, urine may leak from the diaper. For at least these reasons, diapers are not the most desirable choice of devices for collecting urine from a patient.  
           [0003]    Another device commonly used to collect urine from incapacitated patients who are unable to use conventional toilets is a bedpan. Bedpans have been used successfully but produce undesirable odors and are, at times, unsightly. In addition, bedpans often require the assistance of a nurse to use. While a nurse is respectful of a patient&#39;s privacy, nurses often make patients uncomfortable. Use of bedpans is also limited to use with beds that are adapted for their use. Thus, bedpans are not portable and are not capable of being used in a variety of locations.  
           [0004]    Catheters are also commonly used to remove urine from men. Catheters are typically composed of small diameter tubing that is placed inside the urethra of a patient. While catheters are efficient at removing urine from men, catheters often causes a high amount of infection. Thus, a need exists for removing urine from men without causing infection.  
           [0005]    Still another class of devices that has been developed more recently are urine suction devices. Urine suction devices transport urine from a patient to a collection device using pumps, gravity and other forces. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,339 is directed to a suction collector that receives urine in a well through a flexible urine collection conduit. The suction collector includes a vacuum for transporting urine from a patient to a well. The suction collector is operable once a urine collection receptacle is sealed against a patient&#39;s skin surface and the pump is actuated. While the suction collector has overcome some of the disadvantages of the diaper and the bedpan, the suction collector is not without its inconveniences.  
           [0006]    Thus, a need exists for a portable urine collector that is easy to use by incapacitated patients.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    This invention is a urine collection device for collecting urine from patients who may be incapacitated and unable to used conventional toilets. The urine collection device may include a urine collection receptacle configured to receive urine from a patient. The urine collection device may be configured differently for male and female users. The urine collection receptacle may be coupled to a reservoir using a conduit. A check valve may be positioned along the conduit proximate to the collection receptacle to preventing urine from flowing back into the collection receptacle. The reservoir may be portable and releasably coupled to the conduit between the urine collection receptacle and the reservoir. The urine collection device may also include a pump coupled to the conduit for pumping urine from the urine collection receptacle to the reservoir. The pump may be capable of pumping urine without contacting the urine while the pump is in contact with a portion of the conduit between the urine collection receptacle and the reservoir. In one embodiment, the pump is a peristaltic pump.  
           [0008]    The urine collection device may include a stand for supporting the reservoir, the pump, and the conduit. The stand may be portable and include a plurality of wheels for moving the stand. The stand may include a container that is releasably coupled to the stand for supporting the reservoir. The stand may also include a towelette dispenser for storing sanitary cleansing products.  
           [0009]    The urine collection device may include support device for supporting the urine collection receptacle when the urine collection receptacle is not in use. An on/off switch may be coupled to the support device for controlling the pump. The on/off switch may be configured so that the pump is turned on when the urine collection receptacle is removed from the support device, and the pump is turned off when the urine collection receptacle is hung on the support device.  
           [0010]    An advantage of this invention is that the urine collection device is portable and enables patients to urinate in any location with comfort and without the assistance of a nurse.  
           [0011]    Another advantage of this invention is that the urine collection device is operable by simply lifting a urine collection receptacle from a support device and urinating in the urine collection receptacle.  
           [0012]    Yet another advantage of this invention is that the urine collection device is a closed system wherein every portion of the urine collection device that contacts urine may be easily removed from the device and disposed. Thus, this system is easy to clean.  
           [0013]    Still another advantage of this invention is that the reservoir is marked to indicate the volume of urine contained in the reservoir for analytical purposes.  
           [0014]    Another advantage of this invention is that the urine collection device includes a unisex version of the urine collection receptacle.  
           [0015]    Yet another advantage of this invention is that the urine collection device prevents urine from flowing backwards through the conduit back into the urine collection receptacle after urine has entered the conduit.  
           [0016]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after review of the following drawings and detailed description of the disclosed embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a urine collection device.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of unisex version of a urine collection receptacle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    As shown in FIG. 1, this invention is a urine collection device  10  for collecting urine from patients. Urine collection device  10  may be used to collect urine from humans and animals alike. More specifically, urine collection device  10  may be used to collect urine from bedridden patients, patients who are incapacitated and unable to use conventional toilets, and others. Urine collection device  10  may also be used to collect urine from patients in various positions, such as, but not limited to, a seated position, a standing position, a prostrate position, and other positions.  
         [0021]    In one embodiment, urine collection device  10  includes one or more urine collection receptacles  12  for receiving urine from a patient. Urine collection receptacle  12  is configured so that a patient may urinate into the urine collection receptacle  12  without assistance from a nurse or other assistant. Urine collection receptacle  12  may be configured in male and female versions or in a unisex version configured to be used by both sexes. A male version  14 , as shown in FIG. 1, may be a cylinder  16  have an opening  18  configured to receive a male human penis. Opening  18  may include a flexible perimeter  22  coupled to opening  18  to decrease the risk of injury to a patient caused by use of the urine collection receptacle. Male version  14  is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. Instead, male version  14  may have configurations other than the embodiment shown.  
         [0022]    A unisex version  24  of the urine collection receptacle  12 , as shown in FIG. 2, is configured to receive urine from a female human being without significant spillage. Unisex version  24  conforms to a skin surface of a female human being proximate to a urethra so that urine expelled from the urethra collects in urine collection receptacle  12 . The unisex version  24  includes a collection basin  28  that is configured to collect urine. Collection basin  28  is formed by sides  30  and lip  32 . Sides  30  are configured to fit between legs of a female or male patient. A tube  34  is positioned in the urine collection receptacle  12  to draw urine from collection basin  28 .  
         [0023]    In one embodiment, urine collection receptacle  12  is releasably coupled to a conduit  36  using, for instance, a quick connect fitting  38 . Use of quick connect device  38  enables male version  14  and unisex version  24  of urine collection receptacle  12  to be interchanged with ease. Urine collection receptacle may also be attached to conduit  38  using devices other than quick connect fitting  38 . For instance, urine collection receptacle  12  may be coupled to conduit  36  using one or more adhesives, mechanical connectors, and other coupling devices.  
         [0024]    Urine collection receptacle  12  is coupled to a reservoir  40  using conduit  36 . Conduit  36  may be made from rigid or flexible materials. In one embodiment, conduit  36  is a flexible tubing that is transparent so that the flow of urine through the tubing to reservoir  40  can be monitored. Conduit  36  may also be opaque and formed from any color. Reservoir  40  may be formed from any device capable of holding urine. In one embodiment, reservoir  40  is a transparent, flexible, plastic bag that is marked to indicate the amount of fluid contained in reservoir  40 . In other embodiments, reservoir  40  may be a tank, a laboratory container, or other such device. Reservoir  40  may also include an exhaust valve  41  for releasing gases from reservoir  40 . Reservoir  40  may be releasably coupled to conduit  36  using, for instance, quick connect fitting  38 . By releasably coupling reservoir  40  to conduit  36 , reservoir  40  may be easily removed and replaced. In other embodiments, reservoir  40  may be permanently attached to conduit  36  using one or more adhesives, mechanical connectors, and other coupling devices.  
         [0025]    Urine collection device  10  may include one or more check valves  43  for preventing urine from flowing out of conduit  36  and into urine collection receptacle  12 . In at least one embodiment, check valve  43  may be positioned in conduit  36  adjacent to urine collection receptacle  21 , as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, check valve  43  may be coupled directly to urine collection receptacle  12  or positioned at other locations along conduit  36 . Check valve  43  may prevent urine from spilling out of conduit  36  and onto a patient after the patient has finished using urine collection device  10 .  
         [0026]    Urine collection device  10  may also include a pump  42  for moving urine from the urine collection filter  12  to reservoir  40 . Pump  42  preferably transports urine from the urine collection filter  12  to reservoir  40  through conduit  36  without components of the pump contacting the urine. In one embodiment, pump  42  is a peristaltic pump that allows conduit  36  to be placed in contact with pump  42  without urine contacting components of pump  42 . More specifically, conduit  36  is placed in pump  42  by moving a lever  44 , which in turn opens a cavity  46  for receiving conduit  36 . Conduit  36  is placed in cavity  46  and lever  44  is rotated to secure conduit  36  in pump  42 . Pump  42  draws urine from urine collection receptacle  12  and deposits the urine in reservoir  40 . Pump  42  may be operated at varying speeds and may be controlled using a dial  48  or other device. Pump  42  may be powered by batteries, which may or may not be rechargeable, or with an alternating current (AC) power source such as power that is typically available from a public utility and supplied through a wall outlet.  
         [0027]    Urine collection device  10  may include a stand  50  for supporting pump  42 , reservoir  40 , and urine collection receptacle  12 . Stand  50  may include a center support shaft  52  coupled to a plurality of wheels  54 . Wheels  54  may include, but are not limited to, caster wheels. Pump  42  may be releasably coupled to shaft  52  so that the height of pump  42  and reservoir  40  can be adjusted. Stand  50  may also include a container  56  coupled to stand  50  for supporting reservoir  40 . Stand  50  may have a bottom and may or may not have side walls. Stand  50  preferably is light weight and easily transportable. Stand  50  may also include a towelette dispenser  58 . Towelette dispenser  58  may be releasably attached to stand  50  and may be configured to receive a conventional tissue box.  
         [0028]    Urine collection device  10  may also include a support device  60  that is configured to support urine collection receptacle  12  when urine collection receptacle is not in use. In one embodiment, support device  60  includes two or more prongs capable of receiving urine collection receptacle  12 . In another embodiment, support device  60  may include a plate having a hole capable of receiving the urine collection receptacle  12 . The hole is sized to receive the urine collection receptacle  12  but is not larger than the width of the urine collection receptacle  12 .  
         [0029]    Urine collection device  10  may include an on/off switch  62  for actuating pump  42 . In one embodiment, on/off switch  62  is actuated by moving support device  60 . Support device  60  may be configured so that on/off switch  62  is closed when urine collection receptacle  12  is removed from support device  60 . Closing on/off switch  62  activates pump  42 . Conversely, on/off switch  62  is opened and pump  42  is shut off when urine collection receptacle  12  is placed back on support device  60 .  
         [0030]    Urine collection device  10  is configured to be operated by a patient but may also be operated by an assistant, such as a nurse, to remove urine from a patient. Urine collection device  10  should be checked before use to ensure that a proper urine collection receptacle  12 , either male version  14 , a female version, or unisex version  24 , is attached. If urine collection receptacle  12  needs to be changed, urine collection receptacle  12  may be changed by disconnecting quick connect fitting  38  and connecting the appropriate urine collection receptacle  12 .  
         [0031]    A patient may activate urine collection device  10  by removing urine collection receptacle  12  from support device  60 . Urine collection receptacle  12  should be placed proximate to the patient&#39;s urethra to capture urine as the urine is expelled from the urethra. Once the patient begins to urinate, urine is collected in urine collection receptacle  12 . Pump  42  draws urine from urine collection receptacle  12  and pumps the urine into reservoir  40 . After the patient has finished urinating, urine collection receptacle  12  is placed on support device  60 , which turns pump  42  off. The urine collected in reservoir  40  may be emptied from reservoir  40  or reservoir  40  may be disconnected from conduit  36  at quick connect fitting  38  and disposed. A replacement reservoir  40  may be coupled to quick disconnect fitting  38 .  
         [0032]    The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.