Abstract:
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for collecting, disposing, and measuring liquids including a vessel with an inner surface and an absorption mechanism disposed on the inner surface of the vessel for absorbing and collecting liquids within the vessel. The present invention additionally provides for an absorption mechanism disposed on an inner surface of a vessel for preventing the spillage of any liquids, particularly those associated with excretory waste. Finally, the present invention provides for a method of using the apparatus claimed herein to collect, dispose, and measure liquid output from a bedridden individual.

Description:
CROSSREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/209,021, filed Jun. 2, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention generally relates to the field of medical supplies and specifically towards the collection, disposal, and measurement of excretory waste from bedridden individuals. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Bed pans for capturing the release of excretory waste from bedridden individuals are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,682 to Smith discloses an improved bedpan having a slidable cover for confining noxious odors. Bedpans have various sizes and shapes depending upon their use. Additionally, bedpans are composed of materials including both metal and plastics and are either reusable or disposable. Although most bedpans are used for the collection of both urine and feces, some are designed solely for urine capture. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,845 to Brown discloses a conventional cylindrically shaped bed urinal having an outlet for drainage. 
     A problem with the use of most bedpans is spillage of the waste collected. Due to design and structural faults, excretory waste, especially urine, easily spills out of conventional bedpans. Spillage occurs at any time, but more often during transportion of the bedpan to a disposal repository. A major concern with spillage of excretory waste is the contamination of the areas where the spillage occurs. Moreover, those who handle the bedpans easily come into contact with the potentially harmful excretory waste. Since urine and feces contain harmful germs, bacteria and viruses, there is a concern of disease transmission to health care providers who handle bedpans. 
     Another problem occurring with the collection of excretory waste through the use of conventional bedpans is that it is often difficult to obtain accurate measurements of urine output from the patient, especially when both urine and feces are collected. As a result, inaccurate determinations of urine output hinder proper patient care. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a bedpan that minimizes the spillage of excretory waste and thus reduces the risk of hazardous contamination from contact with the excretory waste thereof. Additionally, there is a need for an absorption mechanism that can be disposed on a disposable or reusable bedpan to minimize spillage. Moreover, there is a need for a bedpan that accurately measures the urine output of a patient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for collecting, disposing, and measuring liquids including a vessel with an inner surface and an absorption mechanism disposed on the inner surface of the vessel for absorbing and collecting liquids within the vessel. The present invention additionally provides for an absorption mechanism disposed on an inner surface of a vessel for preventing the spillage of any liquids, particularly those associated with excretory waste. Finally, the present invention provides for a method of using the apparatus claimed herein to collect, dispose, and measure liquid output from a bedridden individual. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention made of a vessel and an absorption mechanism; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the absorption mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention with an optionally added super-absorbing material placed in the center of the absorption mechanism; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention including the absorption mechanism having the super-absorbing material impregnated throughout the absorption mechanism; and 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention having the vessel and the absorptive mechanism disposed thereon, the figure additionally demonstrates the optional placement of a super-absorbing material centered onto the bottom of the vessel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus, generally shown at  10  in the Figures, for improved collection and sanitary disposal of excretory waste from a bedridden individual. Preferably, the apparatus is a bedpan  10  including a vessel, generally indicated at  12  and an absorption mechanism generally indicated at  14 . The vessel includes side walls  16 , inner lips  18  for preventing liquid spill over, a bottom wall  22 , and optionally, a seating surface  17 . The absorption mechanism  14  is disposed on the bottom wall  22  of the vessel  12  and is secured thereto through attachment mechanisms  24 . The absorption mechanism  14  optionally includes a super-absorbing material  20  either concentrated in the center of the absorption mechanism  14  as illustrated in FIG. 2 or dispersed and impregnated throughout the absorption mechanism  14  as illustrated in FIG.  3 . The apparatus  10  is either disposable or reusable and varies in sizes and shapes. 
     The terms “bedpan”  10  and “apparatus”  10  as used herein are meant to include, but are not limited to, a vessel used by a bedridden person for collection of excretory waste such as urine and feces. Bedpans are generally known in the art and vary in size, shape, and volume capacity. Preferably, the present invention is an oval-shaped receptacle with a seating surface  17 . 
     The term “vessel”  12  as used herein is meant to include, but is not limited to, a concave structure designed to hold and retain liquids. Generally, the vessel has side walls  16 , inner lips  18 , and a bottom wall  22  that are all impervious to liquids. The vessel  12  has a large opening  26  for receiving excrement and optionally, a seating surface  17  surrounding the opening  26 . Optionally, the vessel  12  forms an inner chamber  25  for placement of the absorption mechanism  14  therein. The vessel  12  is made from materials including, but not limited to, plastic, polyurethane, metal, glass, polymers, and other similar liquid impervious materials known to those of skill in the art. 
     The term “absorption mechanism”  14  or “absorbent layer material”  14  as used herein is a layer of material that is absorbent to various liquids. Specifically, the absorption mechanism  14  is made of materials including, but not limited to, artificial and natural fibers, paper materials, sponge, cloth, cotton, and any other similar liquid absorbing materials known to those of skill in the art. The absorption mechanism  14  optionally has a super-absorbing material  20  that has increased liquid absorbency. 
     The term “super-absorbing material”  20  as used herein is meant to include, but is not limited to, a gel, silica, resins such as hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft polymers or neutralized starch-acrylic acid graft polymer, absorbent powders, desiccating agents, chemical compounds such as polyacylamide, polyacrylate, or potassium, crystals, and other similar liquid absorbing substances or materials known to those of skill in the art. The super-absorbing material  20  is concentrated within the center of the absorption mechanism  14  (FIG.  2 ), or the absorption mechanism  14  is impregnated with the super-absorbing material  20  (FIG.  3 ). 
     The term “deodorizer” as used herein is meant to include, but is not limited to, any odor reducing substance known to those of skill in the art. The deodorizer is either placed on or within the absorption mechanism  14 , super-absorbing material  20 , or both. 
     The term “disinfectant material” as used herein is meant to include, but is not limited to, any antiseptic, germicide, anti-viral, antibacterial substance and any similar substance known to those of skill in the art. The disinfectant material is either placed on or within the absorption mechanism  14 , super-absorbing material  20 , or both. 
     The term “attachment mechanism”  24  as used herein is meant to include, but is not limited to, Velcro, snaps, buttons, string, glue, tape, adhesives, elastic, fasteners, and any other affixing devices known to those of skill in the art. The attachment mechanism  24  is used to attach the absorbent layer material  14  to an interior or exterior portion of the vessel. The attachment mechanism  24  can be placed on any location of the absorption mechanism  14 . 
     The term “excrement” as used herein is meant to include, but is not limited to, urine, solid feces, liquid feces, water, stool, body fluids, vomit, and any substance cast out as waste from the body. 
     The present invention is applicable for use in any setting including, but not limited to, hospitals, assisted living homes, medical offices, patient homes, emergency rooms, public and private facilities, and any other similar settings where the device is needed by an individual. 
     There are several embodiments of the present invention. All of the embodiments are well suited for use in the collection of human excrement, especially urine, from individuals. In one embodiment, the present invention is a vessel  12  including a large opening  26  for receiving excretory waste, side walls  16 , inner lips  18  for retaining spill over of liquids, and a bottom wall  22 . Another embodiment of the present invention is the absorption mechanism  14  itself, whereby the absorption mechanism  14  is placed within a disposable or reusable bedpan  10 . If the present invention is placed within a disposable bedpan  10 , then the bedpan  10  and the absorption mechanism  14  can be entirely disposed of in the appropriate repository. However, if the present invention is placed within a reusable bedpan, then the absorption mechanism  14  can be solely removed from the reusable bedpan  10  and be disposed of thereafter in the appropriate repository. 
     The absorption mechanism  14  collects and retains liquids including urine, water, liquid fecal matter, and other similar body fluids. The absorption mechanism is either laid in the bottom inner surface  28 , connected to the inner surface  28  of the bottom wall  22  through attachment mechanisms  24 , connected to the inner surface  30  of the side walls  16  through attachment mechanisms  24 , or connected to both the inner surface  30  of the side walls  16  and the inner surface  30  of the bottom wall  22  through attachment mechanisms  24 . The absorption mechanism  14  can be placed in a disposable bedpan  10  or be placed in a reusable bedpan  10 . Additionally, the absorption mechanism  14  can be retrofitted onto any currently existing bedpans  10  and can either be permanently or removably attached to the bedpan  10 . The absorption mechanism  14  optionally includes super-absorbing material  20  concentrated in the center of the absorption mechanism  14  as generally shown in FIG.  2 . Alternatively, super-absorbing material  20  is dispersed or coated throughout the absorption mechanism  14  as generally shown in FIG. 3. A deodorizer is impregnated into absorption mechanism  14 , super-absorbing material  20 , or both. Additionally, a disinfectant is placed onto the absorption mechanism  14 , super-absorbing material  20 , or both. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a single, disposable unit comprising an external standard bedpan-shaped vessel  12  including the absorption mechanism  14  and super-absorptive material  20 . In the preferred embodiment, the absorption mechanism  14  is attached to both the inner surface  30  of the vessel  12  through attaching mechanisms  24 . 
     The present invention is capable of separating liquid waste, such as urine, from solid waste, such as feces. Thus, the present invention is well suited for weighing and measuring liquid waste weight and volume. Easy and safe measurement of patients&#39; urine output is computed by first determining the weight of an unused bedpan  10  including the absorption mechanism  14 . Then, after collecting both solid and liquid waste, the solid waste is scraped out and removed from the bedpan  10 . Next, the used bedpan  10  is subsequently weighed to determine liquid output. 
     Alternatively, urine output is computed by just weighing the absorption mechanism  14 . First, the unused absorption mechanism  14  is weighed. Then, the absorption mechanism  14  is placed and secured to the vessel  12  of the bedpan  10 . After the bedpan  10  is used, the solid waste is scraped out and removed from the bedpan  10 . Next, the absorption mechanism  14  is detached from the vessel  12  of the bedpan  10 . Finally, the absorption mechanism  14  containing the absorbed liquids is weighed and the liquid output is determined. Subsequently, the bedpan  10  is reused for additional collection of excrement from patients. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides using the absorption mechanism  14  as an integrated part with a conventional bedpan. The absorption mechanism  14  is easily adaptable for placement onto or over a conventional bedpan  10 . Various attaching mechanisms  24  known to those of skill in the art are utilized to secure the absorption mechanism  14  to the bedpan. FIG.  2  and FIG. 3 show an insertable unit including the absorption mechanism  14  and super-absorbing material  20  for placement and attachment within a commonly used bedpan  10 . 
     In operation, the present invention includes the steps of positioning the bedpan  10  including the vessel  12  having the inner surface  30 , and absorption mechanism  14  disposed on the inner surface  30  of the vessel  12 . Then, solid and liquid waste are collected with the liquid waste being separated from the solid waste by absorption of the liquid waste in the absorption mechanism  14  and super-absorbing mechanism  20 , or both. Finally, the bedpan is disposed of in the appropriate waste repository. Additionally, the operation of the present invention includes a further step of collecting liquid and solid waste, but only measuring the amount of captured liquids. Thus, a determination of the amount of liquids excreted by an individual is accurately determined. 
     Throughout this application, various publications, including United States patents, are referenced by author and year and patents by number. Full citations for the publications are listed below. The disclosures of these publications and patents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. 
     The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.