Abstract:
A disposable holder for use with urine specimen collection cups has a cup grasping extension incorporated and molded into it. The elongated extension is formed within a recess defined within the overall holder. The holder may be held firmly with one hand and the grasping extension actuated with the other hand. The holder is configured to be held and operated by right and left handed persons. In use, the cup grasping portion of the holder is urged downwardly onto a portion of the perimeter of a cup edge. The specimen is firmly grasped thereby. Upon collection of the specimen, the extension is urged toward the handle so as to open cooperating and opposing cup holding members. In this fashion, the specimen cup and collected specimen are released and the holder is disposed of.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to devices that are used in the health care industries. More particularly, it relates to a holder device for use with a standard urine specimen collection cup, which holder is configured to securely hold the cup in a sanitary, sample-taking orientation relative to the patient as the urine specimen is taken. The holder is also configured to allow for the quick release of the cup and specimen contained within it upon completion of specimen collection. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The physical, chemical or microscopic analysis of human urine, or urinalysis, is an essential tool in the health care industry. Urinalysis can provide a wide range of information concerning the health and well being of a patient. The examination of urine color and clarity, the measurement of urine acidity and the detection of the presence of protein, sugar, bacteria and other matters found in urine can tell a great deal about the physical condition of the subject patient. 
     Urinalysis is performed ideally by using a fresh urine specimen, preferably the first voiding of the day since such specimens are the most concentrated and therefore more likely to reveal abnormalities contained within the urine. All urine tests are performed ideally by using clean and uncontaminated collection vessels or containers. Additionally, it is recognized that microscopic urinalysis is best performed within the first one-half hour after collection of the specimen since allowing the sample to stand may cause bacterial overgrowth and even dissolution and dissipation of cellular elements. In short, collection protocol requires that all specimens be collected in sterile containers, then sealed against outside contamination and thereafter refrigerated as soon as possible after collection. 
     The bacteriological study of urine poses a particular problem due to the inevitable contamination caused by the presence of microorganisms that reside in the vicinity of the human urethral opening. This contamination can be avoided by catheterization of the urinary bladder, but such is obviously an extreme measure and clearly not one recommended for routine examinations. Very reliable bacteriologic urine studies are possible, however, without catheterization by utilizing the so-called “clean-catch mid-stream” technique. For women, collecting a urine specimen in this manner involves partial voiding and then placement of a urinary collection cup between the legs to catch the “mid-stream” urine during continued voiding. This technique is difficult to accomplish without the patient soiling her hands during the urine collection process and without the risk of the patient&#39;s hands contacting the collection cup during collection, thus risking inaccurate results due to bacteriologic contamination. In short, eliminating any contact with the urine stream simply provides greater hygiene for the patient and reliability for the health care provider charged with handling and measuring the specimen contained within the cup. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a new, useful and uncomplicated urine specimen collection cup holder that eliminates the inconveniences, unsanitary practices and ineffective results common with conventional urine collection devices. It is another object of this invention to provide such a cup holder that is manufactured to be disposable. It is still another object of this invention to provide such a cup holder that allows the patient to more easily hold the cup in specimen-collecting relation to her body and minimizes the risk of dropping the cup into the toilet. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a cup holder that would make urine collection easier and more convenient and make patients feel more at ease with the process, thus reducing the stress associated with medical examinations. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a cup holder that is particularly beneficial for pregnant or obese women who experience difficulty with reaching around the abdomen to hold a specimen cup. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cup holder that can provide pediatric assistance for specimen collection from small children. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a cup holder that minimizes the risk of contamination thereby avoiding the need to repeat the taking of urine samples at a reduced cost to patients and the health care industry in general. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a cup holder that allows for the quick attachment to a standard specimen cup and the quick release of the cup following collection of the specimen. 
     The present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a disposable holder for use with urine specimen collection cups, the holder having a cup grasping extension incorporated and molded into it. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated extension is formed within a recess defined within the overall holder. The holder may be held firmly with one hand and the grasping extension actuated with the other hand. The holder is configured to be held and operated by right and left handed persons. When ready for use, the cup grasping portion of the holder is urged downwardly onto a portion of the perimeter of a cup edge. The specimen is firmly grasped thereby. Upon collection of the specimen, the extension is urged toward the handle so as to open cooperating and opposing cup holding members. In this fashion, the specimen cup and collected specimen are released and the holder is disposed of. 
     The foregoing and other features of the urine sample collection cup holder of the present invention will be further apparent from the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right side elevational view of a urine sample collection cup holder constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the holder shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the holder shown in  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 4  is a right side elevational and cross sectioned view of the holder shown in  FIG. 1  and taken along line A—A in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged top plan view of the cup grasping portion that is detailed within line N of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a further enlarged right side and cross sectioned view of the cup grasping portion that is detailed within line B of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a reduced right side elevational view of the holder. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged front elevational view of the holder. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged rear cross sectioned view of the holder taken along line C—C of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged rear cross sectioned view of the holder taken along line M—M of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged top plan view of the cup grasping portion of the holder shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged right side elevational view of the cup grasping portion that is detailed within line E of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged rear cross sectioned view of the handle portion of the holder and taken along line D—D of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates a holder, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The holder  10  is functionally adapted to be used for grasping and then releasing a urine specimen collection cup. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the specimen cup holder  10  includes a longitudinally extending main frame, generally identified  20 , having a distal portion, generally identified  40 , and a proximal portion, generally identified  60 . The distal portion  40  of the frame  20  serves generally as the “handle portion” of the holder  10 . The proximal portion  60  of the frame  20  serves generally as the “cup gripping portion” of the holder  10 . 
     The main frame  20  of the holder  10  includes a pair of longitudinally extending side members  26 ,  28 . See  FIG. 2 . The side members  26 ,  28  lie generally parallel to one another. At the proximal end  22  of the frame  20  is a longitudinally extending aperture  30  that lays between the side members  26 ,  28 . The proximal end  22  of the frame  20  terminates in the cup gripping portion  60 , the detailed construction of which is described below. The main frame  20  also includes a distal end  24  that is integrally formed with the handle portion  40  of the holder  10 . As shown, the handle portion  40  includes a somewhat concave member  42  having an upper surface  44 . See  FIGS. 4 and 13 . This upper surface  44  is functionally adapted to receive a user&#39;s thumb therewithin, the purpose of which will become further apparent later in this detailed description. The concave member  42  is attached to the distal frame portion  24  by means of a connecting neck  46 . Proximal of the neck  46  and lying generally underneath the distal frame portion  24  is a finger recess  48 , the purpose of which will also become apparent later in this detailed description. 
     The aperture  30  defined within the main frame  20  has an extension portion, generally identified  80 , formed within it. That is, the extension portion  80  of the holder  10  is integrally formed as part of the holder, and more specifically as part of the main frame  20 . The extension portion  80  includes an extension member  82  having a proximal portion  84  and a distal portion  86 . To either side of the distal portion  86  is a nominal support member  88 ,  90 . See  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In the preferred embodiment, the specimen collection cup holder  10  is formed from a polystyrene, polypropylene or polyethylene plastic material which may be injection molded. Accordingly, the main frame  20  and the extension member  82  are integrally formed from a single piece of material. The nominal support members  88 ,  90  are in the form of mold gates for material flowing between the frame side members  26 ,  28  and the extension member  82 . In the holder  10  of the present invention, the nominal support members  88 ,  90  are intended to prevent actuation of the device during shipping and handling. When used as intended, the nominal support members  88 ,  90  essentially break away during use of the holder. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , it will be seen that a portion of the distal end  84  of the extension member  82  is integrally formed with the side members  26 ,  28 . That is, the distal end  84  of the extension member  82  and the side members  26 ,  28  are formed into one conjoined structure at this part of the holder  10 . As is specifically shown in  FIG. 11 , it will be seen that, at the distal end  84  of the extension member, where the distal end  84  becomes an inner cup support  96 , a pair of arms  62 ,  64  is provided to connect that distal end  84  to the side members  26 ,  28  of the holder  10 . The function of the inner cup support  96  will be described in greater detail later in this description. In this fashion, the extension member  82  is actually configured to rotate slightly at this distal end  84 . This feature is what this inventor would term a “living hinge.” For example, as the lever  92  of the extension member  82  is urged slightly downwardly, the distal end  84  and the arms  62 ,  64  of the side members  26 ,  28  actually deform in a “twisting” or torque-like fashion. This twisting is not sufficient to fracture or break the arms  62 ,  64  or to sever the continuity between the distal end  84  of the extension member  82  and the side members  26 ,  28 , but it is sufficient to provide some resistance when the extension member  82  is urged downwardly. The resilient nature of the plastic material from which the holder  10  is formed allows for this deformation. More importantly, plastic material also possesses the quality of “memory” such that the extension member  82  maintains its original position prior to depression of the extension lever  92 . This maintains the various portions of the holder  10  in their original molded position, a position that they tend to want to return to after deformation. The significance of this feature will become apparent later in this detailed description. 
     As alluded to previously, the proximal cup gripper portion  60  of the holder  10  is really comprised of a number of elements common to the holder portions previously described. For example, a portion of the cup gripper  60  includes the distal end  84  of the extension member  82  and the side members  26 ,  28 . See  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Additionally, the cup gripper portion  60  also includes a plurality of outer cup support members  94  extending outwardly and downwardly from the side support members  26 ,  28 . Cooperatively opposing the outer cup support members  94  is an inner cup support member  96 , as alluded to earlier. See  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  11  and  12 . The inner cup support member  96  extends downwardly from the distal end  84  of the extension member  82 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the arms  62 ,  64  effectively connect those two structures. The lowermost portion of the outer cup support members  94  includes a hook member  98  which is intended to ensure secure attachment of the holder  10  to the specimen cup, the cup typically including a rim (not shown). 
     In application, the holder  10  of the present invention could be used to hold one of many commercially available plastic specimen cups, such cups coming in different sizes but generally assuming the same shape. Although the precise size of the cup is not a limitation of the present invention, it would be desirable that the cups used with the holder  10  of the present invention have a top opening that includes a substantially circular rim. 
     In use, the user would grasp the distal handle portion  40  of the holder  10  with one hand. It should be noted that the holder  10  of the present invention is functionally adapted to be grasped by the left hand or the right hand, thus aiding in the functionality of the device since it need be made in one configuration to serve both right and left handed persons. More specifically, the user would place the thumb of her grasping hand over the concave top  44  of the handle  42 , the handle  42  being secured between the thumb and the first finger of that hand. The first or second finger of that same hand would comfortably fit within the recess  48  thereby stabilizing the holder  10  in the grasping hand. Assuming that a cup (not shown) was not already held within the grasping portion  60  of the holder  10 , the user would position the rim of the cup below the inner cup support member  96  and the outer cup support members  94  and urge the holder  10  downwardly to the point that the rim of the cup snaps into and is secured by the hook member  98  of the outer cup support members  94 . It should be noted here that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is not the only configuration that would be used to accomplish this intended function. The cup is thereby secured and ready for specimen collection. It should also be noted here that the holder  10  is configured such that it is of sufficient strength to be weight bearing of the collected specimen yet lightweight enough to be disposable. It should also be noted that, during this cup engagement step, the outer and inner cup support members  94 ,  96  are urged away from each other and the arms  62 ,  64  are slightly twisted to allow that movement to occur. The plastic memory in the holder  10  allows the cup support members  94 ,  96  to continue to press a portion of the cup between them. The hook end  98  as previously described ensures that the cup will not slip out from their grasp. 
     Once collected, the cup is released by the user exerting gentle downward pressure on the lever  92  of the extension member  82 . At this point, the nominal support members  88 ,  90  break away and allow the extension member  82  its full range of movement. As pressure continues to push the lever  92  downwardly, the proximal end  84  of the extension member  82  and the arms  62 ,  64  are slightly deformed in a “twisting” or torque-like fashion. Although this twisting is not sufficient to fracture or break the continuity between the proximal end  84  of the extension member  82  and the side members  26 ,  28 , it is sufficient to provide some resistance when the extension member  82  is urged downwardly. The resilient nature of the plastic material from which the holder  10  is formed allows for this deformation. It also provides the necessary memory such that the extension member  82  maintains its original position prior to depression of the extension lever  92 . As this deformation takes place, the arms  62 ,  64  are deformed and the inner cup support member  96  extending outwardly and downwardly from the side support members  26 ,  28  is pushed away from the plurality of outer cup support members  94  so as to release the cup and the specimen contained within it. The holder  10  is then ready for disposal. 
     From the foregoing detailed description of the illustrative embodiment of the invention set forth herein, it will be apparent that there has been provided a new, useful and uncomplicated urine specimen collection cup holder that eliminates the inconveniences, unsanitary practices and ineffective results common with convention urine collection devices; that is manufactured to be disposable; that allows the patient to more easily hold the cup in specimen-collecting relation to their body and to avoid the risk of dropping the cup into the toilet; that makes urine collection easier and more convenient, allowing patients to feel more at ease with the process thereby reducing the stress associated with medical examinations; that is particularly beneficial for pregnant or obese women who experience difficulty with reaching around the abdomen to hold a specimen cup; and that minimizes the risk of contamination thereby avoiding the need to repeat the taking of urine samples at a reduced costs to patients and the health care industry in general.