Abstract:
A urine collection system includes an anti-flux mechanism to reduce the amount of urine that may flow from within the collection bag back into the urine meter. The urine collection system includes a urine meter, a collection member defining at least a first opening for receiving urine from the urine meter and a shield positioned adjacent the opening of the collection member. The shield is affixed to the collection member at predetermined connection points along a periphery of the shield whereby urine flows between the connection points from the urine meter to the collection member. The shield may be affixed to an internal surface of the bag. The shield may be spot welded to the collection member at the connection points. The shield may include at least a first slot configured to permit the passage of fluid therethrough.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a urine meter for use with a urine collection bag or system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a urine meter constructed to facilitate faster drainage and more precise volume measurement. 
         [0003]      2 . Background of Related Art 
         [0004]    Urine meters are well known and are commonly used in conjunction with urine collection systems for catheterized patients. Typically, a urine meter is secured to a urine collection bag and receives urine from a supply tube which is connected to a catheterized patient. The urine meter has a limited volume and includes indicia for measuring the volume of fluid deposited therein. The urine meter is attached to a urine collection bag of greater volume and includes at least one drain opening positioned in an upper portion of the meter which is in fluid communication with the urine collection bag. After a predetermined period of time of use, the volume of urine in the urine meter can be recorded and the contents of the urine meter can be emptied into the urine collection bag. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Accordingly, it would desirable to provide a urine collection system that includes an anti-flux mechanism to reduce the amount of urine that may flow from within the collection bag back into the urine meter. In one embodiment, a urine collection system includes a urine meter, a collection member defining at least a first opening for receiving urine from the urine meter and a shield positioned adjacent the opening of the collection member. The shield is affixed to the collection member at predetermined connection points along a periphery of the shield whereby urine flows between the connection points from the urine meter to the collection member. The shield may be affixed to an internal surface of the bag. The shield may be spot welded to the collection member at the connection points. The shield may include at least a first slot configured to permit the passage of fluid therethrough. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a urine collection system includes a urine meter defining a dump port, a collection member defining an opening for receiving urine from the urine meter and a guard mounted adjacent the dump port of the urine meter. The guard has at least one passage for permitting the passage of urine from the dump port into the opening and into the collection member. The guard may include a plurality of passages for permitting passage of urine. At least some of the passages of the guard may define different internal dimensions. The internal dimensions of the passages of the guard may increase from a lower end of the guard to an upper end of the guard. The passages may be in the form of slots in the guard. A flap may be positioned adjacent the passage of the guard. The flap may be adapted to be displaced relative to the passage to permit passage of urine from the dump port through the opening and into the collection member, and to selectively cover the passage when the urine in the collection member reaches a predetermined level. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a urine collection system includes a urine meter defining a dump port, a collection member defining at least a first opening for receiving urine from the urine meter, a backboard disposed in the collection member and a flange extending from the backboard and configured to fluidly communicate with the dump port of the urine collection. The backboard may include ribs which define channels therebetween to permit urine to flow. The urine port may define a second dump port and the backboard may include a second flange configured to fluidly communicate with the second dump port. The backboard may define a substantially “T” shaped planar member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment(s) given below, serene to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a exploded perspective view of a prior art urine collection system including a urine meter and a collection bag; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the urine collection system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an anti-reflux mechanism according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are front and back side views of another embodiment of an anti-reflux mechanism according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a front view of the anti-reflux mechanism of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  selectively secured to a urine meter; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are first and second side view of another embodiment of the anti-reflux mechanism of  FIGS. 4A-4C ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front view of yet another embodiment of the anti-reflux mechanism of  FIGS. 4A-4C ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  is a front view of yet another embodiment of an anti-reflux mechanism according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7B-7D  are side views of the anti-reflux mechanism of  FIG. 7A  taken along lines  7 B- 7 B ( FIG. 7B ),  7 C- 7 C ( FIG. 7C ),  7 D- 7 D ( FIG. 7D ); and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7E  is a side view of a urine collection system including the anti-reflux mechanism of  FIGS. 7A-7D . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a prior art urine collection system is shown generally as urine collection system  10 . Urine collection system  10  is described in detail in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0213639, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and will only be discussed to the extent necessary to enable the aspects of the present disclosure. Urine collection system  10  includes a urine meter  20  and a collection member or bag  30 . Urine meter  20  includes two large dump ports  22 ,  23  which are in fluid communication with openings  32 ,  33  formed in collection bag  30 . Fluid “F” flows into urine meter  20  through tube “T” where the amount of fluid “F” may be measured before urine collection system  10  is tilted and fluid “F” drains into collection bag  30 . While the configuration of urine collection system  10  enables a user to easily drain fluid “F” from urine meter  20  into collection bag  30 , accident tilting of urine collection system  10  may also cause reflux of fluid “F” from collection bag  30  back into urine meter  20  through dump ports  22 ,  23 . 
         [0020]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a first embodiment of an anti-reflex mechanism according to the present disclosure is shown generally as shielded collection bag  100 . Anti-reflux collection bag  100  is substantially similar to collection bag  30  discussed hereinabove, and will only be described as relates to the differences therebetween. Anti-reflux collection bag  100  defines openings  132 ,  133  for receiving fluid from a urine meter. Anti-reflux collection bag  100  further includes shields  102 ,  104  partially obstructing openings  132 ,  133 . 
         [0021]    Shields  102 ,  104  may be constructed of vinyl or other suitable material. Shields  102 ,  104  are sized and dimensioned to cover openings  132 ,  133 . Shields  102 ,  104  are affixed to the inner surface of collection bag  100 . Shields  102 ,  104  are positioned within collection bag  100  over openings  132 ,  133 . Once in position, shields  102 ,  104  are attached to collection bag  100  at select points  102   a - c,    104   a - c  about the perimeter of shields  102 ,  104 , respectively. Shields  102 ,  104  may be attached to collection bag  100  using spot welding, adhesive or other suitable methods. As shown, shields  102 ,  104  are each attached to collection bag  100  at three points  102   a - c ,  104   a - c , respectively, however, fewer or more attachment points may be used. It is envisioned that attachment points  102   a - c ,  104   a - c  may be positioned at any suitable point along overlapping portions of collection bag  100  and shields  102 ,  104 , respectively. By attaching shields  102 ,  104  at select attachment points  102   a - c ,  104   a - c , the remaining areas of overlap between collection bag  100  and shields  102 ,  104 , namely overlap portions  106 ,  107  remain unattached to collection bag  100 . In this manner, fluid “F” is permitted to flow from a urine meter, around or between attachment points  102   a - c ,  104   c , and into collection bag  100 . Overlap portions  106 ,  107  may be configured to prevent sticking of shields  102 ,  104 , respectively, to collection bag  100 . For example, overlap portions  106 ,  107  may include knobs, ridges or other suitable configurations (not shown) to prevent shields  102 ,  104  from sealing to bag  100 . Overlap portions  106 ,  107  may instead or further include a film or coating between shields  102 ,  104  and collection bag  100  to prevent sticking of overlap portions  106 ,  107 . 
         [0022]    Shields  102 ,  104  further include flaps  108 ,  109 , respectively, configured to permit additional flow of fluid “F” from a urine meter into collection bag  100 . Flaps  108 ,  109  are configured to deflect inwardly from the urine meter as fluid “F” enters collection bag  30  while restricting movement of the flaps  108 , 109  in an outward direction toward the urine meter. In this manner, flaps  108 ,  109  permit more fluid “F” to drain into collection bag  100  than is permitted to reflux back into the urine meter. Flaps  108 ,  109  may be positioned in any suitable location about shields  102 ,  104 , respectively. Shields  102 ,  104  may include any number of flaps  108 ,  109 , respectively, including no flaps at all. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-C , another embodiment of an anti-reflux mechanism according to the present disclosure is shown generally as anti-reflux guard  200 . Anti-reflux guard  200  is configured to be secured within dump port  22  of urine meter  20  ( FIG. 1 ). In this manner, guard  200  would be positioned between urine meter  20  and a collection bag  30  to control the flow of fluid “F” therebetween. A second guard (not shown) is a substantial mirror image of anti-reflux guard  200  and is configured to be secured within dump port  23  of urine meter  20 . In addition, openings  202  may be directional valves or one way openings permitting flow only in one direction from the urine meter to collection bag  100 . 
         [0024]    Guard  200  defines a substantially planar member having a first side  202   a  and a second side  202   b . As will be discussed in further detail below, first side  202   a  of guard  200  is configured to engage dump port  22  of urine meter  20  ( FIG. 1 ). Guard  200  includes a plurality of horizontally spaced openings  202 . Openings  202  define progressively larger internal dimensions or holes from bottom to top. Although shown as circular openings, openings  202  may define any shape. The size and configuration of openings  202  may be varied to control the flow of fluid “F” into collection bag  30  ( FIG. 1 ) and the reflux of fluid “F” back into urine meter  20 . The size and configuration of openings  202  may also be varied to control the passing of clots into collection bag  30 . In addition, openings  202  may be directional or one way valves or openings permitting flow only in the direction from urine meter  20  to collection bag  100 . 
         [0025]    Guard  200  may be secured to dump port  22  of urine meter  20  in any suitable manner, including bonding, adhesive and friction or snap-fit. Alternatively, guard  200  may be integrally formed with urine meter  20 . As shown, guard  200  is configured to be snap-fit within dump port  22  of urine meter  20 . Guard  200  includes snap members  204  and locators  206 . Locators  206  are located opposite snap members  204  and are configured to engage a first edge  22   a  of dump port  22 . Snap members  204  are configured to selectively engage a second edge  22   b  of dump port  22 . Guard  200  may include any number of snap members  204  and locators  206 . Guard  200  further includes guides  208 ,  209  configured to align guard  200  within dump port  22 . Guides  208 ,  209  are configured to engage third and fourth edges  22   c,    22   d,  respectively, of dump port  22 . Guard  200  may include any number of guides  208 ,  209 . Snap members  204 , locators  206  and guides  208 ,  209  align and maintain guard  200  securely within dump port  22 . A seal or sealing substance (not shown) may be placed between guard  200  and urine meter  20  to increase the integrity of the seal therebetween. 
         [0026]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5A-6 , alternate embodiments of anti-reflux guard  200  are shown generally as anti-reflux guards  210 ,  220 . Anti-reflux guards  210 ,  220  are substantially similar to anti-reflux guard  200 , and will only be described in detail as relates to the differences therebetween. 
         [0027]    Anti-reflux guard  210  includes first and second sides  210   a ,  210   b  and defines a single large opening  212 . Opening  212  is covered by a flap  213 . Flap  213  is hingedly mounted to second side  210   b  of guard  210  above opening  212 . Flap  213  is sized and dimensioned to extend beyond opening  212 . Guard  210  further includes snap members  214 , locators  216  and guides  218 ,  219  configured to retain guard  210  within dump port  23  of urine meter  20  ( FIG. 4C ). When installed, flap  213  of guard  210  operates to permit the flow of fluid “F” through opening  212  into collection bag  30  ( FIG. 1 ) and prevent the flow, or reflux, of fluid “F” back into urine meter  20 . As fluid “F” accumulates within urine meter  20  and encounters opening  212 , flap  213  swings away, thereby permitting fluid “F” to enter collection bag  30 . As fluid “F” reaches a predetermined level in collection bag  20 , the urine contacts the flap  213 , in effect, closing the flap  213  by biasing the flap edges extending beyond opening  212  against guard  200 . In this manner, fluid “F” is prevent from flowing back into urine meter  20  once it has been drained into collection bag  30  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0028]    Anti-reflux guard  220  includes horizontal slots  222  that get progressively taller from bottom to top. The size and configuration of horizontal slots  222  may be varied to control the flow of fluid “F” into collection bag  30  ( FIG. 1 ) and the reflux of fluid “F” back into urine meter  20 . The size and configuration of horizontal slots  222  may also be varied to control the passing of clots into collection bag  30 . 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIGS. 7A-E , yet another embodiment of an anti-reflux mechanism according to the present disclosure is shown generally as collection bag insert  300 . Insert  300  is configured to be received within a collection bag  30   a . Collection bag  30   a  and insert  300  are configured for use with urine meter  20  and other suitable urine meters. It is envisioned that insert  300  may be modified for use with urine meters of alternative configurations, including urine meters with only a single dump port. 
         [0030]    Insert  300  includes backboard  302  and a pair of flanges  304 ,  306  extending from a first surface  303   a  of backboard  302 . Flanges  304 ,  306  may be integrally formed with backboard  302 , or instead may be fixedly secured to backboard  302  using adhesive, boding or other suitable technique. Backboard  302  defines a substantially planar base having a generally “T” shaped configuration. Flanges  304 ,  306  are located on a horizontal portion  302   a  of backboard  302  and define openings  204   a ,  306   a . Flanges  304 ,  306  are configured to engage dump ports  22 ,  23 , respectively, of urine meter  20 . Insert  300  further includes ribs  308  formed on a second surface  303   b  of backboard  302  and extending along vertical portion  302   b  thereof. As will be discussed below, when insert  300  is received with collection bag  30   a , ribs  308  form channels  309  between backboard  302  and collection bag  30   a.    
         [0031]    In use, collection bag  30   a , including insert  300  is secured to urine meter  20  by any suitable method. Flanges  304 ,  306  may be configured to extend from collection bag  30   a  and be received with dump ports  22 ,  23  ( FIG.1 ), respectively, of urine meter  20 . Alternatively, flanges  304 ,  306  may be configured to be positioned flush against dump ports  22 ,  23 , respectively, of urine meter  20 . Once collection bag  30   a  is secured to urine meter  20 , fluid “F” ( FIG. 2 ) may drain from urine meter  20  into collection bag  30   a . Fluid “F” drains out of dump ports  22 ,  23  of urine meter  20  into openings  304   a ,  306   a  of flanges  304 ,  306 . Fluid “F” drains from openings  304   a ,  306   a  between second side  303   b  of backboard  302  and collection bag  30  through channels  309  formed by ribs  308 . The configuration of insert  300  reduces the amount of fluid “F” that may reflux back into urine meter  20 . 
         [0032]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.