Patent Publication Number: US-2021162180-A1

Title: Catheter adapted briefs

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Indwelling urethral catheters of male users typically drain into a urinary pouch attached to the leg. Since the urinary pouch is disposed in non-alignment with the anatomical center, the catheter may place pressure on the penis and urethral orifice thereby creating catheter discomfort, urine leakage, increased incidence of urinary tract infection, and penile erosion. 
     Taping the catheter to the wearer&#39;s thigh or abdomen is a frequently used method for stabilization. However, tape can irritate the skin and can loosen quickly thereby rendering the stabilization non-effective. 
     Elastic catheter straps having velcro strip are also used to secure the catheter to one&#39;s thigh. This addresses the skin irritation problem associated with taping; however, it suffers from inadvertent loosening or slippage and can also cause constriction of the thigh if applied too tightly leading to discomfort, skin breakdown, and swelling. 
     Strap free adhesive anchors have a locking device and are used as an anchoring device for the catheter. They usually have an adhesive backing that is applied directly to the skin of the thigh or lower abdomen. Here too, though, the adhesive can cause skin irritation and the anchors tend to loosen and fall off the skin. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a long-term catheter securing device that is comfortable, does not cause skin irritation, and does not constrict the during use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a catheter-adapted briefs including: a pair of briefs having a catheter port disposed in vertical alignment with the male urethral orifice when the briefs are worn; and a catheter clamp connected to the briefs, the clamp operative to secure an implanted urethral catheter passing through the catheter port in communication with a drainage bag, such that force transmission from the bag through the catheter is halted by the clamp when securing the catheter. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the catheter port is stich reinforced. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the briefs include a functional fly. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the functional fly extends through a waistband band of the briefs so as to enable a catheter wearer to put on the briefs without disconnecting the catheter from the drainage bag. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the functional fly has a fastener chosen from the group consisting of a hook-and-eye fasteners, zipper, or magnetic fastener. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the catheter clamp includes one or more catheter channels, each of the channels having a width matching an outer diameter of a catheter. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the catheter clamp is releasably attachable to the briefs. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the catheter clamp includes rotatable platform operative to rotate channel orientation. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the catheter clamp is implemented from a polymeric material. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a liquid absorbent lining. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the lining is implemented with anti-bacterial material. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the lining includes bamboo fiber. 
     According to a further feature of the present invention, the lining includes a copper-based material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention is best understood in view of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic front and rear views, respectively, of catheter-adapted briefs, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic front view of the catheter-adapted briefs of  FIG. 1A  depicting an open functional fly, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a general schematic front view of a second embodiment of the catheter-adapted briefs  5  implemented as a form fitting brief, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic perspective top view of a catheter clamp attached to the catheter-adapted briefs of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic, front view of the catheter clamp attached to the catheter-adapted briefs of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that for the sake of clarity, elements shown in the figures may not be drawn to scale and reference numerals may be repeated in different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to facilitate understanding of the invention; however, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been omitted to highlight the invention. 
     The present invention is a urethral catheter stabilization device, and specifically, is a catheter-adapted underwear, or briefs, operative to comfort to the catheter user, prevention of urine leakage, tissue damage, odor control, and potential reduction of urinary infections. Generally speaking, these favorable conditions are achieved by securing the catheter in a position of alignment with the natural anatomical position of the urethral orifice. This functionality is further complimented with a protective, liquid absorbent, anti-bacterial undergarment. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic front and rear views, respectively, of a first embodiment of the catheter-adapted briefs  1  including a front panel  10 A, a back panel  10 B, a waistband  11 , a functional fly  17  traversing waistband  11  to facilitate dressing and undressing with an embedded urethral catheter  18 , and a catheter clamp  20  having a plurality of fixation points. Clamp  20  is operative to releasably secure urethral catheter  18  passing through a reinforced catheter port  15 . As shown, port  15  is strategically positioned to be in vertical alignment with the natural anatomical position of the urethral orifice of the wearer. This positioning ensures that force applied by embedded urethral catheter  18  to urethral orifice walls is reduced to a minimum and clamp  20  secures catheter  18  in this desirable position. 
     This catheter securing scheme advantageously maintains proper alignment of the catheter thereby reducing wearer pain and irritation, urine leakage, minimizes the likelihood of penile complications. Furthermore, the proper alignment enables uninterrupted urine flow thereby potentially preventing urinary stasis hence reducing the risk of urinary track infection. 
       FIG. 2A  is a schematic front view of the catheter-adapted briefs of  FIG. 1A  depicting an open functional fly, according to an embodiment. Fly  17  advantageously traverses waistband  11  to enable a wearer to remove or to put on the briefs without disconnecting catheter  18  from a drain bag (not shown) thereby maintaining a closed drainage system, eliminating urine spill from the bag, and preventing urine contamination. 
     As shown, fly  17  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) has fasteners  17 A and  17 B operative to close and open fly  17  during dressing or undressing, respectively. Fly fasteners  17 A and  17 B in a certain embodiment are implemented as strips of flexible hook-and-loop fasteners commonly known by the generic trademark velcro. In another embodiment, fasteners  17 A and  17 B are implemented as zipper tape connected by a zipper, whereas in another embodiment fasteners  17 A and  17 B are implemented as embedded magnets, or rigid hooks and eyes. It should be appreciated that other fasteners types providing such functionality are included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, various fastener types are employed simultaneously along fly  17 , the waistband  11 , or both fly and waistband. It should be noted that in a certain embodiment, fly  17  is orientated diagonally relative to the horizontal. 
     As shown, catheter port walls  15 A of port  15  are stich reinforced to facilitate stabilization of catheter  18  and to prevent tearing of panel  10 A. In another embodiment, port reinforcement  15 A is implemented with metallic, polymeric, or even rubber materials configured to provide free passage of an embedded catheter through the fly and out through waistband  11  during dressing or undressing. 
     In a certain embodiment front panel  10 A is impregnated with antibiotic material like copper-based particles or other antibiotic materials in addition to order absorbent materials. Furthermore, front panel  10 A is implemented as a soft, non-irritating material preventing penile irritation, like cotton or other highly absorbent materials also capable of reducing skin irritation from contact with moist or wet material. 
     As shown, front panel  10 A is lined with an interfacing  18  operative to support catheter clamp  20  and disperse tension applied to the clamp through catheter  18 . Interfacing  18  is constructed from traditional interfacing materials as is known to those skilled in the art. It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, bamboo fiber is also used as and interfacing material to provide comfort. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts a second embodiment of catheter-adapted briefs  5  implemented as a form fitting brief to advantageously use the wearer body to support clamp  20 . As shown, catheter  18  passes through reinforced port  15 , clamp  20  to a catheter bag (not shown) such that catheter tension is directed to clamp  20  supported by the wearer thigh. Form fitted briefs are also constructed from liquid and odor absorbent materials noted above with a mix of Spandex to provide the required elasticity of form fitted briefs. 
     It should be appreciated that in a certain embodiment, briefs  1  lack a functional fly, whereas in another embodiment briefs  1  have a fly oriented in a non-vertical direction. 
       FIG. 3A  is a schematic perspective top view schematic of catheter clamp  20  depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3B  is a front view of clamp  20 , according to an embodiment. 
     As shown, clamp  20  includes clamp base  21  with a hinged cover  22 . Clamp base  21  includes catheter channels  23  and  24 , each having a diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of catheter commonly employed in industry. Channels  23  and  24  are fitted with teeth  25  to secure catheter  18  within each channel within clamp cover  22  is closed, in a certain embodiment. In other embodiments, channels  23  and  24  are lined with a compressive material having sufficient stiffness to secure catheters. Example compressive linings include synthetic rubber, stiff foam like GATORFOAM®, or other materials providing analogous functionality. Clamp base  21  also includes engagement bores  27  for releasable engagement of pegs  26  on clamp cover  22  so as to lock cover  22  onto base  21  and secure catheter when closed. Clamp cover  22  ad base  21  both include a release slit  29  that self-aligns during closure and facilitate opening. 
     Clamp base  21  has a series of eyelets  28  that can be sewed to front panel  10 A. It should be appreciated that other connection configurations like clasp, buckles, snaps are employed in certain embodiments to provide releasable connection to briefs  1 . Such releasability advantageously enables clamp  20  to be removed during washing. In a certain embodiment clamp  20  is implemented with a single channel. 
     In a certain embodiment, clamp  20  is constructed from a polymeric a material, whereas in another embodiment entire clamp  20  is constructed from rubber having sufficient stiffness to secure catheter  20 . It should be appreciated that clamp  20  is constructed from other material providing such functionality, in yet other embodiments. 
     It should be appreciated that embodiments formed from combinations of features set forth in separate embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. 
     While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, modifications, substitutions, and equivalents are included within the scope of the invention.