Patent Publication Number: US-2011054427-A1

Title: Male urinary incontinence device and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention related generally to incontinence collection devices and, in particular, to a two-part male urinary incontinence device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Urinary incontinence is the accidental release of urine. Incontinence can occur for a variety of reasons. If the bladder contracts at the wrong time, or if it squeezes too hard, urine may leak out. If the muscles around the urethra are damaged or weak, urine can leak out even in the absence of a bladder problem. If the bladder gets too full, or if something is blocking the urethra, urine can build up in the bladder and cause leaking. Urinary incontinence happens more often in older men than in younger men, but it is not just a normal part of aging. 
     Urinary incontinence can be short-term or long-lasting (chronic). Short-term incontinence is often caused by other health problems or treatments. Chronic urinary incontinence can also be due to a number of factors, including stress, muscle weakness, or blockages related to an enlarged prostate or a narrow urethra. 
     Treatments are different for each person. They depend on the type of incontinence and how much it affects the individual&#39;s life. Treatment may include medicines, simple exercises, or both. A few men need surgery, but most do not. Various diaper-type products exist such as guards and pads, but they can leak, overflow and cause odor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention addresses male urinary incontinence problems with a two-part system that is discrete and easy to use. A first portion, that fit over a penis, has a distal end with a fluid opening. A urine collection vessel having a proximal end removably attaches to the distal of the first portion, thereby allowing a user to urinate through the fluid opening when the collection vessel is not attached. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first portion is a flexible, fluid-impermeable sheath such as a latex condom. The collection vessel may attach to the first portion through a threaded connection. The collection vessel preferably contains an absorbent material, more preferably a superabsorbent material such as a polyacrylate. The collection vessel may also assume the form of a flexible, fluid-impermeable sheath such as latex condom, enabling the absorbent or superabsorbent material to swell during the urine collection process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a solution to male urinary incontinence which is discrete and easy to use. Referring to the FIGURE, the invention uses a two-part system including a first portion  102  that fits over the penis and a collection vessel  110  that collects expelled urine. In the preferred embodiment, the collection vessel has a threaded end  112  that screws into the distal end  108  of the first portion  102 . Other attachment mechanisms may alternatively be used, including bayonet and quick connect/disconnect connections. 
     Also in the preferred embodiment, the first portion  102  is flexible, fluid-impermeable sheath such as a latex condom which is held in position through a frictional fit and/or the use of a band  104  or optional strap(s)  106 . The end  108  is a plastic piece that is bonded and sealed to the flexible sheath. 
     The collection vessel  102  may simply be empty if the incontinence problem is not that pronounced, or it may contain an absorbent material such tissue paper, cotton, sponge, or fluff pulp. In the preferred embodiment, however, the vial  102  contains a superabsorbent material such as polyacrylate or other superabsorbent polymer. Such polymers are made from the polymerization of acrylic acid blended with sodium hydroxide in the presence of an initiator to form a polyacrylic acid sodium salt (sometimes referred to as sodium polyacrylate). Other materials are also used to make a superabsorbent polymer, such as polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxy-methyl-cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile. 
     The polyacrylate  114  or other material absorbs urine, forming a flexible spongy mass encased in the collection vessel  110 . Thus, while the collection vessel  110  may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material, in the preferred embodiment it is also flexible and condom-like, enabling absorbent material—particularly superabsorbent material—to swell during the collection process. Like the first portion  102 , the collection vessel may be a latex sheath or other flexible, fluid impermeable material bonded to a harder plastic end  112  to provide threads or other connection mechanism. 
     A distinct advantage of the invention is that the collection device  110  may be easily removed after use as determined by the user and placed in a waste receptacle with the first portion  102  remaining in position. This allows the user to detach the vial  110  and urinate if needed, after which the same or a different vial may be attached.