Abstract:
A self-inspection apparatus comprising a mirror support member having a hinge proximate an end thereof and configured to couple to a toilet bowl rim or a toilet seat, and a mirror coupled to the mirror support member at the hinge and configured to be positionable for self-inspection. A method of manufacturing a self-inspection apparatus is also provided.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is directed, in general, to an apparatus for self-inspection of the genital region. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Inability of the bladder to function normally in a patient can involve problems of urinary retention. This dysfunction can result from a number of different causes, such as extensive abdominal surgical operations, infection, various diseases, etc. If the sphincter muscle is too tight or the bladder muscles are too lax the patient may be able to urinate but may be unable to completely empty the bladder during urination. 
     Patients with urinary retention, as well as other issues, require catheterization to enable the bladder to be satisfactorily emptied. In some cases a urine collection bag and an indwelling urethral catheter are used, the catheter forming a passageway from the bladder to the externally-carried collection bag which can regularly be emptied. This arrangement, however, is cumbersome and moreover leaves the patient at increased risk of infection, bacteria being able to grow and track along the catheter from the collection bag or around the catheter along the urethra. 
     The alternative and more acceptable solution is the insertion of a transient urethral catheter to allow the patient to void in the bathroom when appropriate or on a predetermined time schedule, such as every three to four hours. For women, this intermittent self-catheterization can be very difficult to carry out, since the patient must be able to locate the urinary meatus accurately in order to insert the catheter into the urethra. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect provides a self-inspection apparatus comprising a mirror support member having a hinge proximate an end thereof and configured to couple to a toilet bowl rim or a toilet seat, and a mirror coupled to the mirror support member at the hinge and configured to be positionable for self-inspection. A method of manufacturing a self-inspection apparatus is also provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an expanded plan view of one embodiment of a self-inspection apparatus  100  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevation views of the self-inspection apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  in relation to a partial sectional view of a toilet bowl rim  210 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side elevation views of the self-inspection apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  in relation to a partial sectional view of a toilet seat  222 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view of the mirror support member  110  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is an end view of the mirror support member  110  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of an under surface  410  of the counterweight support member  130  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the self-inspection apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  as it sits atop the toilet bowl rim  210 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the self-inspection apparatus  100  folded for transport or storage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is an expanded plan view of one embodiment of a self-inspection apparatus  100  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The self-inspection apparatus  100  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  comprises a mirror support member  110 , a mirror member  120 , a counterweight support member  130 , a counterweight  140 , and first and second hinges  150 ,  160 , respectively. 
     The mirror support member  110 , in one embodiment, has a horizontal portion  111 , a mirror support member hinge portion  112  that is substantially normal to the horizontal portion  111  at an end  113  of the mirror support member  110 , a void  114  proximate an opposite end  115  and first and second opposing channels  116 ,  117 . The mirror member  120 , in one embodiment, may have a mirror portion  121  and a mirror hinge portion  122 . The mirror hinge portion  122  may be coupled to the mirror support member hinge portion  112  with a first hinge pin  123 . Alternative configuration may also coupled the mirror support member hinge portion  112  with the first hinge pin  123 . The first hinge  150 , for example, may comprise a mirror support member hinge portion  112 , the mirror hinge portion  122 , and the first hinge pin  123 . The mirror support member hinge portion  112  of the first hinge  150  may be formed integral to the horizontal portion  111  of the mirror support member  110 . The mirror hinge portion  122  of the first hinge  150  may be formed integral to the mirror member  120 . In one embodiment, the first hinge  150  is a friction-fit hinge wherein the mirror support member hinge portion  112  and the mirror hinge portion  122  are formed from a durable rigid plastic. While the hinge described above is that of a flat hinge having a central pin joining two substantially-flat parts, other articulating mechanisms (e.g., hinges) such as a ball and socket, swivel, universal joint, etc., may also be employed. In one embodiment, the mirror  125  may be applied as a mirror-like foil to one face of the mirror member  120  or the mirror member  120  may be formed around a preformed mirror. The self-inspection apparatus  100  may be cleaned with common household disinfectant cleaner. 
     The counterweight support member  130 , in one embodiment, may have a horizontal portion  131 , a counterweight support member hinge portion  132  that is substantially normal to the horizontal portion  131  at an end  134  of the counterweight support member  130 , and a tongue  135 . The counterweight  140  may also have a body portion  141  and a counterweight hinge portion  142 . The counterweight hinge portion  142  may be coupled to the counterweight support member hinge portion  132  with a second hinge pin  143 . For example, the second hinge  160  may comprise the counterweight support member hinge portion  132 , the counterweight hinge portion  142 , and the second hinge pin  143 . The counterweight support member hinge portion  132  of the second hinge  160  may be formed integral to the horizontal portion  131  of the counterweight support member  130 . The counterweight hinge portion  142  of the second hinge  160  may, likewise, be formed integral to the counterweight  140 . In one embodiment, the second hinge  160  is also a friction-fit hinge wherein the counterweight support member hinge portion  132  and the counterweight hinge portion  142  are formed from the same durable rigid plastic as the mirror support member  110 . Nonetheless, other embodiments exist wherein the other hinges described above are employed. 
     The mirror member  120  and the counterweight  140  are, in one embodiment, substantially equal in weight. In one embodiment, both the first and second hinges  150 ,  160 , respectively, are friction-fit hinges. Therefore, in this embodiment, the combination of substantially equal weight of the mirror member  120  and the counterweight  140  together with friction-fit hinges  150 ,  160  allows the mirror member  120  to be placed at whatever is a convenient angle for self-inspection and the angle is easily matched for the counterweight  140  so that the self-inspection apparatus  100  remains balanced and stable when positioned on a toilet rim or a toilet seat. 
     The self-inspection apparatus  100  is configured to selectively rest upon either a toilet bowl rim with a split toilet seat or on a toilet seat for a toilet bowl equipped with a continuous toilet seat. To the extent that other seat and/or bowl configurations exist or are developed in the future, the self-inspection apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  would be equally applicable. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , illustrated are side elevation views of the self-inspection apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  in relation to a partial sectional view of a toilet bowl rim  210  ( FIG. 2A ) and to a toilet seat  222  ( FIG. 2B ). The self-inspection apparatus  100 , in these embodiments, is positioned at the frontmost portion of a toilet bowl  200 , either on the toilet rim  210  in the case of a split toilet seat  221 , or on the toilet seat  222  itself in the case of a continuous toilet seat  222  as the situation may require. In these embodiments, the horizontal portion  111  of the mirror support member  110  may be placed on the rim  210  or the toilet seat  222 , as applicable, with the mirror support member hinge portion  112  abutting the rim  210  or the seat  222 , as applicable. The counterweight support member  130  may then be slid with respect to the mirror support member  110  until the counterweight support member hinge portion  132  contacts the other side of the rim  210  or the seat  222 . During this sliding, the tongue  135  in this embodiment travels a distance in the void  114  from the vicinity of the opposite end  115  toward the other end  113  as the counterweight support member  130  slides between the first and second opposing channels  116 ,  117 . The self-inspection apparatus  100  can accommodate toilet bowls/seats with rim thicknesses from about 1⅜″ to about 4″, among other thicknesses. The 4″ capability will accommodate virtually all continuous toilet seats. While the preceding description has depicted a preferred embodiment, other methods of temporarily fastening the mirror support member to the bowl rim or seat may be used, such as: double sided tape, suction cups, etc. 
     It is apparent from the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  that the apparatus  100  may be configured to have its mirror portion rest within a footprint of the toilet bowl rim  210 . This aspect of the apparatus  100 , when applicable, allows the user of the apparatus  100  to insert a catheter with reduced likelihood that urine will escape the confines of the toilet  200 . Were the mirror portion of the apparatus  100  to rest outside of the footprint of the toilet bowl rim  210 , the likelihood that urine will escape the confines of the toilet  200  is greatly increased. Accordingly, when the mirror portion of the apparatus  100  is placed within the footprint of the toilet bowl rim  210 , and particularly on the frontmost portion thereof, the user of the apparatus  100  would likely sit on the toilet in a manner similar to if he or she were urinating, and while in this position, insert the catheter. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , illustrated are plan and end views, respectively, of the mirror support member  110  of  FIG. 1 . The end view  FIG. 3B  is as viewed from plane  3 B- 3 B. The first and second opposing channels  116 ,  117 , respectively, extend upwardly from the upper surface  310 , and the mirror support member  110  further comprises first and second tracks  341 ,  342 , respectively, on the upper surface  310 . A portion of the first hinge  150  is located at a lower end of the mirror support member hinge portion  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  with continuing reference to  FIG. 3B , illustrated is a plan view of an under surface  410  of the counterweight support member  130  of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The counterweight support member  130  further comprises first and second protuberances  411 ,  412 , respectively, on the under surface  410 ; and first and second parallel edges  421 ,  422 , respectively. The counterweight support member  130  slides with first and second opposing edges  421 ,  422 , respectively captured between the first and second opposing channels  116 ,  117 , respectively. The first and second protuberances  411 ,  412 , respectively, cooperate with the first and second tracks  341 ,  342 , respectively, to cause a friction fit such that the counterweight support member  130  slides with respect to the mirror support member  110  and holds a fixed position when sliding has ceased. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is a side elevation view of the self-inspection apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1  as it sits atop the toilet bowl rim  210 . The toilet bowl rim  210  is captured between the mirror support member hinge portion  112  and the counterweight support member hinge portion  132 . The mirror member  120  can be positioned at any suitable angle with the use of the first hinge  150 , and the counterweight  140  can be positioned at a suitable similar angle with the use of the second hinge  160  to balance the mirror weight. Protuberances  411 ,  412  ( 412  not seen) cooperate with the first and second tracks  341 ,  342 , ( 342  not seen) respectively, to cause a friction fit so that the mirror support member  110  does not move relative to the counterweight support member  130  when the mirror  120  is suitably positioned. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a side elevation view of the self-inspection apparatus  100  folded for transport or storage. The mirror member  120  can be rotated inwardly and the counterweight  140  can be rotated to cover and protect the mirror  121 . The mirror support member  110  can be slid toward the counterweight support member  130  for a compact package. The folded self-inspection apparatus  100  will fit conveniently in most ladies handbags. 
     The self-inspection apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1  thru  6  depicts but one construction of such an apparatus. Those skilled in the art understand that many modifications to the apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 1  thru  6  can be made while remaining within the purview of this disclosure. Accordingly, while detail is given in many instances as to the configuration of the embodiment of the apparatus  100  of  FIGS. 1  thru  6 , the disclosure is not limited to such details. 
     Thus, a self-inspection apparatus for use with either a toilet bowl rim or a toilet seat has been described. The self-inspection apparatus is configured to readily be positioned on the rim or seat and the mirror placed at the desired angle. The counterweight is positioned so as to balance the weight of the mirror. The self-inspection apparatus is readily folded for storage and may be cleaned with common household disinfectant cleaner. 
     For the purposes of this discussion, use of the terms “providing” and “forming” includes: manufacture, subcontracting, purchase, etc. Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.