Abstract:
The present invention relates to self-administered bedpans that may be utilized without assistance from a second party. In one embodiment, a self-administered bedpan includes a waste reservoir and one or more handles. The reservoir includes an opening extending above an anus of the user, and extending below a sacrum of the user. The handle is configured to be grasped by the user and can be further adapted to a plurality of orientations with respect to the bedpan thereby enabling the bedpan to be compatible with a plurality of user arm lengths.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to bedpans. More particularly, the invention relates to bedpans that may be utilized without assistance from a second party. 
         [0002]    Bedpans have been used in various forms for many years. They facilitate the collection and disposal of bodily waste for persons confined to bed. Traditionally, the process requires an assistant to place and remove the bedpan. Because the elimination of bodily waste is a private activity for everyone except young children, requiring assistance to perform this basic function as an adult is embarrassing. More importantly, many people feel a loss of dignity and control at a time when illness and/or infirmity has already taken a mental toll. Furthermore, the need to have assistance to perform this basic bodily function either: 1) places a sleep burden on a loved one or 2) creates a financial burden to have expensive off-hours professional assistance. One of the problems with existing bedpans are that oftentimes the user may take a long period to defecate, requiring the pan to remain in position for long periods of time, which is uncomfortable and may cause medical complications. Furthermore, the process is known to be odiferous. Yet still further, is difficult for some people to produce bodily waste while lying down because it is an unfamiliar position. Yet still further, moving a bedpan can be problematic because of the risk of spillage. 
         [0003]    It is therefore desirable to improve the ability for persons with reduced mobility or immobility to eliminate bodily waste without assistance for economic and personal reasons. It is desirable to provide means so that bedpans do not need to be left under the patient, for long periods of time. It is desirable to prevent odors from entering the bed/sleeping area. It is desirable to make it easier for people to produce bodily waste while lying down. It is desirable to reduce the risk of spillage especially for a person operating a bedpan without assistance. Finally, it is desirable to provide these advantages with a low-cost and compact device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the present invention, self-administered bedpans that may be utilized without assistance from a second party, are provided. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a self-administered bedpan includes a reservoir and at least one handle. The reservoir is configured to receive bodily waste of a user. The reservoir includes an opening configured to extend above an anus of the user and further configured to extend below a sacrum of the user. 
         [0006]    The at least one handle is configured to be grasped by the user and can be further configured to adapt to a plurality of orientations with respect to the bedpan thereby enabling the bedpan to be compatible with a plurality of arm lengths. The at least one handle is configured to allow the user to increase pressure between the bedpan and buttocks of the user by pulling on the at least one handle in a direction substantially towards a head of the user. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the bedpan includes an urination extension configured to channel urine produced by the user into the reservoir. The bedpan may also include a tilt sensor configured to measure the horizontal orientation of the bedpan. 
         [0008]    The bedpan may include a spring-loaded self-closing opening configured to close when the user disengages from the bedpan thereby substantially preventing spillage of waste from the reservoir. The bedpan may also include a latch configured to cause the self-closing opening of the reservoir to remain in an open position, and wherein the latch is further configured to release when the user engages with the bedpan thereby enabling the self-closing opening to close when the user disengages from the bedpan. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, a disposable waste bag is used. The bag opening is disposed around the reservoir opening and may be configured to transition from a substantially open state to a substantially sealed state while the opening of the reservoir is in substantial contact with buttocks of the user. In some embodiments, a tension member, such as a string or elastic is disposed about the bag opening to further constrain the bag to the reservoir opening and/or to affect closure of the bag. 
         [0010]    Note that the various features of the present invention described above may be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of a self administered bedpan with side handles; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of a self administered bedpan with reconfigurable side handles; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a disposable bag; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of a bedpan with a bag sealing feature in the open position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of a bedpan with a bag sealing feature in the closed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of a user using self-administered bedpan with two side handles; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of a user using self-administered bedpan with two side handles; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of a self-administered bedpan with a central handle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of a self-administered bedpan with a central handle and urine collection feature; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of a user using a self-administered bedpan with a central handle; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of a user using a self-administered bedpan with a central handle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a flow chart of a user using a self-administered bedpan; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a two-part embodiment prior to use; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows the two-part embodiment after use. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. The features and advantages of embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow. 
         [0028]    In the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the instant invention in which bedpan  10  includes a reservoir  12 , with its primary axis disposed horizontally and an opening  14  that includes two aspects. For descriptive purposes these two aspects may be called the vertical aspect  16  and the horizontal aspect  18 . The vertical aspect  16  is the portion of opening  14  oriented predominantly vertically. Vertical aspect  16  is roughly contoured to the human buttocks, providing an entrance to reservoir  12  dimensioned to extend to either side of the anus and above it, whilst the user is lying on his back and the predominant orientation of the anus is horizontal. Horizontal aspect  18  is the portion of opening  14  oriented predominantly horizontally. It extends below the sacrum of the user. In this embodiment, both vertical aspect  16  and horizontal aspect  18  are widest where they meet (near the center of opening  14 ) and taper to roughly triangular shapes, with their narrowest regions disposed above the anus, and below the sacrum, respectively. The tapering of vertical aspect  16  allows the user&#39;s legs to rest comfortably on either side of reservoir  12 . The tapering of horizontal aspect  18  minimizes the size of the device, although alternate embodiments need not have a taper. The collection region  20  of reservoir  12  is the lowest area while the device is oriented horizontally and therefore the location where waste materials are most likely to collect. Lip  24  circumnavigates opening  14 , including both vertical aspect  16  and horizontal aspect  18 . It is preferable for lip  24  to be wider in horizontal aspect  18  to lower the pressure applied to the users&#39; sacrum during use. Handles  26  are disposed along the sides of reservoir  12 , such that each may be grasped by one hand of the user while defecating, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . A leg-oriented pressure surface  27  is shown integrated into handle  26 . The user may alter the angle of bedpan  10  with respect to gravity and/or force collection region  20  downwards, thereby insuring that bodily waste flows toward the area designated for collection of bodily waste such as collection region  20 . Because it can be difficult for a use to identify whether or not bedpan  10  is oriented correctly whilst lying on his back, a tilt sensor  29  is used in some embodiments to measure the angle of bedpan  10  with respect to gravity. Tilt sensor  29  may be implemented with an electronic sensor (such as a magneto transistor or accelerometer) or a mechanical means (such as a bubble or weight, or the like). Likewise, these embodiments may include an angular feedback means, such as an audio tone that signals when bedpan  10  is correctly oriented with respect to gravity, or a visual indicator such as a dial, oriented toward the user, which displays a first color when bedpan  10  is incorrectly oriented, and a second color when bedpan  10  is correctly oriented with respect to gravity. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment including catch  22 , disposed at the top of vertical aspect  16 . While drawn as a notch, catch  22  may also be a peg, hook or any like feature capable or redirecting a tension member such as a string.  FIG. 2  also shows an embodiment in which handles  26  are detachable and may be reattached in a plurality of orientations, thereby altering the orientation of gripping region  28 . This modification allows the ergonomics to be optimized for people of different torso to arm length ratios. The figure shows gripping regions  28  biased toward opening  14 , a configuration appropriate for persons with relatively short arms. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a disposable bag  30 . Bag  30  includes an open end  32 , which is dimensioned to correlate with lip  24 . In operation, bag  30  rests inside reservoir  12  and open end  32  is temporarily disposed around opening  14 . The other dimensions of the bag are designed to fit within reservoir  12 . Bag  30  may be made of any thin material such as polyethylene. It is preferably opaque. In one embodiment, bag  30  includes drawstring  34 , a portion of which is constrained to a region proximate to open end  32 , such as by a reverse fold  33  of the thin material, which may be then bonded to the bag forming a channel to constrain drawstring  34 . In one embodiment, the materials are biodegradable, such as a coated paper for the thin material and cotton for drawstring  34 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows bag  30  (dashed line) disposed within reservoir  12 , with open end  32  constrained to opening  14 . In this embodiment, drawstring  34  is constrained by catch  22  and temporarily attached to slide catch  36 , which is in turn permanently attached to slide-able member  38 . This method is convenient because it is in easy matter to install bag  30 , slide a portion of drawstring  30  into catch  22  and then attach the end of drawstring  34  to catch  36 . In an alternate embodiment, one end of drawstring  34  is held by a ratchet mechanism so that once drawstring  34  is pulled sufficiently to close bag  30 , it will remain closed. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows the effect of sliding slide-able member  38  along handle  26 . Drawstring  34  is pulled tight, thereby collapsing the open end  32  and essentially sealing bag  30 , shown with dashed line. Because catch  22  is located above opening  14 , no waste material escapes while bag  30  is sealed. The travel distance of slide-able member  38  roughly correlates with the circumference of opening  14 . This operation may be done immediately after defecation, while user is still lying down as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Because bag  30  is sealed before the bedpan  10  is moved (after bodily waste is deposited), the risk of spillage is decreased. Also, because the bag is sealed while the device is still in contact with the buttocks, the release of odors is vastly reduced. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a user from the top while using bedpan  10 . By pulling upwards on handles  26 , (toward his own head) the user may easily apply pressure between opening  14  and his own buttocks. This has benefits as follows: First, pressure upon the buttocks simulates the normal seated position and provides a sense of comfort and familiarity, making it easier for a user to produce waste material in the prone position. Second, the pressure between opening  14  and the buttocks creates a seal, and the user has control of the amount of pressure at any given moment, with larger amounts of pressure only at such times as it is needed, either mentally to aid the process, or physically to reduce or eliminate both sound and odor. Additionally, providing the user active involvement in the process, especially at the moment waste is produced provides a strong sense of personal control over this highly private matter. In this embodiment, bag  30  is sealed by using ratchet mechanism  33 . After placing bag  30 , drawstring  34  is placed within ratchet mechanism  33 , such that any slack is removed and the balance of drawstring  34  rests beyond the end of handle  26 , where it may be easily seen and grasped by the user while prone. Ratchet mechanism  33  includes a spring-loaded arm that rotates on a pivot such that drawstring  34  may slide easily away from bag  30 , but is highly constrained not to move toward bag  30 . After defecation, the user pulls drawstring  34  until open end  32  is collapsed (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). Ratchet mechanism  33  maintains tension on drawstring  34 , thereby maintaining a seal on bag  30 . The user may then move bedpan  10  without concerns of spillage. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a user from the side while using bedpan  10 . Anus  5  is disposed approximately in the center of vertical aspect  16 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows bedpan  10  in which the primary functionality provided by the two handles  26  shown on the sides of reservoir  12  in  FIG. 1  is instead provided by a single handle  26  attached to reservoir  12  at the distal side of opening  14 , near the upper region of vertical aspect  16 . This single handle  26  may also be referred to as central handle  40 . Handle  26  may be described as elongated, extruded or “stick like.” Handle  26  shall be dimensioned to be graspable by the user during defecation and oriented so that the pressure may be applied as described in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the user will position bedpan  10  at his own buttocks using central handle  40 , to the location shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . A leg-oriented pressure surface  27  is here embodied as lateral protrusions from reservoir  12 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows an embodiment which includes urination extension feature  42  which protrudes upwards and forward from the top of vertical aspect  16 , thereby covering at least some of the genital area of a user. Liquids expelled from the genitals are therefore channeled into reservoir  12 , and/or bag  30 . In this embodiment, the user will orient bedpan  10  with central handle  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Central handle  40  and urination extension feature  42  may be integrated. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of a user using a self-administered bedpan with central handle  40 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of a user using a self-administered bedpan with central handle  40 . By pressing his legs downwards on pressure surface  27 , the user causes bedpan  10  to rotate about horizontal aspect  18 , thereby displacing the furthest portion of reservoir  12  downwards, and lowering collection region  20  with respect to horizontal aspect  18 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 12  shows a flow chart of a user using a self-administered bedpan  10 . In step  50 , the user exposes his buttocks in preparation to defecate while lying down. In step  52 , the user places a disposable bag  30  into bedpan  10 . In step  54 , the user grasps the device by handle  26  or  40  and orients bedpan  10  such that opening  14  is disposed around his anus and lower aspect  18  is located below his sacrum. The uppermost portion of vertical aspect  16  will be above the anus. Typically, the user will position embodiments with one or two lateral handles by lifting one leg and sliding the device in laterally. Embodiments with a central handle  40  will be positioned from the top, lowering the device between the user&#39;s legs. This process may be repeated several times before the user defecates, thereby providing one of the advantages of the instant invention because the bedpan does not need to remain in place for long periods of time. When the user places weight upon lower aspect  18 , it can cause the opposite end of bedpan  10  to raise upwards, rotating the device with respect to gravity. In some embodiments, an angle sensor  29  is used to measure the orientation of bedpan  10  with respect to gravity, and hence whether collection region  20  is oriented correctly: specifically, collection region  20  should be lower than the horizontal aspect  18  of opening  14 . Likewise, angle indicator means  31  provides information to the user as to the orientation of the bedpan  10  with respect to gravity. Whether or not there is a feedback means to inform the user of the angle of bedpan  10 , the angle of bedpan  10  may be corrected by the user lowering his legs, thereby pressing upon pressure surface  27 . In step  56 , the user defecates into bag  30 , held open by lip  24 . At this point in the process the user may pull upwards on handle(s)  26 , toward his head, in order to apply small or large pressure, as desired, at any moment throughout the process, thereby receiving the benefit described in  FIG. 6 . In step  58 , the user seals bag  30  while bedpan  10  remains in contact with his buttocks, thereby preventing odors from escaping. In one embodiment, this is achieved with drawstring  34  integrated within disposable bag  30 . One such method is described in  FIGS. 4 and 5  (sliding slide-able member  38  to pull drawstring  34 ). Another embodiment uses a ratchet mechanism  33 , designed to grip drawstring  34 . There are, however, other ways to implement this functionality, such as fashioning a mechanical closure means into the region of lip  24 . Preferably, the user may easily actuate the sealing mechanism without needing to move himself or bedpan  10  after defecation and before moving the bedpan  10 . In step  60 , the user removes the bedpan by reversing the process of step  54 . The risk of spillage during the removal process has been vastly reduced because the bag has been sealed in step  58 . The user would then proceed to clean himself as needed. If a bag  30  was not used, bedpan  10  will be cleaned. If a bag  30  was used, it will be disposed of, along with the bodily waste, and bedpan  10  may be reused without cleaning. 
         [0040]      FIG. 13  shows an embodiment in which horizontal aspect  18  is implemented to rotate relative to vertical aspect  16  and to have an associated support structure  19  attached thereto. Lip  24  is molded of an elastomer, such as silicon (durometer approximately  30 - 60  on the Shore A scale) thereby providing greater comfort to the user by providing a cushioned contact surface. Bend  23  is a portion of lip  24 , disposed near its center. Bend  23  acts as a hinge, allowing horizontal aspect  18  (and support structure  19 ) to rotate upwards relative to vertical aspect  16 , to the orientation shown. Lip  24  is manufactured into the shape illustrated in the figure, thereby making this orientation the low-energy state of bedpan  10 . In one embodiment, spring  43  (made of a metal such as spring steel) is likewise fashioned into the same shape and disposed beneath lip  24  to provide additional bending force with which to orient horizontal aspect  18  upwards, as shown. Horizontal aspect  18  is therefore spring-loaded, to swing upwards automatically upon release of latch  44 . Bag  30  is (shown dashed) inside bedpan  10  with open end  32  held to lip  24  around its circumference by reverse fold  33 . In this embodiment, bag  30  does not require drawstring  34 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 14  shows bedpan  10  prepared for use. Horizontal aspect  18  has been pulled downwards from the orientation of  FIG. 13 , thereby introducing stress into bend  23  (and/or spring  43 ). Horizontal aspect  18  is held in this orientation by latch  44 , which is itself free to rotate by gravity. Latch  44  includes an upwardly facing hook  45  that engages with pin  46 . Bag  30  has been introduced into reservoir  12 . Open end  32  is held to lip  24  around its circumference by reverse fold  33 . When the user is ready to defecate, he utilizes handles  26  to orient the device as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  (or  FIGS. 9 and 10  in embodiments utilizing a single handle  26 ). The weight of the user&#39;s body, in conjunction with the force applied to vertical aspect  16 , bends horizontal aspect  18  downwards (not shown) thereby displacing pin  46  toward the opening of upwardly facing hook  45 . When pin  46  reaches the opening of upwardly facing hook  45 , latch  44  swings downwards by gravity, to the orientation shown in  FIG. 13 . Therefore, after the user completes defecation and seeks to remove bedpan  10 , horizontal aspect  18  is free to move upwards toward its low-energy state and as the user removes bedpan  10  from the beneath him, horizontal aspect  18  is continually biased upwards (regardless of the orientation of the reservoir  12 ) thereby preventing spillage of waste material from within reservoir  12 . As soon as horizontal aspect  18  is no longer in contact with the body of the user, horizontal aspect  18  closes automatically to the position shown in  FIG. 13 , thereby closing opening  14  and bag  30 . 
         [0042]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
         [0043]    While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Although sub-section titles have been provided to aid in the description of the invention, these titles are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0044]    It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.