Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/216,592, filed Jul. 7, 2000, entitled “Specimen Cup Holder.” 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to medical devices and, more particularly, to a removable handle for a fluid specimen container. 
   2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
   Doctors and other medical service providers routinely ask patients (or pets) for bodily fluids, such as urine samples. Urine samples are typically collected in a specimen container. 
   Standard specimen containers suffer from inherent design flaws. First, most specimen containers have a small inlet opening, making the process of filling the specimen container difficult. In some cases, the urine stream exiting the patient misses the inlet opening of the container and contacts the hand, fingers, or wrist of the patient. Given the physiological differences between men and women, and especially between men and pregnant women, men are generally more likely to successfully direct their urine stream into the inlet opening of the specimen container on the first attempt. However, physical conditions, such as blindness, arthritis, or obesity, may make the entire process equally difficult for both sexes. 
   The small fluid volume capacity of specimen containers also presents a problem. The fluid volume of most specimen containers is much smaller than the volume of the average bladder, requiring the patient to visually approximate the urine level in the specimen container. If the patient does not remove the specimen container from his or her urine stream in a timely fashion, the urine can overflow the specimen container and contact the hand, fingers, or wrist of the patient. As stated above, men are generally in a better position to visually determine the fluid level in the container. However, regardless of the gender or body shape of the patient, stopping the stream of urine at just the right time involves good eyesight, luck, and skill. 
   A third drawback of specimen containers relates to positive control of specimen containers during mandatory or routine drug testing. Under the current practice, the patient holds the specimen container and an observer watches the urine stream of the patient contact a bottom portion of the specimen container. Overlooking for the moment the embarrassment inflicted on the patient and the observer, allowing the patient to handle the specimen container presents the patient with the opportunity to alter the results of the drug test. For obvious reasons, ways of obtaining a false negative test will not be discussed. 
   To help alleviate the problems associated with filling specimen containers with urine or other liquids, various solutions have been proposed. For example, latex gloves prevent urine from contacting the skin of a patient. However, latex allergies are well documented, the gloves are not reusable, and urine can still flow along the exterior of the glove and contact the wrist, arm, or leg of a patient. Other approaches, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,625,654; 5,060,317; and 5,342,330, are directed toward specimen containers having integrally formed handles, loosely connected handles, or pivotally connected handles. However, these approaches are also somewhat deficient. The most significant deficiency is that none of the devices are universally adapted to securely hold or grip specimen containers currently in wide use throughout the medical industry. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a removable handle that securely holds many, if not all, standard plastic specimen containers used to collect bodily fluids. 
   One embodiment of the present invention generally includes a removable, adjustable handle for use with a specimen container. The specimen container generally includes a specimen container body having an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall define a collection cavity, a fluid collection and retrieval opening, and a rim. The handle includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member forms a first contact member which, in turn, has a first contact surface and an inner surface. The second body member forms a second contact member having a second contact surface and an outer surface. The first contact surface engages the inner wall of the specimen container body and the second contact surface engages the outer wall of the specimen container, removably securing the handle to the specimen container body. 
   One method of operation involves positioning the first contact member of the first body member adjacent to the rim formed by the specimen container body, with the first contact member protruding into the collection cavity and the first contact surface facing the inner wall of the specimen container body. The next step is positioning the second contact member of the second body member adjacent to the rim formed by the specimen container body, with the second contact surface of the second contact member facing the outer wall of the specimen container body. The next step is removably securing the handle to the rim of the specimen container body, such as by moving the second body member in a first direction until the first contact surface of the first contact member engages the inner wall of the specimen container body, and the second contact surface of the second contact member engages the outer wall of the specimen container body. The last step is removing the handle, such as by moving the second body member in a second, opposite direction. 
   This method of operation causes the rim of the specimen container body to be pinched, squeezed, or otherwise securely held between the first contact member and the second contact member. With the handle removably but securely attached to the specimen container body, the specimen container body and the fluid collection and retrieval opening can be oriented by a patient or a drug testing proctor via the handle without requiring physical contact with the specimen container. Moreover, because the handle is adjustable, the handle is adapted to fit many, if not all, specimen containers currently in widespread use. 
   These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a specimen container for collecting fluids; 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the specimen container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of a first embodiment handle according to the present invention including a first body member, a second body member, and a locking member; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment handle shown in  FIG. 3  with the locking member removed; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the second body member shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the first embodiment handle shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of a second embodiment handle according to the present invention including a first body member and a second body member; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the second body member shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an end view of the second embodiment handle shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment handle according to the present invention positioned adjacent a specimen container; and 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment handle according to the present invention positioned adjacent a specimen container. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention generally includes a removable handle  10  for use with a specimen container. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the specimen container generally includes a specimen container body  12  forming an inner wall  14  and an outer wall  16 . The inner wall  14  and the outer wall  16  further define a collection cavity  18 , a fluid collection and retrieval opening  20 , and a rim  22 . 
   One embodiment of a removable and adjustable handle according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . A second embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . A third embodiment is shown in  FIG. 10. A  fourth embodiment is shown in FIG.  11 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , and with particular reference to  FIG. 3 , the first embodiment of a removable and adjustable handle  10  according to the present invention generally includes a first body member  24 , a second body member  26 , and a locking member  28  connected to the second body member  26  by a flexible chord  30 . As shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 , the first body member  24  extends about a longitudinal axis L and forms an internal channel  32 , a channel member orifice  33 , guide holes  34 , and a first contact member  36 . The first contact member  36  forms a first contact surface  38  and an inner surface  40 . The second body member  26 , shown in detail in  FIG. 5 , forms locking holes  42  and a second contact member  44 . The second contact member  44  forms a second contact surface  46  and an outer surface  48 . The second contact member  44  is attached to the second body member by a channel member  50 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the second body member  26  is slidably received by the internal channel  32  formed by the first body member  24 . The channel member  50  protrudes through the channel member orifice  33 , allowing the attached second contact member  44  to move when the second body member  26  is moved in a first direction A1, or a second opposite direction A2, as indicated by the arrows. When the second body member  26  is moved in the first direction A1, the distance between the first and second contact members  36 ,  44  is reduced. This allows the first and second contact members  36 ,  44 , and more specifically, the first and second contact surfaces  38 ,  46  engage the inner and outer walls  14 ,  16  of the specimen container body  12 . Conversely, when the second body member  26  is moved in the second direction A2, the distance between the first and second contact members  36 ,  44  is increased. This allows the handle  10  to be removed from the specimen container body  12 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the locking member  28 , in combination with the guide holes  34  and the locking holes  42 , helps to keep the second body member  26  from moving after the first and second contact members  36 ,  44  engage the inner and outer walls  14 ,  16  of the specimen container body  12 . The locking member can be cylindrical, squared, rectangular, triangular, tapered, wedge-shaped, or any other suitable shape. However, because the locking member  28  is received by the guide holes  34  formed by the first body member  24  and the locking holes  42  formed by the second body member  26  (when the guide holes  34  and the locking holes  42  are aligned), the locking member  28  should form the same exterior shape as the guide holes  34  and the locking holes  42 . 
   The first body member  24 , second body member  26 , and the locking member  28  are preferably formed from a material, such as plastic (i.e., polyethylene or high density polyethylene), with plastic being preferred because it is inexpensive and disposable. However, reusable handles  10  (including the chord  30 ) should be made from a material that can be autoclaved or otherwise sterilized, such as surgical grade stainless steel or other suitable material. In general, any sturdy material is clearly contemplated. 
   Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first contact surface  38  and the second contact surface  46  are preferably arcuate in shape. An arcuate shape is preferred because a vast majority of the specimen containers currently being sold ( FIG. 1 ) have a circular cross section when viewed through the fluid collection and retrieval opening  20 . However, the first contact surface  38  and the second contact surface  46  can resemble any shape, so long as the first and second contact surfaces  38 ,  46  can engage the inner and outer walls  14 ,  16  of the specimen container body  12  and securely hold the specimen container body  12 . 
     FIGS. 7-9  show a second embodiment handle  10 ′ according to the present invention. The second embodiment handle  10 ′ is similar to the first embodiment handle  10 , with like reference numerals indicating like parts. However, as shown in detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second body member  26 ′ forms external threads  52  which are received by internal threads  54  formed by the internal channel  32 ′ of the first body member  24 ′. A 360° swivel joint  53  is positioned adjacent to the second contact member  44  and the threaded portion  52  of the second body member  26 ′. As shown in  FIG. 9 , as the second body member  26 ′ is rotated in a first direction A3, the second body member  26 ′ is threadedly advanced in the first body member  24 ′ and the distance between the first contact member  36  and second contact member  44  is decreased. Conversely, if the second body member  26 ′ is rotated in a second direction A4, the distance between the first contact member  36  and the second contact member  44  is decreased. This design eliminates the need for the locking members  28 , the guide holes  34 , and the locking holes  42 , as illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 10  shows a third embodiment handle  10 ″ according to the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the first and second contact surfaces  38 ′,  46 ′ can form notches  56  to accommodate threads  58  (for a screw-on type lid) formed adjacent the rim  22 ′ of the specimen container body  12 ′. Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the first and second contact surfaces  38 ″,  46 ″ of a fourth embodiment handle  10 ′″ can form scored sections  60  to provide a raised surface area to help increase friction between the first contact surface  38 ″ and the interior wall  14 ″ of the specimen container body  12 ″ and between the second contact surface  46 ″ and the outer wall  16 ′ of the specimen container body  12 ″. 
   In addition to being adjustable, an important aspect of this invention is that, shown generally in  FIG. 3 , the first contact member  36  and the second contact member  44  engage the inner wall  14  and the outer wall  16  of the specimen container body  12  securely but removably attaching the handle  10  to the specimen container (preferably adjacent the rim  22 ). Therefore, other types of handles or approaches, when used in connection with the specimen container, are clearly contemplated. An example is U.S. Des. Pat. No. 384,243, herein incorporated by reference, which discloses a removable handle for cooking utensils. 
   The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

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