TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present inventions relate generally to systems and methods for a medical toilet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many patients rely on dialysis machines to remove waste and excess water from their blood. The waste and discharge from the dialysis machine requires disposal. This may involve permanently plumbing an air gap into a standpipe. The air gap shares the standpipe, and provides back flow and back siphonage protection. In plumbing, a standpipe is a vertical vented pipe attached to a trap that permits rapid wastewater discharge without disrupting the water seal of nearby traps. Tubing from the dialysis machine is connected to the air gap for flow of the waste and discharge fluid from the dialysis machine into a hospital or other buildings plumbing system. Some people employ portable dialysis machines which also require disposal of the waste or discharge fluid. A need exists for a clean and safe way to dispose of waste from a dialysis procedure. There exists a need for devices, systems, and methods for a medical toilet that is compatible with an air gap for use with a dialysis machine.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an embodiment, a toilet for discharging medical waste may include a first connection point on the toilet; and a discharge assembly. The discharge assembly may include a portion to receive an air gap; and a second connection point. The discharge assembly is configured to couple to the toilet at the first connection point by coupling the second connection point to the first connection point, and the discharge assembly is configured to allow a discharge fluid to flow through the air gap and to a toilet bowl of the toilet.
According to an embodiment, the toilet may include an air gap, the air gap further comprising a flat surface, wherein the flat surface is oriented to face a wall behind the toilet.
According to an embodiment, the toilet may include one of a toilet seat and a flush line and the first connection point is on at least one of the toilet seat and the flush line.
According to an embodiment, the first connection point may be provided at a predetermined location on the toilet without structural modification to the chinaware of the toilet.
According to an embodiment, one or both of the first connection point and the discharge assembly may be removably coupled to the toilet.
According to an embodiment, the discharge assembly may be configured to pivot between a first position out of alignment with a toilet bowl of the toilet and a second position in alignment with the toilet bowl, wherein in the second position, the discharge assembly is configured to deliver the discharge fluid to the toilet bowl.
According to an embodiment, the discharge assembly may be configured to couple to a dialysis machine via tubing coupled to inputs on the air gap, and wherein the tubing is configured to discharge waste fluid form the dialysis machine, through the air gap, and into a toilet bowl of the toilet.
According to an embodiment, the toilet may include a toilet seat and a toilet lid, the toilet seat and toilet lid coupled to a base of the toilet with a hinge portion housing, and wherein the first connection point is on the hinge portion housing.
According to an embodiment, the toilet seat, the toilet lid, and the hinge portion housing may be configured to replace an existing toilet seat and toilet lid.
According to an embodiment, the discharge assembly may include a housing for receiving the air gap and a seal, the seal configured to seal an area between the air gap and an opening in the housing.
According to an embodiment, the first connection point and the second connection point may be magnets.
According to an embodiment, the first connection point may be coupled to a flush line of the toilet and the second connection point may be configured to pivot with respect to the first connection point.
According to an embodiment, the first connection point further may include a clamping portion configured to couple to a flush line; and a pivoting member secured to the clamping portion; and the second connection point may include an air gap holder; and a pivoting arm configured to couple to the pivoting member at a pivot point.
According to an embodiment, the first connection point may be a first fluid coupling on a flush line and wherein the second connection point may be a second fluid coupling on the discharge assembly, wherein the first fluid coupling and the second fluid coupling are configured to connect such that fluid may flow from the air gap through the flush line and into a bowl of the toilet.
According to an embodiment, a method for discharging waste fluid during a dialysis procedure may include providing a toilet with a discharge assembly; connecting a tube from a dialysis machine to the discharge assembly; and discharging fluid through the tube and into the toilet, wherein the discharge assembly is configured to move between a use position in alignment with a toilet bowl of the toilet and a stored position out of alignment with the toilet bowl. The discharge assembly may include an air gap and an air gap housing for receiving the air gap, wherein the discharge assembly is removably coupled to the toilet. The discharge assembly may be removably coupled to a toilet seat. The discharge assembly pivots between the use position and the stored position.
According to an embodiment, a discharge assembly for discharging a waste fluid into a toilet may include an air gap; a housing configured to receive the air gap; and a connection point configured to releasably secure the housing and the air gap to one of a flush line or a toilet seat.
According to an embodiment, the discharge assembly may be configured to pivot with respect to the toilet.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention are set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a medical toilet, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows a side view of a medical toilet, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a toilet bowl of a medical toilet, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3B shows a partial perspective view of a medical toilet, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 shows a partial bottom-up perspective view of a portion of the medical toilet of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the medical toilet of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a medical toilet, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6B shows another perspective view of the medical toilet of FIG. 6A, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 7 shows a top view of a toilet with a medical toilet seat, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the toilet having a medical toilet seat according to FIG. 7, with the medical toilet seat in a raised position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 9 shows a top view of the toilet having a medical toilet seat according to FIG. 7, with the medical toilet seat in a raised position and a discharge assembly installed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 10 shows perspective view of the discharge assembly shown in FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 11 shows a side view of a medical toilet with a discharge assembly in a first position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 12 shows a side view of the medical toilet of FIG. 11 with the discharge assembly in a second position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 13 shows a top view of the discharge assembly of FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 14 shows a side view of a medical toilet, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an air gap useable with a medical toilet or medical toilet seat, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
According to embodiments of the invention, the medical toilet may allow waste and discharge from a dialysis machine to be safely discharged into the sewer system through a toilet bowl without any additional plumbing installations. The waste and discharge fluid or dialysate, which may be water, from the dialysis machine may flow through tubing on the dialysis machine to an air gap preinstalled and/or removeably installed on the medical toilet. The waste and discharge fluid may enter the toilet bowl of the medical toilet tangentially. The waste and discharge fluid may swirl inside the bowl triggering the flow out of the trapway. The waste and discharge fluid may swirl inside the bowl with a vortex like action and/or like the swirl action inside the bowl of a toilet, such as a Vormax® toilet triggering the flow out of the trapway. The volume of the water and discharge fluid entering the medical toilet may initiate the flushing function of the toilet such that a manual flush of the toilet is not required to dispose of the waste fluid.
Various implementations of the invention are contemplated. One implementation is providing the air gap in an inlet port located in a toilet. The inlet port connects to a manifold which has an outlet port in the bowl of the toilet. Another implementation is providing the air gap in a housing for attachment to a portion of the toilet, such as a toilet seat. Other manners for implementing the air gap into a toilet are considered.
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a medical toilet 10 is shown. Although the medical toilet 10 is depicted as a wall-hung toilet, it may be appreciated that the medical toilet 10 may be any known toilet, including, but not limited to a wash down toilet, a gravity-fed toilet, or a siphonic toilet, etc. The medical toilet 10 may have a toilet body with a toilet bowl 12, a rim 14, and a neck portion 18. The medical toilet 10 may have an air gap 16 located in the neck portion 18 of the medical toilet 10.
Referring to FIG. 2, the medical toilet 10 may include an inlet port 20 that may accommodate the air gap 16 which may connect to a dialysis machine (not shown). The air gap 16 may be seated in the inlet port 20 with an attachment, washer, or seal formed from metal or a polymer (not visible). The inlet port 20 may be punched into the back of the rim or the neck portion 18. The inlet port 20 may also have a cover 22. When the air gap 16 is not located in the inlet port 20, the cover 22 may hinge pivot on a pivot point or axis 23 between a position out of alignment with the inlet port 20 (e.g. FIG. 1) and a position to substantially cover the inlet port 20 (not shown). The cover 22 may prevent unwanted material and/or fluid from entering or exiting the toilet bowl 12. To couple the air gap 16 to the inlet port 20, the cover 22 may be hinged or pivot out of contact with the neck portion 18 thus allowing access to the inlet port 20. The medical toilet 10 may include a manifold 24. The manifold 24 may direct fluid discharge from the air gap 16 through the inlet port 20 and into toilet bowl 12. The manifold 24 may be coated with an antibacterial, antimicrobial, or hydrophobic surface treatment to prevent scaling and/or bacterial build-up.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the process of discharging fluid from a dialysis machine (not shown) into the toilet bowl 12 may be appreciated. The air gap 16 may be secured in the inlet port 20 of the medical toilet 10. The tubing (not shown) from a dialysis machine may be connected to the inputs 26a, 26b of the air gap 16. During the dialysis procedure, discharge fluid from the dialysis machine may travel through the tubing and to the inputs 26a, 26b. The fluid may then flow through the air gap 16 and into the manifold 24 for discharge through an outlet port 28 and into the toilet bowl 12. Thus, the discharge or waste fluid from the dialysis machine may be disposed of in the medical toilet 10.
Referring to FIG. 3A, a perspective view of the medical toilet 10 is shown. The medical toilet 10 may be the same or similar to the medical toilet 10 of FIG. 1. The air gap 16 may be located in the neck portion 18 of the medical toilet 10. The outlet port 28 may be the entrance into the toilet bowl 12 from the manifold 24 (FIG. 2). The outlet port 28 may be punched into the side of the toilet bowl 12 or at various locations within the bowl, rim or trap. The location of the outlet port 28 in the bowl may be strategically chosen such that the flow remains attached to or along the inner surface walls of the toilet bowl 12 as the flow enters the toilet bowl 12. The flow may swirl in a circulation motion. The size of the outlet port 28 may be carefully designed such that the outlet port 28 serves two purposes. First, for flow rates up to 6 gallons per minute, the flow may stay within the toilet bowl 12 without causing any splashing. Second, the flow rate may be such that there is no back pressure at the inlet port 20 that could cause spillage. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 3B, the medical toilet 10b may have the air gap (not depicted) placed in an inlet port 20 at the rear of the rim 14. The air gap may then discharge the dialysate from the dialysis machine directly into a rim path 13 and then into the toilet bowl 12.
Referring to FIG. 4, a partial bottom-up perspective view of the medical toilet 10 is shown. The manifold 24 may extend from an inlet port 20 to the outlet port 28. The inlet port 20 may receive the air gap 16. The manifold 24 may be formed integral with the toilet. The manifold 24 may be dried, glazed, and fired together with the medical toilet 10. The manifold 24 may be a part of the medical toilet 10 and may be glazed inside and out. The manifold 24 may be formed as a separate component and attached to the medical toilet 10 after forming. The manifold 24 may be permanently secured to the medical toilet 10. The manifold 24 may be removably secured to the medical toilet 10. The manifold 24 may “stick on” to the medical toilet 10, for example, with an adhesive or adhering technique. Although not depicted, the manifold 24 may be cleaned with a cleaning cycle or other manner of flushing the manifold 24.
Referring to FIG. 5, a side cross-sectional view of the medical toilet 10 is shown. As may be appreciated, the manifold 24 extends at an angle from the inlet port 20 to the outlet port 28. The manifold 24 may extend at a downward angle from the inlet port 20 to the outlet port 28 to prevent standing liquid inside the manifold. The outlet port 28 may be located in a sidewall of the toilet bowl 12. The outlet port 28 may be substantially flush with the inner surface of the toilet bowl 12. The manifold 24, inlet port 20, and outlet port 28 may be shaped and dimensioned to facilitate flow of the discharge fluid from the air gap 16 into the toilet bowl 12 while also preventing backflow and splashing of the discharge fluid out of the toilet bowl 12 and/or out of the inlet port 20. The manifold 24 may be formed with a slightly downward angle in the vertical dimension and with a slightly outward angle in the horizontal dimension to enter the toilet bowl 12 (at outlet port 28) at a close tangential angle to the normal flow and with the outlet port 28 flush with an inner surface of the toilet in order
FIG. 6A shows the medical toilet 10 with tubing 30a and 30b connected to inputs 26a, 26b, respectively. The tubing 30a, 30b may be tubing which is attached to a dialysis machine (not shown) for disposing of discharge or waste fluids. During use, the fluid may flow through the tubing 30a, 30b and into inputs 26a, 26b. As previously described, the flow may then flow through the air gap 16, through the manifold 24 (FIG. 6B), and exit the outlet port 28 into the toilet bowl 12. FIG. 6B is a bottom-up perspective view showing the manifold 24 as attached to the medical toilet 10.
During manufacturing, and once molded, the medical toilet 10 is in a “green state” where the ceramic is still malleable. After demolding the toilet, while in the green state, two holes may be punched in the toilet. A first hole, the outlet port 28 (FIG. 2), may be punched on a side of the toilet bowl 12. A second hole, the inlet port 20 (FIG. 2), may be punched on the back of the rim, the neck portion 18, of the medical toilet 10. The manifold 24 may be cast separately and attached to the medical toilet 10 in the green state using slip. The manifold 24 may be dried, glazed, and fired together with the medical toilet 10. The manifold 24 may be a part of the medical toilet 10 and may be glazed inside and out.
In an exemplary embodiment, on a 3D printed prototype of the medical toilet 10, fluid flow out of the manifold exhibited no splashing at flow rates up to 6 gallons per minute. Testing was performed to determine the optimal orientation of the air gap with respect to the medical toilet to achieve optimal flow performance. In a preferred embodiment, the flat surface 17 (FIG. 15) of the air gap is oriented to face a wall behind the medical toilet. In the preferred embodiment, the orientation of the air gap facing the wall behind the medical toilet may be the most effective orientation to minimize turbulence through the manifold and at the entrance into the bowl. The expected waste water flow, dialysate, out of the dialysis machine is 4 gallons per minute. In the exemplary embodiment, a flow rate of 6 gallons per minute was performed to safeguard the system against splashing for mass flow rates as high as 1.5 times the designed mass flow rate of 4 gallons per minutes.
FIGS. 7-14 show medical toilets where a discharge assembly is provided without modification (e.g. structural modification such as punching of holes) to the toilet bowl and/or the chinaware. Rather, the discharge assembly is provided with the medical toilet seat and/or the flush valve and flush line as discussed in various aspects with respect to FIGS. 7-14. The discharge assemblies contemplated are coupled to the toilet at what is referred to as a connection points. The connection points are locations, adaptions, or modifications that cooperate to form a connection between the discharge assembly and the toilet as described in the various configurations.
Referring to FIG. 7, a medical toilet seat 100 is shown installed on a toilet 110. The medical toilet seat 100 is shown with a toilet seat lid 134 in the raised position. The medical toilet seat 100 may be provided with the toilet 110 or may be provided as an after-market product to be interchanged with an existing toilet seat. The medical toilet seat 100 may include a toilet seat 132 and the toilet seat lid 134. FIG. 8 shows the medical toilet seat 100 installed on a toilet 110. The medical toilet seat 100 is depicted with the toilet seat 132 and the toilet seat lid 134 in the raised position. The medical toilet seat 100 is configured to be coupled to a discharge assembly 138 (FIG. 9). The medical toilet seat 100 may include a hinge portion housing 136 having a first connection point 135. The first connection point 135 may couple to the discharge assembly 138 (FIG. 9). The first connection point 135 may be located on the hinge portion housing 136, on the toilet seat 132, on the toilet seat lid 134, or other locations on the medical toilet seat 100. The first connection point 135 may be a magnet. The magnet may be color matched to the toilet 110. The first connection point 135 may be other releasable connections, such as, for example, latches, clips, clasps, a friction fit, threads, screws or fasteners, etc. The discharge assembly 138 (FIG. 9) is preferably removable for temporary use and to avoid interfering with conventional use of the toilet. For example, in a use position, the discharge assembly 138 may be coupled to the medical toilet seat 100. In an out of use position, the discharge assembly 138 may be removed from the medical toilet seat 100.
Referring to FIG. 9, the medical toilet seat 100 is shown with the discharge assembly 138 installed and the toilet seat 132 and toilet seat lid 134 in the raised position. The discharge assembly 138 may have a housing 140. The housing 140 may have a second connection point 137 for coupling with the first connection point 135. The second connection point 137 may be located on the housing 140 or the air gap 116. The second connection point 137 may be a magnet. The magnet may attach the discharge assembly 138 to the magnet on the medical toilet seat 100. For example, the magnet on the discharge assembly 138 may couple with the magnet on the hinge portion housing 136 of the medical toilet seat 100. The second connection point 137 may be a releasable connection configured to cooperate with the first connection point 135. The second connection point 137 may be other releasable connections, such as, for example, latches, clips, clasps, a friction fit, threads, screws or fasteners, etc. The first connection point 135 and/or the second connection point 137 may provide a removable or permanent connection. Thus, the discharge assembly 138 and/or medical toilet seat 100 may be coupled to any toilet to provide a medical toilet seat 100 able to discharge fluid waste.
Accordingly, in use, the toilet seat 132 and toilet seat lid 134 may be raised. The discharge assembly may be connected to the medical toilet seat 100 and aligned over the toilet bowl 112. For example, the in use position may extend the discharge assembly 138 above the open portion of the toilet bowl 112 such that waste fluid exiting the air gap 116 may directly enter the water present in the toilet bowl 112. The dialysis machine may be coupled to the inputs of the air gap 116 and discharge fluid may be emptied into the toilet bowl 112. When the discharge assembly 138 is not in use, the discharge assembly 138 may be disconnected from the medical toilet seat and the toilet seat 132 and toilet seat lid 134 may be lowered such that the toilet 110 may be used in a conventional manner.
The discharge assembly 138 may include an air gap 116. The air gap 116 may be connected, in the manner previously described, to a dialysis machine (not shown). As shown and as previously described, the air gap 116 may be oriented such that the flat surface 117 is oriented to face a wall behind the toilet 110. When the discharge fluid from the dialysis machine is to be discharged into the toilet, the discharge assembly 138 may be attached to the medical toilet seat 100, such as with magnets. The housing 140 and connection may retain the discharge assembly 138 in place when fluid is flowing through the system and into the toilet 110. A nozzle (not visible) may be located on a lower surface of the housing 140 to discharge the fluid from the air gap 116 into the toilet bowl 112 of the toilet 110. The nozzle on the lower surface may create a swirl to dilute the discharge fluid as it is disposed into the toilet 110. Although the discharge assembly 138 is depicted at a rear portion of the toilet 110, other positions and locations of the discharge assembly 138 are contemplated.
FIG. 10 shows the discharge assembly 138 which may be used with the medical toilet seat 100. The air gap 116 may be located in an opening of the housing 140. A seal 142 may be provided around the air gap 116 to seal and secure the air gap 116 within the housing 140. The air gap 116 may be seated in the opening of the housing 140 with a metal attachment, washer, or seal. A nozzle (not visible) may be located on the lower surface of the housing 140 to deliver fluid from the air gap 116 to the toilet 110 (FIG. 9). The second connection point 137, such as a magnet, may be located on the surface 144 of the housing 140 to attach the discharge assembly 138 to the medical toilet seat 100. The surface 144 may be the second connection point 137 or the second connection point 137 may be coupled to the surface 144. The housing 140 may have a substantially horizontal first portion 146 for extending the air gap 116 and nozzle over an inner area of the toilet bowl 112 of toilet 110 (FIG. 9). The housing 140 may have a second portion 148 angled or curved from the first portion 146. The second portion 148 may have the surface 144 with the connection type to attach the discharge assembly 138 to the medical toilet seat 100. The second portion 148 may be angled with respect to first portion 146 at any degree necessary to achieve optimal positioning of the discharge assembly 138 in the toilet 110. For example, the second portion 148 may be angled about 90 degrees or about 45 degrees (as shown) with respect to the first portion 146. Other configurations for attaching and positioning the air gap are contemplated in accordance with the principles of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a medical toilet 200 is shown. A discharge assembly 238 is mounted or attached to a flush line 253 and includes an open in-use position and a closed not-in-use position. As shown, the medical toilet 200 may have the discharge assembly 238 in connection with the flush line 253 of a flush valve 252 of the medical toilet 200 to directly attach the air gap 216 (FIG. 12) to the flush valve 252. The discharge assembly 238 may have an attachment member 254 for connection to the flush valve 252. The attachment member 254 may allow for pivoting movement between a position out of use, substantially parallel to the flush valve 252 and flush line 253 (FIG. 11) and a position in use, substantially perpendicular to the flush valve 252 and flush line 253. The in use position may be substantially over a portion of a toilet bowl 212 of the medical toilet 200 (FIG. 12). For example, the in use position may extend the discharge assembly 238 above the open portion of the toilet bowl 212 such that waste fluid exiting an air gap 216 (FIG. 12) may directly enter the water present in the toilet bowl 212. The discharge assembly 238 may be tilted or pivoted downward into position over the toilet bowl 212. After tilting downward, the air gap 216 may be inserted into the opening of the discharge assembly 238. The tubing from the dialysis machine may be connected to inputs of the air gap 216 when it is desired to discharge fluid from the dialysis machine.
Referring to FIG. 13, the discharge assembly 238 is shown. The discharge assembly 238 may have a clamping portion 256, a pivoting portion 258, and an air gap holder 260. The clamping portion 256 may be substantially cylindrical such that it fits around the flush valve 252 (FIG. 11) for securing the discharge assembly 238 to the flush valve 252. The clamping portion 256 may be constructed of two semi-cylindrical portions which are clamped around the cylindrical stem of the flush valve 525 and secured together with fastening members (not depicted). The clamping portion 256, the pivoting portion 258, and the pivoting member 262 may form the first connection point 235 coupled to the medical toilet 200. The pivoting arm 264 and air gap holder 260 may form the second connection point 237.
The pivoting portion 258 may include a pivoting member 262 and a pivoting arm 264 to which the air gap holder 260 is attached. The pivoting portion 258 may be coupled to the pivoting member 262 at a pivot point or pivot axis, for example, with a pin 263 (FIG. 12) extending through apertures in the pivoting portion 258 and pivoting member 262. In this manner, the pivoting portion 258 may allow for the movement between the position of FIG. 11 and the position of FIG. 12. The air gap holder 260 may include a substantially cylindrical opening to accommodate the air gap 216. The air gap 216 may be seated in the opening with a metal attachment, washer, or seal. As shown and previously described, the air gap 216 may be oriented such that the flat surface 217 is oriented to face a wall behind the medical toilet 200. The discharge assembly 238 may be permanently or removably coupled to the flush line 253 of the flush valve 252. The first connection point 235 may be permanently or removably coupled to the second connection point 237. Thus, the discharge assembly 238 may be coupled to any toilet having a flush line 253 or other vertical or cylindrical portion to provide a medical toilet able to discharge fluid waste.
Referring to FIG. 14, the medical toilet 300 is shown. The medical toilet 300 may have a discharge assembly 338 in connection with a flush valve 352 of the medical toilet 300 to directly attach the air gap 316 to the flush line 353 between the flush valve 352 and the entrance of the flush line 353 to the medical toilet 300. The discharge assembly 338 may be a single unitary piece with the flush line or a separate attachment member which is connected by various types of connections. It is contemplated that the discharge assembly 338 may be connected at any position along or around the flush line 353. The flush line 353 may have a first connection point 335, such as an opening, aperture, or other fluid coupling, pipe junction, in the flush line 353. The discharge assembly 338 may have a second connection point 337, such as an end of a pipe, opening, pipe junction, or other fluid coupling. The first connection point 335 may couple to the second connection point 337. The first connection point 335 may receive the second connection point 337, or vice versus. The first connection point 335 and the second connection point 337 may fluidly couple the air gap 316 to the flush line 353 for discharging fluid waste. The discharge assembly 338 may be a variety of shapes such as straight horizontal pipe, an angled pipe or a curved pipe. The air gap 316 may be inserted into the opening of the discharge assembly 338. The tubing from the dialysis machine may be connected to inputs of the air gap 316 when it is desired to discharge fluid from the dialysis machine. There may also be a cap on the end of the discharge assembly 338 when the dialysis machine is not contacted to the discharge assembly 338. It is contemplated that a washer or other sealing or attaching mechanism 340 may be include in the discharge assembly 338 to seal and/or assist with attachment of the air gap 316. This configuration allows for the discharge fluid or dialysate to directly flow into the flush line and into the medical toilet 300.
FIG. 15 shows an exemplary air gap. The air gap may be any of the air gaps 16, 116, 216, and 316 which may be used with any of the described medical toilets or the medical toilet seat 100. As previously discussed, the air gap may have inputs 26a, 26b for connecting to tubing of a dialysis machine. The inputs 26a, 26b may be barbed to provide a secure connection between the tubing and the dialysis machine. The air gap may have a discharge end 50 with an outlet port or nozzle (not visible) for discharging the fluid from the tubing. The air gap 16, 116, 216, 316 may have a flat surface 17, 117, 217. As previously described, the flat side may be aligned with a wall behind the respective toilet.
As may be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure, the medical toilets 10, 10b, 200, and 300 and medical toilet seat 100 allow for the safe, clean, and efficient disposal of waste and discharge fluids from a dialysis procedure. Fluid may be allowed to flow through the air gap from the dialysis machine and be disposed into a bowl of a toilet. The location, shape, design, and other factors may be selected such that back pressure and splash back are not permitted during use of the medical toilets and/or medical toilet seat.
The medical toilets of the foregoing disclosure may provide a predetermined connection point for a discharge assembly. The predetermined connection point may provide a position to discharge fluid waste into the toilet that is sturdy, reliably positioned, produces less splash of discharge waste fluid into the toilet, and induces flushing of the toilet to evacuate the discharge waste fluid. The connection point may be provided separate from the toilet such that the discharge assembly may be retrofit or coupled to existing toilets. The connection points may be provided separate from the toilet such that there is no modification provided to the toilet itself to achieve the coupling of the discharge assembly to the toilet.
According to embodiments of the invention, a medical toilet which is compatible with portable dialysis machines is provided. The discharge fluids, or dialysate, from the portable dialysis machine may be drained into the toilet safely using a dedicated port built into the medical toilet. According to embodiments of the invention, any existing toilet may be easily converted to a medical toilet during the manufacturing process. After demolding the toilet, in the green state, two holes may be punched on the toilet. A first hole may be punched on a side of the toilet bowl and a second hole may be punched on the back of the rim of the toilet. A manifold may be casted separately and attached to the medical toilet in the green state. The manifold may be dried, glazed, and fired together with the medical toilet. The manifold may be a part of the medical toilet and may be glazed inside and out.
According to embodiments of the invention, the manifold may be designed to accommodate a flow rate of 4 gallons per minute without splashing or fluid backing up within the toilet. The geometry, size, shape, location, and/or internal dimensions of the manifold may affect the flow of the discharge fluid into the toilet. The angle where the manifold meets the toilet bowl on the side may affect the flow of the discharge fluid into the toilet. The aforementioned parameters may by critical to having a smooth flow entering the toilet bowl.
In an embodiment, a toilet includes a toilet body having a toilet bowl and a neck portion, the neck portion having an inlet port and the toilet bowl having an outlet port, a manifold extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, and an air gap located in the inlet port. A fluid flows through the manifold and exits the outlet port without splashing water from the toilet bowl.
In an embodiment, a toilet seat assembly includes a toilet seat having a hinge portion housing with a first connection point and a discharge assembly. The discharge assembly includes a housing, an air gap, and a second connection point. The first connection point is configured to attach to the second connection point, such that the discharge assembly is positioned over an area of a toilet bowl of a toilet. The first connection point is attached to the second connection point, fluid flows through the discharge assembly and into the toilet bowl.
In an embodiment, a method of discharging fluid during a dialysis procedure, the method includes providing a toilet with an inlet port and an outlet port, inserting an air gap into the inlet port, connecting a tube from a dialysis machine to the air gap, and discharging fluid through the tube, the air gap, and the outlet port. Discharging fluid exits the outlet port at an interior surface of a toilet bowl of the toilet with no splashing of the fluid form the toilet bowl.
In an embodiment, a device for connecting an air gap to a toilet. The device may be positioned in a manifold opening in the toilet. The device may be mounted to a toilet seat of the toilet.
Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Moreover, features described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be used in conjunction with other embodiments, even if not explicitly stated above.
Patent Application
20190106872
