Patent Application
20170027741
Micturition is the act of passing urine, also referred to herein as urination. The physiology of urination consists of both sympathetic and parasympathic nervous system aspects. The bladder has stretch receptors in the muscles of its walls that communicate via the pelvic nerve to the sacral spinal cord. When the bladder is full, the frequency of the nerve impulses increases. This triggers a signal to be sent to the Potine micturition center in the brain. The Potine micturition center communicates with the cerebral cortex about the appropriateness of urinating at this moment. If it is not, an inhibitory signal is sent via the sympathetic nervous system using the pudendal nerve to the external sphincter of the bladder to stay closed. If it is appropriate to urinate, the inhibitory signal is removed and the spinal cord communicates via the parasympathetic nervous system to contract the bladder and relax the external bladder sphincter to urinate.
There are many situations when the brain determines that it is inappropriate to urinate that causes discomfort and inconvenience. Paruresis (also known as shy bladder) is a condition wherein a person has trouble urinating when people are around. Many people are unable to urinate in a situation that is not very private such as a hospital or emergency room, or under pressure of time in a diagnostic lab to provide a urine sample. Many people are unable to void in a recumbent position. Many people are unable to urinate while being observed or in the presence of others in a public bathroom facility or other place in which the person does not feel the area is private. It can cause tremendous physical discomfort and embarrassment, and in extreme cases creates highly restricting effects on a person's life. Paruresis affects 21 million Americans, 220 million people world-wide. The traditional treatments for paruresis are psychotherapy, administration of diuretics, and catheterization.
There are known triggers that can induce urination. These triggers help to override the inhibitory signal that causes the bladder external sphincter to remain closed. Examples of triggers to complete the parasympathetic feedback loop required for initiation, reinitiation, and/or continued flow of urine include auditory triggers, tactile triggers, thermal triggers, or vibrational triggers. These triggers can be synthesized and integrated into urine collection vessels, handheld devices, or other means to facilitate urination in persons afflicted with paruresis.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method that can be conveniently and perhaps discreetly used in order to achieve urination without any discomfort or pain. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a method capable of inducing urination without requiring any systemic administration of drugs or other medication, and also without requiring any invasive procedures.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for inducing urination that has absolutely no harmful side effects, and can safely be used on persons of any age.
Note that each of the different features, techniques, configurations, etc. discussed in this disclosure can be executed independently or in combination. Accordingly, the present invention can be embodied and viewed in many different ways. Also, note that this summary section herein does not specify every embodiment and/or incrementally novel aspect of the present disclosure or claimed invention. Instead, this summary only provides a preliminary discussion of different embodiments and corresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. For additional details, elements, and/or possible perspectives (permutations) of the invention, the reader is directed to the Detailed Description section and corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussed below.
The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing embodiments of the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.
The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, this embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for triggering urination. Known sensory information, “triggers” to complete the parasympathetic feedback loop required to for initiation, reinitiating, and continued flow of urine include audible sounds, tactile sensations, including pouring a liquid on a location on the body, thermal sensations, to include warm or cold applied to various locations on the body, and vibrations applied to various locations on the outside of the body.
Referring to
In another embodiment the handle is not used as a liquid reservoir, instead a reservoir is attached to a receptacle to deposit urine and is also valve controlled. The liquid can be dispensed at varying rates using the valve.
In another embodiment, a mechanical vibratory device is used as a trigger and serves to provide a sensory signal to trigger the body's desired response of the initiation, reinitiating, and continued flow of urine.
In another embodiment, a low electrical voltage and amperage device is used as a trigger for urination. The electrodes may be applied to the sacral area of the spine or to the area of the symphysis pubis. The voltage and amperage can be modulated at varying frequencies to facilitate the urination response.
In another embodiment, a thermal device is used as a trigger for urination. The thermal device can be either warmer or cooler than body temperature and may be applied to the groin area or to the soles of the feet.
In another embodiment, auditory sensations are used as a trigger for urination. The audio sensations can be delivered by a solid-state audio playback module 18 that can be integrated into a urine receptacle, or be made to fit onto one as a separate module. The audio module can also be integrated into a child's toilet training device. The audio playback module can also be implemented as a stand-alone bodily-worn (in the ear) device that is very discreet.
Referring now to
A flow chart of a particular embodiment of the presently disclosed method is depicted in
The method 100 for artificially inducing micturition begins with processing block 102 which discloses providing a urination stimulation element. As shown in processing block 104 providing a urination stimulation element comprises providing audible sounds to said user. As shown in processing block 106 providing a urination stimulation element comprises providing tactile sensations to said user. As shown in processing block 108 providing a urination stimulation element comprises providing liquid provision to said user. Processing block 110 states wherein providing a urination stimulation element comprises providing thermal sensations to said user. Processing block 112 discloses wherein said providing a urination stimulation element comprises providing vibrations to said user.
Processing block 114 recites providing by said urination simulation element a trigger to a user, said trigger for completing a parasympathetic feedback loop for initiation, reinitiation or continued flow of urine from said user.
Processing block 116 discloses providing a receptacle. Processing block 118 recites providing an opening in said receptacle for receiving urination from a user. As shown in processing block 120, the opening is designed for a male, and alternatively, as shown in processing block 122, the opening is designed for a female.
Processing block 124 states providing a handle in mechanical communication with the receptacle. Processing block 126 discloses providing a valve having a first side in fluid communication with the reservoir and having a second side in fluid communication with the receptacle. As recited by processing block 128, in certain embodiments the reservoir can be integrated with the handle.
Throughout the entirety of the present disclosure, use of the articles “a” or “an” to modify a noun may be understood to be used for convenience and to include one, or more than one of the modified noun, unless otherwise specifically stated.
Elements, components, modules, and/or parts thereof that are described and/or otherwise portrayed through the figures to communicate with, be associated with, and/or be based on, something else, may be understood to so communicate, be associated with, and or be based on in a direct and/or indirect manner, unless otherwise stipulated herein.
Although the methods and systems have been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, they are not so limited. Obviously many modifications and variations may become apparent in light of the above teachings. Many additional changes in the details, materials, and arrangement of parts, herein described and illustrated, may be made by those skilled in the art.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention it will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts may be used.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/197,897, filed on Jul. 28, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62197897 | Jul 2015 | US |
