Patent Application
20250120847
An individual may have limited or impaired mobility such that typical urination processes are challenging or impossible. For example, the individual may have surgery or a disability that impairs mobility. In another example, the individual may have restricted travel conditions such as those experienced by pilots, drivers, and workers in hazardous areas. Additionally, fluid collection from the individual may be needed for monitoring purposes or clinical testing.
Bed pans and urinary catheters, such as a Foley catheter, may be used to address some of these circumstances. However, bedpans and urinary catheters have several problems associated therewith. For example, bedpans may be prone to discomfort, spills, and other hygiene issues. Urinary catheters be may be uncomfortable, painful, and may cause urinary tract infections. Conventional fluid collection devices also may be limited to use when a patient is confined to a bed in a supine position.
Thus, users and manufacturers of fluid collection devices continue to seek new and improved devices, systems, and methods to collect fluid.
Embodiments disclosed herein are related to fluid collection systems and methods of using fluid collection systems. In an embodiment, a fluid collection system may include a fluid collection device configured to collect fluid discharged from a user, a fluid collection container configured to receive the fluid from the fluid collection device, and a pump in fluid communication with the fluid collection container. The pump may be in fluid communication with the fluid collection container and configured to pull an at least partial vacuum on an interior region of the fluid collection container effective to draw fluid from a fluid collection device into the fluid collection container. The fluid collection container may be either a reusable container or a disposable container. In some embodiments, at least the pump and the disposable container are sized and dimensioned to be disposed within a portable carrying case.
In an embodiment, a portable fluid collection system may include a fluid collection device, a first tube in fluid communication with the fluid collection device, a fluid collection container including a rectangular shape, a pump in fluid communication with the fluid collection container, a power supply operatively coupled to the pump, and a drainage tube configured to couple to the fluid collection container. The fluid collection device may be configured to be positioned at least proximate to a urethra of a user. The pump may be configured to pull an at least partial vacuum on an interior region of the fluid collection container effective to draw fluid from the fluid collection device through the first tube into the fluid collection container.
In an embodiment, a method of assembly for a portable fluid collection system is disclosed. The method may include positioning a fluid collection device proximate to a urethra of a user. The method also may include fluidly coupling the fluid collection device to the fluid collection container with a first tube. The method may further include placing a pump in fluid communication with the fluid collection container and placing at least the pump, a battery, and the fluid collection container within a portable carrying case. The method may also include detachably coupling the portable carrying case to a wheelchair. The pump may be configured to pull an at least partial vacuum on the interior region of the fluid collection container effective to draw fluid from the fluid collection device through the first tube into the fluid collection container.
Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.
Embodiments disclosed herein are related to fluid collection systems and related methods. Many users of fluid collection devices are over 65 years old with limited mobility, often relying on wheelchairs as a primary mode of transportation. Many users also spend a significant amount of their day in a seated or supine position. Users and caregivers, then, are benefited from a fluid collection system that may be both discrete and mobile, allowing users to use the fluid collection system to collect fluid both at home and on the go.
In many embodiments described herein, a fluid collection system may be configured to be capable for extended use at home or may be relatively compact and configured to be portable. Embodiments of the fluid collection systems described herein are both able to include large capacity of urine collection for at-home (e.g., overnight) use and mobile and discreet, allowing a user to participate in social activities without alerting others to the incontinence of the users. For example, the fluid collection systems may include a portable carrying case configured to detachably couple to a wheelchair and hold at least a pump of a fluid collection system therein to obscure the pump from view and/or dampen noise outside the fluid collection system. The fluid collected in the fluid collection systems described herein also may be stored in a fluid collection container that is obscured by the portable carrying case from view and/or obscures the fluid held in the fluid collection container. Portable can be defined as able to be easily carried or moved, especially because being of a lighter and smaller version than fluid collection systems that include large capacity of urine collection. In other words, the portable carrying case can be carryable by a human, such as a caretaker or a patient.
In some embodiments, the fluid collection system also includes a fluid collection device configured to be positioned at least proximate to a urethra of a user and a first tube in fluid communication with the fluid collection device where the pump may be configured to pull an at least partial vacuum on an interior region of the fluid collection container effective to draw fluid from the fluid collection device through the first tube into the fluid collection container.
The suction force may be applied to the outlet of the tube 18 by the pump 16 either directly or indirectly. The suction force may be applied indirectly via the fluid collection container 14. For example, the outlet of the tube 18 may be disposed within or fluidly coupled to an interior region of the fluid collection container 14 and an additional tube 18 may extend from the fluid collection container 14 to the pump 16. Accordingly, the pump 16 may apply suction to the fluid collection device 12 via the fluid collection container 14. The suction force may be applied directly via the pump 16. For example, the outlet of the tube 18 may be disposed within the pump 16. An additional tube 18 may extend from the pump 16 to a point outside of the fluid collection device 12, such as to the fluid collection container 14. In such examples, the pump 16 may be disposed between the fluid collection device 12 and the fluid collection container 14.
The fluid collection container 14 may be sized and shaped to retain a fluid therein. The fluid collection container 14 may include a bag (e.g., drainage bag), a bottle or cup (e.g., collection jar), or any other enclosed container for storing bodily fluid(s) such as fluid. In some examples, the tube 18 may extend from the fluid collection device 12 and attach to the fluid collection container 14 at a first point therein. An additional tube 18 may attach to the fluid collection container 14 at a second point thereon and may extend and attach to the pump 16. Accordingly, a vacuum (e.g., suction) may be drawn through fluid collection device 12 via the fluid collection container 14. Fluid, such as urine, may be drained from the fluid collection device 12 using the pump 16.
The pump 16 or vacuum source may include one or more of a manual vacuum pump, and electric vacuum pump, a diaphragm pump, a centrifugal pump, a displacement pump, a magnetically driven pump, a peristaltic pump, or any pump configured to produce a vacuum. The pump 16 may provide a vacuum or suction to remove fluid from the fluid collection device 12. In some examples, the pump 16 may be powered by one or more of a power cord (e.g., connected to a power socket), an alternator, one or more batteries, or even manual power (e.g., a hand operated vacuum pump). The vacuum sources disclosed herein may include one or more of a switch, a button, a plug, a remote, or any other device suitable to activate the pump 16.
Many embodiments of fluid collection systems described herein are configured to be worn by a user, positioned on a surface such as a table, and/or securable or mountable to a wheelchair.
The fluid collection device 102 may be positioned at least proximate to a urethral opening. The fluid collection device shown in
In some embodiments, the collection tube 108, the suction tube 110 and/or other tubing of the fluid collection system 100 may include a flexible material such as materials tubing (e.g., medical tubing). Such material tubing may include a thermoplastic elastomer, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate, polytetrafluoroethylene, flexible metal, ceramic and composite material tubing etc. The collection tube 108 may include silicon or latex. In some embodiments, the collection tube 108 may be constructed of any suitable material to be impermeable to fluids such that fluids may be drawn from the fluid collection assembly 102 and into the collection tube 108. In some embodiments, the collection tube 108 may include one or more portions that are resilient, such as by having one or more of a diameter or wall thickness that allows the collection tube 108 to be flexible.
The fluid collection container 104 may be integrated into the housing 106. In some embodiments, the container 104 may include at least an inlet coupled to the collection tube 108, an outlet coupled to a drain tube and a vacuum port coupled to the pump. In some embodiments, the container 104 may be opaque or clear according to different embodiments and may include a generally rectangular front or rear profile as shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the fluid collection container 104 may include a drain tube 112 to remove fluid from the fluid collection container 104. Fluid collected in the fluid collection container 104 may be emptied through the drain tube 112. The drain tube 112 may be coupled to a drain port 114. In some embodiments, the drain port 114 may be located in a bottom corner of the fluid collection container 104. In some embodiments, the drain port 114 may automatically open when the drain tube 112 couples to the drain port 114. The drain port 114 may include a valve that opens when the drain tube 112 is coupled to the drain port 114. For example, the drain port 114 may include a split septum device that opens when the drain tube 112 is inserted. In other embodiments, the drain port 114 may be a one-way valve that is activated open when the drain tube 112 is connected.
In some embodiments, the drain tube 112 may include a valve 116 that may be opened to empty the fluid collection container 104 directly or a pump may be coupled to the fluid collection container 104 and configured to apply a pressure to the fluid for more rapid disposal. The valve 116 may include a clamp, a ball valve, a butterfly valve, or any suitable valve.
In some embodiments, the fluid collection container 104 includes a lid 118 and a drain spout 120 and vent spout 122 coupled to the lid 118. In some embodiments, the lid 118 further includes connectors (not shown) for the collection tube 108 and the suction tube 110. The drain spout 120 may include a cap 124 that covers the drain spout 120 when not in use. The cap 124 may be connected to a cover (not shown) for the vent spout 122 and configured such that the cap 124 is removed and the vent spout 122 is open when the fluid is dispensed, to aid in proper air flow as the fluid is removed.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the portable carrying case 126 may include a fastening seam 125, such as a hook and loop, snap, or zipper seam. In some embodiments, the portable carrying case 126 may include more than one compartments, each compartment being able to be accessed by a fastening seam. Thus, the portable carrying case 126 may be closeable for discretion of the fluid collection system 100 and may be used to hold other items securely. For example, when the drain tube 112 is not being used, the drain tube 112 may be stored within the portable carrying case 126. The portable carrying case 126 may be sized and dimensioned to hold at least the fluid collection container 104, a pump 130, and a battery 132 (shown in
The pump 130 may be in fluid communication with the interior region of the fluid collection container 104 and may be configured to pull at least a partial vacuum on the interior region of the fluid collection container 104 effective to draw the fluid from the fluid collection device 102 and into the fluid collection container 104. In some embodiments, the pump 130 may be coupled directly to the fluid collection container 104, or the suction tube 110 may fluidly couple the pump 130 with the interior region of the fluid collection container 104.
The pump 130 may include one or more of a manual vacuum pump, and electric vacuum pump, a diaphragm pump, a centrifugal pump, a displacement pump, a magnetically driven pump, a peristaltic pump, or any pump configured to produce a vacuum. For example, the pump may include an air media diaphragm pump having a minimum pumping speed of 25 ml/second. In some embodiments, the pump 130 includes a variable speed pump and/or a continuous pump. For example, the pump 130 may include a variable speed pump. The pump 130 may provide a vacuum or suction to remove fluid from the fluid collection device 102. In some examples, the pump 130 may be powered by one or more batteries 132 operatively coupled to the pump. In some embodiments, the battery 132 may include a lithium ion battery. In some embodiments, the battery 132 may be alkaline or rechargeable. In some examples, the pump 130 and/or the battery 132 may be sized and shaped to fit within the portable carrying case 126. For example, the pump 130 may include one or more miniaturized pumps or one or more micro pumps. The pump 130 may include one or more of a switch, a button, a plug, a remote, or any other device suitable to activate the pump 130.
As shown in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the fluid collection system 100 may include an alternator 136 to charge the battery 132 or power an electric motor for the pump 130. In some embodiments, the alternator 136 may be coupled to an axle 138 of the wheelchair 140. When the wheelchair is moved, the alternator 136 may be coupled to the wheel to generate a current that may charge the battery 132 and/or power the pump 130. The alternator 136 may extend the life of the battery 132 in operation by powering the components of the fluid collection system 100 (e.g. the pump 130) directly when the wheelchair 140 is moving. In some embodiments, the alternator 136 may charge the battery 132 and operate the pump 130 or other component of the fluid collection system 100 simultaneously.
Referring now to
The peristaltic pump 142 may include a second roller portion 146, in some embodiments. The roller portion 144 discussed above may be mechanically coupled to the axle 138 and the second roller portion 146 may be electrically coupled to the battery 132 or an alternate power supply discussed above. Thus, in some embodiments, the roller portion 144 of the pump 142 may be configured to receive energy from the mechanical motion of the wheel chair 140 to pump fluid through the peristaltic pump 142 and the second roller portion 146 may be configured to receive electrical energy from the battery 132 or alternate electrical power supply to pump fluid. In some embodiments, the roller portions 144 and 146 are configured to operate independently and/or synchronously. For example, when the wheelchair 140 is moving forward, the pump 130 may operate solely with the roller portion 144 to transfer fluid. When the wheelchair 140 is stopped or moving backwards, the pump 130 may operate only the second roller portion 146, and be powered by the battery 132, alternator 136, or other power supply.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the filter 150 may include an activated carbon filter. In other embodiments, the filter 150 may include a gas filter. In some embodiments, the one or more odor filter 150 may be included on or within at least one of the fluid collection device 102, the portable carrying case 126, or the fluid collection container 104.
The method 200 may include assembling any of the fluid collection system embodiments described herein. For example, the act 250 of detachably coupling a portable carrying case to a wheelchair may include coupling one or more straps of the portable carrying case to one or more handles of the wheelchair. The fluid collection container may include either a reusable container or a disposable container. In some embodiments, the method of assembly the portable fluid collection system includes cleaning and replacing the container or disposing of the container and fluidly coupling a new fluid collection container to the fluid collection device. In some embodiments, the method of assembly the portable fluid collection system may include energizing the pump with an alternated operatively coupled to an axle of the wheelchair.
The acts of the method of collecting fluids from a user described above are for illustrative purposes. For example, the acts of the method of collecting fluids from a user can be performed in different orders, split into multiple acts, modified, supplemented, or combined. In an embodiment, one or more of the acts of the method of collecting fluids from a user can be omitted from the method. Any of the acts of the method of collecting fluids from a user can include using any of the portable fluid collection systems disclosed herein.
As used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” refers to an allowable variance of the term modified by “about” or “substantially” by ±10% or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more” include, as an endpoint, the value that is modified by the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 63/230,894 filed on Aug. 9, 2021, entitled PORTABLE URINE COLLECTION SYSTEM AND RELTED METHODS, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/039711 | 8/8/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63230894 | Aug 2021 | US |
