TREA

Using wicking material to collect liquid for transport

Follow

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10952889
  • Patent Number
    10,952,889
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, June 2, 2016
    8 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 23, 2021
    3 years ago
Information
Abstract
A container for collecting liquid for transport, includes a shell having a port adapted for receiving tubing and configured to define a chamber that has a window in an exterior surface of the shell. The window is so positioned that when a wicking material, which is adapted to be applied against a particular source of moisture and which is so dimensioned that when the wicking material is received within the shell and applied through the window to the particular source of moisture, the shell is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port into the shell chamber and the shell is otherwise closed a partial vacuum can be created within the shell chamber to draw moisture into the shell chamber through the wicking material for collection as a liquid within the shell chamber for transport from the shell chamber via the tubing. A wicking material applicator includes a material having openings and formed to define an extended hollow framework about which the wicking material can be, or is, disposed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally pertains to using wicking material to collect liquid for transport and is particularly directed to a container that can be used to so collect a liquid, such as urine, from the body of a person or an animal in such a manner that the liquid can be readily transported from the container as the liquid is being collected, and is also directed to a wicking material applicator for use with such a container.


A container for collecting urine and transporting the collected urine voided from a person's body is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,508 to Robert A. Sanchez. The container described in said patent is made of plastic or some other material and defines a chamber for collecting urine. The container is closed, except for having an array of openings through which urine can be drawn into the chamber for collection and at least one outlet port through which urine can be drawn away from the chamber by a transport tube inserted into the chamber. The exterior of the container is configured for enabling a moisture-wicking article to be secured over the array of openings and for enabling the secured moisture-wicking article to be disposed in contact with the region of a female body surrounding the urethral opening. A vacuum pump is attached to the transport tube in order to create a partial vacuum in the chamber in order to draw urine into the chamber for collection of the urine and in order to draw the collected urine away from the chamber.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a container for collecting liquid for transport, comprising: a shell having a port adapted for receiving tubing and configured to define a chamber that has a window in an exterior surface of the shell, with the window being so positioned that when a wicking material, which is adapted to be applied against a particular source of moisture and which is so dimensioned that when the wicking material is received within the shell and applied through the window to the particular source of moisture, the shell is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port into the shell chamber and the shell is otherwise closed a partial vacuum can be created within the shell chamber to draw moisture into the shell chamber through the wicking material for collection as a liquid within the shell chamber for transport from the shell chamber via the tubing.


In one aspect of the invention, the above-described container is combined with a wicking material applicator that is adapted for so supporting the wicking material that the wicking material can be received within the shell and applied through the window against the particular source of moisture.


The invention also provides a wicking material applicator for use with a container for collecting liquid for transport that comprises: a shell having a port adapted for receiving tubing and configured to define a chamber that has a window in an exterior surface of the shell, with the window being so positioned that when a wicking material, which is adapted to be applied against a particular source of moisture and which is so dimensioned that when the wicking material is received within the shell and applied through the window to the particular source of moisture, the shell is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port into the shell chamber and the shell is otherwise closed a partial vacuum can be created within the shell chamber to draw moisture into the shell chamber through the wicking material for collection as a liquid within the shell chamber for transport from the shell chamber via the tubing, wherein the wicking material applicator is adapted for so supporting the wicking material that the wicking material can be received within the shell and applied through the window against the particular source of moisture


The invention provides an improved container and an improved wicking material applicator that are particularly configured and adapted for applying the wicking material against a particular source of moisture.


The invention is particularly useful for persons or animals during various circumstances. These circumstances include a condition such as incontinence or a disability that limits or impairs mobility. These circumstances also include restricted travel conditions, such as sometimes experienced by pilots, drivers, workers in hazardous areas, etc. These circumstances further include collection of urine for monitoring purposes or clinical testing.


Additional features of the invention are described with reference to the detailed description.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING


FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention.



FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 1



FIG. 3 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a sheet of material having openings included in an exemplary embodiment of a wicking material applicator according to the invention.



FIG. 4 is a view of the exemplary embodiment of a wicking material applicator according to the invention



FIG. 5 is a view of the wicking material applicator shown in FIG. 4 with wicking material disposed about the applicator.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention includes a shell 12 having a port 14 that is adapted for receiving tubing (not shown). The shell 12 is configured to define a chamber 18 that has a window 20 in an exterior surface of the shell 12.


The window 20 is so positioned that when a wicking material 24, which is adapted to be applied against a particular source of moisture (not shown), and which is so dimensioned that when the wicking material 24 is received within the shell 12 and applied through the window 20 to the particular source of moisture, the shell 12 is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port 14 into the shell chamber 18 and the shell 12 is otherwise closed a partial vacuum can be created within the shell chamber 18 to draw moisture into the shell chamber 18 through the wicking material 24 for collection as a liquid within the shell chamber 18 for transport from the shell chamber 18 via the tubing.


In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the shell 12 is made of a compliant impermeable plastic material, such as silicone.


In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the portion of the shell 12 adjacent the window 20 is arched so that the wicking material can be better applied against the region of a female body surrounding the urethral opening.


An exemplary embodiment of a wicking material applicator 28 is described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The applicator 28 includes material having symmetrical or non-symmetrical openings and formed to define an extended hollow framework about which the wicking material can be, or is, disposed. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, material 30, such as porous spun plastic or plastic netting material, having openings 32, as shown in FIG. 3, is formed to define an extended hollow framework 34, as shown in FIG. 4, about which framework 34 wicking material 24 can be, or is, disposed, as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the material 30 is flexible polypropylene. In other embodiments, the material is nylon, polyester, some other plastic or a natural material.


Because the preferred framework 34 is flexible, the wicking material applicator 28 is compliant and is dimensioned accordingly to fit snuggly within the shell chamber 18 so that the wicking material can be pressed through the window 20 against the particular source of moisture.


An exemplary method of assembling a wicking material applicator 28 within the chamber 18 of the shell includes the steps of:


(a) disposing a wicking material 24, such as tubular gauze, about a hollow plastic pipe (not shown);


(b) inserting the pipe bearing the wicking material 24 into the shell chamber 18 through the port 14 in one end of the shell whereupon the wicking material 24 is positioned so that the wicking material 24 can be applied through the window 20 against a particular source of moisture;


(c) forming a wicking material applicator 28 from material having symmetrical or non-symmetrical openings to define the extended hollow framework 34 that is shown in FIG. 4;


(d) inserting the extended hollow framework 34 through the pipe so that the framework 34 is coextensive with the wicking material 24; and


(e) removing the pipe from the shell chamber 18 while simultaneously grasping both the wicking material 24 and the extended hollow framework so that the wicking material 24 is disposed about the extended hollow framework 34 to provide an assembled a wicking material applicator 28 that is so positioned that the wicking material 24 can be applied through the window 20 against a particular source of moisture.


Alternatively, the wicking material applicator 28 is assembled outside of the shell chamber 18 and is then positioned within the shell chamber by inserting the applicator 28 through the window 20 and flexing the shell 12 around and over the sides of the wicking material applicator 28.


Preferably, the method of assembling the applicator 28 outside the shell chamber 18 includes the steps of


(a) disposing a wicking material 24, such as tubular gauze, about a hollow plastic pipe (not shown);


(b) flexing a sheet of the flexible material 30 to define the extended hollow framework 34 that is shown in FIG. 4;


(c) inserting the extended hollow framework 34 through the pipe so that the framework 34 is coextensive with the wicking material 24;


(d) removing the pipe while simultaneously grasping both the wicking material 24 and the extended hollow framework 34 so that the wicking material 24 is disposed about the extended hollow framework 34; and


(e) while the wicking material 24 is disposed about the extended hollow framework 34, cutting a section of the so-disposed wicking material 24 to the desired length to thereby provide an assembled a wicking material applicator 28.


In an alternative method of assembling the applicator 28 outside the shell chamber 18, wicking material such as rolled gauze is applied to a sheet of material having openings and attached thereto with an adhesive or by compression of a frame around the perimeter of the sheet. Assembly of the wicking material applicator is then completed by shaping the sheet having the wicking material applied thereto into an extended hollow framework and maintaining the shape of extended hollow framework with adhesive or adhesive tape. Alternatively, the shape of the extended hollow framework is maintained due to compression when inserted into the shell 12.


Different embodiments of a container for a urine collection device according to the invention are configured for use by both adult and pediatric applications, and for veterinary applications involving animals of different species and sizes.


The benefits specifically stated herein do not necessarily apply to every conceivable embodiment of the present invention. Further, such stated benefits of the present invention are only examples and should not be construed as the only benefits of the present invention.


While the above description contains much specificity, these specifics are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the present invention, but rather as examples of the embodiments described herein. Other variations are possible and the scope of the present invention should be determined not by the embodiments described herein but rather by the claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims
  • 1. A container for collecting liquid for transport, the container comprising: a generally cylindrical shell shaped to receive a generally cylindrical wicking material applicator and having a port in a first end adapted for receiving tubing, a second end distal to the first end, a back surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a front surface distal to at least a portion of the back surface, the shell defining a chamber and having two elongated edges spaced inwardly from the front surface that at least partially define an elongated window opening in the front surface of the shell,wherein the shell is shaped and defines the window opening positioned on the front surface of the shell such that when the generally cylindrical wicking material applicator is received within the shell: the shell includes a compliant material configurable to form an arched position that supports a wicking material on an arched outer surface of the generally cylindrical wicking material applicator against a particular source of moisture through the window opening, the arched position of the shell forming an arch that extends at least partially between the first end and the second end; andthe shell is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port into the chamber, the shell is otherwise closed and a partial vacuum is created within the chamber when a vacuum pump coupled to the tubing is activated to draw moisture into the chamber through the tubular wicking material for collection as a liquid within the chamber for transport from the chamber via the tubing.
  • 2. The container according to claim 1, further comprising the generally cylindrical wicking material applicator configured to support the wicking material when the wicking material is received within the shell and applied through the window opening against the particular source of moisture.
  • 3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the generally cylindrical wicking material applicator comprises a material having symmetrical or non-symmetrical openings and formed to define an extended hollow framework about which the wicking material is disposed.
  • 4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the shell is an impermeable material.
  • 5. A wicking material applicator for use with a container for collecting liquid for transport that comprises a shell configurable to an arched position and having a port adapted for receiving tubing, the shell defining a chamber and a window opening defined at least partially by two elongated edges spaced inwardly from a front surface of the shell, the wicking material applicator comprising: a cylindrical hollow support formed from a porous material; anda wicking material in a tubular shape disposed about the hollow support wherein a portion of the wicking material in the tubular shape forms an arched surface that is adapted to be applied against a particular source of moisture through the window opening when the wicking material applicator is positioned within the shell and the shell is in the arched position, wherein the wicking material applicator is so dimensioned that when the wicking material applicator is received within the shell and applied through the window opening to the particular source of moisture, the arched surface is spaced outwardly from the two elongated edges defining the window opening and the shell is at least partially closed so that when tubing is inserted through the port into the chamber, the shell is otherwise closed, and a vacuum pump coupled to the tubing is activated, a partial vacuum is created within the chamber to draw moisture into the chamber through the wicking material for collection as a liquid within the chamber for transport from the chamber via the tubing, wherein the support is adapted for so supporting the wicking material that the wicking material can be received within the shell and applied through the window opening against the particular source of moisture.
  • 6. The wicking material applicator according to claim 5, wherein the hollow support comprises material having symmetrical or non-symmetrical openings and formed to define an extended hollow framework about which the wicking material is disposed.
  • 7. The wicking material applicator according to claim 6, wherein the material defining the framework comprises a sheet of flexible plastic material formed to define said extended hollow framework about which the wicking material is disposed.
  • 8. The wicking material applicator according to claim 6, wherein the material defining the framework comprises spun plastic formed to define the extended hollow framework about which the wicking material is disposed.
  • 9. The wicking material applicator according to claim 5, wherein the hollow support comprises natural material having openings that allow fluid to flow through and formed to define an extended hollow framework about which the wicking material is disposed.
  • 10. The container of claim 4, wherein the shell includes silicone.
  • 11. A system for collecting liquid for transport, the system comprising: a shell defining a chamber and a window opening, the shell having a first end including a port configured to receive tubing, a second end distal to the first end, a back surface extending between the first end and the second end, a front surface distal to the back surface, two elongated edges spaced inwardly from the front surface that at least partially define the window opening in the front surface, and a compliant material configurable to form an arched position that includes an arch extending at least partially between the first end and the second end; anda generally cylindrical wicking material applicator positioned within the chamber and including: a hollow support formed form a porous material; anda wicking material in a tubular shape disposed about the hollow support;wherein the window opening is sized such that the shell in the arched position supports an arched portion of the wicking material in the tubular shape exposed through the window opening for application against a particular source of moisture.
  • 12. The system of claim 11, wherein when the wicking material is positioned within the chamber, tubing is inserted through the port into the chamber the shell is otherwise closed, and a vacuum pump coupled to the tubing is activated, a partial vacuum is created within the chamber to draw moisture into the chamber through the portion of the wicking material for collection as a liquid within the chamber for transport from the chamber via the tubing.
  • 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the shell includes an impermeable material.
  • 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the shell includes an impermeable silicone.
  • 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the hollow support includes porous material formed to define an extended hollow framework.
  • 16. The system of claim 11, wherein: the shell has two elongated edges and two arched edges extending between the two longitudinal edges that define the window; andthe shell and the wicking material applicator are sized such that the wicking material is fitted against the two arched edges and the arched portion of the wicking material in the tubular shape is exposed through the window opening for application against a particular source of moisture.
  • 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the shell flexes around the wicking material applicator.
US Referenced Citations (352)
Number Name Date Kind
1742080 Jones Dec 1929 A
2644234 Earl Jul 1953 A
2968046 Duke Jan 1961 A
3087938 Reimann et al. Apr 1963 A
3198994 Hildebrandt et al. Aug 1965 A
3312981 McGuire et al. Apr 1967 A
3349768 Keane Oct 1967 A
3366116 Huck Jan 1968 A
3400717 Cubitt et al. Sep 1968 A
3406688 Cubitt R Oct 1968 A
3511241 Lee May 1970 A
3512185 Ellis May 1970 A
3520300 Flower Jul 1970 A
3613123 Langstrom Oct 1971 A
3651810 Ormerod Mar 1972 A
3726277 Hirschman Apr 1973 A
4020843 Kanall May 1977 A
4022213 Stein May 1977 A
4200102 Duhamel et al. Apr 1980 A
4202058 Anderson May 1980 A
4233025 Larson et al. Nov 1980 A
4246901 Frosch et al. Jan 1981 A
4257418 Hessner Mar 1981 A
4270539 Frosch et al. Jun 1981 A
4352356 Tong Oct 1982 A
4387726 Denard Jun 1983 A
4425130 Desmarais Jan 1984 A
4453938 Brendling Jun 1984 A
4457314 Knowles Jul 1984 A
4526688 Schmidt, Jr. et al. Jul 1985 A
4528703 Kraus Jul 1985 A
4581026 Schneider Apr 1986 A
4610675 Triunfol Sep 1986 A
4627846 Ternstroem Dec 1986 A
4631061 Martin Dec 1986 A
4650477 Johnson Mar 1987 A
4692160 Nussbaumer Sep 1987 A
4713066 Komis Dec 1987 A
4747166 Kuntz May 1988 A
4752944 Conrads et al. Jun 1988 A
4769215 Ehrenkranz Sep 1988 A
4772280 Rooyakkers Sep 1988 A
4790835 Elias Dec 1988 A
4791686 Taniguchi et al. Dec 1988 A
4795449 Schneider et al. Jan 1989 A
4799928 Crowley, IV Jan 1989 A
4804377 Hanifl et al. Feb 1989 A
4820297 Kaufman et al. Apr 1989 A
4846909 Klug et al. Jul 1989 A
4882794 Stewart Nov 1989 A
4883465 Brennan Nov 1989 A
4886508 Washington Dec 1989 A
4886509 Mattsson Dec 1989 A
4889533 Beecher Dec 1989 A
4905692 More Mar 1990 A
4965460 Tanaka et al. Oct 1990 A
5002541 Conkling et al. Mar 1991 A
5004463 Nigay Apr 1991 A
5031248 Kemper Jul 1991 A
5049144 Payton Sep 1991 A
5071347 McGuire Dec 1991 A
5084037 Barnett Jan 1992 A
5100396 Zamierowski Mar 1992 A
5147301 Ruvio Sep 1992 A
5195997 Carns Mar 1993 A
5203699 McGuire Apr 1993 A
5244458 Takasu Sep 1993 A
5294983 Ersoz et al. Mar 1994 A
5295983 Kubo Mar 1994 A
5300052 Kubo Apr 1994 A
5382244 Telang Jan 1995 A
5466229 Elson et al. Nov 1995 A
5478334 Bernstein Dec 1995 A
5499977 Marx Mar 1996 A
D373928 Green Sep 1996 S
5618277 Goulter Apr 1997 A
5628735 Skow May 1997 A
5636643 Argenta et al. Jun 1997 A
5674212 Osborn et al. Oct 1997 A
5678564 Lawrence et al. Oct 1997 A
5678654 Uzawa Oct 1997 A
5687429 Rahlff Nov 1997 A
5695485 Duperret et al. Dec 1997 A
5752944 Dann et al. May 1998 A
5772644 Bark et al. Jun 1998 A
5827247 Kay Oct 1998 A
5827250 Fujioka et al. Oct 1998 A
5827257 Fujioka et al. Oct 1998 A
D401699 Herchenbach et al. Nov 1998 S
5887291 Bellizzi Mar 1999 A
5894608 Birbara Apr 1999 A
D409303 Oepping May 1999 S
5911222 Lawrence et al. Jun 1999 A
5957904 Holland Sep 1999 A
5972505 Phillips et al. Oct 1999 A
6059762 Boyer et al. May 2000 A
6063064 Tuckey et al. May 2000 A
6105174 Karlsten et al. Aug 2000 A
6113582 Dwork Sep 2000 A
6117163 Bierman Sep 2000 A
6123398 Arai et al. Sep 2000 A
6129718 Wada et al. Oct 2000 A
6131964 Sareshwala Oct 2000 A
6177606 Etheredge et al. Jan 2001 B1
6209142 Mattsson et al. Apr 2001 B1
6248096 Dwork et al. Jun 2001 B1
6311339 Kraus Nov 2001 B1
6336919 Davis et al. Jan 2002 B1
6338729 Wada et al. Jan 2002 B1
6409712 Dutari et al. Jun 2002 B1
6416500 Wada et al. Jul 2002 B1
6475198 Lipman et al. Nov 2002 B1
6479726 Cole et al. Nov 2002 B1
6491673 Palumbo et al. Dec 2002 B1
6508794 Palumbo et al. Jan 2003 B1
6540729 Wada et al. Apr 2003 B1
6547771 Robertson et al. Apr 2003 B2
6569133 Cheng et al. May 2003 B2
6592560 Snyder et al. Jul 2003 B2
6620142 Flueckiger Sep 2003 B1
6635038 Scovel Oct 2003 B2
6685684 Falconer Feb 2004 B1
6702793 Sweetser et al. Mar 2004 B1
6706027 Harvie Mar 2004 B2
6732384 Scott May 2004 B2
6740066 Wolff et al. May 2004 B2
6783519 Samuelsson Aug 2004 B2
6814547 Childers et al. Nov 2004 B2
6849065 Schmidt et al. Feb 2005 B2
6857137 Otto Feb 2005 B2
6885690 Aggerstam et al. Apr 2005 B2
6888044 Fell et al. May 2005 B2
6912737 Ernest et al. Jul 2005 B2
6918899 Harvie Jul 2005 B2
6979324 Bybordi et al. Dec 2005 B2
7018366 Easter Mar 2006 B2
7125399 Miskie Oct 2006 B2
7131964 Harvie Nov 2006 B2
7135012 Harvie Nov 2006 B2
7141043 Harvie Nov 2006 B2
7171699 Ernest et al. Feb 2007 B2
7171871 Kozak Feb 2007 B2
7179951 Krishnaswamy-Mirle et al. Feb 2007 B2
7181781 Trabold et al. Feb 2007 B1
7186245 Cheng et al. Mar 2007 B1
7192424 Cooper Mar 2007 B2
7220250 Suzuki et al. May 2007 B2
7335189 Harvie Feb 2008 B2
7358282 Krueger et al. Apr 2008 B2
7390320 MacHida et al. Jun 2008 B2
7488310 Yang Feb 2009 B2
D591106 Dominique et al. Apr 2009 S
7520872 Biggie et al. Apr 2009 B2
D593801 Wilson et al. Jun 2009 S
7588560 Dunlop Sep 2009 B1
7682347 Parks et al. Mar 2010 B2
7695459 Gilbert et al. Apr 2010 B2
7695460 Wada et al. Apr 2010 B2
7699818 Gilbert Apr 2010 B2
7699831 Bengtson et al. Apr 2010 B2
7722584 Tanaka et al. May 2010 B2
7727206 Gorres Jun 2010 B2
7740620 Gilbert et al. Jun 2010 B2
7749205 Tazoe et al. Jul 2010 B2
7755497 Wada et al. Jul 2010 B2
7766887 Burns, Jr. et al. Aug 2010 B2
7833169 Hannon Nov 2010 B2
7866942 Harvie Jan 2011 B2
7871385 Levinson et al. Jan 2011 B2
7875010 Frazier et al. Jan 2011 B2
7901389 Mombrinie Mar 2011 B2
7927320 Goldwasser et al. Apr 2011 B2
7927321 Marland Apr 2011 B2
7931634 Swiecicki et al. Apr 2011 B2
7939706 Okabe et al. May 2011 B2
7947025 Buglino et al. May 2011 B2
7976519 Bubb et al. Jul 2011 B2
7993318 Olsson et al. Aug 2011 B2
8028460 Williams Oct 2011 B2
8128608 Thevenin Mar 2012 B2
8181651 Pinel May 2012 B2
8211063 Bierman et al. Jul 2012 B2
8221369 Parks et al. Jul 2012 B2
8241262 Mahnensmith Aug 2012 B2
8277426 Wilcox et al. Oct 2012 B2
8287508 Sanchez Oct 2012 B1
8303554 Tsai et al. Nov 2012 B2
8337477 Parks et al. Dec 2012 B2
D674241 Bickert et al. Jan 2013 S
8343122 Gorres Jan 2013 B2
8353074 Krebs Jan 2013 B2
D676241 Merrill Feb 2013 S
8388588 Wada et al. Mar 2013 B2
8425482 Khoubnazar Apr 2013 B2
8546639 Wada et al. Oct 2013 B2
8551075 Bengtson Oct 2013 B2
8568376 Delattre et al. Oct 2013 B2
8585683 Bengtson et al. Nov 2013 B2
D704330 Cicatelli May 2014 S
D704510 Mason et al. May 2014 S
D705423 Walsh Cutler May 2014 S
8715267 Bengtson et al. May 2014 B2
8864730 Conway et al. Oct 2014 B2
8936585 Carson et al. Jan 2015 B2
D729581 Boroski May 2015 S
9028460 Medeiros May 2015 B2
9173602 Gilbert Nov 2015 B2
9173799 Tanimoto et al. Nov 2015 B2
9248058 Conway et al. Feb 2016 B2
9480595 Baham et al. Nov 2016 B2
D777941 Piramoon Jan 2017 S
D804907 Sandoval Dec 2017 S
D814239 Arora Apr 2018 S
10226376 Sanchez et al. Mar 2019 B2
10335121 Desai Jul 2019 B2
10376406 Newton Aug 2019 B2
10390989 Sanchez et al. Aug 2019 B2
10478356 Griffin Nov 2019 B2
20010054426 Knudson et al. Dec 2001 A1
20020019614 Woon Feb 2002 A1
20020026161 Grundke Feb 2002 A1
20020087131 Wolff et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020189992 Schmidt et al. Dec 2002 A1
20030004436 Schmidt et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030120178 Heki Jun 2003 A1
20030181880 Schwartz Sep 2003 A1
20030195484 Harvie Oct 2003 A1
20030233079 Parks et al. Dec 2003 A1
20040006321 Cheng et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040127872 Petryk et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040128749 Scott Jul 2004 A1
20040143229 Easter Jul 2004 A1
20040191919 Unger et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040207530 Nielsen Oct 2004 A1
20040236292 Tazoe et al. Nov 2004 A1
20040254547 Okabe et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050010182 Parks et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050033248 MacHida et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050070861 Okabe et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050070862 Tazoe et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050097662 Leimkuhler et al. May 2005 A1
20050101924 Elson et al. May 2005 A1
20050177070 Levinson et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050197639 Mombrinie Sep 2005 A1
20050277904 Chase et al. Dec 2005 A1
20050279359 Leblanc et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060004332 Marx Jan 2006 A1
20060015080 Mahnensmith Jan 2006 A1
20060015081 Suzuki et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060155214 Wightman Jul 2006 A1
20060200102 Cooper Sep 2006 A1
20060229576 Conway et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060235359 Marland Oct 2006 A1
20070006368 Key et al. Jan 2007 A1
20070038194 Wada et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070117880 Elson et al. May 2007 A1
20070135786 Schmidt et al. Jun 2007 A1
20070191804 Coley Aug 2007 A1
20070214553 Carromba et al. Sep 2007 A1
20070266486 Ramirez Nov 2007 A1
20080004576 Tanaka et al. Jan 2008 A1
20080015527 House Jan 2008 A1
20080033386 Okabe et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080091153 Harvie Apr 2008 A1
20080091158 Yang Apr 2008 A1
20080234642 Patterson et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080281282 Finger et al. Nov 2008 A1
20080287894 Van Den Heuvel et al. Nov 2008 A1
20090025717 Pinel Jan 2009 A1
20090056003 Ivie et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090192482 Dodge et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090234312 Otoole et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090251510 Noro et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090264840 Virginio Oct 2009 A1
20090270822 Medeiros Oct 2009 A1
20090281510 Fisher Nov 2009 A1
20100004612 Thevenin Jan 2010 A1
20100121289 Parks et al. May 2010 A1
20100185168 Graauw et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100198172 Wada et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100211032 Tsai et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100241104 Gilbert Sep 2010 A1
20100263113 Shelton et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100310845 Bond et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110028922 Kay et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110034889 Smith Feb 2011 A1
20110040267 Wada et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110040271 Rogers et al. Feb 2011 A1
20110054426 Stewart et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110060300 Weig et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110077495 Gilbert Mar 2011 A1
20110172620 Khambatta Jul 2011 A1
20110172625 Wada et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110202024 Cozzens Aug 2011 A1
20120035577 Tomes et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120103347 Wheaton et al. May 2012 A1
20120165768 Sekiyama et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120165786 Chappa et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120210503 Anzivino et al. Aug 2012 A1
20120245542 Suzuki et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120245547 Wilcox et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120253303 Suzuki et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120330256 Wilcox et al. Dec 2012 A1
20130006206 Wada et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130053804 Soerensen et al. Feb 2013 A1
20130096523 Chang et al. Apr 2013 A1
20140031774 Bengtson Jan 2014 A1
20140157499 Suzuki et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140182051 Tanimoto et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140196189 Lee et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140348139 Gomez Martinez Nov 2014 A1
20140371628 Desai Dec 2014 A1
20150047114 Ramirez Feb 2015 A1
20150135423 Sharpe et al. May 2015 A1
20150157300 Ealovega et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150209194 Heyman Jul 2015 A1
20150359660 Harvie Dec 2015 A1
20150366699 Nelson Dec 2015 A1
20160029998 Brister et al. Feb 2016 A1
20160058322 Brister et al. Mar 2016 A1
20160100976 Conway et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160106604 Timm Apr 2016 A1
20160278662 Brister et al. Sep 2016 A1
20160366699 Zhang et al. Dec 2016 A1
20160367226 Newton et al. Dec 2016 A1
20160367411 Justiz et al. Dec 2016 A1
20160374848 Sanchez et al. Dec 2016 A1
20170007438 Harvie Jan 2017 A1
20170143534 Sanchez May 2017 A1
20170189225 Voorhees et al. Jul 2017 A1
20170202692 Laniado Jul 2017 A1
20170216081 Accosta Aug 2017 A1
20170246026 Laniado Aug 2017 A1
20170252202 Sanchez et al. Sep 2017 A9
20170266031 Sanchez et al. Sep 2017 A1
20170312116 Laniado Nov 2017 A1
20170333244 Laniado Nov 2017 A1
20170042748 Griffin Dec 2017 A1
20170348139 Newton et al. Dec 2017 A1
20180008451 Stroebech Jan 2018 A1
20180008804 Laniado Jan 2018 A1
20180028349 Newton et al. Feb 2018 A1
20180049910 Newton Feb 2018 A1
20180064572 Wiltshire Mar 2018 A1
20180200101 Su Jul 2018 A1
20180228642 Davis et al. Aug 2018 A1
20190038451 Harvie Feb 2019 A1
20190142624 Sanchez et al. May 2019 A1
20190224036 Sanchez et al. Jul 2019 A1
20190314190 Sanchez et al. Oct 2019 A1
20200046544 Godinez et al. Feb 2020 A1
20200085610 Cohn et al. Mar 2020 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (95)
Number Date Country
1533755 Oct 2004 CN
1602825 Apr 2005 CN
1720888 Jan 2006 CN
101262836 Sep 2008 CN
103717180 Apr 2014 CN
107847384 Mar 2018 CN
9107554.9 May 1995 DE
4443710 Jun 1995 DE
102011103783 Dec 2012 DE
9600118 Nov 1996 DK
0032138 Jul 1981 EP
0066070 Dec 1982 EP
0119143 Nov 1988 EP
0610638 Aug 1994 EP
0613355 Sep 1994 EP
1382318 Jan 2004 EP
1382318 May 2006 EP
2180907 May 2010 EP
2380532 Oct 2011 EP
2879534 Mar 2017 EP
3169292 61 Nov 2019 EP
1467144 Mar 1977 GB
2106395 Apr 1983 GB
2148126 Jul 1987 GB
2191095 Dec 1987 GB
2199750 Jul 1988 GB
2260907 May 1993 GB
2469496 Oct 2010 GB
S5410596 Jan 1979 JP
S5410596 May 1979 JP
H0267530 Mar 1990 JP
H02103871 Apr 1990 JP
H0460220 Feb 1992 JP
H05123349 May 1993 JP
H11113946 Apr 1999 JP
H11290365 Oct 1999 JP
2000185068 Jul 2000 JP
3087938 Sep 2000 JP
2001054531 Feb 2001 JP
2001054531 Feb 2001 JP
2001276107 Oct 2001 JP
2001276108 Oct 2001 JP
2004267530 Sep 2004 JP
2005066325 Mar 2005 JP
2006026108 Feb 2006 JP
3123547 Jun 2006 JP
2006204868 Aug 2006 JP
3132659 May 2007 JP
4039641 Nov 2007 JP
4747166 May 2011 JP
2012523869 Oct 2012 JP
2015092945 May 2015 JP
3198994 Jul 2015 JP
8101957 Jul 1981 WO
8804558 Jun 1988 WO
9104714 Apr 1991 WO
9104714 Jun 1991 WO
9220299 Feb 1993 WO
9309736 May 1993 WO
9309736 Jun 1993 WO
9600096 Jan 1996 WO
0057784 Oct 2000 WO
0145618 Jun 2001 WO
0145621 Jun 2001 WO
03071931 Sep 2003 WO
03071931 Feb 2004 WO
2004019836 Mar 2004 WO
2005089687 Sep 2005 WO
2005107661 Nov 2005 WO
2007007845 Jan 2007 WO
2007042823 Apr 2007 WO
2008078117 Jul 2008 WO
2009052496 Apr 2009 WO
2009101738 Aug 2009 WO
2010030122 Jul 2010 WO
2011024864 Mar 2011 WO
2011132043 Oct 2011 WO
2013103291 Jul 2013 WO
2013131109 Sep 2013 WO
2014041534 Mar 2014 WO
2015023599 Feb 2015 WO
2015169403 Nov 2015 WO
2015170307 Nov 2015 WO
2016051385 Apr 2016 WO
2016055989 Apr 2016 WO
2016071894 May 2016 WO
2016103242 Jun 2016 WO
2016116915 Jul 2016 WO
2016200088 Dec 2016 WO
2017209779 Dec 2017 WO
2017210524 Dec 2017 WO
2018022414 Feb 2018 WO
2018056953 Mar 2018 WO
2018138513 Aug 2018 WO
2018235065 Dec 2018 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (122)
Entry
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US16/49274, dated Dec. 1, 2016, 12 pages.
AMXDmax In-Flight Bladder Relief; Omni Medical 2015; Omni Medical Systems, Inc.
Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/947,759, dated Mar. 17, 2006.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/947,759, dated Apr. 8, 2016.
U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591, filed Nov. 25, 2015.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/947,759, dated Apr. 8, 2016 (8 pages).
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Patent Application No. PCT/US16/49274, dated Dec. 1, 2016 (11 pages).
International Search Report and Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Patent Application No. PCT/US2017/035625, dated Aug. 15, 2017 (17 pages).
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591 dated Aug. 1, 2017.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/947,759, dated Mar. 17, 2016 (7 pages).
U.S. Appl. No. 15/171,968, filed Jun. 2, 2016.
Parmar,“10 Finalists Chosen for Dare-to-Dream Medtech Design Challenge (PUreWick),” Design Services, Nov. 10, 2014 (3 pages).
Purewick,“Incontinence Relief for Women” Presentation, (7 pages), Sep. 23, 2015.
Pytlik,“Super Absorbent Polymers,” University of Buffalo http://www.courses.sens.buffalo.edu/ce435/Diapers/Diapers.html, accessed on Feb. 17, 2017.
Advisory Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591 dated Jun. 1, 2018.
Corrected International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No., PCT/US2017/043025 dated Jan. 11, 2018.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591 dated Feb. 23, 2018.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2017/043025 dated Oct. 18, 2017.
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2018/015968 dated Apr. 6, 2018.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591 dated Sep. 28, 2018.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/221,106 dated Jun. 5, 2018.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/238,427 dated Aug. 8, 2018.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/260,103 dated Sep. 26, 2018.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/611,587 dated Jul. 13, 2018.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/611,587 dated Dec. 29, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 15/260,103, filed Sep. 8, 2016.
U.S. Appl. No. 15/611,587, filed Jun. 1, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 15/612,325, filed Jun. 2, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/665,297, filed May 1, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/665,302, filed May 1, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/665,317, filed May 1, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/665,321, filed May 1, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/665,331, filed May 1, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/665,335, filed May 1, 2018.
“Male Urinary Pouch External Collection Device”, http://www.hollister.com/en/products/Continence-Care-Products/Urine-Collectors/Urine-Collection-Accessories/Male-Urinary-Pouch-External-Collection-Device, last accessed Feb. 8, 2018.
“Step by Step How Ur24 WorksHome”, http://medicalpatentur24.com, last accessed Dec. 6, 2017, Aug. 30, 2017, 4 pages.
Advisory Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/238,427 dated Apr. 10, 2019.
Corrected Notice of Allowability for U.S. Appl. No. 15/221,106 dated Jul. 2, 2019.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/221,106 dated Jan. 23, 2019.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/238,427 dated Jan. 2, 2019.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/260,103 dated Feb. 14, 2019.
Issue Notification for U.S. Appl. No. 15/611,587 dated Feb. 20, 2019.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591 dated Mar. 21, 2019.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/221,106 dated May 1, 2019.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/238,427 dated May 23, 2019.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/260,103 dated Jun. 7, 2019.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/611,587 dated Dec. 21, 2018.
U.S. Appl. No. 15/221,106, filed Jul. 27, 2016.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/369,676, filed Mar. 29, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/449,039, filed Jun. 21, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/452,145, filed Jun. 25, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/452,258, filed Jun. 25, 2019.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591, dated Nov. 1, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029608 dated Sep. 3, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029609 dated Sep. 3, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029610 dated Sep. 3, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029611 dated Jul. 3, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029613 dated Jul. 3, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029614 dated Sep. 26, 2019.
International Search Report and Written Opinion from International Application No. PCT/US2019/029616 dated Aug. 30, 2019.
Issue Notification for U.S. Appl. No. 15/221,106 dated Jul. 24, 2019.
Issue Notification for U.S. Appl. No. 15/238,427 dated Jul. 24, 2019.
Issue Notification for U.S. Appl. No. 15/260,103 dated Aug. 7, 2019.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 29/624,661 dated Jul. 18, 2019.
Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff Sage Products, LLC's Answer, Defenses, and Counterclaims to Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, Nov. 1, 2019.
Advisory Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/722,613 dated Mar. 4, 2019.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/722,613 dated Nov. 29, 2018.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 29/624,661 dated Feb. 18, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/592,591 dated Mar. 20, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/722,613 dated Jun. 13, 2019.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/612,325 dated Mar. 19, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/433,773, filed Jun. 6, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/478,180, filed Jul. 16, 2019.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/452,437, filed Jan. 31, 2017.
U.S. Appl. No. 62/994,912, filed Mar. 26, 2020.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/952,591 dated Nov. 27, 2020.
Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/612,325 dated Sep. 17, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/171,968 dated May 11, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/899,956 dated Oct. 16, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/904,868 dated Nov. 25, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 16/905,400 dated Dec. 2, 2020.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 17/088,272 dated Jan. 25, 2021.
Non-Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 29/694,002 dated Jun. 24, 2020.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/612,325 dated Jan. 21, 2021.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 29/624,661 dated Jul. 10, 2020.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 29/624,661 dated May 14, 2020.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 29/624,661 dated Sep. 29, 2020.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 29/694,002 dated Jan. 29, 2021.
Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 29/694,002 dated Oct. 16, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/904,868 filed Jun. 18, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 16/905,400 filed Jun. 18, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/051,550 filed Oct. 29, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/051,554 filed Oct. 29, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/051,585 filed Oct. 29, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/051,600 filed Oct. 29, 2020.
U.S. Appl. No. 17/088,272 filed Nov. 3, 2020.
Sage's Initial Invalidity Contentions Regarding U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,287,508; 10,226,375; and 10,390,989, May 29, 2020, 193 pages.
Sage's Supplemental and Initial Invalidity Contentions Regarding U.S. Pat. No's 8,287,508; 10,226,375; 10,390,989 and Initial Invalidity Contentions Regarding U.S. Pat. No. 10,376,407, Aug. 21, 2020, 277 pages.
Sage's Second Supplemental Invalidity Contentions Regarding U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,287,508, 10,226,375, 10,390,989, and 10,376,407, 292 pages.
Excerpts from the 508 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,508) Patent's Prosecution History, 2020, 99 pages.
Plaintiff's Opening Claim Construction Brief, Case No. 19/1508-MN, Oct. 16, 2020, 26 pages.
Plaintiff's Identification of Claim Terms and Proposed Constructions, Case No. 19/1508-MN, 3 pages.
PureWick's Response to Interrogatory No. 9 in PureWick, LLC v. Sage Products, LLC, Case No. 19/1508-MN, Mar. 23, 2020, 6 pages.
Sage's Preliminary Identification of Claim Elements and Proposed Constructions for U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,508, 10,226,376, 10,390,989 and 10,376,407, Case No. 19/1508-MN, 7 pages.
Corrected Certificate of Service, Case No. IPR2020-01426, U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,508, 2020, 2 pages.
Declaration of Diane K. Newman Curriculum Vitae, Petition for Interparties Review, 2020, pp. 1-199.
“3 Devices Take Top Honors in Dare-To-Dream Medtech Design Contest”, R+D Digest, Nov. 2013, 1 page.
“Advanced Mission Extender Device (AMDX) Products”, Omni Medical Systems, Inc., 15 pages.
“AMXD Control Starter Kit Brochure”, https://www.omnimedicalsys.com/index.php?page=products, Omni Medical, 8 pages.
“AMXDX—Advanced Mission Extender Device Brochure”, Omni Medical, Omni Brochure—http://www.omnimedicalsys.com/uploads/AMXDFixedWing.pdf, 2 pages.
“How Period Panties Work”, www.shethinx.com/pages/thinx-itworks, 2020, 10 pages.
“In Flight Bladder Relief”, Omni Medical, Omni Presentation https://www.omnimedicalsys.com/uploads/AMXDmax_HSD.pdf, 14 pages.
“Research and Development Work Relating to Assistive Technology Jun. 2005”, British Department of Health, Nov. 2006, 40 pages.
“Underwear that absorbs your period”, Thinx!, https://www.shethinx.com/pages/thinx-it-works last accessed Jun. 24, 2020, 7 pages.
“User & Maintenance Guide”, Omni Medical, 2007, 16 pages.
“Winners Announced for Dare-to-Dream Medtech Design Challenge”, https://www.mddionline.com/design-engineering/winners-announced-dare-dream-medtech-design-challenge, MD&DI, 2014, 4 pages.
Hollister, Female Urinary and Pouch and Male Urinary Pouch Brochure, 2011, 1 page.
Hollister, “Retracted Penis Pouch by Hollister”, Vitality Medical.com, https://www.vitalitymedical.com/hollister-retracted-penis-pouch.html last accessed Jun. 24, 2020, 6 pages.
Macaulay, et al., “A Noninvasive Continence Management System: Development and Evaluation of a Novel Toileting Device for Women”, The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society, vol. 34 No. 6, 2007, pp. 641-648.
Newman, et al., “The Urinary Incontinence Sourcebook”, Petition for Interparties Review, 1997, 23 pages.
Newton, et al., “Measuring Safety, Effectiveness and Ease of Use of PureWick in the Management of Urinary Incontinence in Bedbound Women: Case Studies”, Jan. 8, 2016, 11 pages.
Sachtman, “New Relief for Pilots? It Depends”, Wired, https://www.wired.com/2008/05/pilot-relief/, 2008, 2 pages.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20170348139 A1 Dec 2017 US