Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Receptacle attached to or inserted within body to receive...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-08
2001-02-06
Ruhl, Dennis (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Receptacle attached to or inserted within body to receive...
C604S331000, C604S355000, C604S540000, C604S544000, C600S574000, C004S144300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183454
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a collector for collecting urine from a human female, and specifically to an externally supported urine collector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Space travel provides exciting opportunities for women and men. However, the weightless environment provides particular problems for basic biological functions. Anatomical differences between women and men lead to a relatively easy solution to urination in a weightless environment for men but considerably greater challenges to provide for urination by females.
A solution to collecting urine from a human female in a weightless environment must be comfortable to use while ensuring no escape of urine. To date, absorbent pads have been used. These are not only uncomfortable but also impinge on the dignity of the user.
Medical circumstances may also prevent an individual from urinating in the customary way. For instance, individuals undergoing medical treatment or examination may be prevented from leaving a bed or examination table. A catheter is generally used in such circumstances for urination. The use of a catheter proves quite uncomfortable for the user. Lengthy recovery from an injury or illness or limited mobility due to handicap or aging may also prevent urination in the customary way. For such individuals, a catheter does not provide a long term solution. Instead, a bed pan or adult diaper may be used. Spills, leaks and hygiene then become issues.
A female urinary device has been proposed by Anderson and Levine, wherein a rigid opening attached to a urine collector tube is held in place about the urethra by a pair of flexible arms. The arms extend from one side of the rigid opening at an angle to the opening and at an angle to one another. The arms extend into the vaginal opening of the individual and the outward force exerted by the arms urges the opening into a sealing arrangement about the urethral opening. This device is designed for extended wear, however.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a urine collector for a human female which is used as needed for urination. The device may be used in a weightless environment, as well as other environments, without escape of urine.
The present urine collector has a collecting basin that is held in place about the urethral opening. An outer wall of the collecting basin tapers outwardly from an inlet opening of the basin and is free of sharp edges. A collecting tube is connected to an outlet of the collecting basin, the other end of the tube being connected to a collection bag or other reservoir. The inlet opening alignment with the urethral opening is assured by an intra-vaginal projection extending from a portion of the inlet opening of the collecting basin.
The collecting basin of the preferred embodiment has an elongated inlet opening of a generally oval shape. The intra-vaginal projection extends from one of the short sides of the elongated inlet. The intra-vaginal projection is generally the same width as the width of the inlet opening and may bulge slightly outward or taper gradually narrower. The free end of the intra-vaginal projection is rounded or hyperbolic.
To use, the intra-vaginal projection is introduced into the vaginal opening and the inlet of the collecting basin is pressed in place about the urethral opening. The device is held in place in this position by hand or by, for example, a belt. Preferably, an area is provided for gripping and for exerting the pressing force to hold the device in place during use. The outer wall of the collecting basin may extend to form a skirt to shield the fingers during use. The skirt also provides an extended edge-free surface to prevent discomfort for the user.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3432864 (1969-03-01), Schwartz
patent: 3432865 (1969-03-01), Schwartz
patent: 4202058 (1980-05-01), Anderson
patent: 4681572 (1987-07-01), Tokarz et al.
patent: 4713066 (1987-12-01), Komis
patent: 4846817 (1989-07-01), Mohr et al.
patent: 4886508 (1989-12-01), Washington
patent: 4889532 (1989-12-01), Metz et al.
patent: 4889533 (1989-12-01), Beecher
patent: 5370637 (1994-12-01), Brodeur
patent: 5549584 (1996-08-01), Gross
patent: 5827248 (1998-10-01), Crawford
patent: 0285585 (1988-10-01), None
patent: 2126902 (1984-04-01), None
Anderson Verne
Levine Laurence
Hill & Simpson
Ruhl Dennis
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