Devices, systems, and methods for urine diversion

Abstract

A system includes a container defining an internal chamber, a piston in the internal chamber, a spring coupled to a wall of the container and the piston, an inlet configured to receive a liquid into the internal chamber, and a bottom valve. The inlet includes a top valve that is actuatable between an open state and a closed state. The system has an armed state in which the piston is positioned in a top portion of the container, the spring is in a stretched state, and the inlet is decoupled from a urine diversion device. The system also has an active pumping state in which the piston moves in a direction from the top wall towards the bottom wall due to the spring moving from the stretched state towards a relaxed state while the inlet is coupled to the urine diversion device and the top valve is open.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 553,811, filed February 15, 20254, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to devices and systems for diverting urine discharged from the body of a user. BACKGROUND

[0003] Under various circumstances, a user may have limited or impaired mobility such that ordinary urinary functions and processes are rendered difficult (or impossible). For example, a person may have impaired mobility7 due to a disability or may be bedridden due to an injury or illness. In another example, a person may be subject to restricted occupational conditions under which the person has limited mobility. Also, for example, urine collection may be needed for monitoring purposes, such as for monitoring inputs and outputs in a clinical setting (e.g., in an intensive care unit, or for other clinical and / or laboratory7 testing).

[0004] Various approaches have been developed to address some of the problems or circumstances related to impaired or restricted urinary7 processes. Some approaches involve positioning a urine diversion device on or in a patient, and using suction to divert urine from the urine diversion device to a waste collection receptacle. However, these approaches suffer from a problem or limitation in that the source of suction may be immovable (e g., wall suction), limited in quantity7, and / or expensive. SUMMARY

[0005] In an example, a fluid diversion system includes a container defining an internal chamber. The container includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The fluid diversion system also includes a piston in the internal chamber of the container, a spring having a first end coupled to the bottom wall and a second end coupled to the piston, and an inlet at the top wall that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber. The inlet includes a top valve. The top valve is actuatable between an open state in which fluid can pass through the top valve and a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the top valve. The fluid diversion system also includes a bottom valve at a bottom portion of the container. The bottom valve is actuatable between a first state in which fluid can pass into the internal chamber through the bottom valve and a second state in which the fluid pass out of the internal chamber through the bottom valve.

[0006] The fluid diversion system has a plurality of states including: (i) an armed state in which the piston is positioned in a top portion of the container, the spring is in a stretched state, and the inlet is decoupled from the urine diversion device, and (ii) an active pumping state in which the piston moves in a direction from the top wall towards the bottom wall due to the spring moving from the stretched state towards a relaxed state while the inlet is coupled to the urine diversion device and the top valve is open.

[0007] In another example, a fluid diversion system includes a container defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber of the container is configured to be depressurized to an internal pressure that is below an atmospheric pressure. The fluid diversion system also includes a container inlet that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber, and a normally-closed valve that is configured to fluidly couple the container inlet to a urine diversion device. The normally-closed valve has (i) an open state in which fluid can pass through the normally-closed valve, and (ii) a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the normally-closed valve. The normally-closed valve is biased towards the closed state in absence of a liquid at the normally-closed valve, and the normally-closed valve is configured to actuate from the closed state to the open state in response to a presence of liquid at the normally-closed valve.

[0008] In another example, a fluid diversion system includes a container defining an internal chamber. The container includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The fluid diversion system also includes a container inlet that is configured to receive a liquid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber, and a stopper in the internal chamber of the container. The stopper is movable along a dimension extending between the top wall and the bottom wall of the container. The stopper partitions the internal chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is between the stopper and the top wall, and the second chamber is between the stopper and the bottom wall. The fluid diversion system also includes a detent that is configured to resist the stopper moving past the detent towards the bottom wall of the container. The second chamber is configured to have a first internal pressure that is lower than a second internal pressure of the first chamber when the stopper engages the detent. The fluid diversion system also includes an expandable material disposed in the first chamber between the stopper and the top wall of the container. The expandable material is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid passes through the container inlet and contacts the expandable material, and the expandable material is configured to apply a force to the stopper in a direction towards the bottom wall responsive to the expandable material physically expanding in volume. The force applied to the stopper by the expandable material is suitable to overcome a retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent and moves towards the bottom wall, and, responsive to the stopper releasing from the detent, the first internal pressure in the second chamber assists in moving the stopper towards the bottom wall, which causes the stopper and the container to apply a vacuum pressure to the container inlet.

[0009] The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 depicts a simplified block diagram of a fluid diversion system, according to an example.

[0012] Figure 2 depicts a fluid diversion system, according to an example.

[0013] Figure 3A depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in a disarmed state, according to an example.

[0014] Figure 3B depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in an arming state, according to an example.

[0015] Figure 3C depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in an armed state, according to an example.

[0016] Figure 3D depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in the armed state, according to an example.

[0017] Figure 3E depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in an active pumping state, according to an example.

[0018] Figure 3F depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in the active pumping state, according to an example.

[0019] Figure 3G depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 2 in a fully pumped state, according to an example.

[0020] Figure 4A depicts the fluid diversion system with a normally-closed valve in a closed state, according to an example.

[0021] Figure 4B depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 4A with the normally-closed valve in an open state, according to an example.

[0022] Figure 5A depicts the fluid diversion system with a normally-closed valve in a closed state, according to an example.

[0023] Figure 5B depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 4A with the normally-closed valve in an open state, according to an example.

[0024] Figure 6A depicts the fluid diversion system with an armed state, according to an example.

[0025] Figure 6B depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 6A in a fully pumped state, according to an example.

[0026] Figure 7 depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 6A including an extension spring, according to an example.

[0027] Figure 8 depicts the fluid diversion system of Figure 6A including a compression spring, according to an example.

[0028] Figure 9 depicts a flowchart for a process of diverting a fluid according to an example.

[0029] Figure 10 depicts a flowchart for a process of diverting a fluid according to an example.

[0030] Figure 11 depicts a flowchart for a process of diverting a fluid according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed embodiments are shown. Indeed, several different embodiments may be described and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0032] As noted above, some approaches to diverting urine to a waste collection receptacle involve applying suction to a urine diversion device, but these approaches suffer from a problem or limitation in that the source of suction may be immovable (e.g., wall suction), limited in quantity7, and / or expensive. The devices and systems of the present disclosure can address at least some of the drawbacks of existing urine diversion systems.

[0033] Referring now to Figure 1, a simplified diagram of a fluid diversion system 100 for diverting urine is depicted according to an example. As shown in Figure 1. the fluid diversion system 100 includes a urine diversion device 110, a vacuum device 112, and a drain tube 114 that can couple the urine diversion device 110 and the vacuum device 112. As described in further detail below, the urine diversion device 110 is configured to receive urine discharged by a user. Additionally, as described in further detail below, the vacuum device 112 can apply a vacuum pressure to the drain tube 114 to assist in directing the urine from the urine diversion device 110 to a container 118 of the vacuum device 112.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the drain tube 114 can directly couple the urine diversion device 110 and the vacuum device 112 to each other. For instance, a first end of the drain tube 114 is coupled to the urine diversion device 110, and a second end of the drain tube 114 is coupled to the vacuum device 112. As examples, the drain tube 114, the urine diversion device 110, and / or the vacuum device 112 can be coupled to each other by a threaded coupling, a Luer lock coupling, a friction-fit coupling, a bayonet coupling, and / or a quick-connect coupling. In other examples, the drain tube 114 can be integrally formed as a single monolithic structure with a portion of the urine diversion device 110 and / or the vacuum device 112, and / or the drain tube 114 tube can be non-removably coupled with the urine diversion device 110 and / or the vacuum device 112 (e.g., by a welded coupling).

[0035] Within examples, the drain tube 114 can be a flexible material to facilitate directing the drain tube away from the user’s body. It can be beneficial to direct the drain tube 114 away from the user’s body (e.g.. off the side of a bed) to reduce (or prevent) the drain tube 114 from accidental pulling and leakage resulting from such pulling.

[0036] As stated above, the urine diversion device 110 is configured to receive urine discharged by a user. For example, the urine diversion device 110 can be positioned relative to a urethra of the user to receive the urine into a receptacle 116 of the urine diversion device 110. The receptacle 116 of the urine diversion device 110 can be configured to receive urine from male anatomy and / or female anatomy. For instance, in some implementations, the urine diversion device 110 can be configured to receive and at least partially surround at a least a portion of a penis to receive urine from the urethra of a male user. In other implementations, the urine diversion device can be configured to extend external and adjacent to a vagina (e.g., between labial folds of the vagina) to receive urine from the urethra of a female user, or extend within a vaginal canal to receive urine from the urethra of a female user.

[0037] In some examples, the receptacle 116 can one or more surfaces formed from a liquid impermeable material such that the urine received into the receptacle 116 can be contained and / or diverted toward the drain tube 114. In such examples, the urine diversion device 110 can include an opening in the surface(s) formed from the liquid impermeable material to receive the urine and / or anatomy of the user into the receptacle 116. In some implementations, the one or more surfaces from the liquid impermeable material can be rigid structures (e.g., structures that do not bend responsive to forces manually applied by a human without the assistance of a machine) and / or flexible structures (e.g., structures that bend and / or flex responsive to forces manually applied by a human without the assistance of a machine). In some implementations, the receptacle 116 can include at a funnel, a cup, and / or a flexible bag formed from the liquid impermeable material to receive the urine, contain the urine, and / or divert the urine to the drain tube 114. As examples, the liquid impermeable material can include one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: silicone, polyurethane, rubber, latex, and / or a thermoplastic.

[0038] In some examples, the receptacle 116 can additionally or alternatively include one or more absorbent materials, one or more wicking materials, and / or one or more porous materials that can help to receive, contain, and / or divert the urine in the receptacle 116. The absorbent material(s) can help absorb and inhibit (or prevent) urine from leaking or flowing into a surrounding environment (e g., a bed, a chair, or a wheelchair). As examples, the absorbent material(s) can include a cotton fiber, a cellulose fiber, absorbent polymers, hydrophilic absorbing powder, and / or synthetic fibers. The one or more wicking materials can help to use capillary action to divert the urine received in the receptacle 116 away from the anatomy of the user and / or towards the drain tube 114. As examples, the wicking material(s) can include a polyster and / or a spandex. The porous material(s) can additionally or alternatively help to provide a spacer within the receptacle 116. which can help to inhibit a vacuum lock and / or separate the anatomy of the user from the urine received in the receptacle 116. In this way, the absorbent material(s), the wicking material(s), and / or the porous material(s) can help to reduce leakage, reduce w etness in contact with skin of the user, and / or improve comfort.

[0039] Although the receptacle 116 can include the one or more surfaces formed from the liquid impervious material to receive, contain, and / or divert urine in some examples, the receptacle 116 can omit the surfaces formed from the liquid impervious material in other examples. For example, the receptacle 116 can include a porous material and / or an absorbent material that can initially receive the urine and allow the urine to be diverted away by the vacuum pressure applied to the receptacle 116 by the vacuum device 112.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, in some example, the urine diversion device 110 can include one or more attachment members 120 that can couple the receptacle 116 of the urine diversion device 110 to the user. The one or more attachment member 120 can thus help to maintain a position of the urine diversion device 110 relative to the user. This can help to receive the urine into the receptacle 116 and / or mitigate leakage of urine out of the receptacle 116. As examples, the one or more attachment members 120 can include one or more components selected from a group consisting of: an adhesive, a tape, an elastic band, a drawstring, a cinch strap, and a strap that extends around a waist, a torso, or a leg of the user.

[0041] In other examples, the urine diversion device 110 can omit the one or more attachment members 120. For instance, the urine diversion device 110 can be held in place by the body of the user (e g., by positioning the receptacle between the labia and / or the gluteal folds of the user) and / or with the assistance of the vacuum pressure at the urine diversion device 110.

[0042] In some examples, the urine diversion device 110 can include one or more internal tubes 122 that can be fluidly coupled to the drain tube 114 to assist in applying the vacuum pressure to the receptacle 116. For instance, in some implementations, the drain tube 114 can be coupled to an upper portion and the one or more internal tubes 122 can extend down to a lower portion of receptacle 116 to evacuate urine against a force of gravity. In other examples, the urine diversion device 110 can omit the one or more internal tubes 122. For instance, in some implementations, the drain tube 114 can be coupled to a lower portion of the receptacle 116, and the urine can be diverted to the drain tube 114 by a force of gravity' and / or the vacuum pressure applied to an interior of the receptacle 116 by the drain tube 114 and the vacuum device 112.

[0043] Examples of suitable urine diversion devices 110 are described in the following publications, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. 2019 / 0247222 (published August 15, 2019), U.S. Publ. No. 20180228642 (published August 16, 2018), U.S. Publ. No. 2021 / 0069008 (published March 11,2021), U.S. Publ. No. 2022 / 0265461 (published August 25, 2022), U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,064 (issued May 16, 2000), U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,339 (issued November 6, 2001), U.S. Pat. No. 11,253,389 (issued February 22, 2022), U.S. Pat. No. 11.207,206 (issued December 28, 2021), U.S. Pat. No. 11,504.265 (issued November 22, 2022), U.S. Pat. No. 10.226,376 (issued March 12. 2019), U.S. Pat. No. 10.376, 407 (issued August 13, 2019), U.S. Pat. No. 10,376,406 (issued August 13, 2019), U.S. Pat. No. 10,942,889 (issued March 223, 2021), U.S. Pat. No. 11,395,871 (issued July 26, 2022), and U.S. Pat. No. 11,547.788 (issued January' 10, 2023).

[0044] Figures 2-6B depict implementations of the fluid diversion system 100 shown in Figure 1, according to examples. In Figures 2-6B, the urine diversion devices and the drain tubes can be substantially similar or identical to the urine diversion device 110 and the drain tube 114, described above. However, Figures 2-6B depict various implementations of the vacuum device 112 according to examples. In additional or alternative examples, one or more features of the implementations shown and described with respect to one of Figures 2-6B can be combined with one or more features of one or more of the other implementations shown and described with respect to Figures 2-6B.

[0045] Referring now to Figure 2, a fluid diversion system 200 is shown according to one example implementation. As shown in Figure 2, the fluid diversion system 200 includes a urine diversion device 210. a vacuum device 212, and a drain tube 214 that couples the urine diversion device 210 and the vacuum device 212, according to an example.

[0046] As described above, the urine diversion device 210 is configured to receive urine discharged by a user. For example, the urine diversion device 210 can be positioned relative to a urethra of the user to receive the urine into a receptacle 216 of the urine diversion device 210. In this example, the urine diversion device 210 includes an attachment member 220 that can assist in coupling the receptacle 216 to a user. However, as described above, the urine diversion device 210 can omit the attachment member 220 in other examples.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the vacuum device 212 includes a container 218 defining an internal chamber 224. The container 218 can includes atop wall 218A. a bottom wall 218B, and one or more lateral walls 218C extending between the top wall 218A and the bottom wall 218B. In the illustrated example, the container 218 has a shape of a cylinder. However, the container 218 can have different shapes in other examples.

[0048] The vacuum device 212 also includes a piston 226 in the internal chamber 224 of the container 218, and a spring 228 having a first end 228A coupled to the bottom wall 218B and a second end 228B coupled to the piston 226. In Figure 2, the spring 228 is shown in a stretched state after the spring 228 has been extended from a relaxed state, which is shown in Figure 3A. Actuation of the spring 228 betw een the stretched state show n in Figure 2 and the relaxed state shown in Figure 3A is described in further detail below.

[0049] Within examples, the piston 226 can form a seal across a cross-section of the container 218. For instance, a cross-section of the piston 226 can have a shape that matches a shape of the cross-section of the container 218. Additionally, the cross-section of the piston 226 and the cross-section of the container 218 can have respective sizes such that the piston 226 can move up and down within the container 218 w hile maintaining a substantially air tight seal between the piston 226 and the one or more lateral walls 218C of the container 218.

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 2 in which the container 218 is in the shape of a cylinder, the one or more lateral walls 218C can define the cross-section of the container 218 as having a circular shape with an inner diameter that is constant over a range of motion of the piston 226 between the top wall 218A of the container 218 and the bottom wall 218B of the container 218. In this example, the cross-section of the piston 226 can also be a circular shape with an outer diameter is approximately equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the container 218 to provide the air tight seal.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2. the vacuum device 212 also includes an inlet 230 at the top wall 218A. The inlet 230 can be coupled to the drain tube 214. As examples, the inlet 230 can be coupled to the drain tube 214 by a threaded coupling, a Luer lock coupling, a friction-fit coupling, a bayonet coupling, and / or a quick-connect coupling. In this arrangement, the inlet 230 is configured to receive fluid from the urine diversion device 210 into the internal chamber 224 (e.g.. via the drain tube 214).

[0052] Additionally, as shown in Figure 2, the inlet 230 includes a top valve 232 that is actuatable between an open state in which fluid can pass through the top valve 232 and a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the top valve 232. In particular, for example, the top valve 232 can be configured to provide an air tight seal at the inlet 230 when the top valve 232 is in the closed state. In this way. the top valve 232 can thus control a flow of urine and / or a gas (e.g., air) into the container 218 through the inlet 230.

[0053] In some examples, the top valve 232 can be configured to automatically actuate from the closed state to the open state responsive to the drain tube 214 coupling to the inlet 230, and automatically actuate from the open state to the closed state responsive to the drain tube 214 decoupling from the inlet 230. For instance, in one example, the top valve 232 can be a septum formed from an elastomeric material including an aperture. When the drain tube 214 is decoupled from the top valve 232 and the top valve 232 is in the closed state, the aperture can be se sufficiently small such that an air tight seal is maintained at the top valve 232. When the drain tube 214 is coupled to the top valve 232, the drain tube 214 can be inserted into and expand the aperture of the septum to open the inlet 230 and allow fluid to pass through the top valve 232 between the internal chamber 224 of the container 218 and the drain tube 214. As another example, the top valve 232 can include a flap that can cover the inlet 230 when the drain tube 214 is decoupled from the inlet 230. When the drain tube 214 is coupled to the inlet 230, the drain tube 214 can push the flap to a position at which the flap does not cover the inlet 230 to actuate the top valve 232 to the open state. In this example, the flap can help to form a seal around the drain tube 214 when the drain tube 214 is coupled to the inlet 230 and the top valve 232 is in the open state.

[0054] In other examples, the top valve 232 can include an actuator that can be operable to actuate the top valve 232 between the closed state and the open state. For example, the top valve 232 can include a gate valve and / or a buttery valve that can be actuated by a manually operable actuator (e.g., a lever), an electromechanical actuator (e.g., a servomotor actuated by a user input such as, for instance, a push button), and / or a pneumatic actuator. In examples in which the top valve 232 includes the actuator to operate the top valve 232, the drain tube 214 can be coupled to the inlet 230 first and then the actuator can be operated to open the top valve 232. This may be beneficial in situations in which is desirable to couple the drain tube 214 to the container 218 in advance of applying the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210.

[0055] As described in further detail below, the top valve 232 is further configured to allow an arming lever 233 to extend through the top valve 232 and couple to the piston 226 such that applying a force to the arming lever 233 in a direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A causes the piston 226 to move in the direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A. In some examples, the top valve 232 and the arming lever 233 can be configured such that a gas can egress out through the top valve 232 when the arming lever 233 pulls the piston 226 towards the top valve 232. This can help to arm the vacuum device 212 and make the vacuum device 212 ready to apply the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210. The arming lever 233 is described in further detail below.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the vacuum device 212 also includes a bottom valve 234 at a bottom portion of the container 218. The bottom portion of the container 218 can be a portion of the container 218 that is nearer to the bottom wall 218B than the top wall 218A. In some implementations, as shown in Figure 2, the bottom valve 234 can be at the bottom wall 218B of the container 218.

[0057] The bottom valve 234 is actuatable between a first state in which fluid can pass into the internal chamber 224 through the bottom valve 234 and a second state in which the fluid pass out of the internal chamber 224 through the bottom valve 234. The bottom valve 234 can thus assist in moving the piston 226 within the container 218 by (i) allowing for gas to vent out of the internal chamber 224 while the piston 226 moves in a direction from the top wall 218A toward the bottom wall 218B, and (ii) allowing for gas to ingress into the internal chamber 224 from an environment external to the container 218 while the piston 226 moves in a direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A. Further, the bottom valve 234 can be automatically actuated to the first state when the piston 226 moves in an upward direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A, and the bottom valve 234 can be automatically actuated to the second state when the piston 226 moves in a downward direction from the top wall 218A towards the bottom wall 218B.

[0058] In some examples, the bottom valve 234 can have a closed state in which fluid does not flow through the bottom valve 234. As described in further detail below, this can help to maintain the piston 226 at a top portion of the container 218 when the fluid diversion system 200 is an armed state and ready to apply the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210. The bottom valve 234 can be automatically actuated to the closed state when the piston 226 is stationary in the container 218.

[0059] As examples, the bottom valve 234 can include at least one valve selected from a group consisting of: bi-directional valves (e.g., two-way valves), and a duck bill / umbrella valve combination.

[0060] In this arrangement, the fluid diversion system 200 and the vacuum device 212 can have a plurality of states show n in Figures 3A-3G. For example, the plurality' of states can include one or more states selected from a group consisting of: a disarmed state, an arming state, an armed state, an active pumping state, and a fully pumped state.

[0061] Figure 3A depicts the vacuum device 212 and the fluid diversion system 200 in the disarmed state. As show n in Figure 3 A. when the vacuum device 212 is in the disarmed state, the spring 228 is in the relaxed state and the piston 226 is at the bottom portion of the container 218. In Figure 3A, the arming lever 233 extends through the top valve 232. As such, in Figure 3A, the top valve 232 is shown in the open state. However, the top valve 232 can be in the closed state when the arming lever 233 is removed from the top valve 232 while the vacuum device 212 is in the closed state. Additionally, in the disarmed state, the container 218 does not contain any urine in the internal chamber 224.

[0062] To arm the vacuum device 212, the arming lever 233 is inserted through the top valve 232 and removably coupled to the piston 226. As shown in Figures 3A-3C, the arming lever 233 can include an elongated shaft 233A and a handle 233B. The elongated shaft 233A can have a cross-section with dimensions that are configured to fit through the top valve 232, and a length that is sufficient to allow the handle 233B to be positioned above the top valve 232 when the elongated shaft 23 3A is coupled to the piston 226, which is at the bottom portion of the container 218.

[0063] The handle 233B can be configured to assist in pulling the piston 226 in the upward direction toward the top valve 232 and against the force applied to the piston 226 by the spring 228. For example, the handle 233B can extend in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 233A.

[0064] In one example, the arming lever 233 can be removably coupled to the piston 226 by a threaded coupling. In another example, the arming lever 233 can be coupled to the piston 226 by a friction fit, where a force of interface coupling the arming lever 233 and the piston 226 is greater than a force applied to the piston 226 by the spring 288. In one implementation, the force of interface coupling the arming lever 233 and the piston 226 can be further configured such that the force of interface can be overcome when the piston 226 contacts and is stop limited by the top valve 232 and / or the top wall 218A. In other examples, the arming lever 233 can be removably coupled by a frangible coupling, a snap-fit coupling, and / or a keyed coupling. More generally, the arming lever 233 can be removably coupled to the piston 226 by any means that is suitable to allow the arming lever 233 to be pulled upwardly to move the piston 226 to the top portion of the container 218, and then decoupled from the piston 226 after the piston 226 is positioned in the top portion of the container 218.

[0065] Figure 3B shows the fluid diversion system 200 in the arming state. As shown in Figure 3B, the arming lever 233 extends through the top valve 232 and couples to the piston 226 such that applying a force to the arming lever 233 in the direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A causes the piston 226 to move in the direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A. Indeed, as shown in Figure 3B, the arming lever 233 is being pulled in an upward direction (e.g., from the bottom wall 218B toward the top wall 218A) from an initial position of the piston 226 shown in Figure 3 A to an intermediate position shown in Figure 3B. The upward force exerted by the arming lever 233 on the piston 266 is greater than a force exerted by the spring 228 on the piston 226 such that the piston 226 is moving from the bottom portion of the container 218 (e.g., as shown in Figure 3B) towards the top portion of the container 218 (e.g., as shown in Figure 3C).

[0066] Additionally, in the arming state, the bottom valve 234 is in the first state as the piston 226 is moving in the direction from the bottom wall 218B towards the top wall 218A to stretch the spring 228 towards the stretched state. As a result, in the arming state, the bottom valve 234 can ingress a gas into the internal chamber 224 of the container 218 avoid an air lock condition, which would otherwise inhibit or prevent the piston 226 from fully moving to the top portion of the container 218. Similarly, the top valve 232 can egress gas out of the internal chamber 224 of the container 218 to avoid an airlock condition, which would otherwise inhibit or prevent the piston 226 from fully moving to the top portion of the container 218.

[0067] Figures 3C-3D show the fluid diversion sy stem 200 in the armed state in which the vacuum device 212 is ready to apply the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210 after the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210 are coupled to the vacuum device 212. As shown in Figures 3C-3D, in the armed state, the piston 226 is positioned in the top portion of the container 218, the spring 228 is in a stretched state, and the inlet 230 is decoupled from the urine diversion device 210. In some examples, the top portion of the container 218 can be a portion of the container 218 that is nearer to the top wall 218A than the bottom wall 218B. Also, in some examples, the top portion of the container 218 can be a portion in which at the piston 226 at least partially contacts the top valve 232 and / or the top wall 218A of the container 218.

[0068] Additionally, in the armed state, the top valve 232 can be in the closed state and the bottom valve 234 can be in the closed state. As a result, the internal chamber 224 can be sealed off from an environment external to the container 218. and the gas within the internal chamber 224 can apply a force to the piston 226 that is greater than the force applied to the piston 226 by the spring 228. Accordingly, in the armed state, the piston 226 remains positioned at the top portion of the container 218 while the spring 228 remains stretched.

[0069] As shown in Figure 3C, the arming lever 233 has been removed from the top valve 232 and the top valve 232 has automatically actuated from the open state to the closed state. As shown in Figure 3D. the urine diversion device 210 and the drain tube 214 are ready to be coupled to the vacuum device 212 to transition from the armed state to the active pumping state.

[0070] Figures 3E-3F show the fluid diversion system 200 in the active pumping state in which the piston 226 moves in the downward direction from the top wall 218A towards the bottom wall 218B due to the spring 228 transitioning from the stretched state towards a relaxed state while the inlet 230 is coupled to the urine diversion device 210 and the top valve 232 is in the open state, according to an example. In particular, Figure 3E shows the fluid diversion system 200 at an instant at which the drain tube 214 is coupled to the top valve 232, and Figure 3F shows the fluid diversion system 200 while the vacuum device 212 is applying the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210 to assist in transporting urine from the urine diversion device 210 to the container 218.

[0071] As shown in Figures 3E-3F, after coupling the drain tube 214 to the top valve 232, the top valve 232 is actuated from the closed state to the open state. As described above, the top valve 232 can automatically actuate from the closed state to the open state responsive to coupling the drain tube 214 to the top valve 232, or responsive to actuation of a separate actuator that is configured to control the top valve 232. In either case, when the top valve 232 actuates to the open state, an air lock condition between the top wall 218A and the piston 226 ceases and, therefore, the force acting on the piston 226 against the force applied to the piston 226 by the spring 228 ceases. As a result, the spring 228 is free to transition from the stretched state to the relaxed state and thereby move the piston 226 in the downward direction toward the bottom wall 218B. This in turn creates a pressure differential between (i) the internal chamber 224 of the vacuum device 212, and (ii) the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210. The resulting pressure differential results in the vacuum device 212 applying the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 214 and the urine diversion device 210, which can assist in moving urine from the urine diversion device 210 and the drain tube 214 to the container 218.

[0072] Additionally, as the piston 226 moves in the downward direction toward the bottom wall 218B, the bottom valve 234 can actuate from the closed state to the second state to egress gas from the internal chamber 224 out to an external environment. This can help to avoid an air lock between the piston 226 and the bottom wall 218B, which would otherwise prevent the piston 226 from moving in the downward direction. Within examples, a rate at which the piston 226 moves in the downward direction and, thus, a strength of the vacuum pressure can be controlled by the bottom valve 234. For instance, while the bottom valve 234 egresses gas, a portion of the gas remains in the internal chamber 224 and provides a force that partially resists the force applied by the spring 228 to the piston 226. As such, by configuring the bottom valve 234 to egress gas at a particular rate, the bottom valve 234 can help to slow or control the rate at which the spring 228 moves the piston 226 and, thus, control the strength of the vacuum force applied to the urine diversion device 210.

[0073] As shown in Figures 3F and 3G, with the assistance of the vacuum pressure and while the top valve is in the open state, the urine can flow' from the urine diversion device 210 and along the drain tube 214 into the container 218 of the vacuum device 212. The container 218 and the piston 226 can be configured to retain fluid (e.g., urine) received from the urine diversion device 210 between the piston 226 and the top wall 218A. For example, as the piston 226 and the lateral wall(s) 218C of the container form a seal, the urine can be retained in the container 218 between the piston 226 and the top wall 218A.

[0074] Figure 3G shows the fluid diversion system 200 in a fully pumped state, according to an example. As shown in Figure 3G, the piston 226 is again positioned in the bottom portion of the container 218 and the spring 228 is in the relaxed state. Additionally, as shown in Figure 3G, the drain tube 214 is decoupled from the top valve 232 and the inlet 230. The top valve 232 is in the closed state. This can help to mitigate or prevent urine from leaking out of the inlet 230 and / or the top valve 232.

[0075] In some examples, the container 218 can be a single-use, disposable container. This can provide for ease of use and improve sanitary conditions. In other examples, the container 218 can be drained of the urine and reused to collect additional urine. For instance, the top valve 232 can be actuated to the open state and the container 218 can be inverted to remove the urine from the container 218. The process show n in Figures 3A-3G can then be repeated one or more times.

[0076] Referring now to Figures 4A-4B, a fluid diversion system 400 is shown according to another example implementation. As shown in Figures 4A-4B, the fluid diversion system 400 includes a urine diversion device 410, a vacuum device 412, and a drain tube 414 that couples the urine diversion device 410 and the vacuum device 412, according to an example.

[0077] As shown in Figures 4A-4B, the vacuum device 412 includes a container 418 defining an internal chamber 424. In this example, the internal chamber 424 of the container 418 is configured to be depressurized to an internal pressure that is below an atmospheric pressure. For instance, the container 418 can be coupled to a vacuum pump that can depressurize the internal chamber 424 to the internal pressure that is below the atmospheric pressure prior to coupling the container 418 to the urine diversion device 410.

[0078] The vacuum device 412 also includes a container inlet 430 that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device 410 into the internal chamber 424. Additionally, the vacuum device 412 includes a normally-closed valve 436 that is configured to fluidly couple the container inlet 430 to a urine diversion device 410. The normally-closed valve 436 has (i) an open state in which fluid can pass through the normally-closed valve 436, and (ii) a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the normally-closed valve 436. Additionally, the normally-closed valve 436 is biased towards the closed state in absence of a liquid (e.g., urine) at the normally-closed valve 436, and the normally-closed valve 436 is configured to actuate from the closed state to the open state in response to a presence of liquid at the normally-closed valve 436.

[0079] Accordingly, within examples, the normally-closed valve 436 biased to the closed state can maintain the vacuum pressure in the internal chamber 424 prior to urine flowing from the urine diversion device 410 to the vacuum device 412. While the normally-closed valve 436 remains in the closed state, urine can be received in the urine diversion device 410 and flow along the drain tube 414 to the normally-closed valve 436. Responsive to urine engaging the normally-closed valve 436, the normally-closed valve 436 is actuated to the open state such that the vacuum pressure within the internal chamber 424 is applied to the drain tube 414 and / or the urine diversion device 410 to assist in moving the urine from the drain tube 414 and / or the urine diversion device 410 into the internal chamber 424. In this way, the normally-closed valve 436 can be configured such that detection of the presence of urine by the normally-closed valve 436 can be a trigger to start applying the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 414 and / or the urine diversion device 410. This allows for the vacuum device 412 to be prepared wi th a limited amount of vacuum pressure and then selectively use it when it can be most useful (e.g., while and / or after the wearer has voided their bladder as opposed to prior to the wearer voiding their bladder).

[0080] In the example shown in Figures 4A-4B, the normally-closed valve 436 can include an expandable material 437 that is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid (e.g.. urine) contacts the expandable material 437. In some examples, the expandable material 437 can include a hygroscopic material (e.g., poly acrylic acid, chitosan, cellulose fibers, cotton, paper, wood, and / or any other material or compound with a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion (CHE) capable of imposing a force due to its expansion). In other examples, the expandable material 437 can additionally or alternatively include a superabsorbent polymer (e.g., one or more cross-linked polyacrylates, one or more cross-linked polyacrylamides, one or more cellulose copolymers, one or more starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, and / or one or more cross-linked maleic anhydride copolymers).

[0081] Within examples, the expandable material 437 can be configured as a trigger mechanism for automatically actuating the normally-closed valve 436 from the closed state to the open state. For instance, in the example shown in Figures 4A-4B, the normally-closed valve 436 can include a valve inlet 438 that is configured to receive the liquid from the urine diversion device 410 (e.g.. via the drain tube 414), a valve outlet 440 that is configured to be fluidly coupled to the container inlet 430, a valve seat 442 between the valve inlet 438 and the valve outlet 440, and a plug 444 that is biased into contact with the valve seat 442 to prevent fluid from passing from the valve inlet 438 to the valve outlet 440 when the normally-closed valve 436 is in the closed state. In this example, the normally-closed valve 436 can also include a stem 446 that is coupled to the plug 444. Figure 4A shows the normally-closed valve 436 in the closed state.

[0082] The expandable material 437 and the stem 446 are configured such that, responsive to the expandable material 437 expanding in volume, the expandable material 437 moves the stem 446 and the plug 444 away from the valve seat 442 to actuate the normally-closed valve 436 from the closed state to the open state. As shown in Figure 4B, when the normally-closed valve 436 is in the open state, the plug 444 is separated from the valve seat 442 such that the valve outlet 440 is fluidly coupled to the valve inlet 438.

[0083] In this example, a first end of the stem 446 is coupled to the plug 444, and a second end of the stem 446 comprises a flange 448. The expandable material 437 can engage the flange 448 when the expandable material 437 expands in volume. For instance, the stem 446 can extend from the plug 444 into a cavity 450 that is transverse to the valve inlet 438. The expandable matenal 437 is disposed in the cavity 450. The flange 448 can extend outwardly from the stem 446, which can increase a surface area of contact between the expandable material 437 and the stem 446. This can help the expandable material 437 apply a force to the stem 446 (and, thus, the plug 444) in a direction that opposes a biasing force applied to the plug 444 (e.g., the biasing force is in a direction towards the valve seat 442).

[0084] As shown in Figure 4A, the cavity 450 is in fluid communication with the valve inlet 438 when the normally-closed valve 436 is in the closed state. This allows the fluid to move from the drain tube 414 to the expandable material 437 when the normally-closed valve 436 is in the closed state. Additionally, to help allows the fluid to move from the drain tube 414 to the expandable material 437, the normally-closed valve 436 can include a vent 452 that is configured to egress fluid (e.g., air or gas) from the normally-closed valve 436 when normally-closed valve 436 is in the closed state.

[0085] In Figures 4A-4B, the cavity 450 is opposite the valve outlet 440 (e.g.. the cavity 450 can be coaxial with the valve outlet 440). The valve inlet 438 is arranged transverse to the cavity 450 and the valve outlet 440. Although a longitudinal axis of the valve inlet 438 is perpendicular relative to a longitudinal axis of the cavity 450 and the valve outlet 440 in Figures 4A-4B, the longitudinal axis of the valve inlet 438 can be at a different angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 450 and the valve outlet 440 in other examples. Additionally, in other examples, the cavity 450 and the valve outlet 440 can be arranged along different axes in other examples.

[0086] The expandable material 437 can be configured to expand with a force that is greater than a biasing force that acts on the plug 444 to bias the plug 444 towards the valve seat 442. For instance, in some examples, the biasing force can include the vacuum pressure applied to the plug 444 by the vacuum within the internal chamber 424. In other examples, the biasing force can additionally or alternatively include a spring force applied to the plug 444. For instance, as shown in Figures 4A-4B, the normally-closed valve 436 can further a spring 454 that biases the plug 444 towards the valve seat 442. In this example, a first end of the spring 454 is coupled to the stem 446 (e.g., the flange 448) and a second end of the spring 454 is coupled to an end wall of the cavity 450. In this example, the spring 454 can be a tension spring that can exert a downward force on the plug 444 to assist in biasing the plug 444 into engagement with the valve seat 442. and maintain the normally-closed valve 436 in the closed state prior to actuation responsive to the liquid contacting the expandable material 437.

[0087] In other examples, the spring 454 can be a compression spring that assists in countering a biasing force that is applied by the vacuum pressure in the internal chamber 424. For instance, in some examples, the vacuum pressure may be sufficiently strong to bias the plug 444 into engagement with the valve seat 442, and the expandable material 437 may not expand with sufficient force to move the plug 444 out of engagement with the valve seat 442 on its own. In this case, the spring 454 can be a compression spring with a spring force that is less than the biasing force applied by the vacuum pressure, and great enough that the spring force in combination with the force of expansion of the expandable material 437 is greater than the biasing force applied by the vacuum pressure.

[0088] In still other examples, the normally-closed valve 436 can omit the spring 454. For instance, the vacuum pressure in the internal chamber 424 can apply the biasing force, and the expandable material 437 can overcome such a biasing force without the assistance of the spring 454.

[0089] In the example show n in Figures 4A-4B, the plug 444 can be in a shape of a ball. In this example, the valve seat 442 can have a diameter that is less than a diameter of the ball of the plug 444. This allows the plug 444 to seal the valve outlet 440 and prevent fluid coupling with the valve inlet 438 prior to actuation of the normally-closed valve 436 from the closed state to the open state.

[0090] In other examples, the plug 444 can be a rubber stopper (e.g., having a tapered shape) and / or an O-ring (e.g., a disc shaped structure). In still other examples, the plug 444 can include a hygroscopic material.

[0091] Figures 5A-5B depict a fluid diversion system 500 according to another example implementation. The fluid diversion system 500 is substantially similar or identical to the fluid diversion system 400 shown and described above with respect to Figures 4A-4B, except the fluid diversion system 500 includes a normally-closed valve 536 that can be actuated from the closed state to the open state by a sensor 556 in communication with an electromechanical actuator 558. For instance, as shown in Figures 5A-5B. the fluid diversion system 500 includes a urine diversion device 510, a drain tube 514, and a vacuum device 512 as described above. Additionally, the vacuum device 512 includes a container 518 that defines an internal chamber 524 and a container inlet 530 that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device 510 into the internal chamber 524.

[0092] Additionally, the vacuum device 512 includes the normally-closed valve 536 that is configured to fluidly couple the container inlet 530 to the urine diversion device 510. The normally-closed valve 536 has (i) an open state in which fluid can pass through the normally-closed valve 536, and (ii) a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the normally-closed valve 536. Additionally, the normally-closed valve 536 is biased towards the closed state in absence of a liquid (e.g.. urine) at the normally-closed valve 536, and the normally-closed valve 536 is configured to actuate from the closed state to the open state in response to a presence of liquid at the normally-closed valve 536.

[0093] Accordingly, within examples, the normally-closed valve 536 biased to the closed state can maintain the vacuum pressure in the internal chamber 524 prior to urine flowing from the urine diversion device 510 towards the vacuum device 512. While the normally-closed valve 536 remains in the closed state, urine can be received in the urine diversion device 510 and flow along the drain tube 514 to the normally-closed valve 536.

[0094] The sensor 556 can detect the presence of the urine and responsively communicate a signal to the electromechanical actuator 558. The electromechanical actuator 558 can, responsive to receiving the signal from the sensor 556, actuate normally-closed valve 536 from the closed state to the open state. For instance, the electromechanical actuator 558 can include a linear actuator that can move a plug 544 away from a valve seat 442. In this example, the plug 544 is coupled to the electromechanical actuator 558 by a stem 546. Responsive to the electromechanical actuator 558 actuating the normally-closed valve 536 to the open state, the vacuum pressure within the internal chamber 524 is applied to the drain tube 514 and / or the urine diversion device 510 to assist in moving the urine from the drain tube 514 and / or the urine diversion device 510 into the internal chamber 524. In this way, the normally-closed valve 536 can be configured such that detection of the presence of urine by the normally-closed valve 536 can be a trigger to start applying the vacuum pressure to the drain tube 514 and / or the urine diversion device 510. This allows for the vacuum device 512 to be prepared with a limited amount of vacuum pressure and then selectively use it when it can be most useful (e.g., while and / or after the wearer has voided their bladder as opposed to prior to the wearer voiding their bladder).

[0095] As shown in Figures 5A-5B, the sensor 556 can be positioned at a valve inlet 538 to the normally-closed valve 536, along the drain tube 514, and / or in the urine diversion device 510 (e.g., in the receptacle 116 shown in Figure 1). Positioning the sensor 556 at the valve inlet 538 can help to integrate the sensor 556 and the other components of the normally-closed valve 536 as a single device that can be ready for deployment without requiring additional steps by a practioner (e.g., pairing the sensor 556 and the electromechanical actuator 558). Additionally, this may be beneficial in implementations in which the vacuum device 512 and / or the normally-closed valve 536 is reusable. Additionally or alternatively positioning the sensor 556 along the drain tube 514 and / or in the urine diversion device 510 can help to detect the presence of urine and trigger the application of the vacuum pressure earlier (e.g., before the urine flows to the valve inlet 538).

[0096] In general, the sensor 556 is configured to detect the presence of the liquid (e.g., urine) and responsively communicate the signal to the electromechanical actuator 558. As examples, the sensor 556 can include one or more sensors selected from a group consisting of: a conductivity- sensor, a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, and a float switch.

[0097] Referring now to Figures 6A-6B, a fluid diversion system 600 is shown according to another example. The fluid diversion system 600 includes a urine diversion device 610, a vacuum device 612, and a drain tube 614 that couples the urine diversion device 610 and the vacuum device 612, according to an example. The urine diversion device 610 and the drain tube 614 can be substantially similar or identical to the urine diversion devices 110, 210, 310, 410. 510 and the drain tube 114, 214. 314, 414, 514, as described above.

[0098] As shown in Figures 6A-6B, the vacuum device 612 includes a container 618 defining an internal chamber 624. The container 618 includes a top wall 618A, a bottom wall 618B, and one or more lateral walls 618C extending between the top wall 618A and the bottom w all 618B. In the illustrated example, the container 618 has a shape of a cylinder. However, the container 618 can have different shapes in other examples.

[0099] As shown in Figures 6A-6B, the container 618 also includes a container inlet 630 that can be coupled to the drain tube 614 and receive urine from the urine diversion device 610 into the internal chamber 624 (e.g., via the drain tube 614). In Figures 6A-6B. the container inlet 630 can be at the top wall 618A. As described further below, the container inlet 630 can be at other locations in other examples.

[0100] The vacuum device 612 also includes a stopper 626 in the internal chamber 624 of the container 618. The stopper 626 is movable along a dimension extending between the top wall 618A and the bottom wall 618B of the container 618. The stopper 626 partitions the internal chamber 624 into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is between the stopper 626 and the top wall 618A, and the second chamber is between the stopper 626 and the bottom wall 618B.

[0101] Within examples, the stopper 626 can form a seal across a cross-section of the container 618. For instance, a cross-section of the stopper 626 can have a shape that matches a shape of the cross-section of the container 618. Additionally, the cross-section of the stopper 626 and the cross-section of the container 618 can have respective sizes such that the stopper 626 can move up and down within the container 618 while maintaining a substantially air tight seal between the stopper 626 and the one or more lateral w alls 618C of the container 218.

[0102] In the example shown in Figures 6A-6B in which the container 618 is in the shape of a cylinder, the one or more lateral walls 618C can define the cross-section of the container 618 as having a circular shape with an inner diameter that is constant over a range of motion of the stopper 626 between the top wall 618A of the container 618 and the bottom wall 618B of the container 618. In this example, the cross-section of the stopper 626 can also be a circular shape with an outer diameter is approximately equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the container 618 to provide the air tight seal.

[0103] The vacuum device 612 also includes a detent 660 that is configured to resist the stopper 626 moving past the detent 660 towards the bottom wall 618B of the container 618. As an example, the detent 660 can include a ridge that protrudes inwardly from the one or more lateral walls 618C towards a center of the container 618. In another example, the detent 660 can include a recess in the one or more lateral walls 618C. In either example, the detent 660 can provide a physical barrier such that an engagement between the detent 660 applies a retention force the stopper 626.

[0104] The second chamber is configured to have a first internal pressure that is lower than a second internal pressure of the first chamber when the stopper 626 engages the detent 660. As result, the second internal pressure above the stopper 626 will apply a force pushing the stopper 626 towards the bottom wall 618B, and the first internal pressure below the stopper 626 will apply a force pulling the stopper 626 towards the bottom wall 618B. In some examples, the retention force applied by the detent 660 to the stopper 626 can be suitable to resist the forces applied by this internal pressure differential and maintain the stopper 626 a position in the container 618 at which the stopper 626 engages the detent 660.

[0105] As shown in Figures 6A-6B, the vacuum device 612 also includes an expandable material 637 disposed in the first chamber between the stopper 626 and the top wall 618A of the container 618. The expandable material 637 is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid passes through the container inlet 630 and contacts the expandable material 637 (e.g.. the expandable material 437 can include a hygroscopic material and / or a superabsorbent polymer as described above). In this arrangement, the expandable material 637 is configured to apply a force to the stopper 626 in a direction towards the bottom wall 618B responsive to the expandable material 637 physically expanding in volume. The force applied to the stopper 626 by the expandable material 637 is suitable to overcome a retention force applied by the detent 660 to the stopper 626 such that the stopper 626 releases from the detent 660 and moves towards the bottom wall 618B.

[0106] Responsive to the expandable material 637 forcing the stopper 626 away from the detent 660. the stopper 626 can be free to move downward toward the bottom wall 618B. As described above, the stopper 626 can be forced downward toward the bottom wall 618B by the differential in the first internal pressure in the second chamber and the second internal pressure in the first chamber. As the stopper 626 moves from the detent 660 toward the bottom wall 618B, the stopper 626 and the container 618 can apply a vacuum pressure to the container inlet 630 to assist in moving urine from the drain tube 614 and / or the urine diversion device 610 toward the vacuum device 612. Accordingly, responsive to the stopper 626 releasing from the detent 660, the first internal pressure in the second chamber assists in moving the stopper 626 towards the bottom wall 618B. which causes the stopper 626 and the container 618 to apply a vacuum pressure to the container inlet 630.

[0107] Figure 6A depicts the fluid diversion system 600 in an armed state prior to the liquid contacting the expandable material 637. and Figure 6B depicts the fluid diversion system 600 in a fully pumped state after the stopper 660 has moved downward and applied the vacuum pressure to move the urine into the internal chamber 624. As show n in Figure 6B, the container 618 and the stopper 626 can be configured to retain fluid (e.g., urine) received from the urine diversion device 610 between the stopper 626 and the top wall 618A. For example, as the stopper 626 and the lateral wall(s) 618C of the container form a seal, the urine can be retained in the first chamber of the container 618 between the stopper 626 and the top wall 618A.

[0108] As shown in Figures 6A-6B, the fluid diversion system 600 can also include an override actuator 662. The override actuator 662 is configured to be actuated to apply a force to the stopper 626 that is suitable to overcome a retention force applied by the detent 660 to the stopper 626 such that the stopper 626 releases from the detent 660 and moves towards the bottom wall 618B. For instance, the override actuator 662 can be configured to be depressed towards the stopper 626 to actuate the override actuator 662. In the implementation shown in Figures 6A-6B, the override actuator 662 can include an external portion that is outside of the internal chamber 624 and an internal portion that extends within the internal chamber 624 from the top wall 618A towards the stopper 626. In this arrangement, depressing the external portion of the override actuator 662 moves the internal portion of the override actuator 662 into engagement with the stopper 626 and forces the stopper 626 out of engagement with the detent 660.

[0109] In the example shown in Figures 6A-6B, the container inlet 630 is at the top wall 618A. However, in other examples, the container inlet 630 can be at the one or more lateral walls 618C provided the container inlet 630 is above the stopper 626 so that liquid passing through the container inlet 630 can contact the expandable material 637 in the first chamber.

[0110] In some examples, the expandable material 637 can apply a force to the stopper 626, which in combination with the force applied to the stopper 626 by the pressure differential in the internal chamber 624, is greater than the retention force applied by the detent 660 to the stopper 626. In other examples, the vacuum device 612 can also include a spring 764 to assist in overcoming the retention force or to assist the detent in resisting the force applied by the vacuum differential. For instance, in one implementation shown in Figure 7, the spring 764 can extend from the top wall 618A to the stopper 626, and the spring 764 can be an extension spring that is configured to resist a force applied to the stopper 626 by the first internal pressure in the second chamber. In another implementation shown in Figure 8, the spring 764 can extend from the bottom wall 618B to the stopper 626. and the spring 764 can be a compression spring that is configured to combine with the force applied to the stopper 626 by the expandable material 637 to assist in overcoming the retention force responsive to the expandable material 637 expanding in volume.

[0111] As described above, Figures 2-6B depict implementations of the fluid diversion system 100 shown in Figure 1 according to examples. Also, as described above, n additional or alternative examples, one or more features of the implementations shown and described with respect to one of Figures 2-6B can be combined with one or more features of one or more of the other implementations show n and described with respect to Figures 2-6B. As one example, the container 618 shown in Figures 6A-6B can include the top valve 232 and arming lever 233 shown an described above with respect to Figures 2-3G. In such an example, the arming lever 233 can be configured to removably couple to the stopper 626 to rearm the fluid diversion system 600 after the stopper 626 has moved towards the bottom wall 618B (e.g., to the position shown in Figure 6B).

[0112] Referring now to Figure 9, a flowchart for a process 900 of diverting a fluid is shown according to an example. At block 910, the process 900 includes arming a vacuum device to an armed state. The vacuum device includes a container defining an internal chamber. The container includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall. The vacuum device also includes a piston in the internal chamber of the container, a spring having a first end coupled to the bottom w all and a second end coupled to the piston, and an inlet at the top wall that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber. The inlet includes atop valve. The top valve is actuatable between an open state in which fluid can pass through the top valve and a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the top valve. The vacuum device also includes a bottom valve at a bottom portion of the container. The bottom valve is actuatable between a first state in which fluid can pass into the internal chamber through the bottom valve and a second state in which the fluid pass out of the internal chamber through the bottom valve. In the armed state, the piston is positioned in a top portion of the container, the spring is in a stretched state, and the inlet is decoupled from the urine diversion device.

[0113] At block 912, the process 900 includes coupling the vacuum device to the urine diversion device. At block 914, the process 900 includes actuating the vacuum device from the armed state to an active pumping state in which the piston moves in a direction from the top wall towards the bottom wall due to the spring moving from the stretched state towards a relaxed state while the inlet is coupled to the urine diversion device and the top valve is open. At block 916, the process 900 includes applying, by the vacuum device, a vacuum pressure to the urine diversion device while the vacuum device is in the active pumping state.

[0114] Referring now to Figure 10, a flowchart for a process 1000 of diverting a fluid is shown according to another example. At block 1010, the process 1000 includes coupling a urine diversion device to a vacuum device. The vacuum device includes a container defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber of the container is configured to be depressurized to an internal pressure that is below an atmospheric pressure. The vacuum device also includes a container inlet that is configured to receive fluid from the urine diversion device into the internal chamber, and a normally-closed valve that is configured to fluidly couple the container inlet to a urine diversion device. The normally-closed valve has (i) an open state in which fluid can pass through the normally-closed valve, and (ii) a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the normally-closed valve. The normally-closed valve is biased towards the closed state in absence of a liquid at the normally-closed valve, and the normally-closed valve is configured to actuate from the closed state to the open state in response to a presence of liquid at the normally-closed valve.

[0115] At block 1012, the process 1000 includes receiving, at the normally-closed valve in the closed state, a liquid from the urine diversion device. At block 1014, the process 1000 includes, responsive to the receiving, at the normally-closed valve in the closed state, the liquid from the urine diversion device, automatically actuating the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state. At block 1016, the process 1000 includes, responsive to automatically actuating the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state, applying, by the vacuum device, a vacuum pressure to the urine diversion device.

[0116] Referring now to Figure 11, a flowchart for a process 1100 of diverting a fluid is shown according to another example. At block 1110, the process 1100 includes coupling a urine diversion device to a vacuum device. The vacuum device includes a container defining an internal chamber. The container includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending betw een the top wall and the bottom wall. The vacuum device also includes a container inlet that is configured to receive a liquid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber, and a stopper in the internal chamber of the container. The stopper is movable along a dimension extending betw een the top wall and the bottom w all of the container. The stopper partitions the internal chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is between the stopper and the top wall, and the second chamber is between the stopper and the bottom wall. The vacuum device further includes a detent that is configured to resist the stopper moving past the detent towards the bottom wall of the container. The second chamber is configured to have a first internal pressure that is lower than a second internal pressure of the first chamber when the stopper engages the detent. The vacuum device includes an expandable material disposed in the first chamber between the stopper and the top wall of the container. The expandable material is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid passes through the container inlet and contacts the expandable material, the expandable material is configured to apply a force to the stopper in a direction towards the bottom wall responsive to the expandable material physically expanding in volume, and the force applied to the stopper by the expandable material is suitable to overcome a retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent and moves towards the bottom wall. Responsive to the stopper releasing from the detent, the first internal pressure in the second chamber assists in moving the stopper towards the bottom wall, which causes the stopper and the container to apply a vacuum pressure to the container inlet.

[0117] At block 1112. the process 1100 includes receiving, through the container inlet, a liquid from the urine diversion device. At block 1114, the process 1100 includes, responsive to receiving the liquid through the container inlet, contacting the expandable material with the liquid. At block 1116, the process 1100 includes, responsive to contacting the expandable material with the liquid, physically expanding the expandable material in volume. At block 1118, the process 1100 includes, responsive to physically expanding the expandable material in volume, applying, by the expandable material, a force to the stopper in a direction towards the bottom wall and overcome a retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent. At block 1120, the process 1100 includes, responsive to the stopper releasing from the detent, moving the stopper towards the bottom wall. At block 1122, the process 1100 includes, responsive to moving the stopper towards the bottom wall, applying a vacuum pressure to the urine diversion device.

[0118] The descripri on of the different advantageous arrangements has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary7 skill in the art. Further, different advantageous embodiments may describe different advantages as compared to other advantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A fluid diversion system, comprising:a container defining an internal chamber, wherein the container comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall;a piston in the internal chamber of the container;a spring having a first end coupled to the bottom wall and a second end coupled to the piston;an inlet at the top wall that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber, wherein the inlet comprises a top valve, wherein the top valve is actuatable between an open state in which fluid can pass through the top valve and a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the top valve; anda bottom valve at a bottom portion of the container, wherein the bottom valve is actuatable between a first state in which fluid can pass into the internal chamber through the bottom valve and a second state in which the fluid pass out of the internal chamber through the bottom valve,wherein the fluid diversion system has a plurality of states comprising:(i) an armed state in which the piston is positioned in a top portion of the container, the spring is in a stretched state, and the inlet is decoupled from the urine diversion device, and(ii) an active pumping state in which the piston moves in a direction from the top wall towards the bottom wall due to the spring moving from the stretched state towards a relaxed state while the inlet is coupled to the urine diversion device and the top valve is open.

2. The fluid diversion system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of states further comprises an arming state in which the bottom valve is in the first state and the piston is moving in a direction from the bottom wall towards the top wall to stretch the spring towards the stretched state.

3. The fluid diversion system of claim 2, wherein, in the arming state, the bottom valve is configured to ingress a gas into the internal chamber of the container.

4. The fluid diversion system of claim 2, further comprising an arming lever that extends through the top valve and couples to the piston such that applying a force to the arming lever in a direction from the bottom wall towards the top wall causes the piston to move in the direction from the bottom wall towards the top wall.

5. The fluid diversion system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of states further comprises a disarmed state in which the spring is in the relaxed state and the piston is at the bottom portion of the container.

6. The fluid diversion system of claim 1, wherein the inlet is configured such that coupling the urine diversion device to the inlet automatically causes the top valve to actuate from the closed state to the open state.

7. The fluid diversion system of claim 1, wherein the piston forms a seal across a cross-section of the container.

8. The fluid diversion system of claim 7, wherein the container and the piston are configured to retain fluid received from the urine diversion device between the piston and the top wall.

9. A fluid diversion system, comprising:a container defining an internal chamber, wherein the internal chamber of the container is configured to be depressurized to an internal pressure that is below an atmospheric pressure;a container inlet that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber; anda normally-closed valve that is configured to fluidly couple the container inlet to a urine diversion device.wherein the normally-closed valve has (i) an open state in which fluid can pass through the normally-closed valve, and (ii) a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the normally-closed valve,wherein the normally-closed valve is biased towards the closed state in absence of a liquid at the normally-closed valve, andwherein the normally-closed valve is configured to actuate from the closed state to theopen state in response to a presence of liquid at the normally-closed valve.

10. The fluid diversion system of claim 9, wherein the normally-closed valve comprises an expandable material that is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid contacts the expandable material.

11. The fluid diversion system of claim 10, wherein the normally-closed valve further comprises:a valve inlet that is configured to receive urine from a urine diversion device,a valve outlet that is configured to be fluidly coupled to the container inlet,a valve seat between the valve inlet and the valve outlet;a plug that is biased into contact with the valve seat to prevent fluid from passing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the normally-closed valve is in the closed state; anda stem coupled to the plug,wherein the expandable material and the stem are configured such that, responsive to the expandable material expanding in volume, the expandable material moves the stem and the plug away from the valve seat to actuate the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state, andwherein, when the normally-closed valve is in the open state, the plug is separated from the valve seat such that the valve outlet is fluidly coupled to the valve inlet.

12. The fluid diversion system of claim 11, wherein a first end of the stem is coupled to the plug, and a second end of the stem comprises a flange, and wherein the expandable material engages the flange when the expandable material expands in volume.

13. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 11-12, wherein the stem extends from the plug into a cavity that is transverse to the valve inlet, wherein the expandable material is disposed in the cavity, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with the valve inlet when the normally-closed valve is in the closed state.

14. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 11-13, wherein the plug is aball.

15. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 11-14, wherein the expandable material expands with a force that is greater than a force that acts on the plug to bias plug towards the valve seat.

16. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the normally-closed valve further comprises a spring that biases the plug towards the valve seat.

17. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 11-15, wherein the plug is biased towards the valve seat by an internal pressure in the internal chamber.

18. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 10-17, wherein the expandable material is a hygroscopic material.

19. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 10-17, wherein the expandable material is a superabsorbent polymer.

20. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 9-19, wherein the normally-closed valve comprises a vent that is configured to egress fluid from the normally-closed valve when normally-closed valve is in the closed state.

21. A fluid diversion system, comprising:a container defining an internal chamber, wherein the container comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall;a container inlet that is configured to receive a liquid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber;a stopper in the internal chamber of the container, wherein the stopper is movable along a dimension extending between the top wall and the bottom w all of the container, wherein the stopper partitions the internal chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is between the stopper and the top wall, wherein the second chamber is between the stopper and the bottom wall;a detent that is configured to resist the stopper moving past the detent towards the bottom wall of the container, wherein the second chamber is configured to have a first internal pressure that is lower than a second internal pressure of the first chamber when the stopperengages the detent: andan expandable material disposed in the first chamber between the stopper and the top wall of the container,wherein the expandable material is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid passes through the container inlet and contacts the expandable material,wherein the expandable material is configured to apply a force to the stopper in a direction towards the bottom wall responsive to the expandable material physically expanding in volume,wherein the force applied to the stopper by the expandable material is suitable to overcome a retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent and moves towards the bottom wall, andwherein, responsive to the stopper releasing from the detent, the first internal pressure in the second chamber assists in moving the stopper towards the bottom wall, which causes the stopper and the container to apply a vacuum pressure to the container inlet.

22. The fluid diversion system of claim 21, wherein the stopper forms a seal across a cross-section of the container.

23. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 21-22, wherein the detent comprises a ridge that protrudes inwardly from the one or more lateral walls towards a center of the container.

24. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 21-23, wherein the container and the stopper are configured to retain fluid received from the urine diversion device in the first chamber between the stopper and the top wall.

25. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 21-24, further comprising an override actuator, wherein the override actuator is configured to be actuated to apply a force to the stopper that is suitable to overcome the retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent and moves towards the bottom wall.

26. The fluid diversion system of claim 25, wherein the override actuator is configured to be depressed towards the stopper to actuate the override actuator.

27. The fluid diversion system of claim 26, wherein the override actuatorcomprises a external portion that is outside of the internal chamber and an internal portion that extends within the internal chamber from the top wall towards the stopper.

28. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 21-27, further comprising a spring that extends from the top wall to the stopper, wherein the spring is an extension spring that is configured to resist a force applied to the stopper by the first internal pressure in the second chamber.

29. The fluid diversion system of any one of claims 21-27, further comprising a spring that extends from the bottom wall to the stopper, wherein the spring is a compression spring that is configured to combine with the force applied to the stopper by the expandable material to assist in overcoming the retention force responsive to the expandable material expanding in volume.

30. A method of diverting a fluid, comprising:arming a vacuum device to an armed state, wherein the vacuum device comprises:a container defining an internal chamber, wherein the container comprises a bottom wall, a top wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall;a piston in the internal chamber of the container;a spring having a first end coupled to the bottom wall and a second end coupled to the piston;an inlet at the top wall that is configured to receive fluid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber, wherein the inlet comprises a top valve, wherein the top valve is actuatable between an open state in which fluid can pass through the top valve and a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the top valve; anda bottom valve at a bottom portion of the container, wherein the bottom valve is actuatable between a first state in which fluid can pass into the internal chamber through the bottom valve and a second state in which the fluid pass out of the internal chamber through the bottom valve,wherein, in the armed state, the piston is positioned in a top portion of the container, the spring is in a stretched state, and the inlet is decoupledfrom the urine diversion device; andcoupling the vacuum device to the urine diversion device;actuating the vacuum device from the armed state to an active pumping state in which the piston moves in a direction from the top wall towards the bottom wall due to the spring moving from the stretched state towards a relaxed state while the inlet is coupled to the urine diversion device and the top valve is open; andapplying, by the vacuum device, a vacuum pressure to the urine diversion device while the vacuum device is in the active pumping state.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein actuating the vacuum device from the armed state to the active pumping state is automatically performed responsive to coupling the vacuum device to the urine diversion device.

32. The method of any one of claims 30-31, wherein coupling the vacuum device to the urine diversion device comprises coupling, by a drain tube, the inlet of the vacuum device to the urine diversion device.

33. The method of any one of claims 30-32, wherein arming the vacuum device comprises:inserting an arming lever through the top valve,coupling the arming lever to the piston; andafter coupling the arming lever to the piston, applying a force to the arming lever in a direction from the bottom wall towards the top wall to move the piston towards the top wall.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein arming the vacuum device further comprises egressing a gas out through the top valve while the arming lever moves the piston towards the top valve.

35. The method of any one of claims 33-34, wherein arming the vacuum device further comprises allowing a gas to ingress through the bottom valve into the internal chamber while the arming lever moves the piston towards the top valve.

36. The method of any one of claims 30-35, further comprising receiving a liquid from the urine diversion device in the internal chamber of the container.

37. A method of diverting a fluid, comprising:coupling a urine diversion device to a vacuum device, wherein the vacuum device comprises:a container defining an internal chamber, wherein the internal chamber of the container is configured to be depressurized to an internal pressure that is below an atmospheric pressure,a container inlet that is configured to receive fluid from the urine diversion device into the internal chamber, anda normally-closed valve that is configured to fluidly couple the container inlet to a urine diversion device,wherein the normally-closed valve has (i) an open state in which fluid can pass through the normally-closed valve, and (ii) a closed state in which fluid cannot pass through the normally-closed valve,wherein the normally-closed valve is biased towards the closed state in absence of a liquid at the normally-closed valve, andwherein the normally-closed valve is configured to actuate from the closed state to the open state in response to a presence of liquid at the normally-closed valve;receiving, at the normally-closed valve in the closed state, a liquid from the urine diversion device;responsive to the receiving, at the normally-closed valve in the closed state, the liquid from the urine diversion device, automatically actuating the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state; andresponsive to automatically actuating the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state, applying, by the vacuum device, a vacuum pressure to the urine diversion device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein coupling the vacuum device to the urine diversion device comprises coupling, by a drain tube, the container inlet of the vacuum device to the urine diversion device.

39. The method of any one of claims 37-38, wherein automatically actuating the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state comprises:contacting an expandable material of the normally-closed valve with the fluid; and responsive to contacting an expandable material of the normally-closed valve with the liquid, expanding the expandable material in volume.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the normally-closed valve further comprises: a valve inlet that is configured to receive urine from a urine diversion device, a valve outlet that is configured to be fluidly coupled to the container inlet, a valve seat between the valve inlet and the valve outlet;a plug that is biased into contact with the valve seat to prevent fluid from passing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet when the normally-closed valve is in the closed state; anda stem coupled to the plug.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein automatically actuating the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state further comprises:responsive to expanding the expandable material expanding in volume, moving the stem and the plug away from the valve seat to actuate the normally-closed valve from the closed state to the open state,wherein, when the normally-closed valve is in the open state, the plug is separated from the valve seat such that the valve outlet is fluidly coupled to the valve inlet.

42. The method of any one of claims 37-41, further comprising receiving the liquid in the internal chamber of the container.

43. A method of diverting a fluid, comprising:coupling a urine diversion device to a vacuum device, wherein the vacuum device comprises:a container defining an internal chamber, wherein the container comprises a bottom wall, atop wall, and one or more lateral walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall;a container inlet that is configured to receive a liquid from a urine diversion device into the internal chamber;a stopper in the internal chamber of the container, wherein the stopper is movable along a dimension extending between the top wall and the bottom wall of the container, wherein the stopper partitions the internal chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is between the stopper and the top wall, wherein the second chamber is between the stopper and the bottom wall;a detent that is configured to resist the stopper moving past the detent towards the bottom wall of the container, wherein the second chamber is configured to have a first internal pressure that is lower than a second internal pressure of the first chamber when the stopper engages the detent;an expandable material disposed in the first chamber between the stopper and the top wall of the container,wherein the expandable material is configured to physically expand in volume when the liquid passes through the container inlet and contacts the expandable material,wherein the expandable material is configured to apply a force to the stopper in a direction towards the bottom wall responsive to the expandable material physically expanding in volume,wherein the force applied to the stopper by the expandable material is suitable to overcome a retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent and moves towards the bottom wall, andwherein, responsive to the stopper releasing from the detent, the first internal pressure in the second chamber assists in moving the stopper towards the bottom wall, which causes the stopper and the container to apply a vacuum pressure to the container inlet.receiving, through the container inlet, a liquid from the urine diversion device;responsive to receiving the liquid through the container inlet, contacting the expandable material with the liquid;responsive to contacting the expandable material with the liquid, physically expanding the expandable material in volume;responsive to physically expanding the expandable material in volume, applying, by the expandable material, a force to the stopper in a direction towards the bottom w all and overcomea retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent;responsive to the stopper releasing from the detent, moving the stopper towards the bottom wall; andresponsive to moving the stopper towards the bottom wall, applying a vacuum pressure to the urine diversion device.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising receiving the liquid in the first chamber between the stopper and the top wall.

45. The method of any one of claims 43-44, further comprising actuating an override actuator to apply a force to the stopper that is suitable to overcome the retention force applied by the detent to the stopper such that the stopper releases from the detent and moves towards the bottom wall.

46. The method of any one of claims 43-45, wherein coupling the vacuum device to the urine diversion device comprises coupling, by a drain tube, the container inlet of the vacuum device to the urine diversion device.

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