SYSTEM FOR APPLYING A URINAL CONDOM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for applying a urinary condom for intended use.

[0002] Another disability that is becoming increasingly common as societies age is incontinence, also known as bladder weakness. Uncontrolled leakage of fluid is either absorbed using absorbent aids, such as diapers and the like, or drained away.

[0003] Catheters are used for drainage, which are either inserted directly into the bladder through the abdominal wall, which can often lead to infections, or pushed into the bladder through the urethra of the penis, which can lead to injuries to the urethra.

[0004] An alternative is so-called urinary condoms, which allow a connection to a drainage tube, collection bags, and the like.

[0005] For the management of male urinary incontinence, condom catheters are a preferred alternative. One disadvantage is that applying a condom catheter can be difficult. If dexterity is limited, this must be done by someone else, a caregiver, or similar personnel. For a variety of reasons, the penis receiving the catheter often proves to be poorly receptive. This frequently leads to leaks, folding, poor fit, and other problems. Currently, it is not possible at all for patients with a retracted penis or impotence to apply and use condom catheters.

[0006] A device for attaching a urinal is known from the prior art, specifically from CH 672 591 A5. This device simplifies the attachment of a urinal by placing the penis-shaped sleeve of the urinal over the rim of the opening of a cup-shaped vessel of the device and creating a vacuum inside this vessel.

[0007] This causes the cuff, which is closed at the outlet end, to inflate, allowing easy access to the interior.

[0008] From EP 3346962 B1, which represents the closest prior art, a generic device for applying a urinary catheter for its intended use is known, which generally simplifies the application of a urinary catheter considerably. The known device comprises a receiving bell, a vacuum pump, and a connecting unit for the fluid-flow connection of the receiving bell to the vacuum pump. The receiving bell is a cup-shaped device part into which a urinary catheter can be inserted. Urinary catheters are generally supplied in rolled-up form. They have a tube-like extension at the tip. The receiving bell is designed to provide a means for inserting a catheter of the respective size, which then rests against the bell-shaped inner surface of the receiving device. The tube-like extension protrudes through an opening at the corresponding location in the receiving bell.The connecting unit has a tubular channel so that, when the receiving bell is connected to the connecting unit, the end of a condom inserted into the tube protrudes into the channel. The connecting unit is, in turn, connected to a device for generating a vacuum. For intended use, a urinary condom is inserted into the receiving bell in such a way that the end of the tube protrudes through a lower opening of the receiving bell into the tubular channel of the connecting unit, and the condom ring rests against the free upper edge of the receiving bell. The intervening portion of the condom then conforms to the bell-shaped inner surface of the receiving bell. The device, thus prepared, is then brought towards a penis, and the penis is drawn into the area of ​​the urinary condom that rests against the receiving bell due to the vacuum created by the operation of the vacuum pump.By switching off the vacuum pump, the device can now be removed, leaving the condom attached to the penis. It can then be easily unrolled as intended, ensuring optimal placement. It is also possible to remove the device while the vacuum pump is running, which may be adjustable, thus facilitating a wrinkle-free unrolling of the condom in certain cases.

[0009] In practical application, it has become apparent that various problems arise in the area between the connecting unit on the one hand and the device for generating the vacuum on the other. Either the connection is not tight enough, so that the generated vacuum is insufficient to completely draw the condom into the bell, or the connection is so tight that the pump can no longer be detached from the connecting unit because the two have become stuck together.

[0010] Starting from the previously described prior art, the present invention is based on the Task The aim is to improve a system for applying a urinary condom of the generic type with regard to trouble-free and safe use, so that it ensures a flow-tight connection between the device for generating a vacuum on the one hand and the connecting unit on the other hand, without hindering the detachability of the two units from each other.

[0011] For technical Solution A device with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Further advantages and features are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] The system according to the invention comprises, firstly, a vacuum pump and, secondly, a connecting unit. Both are joined together such that their surfaces are congruent. At least one of the two surfaces has an uneven structure. On the side of the vacuum pump, a suction opening opens into the surface intended for the connection. On the side of the connecting unit, a suction channel opens into the surface, which is connected to the suction bell or receiving bell. When the vacuum pump and the connecting unit are joined, the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump can act through the connecting unit to the receiving bell. To prevent the two surfaces from adhering to each other in a suction pattern, at least one of the two surfaces is provided with an uneven structure.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two overlapping surfaces are sealed at their edges. This can be achieved in various ways. For example, a circumferential sealing ring between the two surfaces can provide a seal. According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, one of the surfaces is surrounded by an annular sealing edge into which the other device can be inserted to place its surface intended for connection onto the other surface. Additionally, the sealing edge can be further sealed against the housing by another sealing ring.

[0014] The device comprises a receiving bell, a vacuum pump, and a connecting unit for the fluidic connection between the receiving bell and the vacuum pump. The receiving bell is a cup-shaped component into which a urinary sheath can be inserted. Urinary sheaths are typically supplied in coiled form. They have a tube-like extension at the tip. The receiving bell is designed to accommodate various sizes of urinary sheaths, allowing the sheath to be inserted and conform to the bell-shaped inner surface of the receiving device. The tube-like extension protrudes through an opening at the corresponding location in the receiving bell.

[0015] A connecting unit has a tubular channel so that, when the receiving bell is connected to the connecting unit, the tubular end of an inserted condom protrudes into the channel. The connecting unit is, in turn, connected to a device for generating a vacuum. This can be a manually operated pump bulb or pump scissors, or an electric pump powered by mains electricity or batteries. In the simplest case, the connecting unit is simply a tube attached to the receiving bell in such a way that it can accommodate the tubular end of an inserted condom and fluidically connects the vacuum pump to the interior of the receiving bell. To optimize application, the inner contour of the receiving bell is designed to precisely accommodate a urinary condom of a predetermined size. This prevents wrinkling and facilitates optimal placement.According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the receiving bell has a circumferential groove at its outer upper edge, i.e., the free upper edge that is not connected to a connecting unit. This groove serves to receive the condom ring formed by rolling up the urinary catheter when the catheter is inserted into the receiving bell. If no groove is formed, the invention also provides that the condom ring can be slipped over the edges of the receiving bell or, for example, secured with a clamping ring.

[0016] Advantageously, the receiving bell is cylindrical on the outside to provide a comfortable and ergonomic feel. To accommodate different urinary sheaths, the receiving bell can be interchangeably connected to the connecting unit. This allows the connecting unit to be used with receiving bells of varying sizes and designs.

[0017] The entire device can be provided with an integrating housing, in which, for example, a battery-operated electric pump, a connecting channel and a receiving bell are housed, the receiving bell being arranged in a detachable housing part.

[0018] For proper use, a urinal condom is inserted into the receiving bell in such a way that the tubular end protrudes through a lower opening of the receiving bell into the tubular channel of the connecting unit, and the condom ring rests against the free upper edge of the receiving bell. The intervening condom section then conforms to the bell-shaped inner surface of the receiving bell. The device, thus prepared, is then brought to the penis, and the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump draws the penis into the area of ​​the urinal condom that rests against the receiving bell. Size, softness, and other factors are compensated for by this simple suction, ensuring an optimal fit of the urinal condom. By switching off the vacuum pump, the device can then be removed, leaving the condom in place on the penis.It can now be easily unrolled as intended and is therefore optimally positioned. The device can also be removed while the vacuum pump is running, which may be adjustable, thus facilitating a wrinkle-free unrolling of the urinary condom in certain cases.

[0019] The invention provides a device that is easy to manufacture and, above all, easy to use, which significantly simplifies and optimizes the application of a urinary condom for its intended use.

[0020] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description based on the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a typical urinary condom; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a receiving bell and a connecting unit; Fig. 3 a representation according to Fig. 2with inserted urinary condom; Fig. 4 a representation of the application process of the device according to the invention for applying the condom for intended use; Fig. 5 a representation according to Fig. 4 in a continued position; Fig. 6 a representation according to Fig. 4 in a closed position; Fig. 7 a representation of the urinary condom in its intended position; Fig. 8 a representation of the connecting surfaces between the vacuum pump and the connecting unit, and Fig. 9 a representation of the upper receiving area of ​​a receiving bell.

[0021] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a typical urinary condom. This consists of an elastic material and forms a sheath that is rolled up in a ring shape. A tube connection is located at the front end of the urinary condom.

[0022] The winding 2 serves to simplify the application of the condom, the tube connection 3 for drainage. In the Figures 2 and 3Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention. A receiving bell 5 has an inner bell-shaped cavity 6. This cavity preferably has a shape corresponding to the receiving of a urinary catheter of the intended size. A groove 7 circumferentially running along the upper edge serves to receive the coiled portion of the urinary catheter, the so-called condom ring. The receiving bell 5 is fluidically connected internally to a tubular channel 8 of the connecting unit 9. The receiving bell 5 and the connecting unit 9 are cylindrical on the outside. A flow-tight connection between the receiving bell 5 and the connecting unit 9 can be produced in any conventional way, e.g., by crimping, screwing, using sealing rings, and the like.

[0023] How in particular Fig. 3As shown, a urinary condom can be inserted into the device in such a way that the unwound area is received in the receiving bell and the hose connection 3 is inserted into the tubular channel.

[0024] The application is in the Figures 4 to 6 The connecting unit, linked to a vacuum pump (not shown), ensures that when the device is placed on a penis 10, the urinary condom 1 allows suction to form after being placed on its tip, while supporting itself against the receiving bell. The vacuum can be generated manually or electrically. After the penis 10 is drawn into the urinary condom 1, as shown in Fig. 5 As shown, the device can be removed. A correspondingly higher frictional force causes the condom to be removed from the receiving bell. This can be aided by switching off the vacuum.

[0025] As in Fig. 7 As shown, now only a normal unrolling of the rolled-up condom area is required.

[0026] In Fig. 8 The interaction of the elements according to the invention is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum pump 11 is depicted as an electric pump. This has an operating unit 12. This allows the pump to be switched on and off. At one end, the pump has a connection nozzle 13, which in the illustrated embodiment carries a circumferential sealing ring 14. The view of the lower surface 15 shows the suction channel 17 as the central opening. Raised features 16 are formed on the surface 15. These can be flat, and their sole function is to prevent direct suction between the adjacent surfaces.

[0027] The surface 15 meets the surface 18 of the connecting unit. This surface has the opening 19, which represents the end of the suction channel of the connecting unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 18 is surrounded by a sealing edge 20.

[0028] In conjunction, the pump's connecting nozzle 13 is inserted into the tube formed by the sealing edge 20 until surface 15 rests on surface 18. They are separated from each other only by the spacers 16. The inner surface of the sealing edge 20 interacts with the sealing ring 14, so that the negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump 11 is transmitted to the suction channel of the connecting unit via the opening 19.

[0029] In Figure 9The receiving area of ​​a receiving bell 21 is shown. A circumferential chamfer or groove 22 is formed on the inner upper edge surrounding the air channel 23, creating a receiving area 24 for the coiled portion of the urinary condom, the so-called condom ring. This condom ring extends slightly beyond the upper edge of the receiving bell 21. The gripping groove 25, a kind of recess or depression in the area of ​​the outer upper edge of the receiving bell 21, makes the condom ring easier to access and grasp. A number of gripping grooves can be formed in the area of ​​the upper edge.

[0030] The described embodiment serves only for illustrative purposes and is not limiting. Reference sign

[0031] 1 Urinal condom 2 Winding 3 Hose connection 5 Receiving bell 6 Cavity 7 Groove 8 Tubular channel 9 Connecting unit 10 Penis 11 Vacuum pump 12 Control unit 13 Connection nozzle 14 Sealing ring 15 Connection nozzle lower surface 16 Spacers 17 Suction channel 18 Connection point of connecting unit 19 Suction channel 20 Sealing edge 21 Receiving bell 22 Groove 23 Channel 24 Receiving area 25 Gripping groove

Claims

1. System for applying a urinal condom (1) for use as intended, having a receiving bell (5), a vacuum pump (11) and a connecting unit (9) for fluidically connecting the receiving bell (5) to the vacuum pump, wherein the connecting unit (9) has a tubular channel (8) to which the receiving bell (5) is fluidically connected, wherein the tubular channel (8) is formed on the receiving bell side as a receptacle for a hose attachment of the urinal condom, characterized in that the connecting unit has, on the side to be connected to the vacuum pump, a surface (18) which is congruent with a surface (15) formed on the vacuum pump, at least one of the two surfaces having an uneven structure, and the vacuum pump and the connecting unit being fluidically connected via the two superimposed surfaces.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the two surfaces lying on top of each other are sealed at the edges.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the two surfaces of the connecting unit or the vacuum pump is surrounded by a sealing edge (20) into which the respective other element can be inserted in a flow-tight manner.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a seal (14) is inserted between the sealing edge and the surface interacting therewith.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving bell (5) has a circumferential groove (7) on an upper edge.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding bell has gripping grooves on the outside in the area of the upper edge.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving bell (5) is cylindrical on the outside.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving bell (5) is detachably connected to the connecting unit (9).

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting unit (9) is essentially cylindrical.

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving bell (5) and the connecting unit (9) are made of plastic.