System for sampling body fluids from absorbent hygiene products (AHP)

Abstract

An article of manufacture, kit, assembly, and / or device adapted for collecting a sample of a bodily discharge, the article / kit / assembly / device including: an absorbent hygiene product (AHP); a receptacle; a one-way valve disposed in a wall of the receptacle; wherein at least an opening of the valve is adapted to be disposed inside the AHP.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR SAMPLING BODY FLUIDS FROM ABSORBENT HYGIENE

[0002] PRODUCTS (AHP)

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for sampling body fluids from absorbent hygiene products (AHP), more specifically to, for example, securing a urine sample from a child / adult diaper.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Various types of disposable diapers and sanitary products have been developed, including baby diapers, diapers for the elderly, disabled and people with various disabilities, feminine hygiene products, as well as products similar to diapers such as absorbent pads / surfaces for hospital beds and / or absorbent surfaces for the needs and urine of animals / dogs. The term used herein for all these products is absorbent hygiene products (AHP).

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention there is provided an article of manufacture adapted for collecting a sample of a bodily discharge, the article including: an absorbent hygiene product (AHP); a receptacle; a one-way valve disposed in a wall of the receptacle; wherein at least an opening of the valve is adapted to be disposed inside the AHP.

[0009] According to further features in embodiments the AHP is selected from the group including: an infant diaper, an adult diaper, female sanitary pads, single -use absorbent changing mats and pads, disposable bed incontinence pads, underpads for humans and animals.

[0010] According to still further features in the described embodiments the receptacle is a fluid receptacle, a feces receptacle, or a fluid and feces receptacle. According to further features the one-way valve is fluid permeable. According to further features the one-way valve is permeable to bodily fluids and feces.

[0011] According to further features the article further includes a detection strip. According to further features wherein the detection strip is a chemically treated substrate adapted to indicate a predefined condition detected in a bodily discharge collected in the receptacle.

[0012] According to another embodiment there is provided a kit for an absorbent hygiene product (AHP), the kit including: a receptacle; a one-way valve disposed in a wall of the receptacle; wherein at least an opening of the valve is adapted to be disposed inside the AHP.

[0013] According to further features the receptacle is a fluid bag for urine or feces. According to further features the one-way valve is fluid permeable. According to further features the one-way valve is permeable to bodily fluids and feces.

[0014] According to further features the one-way valve is a diaphragm check valve that includes a housing with the opening disposed on one side thereof, a rubber diaphragm centrally coupled to the housing on a second side thereof, and a covering is coupled to the housing, wherein the wall of the receptacle is disposed between the opening and the cover.

[0015] According to further features the AHP is selected from the group of: an infant diaper, an adult diaper, female sanitary pads, single -use absorbent changing mats and pads, disposable bed incontinence pads, underpads for humans and animals.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diaper with a representation of the valve and receptacle indicated thereon;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a kit / assembly / device 100 including a valve 110 and representative portion of a receptacle 130;

[0020] FIGS. 3A-3F are various views of the housing section 112;

[0021] FIGS. 4A-4F are various views of the cover 128;

[0022] FIG. 5A is a view from inside the receptacle 130;

[0023] FIG 5B is a view from outside the receptacle 130;

[0024] FIG. 6 is an example absorbent mat for infants, patients, birthing women.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The principles and operation of a device or assembly for sampling urine / feces via absorbent hygiene products (AHP) according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0027] The product and / or the unique method of the type below were developed to provide an innovative, creative, practical and commercial solution for diapers and / or pads for babies, children, adults and / or animals including dogs. A specialized AHP is equipped with a sampling receptacle, such as a plastic bag, which is attached to the absorbent area of the AHP via a one-valve that admits the urine or feces into the

[0028] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) receptacle. The receptacle is otherwise sealed. Once the urine / feces sample has been received in the receptacle, the packet or container can be removed from the AHP and sent for analysis.

[0029] One example embodiment of such a specialized AHP is a baby or adult diaper with a diaphragm check valve coupled to a fluid bag receptacle for receiving a sample of urine. While the following description is related to the specific example, it is made clear that the device and assembly can be applied, mutatis mutandis, to other AHPs for sampling urine, other bodily fluids (e.g., menstrual discharge, fluid discharge from pregnant women [e.g., amniotic fluid when “waters break”], etc.), and / or feces.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a diaper with a representation of the valve and receptacle indicated thereon. Diaper D, in the example embodiment, is an infant diaper. A representation of a valve 110 is indicated on the absorbent section of the diaper. A phantom (broken line) circle representing the receptacle 130 is indicated on the diaper.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates a kit / assembly / device 100 including a valve 110 and representative portion of a receptacle 130. In an example embodiment, valve 110 is a diaphragm check valve. A diaphragm check valve uses a flexing rubber diaphragm positioned to create a normally-closed valve. Pressure on the upstream side must be greater than the pressure on the downstream side by a certain amount, known as the pressure differential, for the check valve to open allowing flow. Once positive pressure stops, the diaphragm automatically flexes back to its original closed position.

[0032] Valve 110 includes a housing 112, a diaphragm 128, and a cover 120.

[0033] Figures 3A-3F illustrate various views of the housing section 112.

[0034] Figures 4A-4G illustrate various views of the cover 128.

[0035] Figure 5A is a view from inside the receptacle 130. Figure 5B is a view from outside the receptacle 130.

[0036] With reference to all of the preceding Figures, the housing includes an opening 114 on one side of the housing. On the other side of the housing is a central pin 116. The rubber diaphragm 130 is positioned on the pin 116. The housing 112 has a flange section 118 that locks with a corresponding portion on the cover. A hole is formed in the wall of the receptacle 130 and a body portion 119 of the housing, including the diaphragm, is inserted into the hole. The flange portions of housing and cover do not fit through the hole. Adhesive 140, such as a room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV) silicone, can be used to glue the flange parts of the valve to a rim 132 of the opening in the receptacle wall. Even without the adhesive, the housing and cover sections lock together under pressure. Adding adhesive ensures that the coupling area is waterproof.

[0037] It is made clear that any appropriate one-way valve can be used in place of the described, example, diaphragm check valve. It is also made clear that the form or design of the valve is not limited to circular design, but rather any shape, size, or form can be employed in the design of the valve.

[0038] It is made clear, that while the instant valve is usually used for fluids, any relevant valve, flap, or mechanism can be used for collecting the bodily fluid and / or feces. It is also made clear that the collection can take place at the time of discharge or at a later time (e.g., by squeezing the AHP such that the material enters the receptacle).

[0039] In embodiments, the device or assembly of components is a kit that can be installed in a commercial product. In other embodiments, the AHP is manufactured with the sampling device embedded therein (e.g., with instructions how to retrieve the sample from the hygiene product).

[0040] In embodiments, the AHP is selected from the group including, but not limited to: an infant diaper, an adult diaper, female sanitary pads, single-use absorbent changing mats and pads, disposable bed incontinence pads, underpads for humans and animals.

[0041] In some embodiments, the AHP may be further specialized to include hometesting capabilities. In embodiments, the AHP further includes a detection strip. The detection strip is a chemically treated substrate adapted to indicate a predefined condition detected in a bodily discharge collected in the receptacle.

[0042] For example, a female sanitary pad specially designed to use during late-stage pregnancy. It is well known that some women suffer from incontinence during pregnancy, especially in the later stages of the pregnancy. Furthermore, in many cases, women are not sure whether their waters have broken, as the amniotic fluid does not always gush out (as in the movies), but often times just trickles out. The discharged fluid can be tested in a hospital to ascertain whether it is amniotic fluid or some other bodily discharge. In one example embodiment, a sanitary pad is augmented with the instant device or kit and further augmented with testing strip (similar to a dip stick) which is chemically treated to indicate the presence of amniotic fluid. Such a product can be a very useful tool for pregnant women, as the presence of amniotic is a good indication that it is time to go to the hospital. Similar products can be provided for detecting infections (e.g., a urinary tract infection) and / or even indicate acid levels in the urine. Other tests and / or indicators would be obvious to those skilled in the art, in view of the above.

[0043] In embodiments, the receptacle (e.g., a fluid bag, feces container) can be detached and taken to a clinic or hospital for testing. In other embodiments, the receptacle has easy-tear edges which facilitate easy opening of the receptacle for clinic and / or home testing, e.g., using home testing kits (such as dip sticks).

[0044] Another possible configuration is shown in figure 6. Fig. 6 illustrates an example absorbent mat for infants, patients, birthing women, and the like. The absorbent mat is portable and disposable, ideal for use when on the move. The mat can be used for changing infant diapers, to line patients, elderly, or children’s beds, to line wheelchair seats, animal beds, and the like. The mat M is illustrated with a representation of a valve 210 and representation (in broken line) of a receptacle 230. An example detection strip 250 is disposed in the mat.

[0045] In summary, there is provided herein an innovative and original idea and method for draining and / or collecting urine in an absorbent surface. The product and method can be used for performing or facilitating urine tests for babies, children and / or adults, by means of a product with an absorbent surface that absorbs the urine and / or other bodily discharges. Alternatively, or additionally, there is provided a method and kit for monitoring urine and / or biological processes and / or diseases in the urine or other bodily discharge.

[0046] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0047] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0048] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and / or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

[0049] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub — combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0050] The processes (methods) and systems, including components thereof, herein have been described with exemplary reference to specific materials. The processes (methods) have been described as exemplary, whereby specific steps and their order can be omitted and / or changed by persons of ordinary skill in the art to reduce these embodiments to practice without undue experimentation. The processes (methods) and systems have been described in a manner sufficient to enable persons of ordinary skill in the art to readily adapt other materials and products as may be needed to reduce any of the embodiments to practice without undue experimentation and using conventional techniques.

[0051] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS1. An article of manufacture adapted for collecting a sample of a bodily discharge, the article including: an absorbent hygiene product (AHP); a receptacle; a one-way valve disposed in a wall of the receptacle; wherein at least an opening of the valve is adapted to be disposed inside the AHP.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the AHP is selected from the group including: an infant diaper, an adult diaper, female sanitary pads, single -use absorbent changing mats and pads, disposable bed incontinence pads, underpads for humans and animals.

3. The article of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a fluid receptacle, a feces receptacle, or a fluid and feces receptacle.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is fluid permeable.

5. The article of claim 1 , wherein the one-way valve is permeable to bodily fluids and feces.

6. The article of claim 1, further including a detection strip.

7. The article of claim 6, wherein the detection strip is a chemically treated substrate adapted to indicate a predefined condition detected in a bodily discharge collected in the receptacle.

8. A kit for an absorbent hygiene product (AHP), the kit comprising: a receptacle; a one-way valve disposed in a wall of the receptacle; wherein at least an opening of the valve is adapted to be disposed inside the AHP.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the receptacle is a fluid bag for urine or feces.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein the one-way valve is fluid permeable.

11. The kit of claim 8, wherein the one-way valve is permeable to bodily fluids and feces.

12. The kit of claim 8, wherein the one-way valve is a diaphragm check valve that includes a housing with the opening disposed on one side thereof, a rubber diaphragm centrally coupled to the housing on a second side thereof, anda covering is coupled to the housing, wherein the wall of the receptacle is disposed between the opening and the cover.

13. The kit of claim 8, wherein the AHP is selected from the group of: an infant diaper, an adult diaper, female sanitary pads, single -use absorbent changing mats and pads, disposable bed incontinence pads, underpads for humans and animals.

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