Fluid and waste collection systems

Abstract

A liquid waste collection system for collecting liquid includes a pressure tube, a liquid tube, a pressure source, a liquid container, and a liquid collector. The pressure tube has a first end and a second end, and the liquid tube has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pressure tube and the first end of the liquid tube are fluidly connected to the pressure source, and the second end of the pressure tube and the second end of the liquid tube are fluidly connected to the liquid collector. The liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid tube downstream of the liquid collector. The liquid does not pass through the pressure source.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 151,660, filed February 20, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. (Statement regarding Federally Sponsored Research) Not applicable. (appendix) Not applicable.

[0002] The present invention relates to a fluid collection system suitable for attachment to living tissue.

[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to bladder relief systems having a pump arrangement for removing and storing urine, where the location of the urine storage and pump is separate from the drainage area, and further provides a leak-proof system that removes and stores urine without the urine passing through the pump or pump housing. [Background technology]

[0004] Prior art bladder relief systems are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,706,027, 6,918,899, 7,018,366, 7,131,964, 7,135,012, and 7,141,043. All of these devices use a pad or cup secured to the user's body to capture and channel urine, a tube running from the collector to a pump, and a container (and sometimes a second tube) connected to the pump to store the urine. All of these use a pump to move the urine, and in all of these documents, the urine is pumped through the pump, which requires cleaning and sanitizing the pump. The bladder relief system of the present invention provides a urine collection system in which the urine does not pass through the pump. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to a fluid collection and bladder relaxation system comprising a pressure source or pump, a power source, a collection interface for male or female anatomy, a urine container, and a microprocessor attached to the pump and urine container for receiving urine and for receiving and processing data regarding pump settings and urine volume.

[0006] The bladder relief system of the present invention is for collecting urine. The bladder relief system includes pressure tubing, urine tubing, a pressure source or pump, a urine container, and a urine collector. The present invention further relates to an improved female interface made of a soft plastic or silicone polymer and configured to form a leak-proof seal against the vulva. The pressure tubing has a first end and a second end, and the urine tubing has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pressure tubing and the first end of the urine tubing are fluidly connected to the pump, and the second end of the pressure tubing and the second end of the urine tubing are fluidly connected to the urine collector. The urine container is fluidly connected to the urine tubing between the urine collector and the pump, and urine does not pass through the pump.

[0007] The present invention further includes a method of using the bladder relaxation system to collect urine or other bodily liquids. The bladder relaxation system includes a pressure tube, a liquid tube, a pressure source, a liquid container, and a liquid collector. The pressure tube has a first end and a second end, and the liquid tube has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pressure tube and the first end of the liquid tube are fluidly connected to the pressure source. The second end of the pressure tube and the second end of the liquid tube are fluidly connected to the liquid collector. The liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid tube between the liquid collector and the pressure source, where the liquid does not pass through the pressure source. The method includes applying the liquid collector to a user, collecting liquid in the liquid collector, and using the pressure source to force air into the pressure tube to create a positive pressure. The positive pressure moves liquid from the liquid collector to the liquid tube, moves liquid from the liquid tube to the liquid container, and collects liquid in the liquid container.

[0008] The present invention further includes a bodily fluid or excreta collection system suitable for attachment to surfaces, such as biological tissues, such as skin or membranes. The system for collecting liquid includes an air tube, a liquid tube, a pressure source, a separating chamber, a liquid container, and a liquid collector. The separating chamber has an air port, a liquid output, and a liquid input. The air tube has a first end and a second end, and the liquid tube has a first end and a second end. The first end of the air tube is fluidly connected to the pressure source, and the second end of the air tube is fluidly connected to the air inlet of the separating chamber. The first end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid collector, and the second end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid inlet of the separating chamber. The liquid collector seals to the surface. The liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid outlet of the separating chamber. The pressure source can be used to generate positive or negative pressure, or both positive and negative pressure, to move liquid in the liquid tube. The liquid does not pass through the pressure source.

[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a liquid collection system of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a liquid collection system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0013] A first embodiment of a bladder relief system 100 is shown in FIG. 1, where the liquid is urine. The system has an air pressure pump or pressure source, such as a pressurized air tank 150 attached to a power supply 130 and a controller 128. A positive pressure system and / or a negative pressure system are fluidly attached to the pump 150. The positive pressure system is comprised of an electronically controlled solenoid valve 160 fluidly connected to the output of the pump 150 and to a pressure tube 200. The negative pressure system is comprised of an electronically controlled solenoid valve 170 fluidly connected to the suction port of the pump 150 and to a liquid tube 230. In additional embodiments, the pump, controller and power supply can be replaced with an air cartridge pressure source and a pneumatic regulator. In yet additional embodiments, the vacuum system can be comprised of a venturi vacuum generator that generates negative pressure from an alternative pressure source. A first end 201 of the pressure tube 200 is fluidly attached to the positive pressure system. A first end 231 of the liquid tube 230 is fluidly attached to the negative pressure system. A second end 202 of the pressure tube is fluidly attached to a first port 211 of an on-body liquid collector 210. A second end 232 of the liquid tube 230 is fluidly attached to a second port 212 of the on-body liquid collector 210. Optionally, the tube ends 202, 232 can be releasably connected to the ports 211, 212 via connectors to facilitate removal and cleaning of the parts. Optionally, the connector system 290 provides an additional releasable mechanism for the pressure tube 200 and the liquid tube 230 to pass through clothing garments, such as an aviator flight suit.Optionally, a check valve 216 prevents backflow of liquid into the liquid collector 210. The check valve can be located within the liquid collector, between the liquid collector and the liquid tube, or as part of the liquid tube. Between the first end 231 and the second end 232 is a liquid container 250 with an in-line attachment device 240. Optionally, between the liquid container 250 and the negative pressure valve 170 is a self-sealing liquid and bacteria filter 285. The liquid does not pass through the pump 150. Optionally, the liquid container 250 may contain a gelling agent 251 that converts the liquid into a gel form to facilitate storage of the liquid. The gelling agent may optionally be stored in a water-soluble pouch to be released upon contact with the liquid.

[0014] It is understood that the flow of liquid into the reservoir is driven by a pressure differential within the system, and that there are different embodiments that will result in the same flow, such as using a positive pressure system to apply pressure to the pressure tube to push the liquid down the liquid tube, or using a negative pressure system to apply suction to the liquid tube to draw the liquid down the liquid tube, or using both positive and negative pressure to push and pull the liquid.

[0015] Optionally, the pressure tube 200 and the liquid tube 230 may have connectors 270 and 280, respectively, which allow the liquid collector 210 and liquid container 250 to be detached from the remainder of the device for cleaning. In a preferred embodiment, the remaining unconnected parts of the device 100 are enclosed within a pump housing (not shown) for convenience. A user may interact with the system via a user interface 122, which may consist of a control device outside of the pump housing. In an additional embodiment, the user interface may consist of an application on a remote device that communicates via a wireless implementation, such as using Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0016] Optionally, sensors may be connected to the controller to record various parameters, such as a liquid level sensor 255 that measures the amount of liquid in the container, or a hydration sensor 258 worn by the user. Additional sensors may also be connected to measure various properties of the collected liquid. These sensors may be connected directly to the controller or remotely.

[0017] How to operate

[0018] When the pump 150 is activated and the optional positive pressure system applies positive air pressure to the pressure tube 200, the pressure tube 200 applies air pressure to the liquid collector 210. Once liquid is captured, the positive air pressure moves the liquid from the liquid collector into the liquid tube 230 towards the liquid container 250. Once urination is complete, this creates a flow of drying air over the liquid collector and the user.

[0019] The optional negative pressure system provides negative air pressure to the liquid tube via negative pressure valve 170, applying negative air pressure to the liquid container 250 and liquid tube 230. Liquid is drawn from the liquid collector through the liquid tube 230 and into the liquid container 250. Liquid does not enter the pump.

[0020] The liquid collector 210 can be a male interface or a female interface. The female interface sealingly interfaces with the surface of the vulva, transferring suction to the vulva area and directing the flow of liquid from the vulva to the liquid tube and liquid collection container. The female interface may be larger in size to cover the entire vulva, or smaller in size to cover the urethra directly. Similarly, the male interface seals against the base of the penis and transfers suction to the penile area. The interface is made of soft silicone rubber or plastic polymers and is designed to fit comfortably and securely.

[0021] The bladder relief system of the present invention can be controlled wirelessly by an app on the user's smartphone or other digital device, or by a front panel display, and can be automatically controlled or initiated upon detection of fluid flow. Additionally, the pump system can capture details of the amount of fluid produced within a given period of time, and record other parameters captured by various sensors. This data is uploaded by the app to an internet cloud service for storage, analysis, retrieval and display. The app can also track the duration, frequency and amount of fluid produced.

[0022] The bladder relief system 100 can have custom settings input by the user. Presets of options are provided that are useful to the user. The bladder relief system of the present invention has a collection container and a pump that is fluidly and remotely connected to the liquid collector by a length of tubing. In a preferred embodiment, clothing and undergarments cover and engage the liquid collector and tubing. This provides a discreet system that can be worn under the user's clothing.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, a second embodiment of a liquid collection system 500 includes a liquid handling portion of the system, which includes a liquid collector, at least one separation chamber, and a liquid container. The collection system also includes an air handling portion of the system, which includes a pump or pressure source, a pressure solenoid valve, and air manifolds. The liquid collection system uses pressure from the air handling portion to remove liquid, but the liquid does not pass through the air handling portion or the pump. The at least one separation chamber has at least one air port, a liquid output, and a liquid input. In a preferred embodiment, there are two separation chambers, each with two air ports. The separation chambers use hydrophobic filters to isolate liquid from the air handling portion of the system and prevent liquid from flowing into the air handling portion of the system. The separation chambers are constructed with hard sides to withstand fluctuating pressures and will not collapse. Since the liquid container is not subjected to negative pressure, the separation chamber allows the use of liquid containers with soft sides that cannot withstand negative pressure without collapsing. At least one separation chamber is repeatedly filled and emptied, which transfers the aqueous fluid from the liquid collector to the liquid container. In a more preferred embodiment, there are two or more separation chambers, and as one chamber is filled, the second chamber is emptied. This two separation chamber system provides faster pumping of the aqueous fluid compared to a system with a single separation chamber. Liquid is transferred from the liquid collection interface to the separation chamber and from the separation chamber to the liquid container of the liquid collection system.

[0024] In Figure 2, the liquid collection system includes a pressure source, such as an air pressure pump or pressurized air tank 550, attached to a power source (not shown) and controller (not shown). A positive pressure system and / or a negative pressure system are fluidly attached to the pump 550. Both positive and negative pressure systems are shown working in conjunction. This is a hybrid system.

[0025] The positive pressure system consists of an electronically controlled positive pressure solenoid valve 560 fluidly connected to the output of pump 550 and positive pressure tubing 600. The positive pressure tubing connects the positive pressure valve to a manifold 620. The manifold is fluidly connected to a separation chamber 630 at an air port 636 that is attached to a hydrophobic filter 635. The separation chamber has at least one hydrophobic filter 635. The hydrophobic filter 635 allows gas to pass but does not allow aqueous liquids (such as urine) to pass. A preferred hydrophobic filter is a 1 micron PTFE filter. Liquid exits the positive pressure separation chamber at a liquid outlet 634. The liquid outlet is fluidly connected to a liquid container 551. Optionally, there is a check valve 638 between the liquid outlet and the liquid container to prevent backflow of liquid, such as when the separation chamber is at a lower pressure than the liquid container.

[0026] The negative pressure system consists of an electronically controlled negative pressure solenoid valve 570 fluidly connected to the suction port of the pump 550 and to a negative pressure tube 660. The negative pressure tube connects the negative pressure valve to a manifold 620. The manifold is fluidly connected to the separation chamber 630 at an air port 636, which is connected to a hydrophobic filter 635. Optionally, a vacuum relief valve 700 is fluidly connected to the pump suction port. The vacuum relief valve 700 is configured to provide make-up air if the system becomes blocked internally by liquid.

[0027] The system operates by connecting the suction port of the pressure source 550 to the separation chamber 630 using the negative pressure solenoid valve 570 for a period of time. In some embodiments, this is configured to be about 2 seconds. During this time, air is removed from the chamber and the chamber is placed under negative pressure. Air and any entrained liquid are drawn from the collection interface 510 towards the collection chamber 630 via the liquid tube 530. During this time, the positive pressure solenoid valve 560 is configured to vent the pump to atmosphere. After this period, the system is configured to reverse the air flow to the separation chamber 630 by directing the pump suction to atmosphere using the negative pressure valve 570 and the pump exhaust to the separation chamber using the positive pressure valve 560. During this period of reverse flow, the chamber is placed under positive pressure and liquid flows out of the liquid outlet port 634 towards the liquid collector 551.

[0028] Optionally, the system may be configured to include one or more additional separation chambers 640. The separation chambers 640 include corresponding filters 645, air ports 646, liquid ports 642, 644, and check valves 648. In such an embodiment, the negative pressure solenoid valve 570 and the positive pressure solenoid valve 560 are connected to the additional separation chambers 640 through an additional manifold 610 instead of venting to the atmosphere. In this configuration, the additional separation chambers are positively pressurized by the air removed from the first separation chamber 630 instead of venting to the atmosphere, improving the efficiency of the system. The backflow is also more efficient as well. An additional advantage is that the airflow from the liquid collection interface 510 is more continuous rather than pulsed.

[0029] The number of the separation chambers is about 1 to 10. In a preferred embodiment, the number of the separation chambers is about 2 to 4.

[0030] The liquid collection interface 510 is fluidly connected to the separation chamber at a liquid inlet 632. Optionally, there is a liquid surge container 670 between the liquid collection interface and the separation chamber to regulate volume during high flow conditions. Further optionally, a check valve 638 can be disposed between the liquid collection interface and the separation chamber to prevent backflow of liquid into the liquid collector, such as when the separation chamber 630 is at a higher pressure than the liquid collection interface 510.

[0031] Optionally, the liquid collection interface has a vacuum relief valve 680 to prevent excessive suction and discomfort. The relief valve is configured to establish a maximum suction level to be applied to the user. Optionally, the liquid storage container has a relief filter or valve 690 to vent gas carried by the liquid and prevent over-pressurization of the liquid container.

[0032] The above embodiments have been selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to those skilled in the art. Since various modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments as described above with reference to the corresponding figures without departing from the scope of the invention, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. Thus, the scope and subject matter of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents appended hereto.

Claims

1. 1. A fluid collection system for collecting urine or other bodily fluids, comprising: a pressure tube, a liquid tube, a pressure source, a liquid container, and a liquid collector; the pressure tube having a first end and a second end, the liquid tube having a first end and a second end; the first end of the pressure tube and the first end of the liquid tube are fluidly connected to the pressure source; the second end of the pressure tube and the second end of the liquid tube are fluidly connected to the liquid collector; the liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid tube between the liquid collector and the pressure source; the pressure source is operable to generate positive or negative pressure, or both positive and negative pressure, to move liquid within the liquid tube; The liquid collection system, wherein the liquid does not pass through the pressure source.

2. The liquid collection system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure source is a pump.

3. The liquid collection system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid collector is selected from the group consisting of a male interface or a female interface.

4. The liquid collection system of claim 3 , wherein the pressure tube and the liquid tube are one tube, and the pressure source provides the negative pressure.

5. The liquid collection system of claim 3 , wherein the first end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid collector, and the pressure source provides the positive pressure.

6. 1. A liquid collection system comprising: an air tube, a liquid tube, a pressure source, at least one separation chamber, a liquid container, and a liquid collector; The liquid is from the surface, At least one of the separation chambers has an air port, a liquid outlet, and a liquid inlet; the air tube having a first end and a second end, the liquid tube having a first end and a second end; the first end of the air tube is fluidly connected to the pressure source; the second end of the air tube is fluidly connected to the air port of the separation chamber; the first end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid collector; the second end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid inlet of the separation chamber; At least one of the separation chambers separates air from liquid; the liquid collector seals against the surface; the liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid outlet of at least one of the separation chambers; the pressure source is operable to generate positive or negative pressure, or both positive and negative pressure, to move fluid in the liquid tube from the liquid collector to the liquid container; The liquid collection system, wherein the liquid does not pass through the pressure source.

7. At least one of the separation chambers comprises a solid sided chamber; 7. The liquid collection system of claim 6, wherein the air port of at least one of the separation chambers comprises at least one hydrophobic filter, the hydrophobic filter filtering out air.

8. The liquid collection system of claim 7 , wherein the liquid collection system is a hybrid system having both positive and negative pressure.

9. 1. A liquid collection system comprising: an air tube, a liquid tube, a pressure source, at least one separation chamber, a liquid container, and a liquid collector; The fluid is from the human or animal body, At least one of the separation chambers has an air port, a liquid outlet, and a liquid inlet; At least one of the separation chambers comprises a solid sided chamber; the air port of at least one of the separation chambers is provided with at least one hydrophobic filter, the air being filtered by the hydrophobic filter; the air tube having a first end and a second end, the liquid tube having a first end and a second end; the first end of the air tube is fluidly connected to the pressure source; the second end of the air tube is fluidly connected to the air intake of at least one of the separation chambers; the first end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid collector; the second end of the liquid tube is connected to the liquid inlet of at least one of the separation chambers; At least one of the separation chambers separates air from liquid; the liquid collector seals against the body; the liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid outlet of at least one of the separation chambers; the pressure source is operable to generate positive or negative pressure, or both positive and negative pressure, to move fluid in the liquid tube from the liquid collector to the liquid container; The liquid collection system, wherein the liquid does not pass through the pressure source.

10. The liquid collection system of claim 9 , wherein the liquid collection system is a hybrid system having both positive and negative pressure.

11. The liquid collection system of claim 10 , wherein the pressure source is a pump.

12. 12. The liquid collection system of claim 11, wherein the liquid is urine and the liquid collector is selected from the group consisting of a male interface or a female interface.

13. The liquid collection system of claim 12 , wherein the liquid container is a soft-sided container.

14. The liquid collection system of claim 8 , wherein the liquid container is a soft-sided container.

15. The liquid collection system of claim 6 , wherein the liquid container is a soft-sided container.

16. The liquid collection system of claim 6 , wherein the at least one separation chamber comprises between 1 and about 10 separation chambers.

17. The liquid collection system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one separation chamber comprises between 1 and about 10 separation chambers.

18. The liquid collection system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one separation chamber comprises between about two and four separation chambers.

19. 20. The liquid collection system of claim 17, wherein the at least one separation chamber comprises between about two and four separation chambers.

20. The liquid collection system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is urine and the liquid collector is selected from the group consisting of a male interface or a female interface.

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