Urine volume monitoring system

Abstract

A urine volume monitoring system including a urine collection assembly coupled to an automatic urine volume monitoring device. The urine collection assembly includes a drainage tube, an accumulator coupled to the drainage tube, and a urine collection container fluidly coupled to the accumulator. The automatic urine volume monitoring device is operatively coupled to the urine collection container. Logic determines an amount of urine collected in the container based on a signal from a load cell of the monitoring device. A vacuum pump coupled to the accumulator creates an air flow that draws urine along the drainage tube and into the accumulator. The accumulator separates the air flow from the urine. The air flow enters the drainage tube via a female external urinary catheter.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a urine volume monitoring system. [Background technology]

[0002] Current urine volume monitoring systems capture urine excreted from a patient over time. These systems may include a urinary catheter in urinary communication with a urine collection container configured to capture urine excreted by gravity flow. However, dependent loops may form in the tubing, resulting in an increase in catheter-assisted urinary tract infections in the patient. Furthermore, dependent loops may result in inaccurate urine volume measurements. It would be beneficial for patients to have a urine volume monitoring system that removes dependent loops from the system and is adaptable to current urine volume monitoring systems. Such a system may provide accurate urine volume measurements and reduce the likelihood that a patient will experience a catheter-assisted urinary tract infection. Disclosed herein are urine volume monitoring systems and methods that address the foregoing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Disclosed herein is a urine volume monitoring system including a urine collection assembly coupled to an automatic urine volume monitoring device according to some embodiments. The urine collection assembly includes a drainage tube defining a distal end and a proximal end, an accumulator coupled to the drainage tube at the proximal end, and a urine collection container fluidly coupled to the accumulator. The automatic urine volume monitoring device is operatively coupled to the urine collection container, the automatic urine volume monitoring device including a console in communication with a sensor of the system. The console includes a processor and a memory having logic stored therein that, when executed by the processor, performs operations of the system including determining an amount of urine collected in the urine collection container. The system further includes a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the accumulator such that air is removed from the accumulator by the vacuum pump. The air removed from the accumulator creates a flow of air mixed with the flow of urine along the drainage tube from the distal end to the accumulator, the accumulator being configured to separate the flow of air from the flow of urine.

[0004] In some embodiments, the urine collection assembly further comprises a urinary catheter coupled to the drainage tube at a distal end, in some embodiments the air flow passes through the urinary catheter, in some embodiments the urinary catheter is an external female urinary catheter.

[0005] In some embodiments, the accumulator defines a cavity including an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion, in such embodiments, the flow of air is into and out of the upper cavity portion and only the flow of urine is into and out of the lower cavity portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, the accumulator is mounted on the automated urine volume monitoring device such that the accumulator is in a vertical orientation. In some embodiments, the sensor includes a load cell of an automated urine volume monitoring device. The load cell is operably coupled to the urine collection container, the load cell configured to determine a gravitational load defined by urine collected in the urine collection container. In such embodiments, determining the volume of urine collected in the urine collection container includes determining the volume of urine based on the gravitational load.

[0007] In some embodiments, the urine collection assembly further includes a one-way valve disposed in line with the lumen extending between the accumulator and the urine collection container, the one-way valve configured to prevent fluid flow from the urine collection container toward the accumulator.

[0008] In some embodiments, the urine collection container is a rigid container, and in some embodiments, the accumulator is rigidly coupled to the urine collection container, hi some embodiments, the urine collection container includes a vent configured to define atmospheric pressure within the urine collection container.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sensor includes a flow meter disposed in line with a lumen extending between the accumulator and the urine collection container, the flow meter configured to measure a flow rate of urine passing from the accumulator to the urine collection container, and determining the amount of urine collected in the urine collection container includes determining the amount of urine based on the flow rate. In some embodiments, the urine collection container includes a removable lid.

[0010] Also disclosed herein is a urine volume monitoring system method according to some embodiments, comprising receiving urine from a patient into a drainage tube coupled to the urinary catheter and extending proximally away from the urinary catheter. The method further comprises (i) establishing an air flow proximally along the drainage tube between the urinary catheter and an accumulator disposed at a proximal end of the drainage tube, and (ii) mixing the urine with the air flow such that the air flow causes the urine to flow proximally along the drainage tube toward the accumulator. The method further comprises separating the air flow from the urine in the accumulator and collecting the urine in a urine collection container located downstream of the accumulator.

[0011] In some embodiments of this method, establishing the flow of air includes activating a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the accumulator. In some embodiments, the method further includes (i) measuring a gravitational load defined by urine collected in the urine collection container; and (ii) determining a volume of urine collected in the urine collection container based on the gravitational load.

[0012] In some embodiments of this method, the air flow enters the drainage tube via the urinary catheter. In some embodiments of this method, the urinary catheter is an external female urinary catheter, and in some embodiments of this method, the air flow enters the urinary catheter via a non-sealing interface between the urinary catheter and the patient.

[0013] Also disclosed herein is a urine collection assembly according to some embodiments, the assembly including an accumulator defining a closed cavity including an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion, the accumulator including an air port in direct fluid communication with the upper cavity portion. The assembly further includes (i) a first drainage tube defining a first distal end and a first proximal end, the first drainage tube being coupled to the accumulator at the first proximal end in direct fluid communication with the upper cavity portion, (ii) a second drainage tube defining a second distal end and a second proximal end, the second drainage tube being coupled to the accumulator at the second distal end in direct fluid communication with the lower cavity portion, and (iii) a urine collection container coupled to the second drainage tube at the second proximal end. The air port is configured to couple with an air hose of a vacuum pump such that a flow of air defined by the vacuum pump (i) flows proximally along the first drainage tube and (ii) flows in and out of the upper cavity portion.

[0014] In some embodiments of the assembly, the urine collection container is configured to operatively couple to a load cell of the automatic urine volume monitoring device such that urine collected in the urine collection container defines a gravitational load applied to the load cell. The automatic urine volume monitoring device includes a console in communication with the load cell, the console including a processor and a memory having logic stored therein. The logic, when executed by the processor, performs operations of the automatic urine volume monitoring device including determining a volume of urine collected in the urine collection container based on the gravitational load.

[0015] In some embodiments, the assembly further includes a female external catheter coupled to the first drainage tube at a first distal end such that, during use, urine excreted by the patient (i) enters the female external catheter, (ii) flows proximally along the first drainage tube, and (iii) enters the accumulator.

[0016] In some embodiments, during use, the air flow defined by the vacuum pump forces urine to flow proximally along the first drainage tube. In some embodiments, during use, urine excreted by the patient (i) separates from the air flow within the accumulator, (ii) falls from the upper cavity portion to the lower cavity portion, (ii1) flows proximally along the second drainage tube, and (iv) enters the urine collection container.

[0017] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and following description, which describe in more detail certain embodiments of such concepts.

[0018] A more detailed description of the present disclosure will now be given with reference to certain embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that these drawings represent only typical embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be considered limiting of its scope. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described and explained with additional features and details using the following accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a urine volume monitoring system, according to some embodiments. [Figure 1B] 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an accumulator of the urine collection assembly of FIG. 1A according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a second embodiment of a urine volume monitoring system, according to some embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1B is a diagram of the system of FIG. 1A in use, according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] 1B illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method of the urine volume monitoring system of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Before some specific embodiments are disclosed in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein may have features that can be easily separated from the specific embodiment and can be combined or substituted in any way with any of the other several embodiments disclosed herein.

[0021] With respect to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that the terms are intended to describe certain particular embodiments, and that the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a group of features or steps, and do not provide sequentiality or numerical limitations. For example, the "first," "second," and "third" features or steps need not appear in that order, nor need a particular embodiment that includes such features or steps be limited to those three features or steps. Designations such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," and similar terms are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, a particular fixed position, orientation, direction, etc. Rather, such designations are used to reflect, for example, a relative position, orientation, direction, etc. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] The phrases "connected," "coupled," and "in communication with" refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including, but not limited to, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interactions. Two components can be coupled to one another even if they are not in direct contact with one another. For example, two components can be coupled to one another through an intermediate component.

[0023] The terms "proximal" and "distal" refer to the ends of a medical device, including the devices disclosed herein. As used herein, the proximal end of a medical device or component is the end closest to a practitioner during use, and the distal end is the opposite end. For example, the proximal end of a drainage tube is defined as the end closest to a practitioner during application of the drainage tube. The distal end is the end opposite the proximal end along the length of the drainage tube.

[0024] The term "logic" may refer to hardware, firmware, or software configured to perform one or more functions. As hardware, the term logic may refer to or include circuitry having data processing and / or storage capabilities. Examples of such circuitry may include, but are not limited to, a hardware processor (e.g., a microprocessor, one or more processor cores, digital signal processors, programmable gate arrays, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"), etc.), semiconductor memory, or combinational elements.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the term logic may refer to or include software such as one or more processes, one or more instances, an Application Programming Interface (API), a subroutine, a function, an applet, a servlet, a routine, source code, object code, a shared library / dynamic link library (dll), or even one or more instructions. This software may be stored on any type of suitable non-transitory or transitory storage medium (e.g., electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form of propagated signal, such as a carrier wave, infrared signal, or digital signal). Examples of non-transitory storage media may include, but are not limited to or restricted to, non-persistent storage devices such as programmable circuits, volatile memory (e.g., any type of random access memory "RAM"), or persistent storage devices such as non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory "ROM", power-backed RAM, flash memory, phase change memory, etc.), solid-state drives, hard disk drives, optical disk drives, or portable memory devices. As firmware, the logic may be stored in persistent storage.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein, the term "fluid" means a liquid or gas, such as air or urine.

[0027] Any method disclosed herein includes one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and / or actions may be interchangeable with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of an embodiment, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified.

[0028] 1A is a diagram of a urine volume monitoring system 100, according to some embodiments. The urine volume monitoring system ("system") 100 generally includes a urine collection assembly 110 operably coupled to an automated urine volume monitoring device 120. The system 100 is generally configured to receive and collect urine discharged from a patient and generate metrics related to urine volume. The system 100 is further configured to actively displace urine, e.g., urine that may accumulate within a dependent loop of the drainage tube, proximally along the drainage tube.

[0029] The urine collection assembly 110 includes fluid components configured, when assembled together, to receive urine 50 from a patient and direct the urine to a urine collection container 104, such as a urine collection bag 106. In some embodiments, the urine collection assembly 110 may include a urinary catheter 102, which may be an external female urinary catheter. The urine collection bag 106 is removably coupled to an automated urine volume monitoring device 120. In some embodiments, the urine collection bag 106 may be configured to be suspended from the automated urine volume monitoring device 120.

[0030] The automatic urine volume monitoring device 120 includes a load cell 122 in communication with a console 124. The load cell 122 is configured to measure a load associated with urine 50 collected in the urine collection bag 106 when the urine collection bag 106 is coupled to the automatic urine volume monitoring device 120. The load cell 122 may be configured to take a number of measurements as the urine collection bag 106 receives urine 50. In some embodiments, the load measurements may be used to generate a number (e.g., one, two, three, or more) metrics associated with the collection of urine 50 in the urine collection bag 106, such as, for example, flow rate or total volume, as described in more detail herein. In some embodiments, the automatic urine volume monitoring device 120 may be freestanding, suspended from a stand, or coupled to a fixed surface, such as, for example, a wall. In some embodiments, the console 124 may include a wireless module (not shown) such that the console may communicate with an external computing device (not shown), such as, for example, a personal computer, tablet, or mobile phone. The external computing device can be connected to an electronic medical record system.

[0031] The urine collection assembly 110 includes an accumulator 140 disposed in-line between the urinary catheter 102 and the urine collection bag 106. A first drainage tube 130 extends between the urinary catheter 102 and the accumulator 140, and a second drainage tube 132 extends between the accumulator 140 and the urine collection bag 106. An air hose 164 fluidly couples the accumulator 140 to a vacuum pump 160, which is generally configured to draw air 60 from the accumulator 140.

[0032] FIG. 1B is a detailed view of the accumulator 140. The accumulator 140 includes a body 141 that defines a closed cavity 145. In use, the accumulator 140 is disposed in a vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 1B. The cavity 145 defines an upper cavity portion 145A and a lower cavity portion 145B. The first drainage tube 130 is coupled to the accumulator 140 via an inlet port 142 that establishes fluid communication between the first drainage tube 130 and the upper cavity portion 145A. Similarly, the air hose 164 is coupled to the accumulator 140 via an air port 144 that establishes fluid communication between the air hose 164 and the upper cavity portion 145A. The second drainage tube 132 is coupled to the accumulator 140 via an outlet port 143, which establishes fluid communication between the second drainage tube 132 and the lower cavity portion 145A. In some embodiments, the accumulator 140 can be constructed from plastic, one or more polymers, or the like. In some embodiments, the accumulator 140 may be extruded, injection molded, 3D printed, or the like. The accumulator 140 can be configured for single use or single patient use. In alternative embodiments, the accumulator 140 can be configured for reuse across multiple patients.

[0033] During use, a mixture of air 60 and urine 50 flows away from the patient along the first drainage tube 130 and enters the accumulator 140 via the inlet port 142. Within the accumulator 140, the air 60 separates from the urine 50. More specifically, the air 60 (i) enters the upper cavity portion 145A via the inlet port 142, and (ii) exits the upper cavity portion 145A via the air port 144. The urine 50 (i) enters the upper cavity portion 145A via the inlet port 142, (ii) separates from the air 60, (iii) falls from the upper cavity portion 145A into the lower cavity portion 145B, and (iv) exits the lower cavity portion 145B via the outlet port 143. In some embodiments, the cavity 145 may include a cone or funnel shape to direct the urine 50 by the cavity 145 towards the outlet port 143. The urine 50 flows by gravity along the second drainage tube 132 into the urine collection bag 106 .

[0034] The vacuum pump 160 generally defines the flow of air (i.e., the flow of air 60) into and out of the accumulator 140 along the first drainage tube 130 and along the air hose 164. In some embodiments, the urinary catheter 102 is not sealably coupled to the patient. Thus, the air 60 can enter the urinary catheter 102 at the catheter-patient interface. Thus, both the urine 50 and the air 60 can enter the first drainage tube 130 and flow along the first drainage tube 130 toward the accumulator 140. The air flow caused by the vacuum pump 160 can draw the urine 50 along the first drainage tube 130 toward the accumulator 140. In some cases, the urine 50 can flow along the first drainage tube 130 toward the accumulator 140 without the aid of the air flow caused by the vacuum pump 160. For example, urine 50 may flow along the first drainage tube 130 while the vacuum pump 160 is turned off.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a urine volume monitoring system that may be similar in some respects to the components of the urine volume monitoring system 100 described in connection with FIGS. 1A-1B. It will be understood that the illustrated embodiment may have similar features. Accordingly, similar features are indicated with similar reference numbers with the leading digit incremented to "2". For example, an accumulator is indicated as "140" in FIGS. 1A-1B and an accumulator is indicated as "240" in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the relevant disclosure set forth above with respect to similarly identified features may not be repeated below. Additionally, certain features of the urine volume monitoring system 100 and related components illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B may not be indicated or identified by reference numbers in the drawings or specifically described in the following description. However, such features may be clearly the same or substantially the same as features shown in and / or described in connection with other embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant discussion of such features applies equally to the features of the urine volume monitoring system of FIG. 2. Any suitable combination of the features and variations thereof described with respect to the urine volume monitoring system 100 and components shown in Figures 1A-1B may be used with the urine volume monitoring system 200 and components of Figure 2, and vice versa.

[0036] The urine volume monitoring system 200 includes a urinary catheter 202 in urinary communication with a urine collection container 204 configured to receive urine therein. The urine collection container 204 includes a rigid container 208 configured to receive urine therein, the rigid container 208 including a removable lid 205. Thus, the removable lid 205 can be separated from the rigid container 208 to allow for disposal of collected urine. In some embodiments, the removable lid 205 may be removably coupled to the rigid container 208 by a press fit, a snap fit, a threaded fit, an interference fit, or the like. In some embodiments, the removable lid 205 may include an intake port 212 configured to receive urine therethrough. In some embodiments, the rigid container 208 may be disposed on a docking station 214 configured to stabilize the rigid container 208 during use. An accumulator 240 is disposed in series between the urinary catheter 202 and the rigid container 208. In some embodiments, the first drainage tube 230 can provide urinary communication between the urinary catheter 202 and the accumulator 240. In some embodiments, the accumulator 140 can be directly attached (e.g., rigidly attached) to the intake port 212. The accumulator 140 is coupled to a vacuum pump 260 via an air hose 264. In some embodiments, the vacuum pump 260 can be a stand-alone structure or can be coupled or integrated into the docking station 214. The accumulator 240 can be positioned in a vertical orientation by directly coupling the accumulator 240 to the intake port 212.

[0037] In some embodiments, the accumulator 240 may include a flow meter 216 in communication with the console 224, the flow meter 216 configured to measure the flow or flow rate of urine passing from the accumulator 240 into the rigid container 208. In some embodiments, the console 224 may be integrated with the flow meter 216 or coupled to the removable lid 205 or the docking station 214. In some embodiments, the console 224 may be in communication with an external computing device. In some embodiments, the measured flow rate may be used to detect, calculate, or determine metrics related to the collected urine. In some embodiments, the flow meter 216 may be integrated with the accumulator 240 or may be a separate structure coupled to the accumulator 240. In some embodiments, the intake port 212 may include a one-way valve 213 disposed in series with the intake port 212, the one-way valve 213 configured to prevent fluid (i.e., urine and / or air) from exiting the rigid container 208 through the intake port 212. In some embodiments, the rigid container 208 or the removable lid 205 may include a vent 217 configured to define atmospheric pressure within the rigid container 208 .

[0038] 3 shows the urine volume monitoring system 100 in use. The urine collection assembly 110 is operatively coupled to an automated urine volume monitoring device 120, i.e., the urine collection bag 106 is coupled to a load cell 122. The accumulator 140 is attached to the urine volume monitoring device 120 such that the accumulator 140 is oriented vertically. A vacuum pump 160 is fluidly coupled to the accumulator 140 via an air hose 164.

[0039] The urinary catheter 102 is coupled to a patient (not shown) such that urine 50 excreted by the patient enters the urinary catheter 102. The urinary catheter 102 connects in a non-sealing manner such that air 60 enters the urinary catheter 102 at the catheter-patient interface. The vacuum pump 160 is activated to establish a flow of air 60 along the first drainage tube 130 from the urinary catheter 102 to the accumulator 140, thereby drawing urine 50 along the first drainage tube 130.

[0040] Air 60 separates from urine 50 within the accumulator 140 in the upper cavity portion 145A (see FIG. 1B). Air 60 exits the accumulator 140 (i.e., upper cavity portion 145A) via air port 144. Urine 50 drops from the upper cavity portion 145A into the lower cavity portion 145B and exits the accumulator 140 (i.e., lower cavity portion 145B) via exit port 143. Urine 50 flows by gravity along the second drainage tube 132 towards the urine collection bag 106.

[0041] The urine collection bag 106 collects the urine 50. The urine 50 collected in the urine collection bag 106 defines a gravitational load (e.g., weight) on a load cell 122. The load cell 122 measures the load and provides an electrical signal accordingly to a console 124 based on the gravitational load defined by the urine 50 collected in the urine collection bag 106.

[0042] Logic in the console 124 processes the electrical signals to determine the volume of urine 50 in the collection bag 106. In some embodiments, the logic takes multiple electrical signals from the load cell 122 to determine a number of metrics related to the collection of urine 50, such as the instantaneous volume of urine, the total volume of urine, the amount of urine produced per defined period of time, the number of urinary voids, or the time between urinary voids. The logic can transmit the metrics to an external computing device.

[0043] 4 shows a flow chart of an exemplary urine volume monitoring system method. The urine volume monitoring system method (method) 400 may include all or any subset of the following steps, actions, or processes. The method 400 may include receiving urine from the patient into a drainage tube (block 410). The drainage tube may be coupled to the urinary catheter and extend proximally away from the urinary catheter.

[0044] The method 400 may further include establishing an air flow in a proximal direction along the drainage tube (Block 420), the air flow occurring along the entire length of the drainage tube between the urinary catheter and an accumulator disposed at a proximal end of the drainage tube. In some embodiments of the method, establishing the air flow includes activating a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the accumulator. In some embodiments of the method 400, the air flow enters the drainage tube via the urinary catheter. In some embodiments of the method 400, the urinary catheter is an external female urinary catheter. In some embodiments of the method 400, the air flow enters the urinary catheter via a non-sealing interface between the urinary catheter and the patient.

[0045] The method 400 may further include mixing the urine with the air flow such that the air flow causes the urine to flow proximally along the drainage tube toward the accumulator (Block 430). The method 400 may further include separating the air flow from the urine in the accumulator (Block 440). The method 400 may further include collecting the urine in a urine collection container downstream of the accumulator (Block 450). The method 400 may further include measuring a gravitational load defined by the urine collected in the urine collection container (Block 460). The method 400 may further include determining an amount of urine collected in the urine collection container based on the gravitational load (Block 470).

[0046] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein, and the specific embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional improvements and / or modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the broader aspects encompass these improvements and / or modifications as well. Thus, one may depart from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. A urine volume monitoring system, comprising: a urine collection assembly, an automatic urine volume monitoring device, and a vacuum pump; The urine collection assembly comprises: a drainage tube defining a distal end and a proximal end; an accumulator coupled to the drainage tube at the proximal end; a urine collection container fluidly coupled to the accumulator; the automated urine volume monitoring device is operably coupled to the urine collection container; the automated urine volume monitoring device includes a console in communication with a sensor of the system; the console includes a processor and a memory having stored therein logic that, when executed by the processor, performs operations of the system, including determining a volume of urine collected in the urine collection container; the vacuum pump is fluidly coupled to the accumulator such that air is removed from the accumulator by the vacuum pump; the air removed from the accumulator creates a flow of air mixed with a flow of urine along the drainage tube from the distal end to the accumulator; The accumulator is configured to separate the air flow from the urine flow.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the urine collection assembly further comprises a urinary catheter coupled to the drainage tube at the distal end.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the air flow passes through the urinary catheter.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the urinary catheter is an external female urinary catheter.

5. the accumulator defines a cavity including an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion; the air flow into and out of the upper cavity portion; The system of claim 1 , wherein only the urine flow is into or out of the lower cavity portion.

6. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator is mounted to the automatic urine volume monitoring device such that the accumulator is oriented vertically.

7. the sensor includes a load cell of the automatic urine volume monitoring device; the load cell is operably coupled to the urine collection container; the load cell is configured to determine a gravitational load defined by urine collected in the urine collection container; 7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining a volume of urine collected in the urine collection container comprises determining the volume of urine based on the gravitational load.

8. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the urine collection assembly further comprises a one-way valve disposed in line with a lumen extending between the accumulator and the urine collection container, the one-way valve configured to prevent fluid flow from the urine collection container toward the accumulator.

9. the urine collection container is a rigid container; 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the accumulator is rigidly coupled to the urine collection container.

10. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the urine collection container includes a vent configured to define atmospheric pressure within the urine collection container.

11. the sensor includes a flow meter disposed in line with a lumen extending between the accumulator and the urine collection container; the flow meter is configured to measure a flow rate of urine passing from the accumulator to the urine collection container; 10. The system of claim 9, wherein determining the volume of urine collected in the urine collection container comprises determining the volume of urine based on the flow rate.

12. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the urine collection container includes a removable lid.

13. 1. A urine volume monitoring system and method, comprising: receiving urine from the patient into a drainage tube coupled to the urinary catheter and extending proximally away from the urinary catheter; establishing a flow of air proximally along the drainage tube between the urinary catheter and an accumulator disposed at the proximal end of the drainage tube; mixing the urine with the air flow such that the air flow causes the urine to flow proximally along the drainage tube and into the accumulator; separating the air stream from the urine in the accumulator; collecting the urine in a urine collection container located downstream of the accumulator.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein establishing the flow of air comprises operating a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the accumulator.

15. measuring a gravitational load defined by urine collected in the urine collection container; 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, further comprising determining a volume of the urine collected in the urine collection container based on the gravitational load.

16. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the air flow enters the drainage tube via the urinary catheter.

17. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the urinary catheter is an external female urinary catheter.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the flow of air enters the urinary catheter through a non-sealing interface between the urinary catheter and the patient.

19. 1. A urine collection assembly comprising: an accumulator, a first drainage tube, a second drainage tube, and a urine collection container; the accumulator defines a closed cavity including an upper cavity portion and a lower cavity portion, the accumulator including an air port in direct fluid communication with the upper cavity portion; the first drainage tube defines a first distal end and a first proximal end, the first drainage tube being coupled to the accumulator at the first proximal end so as to be in direct fluid communication with the upper cavity portion; the second drainage tube defines a second distal end and a second proximal end, the second drainage tube being coupled to the accumulator at the second distal end so as to be in direct fluid communication with the lower cavity portion; the urine collection container is coupled to the second drainage tube at the second proximal end; the air port is configured to couple with an air hose of a vacuum pump such that a flow of air defined by the vacuum pump (i) flows proximally along the first drainage tube and (ii) flows into and out of the upper cavity portion.

20. the urine collection container is configured to operably couple with a load cell of an automated urine volume monitoring device such that urine collected in the urine collection container defines a gravitational load applied to the load cell; the automated urine volume monitoring device includes a console in communication with the load cell; 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the console includes a processor and a memory having logic stored therein that, when executed by the processor, performs operations of the automatic urine volume monitoring device, including determining the volume of urine collected in the urine collection container based on the gravitational load.

21. 20. The assembly of claim 19, further comprising a female external catheter coupled to the first drainage tube at the first distal end such that, during use, urine excreted by a patient (i) enters the female external catheter, (ii) flows proximally along the first drainage tube, and (iii) enters the accumulator.

22. 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the air flow established by the vacuum pump forces the urine to flow proximally along the first drainage tube.

23. During use, the urine excreted by the patient Separating the air flow within the upper cavity portion; dropping from the upper cavity portion into the lower cavity portion; flowing proximally along the second drainage tube; 23. The assembly of any one of claims 19 to 22, which enters the urine collection container.

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