Urine collection system having a washing system, and related methods

Abstract

The embodiments relate to a urine collection system with a flushing system and related methods. The urine collection system includes a urine collection device, a canister with an interior region, a base including a pump, a lid, a flushing fluid container with a flushing port, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The urine collection device is configured to be placed at least near a user's urethra. The lid is fixed or securable to the canister and includes a vacuum port, a urine port, and a dispense port. The first conduit has an outlet that is removably fixed or securable to the dispense port and / or the urine port, and an inlet that is removably fixed or securable to the urine collection device and / or the flushing port. The second conduit is in fluid communication with the pump and has an inlet that is releasably securable to the vacuum port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 214,551, filed on June 24, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] Individuals may have limited or impaired mobility, making the normal urination process difficult or impossible. For example, an individual may have undergone surgery that impairs mobility or have a disability. In another example, an individual may have restricted movement conditions such as those experienced by pilots, drivers, and workers in hazardous areas. Additionally, fluid collection from an individual may be necessary for monitoring purposes or clinical trials.

[0003] Bedpans and urethral catheters, such as Foley catheters, can be used to address some of these situations. However, bedpans and urethral catheters have several associated problems. For example, bedpans can be uncomfortable, prone to spillage, and other hygiene issues. Urethral catheters can be uncomfortable, painful, and may cause urinary tract infections. Also, conventional urine collection devices may be limited to use when the patient is lying in a supine position in bed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, users and manufacturers of fluid collection devices continue to seek new and improved devices, systems, and methods for collecting urine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a fluid collection device and a method of using the fluid collection device. In one embodiment, a urine collection system includes a urine collection device, a canister having an internal region, a base including a pump, a lid, a cleaning liquid container having a cleaning port, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The urine collection device is configured to be disposed at least near the user's urethra. The lid is fixed or fixable to the canister and includes a vacuum port, a urine port, and a dispenser port. The first conduit has an outlet removably fixed or fixable to the dispenser port and / or the urine port, and an inlet removably fixed or fixable to the urine collection device and / or the cleaning port. The second conduit is in fluid communication with the pump and has an inlet releasably fixable to the vacuum port. The urine collection system is adjustable at least between a urine collection configuration and a cleaning configuration. In the urine collection configuration, at least one first conduit is fixed to the urine collection device and the urine port, and the second conduit is fixed to the vacuum port, so that by operating the pump, a negative pressure is generated in the internal region of the canister, which is effective for drawing urine in the urine collection device into the internal region of the canister through at least one first conduit. In the cleaning configuration, at least one first conduit is fixed to the dispenser port and the cleaning port, and the second conduit is fixed to the vacuum port, so that by operating the pump, a negative pressure is generated in the internal region of the canister, which is effective for drawing the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container into the internal region of the canister through at least one first conduit and the dispenser port.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method of cleaning a canister of a urine collection system includes removing at least a portion of urine within an interior region of the canister. The method also includes removably securing a first conduit to a dispenser port over a lid secured to an upper region of the canister to provide fluid communication between the dispenser port and a cleaning fluid via the first conduit. The method also includes operating a pump in fluid communication with an interior region of the canister via a second conduit secured to a vacuum port over the lid, whereby a negative pressure is created within the interior region of the canister, effective to draw the cleaning fluid into the interior region of the canister through the first conduit and the dispenser port.

[0008] In one embodiment, a urine collection container includes a canister having an interior region and a lid secured to or securable to the canister. The lid includes a vacuum port configured to be removably secured to a conduit to provide fluid communication between a pump and the interior region of the canister. The lid further includes a urine port configured to be removably secured to a conduit to provide fluid communication between a urine collection device and the interior region of the canister. The lid also includes a dispenser port configured to be removably secured to a conduit to provide fluid communication between a cleaning fluid container and the interior region of the canister.

[0009] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments can be used in combination with each other without limitation. Further, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, and like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or features shown in different figures or embodiments shown in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

Figure 1D

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a urine collection system having a cleaning device or system and methods of using the same. The devices and systems disclosed herein are configured to collect fluid from an individual. The fluid collected by the fluid collection device can include at least one of urine, vaginal secretions, penile secretions, genital fluid, blood, sweat, or other body fluids. In many embodiments, the fluid collected by the fluid collection device is drawn into a urine collection container. Conventional urine collection systems typically require the user to lift and remove the urine collection container from the urine collection system and empty and clean the urine collection system. Additionally, conventional urine collection systems also require the user to remove the lid from the urine collection container and drain and clean the urine collection container. These operations, in addition to their inconvenience, further increase the likelihood that urine collected in the urine collection container will spill in an undesirable location and create an unsanitary condition.

[0013] The urine collection system described in this specification may be adjustable among a urine collection configuration, a urine removal configuration, and a cleaning configuration. For example, in the cleaning configuration, at least one, a part, or all embodiments of the urine collection system described in this specification provide a technical effect of facilitating the cleaning of the urine collection container without removing the urine collection container from the urine collection system and without removing the lid from the urine collection container. Further, in the removal configuration, at least one, a part, or all embodiments of the urine collection system described in this specification provide a technical effect that urine or other fluids can be removed from the urine collection container without removing the urine collection container from the urine collection system and without removing the lid from the urine collection container. By performing the removal of urine from the urine collection container and further the cleaning of the urine collection container without removing the urine collection container from the urine collection system and / or without removing the lid from the urine collection container, the hygienic condition around the user is promoted.

[0014] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a fluid collection system 10 according to one embodiment. The fluid collection system 10 may be included in embodiments of the fluid collection systems described herein. The system 10 includes a fluid collection device 12 (e.g., any of the fluid collection devices disclosed herein), a urine collection container 14, and a pump 16 (e.g., a portable vacuum device or source). The fluid collection device 12, the urine collection container 14, and the pump 16 may be fluidly coupled to each other via one or more conduits 17. For example, the fluid collection device 12 may be operably coupled via the conduit 17 to one or more of the urine collection container 14 or the pump 16. In some embodiments, the pump 16 may be directly fixed to the urine collection container 14. The fluid (e.g., urine or other body fluid) collected within the fluid collection device 12 may be removed from the fluid collection device 12 via a conduit 17 fixed to the fluid collection device 12. A suction force may be introduced into the chamber of the fluid collection device 12 via the inlet of the conduit 17 in response to a suction (e.g., vacuum) force applied at the outlet of the conduit 17.

[0015] The suction force can be applied directly or indirectly by the pump 16 to the outlet of the conduit 17. The suction force may be applied indirectly via the urine collection container 14. For example, the outlet of the conduit 17 may be disposed within the interior region of the urine collection container 14 or fluidly coupled to the interior region, and an additional conduit 17 may extend from the urine collection container 14 to the pump 16. Thus, the pump 16 can apply suction to the fluid collection device 12 via the urine collection container 14. The suction force may be applied directly via the pump 16. For example, the outlet of the conduit 17 may be disposed within the pump 16. An additional conduit 17 may extend from the pump 16 to a point outside the fluid collection device 12, such as the urine collection container 14. In such an example, the pump 16 may be disposed between the fluid collection device 12 and the urine collection container 14.

[0016] The urine collection container 14 is sized and shaped to hold fluid therein. The urine collection container 14 may include a bag (e.g., a drainage bag), a bottle, a canister, or a cup (e.g., a collection jar), or other sealed container for storing body fluid(s) such as urine. In some examples, a conduit 17 may extend from the fluid collection device 12 and be attachable at a first point therein to the urine collection container 14. An additional conduit 17 may be attached to the urine collection container 14 at a second point and may extend and be attached to the pump 16. Thus, a vacuum (such as suction) can be drawn through the fluid collection device 12 via the urine collection container 14. Fluid such as urine can be discharged from the fluid collection device 12 using the pump 16.

[0017] The pump 16 can include one or more of a manual vacuum pump, an electric vacuum pump, a diaphragm pump, a centrifugal pump, a positive displacement pump, a magnetic drive pump, a peristaltic pump, or any pump configured to generate a vacuum or suction force. The pump 16 can supply a vacuum or suction to remove fluid from the fluid collection device 12. In some examples, the pump 16 can be powered by one or more power cords (e.g., connected to a power socket), one or more batteries, or further a manual power source (e.g., a manual vacuum pump). In some examples, the pump 16 can be sized and shaped to fit outside, on, or inside the fluid collection device 12. For example, the pump 16 can include one or more small pumps or one or more micropumps. The vacuum source disclosed herein can include one or more of a switch, a button, a plug, a remote control, or any other device suitable for operating the pump 16.

[0018] FIG. 1B shows an example of a urine collection system 100 in a urine collection configuration according to one embodiment. The urine collection system 100 can include a urine collection device 112, a first conduit 117a in fluid communication with an internal region of the urine collection device 112, a urine collection container, and a base 115 (e.g., the pump 116 is at least partially disposed within the housing of the base 115) that positions the pump 116 above or secures it within. The urine collection container can include a canister 114 and a lid 119 that is selectively fixed or fixable to the canister 114. The canister 114 can include an upper region 124 and a bottom region 134 and can at least partially define an internal region that is in fluid communication with the internal region of the urine collection device 112 via the first conduit 117a. The canister 114 is reusable, can be safely used in a dishwasher, and can include a generally rigid material such as polycarbonate or glass. In some embodiments, the canister 114 can be disposable. The urine collection system 100 can be configured to accommodate canisters 114 of different volume sizes. The canister 114 can be substantially cylindrical or frustoconical. In some embodiments, the canister can include other shapes and configurations, such as a generally square or rectangular side profile.

[0019] The urine collection device 112 can be configured to be disposed at least near the user's urethra. The urine collection device 112 shown in FIG. 1B includes a urine collection device for females, but the urine collection device 112 may alternatively include a urine collection device for males. For example, PCT International Application No. PCT / US2019 / 029616 describes various embodiments of both male and female fluid collection devices, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, the urine collection device 112 may be interchangeable among different types, variations, and sizes of male or female urine collection devices in the urine collection system 100. Generally, the urine collection device 112 may include a surface sized to be disposed adjacent to or adjacent to the urethra and configured to suck urine or other fluid from the user. Urine or other fluid may be sucked from the surface into a reservoir within the urine collection device 112.

[0020] The urine collection system 100 also includes a first conduit 117a that is in fluid communication with the internal region (e.g., reservoir) of the urine collection device 112 and the internal region of the canister 114. The first conduit 117a can be disposed between the urine collection device 112 and the canister 114. The urine collection system 100 may also include a second conduit 117b that provides fluid communication between the pump 116 and the internal region of the canister 114. In some embodiments, the pump 116 may be directly fixed to the canister 114, and the second conduit 117b may not be present in the urine collection system 100. The conduits 117a, 117b may include flexible tubes. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first conduit 117a is substantially opaque, thereby preventing the urine within the first conduit 117a from being visible.

[0021] The pump 116 is in fluid communication with the interior region of the canister 114 and is configured to be effective in drawing a vacuum into the interior region of the canister 114 to draw urine from the urine collection device 112 through the first conduit 117a into the canister 114. The pump 116 may be directly fixed to the canister 114, or the conduit 117b may fluidly couple the pump 116 to the interior region of the canister 114. The pump 116 may include one or more of a manual vacuum pump, an electric vacuum pump, a diaphragm pump, a centrifugal pump, a positive displacement pump, a magnetic drive pump, a peristaltic pump, or any pump configured to generate a vacuum. The pump 116 may supply a vacuum or suction to remove fluid from the fluid collection device 112. In some examples, the pump 116 may be powered by one or more batteries or other power source. The pump 116 may be included within a housing that also supports the canister 114. In some examples, the pump 116 may be sized and shaped to fit within a container support on a wheelchair. In some embodiments, the pump 116 may include a wall-mounted pump. The pump 116 may include one or more of a switch, a button, a plug, a remote control, or any other device suitable for operating the pump 116.

[0022] In some embodiments, the urine collection system described herein is configured to clean the inside of the canister 114 and the lid 119. To facilitate this cleaning of the inside of the canister 114 and the lid 119, the lid 119 may include, according to some embodiments, a plurality of ports and a cleaning liquid dispenser 150 disposed or disposable within the internal region of the canister 114. For example, the lid 119 may include a plurality of ports 141, 142, 143, 144 for attaching the conduits 117a, 117b. One or more of the plurality of ports 141, 142, 143, 144 may include an adapter (e.g., adapters 142a, 144a) removably fixed or fixable thereto to improve the attachment of the conduits 117a, 117b to the plurality of ports 141, 142, 143, 144. In some embodiments, the lid 119 may include ports or adapters additional to or fewer than those shown in FIG. 1B. Except for the ports and / or adapters for attaching the conduits 117a, 117b, the canister 114 may be sealed and airtight so that urine collected within the canister 114 does not leak or overflow.

[0023] In some embodiments, the lid 119 includes a urine port 144 to which the outlet of the first conduit 117a can be removably secured (either directly or via an adapter 144a secured to the urine port 144), and can provide fluid communication between the urine collection device 112 and the internal region of the canister 114. The second conduit 117b can provide fluid communication between the internal region of the canister 114 and the pump 116. For example, the lid 119 can include a vacuum port 142 to which the outlet of the second conduit 117b can be removably secured (either directly or via an adapter 142a secured to the vacuum port 142), and can provide fluid communication between the pump 116 and the internal region of the canister. The vacuum port 142 and / or the urine port 144 each include an adapter 142a, 144a removably secured thereto, each of which can secure the conduits 117b, 117a to the vacuum port 142 and / or the urine port 144. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., both) of the first conduit 117a and the second conduit 117b is removably connected or secured to the canister 114 and can be effective to provide fluid communication with the internal region of the canister 114. For example, the canister can include at least one (e.g., both) of the urine port 144 and the vacuum port 142. When the lid 119 is secured to the canister 114, the inlet of the first conduit 117a may be secured to the urine collection device 112, the outlet of the first conduit may be secured to the urine port 144, the second conduit 117b may be secured to the vacuum port 142, and operation of the pump can be effective to create a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister 114 to draw urine in the urine collection device 112 through the first conduit 117a into the internal region of the canister 114.

[0024] In some embodiments, the urine collection system 100 may also be configured to aspirate and remove at least a portion (e.g., all) of the urine retained in the interior region of the canister 114. For example, one of the canister 114 or the lid 119 may include a removal port 141 disposed such that urine is drawn out of the canister 114. In FIG. 1B, the removal port 141 is shown capped or closed on the lid 119 using a cap 145 removably fixed to the removal port 141. When the cap 145 is fixed to the removal port 141, the cap 145 prevents fluid communication with the interior region of the canister 114 through the removal port 141. Returning to FIG. 1C, when the urine collection system 100 is adjusted to the urine removal configuration, the removal port 141 may be sized such that a second conduit 117b (or another conduit) is removably fixed thereto when disposed on the lid 119 and / or when the cap 145 is removed from the removal port 141. In some embodiments, the removal port 141 may be disposed in the canister 114, such as in the bottom region 134 of the canister 114.

[0025] The urine collection system 100 may also include an internal conduit 152 disposed or disposable within the internal region of the canister 114. For example, the internal conduit 152 may be fixed or fixable to the canister 114 and / or the lid 119 and may be effective to provide fluid communication with the removal port 141. The internal conduit 152 may include a tube or a straw and may extend at least partially into the internal region of the canister 114 from the removal port 141 or the lid 119. In some embodiments, the internal conduit 152 extends from the removal port 141 into the internal region of the bottom region 134 of the canister 114. For example, the internal conduit 152 may terminate at an inlet proximate to the bottom of the canister 114. In some embodiments, the inlet of the internal conduit 152 may be disposed less than about 1 cm, less than about 5 mm, less than about 3 mm, or less than about 2 mm from the bottom of the canister 114. In some embodiments, the internal conduit 152 is flexible and configured to bend and be placed at the bottom of the canister 114. The internal conduit 152 may be removably fixed or fixable to the internal region of the lid 119 and may be effective to provide fluid communication between the removal port 141 and the internal conduit 152.

[0026] In some embodiments, the pump 116 and / or the base 115 may include a discharge port 118 (e.g., an exhaust port or an opening) that is arranged and configured to discharge fluid (e.g., air or urine) drawn from the canister 114. For example, when the lid 119 is fixed to the canister 114 and the second conduit 117b is fixed to the vacuum port 142 (shown in FIG. 1B), the operation of the pump 116 may draw air from within the canister 114 through the vacuum port 142, the second conduit 117b, and the pump 116, and then discharge or exhaust the air through the discharge port 118. When the lid 119 is fixed to the canister 114 and the second conduit 117b is fixed to the removal port 141, the operation of the pump 116 may draw fluid (e.g., urine or air) within the canister 114 through the internal conduit 152, the removal port 141, and the second conduit 117b, and then discharge the fluid through the discharge port 118 on the base 115. An additional conduit (not shown) may be fixed to the discharge port 118 to direct the discharged fluid to a desired location such as a toilet.

[0027] In at least one, some, or all embodiments, the urine collection system 100 is configured to provide a technical effect of cleaning the interior of the canister 114 and / or the lid 119. For example, the canister 114 and / or the lid 119 may be cleaned after fluid has been removed from the canister 114. In some embodiments, the urine collection system 100 may include a cleaning device or assembly that includes the canister 114 and / or the lid 119, and that is adapted to clean the interior of the canister 114 and / or the lid 119. In some embodiments, the cleaning system may include a cleaning fluid container 160 having a cleaning port 162, a dispenser port 143 in either the lid 119 or the canister 114, and a dispenser 150 disposed or disposable within the internal region of the canister 114. The cleaning fluid container 160 may hold cleaning fluid therein and may be removably or fixedly secured to either the base 115 or the canister 114. In some embodiments, the cleaning fluid container 160 is separate (e.g., not secured to the canister 114 or the base 115).

[0028] In FIG. 1C, the dispenser port 143 is shown either capped with a cap 145 removably fixed to the dispenser port 143 or closed with the cap 145. When the cap 145 is fixed to the dispenser port 143, the cap 145 prevents fluid communication with the internal region of the canister 114 through the dispenser port 143. Returning to FIG. 1D, when the urine collection system 100 is adjusted to a cleaning configuration, the dispenser port 143 may be sized to be disposed on the lid 119 and / or to removably fix the first conduit 117a (or another conduit) when the cap 145 is removed from the dispenser port 143. In some embodiments, the dispenser port 143 may be disposed on the canister 114, for example, on the sidewall of the canister 114.

[0029] The urine collection system 100 may also include a dispenser 150 disposed or disposable within the internal region of the canister 114. For example, the dispenser 150 may be fixed or fixable to the canister 114 and / or the lid 119 and may be effective to provide fluid communication with the dispenser port 143. In some embodiments, the dispenser 150 is removably or fixedly fixed to the lid 119 and is in fluid communication with the dispenser port 143. The dispenser 150 may include one or more openings 154 that are configured to dispense a cleaning fluid 155 therethrough. For example, the dispenser 150 may include one or more misters or one or more spray nozzles that are configured to atomize or spray the cleaning fluid 155 within the internal region of the canister 114.

[0030] The outlet of the first conduit 117a is removed from the urine port 144 and fixed to the dispenser port 143 and can be effective in providing fluid communication with the dispenser 150 via the dispenser port 143. The inlet of the first conduit 117a is removed from the urine collection device 112 and fixed to the cleaning port 162 and can be effective in providing fluid communication between the internal region of the cleaning liquid container 160 and the dispenser 150. The cap 145 is fixed to the urine port 144 after the first conduit 117a is removed and can be effective in preventing fluid communication with the internal region of the canister 114 through the urine port 144. In some embodiments, an additional conduit different from the first conduit 117a includes an outlet that is fixed or fixable to the dispenser port 143 and an inlet that is fixed or fixable to the cleaning port 162 and can be effective in providing fluid communication between the cleaning liquid container 160 and the dispenser 150. During operation, when the lid 119 is fixed to the canister 114, the first conduit 117a is fixed to the dispenser port 143 and the cleaning port 162, and the second conduit 117b is fixed to the vacuum port 142 (or the removal port 141), the operation of the pump 116 causes a negative pressure to be generated in the internal region of the canister 114, and draws the cleaning liquid 155 into the cleaning liquid container 160 through one or more openings 154 of the first conduit 117a, the dispenser port 143, and the dispenser 150, and is effective in dispensing the cleaning liquid 155 into the internal region of the canister 114.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, urine can be removed from the urine collection system 200 without using the pump 116. Unless otherwise specified, the urine collection system 200 can include any aspect of the urine collection system 100. For example, the urine collection system 200 can include a base 215, and the base 215 can house and / or secure a pump 216 therein. The urine collection system 200 can also include a urine collection container having a canister 214 and a lid 219. The canister 214 can include an upper region 224 and a bottom region 234, and the lid 219 can include a vacuum port 142, a dispenser port 143, and a urine port 144. The removal port 141 may not be present on the lid 219. The urine collection system 200 can include a dispenser 150 fixed to or fixable to at least one of the lid 219 or the canister 214. Unless otherwise specified, the canister 214, the base 215, the pump 216, the lid 219, and the dispenser 150 can include any aspect of the canister 114, the base 115, the pump 116, the lid 119, and the dispenser 150 described above in connection with the urine collection system 100.

[0032] FIG. 2A shows the urine collection system 200 in a urine collection configuration. In some embodiments, the canister 214 includes an opening 213 in the bottom region 234 of the canister 214. A plug or cap is removably fixed to or fixable to the opening 213 and can prevent fluid communication through the opening 213. When the plug is removed from the opening 213 and the urine collection system is adjusted to a urine removal configuration, the fluid within the canister 214 can be discharged from the canister 214 through the opening 213. In some embodiments, one or more of the ports 142, 143, 144 are also opened when the cap is removed from the opening 213, allowing air to enter the interior region of the canister 214 and making the discharge of the canister 214 more effective.

[0033] In some embodiments, the base 215 includes a recess 207 sized to receive at least a portion of the bottom region 234 of the canister 214. The base 215 may also include a notch 217 positioned to provide access to the cap and / or the opening 213 of the canister 214 when the canister 214 is disposed within the recess 207 of the base 215. In some embodiments, the canister 214 may include a port sized and dimensioned such that a conduit is removably securable thereto (e.g., the opening 213 may be configured as a port). In some embodiments, the opening 213 includes a valve configured to prevent fluid communication through the opening 213 when the conduit is not secured and to allow fluid communication through the opening 213 when the conduit is secured. A conduit secured to the opening 213 may enable a user to drain the canister 214 at a desired location such as a toilet.

[0034] The urine collection system 200 may be configured to clean the interior of the canister 214 and / or the lid 219. For example, the canister 214 and / or the lid 219 may be cleaned after fluid has been removed from the canister 214. In some embodiments, the urine collection system 200 may include a cleaning device, or assembly, including the canister 214 and / or the lid 219, which is adapted to clean the interior of the canister 214 and / or the lid 219. In some embodiments, the cleaning system may include a cleaning fluid container 260 having a cleaning port 262, a dispenser port 143 in either the lid 219 or the canister 214, and a dispenser 150 disposed or disposable within the interior region of the canister 214. The cleaning fluid container 260 may hold cleaning fluid therein and may be separate from (e.g., not secured to) the canister 214 or the base 215. In some embodiments, the cleaning fluid container 260 may be removably or fixedly secured to either the base 215 or the canister 214.

[0035] In FIG. 2A, the dispenser port 143 is shown capped or closed with a cap 145 removably fixed to the dispenser port 143. When the cap 145 is fixed to the dispenser port 143, the cap 145 prevents fluid communication with the internal region of the canister 214 through the dispenser port 143. Returning to FIG. 2B, the urine collection system 200 can be adjusted to a cleaning configuration, which has an additional conduit 217c (or first conduit 217a) removably fixed to the dispenser port 143 when the cap 145 is removed from the dispenser port 143. In some embodiments, the dispenser port 143 can be disposed on the canister 214, such as on the side wall of the canister 214.

[0036] The outlet of the first conduit 117a is removed from the urine port 144, and the outlet of the additional conduit 217c is fixed to the dispenser port 143, which can be effective in providing fluid communication with the dispenser 150 through the dispenser port 143. The inlet of the additional conduit 217c is fixed to the cleaning port 262, which can be effective in providing fluid communication between the internal region of the cleaning liquid container 260 and the dispenser 150. The cap 145 is fixed to the urine port 144 after the first conduit 117a is removed, and can effectively prevent fluid communication with the internal region of the canister 114 through the urine port 144. In some embodiments, the first conduit 117a can be used to provide fluid communication between the cleaning liquid container 260 and the dispenser port 143. During operation, when the lid 219 is fixed to the canister 214, the additional conduit 217c is fixed to the dispenser port 143 and the cleaning port 262, and the second conduit 117b is fixed to the vacuum port 142, the operation of the pump 216 creates a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister 214, which is effective in drawing the cleaning liquid 155 in the cleaning liquid container 260 into the internal region of the canister 214 through one or more openings 154 of the additional conduit 217c, the dispenser port 143, and the dispenser 150.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method 300 for cleaning a canister of a urine collection system, such as urine collection system 100 or 200, according to one embodiment. The method may include an operation 310 of removing at least a portion of urine within the internal region of the canister. The method may also include an operation 320 of removably securing a first conduit to a dispenser support above a lid secured to an upper region of the canister to provide fluid communication between the dispenser support and the cleaning fluid via the first conduit. The method may also include an operation 330 of operating a pump in fluid communication with the internal region of the canister via a second conduit secured to a vacuum port of the lid, thereby creating a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister and being effective to draw the cleaning fluid into the internal region of the canister through the first conduit and the dispenser support.

[0038] In some embodiments, method 300 further includes an operation of removing the first conduit or an additional conduit from a urine port above the lid, the first conduit or the additional conduit being in fluid communication with a urine collection device. Method 300 may also include an operation of plugging or closing the urine port above the lid after removing the first conduit or the additional conduit from the urine port. In some embodiments, method 300 includes an operation of drawing urine from the urine collection device through the first conduit or the additional conduit into the internal region of the canister by plugging the dispenser port and operating the pump, thereby creating a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister and being effective to draw the urine into the internal region of the canister through the additional conduit from the urine collection device. Method 300 may also include an operation of plugging or closing the dispenser port before operating a pump effective to draw urine from the urine collection device.

[0039] In some embodiments, an operation 330 effective to operate the pump to thereby create a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister and draw the cleaning liquid into the internal region of the canister through the first conduit and the dispenser support includes operating the pump to create a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister and draw the cleaning liquid through the first conduit and the dispenser support, and may be effective to dispense the cleaning liquid through one or more openings of a dispenser disposed in the internal region of the canister.

[0040] In some embodiments, method 300 may also include an operation of removing the second conduit from the vacuum port and an operation of releasably securing the second conduit to a removal port on the lid. In these and other embodiments, an operation 310 of removing at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister includes operating a pump, which may be effective to draw at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister through an internal conduit disposed within the internal region, a removal port, and the second conduit. Method 300 may further include discharging at least a portion of the urine drawn out from the internal region through a discharge port or opening on the base. In some embodiments, method 300 includes removing a cap from the removal port and, after removing the second conduit from the vacuum port, plugging or closing the vacuum port.

[0041] In some embodiments, an operation 310 of removing at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister includes removing a cap from an opening in the bottom region of the canister and draining at least a portion of the urine within the internal region from the canister.

[0042] The operations of method 300 described above are for illustrative purposes. For example, the operations of method 300 may be performed in a different order, divided into multiple operations, changed, supplemented, or combined. In one embodiment, one or more of the operations of method 300 may be omitted from method 300. Any operation of method 300 may include using any of the urine collection systems disclosed herein.

[0043] As used herein, the terms “about” or “substantially” refer to an acceptable variation of the term being modified by “about” or “substantially” of ±10%, or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or smaller than,” “greater than,” “equal to or greater than,” or “or greater than” include, as endpoints, the values being modified by the terms “less than,” “or smaller than,” “greater than,” “equal to or greater than,” or “or greater than.”

[0044] Although various aspects and embodiments are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and not intended to be limiting.

Claims

Claim 1 A portable urine collection system comprising: a urine collection device configured to be disposed at least proximate to a user's urethra; a canister having an internal region; a base including a pump; a lid fixed to or fixable to the canister, the lid including a vacuum port, a urine port, and a dispenser port; a cleaning liquid container having a cleaning port; at least one first conduit having one outlet removably fixed to or fixable to each of the dispenser port or the urine port, and one inlet removably fixed to or fixable to each of the urine collection device or the cleaning port; a second conduit in fluid communication with the pump and having an inlet releasably fixable to the vacuum port; a dispenser in fluid communication with the dispenser port and disposed in the internal region of the canister, the dispenser having one or more openings configured to atomize or spray cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid container into the internal region of the canister; one or more caps configured to be removably fixed to and plug one or more of the urine port and / or the dispenser port; wherein: a urine collection configuration including one of the one or more caps that plugs the dispenser port, and having the at least one first conduit fixed to the urine collection device and the urine port, and having the second conduit fixed to the vacuum port, the operation of the pump creating a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister effective to draw urine in the urine collection device through the at least one first conduit into the internal region of the canister; A cleaning configuration, including one of the one or more caps that plugs the urine port, and having at least one first conduit fixed to the dispenser port and the cleaning port, and having a second conduit fixed to the vacuum port, wherein operation of the pump creates a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister, which is effective for drawing the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container into the internal region of the canister through the at least one first conduit, the dispenser port, and the one or more openings of the dispenser, and is adjustable to at least employ such a cleaning configuration. Portable urine collection system. Claim 2 The portable urine collection system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more openings configured to atomize or spray the cleaning liquid include a plurality of openings arranged to atomize or spray the cleaning liquid from a plurality of spaced-apart positions in the internal region of the canister. Claim 3 In the cleaning configuration according to claim 2, operation of the pump creates a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister, which is effective for drawing the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid container into the internal region of the canister through the at least one first conduit and the one or more openings of the dispenser. Claim 4 The portable urine collection system according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of openings of the dispenser include a plurality of spray nozzles spaced apart from each other in the internal region of the canister. Claim 5 The portable urine collection system according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning liquid container is fixed to or fixable to at least one of the base or the canister. Claim 6 The portable urine collection system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conduit includes a first conduit having an outlet selectively and removably fixed or fixable to the dispenser port and the urine port, and an inlet selectively and removably fixed or fixable to the urine collection device and the cleaning port. Claim 7 The at least one first conduit A first conduit having an outlet removably fixed or fixable to the urine port and an inlet removably fixed or fixable to the urine collection device An additional conduit having an outlet removably fixed or fixable to the dispenser support and an inlet fixed or fixable to the cleaning port, The portable urine collection system according to claim 1.

8. The lid includes a removal port, An internal conduit that is fixed or fixable to the removal port and extends at least partially into the internal region of the canister from the removal port, A discharge port or opening on the base, The urine collection system has a urine removal configuration having an inlet of the second conduit that is selectively and removably fixable to the removal port, and by operation of the pump, fluid in the canister is drawn through the internal conduit and the second conduit, and the fluid is discharged through the discharge port or opening on the base. It is further adjustable to a urine removal configuration. The portable urine collection system according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. The canister according to claim 1, comprising an upper region, a bottom region distal from the upper region, an opening of the bottom region, and an additional cap removably fixed or fixable to the opening thereof.

10. The base includes a recess sized to receive at least a portion of the bottom region of the canister, and a notch arranged to provide access to the additional cap and / or the opening of the canister when the canister is disposed in the recess of the base. The urine collection system is further adjustable to a urine removal configuration in which the additional cap is removed from the opening and urine in the canister is discharged from the canister through the opening. The portable urine collection system according to claim 9.

11. A method of cleaning a canister of a portable urine collection system, Removing at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister, Removably fixing a first conduit to a dispenser port on a lid fixed to the upper region of the canister to provide fluid communication between the dispenser port and a cleaning liquid through the first conduit, Plugging the urine port on the lid, which is removably fixed to the conduit and configured to provide fluid communication between the urine collection device and the internal region of the canister, Operating a pump in fluid communication with the internal region of the canister via a second conduit fixed to a vacuum port on the lid, thereby creating a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister to effectively draw the cleaning liquid into the internal region of the canister through the first conduit and the dispenser port, and atomizing or spraying the cleaning liquid through one or more openings of a dispenser disposed in the internal region of the canister, Method. **Claim 12** The method of claim 11, further comprising removing an additional conduit from the urine port on the lid, the additional conduit being in fluid communication with the urine collection device. **Claim 13** The method of claim 12, wherein after removing the additional conduit from the urine port, the urine port on the lid is plugged. **Claim 14** Before removing the additional conduit from the urine port on the lid, drawing urine from the urine collection device through the additional conduit into the internal region of the canister by plugging the dispenser port and operating the pump, thereby creating a negative pressure in the internal region of the canister and being effective to draw the urine from the urine collection device through the additional conduit into the internal region of the canister, the method of claim 12 further comprising. **Claim 15** The method of claim 14, further comprising plugging the dispenser port before operating the pump to be effective to draw the urine from the urine collection device. **Claim 16** The method of claim 11, wherein the cleaning liquid is atomized or sprayed through a plurality of openings of the dispenser at a plurality of positions spaced apart from each other in the internal region of the canister. **Claim 17** Removing the second conduit from the vacuum port, Releaseably fixing the second conduit to a removal port on the lid, further comprising, wherein removing at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister is, Operating the pump to be effective to draw at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister through an internal conduit disposed in the internal region, the removal port, and the second conduit, and, Discharging at least a portion of the urine drawn out of the internal region through a discharge port or opening on the base, including, The method of claim 11. Claim 18 The method according to claim 17, further comprising plugging the vacuum port after removing the cap from the removal port and removing the second conduit from the vacuum port. Claim 19 Removing at least a portion of the urine within the internal region of the canister includes removing an additional cap from an opening in the bottom region of the canister and draining or discharging at least a portion of the urine within the internal region from the canister, the method according to claim 11. Claim 20 A portable urine collection container, comprising: a canister having an internal region; a lid fixed to or fixable to the canister, the lid removably fixed to a conduit and configured to provide fluid communication between a pump and the internal region of the canister, a urine port removably fixed to a conduit and configured to provide fluid communication between a urine collection device and the internal region of the canister, and a dispenser port removably fixed to a conduit and configured to provide fluid communication between a cleaning liquid container and the internal region of the canister; a dispenser in fluid communication with the dispenser port and disposed or disposable within the internal region of the canister when the lid is fixed to the canister, the dispenser having one or more openings configured to atomize or spray a cleaning liquid within the cleaning liquid container into the internal region of the canister; one or more caps removably fixed to and configured to plug one or more of the urine port and / or the dispenser port; A portable urine collection container comprising the above. Claim 21 The portable urine collection container according to claim 20, wherein the one or more openings configured to atomize or spray the cleaning liquid include a plurality of openings arranged to atomize or spray the cleaning liquid from a plurality of positions spaced apart from each other within the internal region of the canister. Claim 22 The portable urine collection container according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of openings of the dispenser include a plurality of spray nozzles. Claim 23 The portable urine collection container according to claim 20, wherein the lid includes a removal port configured to be removably fixed to a conduit to provide fluid communication between a pump and the internal region of the canister. Claim 24 The portable urine collection container according to claim 23, further comprising an internal conduit that is fixed to or fixable to the removal port and extends at least partially into the internal region of the canister from the removal port.

25. The portable urine collection container according to claim 23, further comprising one or more caps configured to be removably fixed to and plug one or more of the vacuum port and / or the removal port.

26. The portable urine collection container according to claim 20, wherein the canister includes an upper region, a bottom region distal from the upper region, an opening in the bottom region, and an additional cap that is removably fixed to or fixable to the opening.

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