Male urinary incontinence apparatus

Abstract

A male urinary incontinence apparatus uses a mounting ring in the form of a resilient annular body arranged for mounting about an overall circumference of the penis and an upper portion of the scrotum above the testicles of a user. A pouch member defining a pocket lined with absorbent material therein receives at least a tip portion of the penis of the user. One or more flexible tethers attach the pouch member to the mounting ring to retain the pouch member overtop of the penis. The mounting ring securely anchors the pouch member relative to the body of the user when the mounting ring is stretched circumferentially about the base of the penis and the base of the upper portion of the scrotum above the testicles such that no further attachment about the waste or to any other garment worn by the user is required.

Description

[0001] MALE URINARY INCONTINENCE APPARATUS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an incontinence device to be worn on male genitalia for absorbing any leaking fluids.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Incontinence resulting from various causes is a common condition affecting many males as described in various prior publications. Numerous devices have been developed including absorbent materials for absorbing involuntarily discharged urine as exemplified by the following patent publications: US 6,132,412 by Jones, US 8,298,202 by McCray, US 9,681,999 by Beck, US 2006 / 0149196 by Bjornberg et al, US 2017 / 0165100 by Jackson et al, US 2019 / 00221899 by Viet, US 2022 / 0062067 by Scholl, and WO2015 / 183175 by Sabir. Known devices for addressing male urinary incontinence are either poorly anchored relative to the body such that they do not remain properly positioned for effective use, or the anchoring structures do not allow for ease of removal and reattachment so that the user can effectively use a urinal in a public facility for example.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a male urinary incontinence apparatus comprising:

[0008] a mounting ring comprising an annular body formed of resilient material and sized to be arranged for mounting about a penis and a scrotum of a user;

[0009] a pouch member defining a pocket therein arranged to receive at least a portion of the penis of the user therein, the pouch member including absorbent material within the pocket; and

[0010] at least one tether formed of flexible material and being arranged for attachment between the mounting ring and the pouch member to support the pouch member relative to the mounting ring.

[0011] The mounting ring of resilient material provides a secure anchor of the pouch member relative to the body when the ring is stretched circumferentially about the base of the penis and the base of the upper portion of the scrotum above the testicles without any further attachment required that may interference with other garments worn by the user.

[0012] Preferably the pouch member is formed of a pliable material that is releasably attached to the mounting ring by the tether such that the pouch member can be released and removed through the fly opening in the pants of the user. The apparatus can thus be used effectively and discretely by males using a urinal in a public facility.

[0013] Preferably the tether is releasable such that the pouch member is separable from the mounting ring, for example by arranging the tether to be releasable from the pouch member.

[0014] The tether(s) may include hook and loop fasteners releasably attaching the tether to at least one of the mounting ring and the pouch member.

[0015] Preferably two tethers are independently coupled between the mounting ring and the pouch member.

[0016] In this instance, the two tethers are preferably coupled to the mounting ring at circumferentially spaced apart locations on the mounting ring.

[0017] The two tethers are coupled to the mounting ring at laterally opposing sides of the pouch member.

[0018] Preferably the pouch member is formed entirely of pliable materials. When the pocket of the pouch member terminates at a rim extending circumferentially about an opening of the pocket, the pouch member may further include a pair of foldable flanges protruding from opposing sides of the rim.

[0019] The pouch member preferably includes an outer layer formed of a liquid impermeable material.

[0020] The pouch member may further include an inner layer formed of a liquid permeable layer and an intermediate layer formed of said liquid absorbent material.

[0021] The pouch member may be formed of a multilayer panel which is folded at a fold location to define two side portions extending longitudinally between the fold location and an opening of the pocket in which the two side portions are joined to one another to define a pair of seams extending along opposing edges of the side portions between the fold location and the opening of the pocket.

[0022] The multilayer panel may protrude longitudinally beyond the opening of the pocket at each side portion to define a pair of flanges which are foldable relative to the side portions.

[0023] The mounting ring may be selected from a plurality of mounting rings in which the plurality of mounting rings having different circumferences relative to one another.

[0024] The pouch member may be selected from a plurality of pouch members, in which the pouch members have different pocket dimensions relative to one another and / or have different thicknesses of the absorbent material relative to one another.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating male urinary incontinence, the method comprising:

[0026] providing a male urinary incontinence apparatus comprising (i) a mounting ring comprising an annular body formed of resilient material, (ii) a pouch member defining a pocket therein including absorbent material within the pocket, and (iii) at least one connecting tether;

[0027] securing the mounting ring about a penis and a scrotum of a user; inserting at least a portion of the penis of the user into the pocket of the pouch member; and

[0028] attaching the pouch member to the mounting ring using said at least one tether.

[0029] The mounting ring may be selected from a plurality of mounting rings in which the mounting rings have different circumferences relative to one another.

[0030] The pouch member may be selected from a plurality of pouch members, in which some of the pouch members have different pocket dimensions relative to one another and / or some of the pouch members have different thicknesses of the absorbent material relative to one another.

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the male urinary incontinence apparatus according to the present invention, shown disassembled;

[0034] Figure 2 is a plan view of a multilayer panel from which the pouch member is formed according to the apparatus of figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 3 is a plan view of the multilayer panel of figure 2 subsequent to folding to define the pouch member;

[0036] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembled pouch member;

[0037] Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown supported on male genitalia of a user;

[0038] Figure 6 is a partly sectional side elevational view of the apparatus, shown supported on the male genitalia of the user;

[0039] Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the apparatus according to figure 1 , shown supported on the male genitalia of the user;

[0040] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus according to figure 1 , shown separated from the user;

[0041] Figure 9 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the male urinary incontinence apparatus according to the present invention, shown supported on the male genitalia of the user; and

[0042] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus according to figure 9, shown separated from the user.

[0043] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a male urinary incontinence apparatus generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 is intended to be worn on male genitalia of a user including the penis 12 and the scrotum 14.

[0046] The apparatus 10 generally comprises (i) a mounting ring 16 for mounting about the base of the penis 12 and the scrotum 14 so as to be retained typically above the testicles; (ii) an absorbent pouch member 18 receiving the penis 12 therein; and (iii) one or more tethers 20 that support the pouch member 18 relative to the mounting ring 16 in use. The various components of the apparatus 10 will now be described in further detail below.

[0047] The mounting ring 16 comprises an annular body of a resilient material which is nonporous so as to be readily sanitized by wiping. Alternatively, the ring 16 can be washed in a sink with hand soap and then dried by (i) by sandwiching in a towel, (ii) by hairdryer, or (iii) by hanging up to air dry.

[0048] Suitable materials include nitrile butadiene rubber or neoprene. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting ring has a diameter of 2 inches. The annular body is formed of a strand of material extending about the full circumference as an endless loop in which the strand has a diameter of 0.21 inches for example. The mounting ring 16 is preferably selected from a kit of numerous different mounting rings which vary relative to one another by the overall diameter of the annular body so that the user can select the most effective and / or comfortable mounting ring from the numerous different mounting rings to be used. The mounting rings of the kit may differ from one another in diameter in 1 / 8 inch increments for example.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment, two tethers 20 are mounted at circumferentially spaced apart locations on the annular body forming the mounting ring 16. Each tether comprises a flat strap, for example a woven or elastic material extending longitudinally between a proximal end 22 mounted on the ring 16 and a distal end 24 that is releasably securable to the pouch member 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end of the strap is folded over to form a loop 26 at the proximal end that receives the strand of the annular body of the mounting ring 16 extending therethrough such that the proximal end of the strap can be glued or stitched to close the loop 26 securely about the mounting ring. In the illustrated embodiment, each tether has a length of approximately 2 14 inches; however, the length of each tether can be longer so as to permit the user to trim the length of each tether to a preferred length best suited to the user.

[0050] The tethers 20 are releasably secured to the pouch member 18 using cooperating fasteners between the distal ends 24 of the tethers and corresponding opposing sides of the pouch member 18. The fasteners include first fasteners 28 in the form of a pad of loops secured onto each tether 20 preferably along the full length between the mounting ring 16 and the distal end 24, and second fasteners 30 in the form of a pad of hooks secured onto each of the laterally opposing sides of the pouch member. Each of the first fasteners 26 forms a releasable connection to corresponding ones of the second fasteners 30 in the usual manner of hook and loop fasteners.

[0051] The pouch member 18 is formed of a multilayer panel 32 as shown in figure 2. More particularly, the panel 32 includes (i) an inner layer 34 comprising a liner of liquid permeable material, (ii) an outer layer 36 forming an outer shell of the pouch which is formed of liquid impermeable material, and (iii) an intermediate layer 38 between the inner and outer layers in which the intermediate layer is formed of an absorbent material having a selected thickness according to the preference of the user.

[0052] The multilayer panel 32 is elongate in a longitudinal direction between two opposing ends 40. To form the pouch member, the panel 32 is folded at a fold location 42 centrally located in the longitudinal direction between the ends 40 such that two side portions 44 are formed on opposing sides of the fold location with the inner layers 34 of the side portions being brought together against one another to form the interior pocket of the pouch member 18. The side portions 44 are joined to one another along opposing sides to define two seams 46 that extend longitudinally between the fold location 42 and an opening 48 of the pouch longitudinally opposite from the fold location 42. The side edges may be joined to one another by adhesive, stitching, or plastic welding and the like.

[0053] An end portion 50 at each of the opposing ends of the panel 32 extends longitudinally beyond the seams 46 and the open end 48 of the pocket such that the end portion 50 can be folded over to the exterior. The end portions 50 thus define flanges protruding outwardly from opposing sides of the opening. A folded edge of each end portion 50 forms a respective portion of a rim surrounding the open end 48 of the pocket. The resulting flanges which protrude beyond the open end of the pocket provide suitable surfaces for gripping when mounting the pocket over top of the penis while the end surfaces of the flanges are lined with the same inner layer 34 as the interior of the pocket so that the inner faces of the flanges are similarly absorbent like the interior of the pocket.

[0054] The pads locating the second fasteners 30 thereon are centrally mounted on each side portion 44 at the exterior of the pocket for attachment to the tethers at opposing sides of the pouch member.

[0055] Similarly to the mounting rings 16, the pouch member 18 can be selected from a plurality of different pouch members which are different in configuration from one another in which some of the pouch members may be different in the dimensions of the pocket relative to one another while other pouch members may be different from one another in the thickness of the intermediate layer 38 of absorbent material. For example, the apparatus 10 as shown in figures 7 and 8 differs only from the apparatus shown in figures 9 and 10 in the thickness of the intermediate layer which in turn affects the overall bulkiness of the pouch member such that bulkier pouch members have higher absorbency of fluid.

[0056] In use, a user selects a desired size of mounting ring among the mounting rings available and selects a desired pouch configuration among the pouch members available. The mounting ring is then mounted onto the male genitalia to receive both the base of the shaft of the penis and the base of the scrotum extending therethrough. The mounting ring can be slightly stretched as it is mounted into position while being formed of a resilient material that biases the ring to return to the original circumference. Once the mounting ring is secured in place, the user inserts their penis into the pocket of the pouch member and the pouch member is retained in place by attaching the tethers to opposing sides of the pouch member using the hook and loop fasteners.

[0057] When the user wishes to urinate at a urinal for instance, the mating fasteners can be released such that the pouch member is removable from the tethers on the mounting ring. The pouch member is typically sufficiently pliable and small in size that it can be inserted through the fly opening in the underwear and / or pants of the user. Once urination is complete, the pouch member can be remounted over top of the penis and attached with tethers by reinsertion of the pouch member through the fly opening in the underwear and / or pants of the user.

[0058] The mounting ring or harness ring is configured to be slipped over the penis and worked behind the scrotum to secure it. The tethers or straps are pulled out from the mounting ring and secured onto opposing sides of the pouch member using pads of hook and loop material on respective ones of the tethers and the pouch member to hold it in place. The mounting ring is available in different sizes. Even for a user whose testicles have been surgically removed, for example due to cancer, the harness can be worn in conjunction with a second inner pair of underwear which is modified slightly with sewing to cooperate with the mounting ring.

[0059] The pouch member or sheath is constructed of three layers in the preferred embodiment. A liquid absorbing material selected from one of six different thicknesses is sandwiched between an inner liquid permeable layer and an outer liquid impermeable layer. The length of the pouch member in the longitudinal direction is approximately two and three-quarter inches with the open end having an inside circumference of approximately 7 inches. The centre of the sheath is closed and is placed against the end of the penis. Urine would run directly into the sheath leaving pubic hair, the scrotum, and other parts in the groin region dry. The sheath can be worn in bed and under any type of undergarment including boxers, briefs or long underwear.

[0060] The preferred fasteners are hook and loop fastener provided in cooperating pairs of pads secured to the tethers on the mounting ring and on opposing sides of the pouch member respectively. The cooperating fasteners hold the sheath in place over the penis relative to the mounting ring. Thinner and less bulky versions of the pouch member or sheath can be removed and reinstalled through the fly opening of a pair of pants worn by the user as well as through the fly opening of an undergarment worn by the user while standing before a urinal.

[0061] Since various modifications can be made in the invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A male urinary incontinence apparatus comprising:a mounting ring comprising an annular body formed of resilient material and sized to be arranged for mounting about a penis and a scrotum of a user;a pouch member defining a pocket therein arranged to receive at least a portion of the penis of the user therein, the pouch member including absorbent material within the pocket; andat least one tether formed of flexible material and being arranged for attachment between the mounting ring and the pouch member to support the pouch member relative to the mounting ring.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one tether is releasable such that the pouch member is separable from the mounting ring.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said at least one tether is releasable from the pouch member.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 3 wherein said at least one tether includes hook and loop fasteners releasably attaching the tether to at least one of the mounting ring and the pouch member.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 4 wherein said at least one tether comprises two tethers independently coupled between the mounting ring and the pouch member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the two tethers are coupled to the mounting ring at circumferentially spaced apart locations on the mounting ring.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the two tethers are coupled to the mounting ring at laterally opposing sides of the pouchmember.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 7 wherein the pouch member is formed entirely of pliable materials.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 8 wherein the pocket of the pouch member terminates at a rim extending circumferentially about an opening of the pocket and wherein the pouch member further includes a pair of foldable flanges protruding from opposing sides of the rim.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 9 wherein the pouch member includes an outer layer formed of a liquid impermeable material.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the pouch member includes an inner layer formed of a liquid permeable layer and an intermediate layer formed of said liquid absorbent material.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 11 wherein the pouch member is formed of a multilayer panel which is folded at a fold location to define two side portions extending longitudinally between the fold location and an opening of the pocket, the two side portions being joined to one another to define a pair of seams extending along opposing edges of the side portions between the fold location and the opening of the pocket.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the multilayer panel protrudes longitudinally beyond the opening of the pocket at each side portion to define a pair of flanges which are foldable relative to the side portions.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 13 wherein the mounting ring is selected from a plurality of mounting rings, the plurality of mounting rings having different circumferences relative to one another.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 14wherein the pouch member is selected from a plurality of pouch members, the plurality of pouch members having different pocket dimensions relative to one another.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 15 wherein the pouch member is selected from a plurality of pouch members, the plurality of pouch members having different thicknesses of the absorbent material relative to one another.

17. A method of treating male urinary incontinence, the method comprising:providing a male urinary incontinence apparatus comprising (i) a mounting ring comprising an annular body formed of resilient material, (ii) a pouch member defining a pocket therein including absorbent material within the pocket, and (iii) at least one connecting tether;securing the mounting ring about a penis and a scrotum of a user; inserting at least a portion of the penis of the user into the pocket of the pouch member; andattaching the pouch member to the mounting ring using said at least one tether.

18. The method according to claim 17 including selecting the mounting ring a plurality of mounting rings in which the mounting rings have different circumferences relative to one another.

19. The method according to claim 17 or claim 18 including selecting the pouch member a plurality of pouch members, in which some of the pouch members have different pocket dimensions relative to one another.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 through 19 including selecting the pouch member a plurality of pouch members, in which some of the pouchmembers have different thicknesses of the absorbent material relative to one another.

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