Assemblies, devices, and methods for collecting urine

Abstract

A urine collection assembly (190) includes a urine collection container (100) coupleable to a patient extremity. A urine compartment (110) can include flexible front and back panels (115A, 115B) sealed together along a perimeter edge (116), a urine inlet (103A) and a urine outlet (103b). A vacuum port can enable vacuum to be applied to the urine compartment(110). One or more spacers (340) can be disposed between the front and back panels to prevent collapsing together of the front and back panels and bulging of the urine compartment (110). An inflation port (330) can enable inflation of the urine compartment. The urine inlet, the vacuum port and the inflation port can include one-way valves (333) in line therewith. An output valve can enable selective draining of urine from the urine compartment. The urine compartment may be divided into multiple compartments. A frame structure (450) can be coupled between the front and back panels.

Description

Docket No. 101674.0513PCTASSEMBLIES, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR COLLECTING URINEPRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 723,038, filed November 20, 2024, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.BACKGROUND

[0002] An individual may have difficulty controlling urination and / or may have limited or impaired mobility such that typical urination processes are challenging or impossible. Additionally, urine collection from the individual may be needed for monitoring purposes or clinical testing. Bed pans may be used to address some of these circumstances. However, bed pans may be prone to discomfort, spills, and other hygiene issues and use of a bed pan does not allow the user to be ambulatory. As such, there is a need for a urine collection that allows the user to void urine during normal daily activity and in a public setting.

[0003] Disclosed herein are assemblies, devices and methods that address the foregoing.SUMMARY

[0004] Disclosed herein a urine collection container that, according to some embodiments, includes a front panel sealably coupled with a back panel along a perimeter edge of the urine collection container defining a urine compartment of the urine collection container. A urine inlet defines a flow path for urine to enter the urine compartment and a urine outlet defines a flow path for urine to exit the urine compartment. One or more spacers are disposed between the front panel and the back panel, where the one or more spacers are configured to maintain an internal flow path of the urine compartment from the inlet port toward the outlet port when a vacuum is present within the container.

[0005] In some embodiments, the one or more spacers are configured to maintain an air space within the urine compartment between the front panel and the back panel, where the air space is configured to receive the urine therein.

[0006] In some embodiments, the one or more spacers are attached to at least one of the front panel or the back panel, and in some embodiments, each of the one or more spacersDocket No. 101674.0513PCT includes a protrusion extending inward away from an inside surface of the one of the front panel or the back panel. In some embodiments, the one or more spacers are attached to both the front panel and the back panel so as to limit a separation distance between the front panel and the back panel.

[0007] In some embodiments the urine collection container further includes a frame structure extending along the perimeter edge, where the frame structure is configured to maintain a shape of the container during use. In some embodiments, the frame structure is attached to at least one of the front panel or the back panel. In some embodiments, the frame structure includes a frame tube extending along the perimeter edge, and in some embodiments, the frame tube is attached to the at least one of the front panel or the back panel via a plurality of attachment tabs dispersed along the perimeter edge.

[0008] In some embodiments, the urine inlet includes an inlet tube sandwiched between the front panel and the back panel, the inlet tube extending between the urine compartment and an exterior of the container, and the urine outlet includes an outlet tube sandwiched between the front panel and the back panel, the urine outlet extending between the urine compartment and an exterior of the container.

[0009] In some embodiments, the urine collection container further includes an inflation port fluid coupled with the urine compartment, where the inflation port is configured to couple with an air-flow source such that the air-flow source can inflate the urine compartment. In some embodiments, the inflation port includes a first one-way valve disposed in line therewith, where the first one-way valve is configured to (i) allow fluid to enter the urine compartment through the inflation port, and (ii) prevent fluid from exiting the urine compartment through the inflation port.

[0010] In some embodiments, the urine collection container further includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. The central portion includes the urine compartment. An upper horizontal divider between the front panel and the back panel fluidly isolates that the central portion from the top portion, and a lower horizontal divider between the front panel and the back panel fluidly isolates that the central portion from the bottom portion. In some embodiments, each of the top portion and a bottom portion includes an attachment mechanism configured to enable attachment of the urine collection container to a user during use.Docket No. 101674.0513PCT

[0011] In some embodiments, the urine collection container further includes a vertical divider disposed between the front panel and the back panel. The vertical divider extends between the upper horizontal divider and the lower horizontal divider, where the vertical divider divides the urine compartment into a first urine compartment and a second urine compartment. In some embodiments, the vertical divider is attached to the front panel and the back panel so as to limit a separation distance between the front panel and the back panel along the vertical divider.

[0012] In some embodiments, the urine inlet includes a bifurcation defining a first inlet leg in fluid communication with the first urine compartment and a second inlet leg in fluid communication with the second urine compartment. Similarly, in some embodiments, the urine outlet includes a bifurcation defining a first outlet leg in fluid communication with the first urine compartment and a second outlet leg in fluid communication with the second urine compartment.

[0013] In some embodiments, the urine collection container further includes an outlet valve disposed in line with the urine outlet, where the outlet valve is configured to selectively transition between a closed state preventing urine from flowing through the outlet tube and an open state allowing urine to flow through the urine outlet. In some embodiments, the outlet valve is biased toward the closed state such that the outlet valve is disposed in the closed state in the absence a deliberate action by the user.

[0014] Also disclosed herein is a urine collection container assembly, that according to some embodiments includes the urine collection container according to any of the embodiments described above and further includes a vacuum chamber assembly. The vacuum chamber assembly includes a vacuum chamber configured to receive urine therein via a chamber inlet port disposed at a top of the vacuum chamber. A chamber outlet port disposed at a bottom of the vacuum chamber drains urine the vacuum chamber. The chamber outlet port is fluidly coupled with the urine inlet of the urine collection container. The vacuum chamber assembly further includes a chamber vacuum port fluidly coupled with the vacuum chamber at the top of the vacuum chamber, where the chamber vacuum port is configured to fluidly couple with a vacuum source. In some embodiments, the urine collection container assembly further a chamber one-way valve disposed in line with the chamber outlet port, where the chamber one-way valve is configured to allow urine to flow from the vacuum chamber toward the urine collection container and prevent fluid from flowing from the urine collection container towardDocket No. 101674.0513PCT the vacuum chamber. In some embodiments, the urine collection container assembly further includes a chamber filter disposed in line with the chamber vacuum port, where the chamber filter is configured to prevent contamination of the vacuum chamber via the chamber vacuum port.

[0015] In some embodiments, the urine collection container further includes a vacuum port fluidly coupled with the urine compartment, where the vacuum port is configured to couple with a vacuum source such that the vacuum source can establish a vacuum with the urine compartment. In some embodiments, the vacuum port includes a filter disposed in line therewith, where the filter is configured to prevent contamination of the urine compartment via the vacuum port. In some embodiments, the vacuum port includes a second one-way valve disposed in line therewith, where the second one-way valve is configured to allow fluid to exit the urine compartment through the vacuum port and prevent fluid from entering the urine compartment through the vacuum port.

[0016] Also disclosed herein is a method of collecting urine from a patient that, according to some embodiments, includes: (i) attaching a urine collection container to a patient;(ii) coupling the urine collection container to an external urinary catheter operatively coupled with the patient to establish a urine flow path from the patient to the urine collection container;(iii) collecting urine flowing along the external urinary catheter within a urine compartment of the urine collection container; and (iv) establishing a vacuum with the urine compartment to urge the urine to flow along the external urinary catheter and into the urine compartment. In such methods, the urine collection container includes a front panel and back panel defining the urine compartment and one or more spacers disposed between a front panel and a back panel where the one or more spacers prevent collapsing of the urine compartment when the vacuum is established. In some embodiments the method further includes transitioning an output valve of the urine collection container from a closed state to open state to drain urine from the urine compartment.

[0017] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and following description, which describe particular embodiments of such concepts in greater detail.Docket No. 101674.0513PCTBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1A is an isometric illustration of a urine collection container assembly, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] FIG. IB is a front view of the urine collection container assembly of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0020] FIG. 1C is a detailed cross-sectional view of the vacuum chamber assembly of the urine collection container assembly of FIGS. 1A and IB, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of a urine collection container, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of a third embodiment of a urine collection container, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment of a urine collection container, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method of collecting urine from a patient, according to some embodiments disclosed herein.DESCRIPTION

[0025] Before some particular embodiments are disclosed in greater detail, it should be understood that the particular embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that a particular embodiment disclosed herein can have features that can be readily separated from the particular embodiment and optionally combined with or substituted for features of any of a number of other embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present principles, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present principles. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", or “in some embodiments”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or embodiments.Docket No. 101674.0513PCT

[0026] Regarding terms used herein, it should also be understood the terms are for the purpose of describing some particular embodiments, and 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 in a group of features or steps, and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” features or steps need not necessarily appear in that order, and the particular embodiments including such features or steps need not necessarily be limited to the three features or steps. Labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. Singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027] The phrases “connected to,” “coupled with,” and “in communication with” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including but not limited to mechanical, and fluidic interaction. Two components may be coupled with each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled with each other through an intermediate component.

[0028] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the term “fluid” as used herein includes liquids (e.g., urine) and gases (e.g., air). References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of the term “substantially.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where qualifiers such as “about” and “substantially” are used, these terms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence of their qualifiers. For example, where the term “substantially straight” is recited with respect to a feature, it is understood that in further embodiments, the feature can have a precisely straight configuration.

[0029] Any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and / or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified. Moreover, sub-routines or only a portion of a method described herein may be aDocket No. 101674.0513PCT separate method within the scope of this disclosure. Stated otherwise, some methods may include only a portion of the steps described in a more detailed method. Additionally, all embodiments disclosed herein are combinable and / or interchangeable unless stated otherwise or such combination or interchange would be contrary to the stated operability of either embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 1A is an isometric illustration of a urine collection container assembly (assembly) 190 configured to receive urine from a patient (also referred to as a user) via an external urinary catheter 90, according to some embodiments. The assembly 190 generally includes a urine collection container (container) 100 and a vacuum chamber assembly 180. The container 100 may be configured for use with a patient in an ambulatory state. The container 100 is also configured for attachment or securement to the patient, e.g., a leg of the patient. As such, the container 100 may include a flexibility consistent with wrapping the container 100 at least partially around the patient’s extremity (e.g., leg) so that the container 100 may be disposed (even hidden) beneath the clothing. The container 100 generally defines a top 101 A, a bottom 101B, a front side 102A and a back side 102B. The container 100 includes a urine compartment 110 configured to collect therein the urine received from the patient. A urine inlet 103A disposed at the top 101A provides a pathway for urine to enter the urine compartment 110 and a urine outlet 103B disposed at the bottom 10 IB provides a pathway for urine to exit the urine compartment 110. The vacuum chamber assembly 180 is configured to couple with a vacuum source 92 which may be utilized to urge the urine to flow along the external urinary catheter 90 from the patient toward the container 100.

[0031] The container 100 includes an inlet one-way valve 175 disposed in line with the urine inlet 103A. The inlet one-way valve 175 is configured to allow urine to flow from the vacuum chamber assembly 180 toward the container 100 and prevent fluid flow from the container 100 toward the vacuum chamber assembly 180. A tubular connector 177 couples the inlet one-way valve 175 to the vacuum chamber assembly 180.

[0032] The container 100 includes an outlet valve 170 disposed in line with the urine outlet 103B, where the outlet valve 170 is configured to selectively transition between a closed state preventing urine from flowing through the urine outlet 103B and an open state allowing urine to flow through the urine outlet 103B, i.e., drain from the urine compartment 110. In some embodiments, the outlet valve 170 is biased toward the closed state such that the outlet valve 170 is disposed in the closed state (normally closed) in the absence a deliberate action byDocket No. 101674.0513PCT the user. According to some embodiments, the outlet valve 170 may include a button 171, where pressing the button 171 transitions the outlet valve 170 from the closed state to the open state, and releasing the button 171 transitions the outlet valve 170 from the open state back to the closed state.

[0033] FIG. IB is a front view of the assembly 190 illustrating further details of the container 100, according to some embodiments. The container 100 includes a front panel 115A and back panel 115B that are sealably coupled together along a perimeter edge 116 thereby defining the urine compartment 110. The panels 115A, 115B may be formed of a plastic sheet material, and may be coupled together via any suitable attachment process, such as adhesive bonding, heat sealing, RF welding, or ultrasonic welding, for example. The plastic sheet material includes flexibility to allow the container 100 to conform to the patient anatomy, e.g., wrap at least partially around a leg.

[0034] In some embodiments, the container 100 defines a top portion 104 A, a bottom portion 104B, and a central portion 104C disposed between the top portion 104A and the bottom portion 104B. The central portion 104C includes the urine compartment 110. The front panel 115A and the back panel 115B are sealably coupled together along an upper horizontal divider 106A which fluidly isolates that the central portion 104C from the top portion 104A. Similarly, the front panel 115A and the back panel 115B are sealably coupled together along a lower horizontal divider 106B which fluidly isolates that the central portion 104C from the bottom portion 104B. In some embodiments, each of the top portion 104 A and a bottom portion 104B includes a number (e.g., 1, 2, 3 or more) of attachment mechanisms 107 (e.g., a slot configured to receive a strap therein) configured to enable attachment of the container 100 to the patient during use.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the urine compartment 110 includes a first urine compartment 110A and second urine compartment HOB, where each of the first urine compartment 110A and second urine compartment HOB extend from the upper horizontal divider 106 A to the lower horizontal divider 106B. A vertical divider 108 separates the first urine compartment 110A from the second urine compartment 110B. The vertical divider 108 extends between the front panel 115A and back panel 115B. In some embodiments, the vertical divider 108 defines a fluid seal between the first urine compartment 110A and the second urine compartment 110B. In some embodiments, the vertical divider 108 may limit a separation distance between the front panel 115A and the back panel 115B along the vertical divider 108Docket No. 101674.0513PCT to inhibit or prevent a central of the container 100 caused by the collection of urine in the urine compartment 110 or a positive pressure within the urine compartment 110. While in the illustrated embodiment the urine compartment 110 is separated into two compartments, in other embodiments, the urine compartment 110 may not be divided or may be divided into more than two compartments, e.g., 3, 4 or more compartments.

[0036] The urine inlet 103 A includes a bifurcated inlet tube 111 that defines a first leg 111 A extending to the first compartment 110A thereby defining a flow path for urine to enter the first compartment 110A. The bifurcated inlet tube 111 also defines a second leg 11 IB extending to the second compartment HOB thereby defining a flow path for urine to enter the second compartment HOB. Similarly, the urine outlet 103B includes a bifurcated outlet tube 112 that defines a first leg 112A extending to the first compartment 110A thereby defining a flow path for urine to exit the first compartment 110A. The bifurcated outlet tube 112 also defines a second leg 112B extending to the second compartment 110B thereby defining a flow path for urine to exit the second compartment 110B.

[0037] FIG. 1C is a detailed cross-sectional view of the vacuum chamber assembly 180, according to some embodiments. The vacuum chamber assembly 180 includes a chamber cap 181 coupled with a chamber body 182 to define a vacuum chamber 183. The chamber cap181 includes a chamber inlet port 184 defining a pathway for urine to flow into the vacuum chamber 183, where the chamber inlet port 184 is configured to couple with the external urinary catheter 90. The chamber cap 181 further includes a chamber vacuum port 185 in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber 183, where the chamber vacuum port 184 is configured to couple with the vacuum source 92, such that the vacuum source 92 can define a vacuum within the vacuum chamber 183. The vacuum chamber 183 is configured to collect urine therein when a vacuum is present within the vacuum chamber 183. The chamber body182 includes a chamber outlet port 186, defining a pathway for urine exit the vacuum chamber 183. The chamber cap 181 and the chamber body 182 may include a plastic material, including a thermoplastic material, and the chamber cap 181 coupled and the chamber body 182 may be formed via the injection molding process.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a front view of a urine collection container (container) 200 that can, in certain respects, resemble components and functionality of the container 100 described in connection with FIGS. 1 A, IB. It will be appreciated that all the illustrated embodiments may have analogous features. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numeralsDocket No. 101674.0513PCT with the leading digit incremented to “2.” For example, the front panel of the container 100 is designated as “115A” and the front panel of the container 200 is designated as “215 A.” Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the container 100 and related components shown in FIGS. 1 A, IB may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and / or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the container 200 of FIG. 2. Any suitable combination of the features, and variations of the same, described with respect to the container 100 and components illustrated in FIGS. 1A, IB can be employed with the container 200 system and components of FIG. 2, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter.

[0039] The container 200 includes a frame member 220 extending along the perimeter edge 216. The frame member 220 may be formed of a tube, such as an extruded plastic tube, for example. The frame member 220 includes a structure stiffness (resistance to bending) sufficient to maintain the shape (i.e., prevent folding or buckling) of the container 200 while still allowing the container 200 to wrap around the patients leg. The frame member 220 may include a number of preformed portions to enable the frame member 220 to be disposed along and adjacent the perimeter edge 216. The container 200 includes a plurality of coupling tabs 222 coupled between the frame member 220 and the front and back panels 215A, 215B. The coupling tabs 222 are attached to one or both of the front and back panels 215 A, 215B, and the frame member 220. The coupling tabs 222 may take any suitable form consistent with coupling the frame member 220 with one or both of the front and back panels 215A, 215B. By way of one example, the couplings tabs 222 may include an adhesive tape adhered to the frame member 220 and one or both of the front and back panels 215 A, 215B. By way of another example, the couplings tabs 222 may include an outward extension of one or both of the front and back panels 215 A, 215B where the outward extension is attached to the frame member 220. In some embodiments, the frame member 220 may extend over (in front of in FIG. 2) the bifurcated inlet tube 211 and / or the bifurcated outlet tube 212.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a front view of a urine collection container (container) 300 that can, in certain respects, resemble components and functionality of the container 100 described inDocket No. 101674.0513PCT connection with FIGS. 1A, IB. The container 300 includes the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B. The urine inlet 303 A includes the bifurcated inlet tube 311 that defines the first leg 311A extending to the first compartment 310A thereby defining a flow path for urine to enter the first compartment 310A. The bifurcated inlet tube 311 also defines a second leg 31 IB extending to the second compartment 310B thereby defining a flow path for urine to enter the second compartment 310B. Similarly, the urine outlet 303B includes the bifurcated outlet tube 312 having a first leg 312A extending to the first compartment 310A thereby defining a flow path for urine to exit the first compartment 310A. The bifurcated outlet tube 312 also defines a second leg 3112B extending to the second compartment 310B thereby defining a flow path for urine to exit the second compartment 310B. The outlet valve 370 disposed in line with the bifurcated outlet tube 312 prevents fluid flow into or out of the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B via the bifurcated outlet tube 312 unless the outlet valve 370 is transitioned from the normally closed state to the open state.

[0041] In some embodiments or instances of use, the bifurcated inlet tube 311 may be coupled with the vacuum source 92 in addition to the external urinary catheter 90 to urge the urine to flow from the patient into the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B. As such, the interior of the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B may in some instances include a vacuum which may draw the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B toward each other. Accordingly, the container 300 may include one or more spacers 340 disposed between the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B to prevent collapsing of the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B. For example, the illustrated embodiment includes 4 spacers 340, including two spacers 340 disposed within each of the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B. By preventing the collapsing of the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B, the one or more spacers 340 maintain an internal flow path for the urine to flow along the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B from the urine inlet 303 A toward the urine outlet 303B when a vacuum is present within the container. Similarly, the one or more spacers 340 provide for space within the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B for the urine to flow into and occupy when the vacuum is present.

[0042] The one or more spacers 340 may take any form suitable for maintaining a separation distance between the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B or portions thereof. According to one embodiment, the each of the one or more spacers 340 may include a protrusion extending inward away from one or both of the front panel 315 A and the back panelDocket No. 101674.0513PCT315B. In some embodiments, the one or more spacers 340 may be attached to at least one of the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B. In some embodiments, the protrusions may be attached to both the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B such that the protrusions not only prevent collapsing of the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B toward each other when a vacuum is present within the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B, but also prevent expansion of the front panel 315 A and the back panel 315B away from each other (e.g., bulging of the container 300) when the urine is collected within the first and second urine compartments 310A, 31 OB and / or when a positive pressure is present within the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B. In other embodiments, the one or more spacers 340 may be simply disposed within the first and second urine compartments 310A, 31 OB and not attached to either the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B.

[0043] The container 300 also includes a bifurcated inflation tube 330 (sometimes referred to as an inflation port) having a first leg 330A fluidly coupled with the first compartment 310A and a second leg 330B fluidly coupled with the second compartment 310A. In some instances, the bifurcated inflation tube 330 may be coupled with an air-flow source 94 to cause air to flow into the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B to inflate the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B, and thereby, cause the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B (or portions therefore) to displace away from each other. In some instances, such as during storage of the container 300, for example, portions of the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B may be pressed together resulting in the portions of the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B adhering to each other. Applying a positive pressure to the bifurcated inflation tube 330 may cause the adhered portions of the front panel 315A and the back panel 315B to separate from each other. In some embodiments, the bifurcated inflation tube 330 may include an inflation one-way valve 333 disposed in line therewith. The inflation one-way valve 333 is configured to allow fluid to enter the first and second urine compartments 310A, 310B through the bifurcated inflation tube 330, and prevent fluid from exiting the urine compartment through the bifurcated inflation tube 330. In some embodiments, the first leg 330A and the second leg 330B may be attached to the front panel 315A as shown. In other embodiments, the first leg 330A and the second leg 330B may be attached to the back panel 315B. In some embodiments, the bifurcated inflation tube 330 may be attached to the front panel 315A such that the bifurcated inflation tube 330 is disposed parallel to the front panel 315A.Docket No. 101674.0513PCT

[0044] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a urine collection container (container) 400 that can, in certain respects, resemble components and functionality of the container 300 described in connection with FIG. 3. The container 400 includes the one or more spacers 440 and the bifurcated inflation tube 430. The container 400 further includes a frame structure 450 extending between the front panel 415A and the back panel 415B. The frame structure 450 includes a thickness 452, i.e., a distance between the front panel 415 A and the back panel 415B. The frame structure 450 includes a perimeter wall 451 extending entirely around the container 400. The frame structure 450 further includes an upper horizontal interior wall 456A and a lower horizontal interior wall 456B. A vertical interior wall 458 separates the first urine compartment 410A from the second urine compartment 410B. The front panel 415A is sealably attached to the frame structure 450 on a front side of frame structure 450 including the perimeter wall 451, the upper horizontal interior wall 456A, the lower horizontal interior wall 456B, and the vertical interior wall 458. Similarly, the back panel 415B is sealably attached to a back side of the frame structure 450 including the perimeter wall 451, the upper horizontal interior wall 456A, the lower horizontal interior wall 456B and vertical interior wall 458. The frame structure 450 may be preferably formed of a plastic material via the injection molding process, although other materials and forming process are considered. The attachment of the front panel 415 A and the back panel 415B may include any suitable attachment mechanism, such as adhesive bonding, heat sealing, RF welding, or ultrasonic welding, for example.

[0045] The urine inlet 403 A includes the inlet tube 411 extending away from the perimeter wall 451. In some embodiments, the urine inlet 403 A may bifurcate within the container 400 to define a first inlet pathway 411 A extending to the first urine compartment 410A and a second inlet pathway 41 IB extending to the second urine compartment 410B such that urine can flow from the inlet tube 411 into the first urine compartment 410 A and the second urine compartment 410B. The urine inlet 403A including the bifurcation along with the first and second inlet pathways 411 A, 41 IB may be defined by any suitable internal structure of the container 400 including any or all of internal frame walls of the frame structure 450, the front panel 415 A, the back panel 415B, and port holes extending through the upper horizontal interior wall 456A, for example. Similarly, the urine outlet 403B includes the outlet tube 412 extending away from the perimeter wall 451. In some embodiments, the urine outlet 403B may bifurcate within the container 400 to define a first outlet pathway 412A extending to the first urine compartment 410A and a second outlet pathway 412B extending to the second urine compartment 410B such that urine can (i) drain from first urine compartment 410A into theDocket No. 101674.0513PCT urine output tube 412 and (ii) drain from the second urine compartment 41 OB into the urine outlet tube 412. The urine outlet 403B including the bifurcation along with the first and second outlet pathways 412A, 412B may be defined by any suitable internal structure of the container 400 including any or all of internal frame walls of the frame structure 450, the front panel 415 A, the back panel 415B, and port holes extending through the lower horizontal interior wall 456B, for example.

[0046] The container 400 further includes a vacuum port 404. The vacuum port 404 includes a vacuum tube 413 extending away from the perimeter wall 451 and an internal vacuum pathway 404 A extending to the first compartment 410A, the second compartment 410B, or both first compartment 410A and the second compartment 410B. The internal vacuum pathway 404A may be defined by any suitable internal structure of the container 400 including any or all of internal frame walls of the frame structure 450, the front panel 415 A, the back panel 415B, or port holes extending through the upper horizontal interior wall 456 A, for example. The vacuum port 404 is in fluid communication with the urine inlet 403 A such that a vacuum applied to the vacuum port 404 urges the urine to flow along the external urinary catheter 90 and into the first compartment 410A and / or the second compartment 410B. The urine inlet tube 411, the urine outlet tube 412 and the vacuum tube 413 may be formed simultaneously with and integral to the frame structure 450.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method 500 of collecting urine from a patient that, according to some embodiments, includes all or any subset of the following steps, actions, operations, or processes. The method 500 may include attaching a urine collection container to a patient (block 510). Attaching the collection container to the patient may include attaching the collection container to a leg of the patient which may also include wrapping the collection container at least partially around the leg. Attaching the collection container to the patient may also include disposing the collection container beneath clothing of the patient.

[0048] The method 500 may further include coupling the urine collection container to an external urinary catheter operatively coupled with the patient (block 520). The catheter may be operatively coupled with the patient such urine excreted by the patient is received by the catheter and transported along a drainage tube of the catheter to the collection container. In other words, coupling the urine collection container to the patient includes establishing a urine flow path from the patient to the urine collection container. The method 500 further includesDocket No. 101674.0513PCT collecting urine flowing along the external urinary catheter within a urine compartment of the urine collection container (block 530).

[0049] The method 500 may further include establishing a vacuum with the urine compartment to urge the urine to flow along the along the external urinary catheter and into the urine compartment (block 540). In such methods, the urine collection container includes a front panel and back panel defining the urine compartment and one or more spacers disposed between a front panel and a back panel prevent collapsing of the urine compartment when the vacuum is established.

[0050] The method 500 may further include transitioning an output valve of the urine collection container from a closed state to open state to drain urine from the urine compartment (block 550).

[0051] While some particular embodiments have been disclosed herein, and while the particular embodiments have been disclosed in some detail, it is not the intention for the particular embodiments to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and / or modifications can appear to those of ordinary skill in the art, and, in broader aspects, these adaptations and / or modifications are encompassed as well. Accordingly, departures may be made from the particular embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

Docket No. 101674.0513PCTCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A urine collection container, comprising: a front panel sealably coupled with a back panel along a perimeter edge of the container defining a urine compartment of the container; a urine inlet defining a flow path for urine to enter the urine compartment; a urine outlet defining a flow path for urine to exit the urine compartment; and one or more spacers disposed between the front panel and the back panel, the one or more spacers configured to maintain an internal flow path of the urine compartment from the urine inlet toward the urine outlet when a vacuum is present within the container.

2. The urine collection container according to claim 1, wherein the one or more spacers are configured to maintain an air space within the urine compartment between the front panel and the back panel, the air space configured to receive the urine therein.

3. The urine collection container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more spacers are attached to at least one of the front panel or the back panel.

4. The urine collection container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more spacers includes a protrusion extending inward away from an inside surface of the one of the front panel or the back panel.

5. The urine collection container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more spacers are attached to both the front panel and the back panel so as to limit a separation distance between the front panel and the back panel.

6. The urine collection container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a frame structure extending along the perimeter edge, the frame structure configured to maintain a shape of the container during use.

7. The urine collection container according to claim 6, wherein the frame structure is attached to at least one of the front panel and the back panel.Docket No. 101674.0513PCT8. The urine collection container according to claim 6, wherein the frame structure includes a frame tube extending along the perimeter edge, the frame tube attached to at least one of the front panel and the back panel.

9. The urine collection container according to claim 6, wherein the frame structure includes a perimeter wall extending along the perimeter edge, the perimeter wall coupled between the front panel and the back panel.

10. The urine collection container according to claim 6, further comprising: a top portion; a bottom portion; and a central portion disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion, the central portion including the urine compartment, wherein: an upper horizontal divider disposed between the front panel and the back panel, the upper horizontal divider fluidly isolating that the central portion from the top portion, and a lower horizontal divider disposed between the front panel and the back panel, the lower horizontal divider fluidly isolating that the central portion from the bottom portion.

11. The urine collection container according to claim 10, wherein each of the top portion and a bottom portion includes an attachment mechanism configured to enable attachment of the container to a user.

12. The urine collection container according to claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising a vertical divider (i) disposed between the front panel and the back panel and (ii) extending between the upper horizontal divider and the lower horizontal divider, the vertical divider separating the urine compartment into a first urine compartment and a second urine compartment.

13. The urine collection container according to claim 12, wherein the vertical divider is attached to the front panel and the back panel so as to limit a separation distance between the front panel and the back panel along the vertical divider.Docket No. 101674.0513PCT14. The urine collection container according to claim 12, wherein the frame structure defines the upper horizontal divider, the lower horizontal divider, and the vertical divider.

15. The urine collection container according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the urine inlet includes a bifurcation defining a first inlet leg in fluid communication with the first urine compartment and a second inlet leg in fluid communication with the second urine compartment.

16. The urine collection container according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the urine outlet includes a bifurcation defining a first outlet leg in fluid communication with the first urine compartment and a second outlet leg in fluid communication with the second urine compartment.

17. The urine collection container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an outlet valve disposed in line with the urine outlet, the outlet valve configured to selectively transition between (i) a closed state preventing urine from flowing through the urine outlet, and (ii) an open state allowing urine to flow through the urine outlet.

18. The urine collection container according to claim 17, wherein the outlet valve biased toward the closed state such that the outlet valve is disposed in the closed state in the absence a deliberate action by a user.

19. The urine collection container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an inflation port fluid coupled with the urine compartment, the inflation port configured to couple with an air-flow source such that the air-flow source can inflate the urine compartment.

20. The urine collection container according to claim 19, wherein the inflation port includes a first one-way valve disposed in line therewith, the first one-way valve configured to: allow fluid to enter the urine compartment through the inflation port, and prevent fluid from exiting the urine compartment through the inflation port.Docket No. 101674.0513PCT21. The urine collection container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the urine inlet includes an inlet tube sandwiched between the front panel and the back panel, the inlet tube extending between the urine compartment and an exterior of the container, and the urine outlet includes an outlet tube sandwiched between the front panel and the back panel, the outlet tube extending between the urine compartment and an exterior of the container.

22. The urine collection container according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a vacuum port fluid coupled with the urine compartment, the vacuum port coupleable with a vacuum source such that the vacuum source can establish a vacuum with the urine compartment.

23. The urine collection container according to claim 22, wherein the vacuum port includes a filter disposed in line therewith, the filter configured to prevent contamination of the urine compartment via the vacuum port.

24. The urine collection container according to claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the vacuum port includes a second one-way valve disposed in line therewith, the second one-way valve configured to: allow fluid to exit the urine compartment through the vacuum port, and prevent fluid from entering the urine compartment through the vacuum port.

25. A urine collection assembly, comprising: the urine collection container according to any of claims 1-24; and a vacuum chamber assembly, comprising: a vacuum chamber configured to: receive urine therein via a chamber inlet port disposed at a top of the vacuum chamber, and drain urine therefrom via a chamber outlet port disposed at a bottom of the vacuum chamber, the chamber outlet port fluidly coupled with the inlet port of the urine collection container; andDocket No. 101674.0513PCT a chamber vacuum port fluidly coupled with the vacuum chamber at the top of the vacuum chamber, the chamber vacuum port configured to fluidly couple with a vacuum source.

26. The urine collection assembly according to claim 25, further comprising a chamber one-way valve disposed in line with the chamber outlet port, the chamber one-way valve configured to: allow urine flow from the vacuum chamber toward the urine collection container, and prevent fluid flow from the urine collection container toward the vacuum chamber.

27. The urine collection assembly according to claim 25 or claim 26, further comprising a chamber filter disposed in line with the chamber vacuum port, the chamber filter configured to prevent contamination of the vacuum chamber via the chamber vacuum port.

28. A method of collecting urine from a patient, comprising: attaching a urine collection container to a patient; coupling the urine collection container to an external urinary catheter operatively coupled with the patient to establish a urine flow path from the patient to the urine collection container; collecting urine flowing along the external urinary catheter within a urine compartment of the urine collection container; and establishing a vacuum with the urine compartment to urge the urine to flow along the along the external urinary catheter and into the urine compartment, wherein the urine collection container includes a front panel and back panel defining the urine compartment and one or more spacers disposed between a front panel and a back panel prevents collapsing of the urine compartment when the vacuum is established.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising transitioning an output valve of the urine collection container from a closed state to open state to drain urine from the urine compartment.

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