Canister-less Urine Extraction Device for Wheelchair Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with limited mobility, disability, or immobility face challenges in urinating independently due to bulky vacuum pump systems that require canisters, making it impractical to use while seated in a wheelchair or accessibility vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable, canister-less urine extraction and disposal device with an inlet and outlet tube system, powered by a pump, that allows direct urination into a urine disposal outlet, eliminating the need for a canister and enabling use while seated or in bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bulky vacuum pump system with canister is used for urine extraction, then urine extraction function is achieved, but device portability and ease of use while seated in wheelchair is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the canister component from the urine extraction system, extracting only the essential urine extraction function through a streamlined pump and tube assembly that connects directly to the toilet, eliminating the bulky storage container while maintaining core functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a compact pump unit, flexible tubes for fluid transport, and direct toilet connection, allowing each component to be optimized independently for portability and ease of use while seated
2Ease of operation
If a canister is used to collect urine, then urine collection function is achieved, but hygiene and independence for individuals with limited mobility is compromised due to canister management burden
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is completely removed from the system, eliminating the need for filling, carrying, emptying, and cleaning operations, thereby reducing management complexity and enabling greater independence for users with limited mobility
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible tubes serve as intermediaries that directly convey urine from the extraction point to the toilet, eliminating the need for intermediate canister storage and simplifying the overall system operation for independent use
3Volume of moving object
If a compact pump system is used, then portability is improved, but urine extraction capability and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible tubes are used throughout the system to maintain fluid flow paths that can adapt to different positions and orientations, ensuring reliable urine extraction and transport despite the compact size and portable nature of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system utilizes pneumatic principles to create suction and pressure differentials that reliably move urine through the flexible tubes, maintaining effective extraction capability while keeping the overall device compact and portable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides independent and hygienic urination for individuals with limited mobility, allowing them to urinate directly into a toilet or other disposal outlets from a distance, reducing the need for caregiver assistance and minimizing the burden of canister management.
Implementation Method 1
the pump creates a suction to extract and withdraw urine from the extraction tube into the inlet tube
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a canister-less, compact and portable urine extraction and disposal device for extracting urine from individuals with limited mobility, disability, or a medical condition, which may be used as an extension to an external non-invasive urine capture device(s) to directly discharge urine into a urine disposal outlet, comprising an inlet tube, an outlet tube, a pump, a battery, a mounting bracket slot, and a charging port, wherein the urine extraction and disposal device extracts urine via the inlet tube and discards urine directly into a urine disposal outlet, such as a toilet, removing a need to carry a canister to collect urine to dispose later.