Flexible Urine Collection Container with Baffle Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional urine collection systems are prone to noise due to splashing urine, which is embarrassing for users, especially in ambulatory settings, and can cause discomfort and hygiene issues, limiting their use for individuals with mobility impairments or in non-clinical settings.

Innovation Solution

A urine collection system featuring a flexible bladder with a baffle structure that mitigates noise by creating a tortuous path for urine flow, reducing splashing and sloshing, and includes a vacuum connector for efficient fluid collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional urine collection containers are used, then fluid collection function is provided, but noise is generated due to splashing urine during collection and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise from splashingVSAvoiduser discretion and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A baffle structure is introduced as an intermediary element within the collection container. This baffle structure intercepts and redirects the urine flow, preventing direct splashing against the container walls and bottom, thereby reducing noise generation while maintaining the fluid collection function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The baffle structure adds a spatial dimension to the fluid flow path by creating vertical and horizontal barriers within the container. This three-dimensional flow management redirects urine through a tortuous path, eliminating the direct line-of-sight splashing that causes noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If bed pans are used for urine collection, then fluid collection is enabled, but discomfort and hygiene issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection reliabilityVSAvoiddiscomfort and hygiene issues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The collection device utilizes a flexible bladder or pouch structure that can be conformingly positioned and sealed around the user. This flexible enclosure provides reliable fluid collection while maintaining hygiene through proper sealing and preventing direct contact between urine and the user's body or surrounding environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If urinary catheters are used, then fluid collection from immobile patients is achieved, but discomfort, pain, and urinary tract infections occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid collection capabilityVSAvoiddiscomfort, pain, and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the collection function from invasive internal devices and relocates it to an external collection system. By using a external container with collection apparatus positioned near the urethra, the system achieves reliable fluid collection without inserting foreign objects into the urinary tract, thereby eliminating catheter-related discomfort, pain, and infection risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If conventional collection devices are used, then urine collection is possible, but splashing and sloshing occur during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine collection efficiencyVSAvoidsplashing and sloshing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle structure serves as an intermediary that breaks up the fluid motion during movement. By creating multiple flow paths and interception points, the baffle structure dissipates the kinetic energy of sloshing urine, preventing large-scale splashing while maintaining collection efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The collection container is segmented into multiple zones by the baffle structure. This segmentation divides the fluid space into smaller compartments that restrict the range of fluid motion, reducing sloshing and splashing during ambulatory use while maintaining overall collection capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system effectively minimizes noise during urine collection and movement, enhancing user discretion and comfort by preventing splashing and sloshing, making it suitable for ambulatory use and improving hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

The baffle structure is configured to create a tortuous path for urine flow, reducing splashing and sloshing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTortuous path flow: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum connector for efficient fluid collection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20230091118A1Flexible urine collection container and related systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.03.23 PUREWICK CORP

AI summary

Examples relate to urine collection container as a flexible bladder and baffles, and related systems and methods. A urine collection system includes a urine collection device, a conduit, a flexible bladder, and a baffle structure. The urine collection device is configured to be positioned at least proximate to a urethra of a user. The conduit is in fluid communication with the urine collection device. The flexible bladder has an interior region, and the baffle structure is positioned or positionable in the interior region of the bladder.