Garment-Integrated Fluid Collection for Catheter-Free Urination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with limited or impaired mobility face challenges in urination due to discomfort, hygiene issues, and health risks associated with bed pans and urinary catheters, necessitating improved fluid collection devices.
Innovation Solution
A garment with a crotch portion and integrated fluid collection device, featuring a fluid impermeable barrier and permeable body, positioned to collect fluids near the urethra, connected via a conduit to a vacuum source or storage container, minimizing invasiveness and discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bed pans are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection capability is provided, but discomfort and hygiene issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluid collection device with a garment worn by the user, integrating the collection function into clothing rather than using a separate bed pan. This merging eliminates the discomfort of holding or positioning a bed pan while maintaining fluid collection capability through the garment's integrated collection chamber and wicking materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wicking materials as an intermediary between the user's body and the collection chamber. These materials draw fluid away from the body through capillary action, providing a hygienic barrier that reduces direct contact and minimizes hygiene issues while maintaining effective fluid collection.
2Ease of operation
If urinary catheters are used for fluid collection, then fluid collection capability is provided, but discomfort, pain, and urinary tract infections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the catheter from the body entirely, replacing it with an external collection device that receives fluid through wicking materials. This eliminates the need for invasive insertion into the urinary tract, thereby preventing pain and urinary tract infections while maintaining fluid collection capability through the external collection chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The wicking materials serve as an intermediary that passively draws fluid from the body surface without requiring invasive catheter insertion. This intermediary mechanism collects fluid through capillary action rather than direct catheter contact with the urinary tract, eliminating discomfort and infection risks associated with traditional catheters.
3Reliability
If invasive methods are used for fluid collection, then reliable fluid collection is achieved, but health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service through passive wicking materials that automatically draw fluid into the collection chamber without requiring active intervention or invasive procedures. The capillary action in the wicking materials provides reliable fluid collection autonomously, eliminating health risks associated with invasive methods while maintaining collection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The wicking materials act as a safe intermediary that reliably collects fluid through physical capillary action rather than invasive penetration. This intermediary mechanism ensures consistent fluid collection without compromising health, as it avoids direct intrusion into the body while maintaining reliable collection through the garment-integrated system.
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 collects fluids, maintaining hygiene and comfort by aligning the collection device with the urethra, reducing the need for invasive methods and minimizing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid permeable body is positioned at least partially within the chamber to extend across at least a portion of the opening and configured to wick fluid away from the opening
Data Source
AI summary
Example fluid collection systems and methods of use are described. The fluid collection system includes a garment and a fluid collection device. The garment is configured to be worn on a pelvis of a user, and includes at least a crotch portion having an inner surface and at least one of a strap partially defining a through hole between the strap and the inner surface or a pocket on the inner surface of the crotch portion. The at least one of the strap or the pocket are positioned on the crotch portion of the garment and the fluid collection device is sized to position the opening and the fluid permeable body proximate to a urethra of the user.