Grooved Urine Collection Sheet With One-Way Backflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urine collection systems, such as absorbent pads, become soaked in urine, causing discomfort for patients and creating a mess, and urinary catheters pose infection risks.
Innovation Solution
A urine collection system comprising a perforated sheet with one-way urine flow apertures and a bottom sheet with grooves for urine collection, optionally with an absorbent layer, to prevent backflow and facilitate efficient urine management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If absorbent pads are used to collect urine, then urine collection is achieved, but the pads become soaked causing discomfort for patients and mess for caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The urine collection system is divided into multiple functional layers: a top sheet with apertures for urine passage, an absorbent layer for urine absorption, and a bottom sheet for containment. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others, preventing the top sheet from becoming soaked while maintaining collection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent layer acts as an intermediary between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, absorbing urine that passes through the apertures in the top sheet. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between urine and the top sheet, maintaining patient comfort and preventing mess for caregivers while ensuring reliable urine collection.
2Reliability
If urinary catheters are used, then urine collection is achieved, but patient infections are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the urine collection function from the patient's body by using a non-invasive absorbent pad system that collects urine through apertures in the top sheet. This eliminates the need for urinary catheters that penetrate the body, thereby removing the infection risk associated with catheter insertion while maintaining effective urine collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The urine collection system uses disposable absorbent pads that can be easily replaced. This eliminates the need for reusable catheters that require cleaning and maintenance, reducing the risk of infection transmission. The disposable nature of the absorbent pad ensures hygiene and eliminates the harmful factors associated with repeated catheter use.
3Reliability
If perforated sheet with one-way flow apertures is used, then urine backflow is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The top sheet is designed with specific local qualities: apertures are positioned at strategic locations to allow urine flow in the desired direction while preventing backflow. The absorbent layer is placed specifically at the bottom of the top sheet to intercept urine. This localized optimization of structure and material properties achieves reliable backflow prevention without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire device.
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 urine without soaking the patient or caregiver's surroundings, reducing discomfort and infection risks while maintaining hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent layer positioned below the perforated sheet, the absorbent layer comprising a fiber-containing layer
Data Source
AI summary
Urine collection systems and related methods in which the urine collection system comprises: (A) a perforated sheet that includes a plurality of apertures that allow for one-way flow through the apertures, and (B) a bottom urine collection sheet, positioned below the perforated sheet, comprising one or more grooves, where each groove has a respective groove length, groove width, and groove depth for allowing the groove to facilitate collection of urine by the bottom sheet. In particular embodiments, the grooves are dimensioned to route urine into a central collection area defined by the bottom sheet from which the urine is then removed by a suction source.