Inverted Urination Funnel with External Suction Hose
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for female urination assistance, such as bed pans, commodes, and catheters, are cumbersome, uncomfortable, and pose infection risks, while existing funnel-shaped urine collectors are limited by design flaws that restrict use to supine positions and require cumbersome tubing arrangements, leading to hygiene issues and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A urination funnel with an inverted design that connects tubing to its lowest point, eliminating the need for a urine collection well and allowing secure external tubing attachment, made from molded pulp material for comfort and sustainability, and compatible with standard suction canister systems for versatile anatomical positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional funnel-shaped urine collectors with urine collection wells are used, then urine can be collected and transported, but the device is limited to supine positions and requires cumbersome internal tubing arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional funnel design by eliminating the urine collection well and reversing the tubing connection logic. Instead of tubing entering at the top and running inside to the bottom well, the outlet is positioned at the lowest point with tubing connecting externally. This inversion enables use in multiple anatomical positions while simplifying the tubing arrangement to a straightforward external connection.
2Reliability
If tubing is run inside the funnel to the collection well, then urine can be transported, but the tubing may become dislodged and cleaning becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tubing from the internal pathway and repositions it to connect externally at the outlet located at the lowest point of the funnel. This eliminates the risk of internal tubing becoming dislodged during use and simplifies cleaning by ensuring only the internal surface of the tubing contacts urine, making maintenance straightforward.
3Productivity
If bed pans and commodes are used, then urine can be collected, but the devices are cumbersome and require regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the urine collection system into a simple funnel component that interfaces with the patient and a separate suction canister system that handles storage and disposal. This segmentation eliminates the need for cumbersome all-in-one devices like bed pans and commodes, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining collection efficiency.
4Productivity
If catheters are used for urine collection, then continuous urine removal is achieved, but infection risk and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external funnel as an intermediary device between the patient's urethra and the suction canister system. This non-invasive funnel eliminates the need for internal catheters, thereby removing the associated infection risks and patient discomfort while maintaining continuous urine removal through the intermediary funnel-suction system connection.
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 design enhances comfort and hygiene by allowing use in multiple positions, secure tubing attachment, and easier cleaning, while being environmentally friendly and compatible with existing medical suction systems, reducing plastic waste and infection risks.
Implementation Method 1
The present application is directed to a urination funnel for receiving and transporting urine voided by a user into a suction canister system
Data Source
AI summary
A urination funnel for receiving and transporting urine voided by a user into a suction canister system includes an inlet for receiving the urine voided by the user. The inlet is configured to conform in shape to an anatomy of the user around a urethra of the user. The urination funnel also includes an outlet for transporting the urine voided by the user to the suction canister system. The outlet is configured to engage with a suction hose of the suction canister system. The urination funnel also includes a contoured funnel body extending between the inlet and the outlet.