Urine Collection Device with Flexible Backing and Direct Outlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urine collection devices for males, such as condom catheters, are uncomfortable, difficult to secure, and can lead to leakage and hygiene issues due to the need for a snug fit and adhesive contact with sensitive areas.
Innovation Solution
A urine collection device featuring a backing member with flexible members that expand to accommodate different penis sizes, coupled with a collection member that directs urine to an outlet, and optionally includes a vacuum tube and moisture-wicking material to enhance comfort and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a snug fit is used to secure the catheter, then the catheter remains in place, but user comfort deteriorates and skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adhesive component from the catheter system entirely. Instead of using adhesive to secure the catheter, the design relies on the collection member receiving urine directly at the urethral opening without requiring attachment to the penis or surrounding skin. This extraction of the adhesive element eliminates skin irritation while maintaining catheter functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a collection member as an intermediary component that receives urine directly from the urethral opening. This mediator allows urine collection without requiring the catheter to be secured to the body through adhesive or snug fitting, thus preventing skin irritation while maintaining reliable urine diversion.
2Reliability
If adhesive contact is used to secure the device, then the device remains in place, but hygiene issues and skin contact with urine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates adhesive contact from the device design. The collection member is positioned to receive urine directly at the urethral opening without requiring adhesive attachment to the penis or surrounding skin. This removal of adhesive eliminates the harmful effect of skin contact with urine while maintaining device functionality through proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection member is designed as a flexible component that can be positioned to receive urine directly at the urethral opening. This flexible structure allows the device to maintain proper positioning and function without requiring adhesive attachment, thereby preventing skin contact with urine and improving hygiene.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal fit is used to accommodate different sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible members that can elastically deform to accommodate different penis sizes and shapes. The flexible collection member and backing member work together to create an adaptable fit without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple components, thus achieving size accommodation while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible members of the device can change their physical parameters (shape, size, configuration) in response to different user anatomies. This parameter adaptability allows a single device design to accommodate various sizes without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple device variants.
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 a more universal fit, reduces skin contact with urine, minimizes leakage, and improves user comfort and hygiene by using a flexible backing member and a collection member that directs urine away from the user's body.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of moisture wicking material for drawing urine discharged from the user to a collection portion of the backing member
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum device can apply a vacuum pressure to the drain tube to assist in directing the urine from the outlet to the waste collection reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A urine collection device includes a collection member extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end includes an opening that provides access to an internal cavity of the collection member. The internal cavity includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a second chamber. The urine collection device includes a spacer in the second chamber, a first attachment member extending from a bottom wall of the collection member at the proximal end., a second attachment member extending from a top wall of the collection member at the proximal end, and an outlet for egressing urine from the internal cavity of the collection member. The first attachment member defines an aperture. The collection member is suitable to (i) direct urine from the first chamber to the second chamber and (ii) direct the urine in the second chamber distally toward the outlet.