Urine Collection Pad Structure With One-Way Flow and Drainage Grooves

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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 featuring a perforated sheet with one-way urine flow apertures and a bottom sheet with grooves for urine collection, optionally with an absorbent layer, designed to prevent backflow and facilitate efficient urine management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 creating a mess

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine collection effectivenessVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the urine collection function into multiple components: a perforated sheet with one-way apertures for controlled urine flow, an absorbent layer for absorption, and a bottom sheet with grooves for drainage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, preventing the absorbent pad from becoming completely soaked while maintaining collection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The perforated sheet acts as an intermediary between the patient and the absorbent layer, controlling urine flow through one-way apertures. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between urine and the patient while ensuring urine reaches the absorbent material, maintaining patient comfort without compromising collection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If urinary catheters are used, then urine collection is achieved, but patient infections are caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine collection effectivenessVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the catheter element entirely and replaces it with a non-invasive absorbent pad system. Urine is collected through the perforated sheet and absorbent layer without requiring insertion into the patient's body, thereby eliminating the infection risk associated with catheters while maintaining effective urine collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If absorbent pads are used, then urine collection is achieved, but frequent pad changes are required increasing caregiver workload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine collection effectivenessVSAvoidcaregiver time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom sheet with grooves provides continuous drainage capability, and the absorbent layer continuously absorbs urine as it flows through the perforated sheet. This continuous action prevents the pad from becoming saturated, extending the time between changes and reducing caregiver workload while maintaining collection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If a perforated sheet with one-way flow apertures is used, then urine backflow is prevented, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine backflow preventionVSAvoidperforated sheet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The perforated sheet uses a porous structure with multiple apertures of varying sizes to achieve one-way flow control. The porous design allows urine to pass through in the desired direction while naturally preventing backflow through the aperture geometry, achieving backflow prevention without requiring complex mechanical valves or moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 and manages urine, reducing patient discomfort and infection risks while minimizing the need for frequent pad changes, thereby improving hygiene and caregiver workload.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the perforated sheet apertures within the plurality of perforated sheet apertures comprises a urine backflow feature that allows one-way urine flow through a given perforated sheet aperture, and prevents urine backflow through the given perforated sheet aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOne-way flow mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent layer positioned below the perforated sheet, the absorbent layer comprising a fiber-containing layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

one or more grooves along a bottom sheet outer periphery of the bottom sheet upper surface... each groove has a respective groove length, groove width, and groove depth that facilitates collection of urine by the bottom sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12478498B2Urine collection systems, and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SCOTT JAMES WILLIAM

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.