Wearable Urinary Collection Device with Funnel and Segmented Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing female urinary devices fail to provide a comfortable, concealable, and leak-proof solution for women with Overactive Bladder, especially when engaging in outdoor activities, as they require disrobing or have design flaws that lead to overflow and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A wearable urinary collection and drainage device with a housing featuring a concave upper ridge, a collection portion, and a funnel portion designed to direct urine flow, made from medical-grade silicone, which can be worn under clothing without disrobing, using underpants with a crotch opening and a flexible tube connection to a urine collection container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a funnel device is placed over the urethra to direct urine forward, then women can relieve themselves standing up without squatting, but the device requires disrobing and a private place to use
Solution Approach 1:
The urinary device is nested within a wearable panty structure, with the collection portion positioned between the wearer's legs and the funnel portion extending through the panty fabric. This integration allows the device to be worn under clothing without requiring disrobing, while maintaining the ability to urinate standing up.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a simple handheld funnel to a three-dimensional wearable structure that extends in multiple dimensions: the collection portion sits between the legs, the funnel portion extends forward through the panty, and the outlet is positioned to drain into a container worn on the hip or leg, creating a functional spatial arrangement that enables public use.
2Reliability
If disposable absorbent products are used, then OAB sufferers can manage incontinence, but the products become bulky and uncomfortable when saturated and cannot be easily replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service by allowing the wearer to empty the collection container independently without requiring assistance or changing into different clothing. The container can be detached and emptied at any location, providing ongoing reliability for incontinence management throughout the day.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding saturated absorbent products, the device allows for recovery and reuse of the collection container multiple times. The container is emptied, rinsed, and reused, eliminating the need for continuous disposal and replacement of incontinence products.
3Ease of operation
If the outlet is positioned forward for easy access, then urination is convenient, but the device protrudes from the mons pubis area and cannot be concealed under clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is repositioned from a forward-facing position to a lateral or rearward position on the device, allowing the drainage tube to extend along the side or back of the wearer's body toward the hip or leg area where the collection container is worn. This spatial reconfiguration enables both accessibility and concealability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage tube is made flexible and can be routed through the panty fabric or along the wearer's body contours, allowing it to be concealed under clothing while still providing access to the collection container. The flexible tube can be hidden within the panty structure or along the thigh area.
4Reliability
If the collection portion is made deep to prevent overflow, then urine containment is improved, but the device becomes more visible and uncomfortable when worn under clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional portions: a shallower collection portion that sits between the legs, a funnel portion that directs urine flow, and a separate collection container that is worn on the hip or leg. This segmentation allows the main body to remain compact and comfortable while the container provides adequate capacity for overflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection capacity is moved from a vertical dimension (deep collection portion) to a lateral dimension (external container worn on hip or leg). This spatial redistribution maintains overflow prevention capability while keeping the wearable portion compact and comfortable under clothing.
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
Enables women to urinate discreetly and comfortably while standing without disrobing, preventing leakage and overflow, and is reusable, offering a cost-effective alternative to disposable absorbent products.
Implementation Method 1
the force of gravity will send urine toward the back of the funnel
Implementation Method 2
The funnel portion is defined by an inwardly tapered section of the housing wall and a tubular outlet to which the inwardly tapered section leads
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a urinary collection and drainage device configured to be externally worn on a crotch region of a female wearer. The device includes a collection portion and a funnel portion extending from the collection portion. The collection portion is configured to substantially cover the wearer's vagina so as to receive and facilitate directional flow of urine, that the wearer excretes, into the funnel portion. The funnel portion facilitates flow of the urine to exit the device through an outlet opening of the funnel portion. Also disclosed are assemblies, kits and methods, incorporating the device in connection with additional components to enable a female wearer to urinate, in a sanitary manner, without disrobing, e.g., while standing, kneeling or in a similar position that would not obstruct the flow of urine.