Wicking Material Urine Collection Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urine collection devices are not effective in collecting urine from the penis without the need for catheter attachment, particularly for individuals with incontinence or mobility impairments, and do not facilitate easy transportation of collected urine.
Innovation Solution
A device with a chamber assembly comprising wicking material disposed about porous material, allowing urine to be collected and transported via a partial vacuum, and featuring an impermeable layer to create a receptacle for the penis, enabling urine to be drawn into the chamber without catheter attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a catheter is attached to collect urine from the penis, then urine collection is effective, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wicking material as an intermediary component between the penis and the collection chamber. This wicking material passively draws urine through capillary action without requiring catheter insertion or attachment, thereby maintaining collection effectiveness while dramatically simplifying operation. The wicking material acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for complex catheter attachment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical catheter insertion system with a passive wicking mechanism. Instead of requiring mechanical attachment of a catheter to the penis, the system uses capillary action in the wicking material to draw urine into the collection chamber. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical attachment while maintaining urine collection functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If urine is collected in a chamber, then urine can be stored, but transporting urine against gravity becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vacuum pump connected to the collection chamber to create a pressure differential. This pneumatic system draws urine through the wicking material and into the chamber, and can actively transport collected urine out of the chamber. The vacuum pressure overcomes gravitational forces, enabling urine to be transported upward or against gravity into the collection chamber and subsequently evacuated when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter within the collection chamber by applying vacuum pressure. This parameter change creates a pressure gradient that drives urine flow into the chamber and enables transport against gravity. The vacuum pressure parameter can be adjusted to control the rate and direction of urine flow, facilitating both collection and transport functions.
3Ease of operation
If wicking material is used to draw urine, then catheter attachment is eliminated, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes wicking material with specific porous structure to draw urine through capillary action. The porous structure of the wicking material provides the necessary capillary channels for urine transport without requiring catheter attachment. This use of porous materials enables passive urine collection while the modular chamber assembly keeps the overall device structure manageable despite the added complexity of the wicking mechanism.
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 efficient urine collection and transportation against gravity, suitable for individuals with incontinence or mobility issues, and applicable in various circumstances including restricted travel and clinical testing.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of impermeable material so attached to the chamber assembly as to cover one side of the opening and thereby provide a receptacle for receiving the head of a penis, from which receptacle urine flowing from the penis can be drawn through the wicking material and the porous material into the chamber
Implementation Method 2
porous material that is configured to form a chamber in which urine can be collected for transport, with the chamber having spaces within the porous material and/or spaces between portions of the configured porous material
Implementation Method 3
the chamber having a port for receiving a tube so that urine collected within the chamber can be transported from the chamber by being drawn from the chamber when a partial vacuum is applied within the chamber via a said received tube
Data Source
AI summary
A urine collection device has a chamber assembly, which includes a layer of wicking material and porous material. The porous material is configured to form a chamber in which urine can be collected for transport; and the wicking material is disposed about the porous material. The chamber has a port for receiving a tube so that urine collected within the chamber can be transported from the chamber by being drawn from the chamber when a partial vacuum is applied within the chamber via the received tube. The chamber assembly is so dimensioned and configured that opposing portions of the assembly are sufficient adjacent as to define an opening through which the head a penis can be inserted. A layer of impermeable material is so attached to the chamber assembly as to cover one side of the opening and thereby provide a receptable for receiving the head of an inserted penis.