GB2490327A

GB2490327A - A pumped urine collection system

Info

Publication number: GB2490327A
Application number: GB201106858A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Jonasar
Original assignee: WILLIAM JAMES PATRICK MCELHINNEY
Current assignee: WILLIAM JAMES PATRICK MCELHINNEY
Priority date: 2011-04-26
Filing date: 2011-04-26
Publication date: 2012-10-31
Also published as: GB201106858D0

Abstract

The system comprises a pump 1, a power source 26 a urine detection sensor 32, and a urine collection bag 23. The system may be fitted to a belt around the waist. The system can be adapted to be suitable for both males and females by attaching a commercially available male sheath or specially constructed female urine collection funnel (figs 3 & 4). The urine collection bag may consist of a number of inter-linked compartments 24 to prevent audible sounds of liquid movement.

Description

Anti leakage incontinence system This invention relates to a anti leakage urine collection system for incontinent persons.

There are currently a number of commercially available male incontinence products, consisting of a sheath and a leg mounted, gravity fed urine collecting bag.

These products have the disadvantage that any obstruction to the sheath or urine fed tube causes urine leakage outside of the collection system.

Commercial products are also only available for male patients, for female patients the only available system uses a catheter, either fitted by the patient themselves after training or fitted internally by having a medical operation.

These systems are prone to infections with all the potentially serious side effects that this can bring.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes pumped urine collection system, the system consisting of a pump, urine collecting device, power source, urine flow sensor and a urine collection bag.

The addition of a pump to the urine collection system substantially reduces the possibility of leakage from the system.

The pumping system is preferably a single, self contained unit, containing a pump, power source and control system housed in a small, light weight enclosure.

The system would preferably contain a urine flow sensor and a low noise pump to allow the system to operate automatically and unnoticed by an external observer.

The system would preferably have a system to allow the urine collection bag to be emptied when full. The emptying tube could also be connected to a larger, external collection bag to increase collection volume and for night-time use.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a self priming pumping system with pressure sensor and self-sealing valves, Figure 2 shows a self-contained urine pumping system, compartmentalised urine collection bag, and female urine collector, Figure 3 shows a female urine collection system, waist mounted on a harness, Figure 4 shows a male urine collection system, waist mounted on a harness for use with commercially available male sheaths.

In figure 1 a pumping unit 1 includes a battery powered motor 2, driving a piston 9 along a lead screw 8 via a worm gear 3. A second worm gear 6 drives a gear 4 which activates switch 5, causing the motor drive direction to reverse when the piston 9 reaches the end of its stroke. The lead screw 8 enters the piston chamber via a sealed coupling 10. The urine enters the pump through the inlet port 13 via two one-way valves 7 and exits the pump into the internal reservoir 15 via two one way valves 7. The pump inlet is fitted with a vacuum switch 12 to cut off the pump as once the pump inlet is dry. The pump outlet is fitted with a pressure switch 11 which acts to cut off the pump once the internal reservoir 15 and external collection bag (23 figure 2) are full. Once the internal reservoir and hence also the external collection bag are full, float 17 closes valve 16, thus causing the pressure to build inside the internal reservoir, triggering pressure switch ii. The internal reservoir is fitted with two ports 18 and 19 which connect to the urine collection bag through two self-sealing vales 14. The urine collection bag (23 figure 2) connects to the pump via ports 21 and 22. The internal reservoir and hence the urine collection bag may be emptied by connecting an external tube to drain port 20 via a self-sealing valve 14. This allows an external urine collection bag to be connected into the system.

Figure 2 shows the pumping unit 1 along with battery 26, pump control unit 25 and warning alarm 27 within a self-contained enclosure 35. An external urine collection bag 23 connects to the unit through port 21 and 22. The collection bag contains a number of inter-linked compartments 24 which reduce the sounds of urine movement within the bag. The pump inlet 13 connects to the external urine collecting device 33 through a self-sealing valve 14 and a quick connect port 29 which also contains electrical contacts 28 which connect the urine sensor 32 via tube 30 to the pump control unit. The female urine collecting device 33 along with its connecting tube 30 and sensor 32 is designed to be easily detachable for cleaning or disposal. The female urine collecting device 33 contains a collecting funnel 31 which also houses the urine sensor 32.

The urine collecting device incorporates a sealing lip 34 and attachment points to allow it to attach to belt 36 via straps 37 (see figure 3). The pump control unit is powered from a miniature Uthium4on cell or other such high power density rechargeable cell. The pump control unit the internal pressure and vacuum levels with the pump using pressure sensor 11 and vacuum sensor 12, which it uses along with the input from the urine sensor 32, to control the operation of the pump 1. The pump control unit connects to alarm sounder 27, which alerts the user to conditions such as a bag full condition or a low battery warning. The pumping unit 1 also incorporates a drain port 20 to allow the internal bag to be emptied. This port also allows a larger, external bag to be connected, for example for night use.

Figure 3 shows the enclosure 35 containing the pump, control unit and battery, fitted to belt 36 and collecting bag 23. The female urine collecting device 33 attaches to the belt with straps 37 which hold it in place. The collecting device connects to the enclosure 35 via tube 30.

Figure 4 shows a male version of the invention, for use with commercially available male sheaths 40. The male urine collecting device 38 which houses the urine sensor 32, connects to the pumping device 35 via tube 30. The male sheath 40 connects to the urine collecting device 38 via push-on tube 39. The assembly is held in place by straps 37 which attach to belt 32.

Claims

Claims 1. A pumped urine collection system, the system consisting of a pump, urine collecting device, power source, urine flow sensor and a urine collection bag.
2. A pumped urine collection system according to claim 1, in which the system is fitted to a belt around the waist.
3. A pumped urine collection system according to claim 1, in which the system is powered from a high energy density, rechargeable cell.
4. A pumped urine collection system according to claim 1, in which the urine collection bag consist of a number of inter-linked compartments to reduce the sounds of urine movement within the bag.
5. A pumped urine collection system according to claim 1, in which the system may be connected to a custom female urine collection funnel.
6. A pumped urine collection system according to claim 1, in which the system may be connected to commercially available male sheaths.
7. A pumped urine collection system according to claim 1, in which the system may be connected to an external urine collecting bag or drain tube to allow the internal urine collecting bag to be drained.