MALE URINAL DEVICE
United States Patent 3608552
A male urinal device comprised of a fabric base tubular expansible liquid conveying sheath adapted to receive the penis and to be affixed thereto in fluidtight relation. The fabric basic tube of the sheath is coated with a suitable liquid repelling substance which itself is pliable and elastic. The downstream end of the sheath is adapted to be connected to a tube of relatively smaller diameter for conveying urine to a receiving container. The receiving container is preferably a container having flexible walls which in turn have projections extending from their inner surfaces toward opposite walls thereof.
US Patent References:
Finger pressure douche
Ferguson - May 1957 - 2792835
Male urine drain
Witt et al. - June 1960 - 2940450
Plastic container
Weber et al. - January 1965 - 3164186
Connection for an evacuation device
Stoutenburgh - September 1967 - 3339551
Portable urinal provided with suction means for use in micturition
Keane - October 1967 - 3349768
Finger pressure douche
Ferguson - May 1957 - 2792835
Male urine drain
Witt et al. - June 1960 - 2940450
Plastic container
Weber et al. - January 1965 - 3164186
Connection for an evacuation device
Stoutenburgh - September 1967 - 3339551
Portable urinal provided with suction means for use in micturition
Keane - October 1967 - 3349768
Application Number:
05/008819
Publication Date:
09/28/1971
Filing Date:
02/05/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A61F5/453; A61F5/451; A61F5/44
Field of Search:
128/275,276,294,295
US Patent References:
| 3520305 | MALE URINARY DEVICE | July 1970 | Davis |
Primary Examiner:
Rosenbaum, Charles F.
Claims:
I claim
1. A sheath for use in a male urinal system comprising a unitary, expansible, rubber impregnated, liquid impervious, tubular fabric sleeve having a constricted downstream end portion adapted to be connected in fluidtight arrangement with a drain tube.
2. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the fabric is of knit construction and is so impregnated and coated with rubber as to provide a gradually increasing wall thickness from the upstream end to the constricted downstream end section, the thickness being such as to permit easy tubular rolling of the device from the upstream end toward the downstream end.
3. The sheath of claim 1, wherein said rubber is silicone rubber.
4. The sheath of claim 1, wherein a reinforcing ring is formed at its upstream end, and a plurality of closely spaced apart ring members are affixed on the constricted end portion, so as to form at least one area which is more elastic between ring areas which are less elastic.
5. The sheath of claim 1, wherein at least one section of elastic tubing is provided within and providing at least a portion of the inner surface of the constricted end portion of said sheath and a plurality of ring members is provided to bound at least a portion of said elastic tubing with areas of less elasticity.
6. A male urinal system comprising the sheath of claim 1, in combination with a drain tube which is affixed in fluidtight and communicating relation to the constricted downstream end portion of said sheath and affixed at the other end to a container, the inner walls of which have extensions protruding therefrom so as to prevent collapse thereof.
7. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the upstream end portion is provided with an outwardly flaring flexible flange adapted to be adhesively joined in fluidtight engagement to the human body.
1. A sheath for use in a male urinal system comprising a unitary, expansible, rubber impregnated, liquid impervious, tubular fabric sleeve having a constricted downstream end portion adapted to be connected in fluidtight arrangement with a drain tube.
2. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the fabric is of knit construction and is so impregnated and coated with rubber as to provide a gradually increasing wall thickness from the upstream end to the constricted downstream end section, the thickness being such as to permit easy tubular rolling of the device from the upstream end toward the downstream end.
3. The sheath of claim 1, wherein said rubber is silicone rubber.
4. The sheath of claim 1, wherein a reinforcing ring is formed at its upstream end, and a plurality of closely spaced apart ring members are affixed on the constricted end portion, so as to form at least one area which is more elastic between ring areas which are less elastic.
5. The sheath of claim 1, wherein at least one section of elastic tubing is provided within and providing at least a portion of the inner surface of the constricted end portion of said sheath and a plurality of ring members is provided to bound at least a portion of said elastic tubing with areas of less elasticity.
6. A male urinal system comprising the sheath of claim 1, in combination with a drain tube which is affixed in fluidtight and communicating relation to the constricted downstream end portion of said sheath and affixed at the other end to a container, the inner walls of which have extensions protruding therefrom so as to prevent collapse thereof.
7. The sheath of claim 1, wherein the upstream end portion is provided with an outwardly flaring flexible flange adapted to be adhesively joined in fluidtight engagement to the human body.
Description:
The present invention relates to a male urinary evacuation device for use by individuals with partial or total urinary incontinence.
Prior art devices of this type have had many disadvantages which have mitigated against their acceptance by the medical profession. Among those disadvantages are discomfort, lack of fluid tightness, bulk, and lack of flexibility. Prior art devices are also not satisfactory where with some individuals, such as small boys, the penis periodically retracts and goes completely internal. Upon re-emergence the penis would not properly enter the prior art device, thereby causing the person great discomfort and embarrassment. Furthermore, when a device of this sort is worn by a person who moves around, there is a tendency for the device to twist at the area of connection with the smaller drain tube and, in some instances, for the collection container to be squeezed and accidentally force the collected urine back up the collection tube. Normally backflow is prevented by a check valve in the bag inlet. However, on occasion that valve sticks or becomes inoperative, permitting excessive hydrostatic pressure to force the tubing to separate from the bag or device.
An object of this invention is to provide a male urinary system which will avoid most of the recognized disadvantages of prior art devices. This and other objects will be clear from the following disclosure.
The accompanying drawings, referred to herein, illustrate the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a view of the basic knitted tube on a form prior to impregnation.
FIG. 2 is a cut away section of the preferred structure of the sheath.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the urinary system including the sheath, drain tube and cutaway section of the collection container.
FIG. 4 is a view of one alternate upstream end portion of the sheath adapted for use by small boys.
FIG. 5 is a cutaway section of an alternate construction of the constricted end portion of said sheath.
Referring to FIG. 1, an expansible fabric, preferably knitted, tube 1 is stretched over a form 2 of desired size and shape and, for devices for other than small boys, a ring 3 is formed at the upstream end thereof. That ring is a separate soft elastic member fitted over the end of the knitted tube or in some instances is formed by rolling a short section of the knitted tube. Reinforcing, elastic rings 4, closely spaced apart, are provided around or within the end of the knitted tube at its smaller, downstream end. Rings 4 are provided in a spaced apart relation so as to form at least one area which is more elastic between ring areas which are less elastic. In this manner, a connection means is provided for receiving a drain tube having at least one enlarged ring on its outer diameter so as to be received in fluidtight relation between two of rings 4.
Referring to FIG. 2, knitted tube 1 is shown impregnated and coated with a suitable soft pliable rubber 5. In a preferred form of my device, the rubber material is substantially thicker in the downstream end portion and becomes progressively thinner toward the upstream end thereof so as to permit easy tubular rolling from the upstream toward the downstream end. It will be noted that the rubber material affixes rings 3 and 4 in place. Ring 3 will serve as a reinforcing member and can be used for rolling the sheath for ease in application.
Any fibers may be used to form the knitted tube 1, including cotton, polyester, spandex, polypropylene, nylon, and others, or mixtures of such fibers. The main advantage to be gained by use of the knitted tube is to give strength to the soft pliable rubber portion of the device while at the same time permitting necessary substantial expansion and contraction.
Any rubber compound which can be handled in the liquid uncured state can be used, including purified liquid latex commonly used for the manufacture of medical devices. However, certain silicone rubbers have substantial advantages. These rubbers generally do not tend to absorb urine odors and are capable of withstanding repeated high temperature treatments, for example, by autoclaving. By proper selection of rubber and curing agent, a combination can be obtained which gives good room temperature vulcanizing properties, can be easily dispersed in the uncured state, and can be rapidly cured.
A preferred method for manufacture of the sheath is by dipping of the knitted tube, prestretched on a form 2, so as to impregnate the knitted fabric. Silicone rubber dispersions have excellent abilities to wet and strike through the knitted fabric and to make an excellent bond with the fabric.
Referring to FIG. 3, the downstream end of the sheath is affixed to drain tube 6 which in turn is connected to the upstream end of container 7. Container 7 can be formed of knitted fabric and rubber such as that used for the formation of the sheath, thus providing odor resistance and autoclaving capabilities. The walls of the container can be formed in any one of many ways known to the art, including molding a sheet of rubber from which the container walls are cut and then welding the outer edges together to form the container. It will be noted in the cutout portion of the container that a number of projections 8 may be built into the inside walls of the container so as to prevent the container from being compressed to such an extent that the hydrostatic pressure ruptures the bag or, in the event the check valve fails or sticks open, prevents hydrostatic pressure from forcing the drain tube connections to separate.
In utilization of this system, container 7 is affixed to the leg of the user by means of straps 9, or other suitable fastener means. The sheath is preferably rolled from the upstream end for ease of placing on the penis. A medically approved body cement, such as Medical Adhesive "B," distributed by Dow Corning Medical Products Division, is used to coat a substantial portion of the penis. The sheath is then placed on the penis and unrolled, letting the adhesive affix it in place.
For the small boy, a flexible flange member 10 shown in FIG. 4, is substituted for ring 3. Such devices are applied by affixing flange 10 to the boy's body.
The connection means shown in FIG. 2 can be modified, in a manner shown in FIG. 5, by placing a length, or several short cylindrical sections, of elastic tubing within the smaller end of the knitted tube. Less elastic rings, such as rings 4, are placed over the knitted tube and serve to hold the elastic tubing sections in spaced relation or to provide alternate sections of restricted and nonrestricted areas of said elastic tubing. This connection means permits the internal surfaces of the cylindrical sections to contact the outer surface of an insert type coupling and provides a secure seal when such a coupling is used to connect the sheath to a drain tube.
The device can be removed by application of solvents recommended for use by the manufacturers of the particular adhesive used.
Prior art devices of this type have had many disadvantages which have mitigated against their acceptance by the medical profession. Among those disadvantages are discomfort, lack of fluid tightness, bulk, and lack of flexibility. Prior art devices are also not satisfactory where with some individuals, such as small boys, the penis periodically retracts and goes completely internal. Upon re-emergence the penis would not properly enter the prior art device, thereby causing the person great discomfort and embarrassment. Furthermore, when a device of this sort is worn by a person who moves around, there is a tendency for the device to twist at the area of connection with the smaller drain tube and, in some instances, for the collection container to be squeezed and accidentally force the collected urine back up the collection tube. Normally backflow is prevented by a check valve in the bag inlet. However, on occasion that valve sticks or becomes inoperative, permitting excessive hydrostatic pressure to force the tubing to separate from the bag or device.
An object of this invention is to provide a male urinary system which will avoid most of the recognized disadvantages of prior art devices. This and other objects will be clear from the following disclosure.
The accompanying drawings, referred to herein, illustrate the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a view of the basic knitted tube on a form prior to impregnation.
FIG. 2 is a cut away section of the preferred structure of the sheath.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the urinary system including the sheath, drain tube and cutaway section of the collection container.
FIG. 4 is a view of one alternate upstream end portion of the sheath adapted for use by small boys.
FIG. 5 is a cutaway section of an alternate construction of the constricted end portion of said sheath.
Referring to FIG. 1, an expansible fabric, preferably knitted, tube 1 is stretched over a form 2 of desired size and shape and, for devices for other than small boys, a ring 3 is formed at the upstream end thereof. That ring is a separate soft elastic member fitted over the end of the knitted tube or in some instances is formed by rolling a short section of the knitted tube. Reinforcing, elastic rings 4, closely spaced apart, are provided around or within the end of the knitted tube at its smaller, downstream end. Rings 4 are provided in a spaced apart relation so as to form at least one area which is more elastic between ring areas which are less elastic. In this manner, a connection means is provided for receiving a drain tube having at least one enlarged ring on its outer diameter so as to be received in fluidtight relation between two of rings 4.
Referring to FIG. 2, knitted tube 1 is shown impregnated and coated with a suitable soft pliable rubber 5. In a preferred form of my device, the rubber material is substantially thicker in the downstream end portion and becomes progressively thinner toward the upstream end thereof so as to permit easy tubular rolling from the upstream toward the downstream end. It will be noted that the rubber material affixes rings 3 and 4 in place. Ring 3 will serve as a reinforcing member and can be used for rolling the sheath for ease in application.
Any fibers may be used to form the knitted tube 1, including cotton, polyester, spandex, polypropylene, nylon, and others, or mixtures of such fibers. The main advantage to be gained by use of the knitted tube is to give strength to the soft pliable rubber portion of the device while at the same time permitting necessary substantial expansion and contraction.
Any rubber compound which can be handled in the liquid uncured state can be used, including purified liquid latex commonly used for the manufacture of medical devices. However, certain silicone rubbers have substantial advantages. These rubbers generally do not tend to absorb urine odors and are capable of withstanding repeated high temperature treatments, for example, by autoclaving. By proper selection of rubber and curing agent, a combination can be obtained which gives good room temperature vulcanizing properties, can be easily dispersed in the uncured state, and can be rapidly cured.
A preferred method for manufacture of the sheath is by dipping of the knitted tube, prestretched on a form 2, so as to impregnate the knitted fabric. Silicone rubber dispersions have excellent abilities to wet and strike through the knitted fabric and to make an excellent bond with the fabric.
Referring to FIG. 3, the downstream end of the sheath is affixed to drain tube 6 which in turn is connected to the upstream end of container 7. Container 7 can be formed of knitted fabric and rubber such as that used for the formation of the sheath, thus providing odor resistance and autoclaving capabilities. The walls of the container can be formed in any one of many ways known to the art, including molding a sheet of rubber from which the container walls are cut and then welding the outer edges together to form the container. It will be noted in the cutout portion of the container that a number of projections 8 may be built into the inside walls of the container so as to prevent the container from being compressed to such an extent that the hydrostatic pressure ruptures the bag or, in the event the check valve fails or sticks open, prevents hydrostatic pressure from forcing the drain tube connections to separate.
In utilization of this system, container 7 is affixed to the leg of the user by means of straps 9, or other suitable fastener means. The sheath is preferably rolled from the upstream end for ease of placing on the penis. A medically approved body cement, such as Medical Adhesive "B," distributed by Dow Corning Medical Products Division, is used to coat a substantial portion of the penis. The sheath is then placed on the penis and unrolled, letting the adhesive affix it in place.
For the small boy, a flexible flange member 10 shown in FIG. 4, is substituted for ring 3. Such devices are applied by affixing flange 10 to the boy's body.
The connection means shown in FIG. 2 can be modified, in a manner shown in FIG. 5, by placing a length, or several short cylindrical sections, of elastic tubing within the smaller end of the knitted tube. Less elastic rings, such as rings 4, are placed over the knitted tube and serve to hold the elastic tubing sections in spaced relation or to provide alternate sections of restricted and nonrestricted areas of said elastic tubing. This connection means permits the internal surfaces of the cylindrical sections to contact the outer surface of an insert type coupling and provides a secure seal when such a coupling is used to connect the sheath to a drain tube.
The device can be removed by application of solvents recommended for use by the manufacturers of the particular adhesive used.