Multi-layer urine capture device and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023105001-A1
Application number	US-202117907125-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 25, 2021
Priority date	Mar 26, 2020
Publication date	Apr 6, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a multi-layered urine capture device suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body. The urine capture device can be positioned adjacent a urethra of a female user. The urine capture device can include a plurality of layers, for example, one or more fluid permeable layers, one or more absorbent layers, one or more hydrophobic layers, one or more wicking layers, one or more fluid impermeable layers, and other suitable layers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A multi-layered urine capture device to be positioned adjacent a urethra of a female user, the multi-layered urine capture device comprising:
a reservoir layer defining a volume for receiving and storing urine discharged from a user; and a fluid impermeable layer defining a bottom surface of the multi-layered urine capture device.

2 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 1 , further comprising a permeable layer configured to direct urine away from a portion of skin surrounding a female anatomy of the user, the permeable layer biasing the urine to remain within the reservoir layer, the reservoir layer being positioned between the permeable layer and the fluid impermeable layer.

3 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 2 , further comprising an interface layer configured to interface with the female anatomy of the user.

4 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 3 , wherein the interface layer forms a gel when exposed to fluid, the gel forming a fluid impermeable barrier between the user and the interface layer.

5 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 3 further comprising an air inlet layer, the air inlet layer being positioned between the interface layer and the permeable layer.

6 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 5 , wherein the air inlet layer and the interface layer form a wall extending around a periphery of the permeable layer, the wall defining a cavity.

7 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 6 , wherein:
the permeable layer includes liquid directing features configured to direct the flow of urine into the reservoir layer; and at least a portion of the liquid directing features extend into the cavity.

8 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 2 , further comprising a fluid conduit positioned adjacent to the reservoir layer, the fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the multi-layered urine capture device and a suction source, wherein a negative pressure applied to the fluid conduit draws urine out of the volume and through the fluid conduit.

9 . A system including the multi-layered urine capture of any one of the claims 1 - 8 , the system further comprising a vacuum source operably coupled to the fluid conduit, the vacuum source configured to extract urine from the volume by applying a negative pressure to the multi-layered urine capture device.

10 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir layer includes a semi-absorbent material.

11 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 10 , wherein the semi-absorbent material includes a foam or polyester.

12 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to manipulate a contour of a bottom surface of the fluid impermeable layer.

13 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 12 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a wire frame defined by a plurality of longitudinal members.

14 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir layer has a density characteristic and a rate at which urine permeates the reservoir layer relates to the density characteristic.

15 . The multi-layered urine capture urine capture device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid impermeable layer has one or more walls that extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface, the one or more walls defining:
a periphery of the multi-layered urine capture device; and an inner volume of the multi-layered urine capture device.

16 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a one-way fluid permeable layer, the reservoir layer being positioned between the one-way fluid permeable layer and the fluid impermeable layer; a fluid conduit positioned adjacent the reservoir layer, the fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the multi-layered urine capture device and a suction source; wherein urine is drawn out of the volume and through the fluid conduit when a negative pressure is applied to the fluid conduit.

17 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 16 , wherein the one-way fluid permeable layer permits urine to flow into an upper surface of the reservoir layer and prevents urine from flowing out of the upper surface of the reservoir layer.

18 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 16 , wherein the multi-layered urine capture device further comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to manipulate a contour of a bottom surface of the fluid impermeable layer.

19 . The multi-layered urine capture device of claim 18 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a wire frame defined by a plurality of longitudinal members.

20 . A method for collecting discharged urine with a multi-layered urine capture device, the method comprising:
positioning the multi-layered urine capture device at least proximate to a urethra of a female user; receiving discharged urine within a reservoir layer of the multi-layered urine capture device, the reservoir layer being disposed between the urethra and a fluid impermeable layer of the multi-layered urine capture device, the reservoir layer defining a volume; and applying a suction force at a fluid conduit of the multi-layered urine capture device to draw urine out of the volume, the fluid conduit providing fluid communication between the multi-layered urine capture device and a suction source.

Assignees

• Purewick Corp

Inventors

• Whittome Samuel Edmund
• Triggs Emily Lucy
• Stacey Gary
• Norman Alexander David
• Win Leanne Yip Heung

Classifications

• A61F5/485

  Absorbent protective pads (mattress underlays A47C21/06; bed linen A47G9/02) · CPC title

• A61F2013/15552

  Air permeability · CPC title

• A61F13/5376 Primary

  characterised by the performance of the layer, e.g. acquisition rate, distribution time, transfer time · CPC title

• A61F5/455 Primary

  for collecting urine or discharge from female member · CPC title

• A61F13/53704

  the layer having an inhibiting function on liquid propagation · CPC title