Incontinence Device

Abstract

An incontinence device in which a urine collecting bag is provided with a closable outlet with the entry into the urine collecting bag being through a one-way valve and the inlet to the one-way valve having a urine receiving device which may be another bag or a plastic urethra tube adapted for insertion into the vaginal passage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices for use by suffers from incontinence of urine (hereinafter and in the claims simply called "an incontinence device"), and also relates to valves for use especially but not exclusively in such incontinence devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an incontinence device which is comfortable to wear, efficient and hygenic in use, and simple and economic to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided an incontinence device comprising a flexible bag of water-proof material incorporating a urine collecting chamber having an inlet and a closable outlet, a one-way valve at the collecting chamber inlet to allow flow only into the collecting chamber, and means for supporting the bag relative to the wearer so as to receive and collect urine as when micturition occurs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a one-way valve formed of a flexible fluid-tight material in the form of a tube, and means adjacent the outlet of the tube and adapted to cause the tube to fold over at the outlet to close same if there is any tendency of fluid-flow from the outlet to the inlet of the valve thus sealing the valve.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an incontinence device suitable for use by female persons, the device being partly broken away to show the interior;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary detail view of FIG. 1 to an enlarged scale, showing the one-way valve;

FIG. 3 is a further fragmentary detail view showing the one-way function of the valve;

FIG. 4. is a perspective view of the inlet tube of the incontinence device;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an incontinence device suitable for use by male persons;

FIG. 6 is a saddle suitable for use in a modified incontinence device for use by female persons; and,

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a modified incontinence device with a detachable collecting bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The incontinence device illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a flexible water-proof bag 10 of any convenient material which serves as a urine collecting chamber. The bag 10 is closed at the bottom save for a small-diameter drain tube 11, say of rigid plastic material, which is closable by a removable plug (not shown) or any other convenient form of closure.

The top of the bag 10 has an inlet extension or neck 12 into which urine is first received, and the inlet extension or neck 12 communicates with a one-way valve generally indicated at 13.

A plastic tube 14 is located and conveniently secured within the inlet extension or neck 12, and consists of a tubular portion 15 which is disposed at least partially within the inlet extension or neck 12 and an integral arcuate wall 16 extending from the tubular portion 15 and the wall 16 tapers away from the tubular portion 15. The tube 14 is of smooth configuration and is formed of a non-toxic, non-irritant plastic material which does not react to urine.

A ring 16A is provided at the free end of the arcuate wall 16; it is preferably molded integral with the tube 14. This ring 16A serves to accommodate a sanitary towel of the kind which is inserted into the vaginal passage and which expands so that it is retained in position or similar expansible medium. Such internal sanitary towels are sold under the Registered Trade Mark TAMPAX. The ring 16A is of a diameter slightly greater than the original diameter of the sanitary towel so that when the incontinence device is fitted on the patient with the urethra tube 14 inserted in the vaginal passage the sanitary towel at least within the vaginal passage expands and is firmly gripped by the ring 16A thus securing the incontinence device more firmly within the patient.

This ring 16A and sanitary towel arrangement serves to give a greater sense of security to the patient and is therefore preferred although it will be manifest that it is not essential and can, if desired, be omitted.

This tube 14, when the incontinence device is fitted to a female person, is inserted in the vaginal passage and covers the area of the urethra. Urine is therefore immediately passed through this urethra tube 14, through the one-way valve 13 and into the receiving bag 10.

The provision of this urethra tube ensures that a female person remains dry during incontinence irrespective of her physical attitude, i.e. standing, sitting or recumbent.

The one way valve 13 consists of a flat tube of plastic material with one side 17 extended so that it is longer than the other side 18 at the outlet of the valve, which, extension, indicated at 19, is folded back on itself to form a pocket in which is housed a weight for example, a small metal rod 20. The flat tube valve 13 is secured, for example, heat welded, to at least one side of the bag 10 to prevent it flapping loose in the bag 10. The pocket and its weight 20 are not so secured so that the weighted pocket flat can turn back on itself as indicated by arrow "A" and overlie outlet mouth 21 of the valve 13 thus closing same (see FIG. 3).

The valve 13 operates as follows:

Urine enters the valve 13 through the inlet from the urethra tube 14 and flows downwards to the outlet mouth 21 towards the collecting bag or chamber 10. The pressure of the liquid causes the valve 13 to assume a substantially cylindrical shape, thus allowing egress of liquid from the valve 13 into the collecting chamber 10.

When all the liquid has passed through the valve 13, it reverts to its flattened position. If any liquid attempts to flow through the valve 13 from outlet mouth 21 to the inlet the weight 20 and pressure of this liquid causes the free outlet end of the valve tube to fold over as shown in FIG. 3 thus preventing such flow in reverse direction through the valve. Any other convenient form of one-way valve may be employed.

In the embodiment described, there is shown straps 22 for securing the incontinence device to the lower abdomen of the wearer, means preferably also being provided to secure the bag 10 to the inside of one leg of the wearer. Such means may be a leg strap (not shown) secured at each end to buttons 23 on the bag.

The bag 10 may conveniently be detachable for emptying purposes, with suitable securing devices being provided.

In the case of a male patient (see FIG. 5), the urethra tube is replaced by a waterproof bag 30 preferably of plastic which acts as a receiving chamber and into which at least the penis is inserted, although it may be desirable to insert the whole male genital organs therein. The receiving bag 30 communicates with a collecting chamber or bag 31 through a one-way valve 32, preferably that described above. Alternatively, the receiving chamber is simply an extension of the one-way valve as described, or the penis may simply be inserted directly into the one-way valve 13 via the inlet extension or neck.

The collecting bag 10 or 31 may, as aforesaid, be detachable, being secured in position by rigid press-fit tongue-and-slot connections 33 (see FIG. 7).

In a modification of the female incontinence device the urethra tube is replaced by a saddle 34 (see FIGS. 6 or 7) constituted by a rigid plastic member configured to cover or overlie the vaginal orifice and with a passage 35 therethrough to direct urine into a one-way valve 32, with the plastic vaginal member having an apron or skirt 36 extending under the abdomen between the legs and extending slightly up the front of the abdomen as indicated at 37 to ensure dryness of the patient. Alternatively, the vaginal member may be inserted into the vaginal orifice. The inlet passage 35 to the vaginal member is preferably elliptical to ensure efficient ingress of urine and the passage through the vaginal member is such as to ensure flow into the one-way valve irrespective of the physical attitude of the wearer.

In another embodiment of the invention, the incontinence device comprises a flexible double-thickness polyethylene bag having an upper inlet mouth, and subdivided internally to provide a top receiving chamber and a bottom collecting chamber. The receiving chamber communicates with the collecting chamber solely via a one-way valve.

The one-way valve is constituted by a strip of polythene folded over and sealed at the free edges opposite the fold to form a flat tube wider at the top than the bottom. The valve tube is welded to one wall of the collecting chamber with its inlet, i.e. its top, in communication with the receiving chamber and its outlet i.e. its bottom, in communication with the collecting chamber. The bottom of the valve tube is free of the collecting chamber wall but is maintained thereagainst by a stiffener of convenient construction, say a flexible but rigid plastic strip secured to the wall with the free outlet end of the valve tube between the wall and the stiffener. The outlet end of the valve tube may be formed of thicker or heavier polythene than the remainder or it may be weighted.

A buffer, for example, a folded strip of polythene lies between the free outlet end of the valve tube and the collecting chamber wall to prevent adhestion of the valve outlet to said wall.

The valve operates as follows:

Urine enters the valve through the inlet from the receiving chamber and flows downwards to the outlet towards the collecting chamber. The pressure of the liquid causes the valve to assume a substantially cylindrical shape, thus allowing egress of liquid from the valve into the collecting chamber.

When all the liquid has passed through the valve, it reverts to its flattened position. If any liquid attempts to flow through the valve from outlet to inlet, the weight and pressure of this liquid causes the free outlet end of the valve tube to fold over relative to the stiffener thus preventing such flow in reverse direction through the valve.

Any other convenient form of one-way valve may be employed.

The collecting chamber has at its bottom an outlet closed by a plug.

Integral polythene strips are provided on the bag to allow attachment of the bag to the lower abdomen and leg of the wearer.

The inlet mouth of the bag is suitably padded with plastic foam of say elliptical cross section which acts as a cushion, a seal, and an anti-splash device. The foam pad is preferably bounded to the inside of the receiving chamber.

The collecting chamber preferably incorporates stabilizing baffles of polythene, and a flexible rod extends from the receiving chamber into the valve to ensure that the latter is always properly disposed relative to the wearer irrespective of the disposition of the incontinence device.

The bag is attached to the lower abdomen and one leg of the sufferer by the polythene strips and extends down between the legs with the inlet mouth suitably disposed to receive any urine expelled by the sufferer. Urine discharged into the receiving chamber flows through the valve as described above into the collecting chamber. Due to the nature of the one-way valve, there can be no backflow of urine.

At appropriate intervals, the bag is removed and the collecting chamber outlet opened to allow the urine to be suitably drained away.

The bag may be supported on the wearer's lower abdomen by means other than the integral polythene strips, for example, by tape garters 38 (see FIG. 5) or it may form part of a pair of pants or briefs 39 (see FIG. 7). In the latter case, a clearance 40, is left for the rectum and buttocks.

The above described one-way valve may be used in arrangements other than incontinence devices.

As a result of the present invention, there is provided an incontinence device which is cheap to produce, completely efficient in use and comfortable and non-embarrassing to wear. It is stable when worn due to its connecting and strapping devices and is easily and conveniently emptied after use.

Most importantly it is designed to keep a patient (female or male) dry during incontinence irrespective of the patient's physical attitude or mental condition.

Claims

I claim:

1. An incontinence device comprising a flexible bag of water-proof plastic material, means for securing the bag to a wearer's abdomen and upper leg, a closable outlet at the bottom of the bag, and a one-way valve inside the bag dividing the bag into an upper urine receiving chamber and a lower urine collecting chamber, and including a relatively-wide flat open-ended tube of water-tight plastic material wider at its open top than at its open bottom, said tube being secured to one internal side of the bag, a pocketed flap at one side of the flat tube free of the bag side and upstream of the open bottom, and a weight housed in the free pocketed flap.

2. The incontinence device as claimed in claim 1 for use by female patients and comprising a rigid tube in communication with the inlet open top of the flat tube and adapted for insertion in the vaginal passage to cover or overlie the urethra.

3. The incontinence device as claimed in claim 1 for use by female patients comprising a rigid member having a passage therethrough in communication with the open top inlet of the flat tube and having an elongate inlet orifice, with said member being adapted to cover or overlie the vaginal orifice or to be inserted in said orifice.

4. The incontinence device as claimed in claim 3, in which the vaginal member has a skirt adapted to lie under the wearer's abdomen between the legs.

5. The incontinence device as claimed in claim 1 for use by male patients and comprising a receptacle adapted to receive at least the penis of the genital organs.

6. The incontinence device for use by female patients as claimed in claim 1 including a rigid tube having a tubular portion in communication with the inlet open top of the flat tube, and an arcuate wall integral with the tubular portion for insertion in the vaginal passage.

7. An incontinence device for use by female patients, comprising a flexible bag of water-proof material incorporating a urine collecting chamber having an inlet and a closable outlet, a one-way valve at the collecting chamber inlet to allow flow only into the collecting chamber, a rigid tube including a tubular portion in communication with the one-way valve inlet, an arcuate wall integral with the tubular portion for insertion in the vaginal passage and an integral ring remote from the tubular portion at the free end of the wall to accomodate an internal sanitary towel or the like, and means for supporting the bag relative to the patient so as to receive and collect urine as and when micturition occurs.