Portable Body Waste Collecting System

Abstract

A system intended to be wheeled beneath a hospital bed for collecting and temporarily storing body waste materials excreted by a person confined to the bed. The system includes a cart having cabinet structure thereon which encloses the apparatus supported on the cart. The mattress of the bed is provided with an aperture that receives a drain pipe which communicates with a disposable waste receptacle supported by the cart. A chamber communicated with the drain pipe is positioned on the upper side of the mattress for engaging the obvious areas of the confined person to initially collect the excreted materials and direct them into the drain pipe. The chamber may be fixedly attached to the lower torso of the confined person so that even though his consciousness or body waste emitting system may be impaired, the likelihood of soiling his gown and/or bed linens is obviated. A flapper valve is positioned within the drain pipe to minimize offensive odors and which opens by the weight of the excreted materials, thus allowing passage thereof to the receptacle. A reservoir is mounted on the cart and contains a quantity of temperature-controlled water having an antiseptic therein. A nozzle communicates with the reservoir and may be controllably directed by hospital personnel to cleanse or flush the chamber and the areas of the confined person which may have come in contact with the excreted materials. The system preferably includes an audio alarm device that is activated when the receptacle is full to assure timely replacement thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to portable body waste collecting systems, particularly of the type associated with a hospital bed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Probably one of the least sanitary and most labor-consuming procedures in present day hospitals and/or convalescent homes is the various methods employed to take care of the body waste excreted by a patient, i. e., specifically urine and feces. This problem is irrelevant for an ambulatory patient, i. e., any patient who can autonomously move to the commode facility usually located adjacent each hospital room. However, the most prevalent means for solving this problem for immobile patients is the well known bed pan.

Many patients of hospitals and extended care facilities are forced to use bedpans for one reason or another, e. g., critical heart attack patients are not even permitted to roll over on their side for the first week or 10 days.

Under normal circumstances, one person, e.g., a nurse or the like, simply positions the patient upon a bedpan. However, the patient must be sufficiently aware and cognizant of his need for a bedpan. Furthermore, the patient must not only recognize his need, but also he must become aware of it far enough in advance to allow a nurse or aide to get to his room before excretion begins. For a great number of patients who need to use a bedpan, the levels of consciousness required to summon bedpan assistance may not be at their command. Thus, the bedpan is of little or no use for these patients. Also, even if the patient possesses reasoning and his consciousness powers are present, he may not have control of his body waste emitting systems, again making the bedpan highly inadequate.

In other words, a significant portion of the time the patient's gowns and/or bed linens are messed up by waste expulsion. Naturally, when this situation occurs, a high level of uncleanliness exists. In addition, labor costs are increased since the nurse, as well as one or two orderlies may be needed to change the linens, possibly switch mattresses, and change the patient's gown, etc.

A preliminary patentability search revealed the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: Beem 2,500,738; Kappel 3,323,146; Sadaji Hiraga 3,345,652; and Chasse et al. 3,444,567. None of the above patents show or suggest applicant's device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to toilet facilities for a person confined to a bed. The concept of the present invention is to provide a self-contained system which may be wheeled beneath a hospital bed or the like for collecting and temporarily storing body waste materials excreted by a person confined to a bed.

The system includes a cart having attractice cabinet structure thereon which encloses various apparatus supported on the cart and yet to be described. The mattress of the bed is provided with an aperture that receives a drainpipe which communicates with a disposable type waste receptacle supported by the cart. A chamber communicated with the drain pipe is positioned on the upper side of the mattress for engaging the obvious areas of the confined person to initially collect the excreted materials and direct them into the drain pipe. This chamber may be fixedly attached to the lower torso of the confined person so that even though his consciousness or body waste emitting systems may be impaired, the likelihood of soiling his gown and/or bed linen is obviated. A flapper valve is positioned within the drain pipe to minimize offensive odors and which automatically opens by the weight of the excreted materials, thus allowing passage thereof to the receptacle. A reservoir, also supported by the cart, contains a quantity of temperature-controlled water having an antiseptic chemical therein. A nozzle communicates with the reservoir and may be controllably directed by hospital personnel to cleanse or flush the chamber and the areas of the confined person which may have come in contact with the excreted materials, i.e., using the chemically treated water preferably being maintained at a body temperature. Also, there is preferably in the chemically treated water a body moisture restorer. The system preferably includes an alarm device or a buzzer that is activated when the receptacle is full, thus alerting hospital personnel of the necessity for replacement of the disposable receptacle.

One embodiment of the system includes an expandable conduit which communicates the chamber with the drain pipe, allowing the confined person to roll over on his side without disengaging himself from the chamber or disengaging the chamber from the drain pipe.

The advantages of the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention are: First, it is a labor-saving device, i. e., obviating the requirement for two or three people to change linens when the bedpan arrives late since the present invention requires only one orderly to operate. Furthermore, the savings is unnecessary laundering of the gowns and linens is appreciable. Secondly, utilizing the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention requires no immediate attention of hospital personnel to the patient, i. e., personnel no longer need be frustrated in their attempt to procure and properly position the bedpan prior to the expulsions of the body wastes. In contrast, orderlies assist or replace the receptacle at their convenience. Thirdly, the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention is more sanitary than the bedpan and other known devices. In fact, this system is more sanitary than the common commode. Also, the waste is never exposed to the outside atmosphere. In an effort to maximize sanitation, not only is body waste not exposed to the atmosphere, but also a water antiseptic solution is utilized, as heretofore explained, to improve the sanitation. Furthermore, the patient is always prepared to use the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention rather than placing him upon a device when he gets the urge, as is the case in certain prior devices referenced above. In addition, excretion is permitted at any time and in any position. Thus, if a patient is incapacitated from a medical standpoint, as for example, in traction, he can still perform the body functions without being moved.

Fourthly, the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention may be made use of to bathe the patient. In other words, a water impervious sheet or the like having a hole therein suitably placed over the chamber would direct the water accumulated by the bathing process down the drain system of the present invention.

Fifthly, the portability of the device provides means so that when the patient becomes better, a plug or the like may be inserted into the aperture in the mattress and the portable device of the present invention may be wheeled away to utilization elsewhere.

Sixthly, strap means are optionally provided to prevent random patient movement and to prevent his getting out of bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bed and a front elevational view of the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention, showing the preferred positioning thereof with respect to the bed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bed and the portable body waste collecting system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on the line III--III of FIG. 2, showing one embodiment of the chamber and the expandable conduit in a preferred arrangement with the mattress of the bed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing certain components of the portable body waste collecting system and the preferred interconnection one with the other.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the line V--V of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line VI--VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VII--VII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment for the chamber showing certain flexible weblike structure thereof in an outwardly extending position.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken as on the line IX--IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the flexible weblike structure of the chamber in a diaperlike position as it might appear when fixedly attached to the lower torso of the confined person.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The portable body waste collecting system 11 of the present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with a bed 13, e.g., a hospital bed or the like. The system 11 generally includes a cart 15 which supports a receptacle 17 for storing body waste materials excreted by a person confined to the bed 13, drain structure 19 extending through an aperture 21 in a mattress 23 for the bed 13 and having the lower end thereof communicating with the receptacle 17, chamber structure 25 communicated with the upper end of the drain structure 19 and positioned on the upper side of the mattress 23 for contiguously engaging the appropriate areas of the confined person to initially collect the excreted materials and direct them into the drain structure 19, valve structure 27 positioned within the drain structure 19 adjacent the chamber structure 25, i. e., the valve 27 being of suitable well known structure includes a pivoted flaplike member 28 biased to a closed position and operable to an open position by the weight of the excreted materials resting thereon so that they may pass from the chamber 25 and ultimately be received by the receptacle 17, reservoir structure 29 also supported by the cart 15 and containing a fluid 31 for cleansing the chamber 25 and the areas of the confined person which may have come in contact with the excreted materials, and finally, a flexible conduit 33 having one end thereof communicating with the reservoir 29 for directing the fluid 31 controllably outwardly from the opposite end thereof to enable a workman to flush the chamber 25 and the unclean areas of the confined person with a copious amount of the fluid 31.

The cart 15, having the casters or wheels 35, is positioned beneath the bed 13 by a person grasping a handle 37 conveniently attached thereto. The cart 15 includes ordinary frame structure conveniently rigidly assembled to receive a plurality of ordinary sheet metal panels 39, e.g., stainless steel or the like.

The interior of the cart 15 is conveniently arranged so that a compartment 41 is provided for suitable storage of bed linens 43 or the like. In addition, a roll of toilet paper 49 is contained in compartment 41. The interior of the cart 15 also accommodates the previously mentioned reservoir 29, an automatic retractable reel 45 for convolutely winding the flexible conduit 33 thereabout, and a compartment 51 for removably holding a rigid pail-like member 53, i. e., the pail-like member 53 receives the receptacle 17. The receptacle 17 preferably is constructed from inexpensive lightweight plastic having a neck portion 55 which may conveniently be sealably attached to the lower end of the drain structure 19.

It should be understood that in the interest of economy, the reservoir 29 may be suitably supported by structure (not shown) which positions the reservoir 29 at a height about the upper surface of the mattress 23 so that the fluid 31 may gravitate downwardly therefrom through the flexible conduit 33 for purposes previously described. However, I prefer that the reservoir 29 be positioned within the cabinet 15 in a manner as above described. Accordingly, an electrically driven pump 57 is preferably interposed between the reservoir 29 and the reel 45 for forcing the fluid 31 through the conduit 33.

The reel 45 is conveniently fitted with a typical fluid-tight sleeve member (not shown) for allowing the flexible conduit 33 to be unwound therefrom without leaking the fluid 31 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Access to the compartments 51 is gained by a door 59 having a handle 60 thereon and being hingedly attached to the cart 15.

The compartment 41 preferably is in the form of a drawer, accordingly, a drawer front 61 (FIG. 1) is provided having a handle 63 thereon.

The cart 15 may optionally be constructed so as to have adjustable legs (not shown) of suitable well known construction, i. e., the legs being conveniently fitted thereto so that the overall height of the cart 15 may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of beds having their respective mattresses 23 at various heights above a supporting surface 65. Accordingly, the upper surface of the cart 15 is in close proximity to the underneath surface of the bed structure, e. g., the mattress 23, as shown in FIGS. 5 - 7 of the drawings, or other supporting structure thereof, e.g., bed springs (not shown) or the like. It should be understood that the mattress supporting structure alluded to above would also have an aperture in alignment with the aperture 21 for likewise receiving the drain structure 19.

A nozzle 67 and a valve 69 are conveniently fitted to the flexible conduit 33 as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 of the drawings, in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, a valve 70 is preferably fitted to reservoir 29 for the filling thereof.

The system preferably includes a typical gauge 71 conveniently positioned on the face panel 39 shown in FIG. 1. The gauge 71 indicates the quantity of fluid 31 contained in the reservoir 29.

The system includes an electric heater assembly 73 (FIGS. 6 and 7) for heating the fluid 31. The heater 73 is conveniently depicted in the drawings as being subjacent the reservoir 29; however, the heater 73 may be any of the well known types, e. g., submersible heating elements, etc.

The heater 73 is thermostatically controlled by a thermostat 75. The thermostat 75 preferably includes a thermometer scale which indicates the temperature of the fluid 31 and which is conveniently positioned on the face panel 39 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The fluid preferably is maintained at an optimum temperature, e. g., 100.degree. F. or thereabout. Obviously, the temperature selected for the fluid 31 should be such that when it is directed upon the body of the confined person it should be soothing to his skin.

The system 11 also includes an alerting device 77 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which is automatically triggered when the weight of the receptacle 17 reaches a predetermined magnitude. The alerting device 77 includes weight sensitive structure 79 well known to those skilled in the art which closes a switch 81 when the weight of the receptacle 17 reaches the predetermined magnitude.

It may be preferable that the alerting device 77 include a visual indicator 83, e. g., a light or the like conveniently positioned on the face panel 39, as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, it may be desirable that the alerting device 77 include a buzzer 85 as symbolically shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. In other words, the weight sensitive structure 79 could be so adjusted that the visual indicator 83 is automatically illuminated prior to the receptacle 17 becoming full and the buzzer 85 automatically sounds when the receptacle 17 is absolutely full. Accordingly, the hospital personnel would preferably replace the disposable receptacle 17 after the visual indicator 83 comes on and prior to the buzzer 85 being activated, thus avoiding the audio disturbance of the buzzer 85.

The system 11 also includes a dispenser 87 for dispensing a deoderizing antiseptic substance into the fluid or water 31. The dispenser 87 preferably is conveniently positioned on the face panel 39 as shown in FIG. 1 and includes a cylindrical portion 89 (FIG. 7) for containing the antiseptic. The dispenser 87 is so constructed that it may be slidably moved outwardly from the face panel 39 (FIG. 7), thus exposing a longitudinal slit or opening (not shown) in the cylindrical portion 89. The antiseptic is placed in the cylindrical portion 89 through the slit and the dispenser 87 is then moved inwardly and rotated about a horizontal axis so that the slit is directed downwardly, thus the antiseptic gravitates outwardly therethrough, and since the dispenser 87 is positioned above the fluid 31, the antiseptic is introduced thereto.

The principal embodiment for the chamber structure 25 has a contour shaped member 90 which comfortably fits the lower torso of the human body. It is anticipated that a variety of different sized members 90 would be desirable, e.g., one size for children, perhaps a medium size for adolescents or adult females, and a larger size for adult male patients, etc. The member 90 preferably is constructed from a water impervious, supported vinyl plastic or the like having a squeezably soft cushion thickness and a waterproof skin thereto, i.e., the member 90 has considerable resilience so as to maintain a predetermined shape without creating uncomfortable pressure against the area of the confined patient to which it comes in contact.

The chamber 25 also includes a flexible weblike triangular-shaped water impervious belt portion 91, i. e., somewhat resembling the well known three-cornered diaper. The belt portion 91 preferably has opposing ends 91', 91" respectively provided with a plurality of eyelets 93. The belt portion 91 is intended to be wrapped around the waist of the confined person, i. e., the ends 91', 91" being laced together by a fabric lace (not shown) typically inserted through the eyelets 93. It should be understood that the ends 91', 91" may be fixedly attached one to the other in any other well known manner, e.g., by the use of "Velcro" fasteners or the like. Further, the member 90 and the belt 91 may be integrally formed or constructed separately and suitably joined so as to assure unobstructed entrance into the drain pipe 19.

The belt portion 91 also includes a tab 91'" which is intended to be positioned between the legs of the confined person and the end thereof secured to the ends 91', 91" in any well known manner, e.g., as by "Velcro" fasteners or the like.

The resilient member 90 includes a lower horizontally disposed bowl portion 95 which is intended to snugly fit the buttocks of the confined person and a crotch cup portion 97 extending upwardly from the bowl portion 95 and which is intended to be worn between the legs of the confined person. The bowl portion 95 and the cup portion 97 preferably are integrally joined to better enhance the ability thereof to direct urine downwardly towards the drain 19, i.e., the bowl portion 95 being provided with an aperture 99 which ultimately opens into the drain pipe 19. The member 90 preferably includes a continuous ridge portion 100 which extends around the perimeter thereof and provides optimum sealing with the skin of the confined person.

The principal embodiment preferably includes an expandable conduit 101 for communicating the chamber structure 25 with the drain structure 19 and for allowing the confined person to roll over on his side without disengaging himself from the chamber 25 or disengaging the chamber 25 from the drain 19. If desired, expandable conduit 101 may be made without ridges and stretchable to some extent to allow expansion without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The expandable conduit 101 may be constructed integrally with the chamber 25 or independently therefrom and suitably attached thereto in any well known manner as by the use of hose clamps or the like. The lower end of the expandable conduit 101 preferably is sealably attached to the drain pipe 19 by the use of a hose clamp 103, i. e., the lower end of the expandable conduit 101 preferably having a straight sided portion thereto for circumferentially engaging the upper end of the drain pipe 19, the hose clamp 103 circumferentially engaging the lower end of the conduit 101 in a typical manner.

More specifically, the expandable conduit 101 having annular accordion-like folds and constructed of a resilient plastic, e.g., vinyl or the like, yields to a pulling force applied when the confined person rolls over on his side. Thus, the accordion folds provide extra length to the conduit 101. Conversely, when the confined person returns to the supine position, the resilient nature of the conduit 101 causes it to retract. Thus, the bowl portion 95 of the member 90 and the conduit 101 are again received within the aperture 21 of the mattress 23, as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings wherein it may be seen that the system 11 includes an electrical power cable 105 having a plug 107 suitably connected to the one end thereof and for insertion into a convenient voltage outlet, e.g., 115 volts AC or the like. Additionally, switch 109 is provided for interrupting the power to the system 11. Closing the switch 109 allows current to flow to the switch 81, to the thermostat 75, and to a switch 111. Closing the switch 111 energizes a motor 113 which drives the fluid pump 57.

Operating the pump 57 causes the fluid 31 to flow from the reservoir 29 and emanate out the nozzle 67, i. e., controllably by the valve 69 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

The switch 81 is actuated by the weight sensitive structure 79 in a manner previously described, i. e., closing the switch 81 causes the buzzer 85 to be energized.

The thermostat 75 intermittently energizes the heater 73 so as to maintain the fluid 31 at an optimum temperature as previously described.

FIGS. 8 - 10 of the drawings depict an alternate embodiment for the chamber structure which will conveniently be referenced by the numeral 225. The chamber 225 includes a panlike member 290 preferably formed from a resilient plastic or the like, e.g., water impervious vinyl. The panlike member 290, being much larger than the member 90 of the principal embodiment, substantially reaches both sides of the bed as best viewed in FIGS. 8 and 10 of the drawings.

The member 290 includes a flat horizontally disposed pan portion 295 and an upwardly extending crotch cup portion 297 substantially identical to the crotch cup portion 97 previously described for the principal embodiment.

The chamber 225 also includes a three-cornered belt portion 291 similar to the belt portion 91 previously described for the principal embodiment. In other words, the belt portion 291 includes an opposing pair of ends 291', 291" and a tab portion 291'".

The pan portion 295 is provided with an aperture 299 ultimately leading into the drain pipe 19. In this regard, a substantially rigid collar 201 communicates the pan portion 295 with the drain pipe 19, i.e., through the aperture 299 therein. In other words, the collar 201, preferably being integrally formed with the pan portion 295, extends downwardly through an aperture 221 in the mattress 23 and circumferentially engages the upper end of the drain pipe 19. A hose clamp 203 bindingly secures the collar 201 to the pipe 19 in a typical manner.

The difference between the aperture 221 and the aperture 21 should be observed, i.e., the upper end of the aperture 21 has the walls thereof flared outwardly so as to suitably receive the member 90, whereas the walls of the aperture 221 are straight from the bottom side of the mattress 23 to the upper side thereof.

From FIG. 9 of the drawings, it may be seen that the floor of the pan portion 295 slopes inwardly toward the aperture 299 so as to provide a natural drainage for urine, etc., collected by the pan portion 295. Additionally, the pan portion 295 includes a continuous ridge portion 205 extending about the perimeter thereof for further precluding urine, etc., from leaving the pan portion 295 by any path other than through the aperture 299. It should be understood that since the panlike member 290 is preferably formed from a resilient substance that the weight of the confined person is further used to an advantage in forming a bowl-like shape to the panlike member 290.

For obvious reasons, it is preferable that the aperture 299 be substantially centered with respect to the buttocks of the confined person, i.e., minimizing the clean-up operation by the hospital personnel.

It should be pointed out that FIG. 8 of the drawings depicts the chamber 225 as it would appear when opened outwardly. Additionally, FIG. 10 depicts the chamber 225 as it would appear when suitably engaging the lower torso of the confined person. In other words, the edges 291', 291" are brought together in like manner as previously described for the edges 91', 91" in the principal embodiment. Additionally, the tab portion 291'" is folded upwardly and over the crotch cup portion 297 extending between the legs of the confined person and the end thereof is suitably attached to the end portions 291', 291" in like manner as previously described for the tab portion 91'" in the principal embodiment.

Like the principal embodiment, the weblike belt 291 is water impervious and when attached to the confined person directs the urine, etc., downwardly for ultimate reception in the drain pipe 19.

The chamber 225 additionally includes the pair of strap members 207 as best viewed in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The strap members 207 are fixedly attached to the respective end portions 291', 291", thus providing free ends 207' thereto for removable attachment to the bed structure 13 in any well known manner. It should be pointed out that the strap members 207 are provided for strapping the confined person to the bed 13 when it has been determined advisable to preclude him from turning onto his side or setting up from the bed.

The chamber 225 may be used with a rubberized sheet (not shown) or the like having an aperture therein which preferably is placed in alignment with the aperture 299, for bathing the confined person. In other words, the weight of the confined person being concentrated about the aperture 299 provides a sloping surface for the rubberized sheet (not shown) toward the drain 19. The water contained in the reservoir 29 simplifies the bathing process substantially, i.e., providing a portable showerlike means for quickly and efficiently bathing the confined person. Accordingly, the compartment 41 may preferably store towels, etc., for expediting the bathing process.

It should be pointed out that another advantage to the chamber 225 is achieved when it is necessary that the confined person be given an enema. Obviously, the expulsion subsequent to an enema using a bedpan results in a most unsanitary and time-consuming clean-up operation. The chamber 225 simply collects the expulsion, as well as the body waste and directs them down the drain. The nozzle 67 is also conveniently utilized at this time for aiding in the flushing of the lower torso of the confined person, as well as the chamber 225 in the manner previously described for flushing the chamber 25.

Additionally, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by using the system 11 of the present invention patients having diarrhea is no longer a clean-up problem since either of the chambers 25, 225 provide an optimum means of collecting the waste expulsion resulting in a minimum clean-up by the hospital personnel in like manner as previously described.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the present invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. In combination, a bed having a mattress thereon provided with an aperture centrally thereof, a portable body waste collecting system including portable cart means, receptacle means supported by said cart means for storing body waste materials excreted by a person confined to said bed, drain means extending through said aperture in said mattress and communicating with said receptacle means, chamber means communicated with said drain means and positioned on the upper side of said mattress for contiguously engaging certain areas of the confined person to initially collect said excreted materials and direct them into said drain means, reservoir means supported by said cart means and containing a fluid for cleansing said chamber means and certain areas of the confined person which may have come in contact with said excreted materials, flexible conduit means having one end thereof communicating with said reservoir means for directing said fluid controllably outwardly from the opposite end thereof to enable a workman to flush said chamber means and said unclean areas of the confined person with a copious amount of said fluid, and weblike water impervious body binding means integrally attached to said chamber means for sealably attaching said chamber means to the lower torso of the confined person.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which is included strap means for strapping said confined person to said bed to prevent him from turning onto his side, said strap means being attached to said body binding means and having free ends thereto for removable attachment to said bed.