GB2293107A

GB2293107A - Male Incontinence Bag

Info

Publication number: GB2293107A
Application number: GB9518246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Richardson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-09-15
Filing date: 1995-09-07
Publication date: 1996-03-20
Also published as: GB9518246D0; GB9418564D0

Abstract

An incontinence bag 2 designed to fit males has an internal diaphragm 12, which divides the bag into upper 14 and lower 16 compartments, with a hole 18 therethrough. Preferably the hole is provided with a one-way valve. The neck of the upper compartment is sealed snugly, preferably with drawstrings 22, around the scrotum and root of the penis which are contained in that compartment. Urine passed into the upper compartment 14 passes through the one-way valve 18 into the lower compartment 16, so that the genitals of the user are kept dry and comfortable. The lower compartment has an exit port provided with an exhaust tube 20 whereby it may be emptied when convenient. <IMAGE>

Description

AN INCONTINENCE DEVICE.

This invention relates to incontinence devices and is particularly concerned with arrangements for such a device especially for use by incontinent males, although with little modification it can be adapted for use by females.

A great many persons suffer from the embarrassment of incontinence, whether due to physical disability, infirmity, paralysis, illness, or general senility. It is the practice among such persons to resort to the use of so-called incontinence pads, i.e. absorbent pads which are worn within a pocket formed in undergarments.

Such pads have been found to be unreliable to the extent that they sometimes slip out of place, are not capable of absorbing sufficient urine to be effective over a reasonable length of time and consequently are restrictive in the life-style of the user concerned.

It is known to provide a separate reservoir-like container or bag connected by a flexible tube to a tubular funnel, for use by e.g. motorists when held up in a traffic jam and therefore unable to attend a public toilet convenience. Such devices are intended for use when stationary in the standing or sitting position and cannot be conveniently attached to the person and worn when mobile.

It is an object of the invention to provide an incontinence device for use particularly by males, which does not require the use of absorbent pads and which can be removably secured to the user without danger of leakage.

In accordance with the invention there Is provided an incontinence device containing a pouch adapted for close fitting around the scrotum and penis of a user and being provided therein with a diaphragm dividing the pouch into upper and lower compartments, wherein the diaphragm is provided with an orifice leading from the upper to the lower compartment.

A one-way valve is preferably provided at the orifice in the diaphragm and a flexible pipe may lead from a further orifice formed at the bottom of the lower compartment.

Other advantageous features will become clear from the following description which is given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a front view of an incontinence device according to the invention detachably affixed to a user; but Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1/showing a reservoir emptying tube in operative position; Figure 3 is a section view of the device.

As seen in the drawings an incontinence device according to the invention comprises generally a bag 2 which has a softly padded water-proof seal 4 provided with a hem 6 through which is passed a draw-string 8 which emerges from the hem via an opening 10.

Approximately mid-way of the vertical length of the bag 2, and within the confines thereof, is a diaphragm 12 which is sealed to the inner face of the bag as seen clearly in Figure 3, to define an upper chamber 14 and a lower chamber forming a retaining reservoir 16. A one-wav valve 18 is provided at the lower portion of the diaphragm, the purpose o; which wil' be described later.

Dependir.g from the lower pcrtion of the bag 2 and sealed thereto is a tubular member 20 the purpose of which will also become clear later. Tapes 22 are also provided and are secured to the hem of the bag.

In use the bag is located in the crutch area of the user, whose genitals are thus suspended within the upper chamber 14. The tapes 22 are passed around the waist. and tied to firmly secure the device in place.

The draw-string is tightened to seal the user's genitals within the chamber 14.

When the user passes urine it flows first into the upper chamber 14 and then through the one-way valve 18 into the lower chamber 16 which acts as a retaining reservoir. At this stage, the tubular member 20 should be folded upwards so that its open end is located higher than the one-way valve. It is preferably passed above the drawstring and tucked in between the securing tapes 22 and the waist of the user as seen in Figure 1.

When the reservoir 16 is to be emptied, the user simply releases the tubular member from its high location, keeping it temporarily closed by digital pressure between thumb and forefinger and placing the end of the tubular member over a toilet bowl or other convenient container or drain before releasing the digital closure pressure.

The urine thus drains away through the tube 20 and the device is ready for re-use.

The tubular member 20 may, if desired, be provided with a stop tap 24 illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

This would eliminate the need to raise the member 20 above the level of the one-way valve 16.

It is found that the use of the incontinence device according to the invention is successful in enabling male sufferers from incontinence to lead a more normal lifestyle. Due to the construction of the device with two separate and distinct chambers, the user is kept dry and comfortable as his genitals are secured within the upper chamber whilst any urine is retained outside the one-valve in the lower reservoir chamber.

Great benefit is found in the lessening of any additional work-load imposed upon carers, at home, in nursing homes and such establishments due to the need to change the sufferers into dry clothes and with the consequent need for laundering clothes and bed linen, besides cleaning floors and furniture after accidental urinating has taken place.

While the specific example has been described with reference to use by a male sufferer, the arrangement of the bag having a diaphragm with a one-way valve therebetween may be adapted for use by females with very little change in design.

The device may be fitted to elasticated shorts for extra support which will allow running or riding a bicycle or horse.

Claims

1. An incontinence device including a pouch adapted for close fitting around the scrotum and penis of a user and being provided therein with a diaphragm which divides the pouch into upper and lower compartments and wherein the diaphragm is provided with an orifice communicating between the upper and the lower compartments.

2. An incontinence device according to claim 1 wherein the communicating orifice in the diaphragm is provided with a one-way valve.

3. An incontinence device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lower compartment is fitted with an exhaust port which may be closed during normal useage of the device or opened when the contents of the lower compartment are to be exhausted.

4. An incontinence device according to claim 3 having a flexible tube sealingly engaged with the exhaust port.

5. An incontinence device according to any of the above claims wherein a draw-string is provided to cause the pouch to be sealingly fitted around the scrotum and penis of the user.

6. An incontinence device according to any of the above claims wherein tapes are provided to enable the device to be removably secured around the waist of a user.

7. An incontinence device according to claim 4 wherein a stop tap is provided to close or open the exhaust tube as desired.

8. An incontinence device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A method of dealing with incontinence whereby a device according to any or all of the above claims is secured around the waist of a user by tied tapes, inserting the genitals of the user within an upper compartment of the pouch and sealingly fitting a neck of the pouch around the scrotum and penis of the user by means of a draw-string, whereby urine may flow first into the upper compartment and thence via a one-way valve formed in the diaphragm within the pouch into a lower compartment from where the urine may be exhausted at will through an exit port and a flexible tube.

10. A method of dealing with incontinence in males as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.