WO2005051252A1

WO2005051252A1 - System for the collection of urine and pants comprising said system

Info

Publication number: WO2005051252A1
Application number: PCT/FR2004/002953
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maria Seignez
Original assignee: Maria Seignez
Priority date: 2003-11-20
Filing date: 2004-11-19
Publication date: 2005-06-09
Also published as: FR2862526A1; WO2005051252B1; FR2862526B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (A) for collecting urine, characterized in that it comprises a set of impermeable elements which can be placed in the crotch area of an individual and which comprise a contact interface (1) which comes into contact with the crotch of the individual and wherein an opening is made for the discharge of urine; a pubical cap (3) provided with a concave area for collecting urine; an element (2) which is placed in between the interface and the pubical cap and which forms a urine discharge channel (29) in the extension of the opening; at least one tube (4,6) joined to the pubical cap; and a permanent storage reservoir (8) which is detachably connected to the at least one tube.

Description

Urine collection system and pants comprising such a system

The present invention is a product belonging to the paramedical sector. These pants are specially designed for people suffering from urinary loss, a condition also known as urinary incontinence. At present, to combat urinary loss it is known to use disposable pants which can be used when the losses are limited to small amounts of urine. It is also known to use diapers. In addition, for women it is also possible to use a catheter to collect urine in the urinary canal. However, such a probe is troublesome and must be put in place in a sterile environment by a specialist. In addition, for men there is a urine collection system that attaches to the thigh. However, the disadvantage of such a system lies in the fact that one has to remove the pants to access them. In addition, where it is placed, this system is generally visible through the pants, which increases the psychological discomfort of the user. The present invention aims to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a urine collection system, characterized in that it comprises: - a set of impermeable elements intended to be placed at the crotch of an individual and including:. a contact interface intended to come into contact with the crotch of the individual and in which an opening is provided for the flow of urine,. a pubic cap with a concave area for collecting urine, . an element interposed between the interface and the pubic cap and forming a urine flow channel at the level of the opening,

- at least one tube connected to the pubic cap, and

- a permanent urine storage tank detachably connected to said at least one tube. The urine collection system according to the invention is discreet, takes into account the anatomy and ergonomics of the body and does not require the installation of a probe. It is effective in standing or sitting position and can be arranged on either leg of the user. In addition, it does not present any discomfort to the user since the elements placed in the crotch of the individual and in contact with his private parts do not absorb the urine and therefore do not create an atmosphere wet nearby. According to one characteristic, the pubic cap is provided with a tip offset axially relative to the axial plane of symmetry of the cap, so that it is offset axially relative to the crotch of an individual once the system installed on the individual. According to one characteristic, the pubic cap has in its inner part a recess for the positioning of the element forming the flow channel. According to one characteristic, the pubic cap has, in the concave urine collection zone, a part forming a funnel upstream of an orifice through which the urine flows, a member for holding the open part in the open position. funnel being arranged in this part. According to one characteristic, the urine collection system comprises an intermediate urine storage tank connected, on the one hand, to an upper tube connected to the pubic cap and, on the other hand, to a lower tube of diameter less than that of the upper tube and which is removably connected to the permanent storage tank. According to one characteristic, a panty contains the set of impermeable elements and an orifice is provided in this panty to allow the connection of the pubic cap and said at least one tube. According to one characteristic, the pants have fastening members for cooperating with complementary fastening members for the pubic cap. According to one characteristic, the urine collection system comprises a strip provided with a pocket for receiving the permanent urine storage tank and which comprises attachment means intended to attach the strip to the leg of an individual. A subject of the invention is also pants comprising the aforementioned urine collection system which is installed removably inside a pant leg. The pants are apparently ordinary and give people with incontinence the possibility of leaving their homes while continuing to be active and therefore to have a social life. By design, the urine collection system incorporates the possibility of disposing of the collected urine. According to one characteristic, the pants include:

- at least one opening / closing member of the inner part of the pant leg in order to be able to easily access the urine collection system when it is installed in the pants,

- hooking elements of the urine collection system inside the pants leg. According to one characteristic, the opening / closing member is a zipper. According to one characteristic, a pocket is arranged inside the leg of the pants to receive the permanent urine storage tank. Other characteristics and advantages will appear during the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of pants inside which a urine collection system according to the invention is installed; - Figure 2 is a schematic view of the urine collection system shown in Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a schematic view of a urine collection system according to an alternative embodiment; - Figure 4a is a schematic sectional view of the upper part of the urine collection system shown in Figure 1; - Figure 4b shows schematically a holding member incorporated in the upper part of the system shown in Figure 4a; - Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of the connector 9 of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the connector 7 of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 7 is a schematic view of the contact interface of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 8 is a schematic view of the element forming a flow channel of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 9 is a schematic view of the pubic cap of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 10 is a schematic view of pants of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 11 is a schematic view of a strip provided for receiving the urine storage tank of the urine collection system of Figure 1; - Figure 12 is a schematic view showing, in the position attached to a leg of a user, the strip shown in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 1, a urine collection system A according to the invention is integrated in pants B, removably, to allow a person suffering from urinary incontinence to leave their home in peace. The urine collection system comprises a set of impermeable elements 1, 2, 3 which are shown in more detail respectively in Figures 7, 8, 9 described below. This set of waterproof elements is intended to be placed in the crotch of a female individual and comprises: - a contact interface 1 partially open intended to come into contact with the crotch of the individual; this interface is, for example, produced in the form of a non-absorbent veiled fabric so that the individual is not in contact with a wet surface; the interface could also be made of another suitable material such as paper ...; - a pubic cap 3 having a concave area for collecting urine; the cap is, for example, made of latex but could also be made of another material such as a silicone or an elastomer; it will be noted that this cap has a certain rigidity which allows it to contain a determined volume of urine without deforming, which allows it to retain an anatomical shape throughout its use; - an element 2 (insert) interposed between the interface 1 and the pubic cap 3 and which forms a urine flow channel after the latter has passed through the opening of the contact interface 1; this element 2 is, for example, made in the form of a substantially rectangular part with rounded edges, of foam wrapped in plastic, in order to give it its sealing character; this element of a certain thickness, for example 12 mm, has the function of creating a urine flow channel without absorbing it in order to contain a given volume of urine, thus avoiding an overflow of urine; this element must have a certain rigidity while retaining a certain flexibility since it must be placed in the crotch of an individual and therefore must not cause excessive discomfort; - at least one tube connected to the pubic cap 3; and - a permanent urine storage tank 8, for example produced in the form of a storage pocket, detachably connected to said at least one tube. It will be noted that in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the urine collection system according to the invention successively comprises a first upper tube 4 connecting to the pubic cap 3 via a nozzle 3a of the latter, a reservoir urine storage tank 5 connected, on the one hand, to the upper tube 4 and, on the other hand, to a second lower tube 6, the latter being detachably connected to the permanent urine storage tank 8. On note that the diameter of the tip 3a of the pubic cap 3 and the upper tube 4 is greater than that of the lower tube 6 to avoid overflow of urine out of the pubic cap. The intermediate reservoir 5 plays the role of a buffer reservoir also making it possible to avoid overflow of urine. In fact, in the absence of the reservoir 5, it would not have been possible to have a single tube the diameter of that of the lower tube 6 over the entire height of the system without risking an overflow of urine, due to the flow rate d insufficient flow through this tube. As a tube of fine diameter, for example of 8 mm in diameter, is less annoying and less visible through the pants than a tube of larger diameter, for example of 10 to 12 mm, the system of FIG. 2 is interesting since the large diameter tube 4 is very short in length and therefore offers little inconvenience to the user. The upper tube 4, the intermediate tank 5 and the lower tube 6 can constitute a single piece. In FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment will be noted in which the intermediate storage tank 5 is not necessary and in which the tube 44 has over its entire length a diameter greater than that of the lower tube 6 of FIG. 2. shown in Figure 3 pants 25 specially adapted to cooperate with the urine collection system. Returning to FIG. 2, the lower tube 6 is detachably connected to the permanent urine storage tank 8 by means of a connector 7 which is shown in more detail in FIG. 6. In fact, on this a part 22 (tap) is provided for receiving a part 23 in the form of a cone in order to ensure the tightness of the connector 7. It will be noted with reference to FIG. 1 that this connector is arranged between the upper part and the lower part of the user's mid-calf system. The part 22 (tap) of the connection 7 makes it possible to stop the flow of urine at the time of disassembly of the connection in order to change the storage tank 8. It is thus easy to separate this tank from the rest of the urine collection system according to the invention and replace it with another. In addition, a tap 47 is also provided in the lower part of the storage tank 8 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on the assumption that one only wants to empty this tank without replacing it. The urine collection system according to the invention may also include pants 15 containing all of the above-mentioned waterproof elements 1, 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 4a, we see that the contact interface 1 has an opening 26 to allow the flow of urine, the element 2 has a flow channel 29 to the right of the opening 26 and the pants 15 has an orifice 35 to allow the passage of the tip 30 of the pubic cap 3 and, more particularly, of a lower part of this cap which forms a funnel upstream of the tip 3a. Thanks to this orifice it is thus possible to connect the pubic cap with the tube located below. This end piece 3a has an orifice 30 whose diameter corresponds substantially to that of the tube located below and with which it cooperates, as shown in FIG. 5. It will be noted in this regard that a connector 9 is provided for connecting the endpiece 3a of the pubic cap with the upper tube 4 of Figure 2 or with the upper end 45 of the tube 44 of Figure 3. More particularly, this connector has a portion 24 forming a double cone and whose cones come respectively s' fit into the nozzle 3a and into the upper tube 4. It is thus possible to easily connect the pubic cap 3 with the upper tube 4 and it is the same for disassembly. It should be noted that, according to a variant, the cap and the tube situated below can be formed in one piece. As shown in FIG. 4a, a member 46 shown, for example, in the form of a ring provided with four wings, is arranged in the funnel-shaped part of the pubic cap 3, in the concave urine collection zone of the cap, in order to maintain this part in the open position when using the system according to the invention. Indeed, this organ makes it possible to avoid that during the movements of the individual the part forming the funnel of the pubic cap does not deform and thus reduce the flow rate of liquid, which would risk causing an overflow of urine out of the pubic cap. Note that Figure 4a shows the part of the urine collection system according to the invention placed in the crotch of an individual in front view, unlike the same part shown from the side in Figure 1. Thus, on the Figure 4a we see that the tip 30 is offset axially relative to the axial plane of symmetry of the cap passing through the crotch of the individual, so that the tip is offset relative to the crotch when the system is installed on the individual. This arrangement is more ergonomic than the arrangements in which the end piece would be disposed in the plane of axial symmetry, insofar as the end piece offset axially will be closer to the leg along which the lower part of the collector system d urine according to the invention will expand (Figure 1). Returning to FIG. 1, the pants in which the urine collection system is installed comprises one or more members for opening / closing the inner part of the pants leg, in order to be able to easily access the collection system. urine without the individual needing to lower or even remove their pants. For example, the pants may include an opening / closing member which is in the form of a zipper 13 which can be, for more discretion, hidden over its entire length, or on only one part of it. This zipper is arranged on the inner leg of the pants so as not to be too visible from the outside. When the zipper 13 is open, an opening 11 is thus formed in the inner leg of the pants and, through this opening, there is easy access to the permanent storage tank 8 which can be removed and replaced at any time of the day depending necessities, this after having dismantled the aforementioned connection 7. Or the opening / closing members of the inner leg of the pants can be more or less open depending on whether one only wants to change the reservoir 8 or access the entire urine collection system according to the invention. According to a variant not shown, several opening / closing members can also be provided over at least part of the height of the inner leg of the pants and for example several hook-and-loop elements, of Velcro type (registered trademark). Furthermore, the pants have inside the pants leg hooking elements of the urine collection system according to the invention. There is thus, for example, a hook-and-loop system 14 of the Velcro type (registered trademark) which makes it possible to fix the upper tube 4 inside the pants, a part forming a tunnel 12 integral with the fabric of the pants and inside from which the lower tube 6 is held, thus preventing the tube from swinging when the individual is moving. There is also in the lower part of the pants a reinforced fabric pocket 10 in which is housed the permanent urine storage tank 8. For example, the hooking element 14 has dimensions of 4 cm x 2 , 8 cm. The tunnel 12 is for example formed by a portion of fabric folded over on itself so as to form a cylinder, sewn on the leg of the pants, and has dimensions of 12 cm in height x 2.4 cm in width, the pocket meanwhile having dimensions of 17.5 cm x 18 cm. Note that the zipper 13 provides reinforcement to the leg of the pants allowing it to support the attached urine collection system. As indicated above, FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate in greater detail the impermeable elements that are the comfort interface 1, the insert 2 creating a flow channel and the pubic cap 3. In FIG. 7, the comfort interface, for example the veiled fabric, is in direct contact with the skin of the individual by its upper surface and has a rectangular opening 26 mentioned above which allows the flow of urine. On almost the entire bottom surface of the contact interface

1, a thin film of glue ensures its adhesion to the insert 2 of FIG. 8, as well as to the pubic cap 3 of FIG. 9. In fact, a surface 27 arranged around the flow orifice 26 is covered with glue to come into contact with the upper surface of the insert 2 (for example a foam rectangle), while the peripheral zone 28 of the interior surface of the interface 1 is covered with glue in order to adhere to the corresponding peripheral part of the pubic cap of FIG. 9. The assembly of the various elements is represented in FIG. 4a which shows very schematically the zones of the contact interface 1 which will adhere with the corresponding zones of the insert 2 and the cap 3. For the sake of clarity, the corresponding zones have not been brought into contact. In addition, it can be seen that the lateral edges of the peripheral zone 28 which are located in the middle part of the comfort interface 1 (FIG. 7) are folded over in FIG. 4a so as to cover the external part of the pants 15 , thus trapping the assembly consisting of the insert 2, the pubic cap 3 and the pants 15. To create a space for urine flow and for the comfort of the individual, the insert 2 is interposed between the contact interface 1 and the pubic cap 3. A thickness of 10 to 12 mm of this element creates a sufficient flow channel. The pubic cap illustrated in Figure 9 is the main urine collection element which, by its concave curved shape follows the anatomy of the crotch of an individual. As indicated above, this cap has an orifice 30 offset axially relative to the median longitudinal axis. Note the system shown in the figures is intended to be installed along the left leg of a user, but it could also be adapted to be installed on a right leg and, in this case, in particular the orifice 30 and the tip 3a of the pubic cap should be offset accordingly. A recess 36 is arranged in the inner part of the cap 3 to ensure the positioning of the element 2 forming a flow channel (insert of FIG. 8). The pubic cap 3 also has complementary fastening members for fastening members integral with the pants shown in Figure 10 and which will allow the attachment of the cap to the pants. These additional fasteners are for example four in number, referenced 31, 32, 33, 34 in Figure 9, and are in the form of rectangular windows. In FIG. 10, the corresponding fixing members 37, 38, 39 and 40 have been shown. These fixing or hooking elements 37 to 40 are in the form of strips which are shown, in the open position for the elements 39 and 40 and, in the closed position for the elements 37 and 38. It will be noted that each strip such as the strip 40 has a fixed part 41 fixed to the pants and a floating part 42, each of these two parts being provided with a system Velcro type (registered trademark). Thus, the floating part 42 is introduced through the window 32 and is repositioned on the fixed part 40, so as to match the facing attachment zones. It is the same for the other hooking elements 37, 38 and 39. This makes the hooking of the pubic cap 3 to the pants 15 thanks to the hooking strips 37 to 40 cooperating with the complementary hooking elements 31 to 34 of the pubic cap. As shown in Figure 10, the orifice 35 of the pants 15 is also located offset from the median axis of the pants, corresponding to the arrangement of the tip 3a and the orifice 30 of Figure 9, so that they can cooperate with each other. It has been mentioned above that the pubic cap is connected to the rest of the urinary collection system represented in FIG. 1 by a connector 9. According to a variant represented in FIGS. 11 and 12, the urine collecting system according to The invention comprises a strip provided with a pocket 16 for receiving the permanent urine storage tank 8 of FIG. 1. This variant finds its application when it is necessary to consider storing larger quantities of urine. Indeed, beyond a certain volume, the weight of the urine collected in the reservoir 8 of FIG. 1 is such that the fabric pocket 10 of the pants is not sufficiently resistant. The headband of Figure 11 is thus provided and attached to the leg of the individual as shown in Figure 12 by the means described below. Note that the lower part of the headband stops at the ankle and the upper part of it is located below the knee of the individual. The strip has, for example, a length of 50 cm and a width of 18 cm. The band has at its two ends 17, 17bis self-latching surfaces of the Velcro type (registered trademark) and it takes account of the anatomy of the calf. In addition, three straps 18 connect an upper strip 19 to the strip and this strip is intended to be fixed below the knee to the by means of self-gripping surfaces 20 and 20bis of the aforementioned type for surfaces 17 and 17bis. Furthermore, it will be noted that the storage bag 16 has an orifice 21 for discharging urine which, as shown in FIG. 12, allows the passage of the tap 47 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. It should be noted that the invention is not strictly limited to the embodiments and to the variants which have just been described and which are there only to illustrate in the form of examples the principle of the invention.

Claims

1. Urine collection system (A), characterized in that it comprises:

- a set of waterproof elements intended to be placed at the crotch of an individual and comprising:. a contact interface (1) intended to come into contact with the crotch of the individual and in which an opening (26) is arranged for the flow of urine,. a pubic cap (3) having a concave area for collecting urine,. an element (2) interposed between the interface and the pubic cap and forming a urine flow channel (29) in line with the opening,

- at least one tube (4, 6) connected to the pubic cap, and - a permanent urine storage tank (8) detachably connected to said at least one tube.

2. urine collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pubic cap (3) is provided with a tip (3a) offset axially relative to the plane of axial symmetry of the cap, so that it is offset axially from the crotch of an individual once the system installed on the individual.

3. urine collection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pubic cap (3) has in its inner part a recess (36) for positioning the element forming a flow channel.

4. urine collection system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pubic cap (3) has, in the concave urine collection area, a part forming a funnel upstream of an orifice (30) through which the urine flows, a member (46) for holding the funnel part in the open position being arranged in this part.

5. urine collection system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate urine storage tank (5) connected, on the one hand, to an upper tube (4) connected to the pubic cap and, on the other hand, to a lower tube (6) of diameter smaller than that of the upper tube and which is removably connected to the reservoir permanent storage (8).

6. urine collection system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a panty (15) contains the set of impermeable elements and an orifice (35) is arranged in this panty to allow the connection of the pubic cap and said at least one tube.

7. urine collection system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pants have fixing members (37, 38, 39, 40) for cooperating with complementary fixing members (31, 32, 33, 34) of the pubic cap.

8. urine collection system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a strip provided with a pocket (16) for receiving the permanent urine storage tank (8) and which comprises attachment means (17, 17bis, 20, 20bis) intended to attach the headband to the leg of an individual.

9. Pants (B) characterized in that it comprises, removably installed inside a leg of the pants, a urine collection system (A) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Pants according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one opening / closing member (13) of the inner part of the pants leg in order to be able to easily access the urine collection system when it is installed in the pants, - hooking elements (10 , 12, 14) of the urine collection system inside the pants leg.

11. Pants according to claim 10, characterized in that the opening / closing member is a zipper.

12. Pants according to one of claims 9 to 11 when claim 9 does not depend on claim 8, characterized in that a pocket (10) is arranged inside the leg of the pants to receive the reservoir of permanent storage of urine (8).