GB2025772A - Incontinence Device for Males - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for controlling urinary incontinence in males comprises a closely fitting undergarment such as a pair of briefs 10 in the crotch 13 of which is detachably fitted an inflatable rubber pad 26. A tube 28 leads from the pad 26 to an inflation bulb 29 and air control valve 30 for adjusting the pressure to which the pad 26 is inflated. When inflated the pad 26 applies pressure to the perineum of the wearer of the garment, closing off the outlet from the bladder into the urethra thus preventing the outflow of urine from the bladder. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Incontinence Device for Males This invention relates to an incontinence device for males.

Known incontinence devices for males have relied on collecting or absorbing urine as it is discharged. Problems of hygiene, disposal and smell arise with the known devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an incontinence device for external application to a male which is an improvement on the known devices and at least substantially prevents the discharge of urine.

The present device is designed to maintain males in a state of continence where natural control has been lost due, for example, to paralysis, trauma, surgical or other pathological condition.

The invention provides a device for the control of male urinary incontinence which comprises a bifurcated nether undergarment and means containable within the garment for applying an adjustable pressure to the perineum of the wearer.

The means for applying the adjustable pressure preferably comprises an inflatable member. The garment holds the inflatable member in contact with the perineal skin of the wearer immediately behind the scrotum and once inflated the member applies pressure closing off the outlet from the bladder into the urethra, thus preventing the outflow of urine from the bladder.

The garment should be close fitting and should be designed so that it substantially does not stretch under the pressure generated when the member is inflated so that reliable application of pressure to the perineum of the wearer is assured.

The garment is conveniently in the form of a pair of briefs having a front panel and a rear panel of firm, substantially inextensible fabric which extends under the crotch, and side panels of elastic fabric to ensure that the garment fits snugly over the hips.

Preferably the inflatable member is a wedge shaped hollow pad of rubber or similar material detachably fitted in the garment and connected by a tube to an inflation bulb incorporating an air control valve. The pressure developed by the pad is readily adjusted by altering the amount of air in the pad.

An incontinence device according to the invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which~ Figure 1 is a front view of the device; Figure 2 is a side view in cross-section on the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from inside of the device opened out flat, the inflatable member having been detached; Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the inflatable member; and Figure 5 is a side view of the inflatable member.

The incontinence device illustrated comprises a bifurcated nether undergarment in the form of a pair of briefs 10 fitted with an adjustable pressure-applying means 25.

The briefs 10 comprise an elastic waistband 11, a front panel 12, a crotch 13, a back panel 14, and side panels 15. The front panel 12 and back panel 14 are cut in a firm, substantially nonstretchable cotton and polyester fabric, and side panels 1 5 are cut in an elastic fabric, preferably a synthetic fibre net fabric, the stretch going around the body. The crotch 13 is preferably a similar fabric to the side panels 15, but is reinforced and rendered substantially non-stretchable by a lining of cotton interlock. The panels and crotch are joined by seaming as required to construct the garment. If the briefs are intended to be pulled on, all the seams can be closed by stitching.However preferably, and as illustrated, the briefs are designed to open along both front seams which are provided in a manner known per se with hook and eye fastening tapes 16 and open ended sliding clasp fasteners 17. This greatly assists the fitting of the device to males confined to bed as by opening it out (Figure 3) it can be slid under the supine body and then closed up. To obtain a close fit on the body of a wearer, an opening 18 is cut in the front panel 12 to allow the penis and scrotum to protrude into a pouch 19 of cotton interlock material attached to the front panel 12 to cover the opening 18. The mouth of the pouch is open at 20.

The pressure-applying means 25 comprises an inflatable rubber pad 26 shown to an enlarged scale in Figures 4 and 5. The pad 26 is substantially rectangular in plan and is wedgeshaped in longitudinal cross-section to increase in height to the rear thus providing for the pressure which it exerts when inflated as described below to be applied slightly obliquely forward in the perineum. Figure 5 shows how when the pad 26 is inflated, the upper surface 27 thereof assumes a substantially domed shape as indicated in dashed outline. A rubber tube 28 leads from the pad 26 to an inflating bulb 29. Suitably the bulb 29 is a sphygnomanometer bulb complete with an air control valve 30.

The pad 26 is detachably fitted and secured to the crotch 13 within the garment 10, such as by using double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (not shown) or more preferably by passing through a loop 31 moulded onto the underside of the pad one part 32 of a touch and close fastener such as that known under the registered Trade Mark "Velcro" and attaching the other part 33 of the fastener to the inside of the material of the garment at the crotch. The tube 28 is led to the outside of the briefs 10 through the opening 1 6, a retaining loop 34 or 34a in the pouch 19. the open mouth 20 of the pouch 1 9, and a retaining loop 35 or 35a on the outside of the garment to the left or right side of the garment as desired.

In wear the pad 26 is held by the briefs 10 against the perineum. The bulb 29 can be positioned in a trouser pocket. By operating the bulb 29 and valve 30 the pad 26 can be inflated to any desired extent, and the pressure which the pad applies to the perineum can thus be adjusted readily as required by the individual wearer. The length of the fastener part 32 is chosen so that the position of the pad 26 can be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly to gain maximum effect and comfort.

To pass the urine, the penis is exposed by reaching into and pulling down the top of the pouch 16 and then releasing the pressure in the means 25 by unscrewing the air valve 30 sufficiently to allow urine to flow.

An incontinence pad (not shown) may be placed in the pouch 16 if desired for additional safety and reassurance to the wearer.

It will be appreciated that the pressureapplying means 25 and in particular the pad 26 could be permanently fitted in the garment.

However, for reasons of hygiene it is preferred that the pressure-applying means can be detached from the garment as in the construction described, to allow the garment to be laundered.

The bifurcated nether undergarment which supports and holds the pressure-applying means can take any form which enables it to fulfil its supporting and holding function. For example, a garment which comprises a belt fitted with strapping adequate for positioning around the trunk and legs of the wearer and adapted to secure the pad 26 firmly in place in the crotch may be a suitable form of garment for some incontinent males.

Any suitable adjustable pressure-applying means may be substituted for the described inflatable pad 26.

Claims (9)

Claims

1. A device for the control of male urinary incontinence which comprises a bufurcated nether undergarment and means containable within the garment for applying an adjustable pressure to the perineum of the wearer.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said means for applying the adjustable pressure comprises an inflatable member.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein said garment includes means for securing the inflatable member therein in a position to contact the perineal skin of the wearer immediately behind the scrotum for applying pressure to the perineum of the wearer in an obliquely forward and upward direction.

4. A garment according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, including means for inflating the inflatable member and means for adjusting the inflation pressure.

5. A garment according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, which comprises a fabric that is substantially non-stretchable under the pressure generated when the member is inflated.

6. A garment according to Claim 5 which comprises a pair of briefs having a front panel and a rear panel of firm, substantially inextensible fabric to extend under the crotch of the wearer, and side panels of elastic fabric to ensure that the garment fits snugly over the hips.

7. A garment according to Claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is a hollow pad of rubber or similar material wedge-shaped in longitudinal cross-section and is detachably fitted in the garment and connected by a tube to an inflation bulb incorporating an air control valve for adjusting the pressure developed by the pad.

8. A garment according to Claim 2 or Claim 7, wherein the inflatable member is secured to the garment by a touch and close fastener.

9. A device for the control of male urinary incontinence substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.