GB2098487A - Device for collecting and holding urine - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for collecting and holding urine for use in analytical laboratories and guarenteeing easy, rapid collection of urine in the exact quantity required by the laboratory comprises a cylindrical container 3 in the shape of a test-tube, a plug 4 having a body formed with a first and second passage 5 and 6, a funnel- shaped component 9 having a mouth adapted to be associated with the first passage 5, a thin tube 13 secured to the plug at its second passage 6 and extending towards the bottom of the container 3 as far as a predetermined distance from the said bottom, and a component 16 for closing the passages. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for collecting and holding urine The invention relates to a device, for use in analytical laboratories, for collecting and holding urine.

Urine tests are one of the most frequently performed laboratory tests, whenever it is necessary to obtain a complete picture of the general clinical state of an individual or when there are special requirements, e.g. a pregnancy test.

In order to carry out a urine test, a sample of urine has to be collected and taken to the analytical laboratory. This very simple task, however, is beset with considerable practical difficulties, which are well known to anyone who has ever been in such a situation.

First of all it is necessary to find a clean vessel which has the right small size but an opening which is not so small as to make it difficult to urinate into it. It is also difficult to find suitable means for closing the vessel to avoids its contents from unpleasantly flowing out. This activity is extremely troublesome and usually the result is unsatisfactory.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the specified kind for collecting and holding urine for use in analytical laboratories, so as to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the means at present in use.

To this end, the invention provides a device of the specified kind characterised in that it comprises a cylindrical container in the shape of a test-tube, a plug having a body formed with a first and second passage, a funnel-shaped means having a mouth adapted to be associated with the first passage, a thin tube secured to the plug at its second passage and extending towards the bottom of the container as far as a predetermined distance from the said bottom, and a means for closing the passages.

Other features and advantages of the device according to the invention will be clear from the description hereinafter of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.~ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, ready to receive urine for use in analytical laboratories; Figure 2 is a view in section of the device in Figure 1, and Figures 3 and 4 are larger-scale views in section of a detail of the device in Figure 2 during twó different stages of use.

In the accompanying drawings, the general reference 1 denotes a device according to the invention for collecting and holding urine 2 for use in analytical laboratories.

Device 1 comprises a cylindrical container 3 shaped like a test-tube and advantageously made of transparent plastics, e.g. polystyrene, and a plug 4 for container 3, which is removably forcefitted on to the container. Advantageously plug 4 is made of plastics, e.g. a polyethylene resin.

Plug 4 has a body formed with a first cylindrical passage 5 and a second cylindrical passage 6, comprising an annular chamber 7 coaxial with passage 5 and defining a tubular portion 8. Passage 6 also opens into the annular orifice 7.

The cross-section of passage 5 has a predetermined limited value relative to its length, so that a stable meniscus of urine is formed when the container is reversed.

Device 1 also comprises a funnel-shaped component 9. Advantageously component 9 is of plastics, e.g. polypropylene. Funnel 9 has a mouth 10 adapted to be associated with passage 5.

More particularly, mouth 10 of component 9 is bounded by a tubular portion 11 adapted to be force-fitted on to tubular portion 8.

Funnel 9 bears on the top wall 4a of plug 4 via radial projecting grooves, all denoted by 12.

At the second cylindrical passage 6, plug 4 has a thin tube 13 which is secured to the plug and made of the same material and extends towards the bottom of container 3 up to a predetermined distance L therefrom.

At the top, plug 4 has an annular flange 14 defining a seat 15 having a diameter and depth corresponding to the diameter and thickness of a disc 16 so as to hold disc 16 irreversibly in sealing-tight manner. Disc 16 is thus a component for closing passages 5 and 6. Disc 16 is made of the same material as plug 4 and is secured thereto by a hinge, i.e. a thin flexible stalk 17. Disc 16 has a central tubular portion 18 dimensioned so as to fit in sealing-tight manner in the tubular portion 8 when disc 16 is inserted into seat 1 5.

For reasons explained hereinafter, the mouth 10 of funnel 9 is positioned so that when the funnel is in the operative position and its flared part faces upwards (see Figure 1), and mouth 10 and consequently container 3 are disposed in a direction at an angle a to the horizontal. Angle a is chosen at about 300.

Funnel 9 is also flattened at the sides, the flattening being in a vertical plane forming an angle p to the vertical plane extending through container 3. Angle p is chosen at about 300.

The cylindrical container 3 has a bottom portion 19 having a reduced cross-section and reinforced by radial grooves 20.

The external shape of container 3, more particularly its total length and cross-section are dimensioned so that the container can be used on a conventional laboratory centrifuge.

Operation of the device according to the invention will now be described, starting from an initial state shown in Figure 1. The individual (man or woman) whose urine is to be examined, holds the device according to the invention and places it as shown in Figure 1 so that the funnel has its flared portion facing upwards. The user then urinates into the funnel, at least until the liquid stabilizes at the bottom of the funnel. Since container 3 is disposed at an angle a to the horizontal (thus reducing the height of the entire device) and since the container is disposed at the angle P relative to the plane in which the funnel is flattened, the device can easily be used by a lady on a bidet, if held by grasping the container.

Urine flows from funnel 9 to container 3 via mouth 10 and passage 5, whereas a corresponding volume of air flows out of container 3 through the thin tube 13, the orifice 7 and the gap maintained by ribs 12 between funnel 9 and the top wall 4a of plug 4.

When the level 2a of urine 2 in container 3 reaches the free end of tube 13, no additional air can escape from container 3 and consequently urine stops flowing from funnel 9 to container 3.

Container 3 is thus filled with the exact desired quantity of urine.

At this stage the user upturns the device and pours away the urine remaining at the bottom of funnel 9. During this operation, urine cannot come out of container 3, since a stable meniscus of liquid forms at passage 5.

After throwing away the superfluous urine, the user detaches funnel 9 from container 3 and throws it away. He then rotates disc 16 around stalk 17 until it fits in sealing-tight manner in seat 15.

Container 3 is thus completely closed and can be sent to the analytical laboratory, where it is opened when required simply by removing plug 4 without accidentally or otherwise removing disc 16.

Owing to its external shape, the container can also be directly mounted on a centrifuge.

During analysis, sediment is deposited at the bottom of the container 3 in tubular portion 19, which has a reduced cross-section.

The main advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be readily used, easily closed, and prevents anything from flowing out. It also guarantees rapid and easy collection of urine in the exact amount required by the laboratory.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. A device for collecting and holding urine for use in analytical laboratories, characterised in that it comprises a generally test-tube-shaped container, a plug having a body formed with a first and second passage, a funnel-shaped means having a mouth adapted to be associated with the first passage, a thin tube secured to the plug at its second passage and extending towards the bottom of the container as far as a predetermined distance from the said bottom, and a means for closing the passages.

2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the container is at a fixed angle to the horizontal when the funnel-like means has its flared portion upwards.

3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the funnel means is flattened in a vertical plane at an angle to the vertical plane extending through the container.

4. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the first passage has a cross-section having a predetermined limited value relative to its length so as to produce a stable meniscus of urine when the container is reversed.

5. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the closing device is a disc hinged to the plug by a flexible stalk.

6. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.