GB2492553A

GB2492553A - Receptacle for body fluid collection and method

Info

Publication number: GB2492553A
Application number: GB1111392.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Craig Fletcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-04
Filing date: 2011-07-04
Publication date: 2013-01-09
Also published as: GB201111392D0

Abstract

The receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant comprises an aperture 105 through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated and having a portion of a sidewall having a substantially concave form 117 defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain. Also disclosed is a container and an entrance conduit with a bend portion (fig 3), the conduit being removable from the container. A method of collecting a sample of ejaculate is also disclosed.

Description

RECEPTACLE FOR BODY FLUID COLLECTION AND METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and a method for collecting bodily fluids. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to devices and a method of collection of human ejaculant.

BACKGROUND

It is known to require provision of a sample of human sperm for certain medical procedures such as artificial insemination and the like. Samples of ejaculant are typically collected following emission from an erect penis.

It is known to provide a bottle for collecting the emission. The bottle is held in an inverted position and ejaculation takes place into the upturned bottle. The bottle is then returned to the upright condition and sealed by means of a lid.

The problem exists that the ejaculant can flow out from the upturned bottle after entering the bottle before the bottle can be returned to the upright condition.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to at least partially mitigate the disadvantages of known methods of collecting human ejaculant.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle, a portion of a sidewall of the bottle having a substantially concave form, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane the concave form defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid entering the receptacle and impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain.

Preferably the receptacle has an inner basal surface being a lowermost surface with respect to a normal upright orientation of the receptacle, the inner basal surface being sloped upwardly towards the portion of the sidewall having said concave form.

This feature has the advantage that draining of fluid into the fluid retaining volume by flow over the sidewall of the device may be promoted. This is in contrast to dripping of fluid from the basal surface. Such dripping may result in fluid dripping out from the receptacle though the aperture, which is highly undesirable.

Preferably the receptacle comprises an outer basal portion upon which the receptacle may rest in a substantially upright condition with the plane of the aperture facing above the horizontal plane.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle being provided with an entrance conduit having a bend portion, the conduit having an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with the entrance conduit facing below a horizontal plane the receptacle defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid ejaculated through the aperture in an upward direction towards the bend portion may drain.

The conduit may be arranged to bend through an angle in the range from around 45° to around 135°.

The conduit may be arranged to bend through an angle of one selected from amongst around 45°, around 90° and around 135°.

The bend portion is preferably removable from the receptacle.

The bend portion may be arranged to be releasably coupled to a rim of the receptacle.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of collecting a sample of ejaculant comprising: providing a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle in a direction having an upward component, a portion of a sidewall of the receptacle having a substantially concave form, the method comprising positioning the receptacle in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane such that the concave form defines a fluid retaining volume into which liquid impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain; ejaculating into the receptacle onto an inner wall thereof; and collecting ejaculant that drains into the fluid retaining volume.

The method preferably comprises the step of subsequently reorienting the receptacle in an upright orientation with the plane of the aperture facing above the horizontal plane.

The method may further comprise the step of sealing the aperture of the receptacle.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of collecting a sample of ejaculant comprising: providing a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle being provided with a bend portion having an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle in a direction having an upward component, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture of the bend portion facing below a horizontal plane the receptacle defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid entering the bend portion may drain, the method comprising positioning the receptacle in the first orientation and ejaculating into the receptacle through the aperture.

The method may comprise providing a receptacle having a bend portion comprises a conduit arranged to bend thiough a nonzero angle.

The method may comprise removing the bend portion from the receptacle.

The method may further comprise removing the bend portion from a rim of the receptacle.

Preferably the method comprises the step of sealing the receptacle.

The method may comprise the step of attaching a lid to the receptacle thereby to seal the receptacle.

In a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle, a portion of a sidewall of the receptacle having a substantially concave form, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane the concave form defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid entering the receptacle and impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain; and instructions for use of the receptacle to collect human ejaculant.

The kit of parts may further comprise a lid arranged to seal the aperture of the receptacle following ejaculation into the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 in an orientation for acceptance of ejaculant; FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of a receptacle according to a further embodiment of the invention having an adaptor coupled thereto; and FIGURE 4 is (a) a perspective view and (b) a cross-sectional view of the adaptor of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the invention a fluid collection device 100 is provided in the form of a bottle 110 having a rim 104 defining an entrance aperture 105. The bottle 110 has a sidewall 116 and a basal portion 114. The sidewall 116 has a substantially cylindrical shape, one half of the wall (about a cylinder axis A) having a radius that varies as a function of angular position about the cylinder axis A in a region of the bottle away from the rim 104.

In this region, over an arc of substantially 1800 the radius increases from that of the entrance aperture 105 to a maximum. Over a subsequent are of substantially 1800 the radius decreases symmetrically to that of the entrance aperture. The portion of increased radius defines a bulge' portion 117.

The bottle has an inner basal surface 114 that is sloped upwardly towards the entrance aperture 105 in a direction towards the bulge portion 117.

In use the bottle 100 is positioned with the entrance aperture facing below the horizontal plane as shown schematically in FIG. 2. Ejaculation is performed into the bottle such that ejaculant is directed towards the basal surface 114. Fluid impinging on the basal surface drains into the bulge portion 117 which defines a reservoir for fluid collection in the orientation shown in FIG. 2.

It is to be understood that the basal surface is provided at an angle promoting fiuid flow in contact with the basal surface 114 under gravity or surface tension (in the event that the basal surface 114 is tilted beyond the vertical such that it faces downwards) and into the bulge portion 117 rather than dripping from the basal surface 114 out from the bottle 100 through the entrance aperture 105.

It is to be understood that the angular amount through which the bottle 110 may be tilted beyond the horizontal and still allow fluid to flow into the reservoir rather than dripping from the bottle is enhanced for a given fluid because of the tilt of the basal surface 114.

In one embodiment the basal surface 114 s inclined at an angle of around 30° to the horizontal. Other angles are also useful.

The sidewall 116 has a screw thread 112 formed thereon around the rim 104 allowing a screw-cap to be releasably fitted to the bottle 110 to seal the bottle 110.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a fluid collection device 200 is provided having a fluid storage vessel 210 having a substantially cylindrical sidewall 216 and a basal surface 214 atone end of the vessel 210.

At the opposite end of the vessel 210 a rim 211 of the vessel 210 has a screw thread 212 releasably coupled to a complementary thread provided at one end of an adaptor 220.

The adaptor 220 is in the form of an elbow-shaped conduit having a bend portion 225 arranged to bend through an angle of substantially 90°. A free end of the adaptor 220 has an aperture 205 defined by a rim 204.

In use, the adaptor 220 is coupled to the vessel 210 as shown in FIG. 3 and the device held such that the aperture 205 faces below the horizontal plane. Human ejaculant is directed into the adaptor 220 through the aperture 205 whereupon it impacts an inner wall of the adaptor 220 and drains into the vessel 210 for storage. When ejaculation is complete the adaptor 220 is released from the vessel 210 by unscrewing. A lid may then be screwed onto the vessei 210 in place of the adaptor 220 to seal the vessel 210.

Other arrangements are also useful. Other means of attaching the adaptor 220 to the vessel 210 other than by screwing are also useful, for example by means of a detent, a friction-fit or any other suitable coupling means.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that an ease with which a person may reliably collect their own ejaculant using the device is enhanced relative to the prior art. This is because a risk that ejaculant will drip from the fluid collection device following or during ejaculation is reduced.

It is to be understood that many persons requiring to collect samples of ejaculant in a fluid collection device do not find it easy reliably to collect ejaculant due for example to distraction. Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that a risk of loss of ejaculant following successful collection in the collection device is reduced.

Embodiments of the invention are ideally suited to applications such as sperm collection for artificial insemination procedures and the like.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS: 1. A receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle, a portion of a sidewall of the receptacle having a substantially concave form, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane the concave form defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid entering the receptacle and impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A receptacle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the receptacle has an inner basal surface being a lowermost surface with respect to a normal upright orientation of the receptacle, the inner basal surface being sloped upwardly towards the portion of the sidewall having said concave form.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A receptacle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the receptacle comprises an outer basal portion upon which the receptacle may rest in a substantially upright condition with the plane of the aperture facing above the horizontal plane.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle being provided with an entrance conduit having a bend portion, the conduit having an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with the entrance conduit facing below a horizontal plane the receptacle defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid ejaculated through the aperture in an upward direction towards the bend portion may drain 5. A receptacle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the conduit is arranged to bend through an angle in the range from around 45° to around 135°.6. A receptacle as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the conduit is arranged to bend through an angle of one selected from amongst around 45°, around 90° and around 135°.7. A receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the bend portion is removable from the receptacle.8. A receptacle as claimed in claim 7 wherein the bend portion is arranged to be releasably coupled to a rim of the receptacle.9. A method of collecting a sample of ejaculant comprising: providing a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle in a direction having an upward component, a portion of a sidewall of the receptacle having a substantially concave form, the method comprising positioning the receptacle in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane such that the concave form defines a fluid retaining volume into which liquid impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain; ejaculating into the receptacle; and collecting ejaculant in the fluid retaining volume.10. A method as claimed in claim 9 comprising the step of subsequently reorienting the receptacle in an upright orientation with the plane of the aperture facing above the horizontal plane.11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 comprising the step of sealing the aperture of the receptacle.12. A method of collecting a sample of ejaculant comprising: providing a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle in a direction having an upward component, a portion of a sidewall of the receptacle having a substantially concave form, the method comprising positioning the receptacle in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane such that the concave form defines a fluid retaining volume into which liquid impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain; ejaculating into the receptacle onto an inner wall thereof; and collecting ejaculant that drains into the fluid retaining volume.13. A method as claimed in claim 12 comprising providing a receptacle having a bend portion comprises a conduit arranged to bend through a nonzero angle.14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 13 comprising removing the bend portion from the receptacle.15. A method as claimed in claim 14 comprising removing the bend portion from a rim of the receptacle.16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 comprising the step of sealing the receptacle.17. A method as claimed in claim 16 depending through claim 14 or 15 comprising the step of attaching a lid to the receptacle thereby to seal the receptacle.18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 17 wherein the ejaculant comprises human ejaculant.19. A kit of parts comprising a receptacle for receiving a sample of liquid ejaculant, the receptacle comprising an aperture through which the ejaculant may be ejaculated into the receptacle, a portion of a sidewall of the receptacle having a substantially concave form, with the receptacle oriented in a first orientation with a plane of the aperture facing below a horizontal plane the concave form defining a fluid retaining volume into which liquid entering the receptacle and impinging on an inner wall of the receptacle may drain.20. A kit as claimed in claim 20 further comprising instructions for use of the receptacle to collect human ejaculant.21. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 19 or 20 further comprising a lid arranged to seal the aperture of the receptacle following ejaculation into the receptacle.22. A receptacle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.23. A method substantially has hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.24. A kit of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>