GB2545967A

GB2545967A - A urine collecting sheath

Info

Publication number: GB2545967A
Application number: GB1618715.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rumveye Jean
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-11-07
Filing date: 2016-11-04
Publication date: 2017-07-05
Also published as: GB201519733D0

Abstract

A sheath (2) for use in urine collection from a male person suffering from bladder incontinence. The sheath comprises a body portion 4 for fitting over the penis 6, connection means 8 at a front end 10 for connection to urine collecting means such as a bag and securing means 14 at a rear end 16 for releasably securing the body portion 4 to the person. The securing means is an adhesive securing means 14 positioned only at or adjacent the rear end 16 of the body portion 4 and is strong enough to retain the sheath 2 in position during use on the penis 6, weak enough to enable the sheath 2 to be removed from the penis 6 and is an adhesive which does not harm the skin of the penis 6. The adhesive may be covered by a peelable release strip 18. The front of the sheath 2 may have concentric rings 48 to promote urine flow. The sheath 2 may be colour coded by size. A measurement device for measuring the penis is also disclosed.

Description

A URINE COLLECTING SHEATH

This invention relates to a urine collecting sheath and, more especially, this invention relates to a sheath for use in urine collection from a male person suffering from bladder incontinence.

Sheaths are known for use in urine collection from a male person suffering from bladder incontinence. The known sheaths comprise a body portion for fitting over the penis of the person, connection means which is at a front end of the body portion and which is for connection to urine collecting means, and securing means for releasably securing the body portion to the penis. The known sheaths are such that the securing means for securing the body portion to the penis is formed by adhesive which is on the inside of the body portion, and which is over substantially the entire surface of the body portion. In spite of the large area covered by the adhesive, the known sheaths do not stay in position during use and fall off the penis. When a known sheath falls off the penis, the urine is no longer collected, with the result that the person becomes uncomfortable, clothes need washing, and if the person is in bed, then bed linen also needs to be washed. If a mattress is not protected by a rubber sheet, then the mattress may need to be replaced. All of this represents significant increased work for care staff, and also significant cost, especially if a mattress needs to be replaced.

The problem of maintaining a sheath in position on the penis is often exacerbated by the fact that the sheath needs to be removably attached in position in order that the sheath can be replaced as required. Further, many elderly patients tend to sleep on their side, and in a foetal position with one leg on top of the other. The top leg tends to cause the sheath to roll down the penis. Still further, some male persons suffer from penis retraction which makes it even more difficult for the sheath to be maintained in position. Yet further, some patients have inflamed or sore penis tips and/or penis bodies. This requires the use of creams, and the creams tend to prevent the adhesive sticking to the skin of the penis.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a sheath for use in urine collection from a male person suffering from bladder incontinence, which sheath comprises: (i) a body portion for fitting over the penis of the person; (ii) connection means which is at a front end of the body portion and which is for connection to urine collecting means; and (iii) securing means which is at a rear end of the body portion and which is for releasably securing the body portion to the person adjacent the base of the penis, and the sheath being such that: (iv) the securing means is an adhesive securing means; (v) the adhesive securing means is positioned only at or adjacent the rear end of the body portion; and (vi) the adhesive securing means comprises an adhesive which: (a) is strong enough to retain the sheath in position during use on the penis, (b) is weak enough to enable the sheath to be removed from the penis without damaging the skin of the penis; and (c) is an adhesive which does not harm the skin of the penis.

The sheath of the present invention is advantageous in that the adhesive is not applied over the entire inner surface of the body portion of the sheath as occurs with known sheaths. This means that there is less adhesive available for contacting the penis and thus irritating the skin of the penis, for example at its tip and/or along its body. Also, because the adhesive securing means in the sheath of the present invention is positioned only at or adjacent the rear end of the body portion, the adhesive is able to be stronger than adhesives used in the known sheaths. In the known sheaths, the adhesive is positioned over substantially the entire inner surface of the body portion of the sheath, and this is a large surface area in contact with the skin of the penis for possibly irritating the skin of the penis, especially if the penis tip and/or its body is already inflamed or sore.

The sheath of the present invention may be one in which the adhesive of the adhesive securing means is a silicone adhesive. The silicone adhesive may be a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may alternatively be an acrylic adhesive. Typically the adhesive of the adhesive securing means will have a good bond strength. The adhesive may be a tackified acylate, typically designed for medical/surgical use. The adhesive may be on a release liner such for example as poly-coated kraft paper, with silicone on one side. The adhesive used should be such that it does not cause primary skin irritation.

The adhesive securing means may be part of a double-sided adhesive layer having a first side which is stuck to the body portion of the sheath, and a second side which forms the adhesive securing means. Such a construction enables the sheath easily to be manufactured. More specifically, double-sided adhesive securing means as already manufactured can be purchased and then used in the production of the sheath of the present invention. This helps to minimise on production costs. There is no need for special machinery to spray or otherwise apply adhesive to the sheath, although the adhesive may be so applied if desired. One preferred type of adhesive securing means in the form of a double-sided adhesive type is that manufactured and marketed by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. More specifically this doublesided adhesive tape may be a silicone adhesive double-sided tape. The adhesive may be that marketed by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company as adhesive 350, with this adhesive providing a high adhesion to a wide variety of materials, and good shear holding power. The adhesive may be provided on a thin polyester carrier. Other carriers for the adhesive may be employed. Other tapes that may be used are medical tapes having adhesives of the required strength, for example double-sided medical tapes such for example as double-sided polyethylene medical tapes. 3M double coated tapes 9731 and 9731RW have a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive coated on one side of a polyester film carrier, and a high performance acrylic adhesive coated on the other side of the carrier. The tape may be medical tape known as 3M 1526 translucent polyethylene medical tape which has a polyethylene film coated on one side of an acrylic adhesive. The 3M 1526 medical tape is hypoallergenic, printable and heat sealable. The tape is able to be sterilised if required. The 3M 9731 may be especially suitable bonding to the type of materials that may be used for making the sheath.

The sheath may include a peel-off protective cover for protecting the adhesive of the adhesive securing means. The peel-off protective cover may be peeled off during fitting of the sheath on the penis.

The peel-off protective cover is preferably a silicone peel-off protective cover. Other materials for the peel-off protective cover may however be employed.

Typically, the peel-off protective cover will be of substantially the same size and shape as the shape of the adhesive sealing means. The peel-off protective cover may however be of a larger size and of other shapes if desired.

The sheath may be one in which the securing means is in the form of an adhesive strip which extends around the inside of the body portion and adjacent the rear end of the body portion. In this case, the sheath is stuck to the rear end of the penis. The adhesive strip may be 1 - 3cm wide. Other widths for the adhesive strip may be employed.

Alternatively, the sheath may be one in which the rear end of the body portion has an outwardly extending flange, and in which the adhesive securing means is positioned on the flange. The adhesive securing means may cover the entire appropriate face of the flange, or it may be applied in areas, for example as a ring or rings on the face. When the sheath includes the flange, then the adhesive securing means will usually secure the sheath to the pelvic region of the person adjacent the base of the penis.

The sheath may include a urine flow formation which is positioned at the front end of the body portion, and which is for facilitating a smooth and steady flow of urine from the sheath to the urine collecting means.

The urine flow formation may be a plurality of rings. The rings may decrease in size towards the front end of the body portion. Urine flow formations other than rings may be employed.

Typically, the connection means of the sheath comprises a connection tube for connection to a collection tube on the urine collecting device. Other types of connection means may be employed.

When the connection means is a connection tube, then the connection tube will usually be of a size for fitting over the outside of the collection tube. In this case, the length of the connection tube will normally be such that it is able to securely remain over the collection tube during use of the sheath. If desired, other types of connection means may be employed, including connection tubes which are able to fit inside the collection tube.

The sheath may be colour-coded for size. In this case, a person fitting the sheath, for example a care person, is able to ensure that the correct size of sheath is fitted to the penis. This is advantageous for situations where patients require care by different care persons. Persons in later shifts, for example a night shift, do not have to keep measuring the penis to check that the sheath being fitting is of the correct size. The colour-coding enables a correct size of sheath to be chosen for the penis requiring the sheath.

By way of example, it is mentioned that the colour-coding may be red for a small diameter penis, orange for a medium diameter penis, yellow for a large diameter penis, and green for an extra-large diameter penis. Other colours and other size ranges may be employed as desired.

The sheath may be one in which is made of a stretchable material, for example a latex material or a silicone material. Other non-allergic materials may be employed. Thus, the sheath may be made of a polyisoprene material.

The present invention also extends to the combination of a sheath of the invention and size-determining means for determining the diameter of the penis, whereby a sheath of a correct size is able to be fitted to the penis. The use of the size-determining means is especially advantageous when used in conjunction with a sheath of the present invention having the colour-coding.

The size-determining means may be an apertured device comprising: (i) a plurality of apertures which are of different diameters for receiving penises of different diameters; and (ii) a measurement scale for determining the diameter of each different penis.

Various types of measurement scales may be employed so that, for example, the measurement scale may be one long scale from which different diameters are able to be determined, or it may alternatively be a specific diameter measurement for each size of hole. The scale may alternatively or additionally be colour-coded to agree with the colour-coding for the sheath. The colour-coding for the sheath will usually be on the packaging but it may alternatively or additionally be provided on the actual sheath.

The combination may also include the urine collecting means. The urine collecting means will usually be a bag, for example a catheter bag. Other types of urine collecting means may however be provided.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front, one side and above of a first sheath of the present invention, and shows the sheath being fitting to a penis;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear and underneath of the sheath in the condition shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sheath as shown in Figure 1, but as completely fitted on the penis;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 2, but shows the sheath completely unrolled and as fitted;

Figure 5 is a side view of the sheath as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a top view of the sheath as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an underneath view of the sheath as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8(a) - (f) illustrate the different stages of fitting the sheath shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a second sheath of the present invention; and

Figure 10 shows size-determining means for use with a sheath of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1-7, there is shown a first sheath 2 for use in urine collection from a male person suffering from bladder incontinence. The sheath 2 comprises a body portion 4 for fitting over the penis 6 of the person. The sheath 2 also comprises connection means 8 which is at a front end 10 of the body portion and which is for connecting to urine collecting means 12 as shown in Figure 8. The sheath 2 further comprises securing means 14 which is at a rear end 16 of the body portion 4 and which for releasably securing the body portion 4 to the person adjacent a base of the penis 6.

The sheath 2 is such that the securing means 14 is an adhesive securing means 14. The adhesive securing means 14 is positioned only at or adjacent the rear end 16 of the body portion 4.

The adhesive securing means 14 comprises an adhesive which (a) is strong enough to retain the sheath 2 in position during use on the penis 6, (b) is weak enough to enable the sheath 2 to be removed from the penis 6 without damaging the skin of the person, and (c) is an adhesive which does not harm the skin of the person.

The adhesive of the adhesive securing means may be water-resistant and/or translucent.

Advantageously, the adhesive securing means 14 is part of a doublesided adhesive layer having a first side which is stuck to the body portion 4 of the sheath 2, and a second side which forms the adhesive securing means 14. Such a double-sided adhesive layer is manufactured and marketed by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. The first side of the doublesided adhesive layer is then able to be stuck to the inside of the body portion 4 at the chosen position adjacent the rear end 16 of the body portion 4. The second side then forms the adhesive securing means 14. Thus the sheath 2 can be manufactured without the use of expensive machinery for depositing the adhesive securing means.

The sheath 2 includes a peel-off protective cover 18 which is peeled off to expose the adhesive of the adhesive securing means 14. As can be appreciated from Figure 1, the peel-off protective cover 18 is peeled off during fitting of the sheath 2 on the penis 6. More specifically, the sheath 2 is folded back as shown in Figure 1 and is fitted to the penis 6 in this folded position. When the sheath 2 is on the penis 6 at the positioned shown in Figure 1, then the peel-off protective cover 18 can be removed and the remainder of the body portion 4 unrolled over the rest of the penis 6. A light pressure can then be applied to cause the adhesive of the adhesive securing means 14 to stick to the skin of the penis at the base of the penis.

The peel-off protective cover 18 is preferably a silicone peel-off protective cover 18. As can be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2, the peel-off protective cover 18 is of substantially the same size and shape as the shape of the adhesive securing means 14.

The adhesive securing means 14 is in the form of an adhesive strip which extends around the inside of the body portion 4 and which is adjacent the rear end 16 of the body portion 4. The adhesive strip may be 1 - 3cm wide.

Figure 8(a) - (f) illustrates sequential steps for fitting the sheath 2 to the penis 6. More specifically, Figure 8(a) shows how the sheath 2 in a rolled-up form is able to be packaged in an envelope 20. Figure 8(b) shows how a finger 22 and thumb 24 of a hand 26 of a person is used to pull the sheath 2 in a partially unrolled condition over the tip of the penis 6, and leaving a slight gap 30 between the tip 28 of the penis and the front end 10 of the body portion 4. This slight gap 30 is for allowing urine to flow freely from the tip 28 of the penis 6 into the sheath 2.

Figure 8(c) shows how the other hand 32 of the person is used to peel-off the peel-off protective cover 18. When this has been done, the remaining part of the sheath 2 is able to be pulled over the remaining length of the penis 6 as shown in Figure 8(d). The adhesive securing means 14 is then able to be pressed to the skin of the penis 6 at the base of the penis 6 in order to ensure a strong yet removable seal between the sheath 2 and the penis 6.

Figure 8(e) illustrates how the connection means 8 includes a connection tube 34 for connection to a collecting tube 38 on the urine collecting device. The connection tube 34 is stretched and fits over ridges 40 on the end of the collecting tube 38 in order to ensure a good sealing fit. Alternatively, if desired, the connection tube 34 could fit inside the collecting tube 38.

Figure 8(f) shows the person 42 having his penis 6 provided with the sheath 2, and with the connection means 8 being connected to the collecting tube 38. The collecting tube 38 is shown connected to urine collecting means 22 in the form of a catheter bag. The urine collecting means 22 is shown containing urine 44.

Figure 1 - 8 show how the sheath 2 is optionally and preferably provided with a urine flow formation 46. The urine flow formation 46 is provided at the front end 10 of the body portion 4. The urine flow formation 46 is for facilitating a smooth and steady flow of urine from the sheath 2 to the urine collecting means 12.

The urine flow formation 46 is formed by a plurality of rings 48. The rings 48 decrease in diameter size towards the front end 10 of the body portion 4. The rings 48 may be made from a harder plastics material than the remainder of the body portion 4. Alternatively, the rings 48 may be made of the same plastics material as the remainder of the body portion 4. The rings 48 may act as anti-kinking rings to prevent kinking or folding of the front end 10 of the sheath 2 during use. The rings 48 may also enable the urine flow formation 46 to conform more closely around the tip 28 of the penis 6.

Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown a second sheath 50 of the present invention. Similar parts as in the first sheath 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

The second sheath 50 is such that the adhesive securing means 14 is on the inside face of an outwardly extending flange 52 which is at the rear end 16 of the body portion 4. In use of the sheath 50, the flange 52 is abutted against the pelvic region of the person 42 adjacent the base of the penis 6. If pelvic hairs prevent an unacceptable securing sealing surface, then the pelvic hairs can be shaved off. The adhesive of the adhesive securing means 14 covers the entire inner surface of the flange 52. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the adhesive securing means may be in the form of one or more rings around the inner face of the flange 52.

The sheaths 2, 52 may be colour-coded for size. Different colours may be employed for indicating different sizes of diameter of penises. The colourcoding of the sheaths 2, 52 ensures that the correct sized sheath 2, 52 is used on the penis 6. This is advantageous where different members of care staff are fitting new sheaths 2, 52 to the penis 6. All members of staff are thus easily able to ensure that a sheath 2, 52 of a correct diameter size is used on the penis 6, which helps to ensure that the sheaths 2, 52 stay in position, and provide maximum comfort for the person 42.

The sheaths 2, 52 may be made of a latex material or a silicone material. Other materials may be employed such as a non-latex material in the form of a polyisoprene.

Figure 10 shows size-determining means 54 for determining the diameter of the penis 6. The size-determining means 54 is an apertured device comprising a plurality of apertures 56 which are of different diameters for receiving penises of different diameters. A measurement scale 58 is provided for determining the diameter of each different penis as it is inserted in the appropriate one of the apertures 56. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the diameter size of each separate aperture 56 may be given and/or each separate aperture 56 may be colour-coded with the same colour coding as used for the sheaths.

Where the sheaths are colour-coded, then the colour-coding will usually be on the packaging such for example as the envelope 20 shown in Figure 8(a). Colour-coding could however alternatively or additionally be provided on the actual sheath itself.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, various types of adhesive may be employed for the adhesive securing means 14, providing the adhesive is strong enough to retain the sheath in position during use, is weak enough to enable the sheath to be removed from the penis 6 without damaging the skin of the person, and is an adhesive which does not harm the skin of the person. The adhesive securing means may be positioned elsewhere providing it is only at or adjacent the rear end 16 of the body portion 4. Other types of urine flow formation than the rings 48 may be employed. Other typed of connection means 8 for connection to urine collecting means may be employed. Urine collecting means other than the catheter bag 22 shown in Figure 8(f) may be employed. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A sheath for use in urine collection from a male person suffering from bladder incontinence, which sheath comprises: (i) a body portion for fitting over the penis of the person; (ii) connection means which is at a front end of the body portion and which is for connection to urine collecting means; and (Hi) securing means which is at a rear end of the body portion and which is for releasably securing the body portion to the person adjacent the base of the penis, and the sheath being such that: (iv) the securing means is an adhesive securing means; (v) the adhesive securing means is positioned only at or adjacent the rear end of the body portion; and (vi) the adhesive securing means comprises an adhesive which: (a) is strong enough to retain the sheath in position during use on the penis, (b) is weak enough to enable the sheath to be removed from the penis without damaging the skin of the penis; and (c) is an adhesive which does not harm the skin of the penis.

2. A sheath according to claim 1 in which the adhesive of the adhesive securing means has a silicone adhesive or an acrylic adhesive.

3. A sheath according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the adhesive securing means is part of a double-sided adhesive layer having a first side which is stuck to the body portion of the sheath, and a second side which forms the adhesive securing means.

4. A sheath according to any one of the preceding claims and including a peel-off protective cover for protecting the adhesive of the adhesive securing means.

5. A sheath according to claim 4 in which the peel-off protective cover is a silicone peel-off protective cover.

6. A sheath according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the peel-off protective cover is of substantially the same size and shape as the shape of the adhesive securing means.

7. A sheath according to any one of the preceding claims in which the securing means is in the form of an adhesive strip which extends around the inside of the body portion and adjacent the rear end of the body portion.

8. A sheath according to claim 7 in which the adhesive strip is 1 - 3cm wide.

9. A sheath according to any one of claims 1 - 6 in which the rear end of the body portion has an outwardly extending flange, and in which the adhesive securing means is positioned on the flange.

10. A sheath according to any one of the preceding claims and including a urine flow formation which is positioned at the front end of the body portion, and which is for facilitating a smooth and steady flow of urine from the sheath to the urine collecting means.

11. A sheath according to claim 10 in which the urine flow formation is a plurality of rings.

12. A sheath according to claim 11 in which the rings decrease in size towards the front end of the body portion.

13. A sheath according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connection means comprises a connection tube for connection to a collecting tube on the urine collecting device.

14. A sheath according to claim 13 in which the connection tube is of a size for fitting over the collection tube.

15. A sheath according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sheath is colour-coded for size.

16. A sheath according to claim 15 in which the colours are red for small, orange for medium, yellow for large, and green for extra-large.

17. A sheath according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body portion is made of a latex material, a silicone material, or a polyisoprene material.

18. The combination of a sheath according to any one of the preceding claims and size-determining means for determining the diameter of the penis, whereby a sheath of a correct size is able to be fitted to the penis.

19. The combination according to claim 18 in which the size-determining means is an apertured device comprising: (i) a plurality of apertures which are of different diameters for receiving penises of different diameters; and (ii) a measurement scale for determining the diameter of each different penis.

20. The combination according to claim 18 or claim 19 and including the urine collecting means.

21. The combination according to claim 20 in which the urine collecting means is a bag.