GB2546716A - Collex Nappy Pad - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable device for collecting urine from infants and toddlers comprising a sterile nappy mountable urine collection pad that facilitates the collection of urine in a collection container, configured to mate with the collection pad. Preferably, a cone shaped cap, attached to the outlet port of an adhesive pad, is used to punch through the interior of a disposable nappy, to the exterior. The adhesive region secures to the interior of the disposable nappy. The port takes form of a cylindrical collar surrounding a one-way valve which includes external threads, which engage with the internal threads on the collection container. The top of the collection container opens the one-way valve upon engagement, allowing urine to flow into the container. The collection container can then be unscrewed from the port and sealed for transported to a test facility for diagnosis.

Description

Copyright Notice and Permission A PORTION OF THIS PATENT DOCUMENT CONTAINS MATERIAL SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT PROTECTION. THE COPYRIGHT OWNER HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE FACSIMILE REPRODUCTION BY ANYONE OF THE PATENT DOCUMENT OR THE PATENT DISCLOSURE, AS IT APPEARS IN THE PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE PATENT FILES OR RECORDS, BUT OTHERWISE RESERVES ALL COPYRIGHTS WHATSOEVER. THE FOLLOWING NOTICE APPLIES TO THIS DOCUMENT: COPYRIGHT© 2014, ADAM TRENOWETH.

This document, which incorporates drawings and claims, describes one or more specific embodiments of one or mere inventions. These embodiments, offered net to limit but only to exemplify and teach the invention, are shown and described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement or practice the: invention<s}. Thus, where appropriate to avoid obscuring the invenfton{s). the description may omit certain information known to those of skill in the art.

Technical Field

Various embodiments of the invention relate generally to a disposable device for collecting urine from infants and toddlers.

Background

In providing medical care to infants and toddlers, it is often necessary to collect urine samples for diag nostic testing. The diagnostic testing is necessary to determine the presence of infections, for example urinary.-.tract infections, or otherwise determine the best form of medical treatment.

The present inventor recognized that the conventional approach to collecting urine samples front infants arid toddlers suffers from at least two shortcomings, First, the: conventional approach is uncomfortable for children because it: requires taping a collection bag to a child's genitai area. Moreover, toe tape itself often irritates sensitive skin. Second, the collection bag can shift or become dislodged, and thus faii to collect the desired urine, thus requiring caregivers to make multiple attempts at collecting toe urine.

Accordingly, the present inventor has recognized a need for a better way of collecting urine samples from infants and toddlers.

Summary - To address one or more of these and/or other needs or problems, the present inventor devised, among other things, one or more exemplary systems, kits, methods, devices, assemblies, and/or components for collecting urine from infants and toddiem. berter way of to make the process of obtaining a urine sample from a baby/toddisr far more easy for parents, enabling the diagnosis of a urine infection by returning the sample to your local doctor/GP quickly, efficiently and: sterile.,

In one embodiment, the invention takes the form of a kit comprising a stadia diaper·mountable urine collection pad that collects urine and an urine collection container that ss configured tc mate with the collection pad. The urine collection pad. which is configured to overlay the crouch or genitai area of an Infant diaper between its left and right ieg openings, includes a urire sample port that protrudes or is accessible through the exterior sk;n of the disposable diaper.

Some embodiments provide adhesive regions that secure the pad to the interior cf the disposable diaper. Also some embodiments include a sharp cone-shaped top, which is removably attached lo the urine sample port and used to puncture the exterior skin of the diaper, thereby facilitating access to the sample .port;·

The port, In some embodiments, takes the form of a right cylindrical collar surrounding a one-way valve. The collar includes external threads, which engage with ccmpiemaniaty threads on the urine collection container, enabling the top of the collection container to be screwed onto the collar. The top of toe collection container includes s feature for open:no the one-way valve upon full engagement with the peri, allowing urine io flow into the cciiectlon container. In some embodiments, the urine flows by force of gravity into the container, and in other, the diaper can be squeezed io force urine cut of she collection pad, through the one-way valve into the collection container. The collection container, for example a bag, car· then be unscrewed from toe port and sealed for transported to a test facility for diagnosis. in exemplary operation, 3 user uses the cone-shaped cap on the outlet port of the urine collection pad to punch the port structure from toe interior of the diaper through to the sx-erlcr. Once punched through the diaper, the cone cap is twisted off the port {for example with a quarter turn). For embodiments with adhesive regions, the release liners are removed and brought into contact with the interior of the diameter, securing the pad to the interior of the diaper. The diaper is then put on an infant or ioddler child or even an ariuit human or other mammal, such as a dpg or cat. When urination occurs* the urine flows onto die pad and toward its lowest point, the region around the port, with some of the urine absorbed by the pad itself. (Some embodiments may include a moisture sensitive element that changes color sn response to moisture, providing an externa! indication of urination on or adjacent to the port.) After urination, the sterile collection container can then be screwed onto toe port, with its valve-opening feature opening the one-way vaive (a seal plate for example) part of the port to allow fluid flow ffom the collection pad into fee container. After transfer of the urine, fee container can then be removed with an opposing quarter turn, automaticaiiy closing the valve (seal plate) to prevent ieakage from the diaper..

Iri some embed imenis, the container takes the form of a bag and is configured to be cut along fee dotted Sine and poured the hag into its destination container. Some embodiments may include a valve on the container feat automatically opens at fee same time it opens the valve on the urine pad access port, and also automatica tiy closes, preventing spillage or leakage: of urine from the container upon separation from the port,

Some embodiments eliminate the step of puncturing the diaper prior to urination, and instead provide a puncture and funnel structure on the cafSection container. The funnel threads onto and over, or simply covers fee diaper and the port structure, and includ es a sharpened tube approximately fee same or a smaller diameter than the port. When the funnel tsin place, the user can push fee tube into the port puncturing the d iaper and allowing urine to flaw from the diaper into the container, with the funnel structure minimizing any risk of.ieakage, in some oilier embodiments, the urine collection p3d is adhered to the exterior crotch region of the diaper, via an adhesive region that encircles fee port to form a fluid-tight seal. After urination, a punch mechanism built into the cap of fee container is threaded onto the port, puncturing toe exterior of the diaper after fee threaded cap is fully engaged wife fee threads of the port, thereby allowing flow of urine into the container. One or more of these embodiments may also include a wet wipe lor cleaning the exterior of fee diaper, prior to the puncture to ensure sterilization.

Various embodiments of fee invention are intended to save time araf money in fee gathering of urine samples from infants and toddlers, ultimately facilitating not only diagnosis of urinary tract infections, but also determination of optimal antibiotic agents tor treatment,

Conclusion in tha foregoing specification, specific exemplary embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill In the art appreciates that various modifications end changes can be made without departing from the scape of the invention as set forth in fhe claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in en illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and ail such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings,

The benefits, advantages, solutions tc problems, and any elements) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or aii the claims. The invention Is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and at! equivalents of those ciaims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms, such as second, top and bottom, and the like may be used soieiy to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring cr implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities cr actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising." ''has·’', ’'having/1 "includes”, "including ” ' contains ', "containing'’or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a ncn-exdusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thai comprises, lias, includes, contains a list of elements does not indude only those elements but may indude ether elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by ‘comprises a”, "has ...a", "includes ,..a”, ’’contains ...a” does not. without more constraints, preclude the existence of additionai identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has* includes, contains the dement. The terms "a" and “an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms ‘substantially1’, “essentially”, “approximately'1, ‘'abouf or any other version thereof, are defined as being ciose to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%. in another embedment within i% and in another embodiment within 0,5%.

The term “coupied” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” m a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured ;n ways that are not fisted. Also, the term "exemplar/’ is used as an adjective herein to meflify one or mere nouns, such as embodiment., system, method, device, and is meant to Indicate specifically that the noun is provided as a non-limiting example.

Claims (3)

1. CLAIMS <}_ A sterlie infant urine collector assembly substantially as disclosed herein,
2. 2, A method of collecting urine substantially as disclosed herein.
3. 3.. A urine collection assembly comprising: a self-adhesive pad configured far attachment to or installation within a disposable diaper, the pad having a threaded port; and urine container including means for engaging the threaded port and establishing a flow of urine from the disposable diaper mto the urine container. 4 The assembly of claim 3, wherein the self-adhesive pad is installed within the diaper, with the threaded port region positioned adjacent to a lower crotch region of the diaper, with the threaded port extending through an opening of the diaper. δ The assembly of claim 3, wherein the self-adhesive pad is adhered to tire exterior of the diaper and the means fcr engaging the threaded port includes a cap structure configured to puncture the diaper as the cap structure is threaded onto the port. S. A method of collecting unne from a disposable diaper, the method comprising: puncturing the diaper tc create an opening; and establishing a urine flow through the opening into a exterior container after the diaper becomes at least partially filled with urine. ? The method of claim 6, wherein the act of puncturing the diaper to create the opening occurs prior to the disposable diaper becoming urine filled.