JP2009034549A - Automatic urine collecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic urine collecting apparatus which can perform measurement regardless of a urine amount and is provided with an easy-to-wash collection container. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic urine collecting apparatus 1 is provided with the recovery container 2 for accumulating urine sent from a urine receiver through a tube and a main body part 3 for supporting the recovery container 2. A urine sensor S1 for detecting urine excreted by a patient is provided in the urine receiver R. The main body part 3 includes a suction pump 53 for sucking urine collected by the urine receiver R and carrying it to the recovery container 2. When urine is detected, the suction pump 53 is operated to suck the urine from the urine receiver R to the recovery container 2. When urine is not detected for a predetermined period, the suction pump 53 repeats intermittent operation so as to ventilate in the urine receiver R. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic urine collecting device for automatically collecting urine excreted by a bedridden patient or an elderly person.

  In recent years, an automatic urine collection system for automatically collecting urine excreted by a bedridden patient or an elderly person is known. This automatic urine collection system generally includes a urine receiver attached to a local area of a patient or the like via a diaper, a tube connected at one end to the urine receiver, and an automatic collection connected at the other end of the tube. Mainly composed of urine device. And, as this automatic urine collecting device, conventionally, a collection container for storing urine discharged from a urine receiver through a tube, and a urine collected in the urine receiver are sucked and conveyed to the collection container And a suction pump are known.

In such an automatic urine collecting device, the user knows the amount of urine collected in the collection container in order to use it as an index for judging the health status of the cared person and the timing of discarding the urine collected in the collection container. Demand is growing.
As an invention capable of meeting such demand, an apparatus for detecting the level of urine contained in a collection container has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 floats a buoy with a built-in permanent magnet in urine in a collection container, and detects the float that has risen as urine accumulates with a magnetic sensor provided on the upper surface of the lid of the collection container. It has a configuration.
JP 2003-126242 A

  However, the automatic urine collection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to detect when the float reaches the lid of the collection container, and has a problem that the water level (urine volume) can be measured only when the water is full. there were. In addition, there is a problem in that it takes time and labor to clean the float in contact with the urine together with the collection container.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic urine collecting device including a collection container that can be measured regardless of the amount of urine and can be easily washed.

  The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is directed to an automatic urine collecting device including a collection container for storing urine sent from a urine receiver via a tube and a main body portion supporting the collection container. A urine sensor that detects urine excreted from a patient provided in the body, and a suction pump that sucks urine received by the urine receiver provided in the main body and transports it to the collection container. If detected, the suction pump is operated to suck urine from the urine receiver into the collection container.If urine is not detected for a predetermined time, the suction pump is intermittently operated repeatedly. It is characterized by ventilation.

  According to this, the urine volume is measured using the mass sensor, and the collection container and the mass sensor can be separated and configured.

  According to the present invention, measurement can be performed regardless of the amount of urine by using a mass sensor, and the collection sensor and the mass sensor are separated and configured so that the mass sensor does not come into contact with urine, and is collected. The container can be easily cleaned.

  The best mode (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) for carrying out the automatic urine collecting apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a perspective view (a) for explaining a state when the automatic urine collecting device is used, and an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the main body portion and the collection container of the automatic urine collecting device are disassembled. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the automatic urine collecting device, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the configuration of the container lid of the collection container. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operation panel of the display unit, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic urine collecting system including the automatic urine collecting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

<Automatic urine collection system>
As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic urine collection system S includes a urine receiver R attached to a diaper (pad) D to temporarily receive urine excreted from a patient M, and urine received by the urine receiver R. And the automatic urine collecting device 1 that automatically collects the blood through the tube T. In the diaper D, a urine sensor S1 for detecting urine excreted from the patient M and a stool sensor S2 for detecting feces excreted from the patient M are provided. The signal detected in S2 is transmitted to the automatic urine collecting device 1. The urine sensor S1 and the stool sensor S2 are both sensors that detect moisture, and are used separately for the urine sensor S1 and the stool sensor S2 by providing a difference in installation location.
In general, silicone rubber or vinyl chloride is used as the material of the tube T. However, in consideration of the influence on the environment, silicone rubber is preferable.

<Automatic urine collecting device 1>
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the automatic urine collecting device 1 stores urine sent from the urine receiver R (see FIG. 5) via the tube T (see FIG. 5). A suction pump 53 (see FIG. 2) for aspirating the urine received by the recovery container 2 and the urine receiver R and transporting it to the recovery container 2, and a mass sensor 100 for measuring the mass of urine in the recovery container 2 And a main body 3 that mainly accommodates.

<< Recovery container 2 >>
As shown in FIG. 1B, the collection container 2 includes a substantially bottomed cylindrical tank portion 21 having a predetermined depth, an upper surface portion 22 extending above the tank portion 21, and an upper surface portion 22. And a container lid 23 for sealing the opening 22a formed.

  Since the inside of the tank portion 21 is depressurized by the suction action of the suction pump 53 (see FIG. 2), the tank portion 21 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape in order to obtain a predetermined strength. As the tank portion 21 has a thicker diameter and a lower height, the center of gravity becomes lower and the stability increases, so that the tank portion 21 does not fall easily. The material of the tank portion 21 is preferably a material that simultaneously satisfies a weight that is easy to carry and a predetermined strength, such as a plastic typified by polycarbonate or polypropylene.

Further, the tank unit 21 may be a transparent member so that the user can easily grasp the volume of urine collected in the tank unit 21 (hereinafter referred to as “amount of urine” or “amount of urine”). preferable. Furthermore, when the tank part 21 is made translucent rather than transparent, it is possible to consider the privacy of the user while making the urine volume visible from the outside of the collection container 2. Further, by configuring the tank portion 21 with a transparent (or translucent) member, it is possible to confirm how much the collection container 2 should be inclined when discarding urine.
In the state in use shown in FIG. 1A, the tank cover 44 is provided so that the collection container 2 cannot be seen in consideration of the privacy of the user. In the automatic urine collecting device 1 in such a state, the mass sensor 100 for measuring the urine volume plays an important role.

  The bottom surface 21a of the tank portion 21 includes a horizontal surface so that it can be placed on the floor when the collection container 2 is removed from the main body portion 3, but the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface 21a is a spherical surface in order to obtain strength against pressure reduction. It is formed with a slope. A handle 21b is formed on the side of the tank portion 21 to assist the user in carrying it. The handle 21 b is also used for positioning when the collection container 2 is accommodated in the main body 3.

The upper surface portion 22 is a substantially hemispherical member that extends from the upper portion of the tank portion 21 and has an apex at the center. The upper portion (vertical portion) has an opening 22 a that is sealed by a container lid 23. Is formed. Thus, by forming the upper surface portion 22 into a substantially hemispherical shape with a predetermined angle instead of a flat surface, urine can be discarded from the opening 22a even if the angle of inclination of the tank is small.
In addition, although it is preferable that the upper surface part 22 is integrally molded with the tank part 21, it is good also as a structure connected after shape | molding separately.

  The opening 22 a is formed smaller than the diameter of the tank portion 21. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent urine from spilling to the outside when carrying the collection container 2 when it is full. Furthermore, the packing 232 (see FIG. 2) of the container lid 23 to be pressed can be formed small. Furthermore, since pressure unevenness when the packing 232 is pressed is reduced, pressure reduction by the suction pump 53 inside the collection container 2 is facilitated.

  Further, the screw portion 22b raised along the edge of the opening 22a has a female screw that can be screwed with a male screw (not shown) on the inner periphery of the container lid 23.

The container lid 23 is a dome-shaped cylindrical member for sealing the opening 22a of the collection container 2, and a female screw of a screw part 22b provided in the opening 22a of the collection container 2 is screwed on the inner periphery. A male screw (not shown) to be joined is formed.
The alignment line 22c and the alignment line 23d shown in the radial direction on the upper surface portion 22 and the container lid 23, respectively, are guidelines for making the relative angle between the collection container 2 and the covered container lid 23 constant. However, when the screw of the container lid 23 is fully closed, it is usually positioned on the same straight line.

On the upper surface of the container lid 23, there are an inlet 23 a that communicates with the tube T and introduces urine into the collection container 2, and an intake port 23 b that communicates with the suction pump 53 and sucks the air in the collection container 2. Is formed.
Further, an engaging claw 23 c for connecting the main body lid portion 41 of the main body portion 3 to the container lid 23 protrudes from the opposing position on the outer peripheral surface of the container lid 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an intake stop unit 231 for stopping intake when the urine in the collection container 2 is full is provided below the intake port 23b. The intake stop means 231 includes, for example, a ball valve portion 231a for directly sealing the intake port 23b, and a rod-shaped member having an upper end formed in a saucer shape, and the ball valve that supports the ball valve portion 231a at the upper end. Part support part 231b, a storage part bottom cover 231c that holds the middle part of the ball valve part support part 231b so as to freely move up and down, and a floating part that is connected to the lower end of the ball valve part support part 231b and moves up and down as the water level changes 231d and the accommodating part 23e provided with the space for the ball valve part 231a to move up and down inside. Note that a hole (not shown) is formed in the storage unit bottom lid 231c or the storage unit 23e, and the intake port 23b and the inside of the collection container 2 are communicated with each other.

  According to such an intake stop means 231, when the urine water level becomes full, the float 231d is pushed upward, and the ball valve portion 231a seals the intake port 23b from below via the ball valve support portion 231b. To do. That is, when the water is full, no further intake is performed, and the introduction of urine into the collection container 2 can be stopped. That is, since it is possible to prevent urine from being sucked from the air inlet 23b when the water is full, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the suction pump 53 is contaminated with urine and the function is lowered.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scattering prevention member 23 f is provided so as to block between the introduction port 23 a and the water surface, and is suspended downward from the container lid 23. According to such an anti-scattering member 23f, when urine is discharged from the tube T into the collection container 2 through the introduction port 23a, the flow rate at which urine is dropped is limited, or the amount dropped at one place is reduced. The dispersion of urine can be mitigated by dispersing. Therefore, since the contamination of the container lid 23 can be prevented, the labor for cleaning the container lid 23 can be reduced. Further, since the scattered urine can be prevented from being sucked from the intake port 23b, the possibility that the suction pump 53 is contaminated with urine and the function thereof is reduced can be reduced.

<Main body 3>
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the main body 3 includes an openable / closable main body cover 41 having a urine flow path 413 and an air flow path 414 (see FIG. 2 respectively), and a collection container 2. A container support 42 having a semi-cylindrical relief recess for accommodating, a bottom 43 having a mass sensor 100 on which the collection container 2 is placed, and a tank that covers the collection container 2 in consideration of user privacy The cover 44 and the substantially columnar pump storage portion 5 mainly including the suction pump 53 are integrally formed.

[Main body lid 41]
As shown in FIG. 2, the main body lid portion 41 is connected to the upper frame 411 and the lower frame 412 that are the base portions, the urine channel 413 that can be connected to the introduction port 23 a of the container lid 23, and the intake port 23 b of the container lid 23. A connectable air flow path 414 and a container lid coupling mechanism 415 for coupling the container lid 23 are mainly provided.

When the openable / closable main body lid 41 is in a closed state, the connection ends of the urine channel 413 and the air channel 414 are connected to the introduction port 23a and the intake port 23b of the container lid 23, respectively. When 41 is open, the connection ends of the urine channel 413 and the air channel 414 are configured to be separated from the inlet 23a and the inlet 23b.
Hereinafter, the description will be made assuming that the recovery container 2 is accommodated in the main body 3 and the main body lid 41 is closed as shown in FIG.

  The upper frame 411 constitutes the upper wall and the side wall of the main body lid portion 41, and has a configuration in which a rim is formed over substantially the entire circumference from the edge of the flat plate-like upper wall downward. The size of the upper frame 411 in plan view is slightly larger than the container lid 23, and the outer peripheral portion of the container lid 23 is located inside the edge of the upper frame 411.

Rotating shafts 411a and 411a (corresponding to connecting portions) formed on the back side of the upper frame 411 are rotatably installed in the rotating shaft grooves 425 and 425 of the container support portion 42 to open and close the main body lid portion 41. Realized.
The rotary shaft 411a on the pump storage 5 side is hollow so that one end of the L-shaped pipe 414a can be exposed.
In addition, an escape recess for the tube T is formed at the center of the back side of the upper frame 411. By disposing the tube T in the escape recess, the tube T can be prevented from being pressed by the edge on the back side of the upper frame 411 when the main body lid portion 41 is opened and closed.

  The lower frame 412 constitutes the lower wall of the main body lid portion 41 and is basically formed in a shape corresponding to the upper frame 411, and has a rotating body support portion 415 c as a container lid coupling mechanism 415 at the center. Have The front portion of the rotating body support portion 415c is provided with a notch that matches the operating range of the lever L protruding from the rotating body 415b, and the lower frame 412 as a whole is substantially C-shaped.

The urine channel 413 has a gap between the introduction pipe 413a and the introduction port 23a when one end of the introduction pipe 413a is connected to the tube T and the other end of the introduction pipe 413a is connected to the introduction port 23a of the container lid 23. A rubber member 413b that is hermetically sealed is included. The other end of the introduction pipe 413 a and the rubber member 413 b serve as connection ends when the urine flow path 413 is connected to the container lid 23.
The tube T and the introduction pipe 413a are connected on the upper side of the main body lid portion 41. However, the urine can be obtained by passing the introduction pipe 413a through a through hole formed at the center of the upper frame 411 and the shaft disc 415a. The connection end of the flow path 413 is configured to be exposed to the lower side of the main body lid portion 41.

During measurement by the mass sensor 100, for example, when the tube T is unintentionally pulled or an object is placed on the tube T, and the tube T disposed on the upper side of the main body lid 41 is pulled. There is a risk that an upward force is applied to the main body lid 41 and a large error occurs in the measurement value of the mass sensor 100.
Therefore, a tube cover 411b for fixing the tube T in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 411a is provided on the upper portion of the main body lid portion 41. According to such a tube cover 411b, when the tube T is pulled, most of the pulled force can be received by the rotating shaft 411a, so that an upward force is not applied to the main body lid portion 41. be able to. That is, it is possible to obtain a stable measurement value regardless of whether the tube T is pulled or not. Moreover, according to the tube cover 411b, the flow path of urine can be secured stably without the tube T being entangled or bent.
The place where the tube T is fixed by the tube cover 411b is not particularly limited as long as it can reduce the upward force applied to the main body lid portion 41 when the tube T is pulled, but on the rotating shaft 411a, or In the vicinity of the rotation shaft 411a.

  The air flow path 414 includes an L-shaped pipe 414a, flow path forming members 414b and 414d, a liquid reservoir 414c, and a rubber member 414e. As shown in the figure, the flow path forming member 414b includes a downstream part that communicates the L-shaped pipe 414a and the liquid reservoir part 414c, and an upstream part that communicates the flow path forming member 414d and the liquid reservoir part 414c. Are integrally formed. The liquid reservoir 414 c is provided so that urine does not reach the suction pump 53 by storing urine when urine enters from the connection end of the air flow path 414. The rubber member 414e seals between the flow path forming member 414d and the air inlet 23b without a gap when one end of the flow path forming member 414d is connected to the air inlet 23b of the container lid 23.

  The air flow path 414 starts from the L-shaped pipe 414a, which is connected to the suction pump 53 via a communication pipe (not shown), from the downstream portion of the flow path forming member 414b, the liquid reservoir 414c, and the flow path forming member 414b. The upstream portion, the flow path forming member 414d, and the rubber member 414e are connected in this order. One end of the flow path forming member 414d and the rubber member 414e serve as connection ends when the air flow path 414 is connected to the container lid 23.

  These air flow paths 414 are basically formed inside the main body lid portion 41. However, the air flow paths 414d are passed through the through holes formed in the shaft disk 415a, so that the air flow paths are formed. The connection end 414 is exposed to the lower side of the main body lid 41.

  Further, the liquid reservoir 414c is configured to be detachable from the lower side of the lower frame 412, so that when the urine accumulates in the liquid reservoir 414c, the removed urine can be discarded. Moreover, it is preferable that the liquid reservoir 414c is made of a transparent member so that the user can easily determine how much urine has accumulated.

  The container lid coupling mechanism 415 connects the main body lid portion 41 and the container lid 23 to connect the urine channel 413 and the air channel 414 formed in the main body lid portion 41, and the introduction port formed in the container lid 23. 23a and the intake port 23b are connected.

  The container lid coupling mechanism 415 is fitted to the outer periphery of the rotating body 415b, the shaft disk 415a fixed to the center of the upper frame 411 from the lower side, the rotating body 415b having an inner wall that matches the outer periphery of the shaft disk 415a. And a rotating body support portion 415c having an inner wall.

  And the upper part of the internal peripheral surface of the rotation body 415b is externally fitted by the shaft disc 415a, and the rotation body 415b is pivotally supported by the shaft disk 415a. In addition, a screw (not shown) to which the engaging claw 23c of the container lid 23 is screwed is formed at the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body 415b.

Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 415b is fitted in the rotating body support portion 415c. A flange is formed on the upper peripheral edge of the rotating body 415b, and the rotating body 415b is slidably supported by the rotating body support portion 415c.
A lever L for a user to rotate the rotating body 415b is provided integrally with the rotating body 415b on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 415b.

  In the container lid coupling mechanism 415 configured as described above, when the user rotates the rotating body 415b in a predetermined direction via the lever L (in FIG. 1, the container rotates about 45 degrees from right to left), The engaging claw 23 c of the lid 23 enters a screw (not shown) on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating body 415 b, and the collection container 2 is connected to the main body lid portion 41 together with the container lid 23. By this connection, the rubber members 413b and 414e of the urine channel 413 and the air channel 414 are more strongly elastically deformed, so that the connection end of the urine channel 413 and the air channel 414, the inlet 23a of the container lid 23, and The intake port 23b can be more closely connected.

[Container support part 42]
The container support portion 42 includes a semi-cylindrical relief recess for accommodating the collection container 2. The vertical wall portion 421 that is the side wall on the escape recess side is formed along the shape of the side surface of the collection container 2 in order to prevent the collection container 2 from falling over when the balance is lost. In a normal state, there is a gap between the collection container 2 and the vertical wall portion 421 so as not to be in direct contact so that measurement by the mass sensor 100 is not affected.

A control board 423 and a battery 55 are stored inside the container support section 42.
The control board 423 controls various devices based on signals transmitted from the mass sensor 100, the display unit 51, the urine sensor S1, and the stool sensor S2. For example, the control board 423 is electrically connected to the urine sensor S1, the fecal sensor S2, the suction pump 53, the mass sensor 100, the display unit 51, the battery 55, the power switch 58, the terminal 57a, the terminal 57b, and the like.
The control board 423 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory includes programs and data necessary for each control. Is stored. And each process shall be implement | achieved when CPU reads a program to memory and performs a calculation process.

  In the volatile memory, the amount of urine measured by the mass sensor 100 is recorded. The volatile memory can store, for example, an automatic urine collecting device ID, a user name, a user ID, a date and time, a urine volume before operating the suction pump, a urine volume after operating the suction pump, and the like.

  The battery 55 is detachably stored in the container support 42, and an opening of the battery storage (not shown) is covered with a battery cover 60a. The battery 55 can supply the power to the control board 423, the suction pump 53, the display unit 51, and the mass sensor 100 via the control board 423 that is electrically connected. The battery 55 can be charged using an AC adapter that is electrically connected via the terminal 57b.

[Bottom 43]
The bottom portion 43 has a shape corresponding to the bottom surface 21a of the collection container 2, and the collection container 2 is stably placed thereon. An escape recess 43a corresponding to the handle 21b of the recovery container 2 is formed at the upper edge of the bottom 43, and the placement position of the recovery container 2 is automatically determined.

  A mass sensor 100 for measuring the mass of the placed collection container 2 is installed on the bottom 43. In FIG. 2, the main body of the mass sensor 100 is fixed so as to be embedded in the notch at the center of the bottom plate 432, and the sensor portion of the mass sensor 100 is exposed upward from a hole formed at the center of the bottom 43.

  The mass sensor 100 is not particularly limited as long as the mass of the collection container 2 placed on the bottom 43 can be measured. For example, a capacitance type, a spring type, a balance type, a load cell type, a tuning fork vibration type, A conventionally known mass sensor 100 such as a string vibration type, a gyro type, an electromagnetic force balance type, or a magnetostriction type can be used.

  Further, depending on the type of the mass sensor 100, a tray 431 can be used as appropriate. For example, the tray 431 is used to evenly distribute the load of the collection container 2 and transmit it to the mass sensor 100. In addition, when using the receiving tray 431, it is preferable to make the shape of the receiving tray 431 correspond to the bottom surface 21a of the collection container 2.

[Tank cover 44]
The tank cover 44 is made of an opaque member, and covers the transparent (or translucent) collection container 2 in consideration of user privacy. An escape portion is formed in the tank cover 44 at a portion corresponding to the handle 21 b of the collection container 2.

[Pump storage part 5]
The pump storage unit 5 mainly stores a suction pump 53.
The suction pump 53 is not particularly limited as long as it can suck air, but can be realized by, for example, a rotary pump. The rotary pump is a pump that sucks air in the collection container 2 by rotating a pair of rotors, and has a small size, a large suction force, and a quiet driving sound. .
The suction pump 53 has a suction port (not shown) connected to a connecting pipe (not shown) via rubber (elastic member), and this connecting pipe is connected to an L-shaped pipe 414 a exposed from the rotating shaft 411 a of the upper frame 411. . Further, the discharge port 53a of the suction pump 53 communicates with the bottom of the automatic urine collecting device 1 through a substantially L-shaped pipe 53c.
The motor 53 b below the suction pump 53 is joined to the side wall of the pump storage portion 5 via a rubber-like vibration absorber (elastic member) 54. Therefore, noise and vibration generated from the suction pump 53 are mainly absorbed by the vibration absorber 54.

  Further, the upper part of the pump storage part 5 is formed as an attachment part 5 a for attaching the display part 51, and the lower part is formed as a terminal accommodating part 5 d for accommodating the external terminal 57.

  The display unit 51 includes an operation panel 51a, a switch relief unit 51b, and a switch substrate 51c. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 51 a is a seal-like member having a character appropriately provided on the surface thereof, and is attached to the upper surface of the switch relief portion 51 b. The switch board 51c is provided with a switch corresponding to characters appropriately provided on the operation panel 51a, a display window, a lamp, and the like, and the switch relief part 51b is provided with an escape part for displaying them. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 51a of the display unit 51 according to the present embodiment specifically includes a lamp 511 indicating ON / OFF of the power supply, a lamp 512 indicating the operating state of the suction pump 53, and the feces sensor S2. A lamp 513 indicating the operating state, a lamp 514 indicating the operating state of the urine sensor S1, a display window 515 indicating the measured amount of urine in the collection container 2, and an automatic mode for driving the motor 53b of the suction pump 53 by automatic control A drive switch 516 and a manual mode drive switch 517 for manually driving the motor 53b of the suction pump 53 are provided.

The display window 515 is preferably a digital display so that the user can easily determine the amount of urine immediately. Moreover, it is practically sufficient if the display window 515 is divided and displayed every 100 ml. For example, the display window 515 is an eleven-step display from 0 to 10 when the effective capacity of the collection container 2 is 1 l. If the collection container 2 is not accommodated in the main body 3, “− (minus)” is displayed in the display window 515.
Moreover, when urine is approaching full water (for example, 600 ml or more with respect to 1 L of full water), it is good also as a structure which alerts a user by blinking a digital display.
These controls can be easily realized by the control board 423 electrically connected to the display unit 51 and the mass sensor 100.

  The external terminal 57 includes a terminal 57a for outputting urine amount data recorded in the volatile memory to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer, and a terminal 57b for connecting an AC adapter. It is installed in the terminal accommodating part 5d formed in the lower part of the pump storage part 5. When the external terminal 57 is not used, the terminal accommodating portion 5d is closed by the cover 5c.

  The hooks 59, 59 are for hanging the automatic urine collecting device 1 on a bed, a wheelchair or the like, and are respectively rotatably installed on the back plate 60 of the main body 3. Specifically, the hook 59 is curved in a U-shape, and the curved portion is hooked on a pipe such as a bed or a wheelchair, and one end of the hook 59 is installed to be rotatable in the horizontal direction. Thus, even if the thickness of the pipe such as a bed or a wheelchair is different because the hook 59 is rotatably installed, the automatic urine collecting device 1 is made horizontal by adjusting the rotation angle. Can be hung on a pipe. Further, by installing a spacer (not shown) having a variable thickness under the back plate 60, the automatic urine collecting device 1 can be adjusted to be horizontal.

  The overturn prevention plate 70 prevents the automatic urine collecting device 1 from overturning, and a flat plate having substantially the same shape as the bottom surface of the main body 3 is slidably attached to the bottom surface of the main body 3. When the fall prevention plate 70 is used, the area of the bottom surface of the automatic urine collecting device 1 is increased by pulling out the fall prevention plate 70 in the back direction. When not in use, the fall prevention plate 70 is pushed in the front direction and held so as to overlap the bottom surface of the automatic urine collecting device 1. The shape and size of the fall prevention plate 7 are not limited to those described above as long as the fall frequency of the automatic urine collecting device 1 can be reduced.

<Operation of Automatic Urine Collection Device 1>
Next, the operation of the automatic urine collecting device 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

When using the automatic urine collecting device 1, the user first places the covered collection container 2 on the bottom 43 of the main body 3 and closes the main body lid 41. At this time, the container lid 23 is located inside the rotating body 415b.
When the user operates the lever L of the main body lid portion 41 to rotate the rotating body 415b, the engaging claw 23c of the container lid 23 and the screw on the inner periphery of the rotating body 415b are screwed together, and the container lid 23 And the main body lid 41 are connected. At this time, the connection ends of the urine channel 413 and the air channel 414 in the main body lid 41 are in close contact with the introduction port 23a and the intake port 23b of the container lid 23, respectively, and communicate with the inside of the collection container 2. . In such a state, the mass sensor 100 measures the mass of the mass of the collection container 2 and the mass of the main body lid 41. If the urine is not yet contained in the collection container 2, the control board 423 displays the mass (initial value) at this time as 0 (ml) on the display unit 51.
Further, in a state where the recovery container 2 is not accommodated in the main body 3, neither the recovery container 2 nor the main body lid 41 is loaded as a load on the mass sensor 100, so the measured value is lower than the initial value. When the value measured in this way is lower than the initial value, the control board 423 displays “− (minus)” on the display unit.

Hereinafter, the operation in the automatic mode will be described as an example of the operation of the automatic urine collecting device 1.
First, when the patient M excretes urine, the urine moisture is detected by the urine sensor S <b> 1, and the signal is transmitted to the main body 3. When receiving a signal from the urine sensor S1, the control board 423 in the main body 3 drives the suction pump 53 for a predetermined time.
When the air in the collection container 2 is sucked through the intake port 23b of the container lid 23, the air flow path 414 of the main body lid portion 41, and a communication pipe (not shown) by driving the suction pump 53, the collection container 2 The inside will be depressurized.
By reducing the pressure in the collection container 2 in this way, urine is transferred from the urine receiver R into the collection container 2 through the tube T, the urine flow path 413 of the main body lid 41, and the inlet 23a of the container lid 23. Is aspirated and collected.
The control board 423 performs control to stop the suction pump 53 when a predetermined time elapses after the suction pump 53 is operated.

Thus, in the state where urine has accumulated in the collection container 2, the control board 423 subtracts the initial value from the value measured by the mass sensor 100 to calculate the mass of urine. Next, the urine volume is calculated by multiplying the mass of the urine by a predetermined coefficient (for example, the specific gravity of the average adult urine). Then, the control board 423 causes the display unit 51 to display the calculated urine volume.
Here, for the purpose of simply discarding urine, it is not always necessary to strictly determine the predetermined coefficient. For example, there is no problem even if it is calculated as a specific gravity equivalent to that of water. On the other hand, when it is desired to acquire data accurately for the purpose of inspection or the like, it is preferable that the predetermined coefficient is determined as appropriately as possible.

Further, the control board 423 determines the measured urine volume.
As a result of the determination of the urine volume, when it is determined that the water is almost full (for example, 60% or more of the effective capacity of the collection container 2), the control board 423 performs control such as blinking the lamp of the display unit 51. , Alert the user.
As a result of the determination of the urine volume, when it is determined that the water is full (for example, the effective capacity of the collection container 2), the control board 423 transmits a stop signal to the suction pump 53 and uses an alarm means (not shown). Performs control to sound an alarm.

  Note that the control of the automatic urine collecting device 1 performed by the control board 423 is not limited to the automatic mode described above. For example, the control corresponding to the mode and lamp displayed on the display unit 51 shown in FIG. 4 can be easily performed using a known technique. Hereinafter, other controls performed by the control board 423 will be described by way of example.

  For example, the control board 423 can perform control for driving the suction pump 53 in accordance with a signal from the operation panel 51a such as the manual mode drive switch 517.

  In addition, the control board 423 can perform control to intermittently operate the suction pump 53 when the signal from the urine sensor S1 is not received for a predetermined time. By setting it as such a structure, the inside of a receiver can be ventilated and a swelling can be removed and a user can be made comfortable. Specifically, for example, control is performed to automatically operate the suction pump 53 every 15 to 60 minutes for 10 seconds.

  In addition, when the suction pump 53 is operated manually, the control board 423 performs control to stop the operation of the suction pump 53 after a predetermined time has elapsed. By adopting such a configuration, excessive operation of the suction pump 53 can be prevented and the suction pump 53 can be protected.

  Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be implemented in various forms.

  In this embodiment, the tank cover 44 is installed in an openable / closable manner via a hinge portion (not shown). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tank cover 44 is stored inside the main body 3 when not in use, A slide storage type tank cover 44 that is used by being slid may be used.

They are the perspective view (a) for demonstrating the state at the time of use of an automatic urine collecting device, and the exploded perspective view (b) which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the main-body part and collection | recovery container of the automatic urine collecting device. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the component of an automatic urine collecting apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating the structure of the container lid of a collection container. It is a top view which shows the operation panel of an automatic urine collecting device. It is a block diagram which shows the automatic urine collection system provided with the automatic urine collection apparatus of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic urine collecting device 2 Collection container 3 Main body part 5 Pump storage part 22a Opening part 23 Container lid 23a Inlet 23b Inlet 23c Engagement claw 23f Scatter prevention member 41 Main body cover part (connection part)
42 Container support portion 43 Bottom portion 44 Tank cover 51 Display portion 53 Suction pump 59 Hook 70 Fall prevention plate 100 Mass sensor 231 Intake stop means 411a Rotating shaft (connection portion)
411b Tube cover 413 Urine flow path 414 Air flow path 415 Container lid connection mechanism 423 Control board 515 Display window D Diaper L Lever R Urine receiver S1 Urine sensor S2 Stool sensor T Tube

Claims (6)

In an automatic urine collecting device including a collection container for storing urine sent from a urine receiver via a tube and a main body portion supporting the collection container,
A urine sensor for detecting urine excreted from a patient provided in the urine receiver;
A suction pump that sucks urine received by the urine receiver provided in the main body and conveys it to the collection container;
If urine is detected, operate the suction pump to aspirate urine from the urine receiver into the collection container,
An automatic urine collecting device, wherein if the urine is not detected for a predetermined time, the suction pump is intermittently operated repeatedly to ventilate the urine receiver. The automatic urine collecting device according to claim 1,
The automatic urine collecting apparatus is characterized in that the intermittent operation is performed by operating the suction pump every 15 to 60 minutes for 10 seconds. The automatic urine collecting device according to claim 1,
2. The automatic urine collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the material of the collection container is a plastic from which the amount of urine collected in the collection container is visible. The automatic urine collecting device according to claim 1,
The collection container has a substantially bottomed cylindrical tank portion having a predetermined depth;
An opening formed on the upper surface of the tank portion and formed smaller than the diameter of the tank portion;
A handle formed on a side surface of the tank part;
An automatic urine collecting device characterized by comprising: The automatic urine collecting device according to claim 1,
The main body is
A rotatable body lid having a urine channel and an air channel;
A container support having a semi-cylindrical relief recess for accommodating the recovery container;
A tank cover covering the collection container;
A substantially columnar pump housing with a suction pump inside;
An automatic urine collecting device characterized by comprising: The automatic urine collecting device according to claim 1,
A main body lid portion that has a urine channel and an air channel and is rotatably installed on a rotating shaft formed on the back side, and can be opened and closed;
The tube connected to the recovery container via the main body lid and an introduction pipe;
A tube cover that is provided on an upper portion of the main body lid portion and fixes the tube in the vicinity of the rotation shaft;
An automatic urine collecting device characterized by comprising:

Images