KR20240004593A - low profile bed fans - Google Patents

Abstract

The bedpan has a housing, the housing being a proximal surface including a chamber, an upper portion, an opening to the chamber and having a circumferential edge, and an apron surrounding the opening, the apron extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening. An upper portion comprising an extending proximal surface and an angled side wall surrounding the apron, and a lower portion, a distal surface opposing the proximal surface, and a distal edge of the distal surface, the chamber being positioned inside the housing, the side walls of the chamber They are internal to the side wall so that there is a space between the walls of the chamber and the side wall, the side wall comprising a lower portion including a distal edge that angles outwardly as it extends from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface toward the distal edge of the distal surface, and a first portion of the housing. It includes a first handle formed on one part.

Description

low profile bed fans

The present invention relates to an innovative structure of a bedpan. More specifically, the present application describes a low profile bedpan structured with angled side surfaces for ease of lateral placement beneath the patient.

Certain aspects of the low profile bedpan are defined by independent claims. The dependent claims relate to optional features of some embodiments of such bedpans. Accordingly, the systems and devices described herein each have several aspects, no one of which is solely responsible for its desirable properties. Without limiting the scope of the present disclosure, several non-limiting features will now be briefly described.

Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Neither this summary nor the detailed description that follows purports to define or limit the scope of the subject matter.

One innovation includes a bedpan comprising a housing, the housing having an inner chamber, an upper portion having a proximal surface for supporting the patient's body weight with an opening to the inner chamber, a lower portion, and a joint to the upper portion and the lower portion. having a side wall extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the distal edge being defined at or near the junction of the side wall and the bottom portion, the distal edge extending circumferentially about the bottom portion, and a proximal edge. is formed where the side wall joins the upper portion, and the proximal edge extends circumferentially around the upper portion. The circumferential extent of the distal edge is greater than the circumferential extent of the distal edge such that the side walls extend outwardly from the proximal edge to the distal edge to form angled or sloped sidewalls. The first handle is formed on the first portion of the side wall, and the second handle is formed on the second portion of the side wall.

Any of the disclosed bedpans may have one or more additional features. In some embodiments, the first handle is formed integrally with the housing. In some embodiments, the second handle is formed integrally with the housing. In some embodiments, the perimeter of the housing is substantially rectangular in shape, the first handle is on a first side of the housing, the second handle is on a second side of the housing, and the first side of the housing is on the first side of the housing. adjacent to the second side. In some embodiments, the bottom portion includes a distal surface and the top portion includes a proximal surface. In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 5.0 inches or less. In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 4.0 inches or less. In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 3.0 inches or less. In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 2.75 inches or less. In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 2.50 inches or less. In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 2.25 inches or less.

In some embodiments, the distance from the distal surface to the proximal surface is 2.0 inches or less. In some embodiments, the first handle includes an aperture with a first longitudinal axis, and the second handle includes an aperture with a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes are angled at 90° relative to each other. They are aligned at an angle of ±30°. In some embodiments, the first handle includes an aperture with a first longitudinal axis, and the second handle includes an aperture with a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes are angled at 90° relative to each other. They are aligned at an angle of ±20°. In some embodiments, the first handle includes an aperture with a first longitudinal axis, and the second handle includes an aperture with a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes are angled at 90° relative to each other. They are aligned at an angle of ±10°. In some embodiments, the first handle is aligned about the first axis, the second handle is aligned about the second axis, and the first and second axes are aligned at an angle that is 90°±5°. In some embodiments, the top portion (e.g., a circumferential edge of the top portion or a surface of the top portion) is aligned with a first plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and the bottom portion (e.g., the bottom portion The circumferential edge or bottom surface (distal surface of the bedpan) is aligned with respect to a second plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the side wall extends from the bottom portion toward the top portion at an angle of 30° ± 10° with respect to the distal surface of the bottom portion. In some embodiments, the side wall extends from the bottom portion toward the top portion at an angle of 30°±20° with respect to the distal surface of the bottom portion. In some embodiments, the side wall extends from the bottom portion toward the top portion at an angle between 10° and 90° relative to the distal surface of the bottom portion.

In some embodiments, the opening is generally rectangular in shape. In some embodiments, the opening has a length dimension of about 5" to 11.5" and a width dimension of about 4" to 10". In some embodiments, the housing further includes at least one support connected to the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the housing further includes two supports, each support connected to an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the housing further includes three supports, each support connected to an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the housing further includes four supports, each support connected to an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the housing further includes more than four supports, each support connected to an inner surface of the upper portion and an inner surface of the lower portion.

In some embodiments, the first handle has a first length dimension and the second handle has a second length dimension, and the first length dimension and the second length dimension are approximately the same. In some embodiments, the first handle has a first length dimension, the second handle has a second length dimension, and the first length dimension and the second length dimension are different lengths. In some embodiments, the first handle has a first length dimension and the second handle has a second length dimension, with the first length dimension being longer than the second length dimension. In some embodiments, the first handle has a first length dimension that is between 3" and 8" and the second handle has a second length dimension that is between 3" and 8". In some embodiments, the housing has a length dimension and a width dimension, with the length dimension being 14" to 24" and the width dimension being 14" to 23". In some embodiments, the housing has a length dimension and a width dimension, with the length dimension being 16" to 22" and the width dimension being 15" to 21".

Other innovations include low profile bedpans including a housing no more than 2.5 inches in height, the housing having an inner chamber, an upper portion having an opening to the inner chamber, a lower portion, and sidewalls bonded to the upper portion and the lower portion. , the side wall extends between the upper portion and the lower portion, the upper portion has an apron surrounding the opening, the chamber extends below the apron, and the housing is formed on a side of the housing below the proximal surface of the upper portion of the housing, or It further includes at least one handle attached to the side.

Another innovation includes a low profile bedpan including a housing, the housing having an upper portion having a proximal surface, a lower portion having a distal surface, and a chamber within the upper and lower portions, the upper portion having an opening to the chamber. wherein the housing includes a side wall forming at least a portion of the upper portion, the side wall being coupled to the distal surface and the proximal surface and at least a portion of the side wall being on at least one side of the housing, preferably a wedge-shaped side of the housing. is angled to create on two or more sides of the housing, the proximal surface has an apron around the opening, and the chamber extends below the apron. In some embodiments, the bedpan includes at least one handle on a side of the housing, the handle being positioned on the housing between the plane of the proximal surface and the plane of the distal surface such that the handle is positioned against material beneath the patient or against the patient. Allows the bedpan to be slid under the patient without interfering with bedpan positioning movement.

Another innovation includes a bedpan comprising a housing, the housing being a chamber for retaining urine and feces, the chamber having walls and a bottom surface, an opening to the chamber, an opening having a circumferential edge as an upper portion, the opening A proximal surface comprising an apron surrounding the apron, the apron having a top portion comprising a proximal surface extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening, and an angled side wall surrounding the apron; As the bottom portion, the distal surface opposing the proximal surface, and the distal edge of the distal surface, wherein a chamber extends between the proximal surface and the distal surface, and the side walls of the chamber are inside the side wall such that there is a space between the walls of the chamber and the side wall. , the side walls include a lower portion including a distal edge that angles outwardly as it extends from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface toward the distal edge of the distal surface; and a first handle formed on the first portion of the housing. Various embodiments of a bedpan may include one or more features, or other features. In some embodiments, the first handle is formed integrally with the housing. In some embodiments, the bedpan further includes a second handle on the second portion of the housing, the second handle being formed integrally with the housing. In some embodiments, the first handle includes an aperture with a first longitudinal axis, and the second handle includes an aperture with a second longitudinal axis, and the first and second axes are 90° ± relative to each other. They are aligned at an angle (A) of 30°. In some embodiments, the first handle is on a first side of the housing and the second handle is on a second side of the housing, with the first side of the housing adjacent the second side of the housing. In some embodiments, the apron slopes downward toward the distal surface as it extends from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface to the circumferential edge of the opening. In some embodiments, the height of the bedpan is between 2 inches and 5 inches, as measured along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the angle defined by the plane aligned with the circumferential edge of the side wall and proximal surface is between 10° and 60° around the housing. In some embodiments, the angle defined by the plane aligned with the circumferential edge of the side wall and the proximal surface is between 10° and 60° on at least half of the housing. In some embodiments, the opening to the chamber is generally rectangular in shape. In some embodiments, the opening has a length dimension of about 5" to 11.5" and a width dimension of about 4" to 10". In some embodiments, the housing further includes at least one support between the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the lower portion. In some embodiments, the housing further includes a plurality of supports disposed about the chamber. In some embodiments, the bedpan further includes a second handle on the second portion of the housing, formed integrally with the housing, the first handle having a first length dimension between 3" and 8", and a second handle. The handle has a second length dimension between 3" and 8". In some embodiments, the housing has a length dimension and a width dimension, with the length dimension being 14" to 24" and the width dimension being 14" to 23". In some embodiments, the bedpan further includes a sensor assembly located on the upper portion of the housing, the sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the patient through direct contact with the patient and wirelessly communicate information regarding the sensed characteristic. It is composed. In some embodiments, the bedpan further includes a sensor assembly positioned within the chamber, the sensor configured to sense properties of materials within the chamber and wirelessly communicate information regarding the sensed properties.

Another innovation includes a bedpan containing a housing, a chamber for retaining urine and feces, the housing having walls around the chamber, a bottom surface and a top opening, the housing surrounding the opening to the chamber. is an upper portion comprising a proximal surface with an apron, the apron extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening, a lower portion comprising a distal surface opposing the proximal surface, and the chamber comprising the proximal surface and a bottom portion positioned between the distal surfaces, and a side wall surrounding the apron, the side walls being angled outwardly on all sides of the housing as they extend from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface toward the distal edge of the distal surface, and formed integrally with the housing. It further includes a first handle. In some embodiments, the bedpan further includes a second handle formed integrally with the housing. In some embodiments, the top portion and bottom portion are joined together with a hinge.

Bedpans can include many different embodiments with different aspects or features, some of which are disclosed herein. However, the innovation is not limited to the different embodiments or different features discussed herein. Additionally, features disclosed herein may be included in various embodiments of a bedpan whether or not explicitly described as being included in a particular embodiment, unless explicitly indicated otherwise or indicated by the context of the features.

In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numbers may describe similar elements in different drawings. Similar numbers with different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar elements. The drawings illustrate various embodiments discussed herein generally, by way of example and not by way of limitation.
1A and 1B are top perspective views illustrating a first example of a bedpan illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments.
2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a first example of a bedpan, illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments.
3 is a bottom plan view showing a first example of a bedpan and illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments.
4 is a top plan view showing a first example of a bedpan, illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments, and illustrating dimensions (in inches) of one particular embodiment.
Figure 5 is a side elevation cross-sectional view showing a first example of a bedpan along line AA shown in Figure 4; In Figure 5, the interior chamber of the bedpan is shown in a darker color than the housing of the bed.
6A, 6B, and 6C are side views illustrating a first example of a bedpan and illustrating examples of dimensional aspects of the bedpan, according to some embodiments.
7 is another side view illustrating a first example of a bedpan and illustrating examples of dimensional aspects of the bedpan, according to some embodiments.
FIG. 8A shows a bedpan along line BB in FIG. 6 indicating portion C of an edge (e.g., bevel) of the proximal surface of the bedpan housing surrounding an opening in the proximal surface, according to some embodiments. This is another side elevation cross-sectional view showing a first example.
8B is a detailed view of portion C, showing an example of an edge of the proximal surface of the housing surrounding an opening in the proximal surface, according to some embodiments.
Figure 9 is a bottom plan view showing a first example of a bedpan, showing specific dimensions of the housing.
Figure 10 is a top perspective view of an example of a bedpan showing an example of supports positioned within a chamber of the housing, each support being coupled to a top interior surface and a bottom interior surface.
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan cut away view showing the arrangement of supports 156 positioned within a chamber of a bedpan, according to some embodiments.
Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a bedpan (left side) along line AA and a top plan view of the same bedpan showing line AA.
13 is a top plan view showing a second example of a bedpan that does not include handles formed within the housing, according to some embodiments.
FIG. 14 is a side view of a first side of a second example of the bedpan shown in FIG. 13.
Figure 15 is a side view of a second side of a second example of the bedpan shown in Figure 13.
FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view illustrating a second example of the bedpan shown in FIG. 13, according to some embodiments.
Figure 17A is a perspective view showing one example embodiment of the top portion of a bedpan.
Figure 17B is a top view of the top portion embodiment shown in Figure 17A.
Figure 17C is a bottom view of the top portion embodiment shown in Figure 17A.
Figure 17D is a left side view of the upper portion embodiment shown in Figure 17A.
Figure 17E is a right side view of the top portion embodiment shown in Figure 17A.
Figure 17F is a rear view of the top portion embodiment shown in Figure 17A.
Figure 17G is a front view of the top portion embodiment shown in Figure 17A.
Figure 18A is a perspective view showing one example embodiment of the bottom portion of a bedpan.
Figure 18B is a top view of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18A.
Figure 18C is a bottom view of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18A.
Figure 18D is a left side view of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18A.
Figure 18E is a right side view of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18A.
Figure 18F is a rear view of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18A.
Figure 18g is a front view of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18a.
FIG. 19A is a perspective view showing one example embodiment of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together and open.
FIG. 19B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together.
FIG. 19C is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together.
FIG. 19D is a left side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together.
FIG. 19E is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together.
FIG. 19F is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together.
Figure 19G is a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together.
Figure 20A is a perspective view showing one example embodiment of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
FIG. 20B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
FIG. 20C is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
FIG. 20D is a left side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
FIG. 20E is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
FIG. 20F is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
Figure 20G is a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 20A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan closed together.
21 shows one embodiment of a system for communicating sensor information from a bedpan to a smartphone, computer, and/or to a server and/or practitioner via a network.
22 illustrates one embodiment of a sensor system for sensing information and communicating information to a smartphone, computer, and/or via a network to a server and/or practitioner.
23 shows an example of a portion of a bedpan with an embodiment of a hinge joining the upper portion of the bedpan and the lower portion of the bedpan together to hold the upper portion and lower portion together, the hinge being closed or closed. Shown on the bedpan in assembled configuration.
FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a first portion of the hinge mechanism (“hinge”) shown in FIG. 23 including elongated structures, wherein the first portion of the hinge is positioned at the top of the bedpan adjacent a handle formed within the bedpan housing. attached to the part.
FIG. 25 shows an example of a second portion of the hinge shown in FIG. 23 including slots, where the second portion of the hinge is attached to a bottom portion of the bedpan adjacent a handle formed within the bedpan housing.
Figure 26 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the hinge shown in Figure 23, showing the slots of the hinge.
Figures 27 and 28 show cross-sectional views of the hinge shown in Figures 23-26 in an open configuration.
Figure 29 shows a view of the hinge shown in Figures 23-28 in a closed configuration.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/201,447, filed April 29, 2021. This application also claims U.S. Application No. 17/660,903, filed April 27, 2022, U.S. Application No. 29/792,094, filed March 3, 2022, and U.S. Application No. 29, filed May 11, 2021. Claims priority for /788,374. Each of the disclosures listed above is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

outline

This application relates to innovations in bedpans that include structural features that address several clinical problems. Overall, bedpans allow for greater patient safety and comfort, easier for staff to use with reduced risk of biohazard exposure, and improved satisfaction with health systems. Urination and defecation are essential to human well-being and everyone should be able to perform these functions. Bedpans are one of the oldest medical devices that assist patients during urination and defecation, and have been used in hospitals and other medical and patient care facilities for decades. Bedpans typically contain a reservoir (or chamber) for the excretion of urine and feces by a person. Typically, people who need a bedpan are immobile or barely able to move, have a complete inability to move, or have sustained an injury that makes movement painful. Bedpans are typically placed under part of a patient by a health care provider such as a nurse, nursing assistant, technician, EMT, or physician. Sometimes, bedpans are placed for use by patients. Placing a bedpan requires moving the patient to various positions or assisting the patient by moving themselves. The average healthy person has a bowel movement about once a day. However, patients may have bowel movements up to three (or more) times a day, or as infrequently as once every three days. The average healthy person urinates an average of 220 ml in about 21 seconds and, over an average of 10 minutes, defecates with an average volume of 200 to 400 grams of stool per activity. Accordingly, in some cases, the patient may need to place the bedpan for use frequently and for longer periods of time.

Patients are by definition unhealthy and may urinate/defecate outside of normal time and frequency ranges. This may be caused by their illness/injury or as a side effect of medical care/medications. For example, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may need a much longer time to completely empty their bladder, or patients infected with C-difficile bacteria may defecate in large quantities as often as every three minutes. there is. Therefore, patients may sometimes remain on the bedpan for extended periods of time (10 minutes or more).

Bed pans require a space large enough to contain feces and urine. As such, bedpans have a certain minimum height so that feces or urine does not contaminate the patient's skin surfaces and cause injury. Additionally, the bedpan must be able to withstand the patient's weight. The average weight of patients increased dramatically over the last 40 years. The average man now weighs 199.8 lbs (90.6 kg) and the average woman weighs 170.8 lbs (77.5 kg). The greater body weights of patients require more structurally sound bed pans. As the patient's weight increases, a larger contact surface area on the bedpan is desired to reduce pressure, but typical bedpans have no area, and some even have almost no top contact surface area.

Moreover, considering the highly infectious nature of bacteria such as Clostrium difficile and Norwalk virus, bedpans are now predominantly disposable or have the option of having bedpan liners. There is an increasing demand to use biodegradable disposable bedpans, which are currently structurally unable to handle large weights. Surprisingly, most bedpans are not constructed to sufficiently contain feces and secretions that are deposited within the bedpan when it is moved. For example, many bedpans have at least one outer wall at approximately a 90-degree angle, and sometimes the outer walls on all sides are at approximately a 90-degree angle, which can cause splashes when the bedpan is removed or otherwise moved from underneath the patient. causes Because of these inadequate designs, spills often occur when the bedpan is pulled from underneath the patient, when the bedpan becomes blocked, typically due to the patient's waist circumference/weight.

There are many bed pans in use today. For example, some bedpans used for ease of placement have very small contact surface areas. Therefore, they can be uncomfortable for patients and increase the probability of skin injury from prolonged placement. Additionally, bedpans can only be placed from the inside/bottom of the patient, with the patient's legs rotated at least slightly outward. Bed pans with large surface areas are bulky and difficult to deploy. These are very difficult to place under the patient as they need to be sufficiently angled to allow the patient to be moved and the bedpan to be positioned accurately. This can also be extremely painful for patients with lumbar/thoracic or hip/femoral fractures. None of the available bedpans are structured to handle all the needs of patients and/or healthcare providers. For example, there are no bedpans designed for ease of placement laterally (from the patient's side). There are no bedpans designed to allow easy placement from the bottom or sides or away from the patient. There are no bedpans with an extremely low profile and the bedpans are constructed with multiple side slopes for ease of deployment and reduced effort required from the provider or patient. There are no bedpans designed to reduce splashing with sloped or covered walls from all sides. The bedpans disclosed herein are configured to address these drawbacks and have additional advantages. For example, bedpans are structures similar to toilet seats and are designed for patient comfort, especially when used for extended periods of time. Additionally, the disclosed embodiments provide a low-splash chamber with a volume larger than the bedpan housing opening, which reduces splashing while providing increased chamber volume.

Embodiments of low profile bedpans solve at least some of these clinical problems. Overall, it allows for greater patient safety and comfort, easier for staff to use with reduced risk of biohazard exposure, and improved satisfaction with health systems.

Embodiments of low profile bedpans disclosed herein can be placed laterally under a patient, solving the problem of bedpan placement when patients require bedpan placement, for which only bedpans are designed. The sloping sides of the bedpan reduce the force required to push the bedpan between the patient and the bed. Patients are heavier, increasing the physical work required for accurate positioning. In various embodiments, there is a slight upward slope at the bottom (or offset of the bottom surface) to prevent the bottom side of the bedpan from catching on the bed sheets. Embodiments may include two ergonomic handles integrated into the housing of the bedpan, allowing for controlled lateral or in/bottom placement. Other configurations of handles are possible. In some embodiments, the bedpan includes only one handle which can make it less expensive to manufacture. In some embodiments, the bedpan includes more than two handles (eg, three handles). In some embodiments, the bedpan has a handle on each side. In one example, the bedpan has a rectangular shape and includes handles integrated on its four sides. In another example, the bedpan has a triangular shape with three sides and includes a handle (eg, one, two, or three handles) integrated on one or more of its sides. Embodiments of bedpans are designed similar to toilet seats to maintain patient comfort. This is sufficiently inconvenient that the concept of using a bedpan should allow for improved patient urination and defecation. The bedpan is designed to maximize the surface area of the bedpan relative to the patient's skin. The large surface area reduces pressure on the sacrum and hip area to reduce the chance of iatrogenic bedsores. Additionally, embodiments of the bedpan are designed to reduce any awkward angle contact between the patient and the product. These design features reduce the probability of iatrogenic injury. In various embodiments, the bedpan has one or more internal columns or supports (“supports”) located within the interior chamber of the bedpan or around the exterior of the chamber, between the top surface of the bedpan and the bottom surface of the bedpan. It can be included. The supports may be coupled to the top and/or bottom portion of the bedpan. The supports allow the bedpan to support greater weight on the top portion without deforming or breaking.

List of specific components

The following is a list of specific components described and enumerated in this disclosure with respect to the figures listed above. However, any aspects of the devices shown in the drawings, whether or not individually named herein, may form part of various embodiments of the invention and may form part of various embodiments of the invention, with or without further explanation, and the limitations of the claims with respect to such aspects. can provide a basis for The listed components include:

100 bedpan

102 housing

103 longitudinal axis

104 proximal surface

105 Upper part distal surface

106 distal surface

107 Circumferential edge of the distal surface

108 opening

109 Plane connected to the circumferential edge of the distal surface

110 Proximal surface edge/circumferential edge of the proximal surface

111 A plane aligned with the circumferential edge of the proximal surface.

112 distal edge

113 Bottom part of circumferential edge

114 upper part

115 Sensor located within the chamber

116 lower part

117 sensor (located on the side surface of the housing)

118 Circumferential edge around the opening

119 sensor (e.g. located on the top surface or apron of the housing)

120 bevel, circumferential edge around the opening

121 Bevel connecting the lower and upper parts

122 Bevel connecting side wall and proximal surface

123 edge

124 side wall

124a first side wall

124b second side wall

124c third side wall

124d fourth side wall

126 first handle

128 2nd handle

130 Apron

132 Opening/recess first handle

134 Opening/recess 2nd handle

136 housing wall, first handle opening

138 housing wall, second handle opening

140 corner

142 Apron inner edge

144 Apron outer edge

146 pulling member, first handle

148 Pulling member, second handle

149 chamber wall

150 wall, the lower portion extending between the distal surface edge and the distal edge.

152 wall, upper portion extending between distal and proximal edges

153 Chamber wall external surface

154 chamber (chamber inside housing)

155 Lower part of the proximal surface (inner) of the housing.

156 Support first portion (supports the proximal surface/apron of the upper portion of the housing)

157 Support second part (supports the side wall of the upper part of the housing)

158 Chamber wall inner surface

159 Upper surface (circumferential) chamber wall

160 Internal support on the lower part

161 Chamber bottom surface

164 Bottom of top part

165 hinge mechanism

166 left side

167 Extended structure of the hinge

168 right side

169 Slots in hinges

170 upper side/rear side

172 lower side/front side

173 locking feature

174 Proximal side (facing some side of the patient when in use)

176 Distal aspect (facing away from patient when in use)

180 First handle longitudinal axis

182 Second handle longitudinal axis

200 bed pan

300 sensor system

302 mobile device (e.g. smartphone)

304 computer

306 network

308 server(s)

310 Practitioner's computer equipment or medical facilities

311 to 317 communication links

400 sensor system

402 communication bus

404 processor(s)

406 memory

410 sensing elements

412 display

414 input devices

418 communication interface

420 battery

Exemplary Embodiments

1A-12 show specific illustrations that may be included in a first example of a bedpan having one or more handles formed within a housing (e.g., integrally formed within the housing) with angled side surfaces on all sides of the bedpan. Showing the features, the example shown has two handles. Although the first example shows the handles being formed within the housing, it is also contemplated that in some embodiments the bedpan will have one or more handles attached to the housing. For example, at a position attached to the housing similar to the positions of handles formed within the housing, or at a different position attached to the housing. Other embodiments having features that address one or more of the problems described above are also shown, for example, in a second example without any handles formed within the housing as shown in Figures 13-16, and other examples. This is possible in FIGS. 17A to 20G. Embodiments of bedpans may be manufactured as an integrated unit, for example in a molding process. In other embodiments, the bedpan may be manufactured from two or more pieces that are attached together, preferably using a process that creates a sealed chamber within the interior of the bedpan, with the only openings to the chamber being at the proximal surface ( 104) (i.e., on the top surface of the bedpan when in the operable orientation). Some examples of bedpans that can be manufactured in two pieces (a top portion and a bottom portion) are shown in FIGS. 17A-20G. In some embodiments, the top portion and bottom portion may be formed from connected pieces assembled in a clamshell manner, one example is shown in FIGS. 19A-19G. For ease of reference, references to "top" or "proximal" refer to the upper portion or surface of the bedpan when oriented in its normal position of use as a bedpan (generally facing upward), and to "bottom" or “Distal” refers to the opposite side (lower or bottom) of the bedpan (generally facing downward). Various embodiments of bedpans include a proximal side 174 indicating that the structure or surface faces a portion of the patient when in use. It is generally oriented "up" when in use. Various embodiments of bedpans also include a distal side 176 indicating that the structure or surface faces away from a portion of the patient when in use. It is generally oriented "down" when in use.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B , bedpan 100 includes a housing 102 having a top portion 114 and a bottom portion 116 joined to a distal edge 112 . In various embodiments described herein, top portion 114 generally refers to the portion of the bedpan that is located closest to and/or in contact with the patient when the bedpan is in use, and the bottom portion of the bedpan ( 116) refers to the portion of the bedpan that faces away from the patient and/or is in contact with the bed, or other surface that supports the bedpan, when the bedpan is in use. Housing 102 is a low profile housing with a low height (e.g., from proximal surface 104 to distal surface 104). In some examples, the height is 2". In some examples, the height is 2" ± ¾". In various embodiments, the height can be from 3/4" to about 5", but lower heights within the range of 2" to 3". The height of the bedpan used may depend in part on the patient being used and how much material the bedpan needs to hold to make it easier to place under the patient.

Bottom portion 116 may include a distal surface 106 and a wall 150 extending from distal surface 106 to a distal edge 112 . Distal edge 112 may have a bevel 123 on at least a portion of distal edge 112 that can eliminate sharp edges on the bedpan. Bevel 123 may include a distal portion of wall 152 and a proximal portion of wall 150 . Top portion 114 includes a wall 152 extending from the distal edge 112 to the proximal surface 104. Proximal edge 110 may have a bevel 122 on at least a proximal portion of wall 152 and a portion of proximal surface 104 , where the bevel may eliminate sharp edges on bedpan 100 . Wall 152 is angled inwardly from distal edge 112 to proximal edge 110, and the slope of wall 152 facilitates positioning the bedpan under the patient in an operable position. In the depicted embodiment, walls 152 are angled inwardly on all sides of the bedpan, allowing bedpan 102 to be placed under the patient in any orientation (i.e., direction). In some embodiments, bedpan 102 may be configured to have an inwardly angled wall 152 on a smaller side than all sides of the bedpan, but this does not provide direction in which the bedpan may be placed under the patient. It may be a bit limiting.

Housing 102 may include an opening 108 through proximal surface 104 that provides passage to chamber 154 (FIG. 5) within housing 120. Opening 108 in this example is generally rectangular with length L and width W. In some embodiments, opening 108 has a length of 8.5" ± 2". In some embodiments, opening 108 has a width of 7.13" ± 2". In other embodiments, the opening may be of a different shape (eg, square, circular, oval, etc.). Circumferential edge 118 surrounds opening 108 . Housing 102 may include a bevel between circumferential edge 118 and proximal surface 104 to eliminate sharp edges around opening 108. Apron 130 surrounds opening 108 and is between opening 108 and proximal edge 110. Apron 130 is generally planar and provides a contact surface for the patient to place their weight on. Apron 130 includes an interior edge 142 around opening 108 and an exterior edge 144 coupled to the top portion of wall 1520. The width of apron 130 (between opening 108 and wall 152) can be, for example, ½" to 4", and is preferably 1" to 3". Chamber 154 extends under at least a portion of apron 130 such that apron 130 provides splash protection for fluids and solid materials within chamber 154.

The illustrated housing 102 is rectangular in shape and has four lateral sides: a first side 124a, a second side 124b, a third side 124c on the opposite side of the first side 124a, and a second side 124b. It has a fourth side 124d on the opposite side of side 124b. In other embodiments, the housing may have other shapes. For example, housing 102 may include three sides, four sides, or five sides. In some embodiments, housing 102 may have more than five sides. In the depicted embodiment, the housing has four corners 140a-d, each located between sides 124a-d.

Housing 102 also includes at least one handle. In the example shown, housing 102 includes a first handle 126 on first side 124a. First handle 126 includes an opening, or recess 132, in housing 102. In this example, opening 132 extends through housing 102. The first handle 126 also includes a wall 136 facing the opening 132 and is configured to allow a user to engage their fingers to pull, push, or remove the bedpan under the patient. Includes a pulling member (146). Housing 102 also includes a second handle 128 on second side 124b, which is adjacent first side 124a. Second handle 128 includes a wall 138 facing opening 132 . The second handle 128 also includes a pulling member 148 that is configured to allow a user to engage their fingers to pull, push, or remove the bedpan under the patient.

Another advantage of the disclosed bedpan is that when in use, the external surface is in contact with the patient for a period of time allowing information to be collected by sensors integrated into the bedpan. In some embodiments, the bedpan may include one or more sensors disposed on the bedpan to provide information related to the patient and/or information related to fecal bodily fluids from the patient. In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be coupled to or integrated into the structure of the bedpan. An example of one embodiment of a system for communicating sensor information from a bedpan to a smartphone, computer, and/or to a server and/or practitioner via a network is shown in FIG. 21 and described below. An example of an embodiment of a sensor system for sensing information and communicating information to a smartphone, computer, and/or to a server and/or practitioner via a network is shown in FIG. 22 and described below.

Because of the unique structure of the low profile bedpan 100, a significant portion of the proximal surface 104 may be in direct contact with the patient's skin when the bedpan 100 is in use. One or more of the sensors, or sensor assemblies (both referred to herein as “sensors” for ease of reference) may be positioned on top portion 114 of bedpan 100, for example, on sidewall 124 or apron. 130 and, when in use, can contact the patient's skin and provide information about one or more vital signs of the patient. FIG. 1B shows several example examples for placement of such sensors 119 on the proximal surface 104 of the bedpan 100, e.g., on one or more portions of the apron 130 around the opening 108. Show locations. 1B also shows an example of a sensor 117 on the proximal surface 104 of the bedpan 100, disposed on the angled wall 152 of the side wall 124 of the housing 102 in this example. . In various embodiments, such sensors may be included on any of the embodiments of the bedpan disclosed herein in FIGS. 1A-22. In some embodiments, sensors 117, 119 may provide information about the patient's vital signs, including but not limited to, for example, O ₂ perfusion, temperature, heart rate, and/or respiratory rate. You can. Such sensors that monitor these vital signs are readily available, but have not previously been included in bedpans, at least in part due to the disadvantageous construction of previous bedpans. In some embodiments, the sensor may provide sensed patient information to a mobile device, including a computer or smartphone, via a wireless communication protocol. For example, Bluetooth or another suitable wireless communication protocol. In some embodiments, communications may be encrypted to meet applicable HIPPA requirements.

Considering that during regular use, skin contact with the bedpan may last several minutes (or longer), sensors with skin contact can also provide information regarding the dermatological integrity of the patient's skin. This can be accomplished by using perfusion sensors in combination with skin sweat analysis and luminescent depth readings. This information may be used for wound care and/or as a basis for clinical decisions regarding optimal treatment (e.g., use of steroids or anticoagulants in someone with minimal skin integrity and such treatment may cause serious side effects). It can be used to: Sweat analysis can also be used to evaluate some of the electrolyte measurements such as potassium, sodium or chloride. It can also be analyzed for acidosis to measure the patient's body pH. Additionally, sweat concentration and electrolyte concentration can be used to determine whether a patient is showing signs of dehydration, which is particularly important for dementia and elderly patients.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors 115 may be included in chamber 154 (shown in FIG. 1B) and positioned to contact and sense information related to urine and/or feces. In some embodiments, sensor 115 is located on the bottom surface of chamber 154 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 17A). In some embodiments, sensor 115 is located on the inner wall of chamber 154 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 18A). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the embodiments disclosed herein, and other embodiments, may incorporate one or more of the sensors 115, 117, and 119 (note: the sensors are not shown in all of the figures) , any of the embodiments may include such sensors). In one example, sensor 115 may detect the amount of secreted fluid in bed pan 100. In another example, sensor 115 may detect the amount of feces within chamber 154. The bottom surface 161 of the chamber 154 is in direct contact with urine and feces and may host one or more sensors used in identifying fecal abnormalities. Urine analysis can be performed automatically through the sensor 115 built into the chamber 154. In some embodiments, sensor 115 senses pH, for example, through a color change in a material (e.g., litmus paper) or through the use of a pH probe/sensor. In some embodiments, sensor 115 located within chamber 154 is configured to measure specific gravity to identify the presence of ketones/glucose or nitrites/bacteria, etc. In some embodiments, sensor 115 positioned within chamber 154 is configured to sense characteristics of the stool to collect information that determines the density of cirrhosis. In some embodiments, sensor 115 positioned within chamber 154 is configured to sense characteristics of the feces to collect information to determine weight measurements of the feces within chamber 154. The size of the clumps (small or large clumps) identifies whether the patient is constipated. In some embodiments, sensor 115 located within chamber 154 can detect the presence of blood and other metabolic by-products (eg, bilirubin). In some embodiments, sensor 115 located within chamber 154 is configured to detect information related to parasites in urine or feces within chamber 154. In some embodiments, sensor 115 located within chamber 154 is configured to detect information related to infections. For example, COVID19, Clostridium difficile, Shigella, Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori, etc.

2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a first example of a bedpan, illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments. Distal surface 106 includes distal edge 107. Wall 150 extends from distal edge 107 of distal surface 107 to distal edge 112 of housing 102, which is the greatest circumferential extent of housing 102.

3 is a bottom plan view showing a first example of a bedpan and illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments.

4 is a top plan view showing a first example of a bedpan, illustrating various structural and functional aspects of some embodiments, and illustrating dimensions (in inches) of one particular embodiment. For example, in some examples, bedpan 200 has a length of 18.41" and a width of 17.82". In some embodiments, the bedpan can be between 12" and 23" long and between 12" and 23" wide. Openings 132 of handles 126, 128 may be approximately 6" long and approximately 1.25" wide in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the opening may be 3.5" to 12" in length. In some embodiments, the handle extends along substantially all or all of the side of bedpan 102.

Figure 5 is a side elevation cross-sectional view showing a first example of a bedpan along line A-A shown in Figure 4; In Figure 5, the interior chamber 154 of the bedpan is shown in a darker color than the housing 102 of the bedpan 100. Chamber 154 may extend across substantially the entirety of the housing to maximize the volume of chamber 154. Apron 130 surrounds opening 108. In some embodiments, apron 130 may have different widths around opening 108. For example, the distance of apron 130 between apron inner edge 142 and apron outer edge 144 may vary and may vary depending on the use of a particular bedpan. Chamber 154 extends beneath apron 130 to help apron 130 prevent spills when the bedpan is moved.

6A, 6B, and 6C are side views illustrating a first example of a bedpan and illustrating examples of dimensional aspects of the bedpan, according to some embodiments.

7 is another side view showing a first example of bedpan 100 and illustrating examples of dimensional aspects of the bedpan, according to some embodiments. The profile of the bedpan is low, and in this example the height of the bedpan is approximately 2 inches. As the internal chamber volume decreases as the height is reduced, the height should not be too low unless it is being used on a patient who will not urinate or defecate large amounts of such volumes. With this in mind, in some examples, the overall height of the bedpan may be at or between 0.5 inches and 3 inches. In some embodiments, the height of the bedpan is more advantageously configured to be at or between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches. Also, in this example, the bottom portion has a height of 0.5 inches and the top portion has a height of 1.5 inches. In other embodiments, the height of the bottom portion may be at or between, for example, 0.2 inches and 1 inch, and the height of the top portion may be at or between, for example, 1 inch and 2 inches. For ease of reference in all embodiments, reference may be made to the longitudinal axis 103 of the bedpan, with longitudinal axis 110 being perpendicular to a plane 109 aligned with the circumferential edge of the distal surface 106. (or approximately perpendicular) and perpendicular (or approximately perpendicular) to the plane 111 aligned with the circumferential edge 110 of the proximal surface 104. In preferred embodiments, plane 111 is aligned parallel to plane 109, although in some embodiments they may be aligned approximately parallel. Typically, the bedpan is positioned for use with the longitudinal axis 103 aligned vertically, as shown in the orientation for Figure 7.

In this example, the wall 150 of the lower portion extends at an angle A2 of 40 degrees from the distal surface. In various embodiments, angle A2 may be at or between about 10 degrees and 90 degrees. For example, angle (A2) is 10˚, 11˚, 12˚, 13˚, 14˚, 15˚, 16˚, 17˚, 18˚, 19˚, 20˚, 21˚, 22˚, 23˚ , 24˚, 25˚, 26˚, 27˚, 28˚, 29˚, 30˚, 31˚, 32˚, 33˚, 34˚, 35˚, 36˚, 37˚, 38˚, 39˚, 40 ˚, 41˚, 42˚, 43˚, 44˚, 45˚, 46˚, 4˚,7 48˚, 49˚, 50˚, 51˚, 52˚, 53˚, 54˚, 5˚,5 56 ˚, 57˚, 58˚, 59˚, 60˚, 61˚, 62˚, 63˚, 64˚, 65˚, 66˚, 67˚, 68˚, 69˚, 70˚, 71˚, 72˚, 73˚, 74˚, 75˚, 76˚, 77˚, 78˚, 79˚, 80˚, 81˚, 82˚, 83˚, 84˚, 85˚, 86˚, 87˚, 88˚, 89˚ , or it may be 90˚ ± 0.5˚. This extension of the wall 150 facilitates construction of a smaller distal surface 106 and lifts the upper portion of the housing above the distal surface 106 (e.g., beneath the patient on which bedpans are placed). Allows the bedpan to more easily slide into place (without becoming caught in the seat or other covering or material). Wall 152 of the upper portion of the housing is also joined to wall 150 along the distal edge 112 and extends to the proximal edge 110 of the housing, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1A and 1B. . Wall 152 extends from the distal edge to the proximal edge at an angle A1 of 30 degrees, relative to the plane of the proximal surface 104. In various embodiments, angle A1 may advantageously be at or between about 10 degrees and 50 degrees. In some embodiments, angle A1 is greater than 50 degrees. A smaller angle A1 (e.g., a lower slope of the side wall 152 in the orientation shown) provides the advantage of easier placement of the bedpan under the patient because it provides the advantage of easier placement of the bedpan for use. This is because the patient's inability to lift themselves up when positioned allows the bedpan to more easily slide under the patient when needed. In some embodiments, a smaller angle A1 may result in a smaller volume of chamber 154. In various embodiments, the angle A1 of wall 152 is 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°. ˚, 13˚, 14˚, 15˚, 16˚, 17˚, 18˚, 19˚, 20˚, 21˚, 22˚, 23˚, 24˚, 25˚, 26˚, 27˚, 28˚, 29˚, 30˚, 31˚, 32˚, 33˚, 34˚, 35˚, 36˚, 37˚, 38˚, 39˚, 40˚, 41˚, 42˚, 43˚, 44˚, 45˚ , 46˚, 4˚,7 48˚, 49˚, 50˚, 51˚, 52˚, 53˚, 54˚, 55˚, 56˚, 57˚, 58˚, 59˚, 60˚, 61˚, 62˚, 63˚, 64˚, 65˚, 66˚, 67˚, 68˚, 69˚, 70˚, 71˚, 72˚, 73˚, 74˚, 75˚, 76˚, 77˚, 78˚ , 79˚, 80˚, 81˚, 82˚, 83˚, 84˚, or 85˚ ± 0.5˚. In some embodiments, all of the wall 152 extending from the bottom portion of housing 102 to the top portion of housing 102 may be structured to have the slope described above. In some embodiments, a portion of wall 152 may be structured to have the slope described above. For example, from about 25% to substantially all or nearly 100% of wall 152. In some embodiments, two of the sides are structured on top.

8A shows a first example of a bedpan along line B-B in FIG. 6, indicating a portion C of an edge of the proximal surface of the bedpan housing surrounding an opening in the proximal surface, according to some embodiments. This is another side elevation cross-sectional view.

8B is a detailed view of portion C, showing an example of an edge of the proximal surface of the housing surrounding an opening in the proximal surface, according to some embodiments.

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view showing a first example of a bedpan, showing specific dimensions of the housing.

10 is a top perspective view of an example of a bedpan showing an example of supports positioned within a chamber of the housing, each support 156 having a top interior surface (e.g., of the top portion) and (e.g., of the lower portion) is joined to the lower inner surface. Supports 156 allow the bedpan to support a greater amount of body weight on top of the bedpan, for example, on the apron 130, without the bedpan being damaged or permanently deformed. .

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan cut away view showing the arrangement of supports 156 positioned within a chamber of a bedpan, according to some embodiments. This embodiment includes nine supports 156 positioned around the opening. In most embodiments, bedpans disclosed herein include at least one support portion. In some embodiments, bedpans include a plurality of supports.

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a bedpan (left side) along line A-A and a top plan view of the same bedpan showing line A-A.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view showing a second example of bedpan 200 that does not include handles formed within the housing, according to some embodiments. Other features of the bedpan 200 may be the same as the features of the bedpan 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 12 .

FIG. 14 is a side view of the first side of a second example of the bed pan 200 shown in FIG. 13.

Figure 15 is a side view of a second side of a second example of the bedpan shown in Figure 13.

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view illustrating a second example of the bedpan shown in FIG. 13, according to some embodiments.

Figure 17A is a perspective view showing another example of one embodiment of the top portion 114 of the bedpan. This embodiment of the top portion 114 of the bedpan may include many of the same features as previously described and as indicated in the list of specific components above. As also shown in other embodiments, this embodiment has side walls extending from a distal edge 112 around the bottom of top portion 114 to a proximal surface edge 110 on the top surface of top portion 114 and an apron ( It includes side walls 124a-d that are angled (or inclined) inward as they extend to 130). As also shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , this embodiment includes a first handle 126 and a second handle 128 formed within the bedpan housing 102 . In some embodiments, the bedpan may include a single handle. Apron 130 surrounds opening 108, which extends from the top of housing 102 to the interior chamber of the bedpan. The opening has a circumferential edge 118 around the opening 108. In this embodiment, circumferential edge 118 includes a bevel 120. Apron 130 extends from outer edge 144 to inner edge 142. Preferably, at least a portion of the apron 130 slopes downward as it extends from the outer edge 144 to the inner edge 142 to facilitate the flow of urine into the opening 108. This example embodiment of top portion 114 may be paired with a bottom portion of variable designs to create an operable bedpan. For example, bottom portion 116 is shown in FIGS. 18A-18G. In some embodiments, top portion 114 may include a hinge mechanism 165 shown in FIGS. 23-29 for attaching to the bottom portion of the bedpan. In some embodiments, upper portion 114 may be configured with one of sensors 117 or 119 to sense patient characteristics, for example, as described with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 21, and 22. It may contain more than one.

FIGS. 17B and 17C are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of the top portion 114 shown in FIG. 17A. When paired with a bottom portion (e.g., the bottom portion shown in FIGS. 18A-18G), the top portion distal surface 105 and bottom surface 164 (FIG. 17C) are located inside the bedpan and are not visible. . As shown in the figures, in some embodiments, the bedpan can be configured to position the bedpan in a position for use (e.g., under the patient) and to remove the bedpan (e.g., from underneath the patient). It may have two handles positioned on different sides of the bedpan to facilitate removal. As shown in this embodiment, and as applicable to any of the other two-handle embodiments, first handle 126 may have a first handle longitudinal axis 180 and a second handle 182 may have a second handle longitudinal axis 182. Angle E may be formed by the intersection of the first handle longitudinal axis 180 and the second handle longitudinal axis 182, as shown in FIG. 17B. In some embodiments, angle E may be 90 degrees. In some embodiments, angle E may be 90° ± 30°.

Figures 17d and 17e are left and right side views, respectively, of the upper embodiment shown in Figure 17a.

Figures 17F and 17G are rear and front views, respectively, of the upper portion 114 embodiment shown in Figure 17A. Edge 123 connects the upper portion 114 of the bedpan to the lower portion. When closed together, the entire edge 123 contacts the bottom portion.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view illustrating one example embodiment of the bottom portion 116 of one embodiment of bedpan 100. Figures 18B and 18C are top and bottom views, respectively, of the bottom portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 18A. Figures 18D and 18E are left and right side views, respectively, of the bottom portion of the embodiment shown in Figure 18A. Figures 18F and 18G are rear and front views, respectively, of the bottom portion embodiment shown in Figure 18A. This embodiment of the bottom portion 116 of the bedpan may include many of the same features as previously described and as indicated in the list of specific components above.

This embodiment also shows internal supports 160 located around the bottom to support the top portion of the bedpan (shown in Figure 17A). Supports 160 are attached to or extend from the bottom portion 155 of the housing proximal surface. Internal supports 160 create a support system within the cavity of the lower portion 116 to support the upper portion overlying. In this embodiment, there are cavities above the bottom portion 155 of the proximal surface of the housing and between supports 160 to lighten the bedpan and facilitate positioning under the patient, while a plurality of supports 160 support the bed. Provides support to keep the patient's body weight comfortably on the large proximal surface of the bedpan without collapsing the pan. Each internal support 160 may include a support first location 156 that supports the apron or proximal surface of the top portion 114 of housing 102 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17A ). Each internal support 160 may also include a second support location 157 that supports a side wall of the top portion 114 of the housing 102 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17A). Bottom portion 116 includes a chamber 154 having a bottom surface 161 . In this embodiment, bottom portion 116 has a chamber wall 149 surrounding the sides of chamber 154. In this embodiment, chamber wall 149 has an interior surface 158 facing into chamber 154 and an exterior surface 153 facing away from chamber 154. In various embodiments, the bedpan forms a cavity between the outer surface 153 of the chamber wall 149 and the distal surface 105 of the upper portion 114 when the upper portion 114 is coupled to the lower portion 116. (open space), which reduces the weight of the bedpan and the amount of material required to make the bedpan. Chamber wall 149 also supports the top portion of the bedpan (e.g., apron) when top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 are joined together. Internal features of bottom portion 116 may vary depending on embodiments. In this embodiment, first handle 126 and second handle 128 are located on adjacent sides of the bedpan, which may make it easier to hold the bedpan with one or two hands, thereby Position the bedpan underneath, remove the bedpan from underneath the patient, and position the handles to match the top portion (i.e., the top portion and bottom portion each contain a portion of the handles). As also shown in FIG. 18A , the lower portion 116 is positioned within the chamber 154 or on the chamber wall 149 to sense the nature of the material (e.g., blood, urine, feces) in the chamber 154. ) may include one or a plurality of sensors 115 on the sensor 115.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view showing one example embodiment of the top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 of a bedpan joined together in an open configuration. FIG. 19B is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together. FIG. 19C is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together. FIGS. 19D and 19E are left and right views, respectively, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 19A of the top and bottom portions of bed pans connected together. Figures 19F and 19G are rear and front views, respectively, of the embodiment shown in Figure 19A of the top and bottom portions of a bedpan connected together. This embodiment of a bedpan may include many of the same features as previously described and as indicated in the list of specific components above. 19A-19G may be advantageous because it allows the bedpans to be stacked together with the top portions 114 nested together and the bottom portions 116 nested together for shipping and storage. Minimize the volume of multiple bed pans. The top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 may be joined together with a hinge mechanism 165, connecting the bottom portion and the top portion, on the edge 123 of the handle. In some embodiments (included in Figure 19A), the hinge is a living hinge and the top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 are manufactured joined together. In other embodiments, top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 may not be connected together at all or may be connected through some alternative mechanism. In other embodiments, top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 may be connected together or have the ability to be separated. The upper portion underside 164 may be hinged to rest directly on internal supports 160 within the lower portion 116 . When hinged together, top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 create a housing interior chamber 154. Top portion 114 includes an opening 108 that is positioned above chamber 154 when closed and configured for use with a bedpan.

FIG. 20A is a perspective view illustrating one example embodiment of a top portion and a bottom portion of a bedpan, for example as shown in FIGS. 19A-19G. This embodiment of a bedpan may include many of the same features as previously described and as indicated in the list of specific components above. In this embodiment, top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 are joined together ready for use. In embodiments such as those shown in FIGS. 19A-19G , the top portion 114 can be swung around a hinge mechanism 165 and coupled to the bottom portion 116 to create a bedpan that is ready for use. The chamber wall 149 is advantageously part of the lower part 116 to ensure the integrity of the chamber 154 and to be partially visible to the view through the opening 108 . Figures 20B and 20C are top and bottom views, respectively, of the embodiment shown in Figure 20A of the top and bottom portions of the bedpan when closed together. FIGS. 20D and 20E are left and right views, respectively, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top and bottom portions of the bedpan when closed together. 20F and 20G illustrate the embodiment shown in FIG. 20A of the top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 of the bedpan 100 shown in a closed configuration (or position) together so that the bedpan 100 is ready for use. The example is a rear view and a front view, respectively.

21 shows one embodiment of a system 300 for communicating sensor information from a bedpan to a smartphone, computer, and/or to a server and/or practitioner via a network. In this example, system 300 includes bedpan 100, computer/mobile platform (“mobile platform”) 302, computer system 304, network 306, server system 308, and one or more advisors. /Includes practitioners or facilities 310 (both referred to as practitioners 310 for ease of reference). Practitioners 310 may also receive information about sensors integrated on bedpan 100 via communications with their computers, including, for example, laptop computers, tablet computers, smartphones, etc. can receive.

Components of system 300 may communicate via one or more of a network 306 and communication links, which may enable communication between bedpan 100 and mobile platform 302 (e.g., a smartphone). Link 302, communication link 41 between mobile platform 302 and network 306, communication link 312 between computer 304 and network 306, and server 308 and network 306. and a communication link 316 between. In some examples, bedfan 100 may communicate directly with network 306 via communication link 317 (e.g., a wireless communication link). One or more portions of network 306 and communication links 311-317 may include wired or wireless communication links, and may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, or any suitable communication link. Network 306 may be, for example, the Internet, or another large local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN).

In this example, server 308 is configured with programs to collect and store patient data. Information received by server 308 may also be used to provide reports to practitioners 310, or to mobile platform 302 or computer 304. Mobile platform 302 includes a display and provides specific information on various graphical user displays (GUIs) based on received information, such as sensor information. Bedpan 100 may include one or more sensors as described above and shown in FIG. 1B.

Figure 22 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of a sensor, or sensor assembly (“sensor”) 400, disposed on a bedpan. Sensor 400 may detect information about the patient and/or material within the bedpan and transmit the information to a smartphone, computer, and/or via a network to a server, practitioner, and/or practitioner (e.g., , to a computer operated by a medical practitioner). In some embodiments, sensor 400 may be sensor 115, 117, and/or sensor 119 described above and shown in the figures. In various embodiments, the bed fan may include one sensor 400 or a plurality of sensors 400. Sensor 400 may be configured to sense more than one characteristic of the patient or material from the patient within the bedpan. For example, sensor 400 may detect a single characteristic by generating a signal related to the measurement of the characteristic and communicate information about the signal for further processing/analysis. In another example, at least a portion of the processing of the sensed characteristic may be performed in sensor 100. In the example shown in FIG. 22 , sensor 400 includes a bus 402 or other communication mechanism for communicating information to its components, and a hardware processor coupled to bus 402 to process the sensed information. Includes a number of processors (“processor(s)”) 404. Hardware processor(s) 404 may be, for example, one or more general-purpose microprocessors.

Sensor system 400 also includes one or more memory components (“memory”) 406 coupled to bus 402 for storing information, including sensed information and instructions to be executed by processor 404; Examples include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), cache, and/or other electronic memory. Memory 406 may also be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 404. Sensor system 402 may implement the techniques described herein using custom hardwired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic, allowing sensor 400 to be a special purpose machine. According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by sensor 400 in response to processor(s) 404 executing one or more sequences of one or more computer-readable program instructions. Such instructions, when stored on storage media accessible to processor 404, render sensor 400 as a special-purpose machine customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions. Sensor 400 also includes a battery 420 that provides power to components of sensor 400.

Sensor 400 further includes a sensing element or multiple sensing elements 410 . In various embodiments, sensing element 410 may sense information using optical, electrical, chemical, or other techniques to determine information about properties of materials within the patient or bedpan. Sensing element 410 can detect, for example, via bus 402, the activation of sensor 400, whether sensor 400 is communicating with another computer over a communications link, sensed characteristics, battery life, etc. It may be coupled to a display 412 for displaying information. Sensor 400 may include an input device 414 coupled to bus 402 to communicate information and command selections to processor 404. Input device 414 may include one or more buttons or keys for controlling sensor 400, such as turning a sensor on/off, activating a communication link, entering control data, etc. In some embodiments, sensor 400 is controlled using another device (e.g., an app on mobile device 302, FIG. 21) that communicates with the sensor.

Sensor system 400 also includes a communication interface 418 coupled to bus 402. In various embodiments, communication interface 418 provides one-way or two-way data communication to another computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, via communication link 311 to mobile device 302, via communication link 317 to network 306, and/or via communication link 312 to a computer. to. The links may preferably be wireless, but wired links may also be implemented.

In various embodiments, certain functionality of sensor 400 is accessible to the user through a web-based viewer (eg, a web browser), or other suitable software program. In such implementations, the user interface may be generated by server computing system 308 and transmitted to another computer, such as mobile device 302 or computer 304. Alternatively, the data necessary to generate a user interface (e.g., user interface data) may be provided by a server computing system to the browser from which the user interface may be generated (e.g., user interface data). may be executed by a browser accessing a web service and may be configured to render user interfaces based on user interface data). The user can then interact with the user interface through a web browser. User interfaces in certain implementations may be accessible through one or more dedicated software applications. In certain embodiments, one or more of the computing devices and/or systems of the disclosure may include mobile computing devices, and user interfaces may be configured to include mobile computing devices (e.g., as shown in FIG. 21, for example). For example, smartphones and/or tablets).

23-29 show an example of a portion of a bedpan with another embodiment of a hinge mechanism 165 joining the top portion 114 of the bedpan and the bottom portion 116 of the bedpan together. The hinge mechanism 165 of FIGS. 23-29 may be used, for example, to join together the top portion 114 shown in FIGS. 17A-17G and the bottom portion 116 shown in FIGS. 18A-18G. there is. Hinge assembly 165 is located within first handle 126. In this embodiment, similar to other embodiments shown herein (e.g., Figures 17-20), top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 include a portion of first handle 126. do. In this embodiment, both top portion 114 and bottom portion 116 include part of hinge mechanism 165. 24 , in this embodiment, top portion 114 is part of a hinge mechanism 165 having two elongated structures 167 extending from the distal edge 112 of top portion 114. Includes. In other embodiments, hinge mechanism 165 may include one elongated structure 167, or more than two elongated structures 167.

25 and 26 show an example of a second portion of the hinge mechanism 165 shown in FIG. 23, which is formed within the bottom portion 116 of the bedpan and includes slots 169. . The number of slots corresponds to the number of elongated structures 127 such that in this embodiment the bottom portion 116 is first positioned at corresponding positions relative to the elongated structures to receive the elongated structures 167. It includes two slots 169 located on the handle 126. Figures 27 and 28 show cross-sectional views of the hinge mechanism 165 of Figures 23-26 in a partially open configuration with the slot 169 receiving the elongated structure 167. FIG. 29 shows a view of the hinge mechanism 165 in a closed configuration with elongated structures 167 protruding through slots 169 . In this embodiment, the elongated structure extends through the slot 169 and has a locking feature with a protrusion that can engage the structure around the slot 169 to keep the upper portion 114 coupled to the lower portion 116. Includes (173).

Implementation considerations

The foregoing description details specific embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. However, it will be understood that the systems, devices, and methods may be practiced in many ways, no matter how detailed the above may appear in the document. Additionally, as specified above, the use of specific terminology when describing specific features or aspects of the invention is limited to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which the terminology is associated. It should be noted that this should not be taken to imply that they are being redefined herein.

In particular, conditional language such as "may", "could", "could" or "could" refers to elements and/ Or while comprising steps. Other embodiments are otherwise understood within the same context as they are generally used to convey that they do not include elements and/or steps. Accordingly, such conditional language generally means that features, elements and/or steps are somehow required for one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments have or do not have user input or prompting, and that these features, elements and/or steps are required in some way for one or more embodiments. It is not intended to imply that logic to determine which steps and/or steps are included or should be performed in any particular embodiment.

Headings are included herein for reference and to assist in locating the various sections. These headings are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts described herein. Such concepts may have applicability throughout the entire specification.

Many changes and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, and elements thereof should be understood as belonging to other acceptable examples. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. The foregoing description details specific embodiments. However, no matter how detailed the above may appear in the document, it is understood that the systems and methods may be practiced in many ways. Also, as specified above, the use of specific terminology when describing specific features or aspects of the systems and methods does not imply that the terminology includes any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the systems and methods with which the terminology is associated. It should be noted that this should not be taken to imply that terminology is being redefined herein insofar as it is limited.

When a feature or element (e.g., a structural feature or element) is referred to as being “connected,” “attached,” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it means that it is directly connected to, attached to, or It will also be appreciated that there may be combined or intervening features or elements. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as “directly connected,” “directly attached,” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, no intervening features or elements may be present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, features and elements so described or shown may apply to other embodiments. Additionally, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that references to a structure or feature that is placed “adjacent” to another feature may have portions that overlap with or are based on the adjacent feature.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms (“a”, “an”) and “the” are intended to also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise” and/or “comprising”, when used herein, refer to designated features, steps, operations, processes, functions, elements, and/or components. It will be further understood that specifying the presence, but not excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, processes, functions, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein: The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items and can be abbreviated as “/”.

In the above descriptions and claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur before a combined list of elements or features. The term “and/or” can also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase refers to any of the listed elements or features individually or in combination with any of the other listed elements or features. or any of the features. For example, “at least one of A and B”; “at least one of A and B”; and the phrases “A and/or B” are “each intended to mean A alone, B alone, or A and B together”. A similar interpretation is also intended for lists containing three or more items. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C”; “one or more of A, B, and C”; and the phrases “A, B, and/or C” to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Each is intended. The use of the term “based on” above and in the claims is intended to mean “based at least in part on” such that unlisted features or elements are also permissible.

Spatially relative terms, such as "front", "posterior", "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc., refer to other element(s) or features as shown in the figures. May be used herein for ease of explanation to describe the relationship of one element or feature to (s). It will be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features will then be oriented “above” the other elements or features due to their inverted state. Accordingly, the term “below” can include both above and below orientations depending on the reference point or orientation. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted appropriately. Similarly, the terms “upward,” “downward,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and the like may be used herein for descriptive purposes only, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

As used in the specification and claims herein, including as used in the Examples, and unless expressly specified otherwise, all numbers may be read as if preceded by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if that term does not explicitly appear. there is. The phrases “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing a size and/or location to indicate that the described value and/or location is within a reasonably expected range of values and/or locations. For example, a numeric value can be +/- 0.1% of the specified value (or range of values), +/- 1% of the specified value (or range of values), or +/- 2 of the specified value (or range of values). %, +/- 5% of a specified value (or range of values), +/- 10% of a specified value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise.

For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. Any numerical ranges listed herein are intended to include all subranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed, values “less than,” “above,” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as will be appropriately understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, if the value “X” is disclosed, “X or less” as well as “X or more” (e.g., where X is a numeric value) are also disclosed. It is also understood that throughout this application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that such data can represent endpoints or starting points, and ranges for any combination of data points. For example, if a specific data point “10” and a specific data point “15” may be disclosed, then 10 and greater than, greater than, less than, less than, equal to, and equal to 15 may also be considered disclosed as 10 through 15. I understand. It is also understood that each unit between two specific units may also be disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 can be disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 can also be disclosed.

Although various example embodiments have been disclosed, numerous changes may be made to the various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may be varied or reconfigured in different or alternative embodiments, and in other embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped entirely. Optional or desirable features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Accordingly, the foregoing description is provided primarily for purposes of example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims and specific embodiments or the specific details or features disclosed.

The examples and illustrations included herein are illustrative and not limiting, illustrating specific embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, and structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be referred to individually or collectively by the term "invention," if more than one is actually disclosed, but for convenience only and are not intended to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept. may be referred to herein. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, any arrangement, whether intended, practical or calculated to achieve the disclosed purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown, whether explicitly specified or implied. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description. Some examples of embodiments include: Example 1: A bedpan comprising a housing, the housing being a chamber for retaining urine and feces, the chamber having walls and a bottom surface, and an upper portion, comprising: an opening, the proximal surface comprising an opening having a circumferential edge, an apron surrounding the opening, the apron having a top comprising a proximal surface extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening, and angled side walls surrounding the apron. part time job; As the bottom portion, the distal surface opposite the proximal surface, and the distal edge of the distal surface, a chamber is located between the proximal surface and the distal surface, the side walls of the chamber are inside the side wall, and the side wall is distal from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface. a lower portion comprising an outwardly angled distal edge as it extends toward the distal edge of the surface; and a first handle formed on the first portion of the housing. Example 2: The bed pan of Example 1, wherein the first handle is formed integrally with the housing. Embodiment 3: The bed pan of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, further comprising a second handle on the second portion of the housing, the second handle being formed integrally with the housing. Embodiment 4: The method of any of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the first handle comprises an aperture having a first longitudinal axis, and the second handle comprises an aperture having a second longitudinal axis, and Bedpan, wherein the first and second axes are aligned at an angle A of 90° ± 30° with respect to each other. Example 5: The method of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the first handle is on a first side of the housing and the second handle is on a second side of the housing, and the first side of the housing is Bedpan adjacent to the second side. Example 6: The bedpan of any of Examples 1-5, wherein the apron slopes downward toward the distal surface as it extends from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface to the circumferential edge of the opening. Example 7: The bedpan of any of Examples 1-6, wherein the height of the bedpan is between 2 inches and 5 inches, as measured along the longitudinal axis. Example 8: The bedpan of any of Examples 1-7, wherein the angle defined by the plane aligned with the circumferential edge of the side wall and the proximal surface is between 10° and 60° about the housing. Example 9: The bedpan of any of Examples 1-7, wherein the angle defined by the plane aligned with the circumferential edge of the side wall and the proximal surface is between 10° and 60° on at least half of the housing. Example 10: The bed pan of any of Examples 1-9, wherein the opening is generally rectangular in shape. Example 11: The bedpan of any of Examples 1-10, wherein the opening has a length dimension of about 5" to 11.5" and a width dimension of about 4" to 10". Example 12: The bedpan of any of examples 1-11, wherein the housing further comprises at least one support between the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the lower portion. Example 13: The bedpan of Example 12, wherein the housing further includes a plurality of supports disposed about the chamber. Embodiment 14: The method of embodiment 1, further comprising a second handle on the second portion of the housing, the second handle being formed integrally with the housing, the first handle having a first length dimension of between 3" and 8". and wherein the second handle has a second length dimension between 3" and 8". Example 15: The bedpan of any of Examples 1-14, wherein the housing has a length dimension and a width dimension, the length dimension being 14" to 24" and the width dimension being 14" to 23". Example 16: The method of any of Examples 1-15, further comprising a sensor assembly positioned on a top portion of the housing, wherein the sensor detects a characteristic of the patient through direct contact with the patient and detects the detected characteristic. A bedpan configured to wirelessly communicate information regarding characteristics. Embodiment 17: The method of any of Embodiments 1-15, further comprising a sensor assembly positioned within the chamber, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a property of a material within the chamber and wirelessly communicate information regarding the sensed property. , Bedpan. Example 18: A bedpan comprising a housing, the housing being a chamber for retaining urine and feces, the housing comprising a chamber having walls around the chamber, a bottom surface and a top opening, the housing surrounding the opening to the chamber. An upper portion comprising a proximal surface having an apron, the apron comprising: an upper portion extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening; a lower portion comprising a proximal surface and an opposing distal surface, wherein the chamber includes a lower portion positioned between the proximal surface and the distal surface; and a side wall surrounding the apron, the side wall angled outwardly on all sides of the housing as the side wall extends from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface toward the distal edge of the distal surface; and a first handle formed integrally with the housing. Example 19: The bed pan of Example 18, further comprising a second handle formed integrally with the housing. Example 20: The bed pan of Example 18, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are joined together with a hinge.

The disclosed subject matter has been provided herein in connection with one or more features or embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize and understand that, notwithstanding the detailed nature of the example embodiments provided herein, changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments generally without limiting or departing from the intended scope. These and various other adaptations and combinations of the embodiments provided herein are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter as defined by the disclosed elements and features and the full set of equivalents thereof.

Claims (20)

As a bed fan,
Includes a housing, wherein the housing includes:
A chamber for retaining urine and feces, the chamber having walls and a bottom surface;
As the upper part,
an opening to the chamber, the opening having a circumferential edge;
A proximal surface comprising an apron surrounding the opening, the apron comprising a proximal surface extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening, and
an upper portion including angled side walls surrounding the apron;
As the bottom part,
a distal surface opposite the proximal surface, and
The distal edge of the distal surface, wherein the chamber is positioned between the proximal surface and the distal surface, the side walls of the chamber are interior to the side wall, and the side walls extend from the circumferential edge of the proximal surface to the distal edge of the distal surface. a lower portion including a distal edge that angles outwardly as it extends toward; and
A bedpan comprising a first handle formed on a first portion of the housing. According to paragraph 1,
Bed pan, wherein the first handle is formed integrally with the housing. According to paragraph 1,
The bed pan further comprising a second handle on the second portion of the housing, the second handle being formed integrally with the housing. According to paragraph 3,
The first handle includes an aperture with a first longitudinal axis, and the second handle includes an aperture with a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second axes are 90° ± 30° relative to each other. Bedpan, aligned at an angle (A). According to paragraph 3,
wherein the first handle is on a first side of the housing and the second handle is on a second side of the housing, the first side of the housing adjacent the second side of the housing. According to paragraph 1,
and wherein the apron slopes downward toward the distal surface as it extends from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening. According to paragraph 1,
The height of the bedpan, as measured along the longitudinal axis, is between 2 inches and 5 inches. According to paragraph 1,
wherein the angle defined by the plane aligned with the sidewall and the circumferential edge of the proximal surface is between 10° and 60° about the housing. According to paragraph 1,
The bedpan of claim 1, wherein the angle defined by the sidewall and the plane aligned with the circumferential edge of the proximal surface is between 10° and 60° on at least half of the housing. 2. The bed pan of claim 1, wherein the opening is generally rectangular in shape. According to paragraph 1,
The bedpan, wherein the opening has a length dimension of about 5" to 11.5" and a width dimension of about 4" to 10". According to paragraph 1,
wherein the housing further includes at least one support between the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the lower portion. According to clause 12,
The housing further includes a plurality of supports disposed around the chamber. According to paragraph 1,
further comprising a second handle on the second portion of the housing, the second handle being formed integrally with the housing, the first handle having a first length dimension of 3" to 8", the second handle The bed pan, wherein the handle has a second length dimension of 3" to 8". According to paragraph 1,
The bed pan of claim 1, wherein the housing has a length dimension and a width dimension, wherein the length dimension is 14" to 24" and the width dimension is 14" to 23". According to paragraph 1,
A bedpan further comprising a sensor assembly positioned on an upper portion of the housing, the sensor configured to sense a characteristic of the patient through direct contact with the patient and wirelessly communicate information regarding the sensed characteristic. According to paragraph 1,
A bedpan, further comprising a sensor assembly positioned within the chamber, the sensor configured to sense a characteristic of a material within the chamber and wirelessly communicate information regarding the sensed characteristic. As a bed fan,
A housing comprising a chamber for retaining urine and feces, the housing having walls around the chamber, a bottom surface and a top opening, the housing comprising:
an upper portion comprising a proximal surface having an apron surrounding an opening to the chamber, the apron extending from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface to a circumferential edge of the opening;
a lower portion comprising a distal surface opposing the proximal surface, the chamber comprising: a lower portion positioned between the proximal surface and the distal surface; and
A side wall surrounding the apron, comprising a side wall angled outwardly on all sides of the housing as the side wall extends from a circumferential edge of the proximal surface toward a distal edge of the distal surface,
Bed pan further comprising a first handle formed integrally with the housing. According to clause 18,
Bed pan further comprising a second handle formed integrally with the housing. According to clause 18,
A bed pan wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are coupled together with a hinge.

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