URINE COLLECTION SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

Abstract

Urine collection systems are disclosed. Methods of making and using urine collection systems are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A urine collection system comprising: (I) a perforated sheet having a perforated sheet outer periphery, a perforated sheet upper surface, a perforated sheet lower surface, and a plurality of perforated sheet apertures (i) within the perforated sheet outer periphery, and (ii) extending from said perforated sheet upper surface to said perforated sheet lower surface; wherein at least a portion of the perforated sheet apertures within said plurality of perforated sheet apertures comprises a urine backflow feature that allows one-way urine flow through a given perforated sheet aperture, and prevents urine backflow through the given perforated sheet aperture; and at least one of: (II)(A) an absorbent layer positioned below said perforated sheet, said absorbent layer comprising a fiber-containing layer; and (II)(B) a bottom sheet positioned below said perforated sheet, and said absorbent layer, when present, said bottom sheet having a bottom sheet upper surface, a bottom sheet lower surface, a major surface portion extending within a plane containing said bottom sheet upper surface, and one or more grooves along a bottom sheet outer periphery of said bottom sheet upper surface, wherein each groove has a groove length G.sub.L, a groove width G.sub.W, and a groove depth G.sub.D that enables collection of urine along said bottom sheet outer periphery of said bottom sheet upper surface.

2. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said perforated sheet has a perforated sheet length L.sub.S of from about 2.0 ft to about 4.0 ft, a perforated sheet width W.sub.S of from about 2.0 ft to about 4.0 ft, and a perforated sheet thickness T.sub.S of from about 1.0 cm to about 1.5 cm.

3. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said urine backflow feature comprises an aperture shape that prevents urine backflow.

4. The urine collection system of claim 3, wherein said aperture shape comprises a cone shape having a larger aperture inlet along said perforated sheet upper surface and a smaller aperture outlet along said perforated sheet lower surface.

5. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said urine backflow feature comprises one or more inner flow-controlling members positioned within a given perforated sheet aperture, wherein said one or more inner flow-controlling members comprise one or more aperture flaps that move towards said perforated sheet upper surface to close said given perforated sheet aperture when exposed to urine backflow.

6. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said urine backflow feature comprises a Tesla valve configuration.

7. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said urine backflow feature comprises one or more outlet flow-controlling members positioned along said perforated sheet lower surface at an aperture outlet of a given perforated sheet aperture, wherein said one or more outlet flow-controlling members comprise one or more outlet flaps that move towards said perforated sheet upper surface to close said given perforated sheet aperture when exposed to urine backflow.

8. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein all of the perforated sheet apertures within said plurality of perforated sheet apertures comprise said urine backflow feature.

9. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said perforated sheet further comprises a plurality of support members extending from said perforated sheet lower surface, said plurality of support members being capable of positioning said perforated sheet above a flat surface on which said plurality of support members contact.

10. The urine collection system of claim 9, wherein said plurality of support members comprise a plurality of suction cups.

11. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said urine collection system comprises said absorbent layer.

12. The urine collection system of claim 11, wherein said absorbent layer comprises synthetic fibers, natural fibers, superabsorbent particles, or any combination thereof

13. The urine collection system of claim 1, wherein said urine collection system comprises said bottom sheet.

14. The urine collection system of claim 13, wherein said one or more grooves extend along 100% a total length of said bottom sheet outer periphery.

15. The urine collection system of claim 13, wherein a plurality of support members of said perforated sheet temporarily connect to said major surface portion of said bottom sheet upper surface.

16. The urine collection system of claim 13, wherein said bottom sheet further comprises sheet structure that causes urine to flow from a head end of said bottom sheet towards a foot end of said bottom sheet.

17. The urine collection system of claim 16, wherein said sheet structure comprises an inclined surface along said major surface portion of said bottom sheet upper surface, wherein said inclined surface further comprises surface undulations that guide urine towards said foot end of said bottom sheet.

18. The urine collection system of claim 13, wherein said bottom sheet further comprises a urine outlet, said urine outlet being connectable to a suction system.

19. The urine collection system of claim 18, further comprising (i) a length of tubing capable of connecting said urine outlet to said suction system, and (ii) a suction system.

20. A method of collecting urine from a patient, said method comprising: positioning (I) the perforated sheet, and at least one of (II)(A) the absorbent layer and (II)(B) the bottom sheet of claim 1 under the patient; and collecting urine from the patient.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] The present invention is further described with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary urine collection system of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1 with a perforated sheet lower surface displayed;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of an exemplary perforated sheet lower surface of the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary perforated sheet suitable for use in the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side, cut-away view of an exemplary aperture shape suitable for use in the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side, cut-away view of an exemplary aperture with inner flow-controlling members therein, which is suitable for use in the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side, cut-away view of an exemplary aperture with a Tesla valve (i.e., fluid flow) configuration, which is suitable for use in the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a side, cut-away view of an exemplary aperture with an outer flow-controlling member, which is suitable for use in the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary suction cup suitable for use in the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a side view of another exemplary urine collection system of the present invention, wherein the exemplary urine collection system comprises a perforated sheet as shown in FIG. 4 in combination with an absorbent layer;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective, top view of an exemplary bottom sheet suitable for use in the urine collection systems of the present invention including the exemplary urine collection system shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bottom sheet shown in FIG. 11 as viewed along line 11-11 shown in FIG. 12;

[0024] FIG. 13 is a possible cross-sectional view of the exemplary bottom sheet shown in FIG. 11 as viewed along line 13-13 shown in FIG. 12; and

[0025] FIG. 14 is a side view of another exemplary urine collection system of the present invention, wherein the exemplary urine collection system comprises a perforated sheet as shown in FIG. 4 in combination with a bottom layer as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 11-13, and a wall suction system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

[0027] With continued reference to the drawings, the present invention will be described with respect to several embodiments showing urine collection systems. FIGS. 1-4, and 11-12 show one exemplary urine collection system 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, and 11-12, exemplary urine collection system 100 comprises: (I) a perforated sheet 10 having a perforated sheet outer periphery 11, a perforated sheet upper surface 12, a perforated sheet lower surface 13, and a plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 (i) within the perforated sheet outer periphery 11, and (ii) extending from the perforated sheet upper surface 12 to the perforated sheet lower surface 13, wherein at least a portion of the perforated sheet apertures 14 within the plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprises a urine backflow feature 15 that allows one-way urine flow through a given perforated sheet aperture 14, and prevents urine backflow through the given perforated sheet aperture 14; and (II) a bottom sheet 40 positioned below the perforated sheet 10, the bottom sheet 40 having a bottom sheet upper surface 42, a bottom sheet lower surface 43, a major surface portion 42 extending within a plane P containing the bottom sheet upper surface 42, and one or more grooves 45 along a bottom sheet outer periphery 41 of the bottom sheet upper surface 42, wherein each groove 45 has a groove length G.sub.L, a groove width G.sub.W, and a groove depth G.sub.D that enables collection of urine along the bottom sheet outer periphery 41 of the bottom sheet upper surface 42.

[0028] FIG. 10 shows another exemplary urine collection system 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, exemplary urine collection system 100 comprises: (I) a perforated sheet 10 having a perforated sheet outer periphery 11, a perforated sheet upper surface 12, a perforated sheet lower surface 13, and a plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 (i) within the perforated sheet outer periphery 11, and (ii) extending from the perforated sheet upper surface 12 to the perforated sheet lower surface 13, wherein at least a portion of the perforated sheet apertures 14 within the plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprises a urine backflow feature 15 that allows one-way urine flow through a given perforated sheet aperture 14, and prevents urine backflow through the given perforated sheet aperture 14; and (II) an absorbent layer 30 that is positionable below the perforated sheet 10, the absorbent layer 30 comprising a fiber-containing layer 31.

[0029] Other exemplary urine collection systems 100 of the present invention comprise: (I) a perforated sheet 10 having a perforated sheet outer periphery 11, a perforated sheet upper surface 12, a perforated sheet lower surface 13, and a plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 (i) within the perforated sheet outer periphery 11, and (ii) extending from the perforated sheet upper surface 12 to the perforated sheet lower surface 13, wherein at least a portion of the perforated sheet apertures 14 within the plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprises a urine backflow feature 15 that allows one-way urine flow through a given perforated sheet aperture 14, and prevents urine backflow through the given perforated sheet aperture 14; (II) an absorbent layer 30 that is positionable below the perforated sheet 10, the absorbent layer 30 comprising a fiber-containing layer 31; and (III) a bottom sheet 40 positioned below the perforated sheet 10 and the absorbent layer 30, the bottom sheet 40 having a bottom sheet upper surface 42, a bottom sheet lower surface 43, a major surface portion 42 extending within a plane P containing the bottom sheet upper surface 42, and one or more grooves 45 along a bottom sheet outer periphery 41 of the bottom sheet upper surface 42, wherein each groove 45 has a groove length G.sub.L, a groove width G.sub.W, and a groove depth G.sub.D that enables collection of urine along the bottom sheet outer periphery 41 of the bottom sheet upper surface 42.

[0030] The (I) urine collection systems 10, (II) methods of making urine collection systems, and (III) methods of using urine collection systems 10 are further described in the following additional embodiments.

Additional Embodiments

[0031] Urine Collection Systems [0032] 1. A urine collection system 100 comprising: a perforated sheet 10 having a perforated sheet outer periphery 11, a perforated sheet upper surface 12, a perforated sheet lower surface 13, and a plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 (i) within the perforated sheet outer periphery 11, and (ii) extending from said perforated sheet upper surface 12 to said perforated sheet lower surface 13; wherein at least a portion of the perforated sheet apertures 14 within said plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprises a urine backflow feature 15 that allows one-way urine flow through a given perforated sheet aperture 14, and prevents urine backflow through the given perforated sheet aperture 14. [0033] 2. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 1, wherein said perforated sheet 10 has a perforated sheet length L.sub.S of up to about 8.0 feet (ft), a perforated sheet width W.sub.S of up to about 6.0 ft, and a perforated sheet thickness T.sub.S of up to about 2.0 centimeters (cm). It should be understood that perforated sheet 10 may have any desired dimensions. [0034] 3. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein said perforated sheet 10 has a perforated sheet length L.sub.S of from about 2.0 ft to about 4.0 ft, a perforated sheet width W.sub.S of from about 2.0 ft to about 4.0 ft, and a perforated sheet thickness T.sub.S of from about 1.0 cm to about 1.5 cm. [0035] 4. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein said urine backflow feature 15 comprises an aperture shape 15 that prevents urine backflow. [0036] 5. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 4, wherein said aperture shape 15 comprises a cone shape 15 having a larger aperture inlet 16 along said perforated sheet upper surface 12 and a smaller aperture outlet 17 along said perforated sheet lower surface 13. See, for example, FIG. 5. [0037] 6. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein said urine backflow feature 15 comprises one or more inner flow-controlling members 15 positioned within a given perforated sheet aperture 14. See, for example, FIG. 6. [0038] 7. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 6, wherein said one or more inner flow-controlling members 15 comprise one or more aperture flaps 18 that move towards said perforated sheet upper surface 12 to close said given perforated sheet aperture 14 when exposed to urine backflow. As shown in FIG. 6, one or more aperture flaps 18 move in direction A depending on whether the one or more aperture flaps 18 are subjected to urine backflow pressure. [0039] 8. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 6, wherein said one or more inner flow-controlling members 15 comprise a Tesla valve configuration 19. See, for example, FIG. 7. [0040] 9. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein said urine backflow feature 15 comprises one or more outlet flow-controlling members 15 positioned along said perforated sheet lower surface 13 at an aperture outlet 17 of a given perforated sheet aperture 14. [0041] 10. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 9, wherein said one or more outlet flow-controlling members 15 comprise one or more outlet flaps 19 that move towards said perforated sheet upper surface 12 (i.e., in direction A) to close said given perforated sheet aperture 14 when exposed to urine backflow. See, for example, FIG. 8. [0042] 11. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein all of the perforated sheet apertures 14 within said plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprise said urine backflow feature 15. [0043] 12. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein said plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprises from about 20 to about 200 apertures 14 per square foot of said perforated sheet upper surface 12. It should be understood that perforated sheet 10 may have any number of perforated sheet apertures 14 per square foot of said perforated sheet upper surface 12. [0044] 13. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein said plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 comprises from about 100 to about 200 apertures 14 per square foot of said perforated sheet upper surface 12. [0045] 14. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein said perforated sheet 10 comprises a non-absorbent, polymeric sheet 10. It should be understood that perforated sheet 10 may be formed from any type of polymer, and/or other elastomeric materials, either alone or in combination with one another and other possible materials such as synthetic (e.g., polymeric) or natural (e.g., cellulosic) fibers have any number of perforated sheet apertures 14 per square foot of said perforated sheet upper surface 12. [0046] 15. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein said perforated sheet 10 comprises a non-absorbent, polypropylene sheet 10. [0047] 16. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein said perforated sheet 10 further comprises a plurality of support members 20 extending from said perforated sheet lower surface 12, said plurality of support members 20 being capable of positioning said perforated sheet 10 above a flat surface 80 (e.g., a bed mattress top surface 81, a stretcher top surface (not shown), or a major surface portion 42 of a bottom sheet upper surface 42, discussed below). See, for example, FIGS. 2-3, 9, and 14. [0048] 17. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 16, wherein said plurality of support members 20 comprise a plurality of suction cups 21. See again, for example, FIGS. 2-3, and 9. [0049] 18. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 16 or 17, wherein said plurality of support members 20 comprises from about 16 to about 150 support members 20 per square foot of said perforated sheet lower surface 13. It should be understood that any number of support members 20 per square foot of said perforated sheet lower surface 13 may be used. [0050] 19. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein said plurality of support members 20 comprises from about 36 to about 64 support members 20 per square foot of said perforated sheet lower surface 13. It should be understood that each support member 20 may have any desired size and dimensions. Typically, each support member 20 has an overall width W.sub.SM of from about 1.0 cm to about 4.0 cm, more typically, from about 1.0 cm to about 2.0 cm, and an overall thickness (i.e., height) T.sub.SM of from about 1.0 cm to about 4.0 cm, more typically, from about 1.0 cm to about 2.0 cm. See again, for example, FIG. 9. [0051] 20. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 16 to 19, wherein each support member 20 of said plurality of support members 20 comprises a non-absorbent, polymeric material 22. It should be understood that support members 20 may be formed from any type of polymer, and/or other elastomeric materials, either alone or in combination with one another and other possible materials such as synthetic (e.g., polymeric) or natural (e.g., cellulosic) fibers. [0052] 21. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 16 to 20, wherein each support member 20 of said plurality of support members 20 comprises polypropylene 22. [0053] 22. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 16 to 21, wherein each support member 20 of said plurality of support members 20 is integrally connected to said perforated sheet lower surface 13. [0054] 23. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, further comprising: an absorbent layer 30 positioned below said perforated sheet 10, said absorbent layer 30 comprising a fiber-containing layer 31. See, for example, FIG. 10. [0055] 24. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 23, wherein said absorbent layer 30 comprises synthetic fibers 32, natural fibers 32, superabsorbent particles 33, or any combination thereof. [0056] 25. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 23 or 24, wherein said absorbent layer 30 covers more than 50% of said perforated sheet lower surface 13. [0057] 26. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 23 to 25, wherein said absorbent layer 30 has a basis weight of up to about 100 grams per square meter (gsm). It should be understood that absorbent layer 30 may have any desired basis weight of up to about 100 gsm or greater. [0058] 27. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, further comprising: a bottom sheet 40 positioned below said perforated sheet 10, said bottom sheet 40 having a bottom sheet upper surface 42, a bottom sheet lower surface 43, a major surface portion 42 extending within a plane P containing said bottom sheet upper surface 42, and one or more grooves 45 along a bottom sheet outer periphery 41 of said bottom sheet upper surface 42, wherein each groove 45 has a groove length G.sub.L, a groove width G.sub.W, and a groove depth G.sub.D that enables collection of urine along said bottom sheet outer periphery 41 of said bottom sheet upper surface 42. See, for example, FIGS. 11-12. [0059] 28. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 27, wherein said one or more grooves 45 extend along at least 10% of a total length of said bottom sheet outer periphery 41. For example, bottom sheet 40 may comprise a single groove 45 extending along one side of bottom sheet 40 extending in a width direction. [0060] 29. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 27 or 28, wherein said one or more grooves 45 extend along at least 50% of a total length of said bottom sheet outer periphery 41. For example, bottom sheet 40 may comprise grooves 45 extending along (i) one side of bottom sheet 40 extending in a width direction, and (i) one side of bottom sheet 40 extending in a length direction. [0061] 30. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 29, wherein said one or more grooves 45 extend along 100% a total length of said bottom sheet outer periphery 41. For example, bottom sheet 40 may comprise grooves 45 extending along all edges of the bottom sheet 40 similar to exemplary bottom sheet 40 shown in FIGS. 1-3, and 11-12. [0062] 31. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 30, wherein said groove length G.sub.L ranges from about 1.0 ft to about 8.0 ft, said groove width G.sub.W ranges from about 1.0 cm to about 5.0 cm, and said groove depth G.sub.D ranges from about 1.0 cm to about 3.0 cm. [0063] 32. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 31, wherein said bottom sheet 40 comprises a polymeric sheet 40. It should be understood that bottom sheet 40 may be formed from any type of polymer, and/or other elastomeric materials, either alone or in combination with one another and other possible materials such as synthetic (e.g., polymeric) or natural (e.g., cellulosic) fibers. [0064] 33. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 32, wherein said bottom sheet 40 comprises a polypropylene sheet 40. [0065] 34. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 33, wherein said bottom sheet 40 has a bottom sheet length L.sub.BS of up to about 8.0 ft, a bottom sheet width W.sub.BS of up to about 6.0 ft, and a bottom sheet thickness T.sub.BS of up to about 5.0 centimeters (cm). See again, FIGS. 11-12. Typically, bottom sheet 40 has (i) a bottom sheet length L.sub.BS, and (ii) a bottom sheet width W.sub.BS that are similar to the perforated sheet length L.sub.S and the perforated sheet width W.sub.S, respectively, of perforated sheet 10. [0066] 35. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 34, wherein said bottom sheet 40 has a bottom sheet length L.sub.BS of from about 2.0 ft to about 4.0 ft, a bottom sheet width W.sub.BS of from about 2.0 ft to about 4.0 ft, and a bottom sheet thickness T.sub.BS of from about 1.0 cm to about 1.5 cm. [0067] 36. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 35, wherein said plurality of support members 20 temporarily connect to said major surface portion 42 of said bottom sheet upper surface 42. [0068] 37. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 36, wherein said plurality of support members 20 temporarily connect to said major surface portion 42 of said bottom sheet upper surface 42, and comprise a plurality of suction cups 21. [0069] 38. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 34 to 37, wherein said bottom sheet 40 further comprises sheet structure that causes urine to flow from a head end 46 of said bottom sheet 40 towards a foot end 47 of said bottom sheet 40. [0070] 39. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 38, wherein said sheet structure comprises an inclined surface 42 along said major surface portion 42 of said bottom sheet upper surface 42. See, for example, FIG. 13, which shows a possible cross-sectional view of bottom sheet 40 shown in FIG. 11, wherein head end 46 of said bottom sheet 40 is higher (i.e., T.sub.BS is greater at head end 46 than T.sub.BS at foot end 47 as shown in FIG. 13). It should be understood that in other embodiments, bottom sheet thickness T.sub.BS is substantially constant along bottom sheet 40. [0071] 40. The urine collection system 100 of embodiment 39, wherein said inclined surface 42 further comprises surface undulations 48 that guide urine towards said foot end 47 of said bottom sheet 40. See again, FIGS. 11-13. [0072] 41. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 40, wherein said bottom sheet 40 further comprises a urine outlet 49, said urine outlet 49 being connectable to a suction system, such as a wall suction system 60. See, for example, FIG. 14. It should be understood that other types of suction systems (not shown) may be used to remove urine from bottom sheet 40. For example, a portable suction system (not shown) that can be transported along with a patient (not shown) may be used with the urine collection system 100 of the present invention. [0073] 42. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 27 to 41, further comprising a length of tubing 50 capable of connecting said urine outlet 49 to a suction system, such as a wall suction system 60. See again, for example, FIG. 14. [0074] 43. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 42, further comprising a wall suction system 60. [0075] 44. The urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 42, further comprising a portable suction system (not shown).

[0076] Methods of Making Urine Collection Systems [0077] 45. A method of making the urine collection system 100 of any one of embodiments 1 to 44, said method comprising: forming the perforated sheet 10. [0078] 46. The method of embodiment 45, wherein said forming the perforated sheet 10 step comprises at least one of: thermoforming the perforated sheet 10 using one or more extruder surfaces, cutting the perforated sheet 10, thermoforming the perforated sheet 10 using one or more extruder surfaces, and punching the plurality of perforated sheet apertures 14 in the perforated sheet 10. [0079] 47. The method of embodiment 45 or 46, said method further comprising: forming the bottom sheet 40. [0080] 48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said forming the bottom sheet 40 step comprises at least one of: thermoforming the bottom sheet 40 using one or more extruder surfaces, cutting the bottom sheet 40, and thermoforming the bottom sheet 40 using one or more mold surfaces. [0081] 49. The method of any one of embodiments 45 to 48, further comprising positioning the absorbent layer 30 below the perforated sheet 10. [0082] 50. The method of any one of embodiments 46 to 49, wherein said forming the perforated sheet 10 step comprises further comprising: forming the plurality of support members 20 extending from the perforated sheet lower surface 13. [0083] 51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein (i) said forming the perforated sheet 10 step, and (ii) said forming the plurality of support members 20 step occur simultaneously.

[0084] Methods of Using Urine Collection Systems [0085] 52. A method of collecting urine from a patient (not shown), said method comprising: positioning the perforated sheet 10 of any one of embodiments 1 to 44 under the patient. [0086] 53. The method of embodiment 52, further comprising: positioning the absorbent layer 30 between the perforated sheet 10 and the patient. [0087] 54. The method of embodiment 52 or 53, further comprising: positioning the bottom layer 40 between the perforated sheet 10 and the patient, and when present, below the absorbent layer 30. [0088] 55. The method of any one of embodiments 52 to 54, further comprising: attaching the urine collection system 100 to a suction system, such as a wall suction system 60. [0089] 56. The method of any one of embodiments 53 to 55, further comprising: replacing the absorbent layer 30 with a replacement absorbent layer 30. [0090] 57. The method of any one of embodiments 52 to 56, further comprising: replacing the perforated sheet 10 with a replacement perforated sheet 10. [0091] 58. The method of any one of embodiments 52 to 57, further comprising: measuring and monitoring a patient's urine output using the urine collection system 100. Such a step may be used to carefully monitor/manage fluid flow into and out of a given patient.

[0092] It should be understood that although the above-described urine collection systems, and methods are described as comprising one or more features, components or steps, the above-described urine collection systems, and methods may comprise, consists of, or consist essentially of any of the above-described features, components or steps of the urine collection systems, and methods. Consequently, where the present invention, or a portion thereof, has been described with an open-ended term such as comprising, it should be readily understood that (unless otherwise stated) the description of the present invention, or the portion thereof, should also be interpreted to describe the present invention, or a portion thereof, using the terms consisting essentially of or consisting of or variations thereof as discussed below.

[0093] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having, contains, containing, characterized by or any other variation thereof, are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion, subject to any limitation explicitly indicated otherwise, of the recited components. For example, a urine collection system and/or method that comprises a list of elements (e.g., components or steps) is not necessarily limited to only those elements (or components or steps), but may include other elements (or components or steps) not expressly listed or inherent to the urine collection system and/or method.

[0094] As used herein, the transitional phrases consists of and consisting of exclude any element, step, or component not specified. For example, consists of or consisting of used in a claim would limit the claim to the components, materials or steps specifically recited in the claim except for impurities ordinarily associated therewith (i.e., impurities within a given component). When the phrase consists of or consisting of appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, the phrase consists of or consisting of limits only the elements (or components or steps) set forth in that clause; other elements (or components) are not excluded from the claim as a whole.

[0095] As used herein, the transitional phrases consists essentially of and consisting essentially of are used to define a urine collection system and/or method that includes materials, steps, features, components, or elements, in addition to those literally disclosed, provided that these additional materials, steps, features, components, or elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. The term consisting essentially of occupies a middle ground between comprising and consisting of.

[0096] Further, it should be understood that the herein-described urine collection systems, and/or methods may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of any of the herein-described components, features, and steps, as shown in the figures with or without any feature(s) not shown in the figures. In other words, in some embodiments, the urine collection systems and/or methods of the present invention do not have any additional features other than those shown in the figures, and such additional features, not shown in the figures, are specifically excluded from the urine collection systems and/or methods. In other embodiments, the urine collection systems and/or methods of the present invention do have one or more additional features that are not shown in the figures.

[0097] The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLE 1

[0098] Urine collection systems as described in embodiments 1 to 58 were prepared. The urine collection systems were used to collect urine from one or more patients in a hospital bed setting or nursing home bed setting.

[0099] While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.