Device for male urinary incontinence

Abstract

A health device for male urinary incontinence includes a strap suited to be wrapped and closed as a ring around the penis and provided with at least one projection that is directed towards the inside of the ring formed by the closed strap, the projection being suited to be positioned at the level of the urethral canal.

Claims

1. A health device for male urinary incontinence, comprising: a strap having an elongated body with a free end; and an opening/closing device for closing/opening and locking/releasing the strap, the opening/closing device being disposed at an end of the strap opposite to the free end, wherein said opening/closing device comprises a through opening configured for insertion of said strap and a member locking/releasing the strap in/from one or more closing positions, thereby causing said straps to form rings of different diameters around a penis, wherein said opening/closing device is provided with a projection that is directed towards an inside of a ring formed by the strap when the strap is in closed condition, wherein said projection is disposed to be positioned at a level of the urethral canal, causing said projection to be compressed against the urethral canal during a tightening of the strap around the penis, and wherein said opening/closing device comprises two side pawls each laterally rotatable about a pin perpendicular to the strap; and wherein each side pawl has an end configured to be engaged with one of one or more sets of tabs distributed on said elongated body of the strap, locking said strap in ring position.

2. The health device for male urinary incontinence according to claim 1, wherein said projection has an elongated shape and is arranged crosswise with respect to a longitudinal axis of the strap.

3. The health device for male urinary incontinence according to claim 1, wherein said projection has a rounded or bevelled cross section.

4. The health device for male urinary incontinence according to claim 1, wherein said side pawls are configured to be moved manually to release said side pawls from said tabs, thus allowing the strap to be reopened.

5. The health device for male urinary incontinence according to claim 1, wherein said tabs are distributed on said elongated body of the strap, positioned one after the other, thereby enabling a user to adjust a diameter of the ring based on dimensions of the penis by selecting the one of the one or more sets of tabs for engagement with the side pawl s.

6. The health device for male urinary incontinence according to claim 1, wherein a side of said opening/closing device, directed towards an inside of the ring, is arched to match a closed ring shape of the strap.

7. The health device for male urinary incontinence according to claim 1, wherein said strap, said opening/closing device and said projection are made of a non-allergenic nylon material.

Description

(1) The device also comprises a device for closing/opening the strap, where the closing/opening device has two lever-shaped pawls that engage/disengage tabs or suitable projections located on the body of the strap, able to restrict movement and withstand forces over 15N. To better understand the characteristics of this new strap the following figures are attached.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the strap (A).

(3) FIG. 2 shows three views of just the strap (A) closing device (C) placed at one end of the strap (A) itself. FIG. 2a shows a section of the closing device (C), while FIG. 2b shows a three dimensional view.

(4) FIG. 3 shows two views of a cross-section of the closing device (C) with a portion of the elongated body (A1) of the strap (A) inserted.

(5) The new device comprises a strap (A), preferably made of nylon material, comprising a flexible and elongated body (A1), on which there are one or more series of small tabs and/or projections (B) to allow the closure of the strap (A) in the form of a ring. The tabs (B) are for example aligned along the body (A1) of the strap (A) and arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (A1) itself.

(6) At one end of the strap (A) there is a closing device (C) with a through-hole or opening (C1), in which the other free end (A2) of the strap (A) is inserted.

(7) The closing device (C) of the strap (A) comprises two side pawls or means (D) with ends (D1) suited to engage said projections or tabs (B), to lock the strap (A) in multiple possible closure positions in the form of a ring, that is, with different diameters.

(8) The closing device (C) also comprises at least one projection (F) on the side (C2) intended to be turned toward the inside of the ring formed by the closed strap.

(9) Said projection (F) preferably has a substantially elongated shape, in a direction transverse to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the strap (A) and has a rounded, semicircular or in any case bevelled section.

(10) The closing device (C) may also comprise a projection (E) within the aforementioned through-hole or opening (C1), suited to maintain the correct position of the elongated body (A1) of the strap (A) inserted in the closing device (C) itself.

(11) The closing device (C) may also include a locking tooth, suited to engage in special holes, seats or projections in general located on the elongated body (A1) of the strap (A), not shown in the figures.

(12) The side (C2) of the closing device (C) destined to face the inside of the ring is preferably arched so as to seamlessly join the closed form of the ring.

(13) To constrain the strap in the position required by the user, the user must close the strap (A) in the shape of a ring, by inserting the free end (A2) in the closing device (C), and where the reopening of the strap (A) is prevented by the side pawls or means (D) which engage the tabs or projections (B) on the body (A1) of the strap (A). For this purpose, the side pawls (D) are, for example, flexible, suited to engage in an automatic way with the tabs or projections (B).

(14) To open the strap, thereby allowing the release of urine, the user must press the base (D2) of the two side pawls (D) inwards so as to cause the widening of the ends (D1) and the resulting disengagement from the tabs or projections (B) of the strap. In the preferred embodiment, each of the side pawls (D) is hinged to the body of the closing device (C) at a point (D3) between the base (D2) and the end (D1), such that pressing on said base (D2) of the side pawl (D) causes the widening of the ends (D1), which release the strap (A).

(15) For this purpose, the closing device (C) is shaped with side recesses (C3) to allow the user to access to at least the base (D2) of the side pawls (D).

(16) Once the strap is disengaged, the projection (F), located at the level of the urethral canal, ceases to press on the canal itself allowing the urine to flow through the urethra and therefore be released.

(17) The opening/closing device (C) of the strap allows the user to lock the strap (A) in the shape of a ring around the penis, correctly positioning the projection (F) at the level of the urethral canal so as to compress it and thereby preventing the release of urine.

(18) Said strap (A) is easily applicable and adjustable since said tabs or projections (B) located one after the other facilitate the adjustment the strap (A) according to the size of the penis. Once the strap (A) is applied, it remains fixed in its position ensuring adherence, functionality, and no release of urine.

(19) The user wearing the device in question can then move freely without fear of the strap moving and is able to maintain a high degree of cleanliness and personal hygiene, eliminating the usual odours due to the release of urine. Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawing the following claims are made.