URINARY INCONTINENCE DEVICE

Abstract

A urinary incontinence device is provided. The incontinence device may generally be comprised of a pouch having an absorbent material therein. An outer material, that is impervious to liquid, retains the absorbent material as well as any liquid excreted by the patient. The device may be further used in conjunction with a waist strap or harness to further support the device.

Claims

1. A urinary incontinence device comprising: a pouch having at least one inner layer and an outer layer defining an opening, wherein one of the at least one inner layer is comprised of an absorbent material, and wherein the outer layer is made of a liquid impervious material; at least one securement mechanism coupled to the pouch; and at least one retainment mechanism configured to be coupled to the pouch.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a size of the opening is adjustable.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the securement mechanism comprises a first end and a second end with each of the first end and the second end coupled to the pouch thereby forming a loop.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive disposed on an outer surface of the pouch.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the absorbent material contains sodium polyacrylate.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein there are two securement mechanisms.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the at least one retainment mechanism is coupled to each of the two securement mechanisms.

8. The device of claim 2 further comprising flaps disposed in proximity to the opening and being configured to adjust the size of the opening.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the opening is configured to receive a human penis.

10. A male urinary incontinence device comprising: a pouch having an inner surface and an outer surface defining an opening with the opening being configured to receive a human penis, wherein an absorbent material is disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface, and wherein the outer surface is made of a liquid impervious material; two securement mechanisms coupled to the pouch, wherein each of the two securement mechanisms comprises, a first end and a second end with each of the first end and the second end coupled to the pouch thereby forming a loop; and a length of material having a first end and a second end with the first end being configured to be coupled to one of the two securement mechanisms and the second end being configured to be coupled to another of the two securement mechanisms.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the length of material has a fastening mechanism disposed on each of the first end and the second end of the length of material.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the outer surface comprises an outer layer and an inner layer with the outer layer comprised of the liquid impervious material and the inner layer being a cloth layer.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the device is configured to hold up to 1 L of fluid.

14. A male urinary incontinence device comprising: a pouch having at least one inner layer and an outer layer defining an opening with the opening being configured to receive a human penis, wherein the at least one inner layer is comprised of sodium polyacrylate, and wherein the outer layer is made of a petroleum based material; at least one flap disposed in proximity to the opening and being configured to adjust the size of the opening, wherein a positioning mechanism is disposed on one end of the at least one flap to secure a position of the at least one flap; two securement mechanisms coupled to the pouch, wherein each of the two securement mechanisms comprises, a first end and a second end with each of the first end and the second end coupled to the pouch thereby forming a loop; an adhesive material being disposed on an outer layer of the pouch; and a length of material having a first end and a second end with the first end being configured to be coupled to one of the two securement mechanisms and the second end being configured to be coupled to another of the two securement mechanisms, wherein the length of material has a fastening mechanism disposed on each of the first end and the second end of the length of material.

15. The device of claim 15 wherein the adhesive material is disposed on a back surface of the pouch.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the inner layer is removable.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the outer layer of the pouch is about 3 inches thick.

18. The device of claim 15 wherein the fastening mechanism is a hook and loop fastener.

19. The device of claim 15 wherein a base of the pouch is wider than the opening of the pouch.

20. The device of claim 15 wherein the two securement mechanisms are elastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pouch of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a pouch with an attached support of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a pouch of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0031] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective another, when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms including and having are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, there is a first view of the device 100. Generally, the device 100 has an opening 106, securement mechanisms 108, attachment mechanism 124, flap 114, outer surface 104, retainment mechanism 110, and adhesive area 112.

[0033] The device 100 is shaped to form a pouch 107 having an inner surface 102 (see FIG. 3) and an outer surface 104. Between the inner surface 102 and the outer surface 104 are a number of layers of various materials. The number of layers may vary and may have about one layer to about ten layers, and more preferably may have about two layers to about four layers. Generally, the inner layer(s) comprise an absorbent material and the outer layer comprises a liquid impervious material. The pouch 107 may have an overall length of about 3 inches to about 12 inches. The pouch 107 has a circumference of about 8 inches.

[0034] The pouch 107 has an opening 106 which is sized to be configured to receive a human penis. The opening 106 may be adjustable by way of at least one, and in some embodiments, two flaps 114. In other embodiments, there is an elastic material that surrounds the opening 106 that is configured to accommodate up to 10 inches in diameter allowing for easy application and removal of the device 100.

[0035] The flap(s) 114 have a positioning material 124 on a surface thereof and there is, in some embodiments, a complementary positioning material 127 disposed on the outer surface 104 of the device 100. By tightening or pulling on the flaps 114 and coupling the flaps 114 to the pouch 107 the size of the opening can effectively be changed. This allows the opening to accommodate a penis of varying sizes while remaining securely attached to the user. A base or lower area of the pouch 107 is wider than a neck area of the pouch 107 with the neck area being in proximity to the opening 106. The neck area of the pouch 107 may be comprised of differing or additional materials configured to be comforting to a user of the device 100. It is intended that the neck area will have a length configured to accommodate a shaft of the penis inserted therein. This allows for the user to minimize any contact with the collection area of the pouch 107 as it begins to accumulate liquid waste therein.

[0036] Securement mechanisms 108 are coupled to an outer surface 104 of the device 100. Preferably these securement mechanisms 108 are coupled to the neck area of the pouch 107, however, the securement mechanisms 108 may be coupled anywhere on the outer surface 104 of the device 100. In at least one embodiment, the securement mechanisms 108 comprise a first end and a second end with each of the first end and the second end being coupled to the device 100 thereby forming a loop. In yet another embodiment, the securement mechanisms 108 are elastic in nature. In a preferred embodiment, there are two securement mechanisms 108 with one securement mechanism 108 being coupled to the device 100 on an opposing side of the device 100. In another embodiment there is only one securement mechanism 108 disposed on the device 100.

[0037] A retainment mechanism 110 is utilized to further secure the pouch 107 to a user. Here, the retainment mechanism 110 takes the form of a belt. The retainment mechanism 110 is further size adjustable to accommodate a waist area of a user. As various users can fluctuate from one to another in size, a fastening mechanism, such as a hook and loop fastener, may be utilized to provide differing sizes of the retainment mechanism 110. Further, each of a first end and a second end of the retainment mechanism 110 is coupled to one of the two securement mechanisms 108. This forms a complete device 100 consisting primarily of the pouch 107 and the retainment mechanism 110.

[0038] An adhesive area or patch 112 may further be present on an outer surface 104 of the device. In some embodiments, a non-stick covering may be present on the adhesive area 112 until it is desired to utilize the adhesive area 112. In some embodiments, the adhesive area 112 is on a front of the device, whereas in other embodiments it is on the side or rear of the device. In other embodiments, the adhesive area 112 is present at more than one location on the device 100. Generally, when desired, the adhesive area 112 can be exposed allowing the adhesive to be affixed to an article of clothing of the user. In other embodiments the adhesive area 112 may be coupled directly to a skin surface of the user. This provides an additional point of contact to alleviate any strain or stress placed on the device 100 or the user as the device 100 becomes saturated. The adhesive area 112 may be utilized in conjunction with the retainment mechanism 110 or may be utilized solely on its own.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3, a sectional side view of the device 100, namely the pouch 107, is shown. Here, the layers of the pouch 107 are visible, as are the interrelationships between those layers. The pouch 107 generally has an inner surface 102, an absorbent layer 118, a cloth layer 116, an outer surface 104, and a petroleum based (plastic) layer 120.

[0040] In use, the outer surface 104 comprises a liquid impervious material. The outer surface 104 abuts the plastic layer 120 and may be integrated with the plastic layer 120. In some embodiments, the outer surface 104 is simply an outer surface of the plastic layer 120. The plastic layer 120 is preferably about 0.5 inches to about 3 inches in thickness. In yet other embodiments, this outer surface 104 is a distinct and separate layer.

[0041] The inner surface 102 comprises a liquid absorbent material and abuts a cloth layer 116. The inner surface 102 may be integrate with the cloth layer 116. In some embodiments, the inner surface 102 is simply an inner surface of the cloth layer 116. In yet other embodiments, this is a distinct and separate layer. Between the plastic layer 120 and the cloth layer 116 is an absorbent layer 118. The absorbent layer 118 is preferably comprised of sodium polyacrylate, but may be comprised of a blend of materials configured to readily absorb moisture. In at least one embodiment, it is desired that the absorbent layer 118 is capable of absorbing up to 2 L of fluid and more preferably up to 1 L of fluid.

[0042] In other embodiments, the absorbent layer 118 and the cloth layer 116 are separable from the plastic layer 120. In some instances, an additional layer, between the absorbent layer 118 and the plastic layer 120 exists such that this removal is facilitated without losing the liquid collected therein. In yet other embodiments, additional absorbent material may be disposed on the cavity formed in the pouch 107. However, such material may be provided for comfort purposes as generally it is desired to pull moisture away from the skin surface.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred implementation of an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the device 100 is shown coupled to a user 200. In practice, the penis 202 of the user 200 is inserted in the opening 106 (see FIG. 1). The retainment mechanism 110 is disposed around a waist of the user 200 and the fastening mechanism(s) 122 is manipulated such that the device 100 is held in place. The device 100 can then be held in place until it has become saturated and needs to be changed or until it is otherwise desirable to remove the device 100.

[0044] The embodiments of the present invention described herein provide for a male incontinence device that may be worn by a user as needed, such as, before, during, or after surgery or by those generally having incontinence issues. Such a device is intended to replace traditional catheters which can be painful to use and can cause serious infections amongst other problems.