Infant urine collector

Abstract

The urine collection insert, or infant urine collector, is an insert for placement inside a typical diaper. Placement of the insertion preferably occurs with the first diapering after birth. The infant's urine is channeled into a portal, through a one-way valve, and into a reservoir. Coincident with the next diaper change, the insert is collected and the urine withdrawn for testing. Throughout the process, all chain-of-custody requirements being followed. The design of the urine collection insert prevents contamination from the infant's feces, most likely to be meconium—the feces of a newborn formed from epithelial cells, lanugo (hair), mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and water. By avoiding contamination, the integrity of the sample will be maintained and accuracy of results increased, whether positive or negative.

Claims

1. A urine collection device for use with an infant to collect urine, the device interfacing with genitals to exclude feces, the device comprising: an opening; a perimeter seal around the opening; the perimeter seal resting around the genitals of the infant during use, preventing feces from contaminating the urine; a one-way valve fluidly interfaced to the opening; a reservoir; a base creating a seal across a top of the reservoir; a post-collection seal for placement across the opening and the perimeter seal to prevent contaminants from entering the opening after use of the urine collection device; the post-collection seal attached to the base by a hinge; a first side of the post-collection seal including an identification tag; a second side of the post-collection seal including an adhesive layer with adhesive cover; the adhesive cover removed to expose the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer then used to affix the post-collection seal to the perimeter seal; whereby the post-collection seal applied after collection of urine is complete; and whereby urine from the infant flows through the opening, through the one-way valve, and into the reservoir, ready for testing.

2. The urine collection device of claim 1, further comprising: a removable opening cover placed across the opening to prevent contaminants from entering the opening before use of the urine collection device; the removable opening cover including a tab for a user to grip the removable opening cover during removal; whereby the removable opening cover must be fully removed before application of the urine collection device to the infant to create access to the reservoir.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the urine collection insert.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the urine collection insert.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the urine collection insert inserted into a diaper.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the urine collection insert within a diaper, applied to an infant.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the urine collection insert integrated into underwear.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a first exploded view of a second embodiment of the urine collection insert.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a second exploded view of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled, partially-transparent view, of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert.

(10) FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert before use.

(11) FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view and a bottom view of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert after sealing for transport.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the one-way valve of the urine collection insert.

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a view of a drain cover of the urine collection insert.

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

(16) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a front view and isometric view of the urine collection insert are shown.

(17) The urine collection insert 1 is formed from a front wall 10 and rear wall 12 joined by an optional perimeter wall 14.

(18) The upper half of the urine collection insert 1 forms the collection section 20, with the lower half forming the storage section 22.

(19) An infant's genitals interface with the opening 30, with urine directed through the opening 30. A perimeter seal 32 substantially seals the urine collection insert 1 to the infant, minimizing leakage.

(20) After the urine 100 enters the opening 30, it flows through the one-way valve 24 and into the reservoir 26. Urine 100 is held in the reservoir 26 in anticipation of future removal and testing.

(21) Referring to FIG. 3, a front view of the urine collection insert inserted into a diaper is shown.

(22) The urine collection insert 1 is inserted into the diaper 50 with the collection section 20 near the diaper front 52, and the storage section 22 near the diaper rear 54. This aligns the opening 30 with the infant's genitals when the diaper is applied.

(23) Referring to FIG. 4, a front view of the urine collection insert, within a diaper applied to an infant, is shown.

(24) The genitals 62 of infant 60 align with the urine collection insert 1 in a manner that permits collection of urine 100 (See FIG. 1).

(25) Referring to FIG. 5, a front view of the urine collection insert integrated into underwear is shown.

(26) In addition to being used as a stand-alone insert, the urine collection insert 1 may be integrated into underwear 58. This simplifies alignment and collection for children and adults who do not require the features of a diaper.

(27) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a first and second exploded view of a second embodiment of the urine collection insert are shown.

(28) The second embodiment of the urine collection insert 1 is substantially formed from a base 16 and urine storage membrane 18.

(29) For use, the opening cover 70 is removed from the perimeter seal 32, exposing the opening 30. The infant's genitals pass through the opening 30, or are placed near the opening 30, into which urine passes during use.

(30) Within the space formed by the base 16 and urine storage membrane 18, also referred to as the reservoir 26, sits the pocket 21, which carries urine to the valve inlet 23, and through the one-way valve 24. Urine is held within the reservoir 26 by the drain cover 28, which is opened for drainage.

(31) After sufficient urine is collected, the urine collection insert 1 needs to be sealed. The adhesive cover 78 is removed from the post-collection seal 72, exposing the adhesive 76. The post-collection seal 72 is then folded along hinge 80, covering the opening 30 and perimeter seal 32. The ID tag 74 is now prominently visible, and the urine collection insert 1 is ready for transport to the lab for testing.

(32) In this embodiment, the collection section 20 and storage section 22 overlap, nesting within each other. In other embodiments the collection section 20 and storage section 22 are separate from each other.

(33) Referring to FIG. 8, an assembled, partially-transparent view, of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert is shown.

(34) The base 16 and opening cover 70 are shown as transparent to show the components within. The opening 30 leads to the pocket 21, connecting to the valve inlet 23 and one-way valve 24, which drawings into the reservoir 26.

(35) Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a top view and a bottom view of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert before use is shown.

(36) The urine collection insert 1 includes a base 16 and urine storage membrane 18. The opening cover 70 is removed for use, and later covered with the post-collection seal 72, which includes an ID tag 74. The drain cover 28 is removed for later urine drainage.

(37) Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a top view and a bottom view of the second embodiment after sealing for transport of the urine collection insert are shown.

(38) The post-collection seal 72 is sealed to the base 16, orienting the ID tag 74 to make it easily visible.

(39) Referring to FIG. 11, an alternative embodiment of the one-way valve of the urine collection insert is shown.

(40) The one-way valve 24 is shown with opening 30 and perimeter seal 32.

(41) Referring to FIG. 12, a view of a drain cover of the urine collection insert is shown.

(42) The drain cover 28 includes a drain cover adhesive 29 that seals the drain cover 28 to the base 16 (see FIG. 7).

(43) Referring to FIG. 13, a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the urine collection insert is shown.

(44) The space created between the base 16 and urine storage membrane 18 includes the pocket 21, valve inlet 23, and one-way valve 24.

(45) The one-way valve 24 is shown with a ball that permits flow in one direction, but excludes reverse flow.

(46) The post-collection seal 72 includes adhesive 76 and adhesive cover 78, the post-collection seal 72 attached via a hinge 80.

(47) The opening 30 and perimeter seal 32 are covered with the opening cover 70 until ready for use, maintaining a sterile environment within the urine collection insert 1.

(48) Urine is released through the drain cover 28.

(49) Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

(50) It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.