Device For Male Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Device for male urinary incontinence, comprising at least one pair of underpants which at least one through hole (18) is made, into which the urogenital apparatus (19) is introduced, and at least one absorbent aid (12) provided with at least one bag (21) and connected to the external surface (13) of the underpants (11) by means of support and attachment means (14, 17, 17′); the absorbent aid (12) is provided with at least one through hole (20) substantially aligned with the through hole (18) of the underpants (11) to allow the introduction of the urogenital apparatus (19) inside said bag (21) of the absorbent aid (12).

Claims

1. Device for male urinary incontinence comprising at least one pair of underpants (11) in which at least one through hole (18) is made, into which the urogenital apparatus (19) is introduced, and at least one absorbent aid (12) provided with at least one bag (21) and connected to the external surface (13) of the underpants (11) by means of support and attachment means (14, 17, 17′), said absorbent aid (12) being provided with at least one through hole (20) substantially aligned with the through hole (18) of the underpants (11) to allow the introduction of the urogenital apparatus (19) inside said bag (21) of the absorbent aid (12), characterized in that said underpants (1 1) comprise, on the external surface (13), at least one pocket (14) having an upper entry side for the insertion of a lower first portion (15) of the absorbent aid (12), said absorbent aid (12) comprising an upper second portion (16) outside the pocket (14) which is connected to the external surface (13) of the underpants (11) by means of removable attachment means (17, 17′).

2. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of either the through hole (18) or the through hole (20) is provided with a membrane (33) on which a plurality of cuts are defined passing through the center of said through hole (18, 20) and defining a coherent plurality of membrane sectors (33′) configured to allow the selective introduction of the urogenital apparatus (19) inside the bag (21) of the absorbent aid (12).

3. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said through hole (18) of the underpants (11) comprises an elasticized edge (25).

4. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said through hole (20) of the absorbent aid (12) comprises an elasticized edge (26).

5. Device as in claim 3, characterized in that at least one of either the elasticized edge (25; 26) is defined by an elastic stitching.

6. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said absorbent aid (12) comprises, from inside to outside, at least one layer (29) of antiallergic and antibacterial material and at least one layer (30) of pressed cellulose with high carrying capacity.

7. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said absorbent aid (12) comprises, from inside to outside, at least one layer (29) of antiallergic and antibacterial material, at least one layer (30) of pressed cellulose with high carrying capacity and at least one layer (31) of pressed cellulose made of super absorbent polymers.

8. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said absorbent aid (12) comprises, from inside to outside, at least one layer (29) of antiallergic and antibacterial material, at least one layer (30) of pressed cellulose with high carrying capacity, at least one layer (31) of pressed cellulose made of super absorbent polymers and at least one layer (32) of hypoallergic-antibacterial pressed cellulose.

9. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that at least said absorbent aid (12) is externally coated by at least one waterproof external layer made of non-woven polypropylene fabric, water-repellent non-woven fabric.

10. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said absorbent aid (12) comprises at least one pair of wings (27) on which the removable attachment means (17′) are positioned, said wings (27) being attached on one side and on the other of the second portion (16), since they are disposed outside the bulk of the second portion (16).

11. Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said pocket (14) is provided, on the entry side of the pocket (14), with an elasticized edge (28).

12. Underpants, comprising a through hole (18) into which the urogenital apparatus (19) is introduced and usable in a device for male urinary incontinence as in claim 1.

13. Absorbent aid (12), provided with at least one bag (21), at least one through hole (20) to allow the introduction of the urogenital apparatus (19) inside said bag (21) and usable in a device for male urinary incontinence as in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

[0077] FIG. 1 is a front view of a device for male urinary incontinence according to the present invention;

[0078] FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section view of the present device for male urinary incontinence;

[0079] FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c are three section views and on a larger scale of different types of absorbent aid of the present device for male urinary incontinence;

[0080] FIG. 3 is a front view of a pair of underpants of the present device for male urinary incontinence;

[0081] FIG. 4 is a front view of an absorbent aid of the present device for male urinary incontinence;

[0082] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the absorbent aid of FIG. 4;

[0083] FIG. 6 is a variant of FIG. 4;

[0084] FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail which shows a variant of the through hole of the absorbent aid and/or of the through hole of the underpants.

[0085] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0086] We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

[0087] Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.

[0088] With reference to the attached drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a device 10 for male urinary incontinence according to the present invention comprises a pair of underpants 11 to which an absorbent aid 12 is applied, such as a pad or suchlike.

[0089] The underpants 11 are preferably made of antiallergic elasticized cotton and are provided on the external surface 13 with a pocket 14 having an upper entry side for inserting a first lower portion 15 of the absorbent aid 12. The pocket 14, therefore, is stably attached to the underpants 11 on three sides, a lower side, opposite the upper side as above, and with respect to two sides disposed along the flanks of the pocket 14, leaving the upper side open and therefore free for the insertion of the first portion 15 of the absorbent aid 12. In this way, the pocket 14 is always defined for the support and correct positioning of the absorbent aid 12.

[0090] The absorbent aid 12, during use, is disposed resting with respect to the first portion 15 inside the pocket 14 which, therefore, allows to at least partly support the absorbent aid 12.

[0091] The pocket 14 can be made of elasticized cotton and can also be provided, on the upper open entry side, with an elastic 28. The elastic 28 allows the absorbent aid 12 to be positioned correctly and in a substantially stable manner inside the pocket 14.

[0092] The absorbent aid 12 comprises a second upper portion 16 which remains outside the pocket 14 and which is connected to the external surface 13 by means of removable attachment means 17, 17′ which can be snap-in or pressure buttons provided both in the absorbent aid 12 and also in the underpants 11, attachment systems with Velcro, also provided both in the absorbent aid 12 and also in the underpants 11, or other.

[0093] The removable attachment means 17, 17′ and the pocket 14 therefore represent one of the possible modes for the underpants 11 to attach to, and to support the absorbent aid 12, therefore they are configured as support and attachment means and suitable to connect the absorbent aid 12 to the external surface 13 of the underpants 11. In particular, the pocket 14, acting as a support for the absorbent aid 12, allows to unload part of the weight of the absorbent aid 12 from the removable attachment means 17, 17′ preventing these from dragging the edge of the underpants 11 downward. Furthermore, the attachment means 17, 17′ are disposed far from the through hole 20 and therefore far from the patient's pubic area in order to avoid any possible contact with it.

[0094] The underpants 11, see FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, comprise a through hole 18 from which the urogenital apparatus 19, in particular the penis 22, can exit. This through hole 18 can comprise an elasticized edge 25 which allows high stability and prevents the reflux of urine.

[0095] The absorbent aid 12 is also provided with a through hole 20 that allows to position the urogenital apparatus 19 at least partly inside a bag 21 of the absorbent aid 12.

[0096] In accordance with a possible embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6-7, the through hole 20 of the absorbent aid and/or the through hole 18 of the underpants 11 can have a circular shape and be provided with a membrane 33 on which a plurality of cuts are defined, passing through the center of the through hole 20 and/or of the through hole 18. The through cuts define a coherent plurality of membrane sectors 33′ configured to allow the selective introduction of the urogenital apparatus 19, in particular of the penis 22, inside the bag 21 of the absorbent aid 12. This solution can guarantee a further barrier against possible refluxes, effectively increasing the safety and hygiene of the device 10.

[0097] The bag 21 is formed at least in the first portion 15 of the absorbent aid 12, see for example FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The through hole 20 can comprise an elasticized edge 26 which allows high stability and prevents the reflux of the urine.

[0098] In accordance with possible embodiments, at least one of either the elasticized edge 25 of the underpants 11 or the elasticized edge 26 of the absorbent aid 12 can be defined by an elastic stitching. The elastic stitching allows to increase the degree of wearability and comfort of the device 10.

[0099] The through hole 20 of the absorbent aid 12 is substantially aligned with the through hole 18 of the underpants 11, so as to allow the passage of the urogenital apparatus 19, in particular of the penis 22, inside the bag 21.

[0100] As can be seen from FIG. 2, by means of the pocket 14 and the bag 21, the penis 22 of the urogenital apparatus 19 can be kept separate from the testicles 23, in order to prevent rubbing and reciprocal direct contacts, which could lead to phenomena of irritation or even skin maceration. The bag 21 also allows to prevent urinary reflux phenomena.

[0101] The underpants 11, see also FIG. 3, comprise in the upper part an elastic 24 of suitable size, which allows a comfortable and stable wearability thereof.

[0102] The absorbent aid 12, see also FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, comprises at least one pair of wings 27 on which the removable attachment means 17′ are positioned. The wings 27 are attached on one side and on the other of the second portion 16, being disposed outside the overall bulk of the second portion 16. The presence of the wings 27 and their disposition allows to define a pair of gripping points that are definitely dry, and therefore not impregnated with urine, which allow a hygienic removal of the absorbent aid 12 so that it can be replaced.

[0103] The absorbent aid 12 can be externally coated by at least one waterproof external layer, for example made of non-woven polypropylene fabric, water-repellent non-woven fabric or similar. This external layer can be equipped with elastic threads, and on the sides it can be equipped with hypoallergenic and water-repellent elastic barriers against the leakages of urine.

[0104] The absorbent aid 12, and in particular the zone of the bag 21, as can be seen in the enlarged sections of FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, can be made by means of a multi-layered structure: in the case of mild incontinence pathology, the absorbent aid 12 can provide, from the inside to the outside, at least one layer 29 of antiallergic and antibacterial material and at least one layer 30 of pressed cellulose with high carrying capacity, FIG. 2a.

[0105] In the case of medium incontinence pathology, the absorbent aid 12 can provide, from the inside to the outside, at least one layer 29 of antiallergic and antibacterial material, at least one layer 30 of pressed cellulose with high carrying capacity and at least one layer 31 of pressed cellulose made of super-absorbent polymers, FIG. 2b.

[0106] In the event of severe incontinence pathology, the absorbent aid 12 can provide, from the inside to the outside, at least one layer 29 of antiallergic and antibacterial material, at least one layer 30 of pressed cellulose with high carrying capacity, at least one layer 31 of pressed cellulose made of super-absorbent polymers and at least one layer 32 of hypoallergic-antibacterial pressed cellulose, FIG. 2c.

[0107] The absorbent aid 12 can also provide at least one waterproof barrier layer made of water-repellent non-woven fabric.

[0108] Advantageously, as described, the present device 10 for male urinary incontinence is specifically designed to meet the different and multiple needs of incontinence, it takes into account the social life and normal daily activities of the user, it is substantially invisible, it does not limit movement, it is hygienic and antibacterial, it is practical both during use and also when being changed, it respects the morphology of the male urogenital apparatus, it protects the areas of the urogenital apparatus from possible rashes due to friction, or even worse, from situations in which the skin remains damp and wet, with consequent development of dermatitis or skin lesions, and it allows to avoid using bags, catheters or suchlike.

[0109] In addition, the present device 10 for male urinary incontinence allows, where there is a minimal incontinence or a stress incontinence, to practice sport in complete safety and discretion.

[0110] Where there is a minimal incontinence or a stress incontinence, this device 10 in fact can advantageously be changed quickly and hygienically.

[0111] The present device 10 for male urinary incontinence also proves to be very comfortable, invisible and stable even in the event daily activity involves long periods of driving a car, or in any case sitting to perform one's job.

[0112] By means of the present device 10 for male urinary incontinence, therefore, the user can feel comfortable at any time both during the day and also during the night, without the recurring problem of the product moving or the urine leaking.

[0113] Changing the present device 10, moreover, is simple and fast both in an upright situation and also in a decubitus situation.

[0114] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the device for male urinary incontinence as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0115] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of device for male urinary incontinence, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0116] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate reading: they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection claimed in the specific claims.