PORTABLE URINATION APPARATUS
A collapsible wheeled walker with two side frames and two height adjustable upper body supports. Each upper body support includes a height adjustment tube. And each height adjustment tube may be set to a recoupable height by a height memory device coupled to the height adjustment tube for quick an easy height setting. The apparatus may include a seat that is slidably attached to the two side frames and is movable between a front position to facilitate an ample walking space inside the frames and a rear position for a user to sit. It may include an X-folder that facilitates collapsing the walker to a small footprint It may also include two forearm gutters as, part of the upper both supports that give the user an upright walking posture for health benefits.
This invention relates generally to assistive urination devices and more particularly to a portable urination collection apparatus for people who have frequent urination or nocturia issues.
2. Description of the Related ArtFrequent trips to the bathroom during the night, or nocturia, is a very common condition among adults, both male and female. Studies and surveys conducted in multiple nations have found that 69% of men and 76% of women over age 40 report getting up to go to the bathroom at least once per night. And as people get older, nocturia becomes more prevalent. For the age groups of 70s and 80s, close to two-thirds need to make two or more nightly bathroom trips. (Jeffrey P. Weiss, M D, Nocturia: Focus on Etiology and Consequences, Review in Urology, Vol 14(3-4), 2012, pp 48-55.) Large amount of urine production throughout day and night is most often tied to excessive fluid intake, diabetes, poor kidney function, and certain medications and substances. On the other hand, elevated amounts of urine production at night may be related to excessive fluid intake at night. It may also be caused by edema or swelling of lower limbs, which is common among older adults, mostly due to chronic venous insufficiency: Extracellular fluid accumulates as edema in the legs during the day; The extracellular fluid relocates after a person moves into a lying position, resulting in nocturia. (Kazumasa Torimoto et al, The Relationship between Nocturnal Polyuria and the Distribution of Body Fluid: Assessment by Bioelectric Impedance Analysis, National Library of Medicine/National Center for Biotechnology Information, January 2009 [retrieved on 2023 Mar. 23]. Retrieved from the internet: <URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19013595/>.)
The direct effect of nocturia is sleep disruption and the risk of falls when arising to go to the bathroom. To improve sleep quality, depending on the cause, some people may choose to take medication to reduce the frequency of urination, and some may make changes to their lifestyles, for example, reducing the amount of fluid intake at night. However, a simple portable urination device may minimize sleep disruption and significantly reduce fall risk for all. Many types of urinals and urination devices are available for men and women. U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,919 by Steven Patrick Pascale discloses a portable male urination container with a funnel opening and a collection chamber. The device, like many others on the market, facilitates a male to urinate in bed or sitting position. Without the need of physically walking a distance to the bathroom, disruption to sleep may be reduced and the patient may be able to go back to sleep more easily.
The significant benefit of a bedside urination device is reducing the risk of falls. A common health issue for older adults is weak lower limbs and lack of stability control. This may limit their ability to walk and even to stand. Those with weakness or paralysis in one side of the body due to special health conditions such as stroke and neurological disorders may pose worse safety concerns: These conditions can cause dangerous falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that about 36 million falls are reported among older adults in USA each year, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. And, one out of every five falls causes an injury, such as broken bones or head injury. (CDC, Keep on Your Feet—Preventing Older Adult Falls [retrieved on 2023 Mar. 24]. Retrieved from the internet: <URL: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html>.) Yet, Stephen W. Leslie et al summarized from literature review that older adults with nocturia who make multiple nocturnal trips to the bathroom are at substantially increased risk of potentially serious falls. A quarter of all the falls that occur in older individuals happen overnight. Of these, a quarter are directly related to nocturia. Those who make at least 2 or more nocturnal bathroom visits a night have more than twice the risk of fractures and fall related traumas. (Stephen W. Leslie et al, Nocturia, StatPearls [Internet] [Retrieved on 2023 Mar. 24]. Retrieved from the internet: <URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518987/>.)
As a male adult gets older, his prostate gland has a high probability to get enlarged, causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. Therefore, he prefers the standing position to urinate for the bladder to more easily release the sphincter and let more urine out. To use the device disclosed by Steven Patrick Pascale of U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,919 in a standing position, he will need to stand up and hold the container at least with one hand during urination. If the patient has weak feet and legs or has problem with stability control, there is a danger that he may fall. Therefore, it's advantageous if he can hold on to something, preferably provided by the urination device being used, for stability control and even to partially support his body weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,650,669 by James Kolter provides a portable urinal similar to the device of Steven Patrick Pascale, but with an additional flexible corrugated tube and a male receptacle to allow a male user to stand up urinating while the urinal is placed on the floor. The reduced weight to be held in hand helps the patient's standing safety. The device also provides a female receptable for a female user to urinate at a standing and sitting position. Nevertheless, the same with the device of Steven Patrick Pascal, at the standing position it does not provide support for the user's body weight and stability. At the sitting position for female, a special chair is not provided to allow the female receptacle's access to the genital area.
U.S. Patent Application Publication US2011025877 by Jorge Enrique Velasco Morande discloses a portable urinal intended for use by male adults on farms and construction sites. It provides a urinal in front and a hand washing basin on top, and with wheels for mobility. For home use, and especially at bedside or chairside, however, the size of the device makes it cumbersome. Especially, it does not provide means for stability and safety control.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a simple bedside or chairside urine collection apparatus to users to avoid trips to the bathroom during the night. Preferably, the device includes features for the user's safety, including at least partial body weight support and stability control. A urination device with such improvements will not only help adults with nocturia at night, but also help the older, the weak and the disabled during the day as a chairside device to avoid fall risk for walking to the bathroom.
These problems are clearly felt in the art and are solved by this invention in the manner described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of this invention to provide a portable collection apparatus to facilitate the bedside or chairside collection of urine from a user having one or two forearms.
A preferred embodiment of such a collection apparatus comprises a base including one or more components adapted for disposition on and in contact with a horizontal surface such that the contact between the base and the surface defines an enclosed area on the horizontal surface, a main support coupled to the base, and a urine collecting device coupled to the main support in a disposition within the enclosed area suitable for collecting urine passed from the user.
An alternative embodiment of such a collection apparatus comprises a base having a first side component and a second side component adapted for disposition on and in contact with a horizontal surface such that the contact between the base and the surface defines an enclosed area on the horizontal surface, a main support having a first post and a second post affixed to the base, and a urine collecting device adapted for coupling to the main support in a disposition within the enclosed area suitable for collecting urine passed from the user.
In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one upper body support slidably coupled to the main support and disposed at an adjustable height above the enclosed area by a height adjustment means, to support at least part of the user's body weight and the user's stability. Further, the at least one upper body support may be disposed according to the ergonomics of the user.
In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus may further comprise a urine container removably disposed on the base and fluidically connected to the urine collecting device.
The foregoing, together with other objects, features and advantages of this invention, can be better appreciated with reference to the following specification, claims and the accompanying drawing.
For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which like reference designations represent like features throughout the several views and wherein:
According to
As shown in
As shown
With base 110, main support 130 and urine collecting device 150 structured and assembled as shown in
Upper body support 170 includes a first substantially vertical height tube 172 disposed in first post 132 and a second substantially vertical height tube 173 in second post 133. In this way, first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 are slidably coupled to first post 132 and second post 133 respectively. A first substantially horizontal handle 176 and a second substantially horizontal handle 177 are coupled respectively to a first substantially horizontal tube 178 extended from first height tube 172 and a second substantially horizontal tube 179 extended from second height tube 173. Alternatively, first substantially horizontal tube 178 and second substantially horizontal tube 179 may be separate tubes coupled with first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 respectively. Between first height tube 172 and first post 132 is a sleeve-bushing installed on first post 132 to minimize the gap between the tubes, limit side-way movement and improve stability of first handle 176. And so is second handle 177 as related to second height tube 173 and second post 133. The height of first substantially horizontal handle 176 and second substantially horizontal handle 177 can be adjusted by sliding first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 up-and-down in first post 132 and second post 133 respectively, and locked in place by inserting a first pin 136 and a second pin 137 into matching height positioning holes on height tubes 172 and 173 respectively. Since first height tube 172 and second height tube 173 are connected by an upper bridge 175, the heights of substantially horizontal handles 176-177 are kept the same. The height adjustment range for handles 176-177, as determined by the pin holes on height tubes 172-173, may be 20-45 inches from horizontal surface 101. Preferably, this height range is 26-38 inches from horizontal surface 101 for male adults of height from 5 feet to 6 feet 3 inches.
As with base 110 and main support 130, the elongated components of upper body support 170, including first height tube 172 and the connected first substantially horizontal tube 178, second height tube 173 and the connected second substantially horizontal tube 179, and upper bridge 175, may be made of extruded material, such as aluminum, steel or plastic, formed material, or composite material.
In
If urine collecting device 150 is a urinal for female, the patient will use first handle 176 and second handle 177 to help her squash down to the urinal trough and urinate. And, if the urine collecting device is a toilet, on the other hand, the patient will use handles 176-177 to help him/her turn around and sit down by supporting part of his/her body weight. In this way, his/her safety is protected and fall is prevented.
Cleanliness and hygiene are important for the old and the weak who need urination help. If urine is kept in urine collecting device 150, it may emit fouling smell and cause germs to grow. According to
Lid 196 is preferred threaded onto opening 193 to form a solid connection. And a small hole formed on lid 196 helps vent air when urine enters urine container 190. The coupling of flexible tube 198 to lid 196 is constructed in such a way that the tube and the lid can turn freely against each other without being disconnected. Container 190 is made of translucent or clear material, e.g., plastic or glass, so that the urine level in tank 192 is readily observable. When tank 192 is about full or for routine cleaning, lid 196 is disconnected from opening 193. Since lid 196 and flexible tube 198 can turn freely against each other, lid 196 is turned to unscrew without adding stress to tube 198. After that, a helper may grip handle 194 on urine container 190 and remove the container from apparatus 100 in order to empty the contained urine and clean the container. If lid 196 is a straight pressed-on type of cap without thread, lid 196 to flexible tube 198 may be constructed that they don't turn freely about each other. Also, a quick-disconnected valve, shut-off valve, or tubing clamp may be added to flexible tube 198 to stop dripping when container 190 is removed for cleaning.
Moving to
The same with apparatus 100, urine collection apparatus 200 consists a base 210, which includes a first component 212, a second component 213, and a lower bridge 216 to interconnect first component 212 and second component 213. With these components contacting a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface 201, base 210 defines a rectangular enclosed area 204 on the surface, as shown in
Apparatus 200 also consists a main support 230, including a first substantially vertical post 232 coupled to first component 212, a second substantially vertical post 233 coupled to second component 213, and a middle bridge 234 to interconnect first post 232 and second post 233. Further, main support 230 includes a first lower handle 242 coupled to a first lower substantially horizontal tube 244 and a second lower handle 243 coupled to a second lower substantially horizontal tube 245. And, it is preferred that the coupling between main support 230 and base 210 be permanent, such as welding or riveting, for rigidity and stability. First post 232 and second post 233 have near-oval-shaped tubular structure.
As with apparatus 100 of
According to
As with apparatus 100, it is preferred that lid 296 is threaded onto opening 293 to form a solid connection. In this case, the coupling of flexible tube 298 to lid 296 is constructed in such a way that the tube and the lid can turn freely against each other. The lid-to-opening coupling may be the pressed-on type without thread, and may be so constructed that the lid and the tube does not turn freely about each other. Container 290 is made of translucent or clear material, e.g., plastic or glass. As such the urine level in tank 292 is readily observed. As explained with apparatus 100, urine tank 290 may be removed from apparatus 200, after disconnecting lid 296 from opening 293, to dump the contained urine and get cleaned.
Apparatus 200 further consists an upper body support 270, which includes a first substantially vertical height tube 272, a second substantially vertical height tube 273, a first upper substantially horizontal tube 278 that is coupled to a first armrest 276 and a first upper handle 282, and a second upper substantially horizontal tube 279 that is coupled to a second armrest 277 and a second upper handle 283. First upper substantially horizontal tube 278 is connected to first height tube 272, and so is second upper substantially horizontal tube 279 to second height tube 273. First height tube 272 and second height tube 273 are slidably coupled to first post 232 and second post 233 of main support 230 respectively through a tube-in-tube coupling manner, with gap narrowing sleeve-bushings installed on first post 232 and second post 233. Since both the outer tube, i.e., first post 232 or second post 233, and the inner tube, i.e., first height tube 272 or second height tube 273, are matching near-oval-shaped and the gap between the outer tube and the inner tube is minimized by the sleeve-bushing, first height tube 272 and second height tube 273 have minimized side way turning movement. Therefore, apparatus 200 does not have an upper bridge like the one present in apparatus 100. In this way, the height of first armrest 276 and that of second armrest 277 may be adjusted independently. The heights of armrests 276-277 are locked respectively with pins 236-237, which are integral with the inter-tube sleeve-bushings attached to the height tubes, into matching holes on height tubes 272-273 respectively. The height adjustment range for first armrest 276 and second armrest 277, as determined by the pin holes on first height tube 272 and second height tube 273, may be 30-55 inches from horizontal surface 201. Preferably, this height range is 36-48 inches from horizontal surface 201 for male adults of height 5 feet to 6 feet 3 inches.
Now moving to
As can be seen in
According to
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Considering stability of apparatus 200, looking at
Similar to apparatus 100 of
Again, as with apparatus 100, the elongated components in base 210, main support 230 and upper body support 270 of apparatus 200 may be made of extruded material, such as aluminum, steel or plastic, formed material, or composite material.
Another alternative embodiment of collection apparatus 100 of
Before apparatus 300 is used, handle 376 is moved to a desired height and turned to a desired angular position, and is locked in position by a locking means (not shown). When handle 372 is disposed within enclosed area 304, the weight center including the body weight exerted on handle 372 is within enclosed area 304. So, apparatus 300 is stable and won't fall over during urination.
In
Urine collection apparatus, such as the 3 embodiments depicted in
Clearly, other embodiments and modifications of this invention may occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the following claims, which include all such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawing.
Claims
1. A portable collection apparatus to facilitate the bedside or chairside collection of urine from a user having one or more forearms, the apparatus comprising:
- a base having a first component and a second component adapted for disposition on and in contact with a horizontal surface such that the contact between the base and the surface defines an enclosed area on the horizontal surface;
- a main support having a first substantially vertical post and a second substantially vertical post affixed to the base; and
- a urine collecting device adapted for coupling to the main support in a disposition within the enclosed area suitable for collecting urine passed from the user.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
- a first upper body support and a second upper body support each having a respective height tube slidably coupled to a respective post and disposed at an adjustable height above the enclosed area, the adjustable height of each upper body support adjusted by a height adjustment means.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each upper body support includes
- a respective substantially horizontal handle coupled to a respective substantially horizontal tube that is extended from the respective height tube, wherein
- the respective substantially horizontal handle is disposed within the enclosed area and adapted to support at least part of the user's body weight when gripped by the user.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each upper body support includes
- a respective upper handle coupled to and at an angle with a respective substantially horizontal tube that is coupled to the respective height tube, wherein
- the respective upper handle is disposed within the enclosed area and adapted to support at least part of the user's body weight when gripped by the user.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each upper body support further includes
- a respective armrest coupled to the respective substantially horizontal tube and disposed such that the center of the armrest is within the enclosed area, wherein
- the respective armrest is adapted to support at least part of the user's body weight when contacting the user's respective forearm.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein
- each substantially horizontal tube is tilted upward in the direction from front to back of the apparatus and the tilting angle is 0-20 degree, and wherein
- the angle between each upper handle and the vertical axis is 15-45 degrees.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein
- each upper handle, when viewed from front of the apparatus, is positioned angularly inward from the vertical axis for 20-40 degrees.
8. The apparatus if claim 5, wherein
- when viewed from top of the apparatus, the first substantially horizontal tube and the second substantially horizontal get narrower from front to back of the apparatus, and form an angle of 20-40 degree.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the urine collecting device is a urinal.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the urine collecting device is a toilet.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein
- the urine collecting device is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, composite material, ceramic, porcelain, clay, and wood.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
- a urine container removably disposed on the base and fluidically connected to the urine collecting device.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein
- the fluidic connection is through a lid removably coupled to an opening on the urine container and a flexible tube fluidically connected to the lid at one end and to an outlet on the bottom of the urine collecting device at the other end.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein
- the connection between the lid and the flexible tube is adapted to allow the lid to turn freely against the flexible tube.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein
- the elongated components of the device are made from a material selected from the group consisting of extruded metal, extruded plastic, formed material, and composite material.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
- A plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the base and disposed on the perimeter of the enclosed area for supporting the apparatus on the horizontal surface.
17. A portable collection apparatus to facilitate the bedside or chairside collection of urine from a user having one or more forearms, the apparatus comprising:
- a base including one or more components adapted for disposition on and in contact with a horizontal surface such that the contact between the base and the surface defines an enclosed area on the horizontal surface;
- a substantially vertical main support coupled to the base; and
- a urine collecting device coupled to the main support in a disposition within the enclosed area suitable for collecting urine passed from the user.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:
- an upper body support having a height tube slidably coupled to the main support and disposed at an adjustable height above the enclosed area by a height adjustment means.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the upper body support includes
- a substantially horizontal handle coupled to a substantially horizontal tube that is extended from the height tube, wherein
- the substantially horizontal handle is disposed within the enclosed area and adapted to support at least part of the user's body weight when gripped by the user.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the upper body support includes
- an upper handle coupled to and at an angle with a substantially horizontal tube that is coupled to the height tube, wherein
- the upper handle is disposed entirely within the enclosed area and adapted to support at least part of the user's body weight when gripped by the user.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the upper body support further includes
- an armrest coupled to the substantially horizontal tube and disposed such that the center of the armrest is within the enclosed area, wherein
- the armrest is adapted to support at least part of the user's body weight when contacting the user forearm.
22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the urine collecting device is a urinal.
23. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:
- a urine container removably disposed on the base and fluidically connected to the urine collecting device, wherein
- the fluidic connection is through a lid removably coupled to an opening on the urine container and a flexible tube fluidically connected to the lid at, one end and to an outlet, on the bottom of the urine collecting device at the other end.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 22, 2022
Publication Date: Oct 26, 2023
Inventors: David A Purcell (Indian Wells, CA), Yichuan Pan (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 17/727,200