阅读说明：本技术 用于与导管一起使用的吸收装置 (Absorbent device for use with a catheter ) 是由 马修·G·麦金太尔 彼得·T·福克纳 德宁·T·普莱萨拉 迈克尔·哈达德 柯比·J·普莱萨拉 于 2020-04-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种供佩戴导管(101)的男性患者使用的吸收套箍(100),所述套箍包括能够操作成以接纳并包围吸收材料(110)并且防止保存的流体渗漏的不可渗透本体(102)。周向凹形开口(112)能够操作成用于定位在患者阴茎头部下方的所述导管上并且围绕所述导管插入到患者尿道的点。导管通道(116)能够操作成以包围导管并接纳并保存从导管排出的流体。狭缝(118)使得导管能够插入到所述吸收材料的所述导管通道中。一种能够操作成用于供女性患者使用的吸收垫(300)包括吸收材料(302)、不可渗透的背衬(308)、导管通道(310)以及允许导管的插入和移除的狭缝(312)。(An absorbent cuff (100) for use by a male patient wearing a catheter (101) is provided, the cuff comprising an impermeable body (102) operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material (110) and prevent leakage of retained fluid. A circumferential concave opening (112) is operable for positioning on the catheter tube below the head of a patient's penis and around a point of insertion of the catheter tube into the patient's urethra. A catheter channel (116) is operable to surround the catheter and receive and retain fluid expelled from the catheter. A slit (118) enables a catheter to be inserted into the catheter channel of the absorbent material. An absorbent pad (300) operable for use with a female patient includes an absorbent material (302), an impermeable backing (308), a catheter channel (310), and a slit (312) that allows insertion and removal of a catheter.)

1. An absorbent cuff for use by a male patient wearing a catheter, comprising:

a. an impermeable body having a distal end opposite a proximal end, the body defining an interior operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material, the body operable to prevent leakage of fluid held within the absorbent material contained within the body;

b. a circumferential concave opening provided at the proximal end of the body, the opening operable for positioning on the catheter tube beneath the patient's penile head and around the point of insertion of the catheter tube into the patient's urethra;

c. an absorbent material disposed within the interior of the body, the absorbent material substantially filling the interior defined by the body and the circumferential concave opening, the absorbent material defining a circumferential concave receiving surface disposed within the circumferential concave opening of the body, the absorbent material defining a catheter channel operable to enclose a catheter, the absorbent material operable to receive and hold fluid discharged from the catheter; and

d. a slit along the length of the body and absorbent material, the slit operable to enable a catheter to be inserted into and removed from the catheter channel of the absorbent material.

2. The absorbent cuff of claim 1, wherein the absorbent material is a superabsorbent polymer.

3. The absorbent cuff of claim 2, wherein the absorbent material is operable to wick fluid discharged from the conduit.

4. The absorbent cuff of claim 3, wherein the absorbent material is non-abrasive and non-irritating to a patient's skin.

5. The absorbent cuff of claim 1, wherein the impermeable body is made of a material operable to change color to indicate the level of fluid contained within the absorbent material.

6. The absorbent cuff of claim 1, wherein the absorbent device is secured circumferentially by hook and loop fasteners.

7. An absorbent cuff for use by a male patient wearing a catheter, comprising:

a. an impermeable body having two opposing halves, the body having a distal end opposite a proximal end, the body defining an interior operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material, the body operable to prevent leakage of fluid held within the absorbent material;

b. a locking mechanism operable to secure the two opposing halves, the locking mechanism operable to form a leak-proof seal along the length of the body;

c. an absorbent material disposed within the interior of the body, the absorbent material defining a conduit channel operable to surround a conduit, the absorbent material operable to receive and hold fluid discharged from the conduit; and

d. a circumferential concave opening provided at the proximal end of the body, the opening operable for positioning on the catheter tube beneath the patient's penile head and around the point of insertion of the catheter tube into the patient's urethra.

8. The absorbent cuff of claim 7, further comprising a hinge disposed along the length of each of the two halves, the hinge operable to open the body and the hinge operable to form a leak-proof seal.

9. The absorbent cuff of claim 7, wherein the absorbent material is a superabsorbent polymer.

10. The absorbent cuff of claim 9, wherein the absorbent material is operable to wick fluid discharged from the conduit.

11. The absorbent cuff of claim 10, wherein the absorbent material is non-abrasive and non-irritating to a patient's skin.

12. The absorbent cuff of claim 7, wherein the impermeable body is made of a material operable to change color to indicate the level of fluid contained within the absorbent material.

13. An absorbent pad for use by a female patient wearing a catheter, comprising:

a. an absorbent material operable to receive and retain fluid expelled from the catheter, the absorbent material having a proximal surface opposite a distal surface;

b. an impermeable backing disposed on a distal surface of the absorbent material, the impermeable backing operable to prevent leakage of fluids held within the absorbent material;

c. a conduit channel defined by the absorbent material and the impermeable backing, the channel operable to receive a conduit and form a seal around the conduit, the channel further operable to prevent movement of the absorbent pad relative to the conduit;

d. a slit extending from the conduit channel to an edge of the absorbent pad, the slit operable to enable insertion of a conduit into the conduit channel; and

e. a fastener operable to form a seal across the slit.

14. The absorbent pad of claim 13, further comprising a taper at the back end of the pad.

15. The absorbent pad of claim 13, wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

16. The absorbent pad of claim 13, wherein the fastener is an adhesive.

17. The absorbent pad of claim 13, wherein the fastener is a snap.

18. The absorbent pad of claim 13, wherein the absorbent material is a superabsorbent polymer.

19. The absorbent cuff of claim 18, wherein the absorbent material is operable to wick fluid discharged from the conduit.

20. The absorbent cuff of claim 19, wherein the impermeable backing is made of a material operable to change color to indicate the level of fluid contained within the absorbent material.

Background

The present invention relates to a device for absorbing body fluids, and more particularly to a device for absorbing excess fluid discharged from a urethral irrigation catheter.

Urethral catheters are well known devices in the art and are used to drain urine from the bladder. When a catheter is inserted into the bladder, pathogens migrate along the catheter and cause bladder or kidney infections; resulting in catheter-related urinary tract infections (or "CAUTI"). CAUTI is the most common hospital-acquired infection.

The physiology of the urinary tract involves a natural defense against these infections. Primarily, the act of urinating flushes everything, including bacteria that may accumulate in and around the urethra. Furthermore, glands secreting protective mucus are present in the urethra. However, when a typical urethral catheter is inserted into the system, these defenses are not activated; there is no "flush" action outside the catheter. Recent advances in the art to address this problem include the development of irrigation catheters that, in addition to circulating sterile fluid (e.g., saline, antiseptics, antimicrobials, or antibiotics) from the catheter to the drainage lumen of the urethra, essentially comprise a separate lumen and allow fluid to exit the body. Examples of such irrigation catheters are disclosed in international application No. PCT/US2017/026450, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein. This flushing process flushes the bacteria out of the body, thereby preventing infection. Unfortunately, an inevitable problem with such irrigation systems is that the irrigation fluid will be expelled from the urethra and throughout the patient's body unless there is a means to capture and absorb the excess fluid.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention seeks to create a device that comfortably attaches to a catheter under the mouth (skin) of a male or female patient to absorb excess fluid, such as irrigation fluid, while not interfering with the function of the catheter. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an absorbent cuff for use by a male patient wearing a catheter is provided. The absorbent cuff includes an impermeable body having a distal end opposite a proximal end. The body defines an interior operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material. The body is further operable to prevent leakage of fluids held within an absorbent material contained within the body. A circumferential concave opening is provided at the proximal end of the body and is operable for positioning on a catheter below the head of a patient's penis and around a point of insertion of the catheter into the patient's urethra. An absorbent material is disposed within the interior of the body. The absorbent material substantially fills the interior defined by the body and the circumferential concave opening. The absorbent material defines a circumferential concave receiving surface disposed within the circumferential concave opening of the body. The absorbent material defines a conduit channel operable to surround a conduit. The absorbent material is operable to receive and retain fluid discharged from the conduit. A slit is disposed along a length of the body and absorbent material, the slit operable to enable a catheter to be inserted into the catheter channel of the absorbent material.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an absorbent cuff for use by a male patient wearing a catheter is provided. The absorbent cuff includes an impermeable body having two opposing halves. The body has a distal end opposite a proximal end and defines an interior operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material. The body is operable to prevent leakage of fluid held within the absorbent material. The locking mechanism is operable to secure the two opposing halves and is operable to form a leak-proof seal along a length of the body. An absorbent material is disposed within the interior of the body. The absorbent material defines a conduit channel operable to surround a conduit. The absorbent material is operable to receive and retain fluid discharged from the conduit. A circumferential concave opening is provided at the proximal end of the body and is operable for positioning on a catheter below the head of a patient's penis and around a point of insertion of the catheter into the patient's urethra.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an absorbent pad for use by a female patient wearing a catheter is provided. The absorbent pad includes an absorbent material operable to receive and retain fluid discharged from the conduit. The absorbent material has a proximal surface opposite a distal surface. An impermeable backing disposed on a distal surface of the absorbent material and operable to prevent leakage of fluids held within the absorbent material; the conduit channel is defined by an absorbent material and an impermeable backing. The conduit channel operable to receive a conduit and form a seal around the conduit, the channel further operable to prevent movement of the absorbent pad relative to the conduit; a slit extends from the conduit channel to an edge of the absorbent pad and is operable to enable insertion of a conduit into the conduit channel. The fastener is operable to form a seal across the slit.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a detachable outer housing having a distal portion and a proximal portion with openings on opposite ends, wherein the distal portion is adapted to hold a material having absorbent properties and the proximal portion is adapted to be attached to a catheter below the head of the penis. The absorbent material contained within the distal portion further comprises a channel that allows the catheter to pass through the device in use. Optionally, the two sides of the outer housing and the contained inner absorbent material may be separated and opened by using a hinge or some other attachment means known in the art to allow for easier placement of the catheter within the channel inside the device.

An alternative embodiment of the device comprises an outer impermeable portion covering an inner permeable portion made of an absorbent material designed to wick liquid away from the penis. The outer impermeable portion and the inner permeable portion further comprise a handle portion connected to a head portion having openings at opposite ends, and a channel longitudinally through the centers of the two portions along the length of the device between the openings, the channel adapted to receive a catheter. Preferably, the surface at the distal end of the head section is circumferentially concave to form a surface adapted to rest comfortably under the glans penis and around the point of insertion of the catheter into the urethra. In addition, there are slits extending radially from the channel to the outer surface of the device and longitudinally along the entire length of the device. The slit allows the portions to be slightly separated so as to allow easy access to the channel for attaching or removing the catheter. Optionally, to form a better seal around the conduit, the device may be sealed using fastening means or binding means known in the art, including but not limited to, for example, using hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or clip fasteners, or a pre-made semi-flexible retainer that may be fastened around the device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent cuff according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an absorbent cuff according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an absorbent cuff according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an absorbent cuff showing both sides of the device slightly disassembled, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an absorbent material in a slightly open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an absorbent cuff according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the device in a slightly open position with the absorbent material removed from the outer housing.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an absorbent material in a slightly open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an absorbent cuff according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the device in a slightly open position with the absorbent material removed from the outer housing.

Fig. 9 is a front view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations or could be separated entirely. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the invention.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in fig. 1-3, an absorbent cuff 100 is provided for use by a male patient wearing a catheter 101. The absorbent cuff 100 includes an impermeable body 102 having a proximal end 104 opposite a distal end 106. For example, the body 102 may be a molded material. The body 102 defines an interior operable to receive and enclose the absorbent material 110. The body 102 is further operable to prevent leakage of fluids held within the absorbent material 110 contained within the body 102. A circumferential concave opening 112 is provided at the proximal end 104 of the body 102 and is operable for positioning on the catheter tube 101 below the head of the patient's penis and around the point of insertion of the catheter tube 101 into the patient's urethra. The circumferential concave opening 112 is configured to form a surface adapted to comfortably attach to the catheter 101 below the head of the penis and around the point of insertion of the catheter 101 into the urethra. An absorbent material 110 is disposed within the interior of the body 102. The absorbent material 110 substantially fills the interior defined by the body 102 and the circumferential concave opening 112. The absorbent material 110 defines a circumferential concave receiving surface 114 disposed within the circumferential concave opening of the body. The absorbent material 110 defines a conduit channel 116 operable to form a seal around the conduit 101 and surround the conduit. The absorbent material 110 is operable to receive and retain fluid discharged from the catheter 101, such as, for example, from a catheter leak or flush. The absorbent material 110 may be an absorbent material with absorbent properties designed to wick liquid away from the penis, such as a super absorbent polymer ("SAP") or some other comparable material known in the art, such as a material for a tampon or a diaper. Wicking materials are advantageous because they rely on capillary action to move fluid within a space within the absorbent material and thus can operate to prevent saturation in the vicinity of the patient. The material used for the absorbent material 110 is adapted to be non-abrasive and non-irritating to the skin of the penis. Disposed along the length of the body 102 and absorbent material 110 is a slit 118 that is operable to enable insertion of the catheter 101 into the catheter channel 116 of the absorbent material 114. The slit 118 enables the absorbent cuff 100 to be attached to the catheter 101 and removed from the catheter without removing the catheter from the patient. This is particularly advantageous because the patient may wear the catheter for extended periods of time and the absorbent cuff 100 may be filled with fluid and need to be replaced before the catheter 101 needs to be removed from the patient.

In one embodiment, the slit 118 extends radially from the conduit channel 116 to the edge of the absorbent cuff 100 and longitudinally along the entire length of the absorbent cuff 100. The portions on either side of the absorbent cuff 100 may be manually separated to allow easy access to the catheter channel 116 for attachment to or removal from the catheter 118. To form a better seal around the conduit 101, for example, the absorbent cuff 100 may be sealed using fastening means known in the art, including, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or clip fasteners, or, as shown, a semi-flexible preformed retainer 120 that is fastened around the device.

As illustrated in the embodiment shown in fig. 1-3, the distal end 106 of the absorbent cuff 100 has a thickness that is narrower than the circumferential concave opening 112 provided at the proximal end 104. The configuration of circumferential concave opening 112 enables a relatively wide surface area to receive fluid and enable wicking and absorption. The relatively narrow distal end 106 enables a lower profile of the device to enable a more comfortable fit to the patient when worn, such as when wearing a patient gown. The body 102 may be made of a material that is operable to change color to indicate when the absorbent material 110 is filled with fluid. The body 102 may be transparent or include a transparent impermeable window to allow a user to see the fluid level contained within the absorbent material 110.

In one embodiment, the absorbent material 110 is integrally manufactured into the impermeable body 102. For example, the absorbent material 110 may be affixed to the impermeable body 102, dipped into an impermeable material operable to harden and coat the absorbent material 110, or an impermeable film may be applied to the outer surface of the absorbent material 110.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in fig. 4-8, an absorbent cuff 200 is provided for use by a male patient wearing a catheter. The absorbent cuff 200 includes an impermeable body 202 having a proximal end 204 opposite a distal end 206 and defining an interior 208 operable to receive and enclose an absorbent material 210. Body 202 has two opposing halves 212 and 214 and may be formed of a molded material, for example. The body 202 is operable to prevent leakage of fluids held within the absorbent material 210. Locking mechanism 216 is operable to secure the two opposing halves 212 and 214 and is operable to form a leak-proof seal along the length of body 202. An absorbent material 210 is disposed within the interior 208 of the body 202. The absorbent material 210 defines a conduit channel 218 operable to form a seal around and enclose the conduit. The absorbent material 210 is operable to receive and retain fluid discharged from the catheter. A circumferential concave opening 220 is provided at the proximal end 204 of the body 202 and is operable for positioning on the catheter 201 below the head of the patient's penis and around the point of insertion of the catheter 201 into the patient's urethra. In an exemplary embodiment, the concave opening 220 does not include a portion of the absorbent material 210, thereby forming a reservoir for fluid accumulation prior to absorption and creating a distance between the patient's penis and the absorbent material 210 to prevent skin irritation.

To facilitate placement of the catheter within absorbent cuff 200, opposing halves 212 and 214 of body 202, and absorbent material 210 contained therein, may be opened and separated along longitudinal hinge 222, which extends along the length of body 202. Alternatively, the mold of body 202 may be configured such that opposing halves 212 and 214 of body 202 are slightly offset from each other. In either case, the opposing halves 212 and 214 of the body 202 are secured by attachment means known in the art, including but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, cinching means, or snap fasteners.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in fig. 9-10, an absorbent pad 300 for use by a female patient wearing a catheter is provided. Absorbent pad 300 includes an absorbent material 302 operable to receive and retain fluid discharged from a catheter. The absorbent material 302 has a proximal surface 304 opposite a distal surface 306. An impermeable backing 308 is disposed on the distal surface 306 of the absorbent material 302 and is operable to prevent leakage of fluids held within the absorbent material 302; the conduit channel 310 is defined by the absorbent material 302 and the impermeable backing 308. The conduit channel 310 is operable to receive a conduit and form a seal around the conduit 310 and is further operable to prevent movement of the absorbent pad 300 relative to the conduit. The slit 312 extends from the catheter channel 310 to an edge 314 of the absorbent pad 300 and is operable to enable insertion of the catheter 301 into the catheter channel 310. The fastener 316 is operable to form a seal across the slit 312. Slit 312 enables absorbent pad 300 to be attached to and removed from a catheter without removing the catheter from the patient. This is particularly advantageous because the patient may wear the catheter for long periods of time and the absorbent pad 300 may fill with fluid and need to be replaced before the catheter needs to be removed from the patient.

The male and female embodiments of the invention are operable to function with catheters configured for continuous irrigation and to provide patient comfort. In one embodiment, the absorbent pad 300 is configured similar to most feminine hygiene pads, having wider anterior and posterior diameters and a relatively narrower medial diameter to fit the female perineal anatomy. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 8, the absorbent pad 300 may be 18 centimeters in length, 1 centimeter in front thickness and tapered to 3 millimeters to provide more absorption near the urethral opening.

In one embodiment, the absorbent pad 300 will have a 1 cm by 1 cm hole on the midline of the pad at a location 5 cm from the leading edge of the pad 300 that is operable to place a catheter through the pad 300. In one embodiment, the slit 312 may be placed 5 centimeters from the lateral edge of the mat 300.

For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles of the invention, reference is made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language is used to describe the same. However, this specific language is not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the invention should be construed to cover all embodiments generally regarded by those of ordinary skill in the art. The particular embodiments shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the systems (and the components of the various operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines or connectors shown in the various figures illustrated are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as "essential" or "critical". Many modifications and adaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.