Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
1
FEMALE URINATION RECEIVER
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a receiver for urine samples and also to a female
urination receiver.
BACKGROUND ART
Urine is an important diagnostic tool for measuring health and well-being of
patients. The
clinical information obtained from a urine specimen is influenced by the
collection method,
timing and handling.
A midstream clean catch Specimen is the preferred type of specimen for culture
and
sensitivity testing because of the reduced incidence of cellular and microbial
contamination.
However, despite the importance of urine samples, their method of collection
is very seldom
conducted within the required protocols of hygiene and sterility.
In fact, urine samples are generally obtained by direct urination into a
sample bottle or via a
jug or the like into such a bottle with neither the jug nor the sample bottle
being stored under
sterile conditions. The collection of the sample may be accompanied by
spillage or overflow
and is generally unhygienic.
Furthermore, urine samples obtained in this way generally include the initial
flow of excreted
urine, which may not be as representative a sample as a sample from the middle
of an
excretion. The initial sample may include bacteria or other microorganisms
that are not
actually present in the urine. It is preferable to obtain a mid-stream urine
flow for the
purposes of obtaining more precise results.
Due to the above identified problems, even the simple dipstick tests conducted
in a Doctors
Surgery room can yield unreliable results.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
2
In addition to the above, there is also a need for a urinating receiver that
conforms to the
shape of the female anatomy, and that can be used in a variety of instances,
where access
to a lavatory is limited. For example, during a long motorcar trip or even on
a walking trip, or
for Post-operative conditions as well as incontinence which provide serious
difficulties for
female sufferers.
It is an object of this invention to provide a urine receiver that, at least
partially, alleviates
some of the above mentioned problems.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention a urine receiver essentially for females is
provided which includes
an open top of saddle shape which at least approximates the configuration of
the inside of
the thighs, labia, or other convenient zone.
The receiver may be provided with a handle such as a jug handle as well as a
spout for easy
disposing of the contents.
The receiver may also have a closable outlet located in the base for discharge
of the
contents, or for collecting samples of urine.
The outlet closure may include a retractable plug.
A sample container may be attachable to the outlet for collecting the urine
sample.
The sample container and the outlet may comprise a bayonet joint so that the
sample
container may be easily connected and disconnected from the receiver.
The bayonet joint is comprised of one or more protrusions located about the
outer
circumference of the lower end of the receiver, on one hand, and a channel
formed proximal
to the upper end of the sample container. The channel may further include one
or more
transverse grooves, preferably two transverse grooves. The protrusions
accordingly engage
not only the channel itself but also the transverse grooves, thereby ensuring
that the sample
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
3
container not only remains connected to the receiver, but also ensuring that
the sample
container is not rotated past a specific point, engagement With the grooves
providing a
positive indication of required steps in the attachment of the sample
container to the receiver.
Connection of the sample container to the outlet of the receiver may cause the
plug to be
retracted into an open position, allowing the urine to drain into the sample
container.
The sample container may be a special purpose sterile container, sealed by a
membrane
that is pierced on connection of the container to the receiver. Alternatively,
and in another
embodiment of the invention the sample container may be a standard, non
sterile sample
bottle. The sample container may additionally include a lid for sealing the
container once the
sample has been obtained.
The sample container may be fully inserted from the bottom of the receiver.
Once inserted,
the membrane will be pierced, and this may be identifiable by a positive
clicking sound,
which would be the protrusion of the receiver engaging the groove of the
channel of the
bayonet joint. This engagement may resist the sample container from being
removed from
the receiver without adequate force. At this point the protrusion of the
receiver is engaged in
the first groove in the channel of the bayonet joint. The sample container may
then be
rotated, causing the membrane to be cut approximately half way around the
opening of the
sample container. This may be again identifiable by a further positive
clicking sound, being
the protrusions of the receiver engaging a further groove in the channel of
the bayonet joint.
At this point the protrusion of the receiver is engaged in the second groove
in the channel of
the bayonet joint. This engagement may resist the further rotation of the
sample container.
The sample container may then be inserted further into the receiver and the
membrane will
be cut further.
A sample can now be taken, and the sample container lies at the outlet of the
receiver.
Pressure applied to the sample container will allow for the sample container
to be filled by
the urine collected in the receiver. The sample container is pushed against
the retractable
plug and a spring is activated to allow for the plug to open and urine begins
to fill into the
sample container. When pressure is released, the spring will bias the
retractable plug into the
original closed position and urine will stop flowing from the receiver.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
4
The sample container may then be removed by twisting it in the opposite
direction as to
insertion.
Alternatively, the sample container may be connected to the outlet by a
threaded screw
connection.
The sample container includes a cross member which breaks the surface tension
of the
sample and this prevents any drops from being left behind once the sample
container is
removed from the receiver.
In order to provide instant pH and other pertinent detection, the receiver may
include a holder
for litmus or other indicators, and a suitable spillage protector for the
spout.
The holder may include channels located along the interior wall of the
receiver, alternatively
the holder may include a separate insert receivable in the receiver. The
insert may be
shaped to additionally support a filter and/or sponge conforming in shape to
the inside of the
receiver, for absorbing the initial stream of urine and prevent unwanted
ingress of
microorganisms or other dirt.
The sponge may be constructed of cellulose or other absorbable material.
The insert may be located on a ledge extending around the interior of the
receiver and may
include a solid base sloping towards an aperture through which the urine not
absorbed by the
sponge, may flow.
The walls of the receiver may be transparent to allow the indicator strip to
be viewed without
removing it from the receiver.
A replaceable rim element adapted to fit the rim and to form a seal with the
zone during use,
may also be provided.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
The rim element may be flexible as well as compressible so that it can seal
well with a
minimum of pressure being applied.
This avoids, or at least minimises soiling of the user's hands, clothes and
surrounding floor,
5 furniture and the like.
Where the receiver is to be used by various different users over a period of
time, a new rim
element may be provided for each new user, thus improving hygienic conditions.
A support base may be provided, on which the receiver may be located when not
in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the
accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric projection of the receiver including the lid and
support base,
Figure 2 is a side view of the receiver located on the support base,
Figure 3 is a top view of the receiver according to the invention,
Figure 4 is a bottom view,
Figure 5 is a top view of the filter/sponge insert,
Figure 6 is a view of a sample bottle for use with the receiver,
Figure 7 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of the invention,
Figure 8 is a view of a second embodiment of the sample container, and
Figure 9 is a view of the cross member of the sample container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawings, a receiver 10 includes a saddle-shaped opening 12 with a rim
14. The
receiver includes a pouring spout 20 and a handle 22.
A lid 16 is also provided to seal the receiver 10 and prevent spillage or
contamination of the
contents during the time lapse between providing the sample and testing of the
sample.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
=
6
The receiver 10 is mounted on a support base 18 by a bayonet joint so that it
is easily
attached and removed when necessary.
Referring to figures 3 and 4, an outlet 19 is located at the base of the
receiver 10, for draining
the urine away.
The outlet 19 includes a plug 24 biased in the closed position by a spring
(not shown) and
openable from the exterior of the receiver 10.
Referring to figure 5, an insert 30 for supporting a filter pad and/or sponge
(not shown) is
removably located inside the receiver 10, referring to figure 5, the insert
includes a solid base
32, that slopes towards an aperture 34, through which the overflow urine (mid-
stream urine)
may flow, once the initial drops of urine have been absorbed by the
sponge/filter (not shown).
The insert additionally includes a channel shaped extension 36 for receiving
an indicator
strip, commonly referred to as a "dip stick" such as litmus. The insert
includes a spillage
protector 38 for covering the spout opening.
Referring to figure 6, a sample container 40 is attachable to the receiver
outlet 16 for
collecting the urine sample. The container 40 and the outlet 19 comprise a
bayonet joint
indicated by reference 42 so that the sample container may be easily connected
and
disconnected to and from the receiver.
The bayonet joint 42 comprises a channel 66 with various transverse grooves 68
located in
the channel. The channel 66 typically includes two transverse grooves 68. The
transverse
grooves 68 of the channel 66 engage protrusions 70 defined by the receiver 10,
thereby
ensuring that the sample container 40 remains in a connected state to the
receiver 10 and
furthermore, ensuring that the sample container 40 is not rotated past a
specific point.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not shown) the sample container
may be
connected to the outlet by a threaded screw connection.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
7
Connection of the sample container 40 to the outlet 19 causes the plug 24 to
be pushed up
into an open position, allowing the urine to drain into the sample container
40.
In this embodiment of the invention, the sample container 40 is a special
purpose sterile
container, sealed by a membrane (not shown) that is pierced on connection of
the container
to the receiver 10. The sample container additionally includes a rubber lid 44
for sealing the
container once the sample has been obtained.
Alternatively, and in another embodiment of the invention the sample container
may be a
standard, non sterile sample bottle.
A rim element (not shown) that has the same shape as the rim and has a channel
to engage
the rim may be removably located on the rim 12. The element includes a channel
that fits
over the rim 12 of the receiver.
The element is both flexible and compressible so that an excellent seal is
achieved in the
zone of application, as described above, with minimum pressure having to be
applied. In
addition the degree of compression provides that the element seals with a
large variety of
configurations of the zone so that it can be used for a large number of
different females. It
may be necessary to provide a junior¨ size receiver.
It will be appreciated that the receiver 10 of the invention may be also
conveniently used by
males, in which case the rim element is not necessary.
In use, according to one embodiment of the invention, when a urine sample is
required, a
patient will be handed the sterilised receiver, into which the insert 30
containing new dipstick
and cellulose sponge has been inserted. The outlet of the receiver will be in
the closed
position.
The patient will void her/his bladder into the receiver 10, and cover the
receiver with the lid
16. The full receiver will be handed to the doctor or nurse, who will be able
to see the dipstick
through the transparent wall of the receiver 10.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
8
Should further testing be required by a laboratory, the doctor or nurse will
attach a sample
container 40 to the outlet 19 of the receiver, via the bayonet joint 42,
piecing the protective
membrane on the sample container and opening the plug 24 in the process. In
this manner,
the urine drains into the sample container. Once the sample container 40 is
full the container
is removed from 'the receiver and the plug is biased back into its closed
position by the outlet
spring, preventing leakage of excess urine, which may be disposed of into a
suitable
receptacle when convenient. The sample container is sealed with the rubber
stopper lid 44
and sent for further testing.
In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in figures 7 and 8, and when in
use, the sample
container 40 is inserted from the bottom of the receiver 10. Once inserted,
the membrane
(not shown) is pierced, and this may cause a positive clicking sound which is
the protrusions
70 of the receiver 10 engaging the grooves 68 of the channel 70 of the bayonet
joint 42. The
sample container 40 will then be twisted, which causes the membrane to be cut
approximately half way around the opening of the sample container 40. This
causes a further
positive clicking sound which is the protrusion 70 of the receiver 10 engaging
a further
groove 68 of the channel 66 of the bayonet joint 42. The sample container 40
is then inserted
further into the receiver 10 and the membrane will be cut further. At this
stage there is a
further positive clicking sound that is heard and felt.
A sample is taken, and the sample container 40 lies at the outlet 19 of the
receiver 10.
Pressure applied to the sample container 40 allows for the sample container 40
to be filled by
the urine collected in the receiver 10. The sample container 40 is pushed
against the
retractable plug 24 and a spring 60 is activated to allow for the plug 24 to
open and urine
begins to fill into the sample container 40. When pressure is released, the
spring 60 will bias
the retractable plug 24 into the original closed position and urine will stop
flowing from the
receiver 10.
The sample container 40 is then removed by twisting it in the opposite
direction as to
insertion.
CA 02863013 2014-09-04
9
As shown in figure 9, the sample container 40 comprises a cross member 62
which breaks
the surface tension of the sample and this prevents any drops from being left
behind once
the sample container 40 is removed from the receiver 10.
Numerous other embodiments of the invention are possible, for example where
the receiver
is to be used purely for voiding the bladder in instances where a lavatory is
not available, the
receiver may be connected to a larger container.
