GB2206050A

GB2206050A - Male incontinence device

Info

Publication number: GB2206050A
Application number: GB08714301A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Leslie Steer
Original assignee: Craig Medical Products Ltd
Current assignee: Craig Medical Products Ltd
Priority date: 1987-06-18
Filing date: 1987-06-18
Publication date: 1988-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-18
Also published as: GB2206050B; GB8714301D0

Abstract

A male incontinence device includes a diaphragm of stretchable material. This diaphragm has a central hole chosen to be slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of an average male penis. In use the diaphragm engages and encircles the penis. The advantages this gives are to enable a nurse to thread the penis through easily, and to aid persons suffering from penile retraction. Also, the diaphragm lightly grips around the penis shaft preventing backwash and leaking. <IMAGE>

Description

MALE INCONTINENCE DEVICE This invention relates to a male incontinence device.

A male incontinence device according to the invention includes a diaphragm of strechable material having a central hole of a size chosen to be slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of an average male penis. The purpose of this diaphragm is to engage and encircle the penis and it has a number of advantages:1. To enable the user or nurse to "thread" the penis through easily.

2. To lightly grip all around the penis shaft to prevent back wash and leaking.

3. To help retain the penis in its extended position to aid persons suffering from penile retraction.

By way of example, the hole could be of approximately one-half inch (12 to 13 mm) diameter and the diaphragm could be of thin latex rubber.

Alternatively a stretchable plastics material could be used.

In a preferred version of the invention, a male incontinence device includes a pubic pressure plate attachable to the wearer by a harness or in any other convenient way, a first coupling element fitted on the front side of the plate, a second coupling element complementary with the first element assembled together with a third coupling element with the aforesaid diaphragm sandwiched between the second and third coupling elements, and a fourth coupling element complementary to the third and attached to, or attachable to, a urine-receiving bag or container.

Various optional embodiments of the invention will now be described.

Instead of the urine drainage bag one may attach to the third coupling element a so-called URODOME by which expelled urine may be directed to an outlet pipe. Alternatively various kinds of bags can be attached to the third coupling as desired, for example:1. a bag with a non-return valve and a connector to a leg bag; 2. a bag with a non-return valve but containing a urine absorber such as compressed cellulose sponge or absorbent hydrogel in mat, powder or fibre form. This is for drippers. It is thrown away when used; 3. a composite bag which is made in one piece connecting to the unit but with integral leg bag drainable or with absorber for complete disposal; The device disclosed and illustrated herein is easily assembled and used and permits a wide choice of bags, without the need to remove or refit the pubic pressure plate on the wearer.

The invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of examples thereof given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partly exploded side view of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a fully exploded view of the component of one example of the male incontinence device illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates the male incontinence device of Figures 1 and 2 but shows three possible alternative embodiments (two bags, one URODOME) which may be connected to the interconnector.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the illustrated male incontinence device includes a pubic pressure plate component 10, an interconnector 20, and a drainage component 30. These are connectable together to provide the male incontinence device. As shown the pressure plate component 10 includes a rubber pressure pad 12 having a 32 mm. circular hole therein which is centrally located and other holes which permit the attachment of a harness to hold the pubic plate in position on the wearer in a conventional manner. On the side of the plate 12 which is to be nearest to the wearer-there is a closed cell foam ring 14 which is suitably fixed to the plate 12. This serves a cushioning function. On the other side of the plate is a first coupling element 16. The element 16 is joined to the pressure pad 12 in any convenient manner for example by adhesive.

The interconnector 20 comprises a coupling element 22 herein called a second coupling element which is complementary to the - element 16, a latex diaphragm or membrane having a central hole therein, and a further coupling element herein called a third coupling element 26. The diaphragm 24 is sandwiched between the elements 22 and 26 and, as previously described, its central hole is suitably sized in accordance with the penis size of the intended wearer of the device. For average mature males a hole diameter of about 2 inch will be suitable but a smaller hole would be appropriate for young boys.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the benefits of the present invention can be obtained for different patients by using holes of different sizes.

However, the stretchable nature of the latex diaphragm means that one does not need to carry a large stock of various hole sized diaphragms.

The third component 30 of the device is formed by a drainage pouch 32 having thereon a coupling element, herein called a fourth coupling element.

The fourth coupling element 32 is complementary to and cooperating with the coupling element 26.

In a preferred version of the invention, the complementary coupling elements 16 and 22 may be in accordance with the teaching of one or both of British Patents Nos. 1 571 657 and 1 568 860. Likewise, the complementary coupling elements 26 and 32 may be in accordance with one or both of these two British Patents. These types of coupling elements are preferred but the present invention is not regarded as limited to the use of them.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is here illustrated three alternative components which may be connected to the coupling 26 on the component 20.

These are firstly a URODOME 33, secondly a closed pouch incorporating an abutting flap-type non-return valve and a urine absorbent material located in its lower region and, as a third alternative 36, a combined pouch and leg bag with an abutting flap-type non-return valve.

For further details of the URODOME, the reader is referred to our published British Patent Application No. 2 172 204.

While the invention has been described as involving three components 10, 20 and 30, it will be appreciated that it could alternatively be carried into effect by embodying a stretchable diaphragm or membrane in a pressure pad assembly. This could be achieved, for example, by disposing a diaphragm -or membrane between the plate 12 and a coupling element 16 and arranging for the coupling element to connect directly to a counterpart coupling element on the drainage bag. Other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A male incontinence device including a diaphragm of stretchable material having a central hole of a size chosen to be slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of an average male penis.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the hole is of approximately one-half inch (12 to 13 mm) diameter.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which the diaphragm is of thin latex rubber.

4. A male incontinence device including a pubic pressure plate attachable to the wearer by a harness or in any other convenient way, a first coupling element fitted on the front side of the plate, a second coupling element complementary with the first element assembled together with a third coupling element with the aforesaid diaphragm sandwiched between the second and third coupling elements, and a fourth coupling element complementary to the third and attached to, or attachable to, a urine-receiving bag or container.

5. A modification of the device according to claim 4 in which, instead of the urine drainage bag, there is attached to the third coupling element a urine guidance means by which expelled urine may be directed to an outlet pipe.

6. A male incontinence device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. Any novel combination or sub-combination disclosed and/or illustrated herein.