GB2223173A - Male urinary device - Google Patents

Abstract

A pubic pressure urinal is formed in two parts (1 and 2). One part (1) takes the form of a fabric plate (10) with a rubber mounting collar (14). The plate (10) is secured firmly against the pubic region of the wearer by means of a strap (3) with the penis extending through the collar (14) as a loose fit. The collar (14) projects from the rear face of the plate (10) and has a seal of a deformable foamed plastics material clipped onto its rear end. The other part (2) is in the form of a flexible sheath the length of which can be adjusted by rolling or unrolling its rear end. The sheath (2) is secured on the collar (14) by rolling its rear end over a tapered forward end (22) of the collar (14) into an annular recess (19). A resilient ring (40) can be rolled over the sheath to improve the retention of the sheath (2) in the recess (19). <IMAGE>

Description

MALE URINARY DEVICE This invention relates to male urinary devices.

Male sufferers from incontinence generally use a sheath made from a thin, flexible latex rubber which is secured to the penis by means of an adhesive. The sheath communicates via tubing with a urine leg bag in which discharged urine is collected for later disposal.

In some cases, it is not possible to use such a sheath, such as where the user cannot tolerate an adhesive or where the penis is retracted. -In these circumstances it is general practice to use what is known as a pubic pressure device. These devices comprise a pouch of a stiffer material than the sheath, which is attached at one end to a face plate. The face plate is held firmly against the pubic region at the base of the penis by means of straps. The pouch is a loose fit about the penis and has its lower end connected to tubing by which urine is conveyed to the leg bag. A urine seal with these devices is provided by virtue of the pressure applied by the face plate in the pubic region.

There are several disadvantages associated with prior pubic pressure devices. In particular, because it is desirable for the same device to be usable by men with different size penises, the pouch tends to be relatively bulky. This problem is aggravated because the pouch is made of a relatively stiff material to prevent it collapsing and impeding flow of urine. It is particularly important that there is no back pressure of urine with these devices because the seal provided by the face plate would not be effective against such a back pressure. One problem with a bulky pouch is that it can be visible beneath the wearer's clothing and may be uncomfortable.

Another disadvantage is that the size of the device makes it relatively expensive and may make it too expensive to be disposable economically after one use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a male urinary device that can be used to alleviate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a male urinary device comprising a first part in the form of c. plate member with a collar member projecting from one side of the plate member, the first part being adapted to be secured firmly against the pubic region of the wearer with the collar member projecting forwardly away from the wearer and with the penis extending through the collar as a loose fit, and a second part in the form of a flexible sheath the length of which can be adjusted by rolling its rear end along the external surface of the sheath, the rear end of the sheath being retained about the external surface of the collar member after rolling the sheath to its desired length such that discharged urine flows into the sheath.

The external surface of the collar member preferably has an annular recess, the rear end of the sheath being located in the recess. That portion of the collar member fowardly of the recess preferably tapers forwardly to a diameter smaller than the natural diameter of the sheath, the rear end of the tapered portion immediately forward of the recess having a diameter larger than the natural diameter of the sheath.

The device may include a resilient ring having a natural internal diameter that is less than the diameter of a part of the collar member, the ring being located around the rear end of the sheath on the said part of the collar member. The ring is preferably located around the rear end of the sheath in the recess of the collar member.

The length of the collar member may be about 24mm. The collar member may have an annular channel towards its rear end, the plate member being secured in the annular channel. The rear end of the collar member preferably projects from the rear face of the plate member, a resilient annular seal member being secured to the rear end of the collar member, and the seal member being arranged to form a seal with the pubic region of the wearer. The seal member may be clipped onto the rear end of the collar member and may have a resilient bead projecting from a rear face of the seal member. The seal member may be of a deformable foamed plastics material.

The plate member preferably includes attachment means for securing with a strap by which the device is secured to the wearer. The plate member may be of a fabric material.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a male urinary device comprising the steps of: providing a first part in the form of a plate member and a collar member projecting from one said of the plate member, providing a second part in the form of a flexible sheath, adjusting the length of the sheath to the desired extent by rolling its rear end along the external surface of the sheath, fastening the first part firmly against the pubic region of the wearer with the collar member projecting away from the wearer and with the penis extending through the collar as a loose fit, and placing the rear end of the sheath over the external surface of the collar member to be retained securely thereon so that discharged urine flows into the sheath.

The rear end of the sheath is preferably placed over the external surface of the collar member subsequently to fastening the first part against the pubic region of the wearer.

A male urinary device and its method of assembly, in accordance with the present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in a disassembled state; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the device as assembled.

With reference first to Figure 1, the male urinary device comprises two separate parts, indicated generally by the numerals 1 and 2, which are fitted together in use.

The first part 1 is fitted securely against the wearer by means of an elasticated waist belt 3 and straps 4. The second part 2, which is a conventional urine sheath, is adjustable in length and is fitted onto the first part.

With reference now also to Figure 2, the first part comprises a generally rectangular cotton fabric face plate 10 to the lower corners of which are sewn the two straps 4. Each of the upper two corners of the plate 10 has a button 11 which engages a button hole 12 on the waist belt 3. In the centre of the face plate 10 there is a circular aperture 13 which receives a mounting collar 14. The collar 14 is a rubber moulding of generally cylindrical shape with a central bore 15 that tapers at an angle cm of 9 degrees and varies in diameter from about 41mm at its left, rear end to about 31mm at its right, forward end. At its rear end, the collar 14 has two radially extending flanges 16 and 17 of diameter 60mm and 55mm respectively which are separated from one another by an annular channel 18 that is 2mm wide and in which the aperture 13 of the face plate 10 is located.

On the forward side of the flange 17, the collar 14 is formed with an annular recess 19 of diameter about 41mm.

The floor 20 of the recess is inclined at an angle of 23 degrees and increases to a diameter of 44mm at an annular ridge 21, of width 1.5mm, located 14mm from rear end of the collar. Forwardly of the ridge 21, the external surface of the collar inclines inwardly at an angle @ of 33 degreesto form a tapering forward surface 22. The overall length of the collar is 24mm.

A seal member 30 is clipped around the rear end of the collar 14. The seal member 30 takes the form of a ring of external diameter 75mm made from a stiff but deformable foamed plastics material of C-shape in section. The seal member has an annular bead 31 of width 17mm and height 10mm and is semi circular in section. The bead 31 projects rearwardly of the seal member and defines an annular cavity with the rear surface of the flange 16 which provides a cushion effect. The shape and added thickness of the seal member 30 localises pressure applied by the first part around the pubic region and the resilient nature of the bead helps it conform to the skin surface to improve the effectiveness of the seal.

The sheath 2 is a conventional male urine sheath, without any adhesive, being made of a flexible latex rubber. The rear part 25 of the sheath 2 is cylindrical in shape and extends for a distance of about 100mm, when fully unrolled, having a wall thickness of about 0.2mm and a natural diameter of about 35mm in this region. A thickened bead or 0' ring 28 is formed around the rear end of the sheath 2. At its forward end 26 the sheath tapers to form a thicker tubular projection 27 with a wall about lmm thick.

The thin wall at the rear part 25 of the sheath 2 enables it to be rolled forwardly along the external surface of th sheath. In the example shown in Figure 2, the rear end 25 of the sheath 2 is rolled over a short distance to give th sheath the desired length. The added thickness given to the sheath 2, by its rolled rear end increases its resillience at its rear end. This rolled rear end lies in the recess 19 of the collar 14 and, because the diameter of the recess is greater than that of the sheath 2, the rear end of the sheath is stretched and retained on the collar by its resilence. The tubular projection 27 of the sheath 2 is, in use, joined to tubing (not shown) which extends to a conventional urine leg bag.

The device is assembled by placing the collar 14 and sealing member 30 around the penis and securing the buttons 11 on the faceplate 10 to the waist belt 3.

The lower straps 4 are passed between the legs of the wearer and attached to the waist belt 3 sufficiently tightly for the seal member 30 to be urged firmly aganist the wearer's pubic region. The length of the collar 14 is such that the penis wll normally project beyond the forward end of the collar. In most cases, the sheath 2 is supplied in a rolled up state so the user has to unroll it to the appropriate length before use. The rear end 25 of the sheath 2 is then held against the forward end of the collar 14 and unrolled further around the tapering forward surface 22 and over the ridge 21. If preferred, the sheath 2 could be assembled on the collar 14 prior placing the device over the penis.

In most cases, the resilience of the rear, rolled end of the sheath 2 and the bead 28 will be sufficient to retain the sheath securely on the collar 14. The natural diameter of the sheath is larger than the forward end of the tapered region 22 but smaller than its rear end. If, however, the sheath is fully unrolled, it may be necessary to use a separate resilient retaining ring 40, such as of rubber. The ring 40 has a natural internal diameter of about 35mm, that is, greater than the external diameter of the forward end of the collar 14 but less than the external diameter of the recess 19 so that, when the ring is rolled about the sheath 2 into the recess, it is in a stretched condition.

The device of the present invention has the advantage that it enables a conventional urinary sheath to be used by men who would not normally be able to use such sheaths.

Because the sheath is flexible and adjustable in length it enables the device to be compact and inconspicuous. The sheaths can be made cheaply enough to be disposable after a single use whereas the first part of the device, including the collar, can be reused for a day or so.

Claims (18)

1. A male urinary device comprising a first part in the form of a plate member with a collar member projecting from one side of the plate member, the first part being adapted to be secured firmly against the pubic region of the wearer with the collar member projecting forwardly away from the wearer and with the penis extending through the collar as a loose fit, and a second part in the form of a flexible sheath the length of which can be adjusted by rolling its rear end along the external surface of the sheath, the rear end of the sheath being retained about the external surface of the collar member after rolling the sheath to its desired length such that discharged urine flows into the sheath.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the external surface of the collar member has an annular recess, and wherein the rear end of said sheath is located in said recess.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein that portion of the collar member forwardly of the recess tapers forwardly to a diameter smaller than the natural diameter of the sheath, and wherein the rear end of the tapered portion immediately forward of the recess has a diameter larger than the natural diameter of the sheath.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims including a resilient ring, wherein the resilient ring has a natural internal diameter that is less than the diameter of a part of the collar member, the ring being located around the rear end of the sheath on the said part of the collar member.

5. A device according to Claim 4 and Claim 2 or 3, wherein the ring is located around the rear end of the sheath in the recess of the collar member.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the collar member is about 24mm.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar member has an annular channel towards its rear end, and wherein the plate member is secured in said annular channel.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the rear end of the collar member projects from the rear face of said plate member, and wherein a resilient annular seal member is secured to the rear end of the collar member, said seal member being arranged to form a seal with the pubic region of the wearer.

9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the seal member is clipped onto the rear end of the collar member.

10. A device according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the seal member has a resilient bead projecting from a rear face of the seal member.

11. A device according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, wherein the seal member is of a deformable foamed plastics material.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate member includes attachment means for securing with a strap by which the device is secured to the wearer.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate member is of a fabric material.

14* A male urinary device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of assembling a male urinary device comprising the steps of: providing a first part in the form of a plate member and a collar member projecting from one said of the plate member, providing a second part in the form of a flexible sheath, adjusting the length of the sheath to the desired extent by rolling its rear end along the external surface of the sheath, fastening the first part firmly against the pubic region of the wearer with the collar member projecting away from the wearer and with the penis extending through the collar as a loose fit, and placing the rear end of the sheath over the external surface of the collar member to be retained securely thereon so that discharged urine flows into the sheath.

16. A method according to Claim 15, wherein the rear end of the sheath is placed over the external surface of the collar member subsequently to fastening the first part against the pubic region of the wearer.

17. A method of assembling a male urinary device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Any novel feature or combination of features as hereinbefore described.