US4865046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Serial drain collector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-10-31
•
Granted: 1989-09-12
•
Expires: 2008-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A serial urine sample collection device for use in monitoring the color and clarity of successive samples from a patient recovering from surgery includes a unitary container having a plurality of separate serially arranged compartments each having a transparent face. Each compartment is filled by pouring the urine from a single voiding into a top opening and draining any excess through a valve-controlled outlet in the bottom of the compartment to a main storage reservoir disposed below. Visual indicators of various types are provided to help maintain the samples in the compartments in proper chronological sequence so that improvement in color and clarity of the urine with time may be visually monitored. The device improves the accuracy, safety, and convenience of the monitoring procedure, while minimizing sample handling and improving the hygenic nature of the procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 Edna Duran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/20; A61B5/207; A61B5/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A collecting and storage device for visual analysis of serially collected urine samples, said device comprising: a unitary container having a plurality of separate, serially arranged compartments; each of said compartments having a transparent side wall, an inlet opening at the top for receipt of a urine sample, and an outlet opening at the bottom for the discharge of the urine sample; cover means on each compartment for selectively opening and closing the inlet opening; and, valve means on each compartment for selectively opening and closing the outlet opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A collecting and storage device for visual analysis of serially collected urine samples, said device comprising: a unitary container having a plurality of separate, serially arranged compartments; each of said compartments having a transparent side wall, an inlet opening at the top for receipt of a urine sample, and an outlet opening at the bottom for the discharge of the urine sample; cover means on each compartment for selectively opening and closing the inlet opening; and, valve means on each compartment for selectively opening and closing the outlet opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 including visual indicia on each compartment for indicating the relative time of receipt of the urine sample therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said visual indicia is adapted to indicate the time of receipt of the sample relative to the time of receipt of a sample in another compartment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said visual indicia is adapted to indicate the time of receipt of the sample relative to the time of receipt of the samples in all other compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein said visual indicia comprises two independent types of indicia on each compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein said indicia comprises a human readable type and a color coded type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said indicia types is manually operable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container has three compartments disposed in side-by-side relation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein the compartments are of generally rectangular horizontal cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein adjacent compartments share a common side wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 including a main storage reservoir disposed below the container, said reservoir having fluid connection means to the outlet openings of the compartments for the selective receipt of urine discharged by gravity flow therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 wherein the storage reservoir comprises a flexible plastic bag and the fluid connection means comprises a flexible plastic tube having a lower end in fluid communication with the reservoir and a branched upper end providing attachment to each of the outlet openings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the attachment to each of the outlet openings is demountable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the attachment to each of the outlet openings includes a flow control means for the selective control of discharge from each compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 including hanger means for attaching the device to a support structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as set forth in claim 15 wherein said hanger means comprises an anchor hook attached to each of the container and the reservoir.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transparent side wall of each compartment includes a urine level scale graduated to indicate the volume of urine in the compartment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 whrein each inlet opening includes an integral funnel and the cover means comprises an integral hinged lid for each funnel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as set forth in claim 18 wherein the funnels are attached at their adjacent upper edges.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-11 | 1993-03-13 | 1993-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-13 | 1997-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-11 | 2001-03-13 | 2001-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |