US5267988A — Non-invasive female urine collection device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 243 words

A non-invasive female urine collection device for a female patient having legs, a perineal area and a waist, said device comprising an elongated pad configured to be positioned comfortably between the legs of the female patient and in contact with at least a portion of the patient's perineal area, said pad including a flat, planar base having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof and a flexible membrane positioned above the inner surface of the base and having an outer circumferential edge attached to said base, said flexible membrane having an inner circumferential edge thereof which defines an open area therein, with said inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane surrounding said outlet and attached to said inner surface of said base, with said inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane spaced apart from each other such that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base, with said chamber configured to be inflated and form a comfortable cushion when said flexible membrane is positioned against the patient's perineal area, with a portion of said flexible membrane adjacent said inner circumferential edge forming a flow channel which extends from an opening at an outer surface of said flexible membrane to said outlet, and with said opening of said flow channel at said flexible membrane outer surface configured to surround a patient's urethra, said device further including inflation means for inflating the chamber.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 243 words

A non-invasive female urine collection device for a female patient having legs, a perineal area and a waist, said device comprising an elongated pad configured to be positioned comfortably between the legs of the female patient and in contact with at least a portion of the patient's perineal area, said pad including a flat, planar base having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof and a flexible membrane positioned above the inner surface of the base and having an outer circumferential edge attached to said base, said flexible membrane having an inner circumferential edge thereof which defines an open area therein, with said inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane surrounding said outlet and attached to said inner surface of said base, with said inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane spaced apart from each other such that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base, with said chamber configured to be inflated and form a comfortable cushion when said flexible membrane is positioned against the patient's perineal area, with a portion of said flexible membrane adjacent said inner circumferential edge forming a flow channel which extends from an opening at an outer surface of said flexible membrane to said outlet, and with said opening of said flow channel at said flexible membrane outer surface configured to surround a patient's urethra, said device further including inflation means for inflating the chamber.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 41 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 further including support means for securing said elongated pad to a female patient with said flexible membrane contacting the patient's perineal area and with said flow channel opening surrounding the patient's urethra.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 67 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 2 wherein said support means includes a plurality of strap holding tabs attached to said base, a strap having a lower end and attached at its lower end to each of said tabs, a support belt configured to encircle the patient's waist, and attachment means for attaching an upper end of each of said straps to said support belt.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 3 wherein said attachment means includes adjustment means for adjusting tension on said straps and for adjusting a location of the upper ends of said straps on said support belt.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 wherein said base and said flexible membrane are formed of a clear, plastic material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 wherein the outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane is attached along an outer edge of said base and wherein the inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane is attached immediately adjacent the outlet in said base.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 further including drainage means connected to said outlet for draining fluids flowing into said flow channel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 29 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 further including an outlet nipple on the outer surface of said base and in fluid communication with the outlet therein.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 8 further including a drain conduit having a first end and connected at its first end to said outlet nipple.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 9 further including collection means connected to a second end of said drain conduit for drawing fluids through said drain conduit and for holding said fluids.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 39 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the flexible membrane defining the flow channel and immediately surrounding the opening of the flow channel is coated with a layer of a hydrophobic material.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 1 wherein said inflation means is an air inlet nipple in fluid communication with said chamber.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 234 words

A non-invasive female urine collection device for a female patient having legs, a perineal area and a waist, said device comprising an elongated pad configured to be positioned comfortably between the legs of the female patient and in contact with at least a portion of the patient's perineal area, said pad including a flat, planar base having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof and a flexible membrane positioned above the inner surface of the base and having an outer circumferential edge attached to said base, said flexible membrane having an inner circumferential edge thereof which defines an open area therein, with said inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane surrounding said outlet and attached to said inner surface of said base, with said inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane spaced apart from each other such that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base, with said chamber inflated with air and configured to form a comfortable cushion when said flexible membrane is positioned against the patient's perineal area, with a portion of said flexible membrane adjacent said inner circumferential edge forming a flow channel which extends from an opening at an outer surface of said flexible membrane to said outlet, and with said opening of said flow channel at said flexible membrane outer surface configured to surround a patient's urethra.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 234 words

A non-invasive female urine collection device for a female patient having legs, a perineal area and a waist, said device comprising an elongated pad configured to be positioned comfortably between the legs of the female patient and in contact with at least a portion of the patient's perineal area, said pad including a flat, planar base having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof and a flexible membrane positioned above the inner surface of the base and having an outer circumferential edge attached to said base, said flexible membrane having an inner circumferential edge thereof which defines an open area therein, with said inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane surrounding said outlet and attached to said inner surface of said base, with said inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane spaced apart from each other such that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base, with said chamber inflated with air and configured to form a comfortable cushion when said flexible membrane is positioned against the patient's perineal area, with a portion of said flexible membrane adjacent said inner circumferential edge forming a flow channel which extends from an opening at an outer surface of said flexible membrane to said outlet, and with said opening of said flow channel at said flexible membrane outer surface configured to surround a patient's urethra.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 41 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 13 further including support means for securing said elongated pad to a female patient with said flexible membrane contacting the patient's perineal area and with said flow channel opening surrounding the patient's urethra.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 67 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 14 wherein said support means includes a plurality of strap holding tabs attached to said base, a strap having a lower end and attached at its lower end to each of said tabs, a support belt configured to encircle the patient's waist, and attachment means for attaching an upper end of each of said straps to said support belt.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 15 wherein said attachment means includes a adjustment means for adjusting tension on said straps and for adjusting a location of the upper ends of said straps on said support belt.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 13 wherein said base and said flexible membrane are formed of a clear plastic material.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 46 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 13 wherein the outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane is attached along an outer edge of said base and wherein the inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane is attached immediately adjacent the outlet in said base.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 13 further including drainage means connected to said outlet for draining fluids flowing into said flow channel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 13 further including an outlet nipple on the outer surface of said base and in fluid communication with the outlet therein.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 28 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 20 further including a drain conduit having a first end and connected at its first end to said outlet nipple.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 34 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 21 further including collection means connected to a second end of said drain conduit for drawing fluids through said drain conduit and for holding said fluids.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 39 words

The non-invasive female urine collection device of claim 13 wherein the outer surface of the flexible membrane defining the flow channel and immediately surrounding the opening of the flow channel is coated with a layer of a hydrophobic material.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 241 words

A non-invasive female urine collection device for a female patient having legs, a perineal area and a waist, said device comprising an elongated, planar base configured to be positioned comfortably between the legs of the female patient and in contact with at least a portion of the patient's perineal area, said bas having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof, said device further including a flexible membrane positioned above the inner surface of the base and having an outer circumferential edge attached to said base, said flexible membrane having an inner circumferential edge thereof which defines an open area therein, with said inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane surrounding said outlet and attached to said inner surface of said base, with said inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane spaced apart from each other such that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base, with said chamber configured to be inflated and form a cushion when said flexible membrane is positioned against the patient's perineal area, with a portion of said flexible membrane adjacent said inner circumferential edge forming a flow channel which extends from an opening at an outer surface of said flexible membrane to said outlet, and with said opening of said flow channel at said flexible membrane outer surface configured to surround a patient's urethra, said device further including inflation means for inflating the chamber.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 241 words

A non-invasive female urine collection device for a female patient having legs, a perineal area and a waist, said device comprising an elongated, planar base configured to be positioned comfortably between the legs of the female patient and in contact with at least a portion of the patient's perineal area, said bas having an outlet extending between an inner surface and an outer surface thereof, said device further including a flexible membrane positioned above the inner surface of the base and having an outer circumferential edge attached to said base, said flexible membrane having an inner circumferential edge thereof which defines an open area therein, with said inner circumferential edge of said flexible membrane surrounding said outlet and attached to said inner surface of said base, with said inner circumferential edge and outer circumferential edge of said flexible membrane spaced apart from each other such that a chamber is formed between the flexible membrane and the base, with said chamber configured to be inflated and form a cushion when said flexible membrane is positioned against the patient's perineal area, with a portion of said flexible membrane adjacent said inner circumferential edge forming a flow channel which extends from an opening at an outer surface of said flexible membrane to said outlet, and with said opening of said flow channel at said flexible membrane outer surface configured to surround a patient's urethra, said device further including inflation means for inflating the chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-12-06	1997-06-07	1997-12-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-12-06	2001-06-07	2001-12-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-12-06	2005-06-07	2005-12-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Non-invasive female urine collection device

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