US-12622803-B2 - Fluid collection devices, systems, and methods

US12622803B2US 12622803 B2US12622803 B2US 12622803B2US-12622803-B2

Abstract

Example fluid collection devices and methods of assembling the fluid collection devices. The fluid collection devices include a fluid impermeable barrier and a fluid permeable body. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a chamber and includes an opening extending therethrough. The opening is configured to be positioned adjacent to or receive therein a urethra of a subject. The fluid permeable body has a singular porous material in a substantially cylindrical shape and positioned at least partially within the chamber.

Inventors

Lyndsay Alison Sweeney

Assignees

PUREWICK CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20190429

Claims (7)

1 . A fluid collection device, comprising: a fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defining a chamber, the fluid impermeable barrier including an opening extending therethrough, the opening configured to be positioned adjacent to or receive therein a urethra of a subject; a fluid permeable body that is extruded to form a singular fibrous material in a cylindrical shape defining a bore extending at least partially therethrough and positioned at least partially within the chamber, wherein the singular fibrous material consists essentially of a singular and fibrous polyolefin material; a reservoir being at least partially defined by the fluid permeable body, wherein the fluid permeable body is configured to wick fluid away from the opening to the reservoir; and a conduit positioned at least partially within the bore and including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the singular fibrous material extends substantially continuously from the conduit to an outer surface of the fluid permeable body, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the fluid permeable body defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid collection device, and the portion of the outer surface of the fluid collection device is free from coverage by gauze or other wicking material; and wherein a portion of the singular fibrous material of the fluid permeable body extends continuously between the opening and the reservoir to wick any fluid from the opening to the reservoir.
2 . The fluid collection device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid impermeable barrier defines the opening and the opening is configured to be placed adjacent to the urethra of a female subject.
3 . The fluid collection device of claim 2 , wherein: the fluid impermeable barrier defines an aperture at a first end region of the fluid impermeable barrier; the fluid permeable body extends across at least a portion of the opening; the conduit extends through the aperture into the fluid impermeable barrier and into the bore of the fluid permeable body at a first body end of the fluid permeable body, the aperture forming a fluid tight seal against the conduit extending therethrough; and the outlet of the conduit is positioned outside the fluid impermeable barrier.
4 . The fluid collection device of claim 3 , wherein the reservoir is defined by: a second body end of the fluid permeable body distal to the first body end; and a second end region of the fluid impermeable barrier distal to the aperture.
5 . The fluid collection device of claim 4 , wherein: the bore of the fluid permeable body extends through the fluid permeable body from the first body end to the second body end; and the conduit extends through the bore of the fluid permeable body into the reservoir such that the inlet of the conduit is positioned within the reservoir.
6 . The fluid collection device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid permeable body consists of polyolefin material.
7 . The fluid collection device of claim 1 , wherein: the fluid impermeable barrier includes an open proximal end and a closed distal end; the opening includes an elongated opening extending into the chamber from the open proximal end, the elongated opening being at least partially defined within the chamber by the fluid permeable body and being sized to dispose a penis of the subject therein; and the reservoir is positioned at the closed distal end.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2019/029616 filed on Apr. 29, 2019, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/665,711 filed on May 2, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference. BACKGROUND An individual may have limited or impaired mobility such that typical urination processes are challenging or impossible. For example, the individual may have surgery or a disability that impairs mobility. In another example, the individual may have restricted travel conditions such as those experienced by pilots, drivers, and workers in hazardous areas. Additionally, fluid collection from the individual may be needed for monitoring purposes or clinical testing. Bed pans and urinary catheters, such as a Foley catheter, can be used to address some of these circumstances. However, bed pans and urinary catheters have several problems associated therewith. For example, bed pans can be prone to discomfort, pressure ulcers spills, and other hygiene issues. Urinary catheters be can be uncomfortable, painful, and can cause urinary tract infections. Thus, users and manufacturers of fluid collection devices continue to seek new and improved devices, systems, and methods to collect urine. SUMMARY Embodiments disclosed herein are fluid collection devices and methods of assembling fluid collection devices. In an embodiment, a fluid collection device includes a fluid impermeable barrier, a fluid permeable body, and a reservoir. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a chamber. The fluid impermeable barrier includes an opening extending therethrough. The opening is configured to be positioned adjacent to or receive therein a urethra of a subject. The fluid permeable body is a singular porous material in a substantially cylindrical shape and positioned at least partially within the chamber. The reservoir is at least partially defined by the fluid permeable body. The fluid permeable body is configured to wick fluid away from the opening to the reservoir. In an embodiment, a method of assembling a fluid collection device is disclosed. The method includes providing a fluid impermeable barrier. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a chamber and has an opening extending therethrough. The opening is configured to be positioned adjacent to or receive therein a urethra of a subject. The method also includes inserting a substantially cylindrical and fluid permeable body into the chamber of the fluid impermeable barrier thereby forming a fluid collection device. The fluid permeable body at least partially defines a reservoir when the fluid permeable body is inserted into the chamber. The fluid permeable body includes a singular porous material that is substantially cylindrical in shape and configured to wick fluid away from the opening to the reservoir. In an embodiment, a fluid collection device includes a fluid impermeable barrier, an opening, a fluid permeable layer, a reservoir, and a conduit. The fluid impermeable barrier at least partially defines a chamber. The opening extends into the chamber and is configured to be positioned adjacent to or receive therein a urethra of a subject. The fluid permeable layer is positioned within the chamber and includes a singular porous material configured to wick any fluid away from the opening. The reservoir is formed within the chamber and partially defined by a portion of the fluid permeable layer and an impermeable border. At least a portion of the singular porous material of the fluid permeable layer extends continuously between the opening and the reservoir to wick any fluid from the opening to the reservoir. The conduit includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet extends to the reservoir and provides fluid communication between the reservoir and the outlet. In an embodiment, a method to collect fluid includes positioning a fluid permeable body of a fluid collection device adjacent to a urethra of a subject. The fluid permeable body is disposed within a chamber of a fluid impermeable barrier of the fluid collection device and exposed to the urethra of the subject through an opening in the fluid collection device. The method also includes securing the fluid collection device to the user. The method also includes receiving fluids from the female urethra into the chamber of the fluid collection device. In an embodiment, a fluid collection device includes a body having an opening and a closed distal end. The body includes a fluid impermeable side wall at least partially defining a chamber within the body. The body also includes a fluid permeable layer positioned with the chamber to partially define a reservoir at the distal end, the fluid permeable layer including a singular porous material. The body is configured to be disposed with a urethra of a subject disposed within the opening or adjacent to the opening. The body