US2940450A - Male urine drain - Google Patents

Description

June i4, 1960 1 WITT ETAL 2,940,450

MALE URINE DRAIN Filed Aug. 20, 1957 MALE URINE DRAIN James Witt, Oakland, and Richard L. Bower, Pleasant Hill, Calif., assignors to The Urex Company, Pleasant Hill, Calif., a partnership comprised 'of James Witt, Richard L. Bower, and Kathleen Bower Filed Aug. 20, 1957, Ser. No. 679,165

4 Claims. (Cla 12S-295) This invention relates generally Vto urine drains and more particularly to urine drains for use by male patients.

In the past considerable diinculty has been encountered in removing urine from incontinent quiescent bed or wheel chair patients. Catheterization has often been tried but has been found to have serious disadvantages particularly when utilized on male patients. Since the catheter must be inserted and removed from the urinary tract, it is irritating to the urinaryptract and often introduces infection. The catheter when inserted abnormally drains the bladder and will only pass very small kidney or bladder stones. During tumescence of the male organ, the catheter may be very painful and may cause damage to the cavernous tissue. In addition, the insertion of the catheter requires close medical supervision and must generally be done by someone other than the patient. The catheter also clogs easily thus necessitating removal and cleaning. The catheter is also relatively high in cost because numerous other additional components are required for a satisfactory urine drain. Other urinary devices which are attached externally have also been found to be unsatisfactory because they have failed to keep the patient dry with resulting urine irritation and bed sores. ln addition, many of the urinary devices create undue irritation, damage blood vessels, restrict venous iiow and cause maceration.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a urine drain suitable for use by males which overcomes the above named disadvantages and which encourages natural urination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urlne drain of the above character which is extemally attached to the male patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which is attached to the patient in a painless manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which permits free urine ow without a buildsup of excessive back pressure.

vAnother object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which will not cause pain upon the occurrence of tnmescence of the male organ and which will not cause damage to cavernous tis'- sue.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male `urine drain of the above character which will cause little pain and no damage if the urine drain is accidentally or intentionally pulled off.-

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which be easily attached and detached by the patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which can be utilized by incontinent quiescent male bed or wheel chair patients.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which can be utilized by ambulatory patients.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male arent O urine drain ofthe above character which Akeeps the patient dry at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character in which vacuum formation is inhibited.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character in which any vacuum formation can be eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a male urine drain of the above character which is relatively low in initial cost, has a long life and is easily cleaned by washing or sterilization.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring t'o the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in crosssection showing the urine drain incorporating our invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view in cross-section of another embodiment of our penis sheath; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of our invention.

The male urine drain shown in the drawing consists generally of a male organ or penis sheath i1, a drain tube i2 and areceptacle 13. The sheath, as shown, is formed with a polygonal shaped portion ist which at one end forms an inlet opening 16 and at the other end is joined to one end of aconical portion 17. The other end of the conical portion i7 is joined to a cylindrical ortubular portion 18 which forms an outlet opening 19.

The polygonal portion 1li may have any number of sides, however, it has been found preferable to form the portion i4 in the shape of an Octagon as shown. A bead 2i has been formed adjacent the inlet opening i6 to increase the strength of theportion 14 adjacent the opening. Thesheath 11 may be formed of any suitable flexible material, however, we have found it desirable to utihze soft natural rubber or latex because of its elasticity and because it will not harm the skin. The use of soft natural rubber also permits steam sterilization.

Means is provided for securing the sheath 1i to the male organ or penis and consists of a pair ofdrawstrings 22. and 23 which are bonded to 'opposite 'side Walls of thepolygonal portion 14 near the inlet opening 16. The (trav/strings 22 and 23 may be formed of any suitable material such as cotton and preferably should be rather wide to prevent injur; to the male organ, as hereinafter described.

The remainder of the urinary drain is substantially conventional and consists of the tube i2 and thereceptacle 13. The drain tube i2 can be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or rubber. One end of thetube 12 is connected to an adapter unit 25 which is provided with anend 27 gradually decreasing in diameter in steps as shown. Theend 27 of reduced diameter of the adapter unit 2e may readily be inserted in the outlet opening 19 of thesheath 11 to form a watertight seal between thetubular portion 18 of the sheath and theend 27.

The other end of thedrain tube 12 is provided withau adapter skirt 29 which is formed of suitable elastic material such as natural rubber. The smaller end of theskirt 29 is bonded to the tubing y12 and 'the lower end of the skirt is provided with abead 31 to reinforce the lower end. The lower end of the adapter skirt 29 faces in the same direction as the end of the tubing and is adapted to be inserted over the neck of thereceptacle 13 which in this 'case is a bottle and serves to hold the lower end of the drain tube -12 within the neck of :he

bottle. It will be noted that the inner diameter of the neck of the bottle is substantially greater than the outerk YThe operation and use of our urine drain may now be described as follows: To utilize the urine drain, the connector or adapter unit 26 is inserted in the outlet opening 19 of the penis sheath by rolling the tubular tip 1S onto Vthe steppedend 27 of the connector 26. The sheath is then held so that'the draw-strings depend from the sides of thesheath and the inlet opening 16 of the sheath is then spread apart andthe male organ or penis is inserted into `the sheath until the'inlet opening 16 and the bead'21 are adjacent the shank of the male organ. Y, Thedrawstrings 22 and 23 are then pulled together 'i across the top of the male organ andftied snugly'into a knot and preferably intoV What is called a bow knot vrather than a square knot or granny knot. Theelastic skirt 29 may then be slipped over the outside of the neck of the bottle after the far end of thetubing 12 has been adaptable for use for incrontinentV quiescent male bed or wheel chair patients. The drawstrings serve to secure the sheath v'11 securely to the penis'to retain the sheath on the pem's. The snug tit on the penis also prevents urine from flowing out of the inlet opening of the sheath. The

Vdrawstrings are of a suhcient width to placethe l1oldonV forces on the organ over a relatively widearea and, therefore, serve to grip the organ'gently. Excessive pressure on the surface blood vessels and restriction of the Venous blood ow is, therefore, avoided. Y

`-The interior of theoctagonal portion 14 adjacent the inlet opening 16 is provided with a roughened interior surface. Such a rough surface may be provided by form- `ing the sheath on a wood form. This roughened interior surface serves to increase friction and, therefore, serves to improve theV grip on Ithe male organ. Y Y f It has been found that forming the portion *14 in a suitable polygonal shape such as octagonalY serves ,to prevent the sheath from totally collapsing and sticking together. Such a shape also provides -a relatively large air chamber adjacent the penis which facilitates the operation of the urine drain by providing an air evaporation area. Theconical end portion 17 by its shape and thickness also serves to prevent the sheath from collapsing for the same purpose. By preventing collapse of -the sidewalls, the Ysidewalls are keptapart so they cannot stick together.

VThe sheath 11 has been formed of sucien-t length to prevent creep off during tumescence. Since only the top portion of the sheath yhas been -tied together by thedrawstrings 22 `and 23, the lower portion of the sheath may stretch to accommodate tumescence of the male organ without injury to the male organ.

Vacuum formation within the sheath 11 -is undesirable Ybecause this serves to maintain wetness in the sheath and Y prevents evaporation. YThis vacuum'condition is alleviated in part by the openings '32 in theskirt 29. It is also believed that vacuum formation is inhibited by a slight air entry between the shank ofthe penis and the roughened interior surface of the sheath 1v1. Air may also enter through the excess material of the'sheath which is drawn up under the drawstrings. A slight amount of air may also creep onto the interior of the sheath'pastany pubic hairs that may be caught between the sheath and the interior surface of the sheath and the shank of the penis. Y f

Theconical portion 17 and thetubular tip 18 are so positioned that all urine in the sheath will readily drain down thetube 12 without the formation of pools within the sheath. rPhe sidewalls ofthe sheath 11-are formed of 4 sufficient thickness toravoid ballooning during rapid urine discharge and possible rupture of the sheath.

The use of our urine drain is particularly desirable be- Acause the exterior yattachment avoids theV risk of introduction Voff infection which may becaused if catheters are used. The use ofthe 'urine drain is painless even upon tumescence of themale organ because of the construction of the sheath.

YThe urine drain may be readily'fattached vand detached by the patient or anotherV individual,V Close medical supervision is not required.

One sheath 114 found tobe particularly satisfactory had the following dimensions. Theootagonal portion 14 had a length of 51/s" and had a width of l3/s. The conical portion 17'l1ad a length of ll/ and the tubular tip 1S had a length of 1%" and a diameter of 1A". The sheath'was formed of natural rubber latex.V The octag- 'onal portion 14 had a thickness of, .015 of an zinch and 'ness of .O25 of an inch.

Another embodiment of a penis sheath is shown in VFigure 3 and is similar to Vthat shown in Figure l except that the end adjacent thepolygonal portion 14 is formed with atapered vportion 36 to provide an inlet opening 37 of reduced diameter. lThe taperedportion 36 may be conical or may be polygonal as is theportion 14; Abead 38 isformed adjacent. the inlet opening 37.to reinforce thelinletopening. The inlet opening 37 formed by the portion '36 may be readily distended to permit introduction of the penis into the sheath. The inlet 'opening 37, however, is of such a: size that the taperedportion 36 will firmly but gently grasp the A'shank portionof the penis.

Thetaperedportion 36 will. grasp the shankgof the penis is such a manner thatthe grasp lwillvtake place over a relatively large longitudinal area rather than on a circular line arund the shank of the penis.

of 45 with vrespect to thepolygonal portion 14.

The embodiment of the penis sheath shown in Figure 3 also includes anautomatic breather valve 41 on theconical portion 17 midway between the ends of theconical portion 17 `and in line with the'panel or wall of the upper side oftheoctagonal portion 14 between thedrawstrings 22 and 23. The breather valve'as shown consists of abody 42 whichV carries aball 43 which is normally urged against aseat 44 by aspring 46. A cap .47 is also provided for closing the valve. The valve is normally held in a'closed position 'by thespring 46 and opens only when a vacuum condition has been created thepenis sheath 11 and in` the drainage tubing. Thecap 47 prevents inadvertent operation or leakage of the valve.

VThepenis sheathshown in Figure 3 is particularly adapted for use byambulatory patientsA andV may be used in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that thetube 12 would be connected -to a receptacle or container which could be carried on the person of the patient such asA by strapping the receptacle to the leg of the patient. The sheath can also be supported by a detachable belt or the like well known to those skilled in the art and secured to the waist of the patient. After Vurination hasoccurred and ifa vacuum condition exists within thesheatlnrthe cap 47 may be removed toy allow thebreather valve 41 to operate to alleviate the vacuum condition.

It should be noted that theconditions which inhibit vacuum formation in the sheath shown 'in Figures 1 and 2 are also present in the embodiment shown in Figure 3.

Another embodiment of our invention is shown in Figure 4. It is similar to that of Figure 3 except that a fine weave cloth 5-1 has been substituted for thevalve 41. As shown, the cloth patch which may be of any suitable shape such as circular or ovalhas its margins bonded to the sheath so that the patch covers theopening 52. The opening is placed a slight distance above theconical portion 17 on the panel between thedrawstrings 22 and 23. The cloth patch is of such a Weave that urine leakage is prevented but air is permitted to enter to prevent a vacuum formation in the sheath.

It is apparent from the foregoing that we have provided a greatly improved urine drain that encourages natural urination and which is particularly adaptable for use by quiescent male bed or Wheel chair patients because it keeps the bedding dry and thereby prevents urine irritation and bed sores. It is also readily apparent that the embodiments of our invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 are particularly adaptable for use by ambulatory male patients.

We claim:

l. In a male urine drain adapted to be secured to the penis, a penis sheath of a pliable relatively thin elastic material adapted to enclose the penis, said penis sheath being formed with a polygonal portion having a length greater than the length of the penis, the polygonal portion being formed -with an annular bead at one end delinng an inlet opening which has a diameter smaller than the normal diameter of the penis and which is adapted to clasp the shank of the penis, said penis sheath also being formed with a conical portion contiguous to the other end of said polygonal portion and a tubular tip contiguous to the conical portion and dening an outlet opening, a pair of draw strings of relatively wide material secured to opposite side Walls of the polygonal portion adjacent the inlet opening, the draw strings being adapted to be tied on one side of the penis sheath to secure the sheath to the penis, the side of the polygonal portion opposite the side on which the draw strings are tied' being free to stretch to accommodate tumescence of the penis, means for alleviating any vacuum condition arising in the sheath, and means connected to the outlet opening of the sheath for receiving the urine.

2. A urine drain as in claim 1 wherein the means for alleviating the vacuum condition is provided in said sheath at a point remote from the inlet opening and at a point normally spaced from the penis to permit the ready entrance of .air into the sheath upon the formation of a vacuum condition in the sheath.

3. In a male urine drain adapted to be secured to the penis, a penis sheath of a pliable relatively thin elastic material adapted to enclose the penis, the penis sheath being formed with a polygonal portion having a length greater than the length of the penis, a conical portion contiguous to one end of said polygonal portion, the conical portion being formed with an annular bead defining an inlet opening having a size substantially smaller than the size of the polygonal portion, said bead being adapted to rmly clasp the shank of the penis, an additional conical portion contiguous to the other end of said polygonal portion and a tubular tip contiguous to the conical portion and dening an outlet opening, a pair of relatively wide draw strings of a cotton-like material secured `to opposite side walls of the polygonal portion adjacent the conical portion forming the inlet opening, said draw strings normally extending in the same direction at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the sheath, the draw strings being adapted to he tied in a knot on one side of the penis sheath to secure the sheath to the penis, the draw strings serving to apply the hold on forces to the penis over a relatively wide area, the side of the sheath opposite the side on Which the draw strings are tied being adapted to stretch to accommodate tumescence of the penis, means for alleviating any vacuum condition arising in the sheath and means connected to the outlet opening of the sheath for receiving the urine.

4. A urine drain as in claim 3 wherein said means for alleviating the vacuum condition in the sheath is mounted on the sheath and comprises means for permitting air to enter the sheath and serving to prevent the passage of urine therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,358,440 Bowman Sept. 19, 1944 2,438,901 Coxe Apr. 6, 1948 2,476,375 Kent July 19, 1949 2,699,781 Koch Ian. 18, 1955 2,759,477 Mains Aug. 21, 1956

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