US2759477A - Genito-urinary appliances - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 21, 1956 c. v. MAINS GENITO-URINARY APPLIANCES Filed July 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES l/. MAI/V3 BY M M ATTORNE YS Aug. 21, 1956 c. v. MAINS GENITO-URINARY APPLIANCES Z-Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 13, 1953 FIG. 5.

INVENTOR CHARLES ll. MAINS ATTORNEYS United States Patent GENlTfl-URINARY APPLIANCES Charles V. Mains, Kingston, Pa. Application July 13, 1953, Serial No. 367,465

9 Qlaims. (Cl. 128-295) The present invention relates to a combination of genito-urinary appliances and is more particularly concerned with apparatus especially adapted to provide convenient and efficient elimination where the discharge is through an opening in the abdominal wall.

In some cases a catheter is introduced through a stoma formed on the outer surface of the abdominal wall for direct connection with the kidney or bladder. Since the thus inserted catheter must be worn more or less permanently, a severe strain is placed upon the redirected ureter wall. A suitable and adequate water receiving device is of primary importance in minimizing irritation and providing complete mental as well as physical comfort in use.

The principal object of this invention is to avoid pain and eventual damage to the kidney due to back pressure by eliminating any direct tube connection to the extending outlet end of the catheter when worn and placed in the abdominal wall to receive the direct discharge.

Another important object is to provide for complete removal of the catheter when desirable and to manage the urinary discharge with little or no leakage of the same from the receiving and collecting receptacles.

A further important object of the invention resides in the provision of a bladder bag that may be worn with complete comfort while standing, sitting or lying, which will permit completely unobstructed discharge flow in any of these positions, and which may be worn inconspicuously and with a minimum of leakage possibility.

More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide a bladder bag that includes an inflatable rubber ring element adapted to fit over the stoma and conform itself to the adjacent surfaces of the abdomen, receive the direct discharge from the stoma or from the adjacent end of a catheter inserted in the ureter wall, and provide atmospheric vent means for the bladder bag that may be conveniently adjusted to use in upright or lying position.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an elongated, flat bladder bag having an opening at the top portion of one face defined by the inflatable ring member, and having an outlet conduit for air venting arranged in particular relation at the top of the bag.

A still further object is to provide a bladder bag having air vent means including a valve structure that may be operated to vent the bag to atmosphere or to prevent such venting completely, and to provide for venting of air through the valve while preventing any substantial outward flow of liquid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bladder bag of the character described with a ring element mounted between the inflatable ring and the adjacent face of the bladder bag for relative rotation to accommodate belt support as the bladder bag is turned from an up and down position for normal daytime use to a horizontal position for nighttime use when the wearer is lying on his side.

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Another object of the invention is to provide an irrigating device having a stoma and catheter receiving opening formation adjacent the top of a flexible waterproof sheet member, an inflatable ring member integrally mounted around the opening formation, a belt attaching ring disposed between the inflatable ring and the adjacent face of the sheet member, and an outwardly exposable face on the sheet member provided with a lateral continuous retaining wall and terminating in a lower edge .liquid discharge opening.

These and other objects contributing to flexibility of use of the invention, its comfort and its dependability will be more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front perspective view showing in partially separated position the relation of the principal appliance and its auxiliaries to the body of a user;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the same appliance in operative association and secured to the torso and one limb of the user or wearer;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the vent valve structure taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the irrigating device or appliance for separate use;

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view showing the principal appliance in position for use at night while the wearer is lying on his side in bed;

Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the irrigating device in use while the wearer is reclining on his side in bed;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the principal appliance and the adjacent portions of the wearers anatomy showing use of the appliance; and

Fig. 8 is a front perspective view showing a modified form of the belt attaching ring.

The purposes, construction, operation and use of the genito-urinary appliances of this invention will be presented more fully by reference to the various figures of the drawings.

In Figs. 1 and 7 an elongated, flat bladder bag 10 of rubber or like flexible material is shown as having a large circular opening on one side face adjacent the top, an attaching ring 12 of noncorrosive metal or similar material encircling the opening portion, and a supporting belt 14 of light web material adjustably attached at its opposite ends to the ring. The bottom of the bladder bag 10 is formed with a depending discharge conduit 16 having a semi-rigid, non-collapsible top end portion and a lower end portion of flexible, but not readily collapsible, rubber tubing material.

Fig. 2 shows the manner in which the bladder bag 10 is continuously drained into a leg attached reservoir 18 having at its upper inlet end a short, rigid drainage tube connection 19, and at its lower end a valved discharge opening 20 of conventional construction. Both the reservoir bag 18 and its supporting apron 22 and belt 23 are somewhat similar to previously known commercially available construction but modified for the purposes of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a partial section of a portion of the abdominal wall of a person in which the normal discharge of the kidney through the ureter to the bladder has been diverted so that the ureter may discharge directly from the abdominal wall through a stoma S formed therein.

It will be briefly mentioned at this point that for nighttime use the reservoir bag 18 and its connection are replaced by a long length of flexible rubber tubing 24 having a detachable connection with the flexible lower end portion of discharge conduit 16 from the bag 10 and extending to a large reservoir bottle 25 or the like for I convenience and safety. In traveling, at large hot water bottle suspended from a coat hanger in a waste paper basket may be used for convenience.

Fig. 7 also clearly shows the manner in which the deformable, inflatable rubber ring 26 conforms itself intimately to the abdominal area surrounding the stoma S, providing comfort and adaptability in use as well as substantial sealing of the bag enclosed space.

When used, a small flexible catheter tube 27 is arranged to extend from the stoma S downwardly in the bladder bag 16* to a short distance above.

Referring to Fig. l as well as Fig. 7, it will be noted that the inflatable ring 26 is equipped with an upstanding inflating conduit 28 provided with a conventional valve cap closure and valve assembly 30. a The top of the bladder bag it) is formed with an upwardly extending vent conduit 32 having at its outer end a vent valve 34 which may be adjusted to vent or closed position, as desired, by manual operation. The vent conduit 32 is substantially noncollapsible and is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag it), and to one side of the inflating conduit 23. By this arrangement, the vent valve 34, which ordinarily is opened only for night use, is in the most favorable upper position shown in Fig. 5, when the bladder bag is attached to the much longer and less straight drainage tube 24. For such use it is very important that the bladder bag ltl be vented to the atmosphere by opening the valve 34, and thus preventing a vacuum that would cause the liquid to remain in the bag or even flow back thereinto. it has also been found necessary to open the vent valve 34 during air travel at high altitudes.

The details of the vent valve 34 are shown most clearly in Fig. J. A tubular valve body 36 threaded internally at its opposite ends is formed with a dividing part 38 having a valve port 40 engageable on the upper side by a threaded valve stem or closure plug 41 having a flat end 42. The valve plug 41 is also formed with a lengthwise bore 44 having a lateral discharge passage 46 above the lower end 42 and the valve port 40. Below the valve port 4i? is a valve chamber 43 containing a valve ball 50, which is of floatable material, and of sufficient size to close said port 4-0 on the underside. The bottom of the chamber 48 is defined by a lower threaded valve stem 52 having a through bore 54 terminating inwardly in an apex which tends to keep the valve ball 50 off center. A flat baflie valve element 55 comprising a length of rubber tubing may, in some instances, be detachably secured over the lower or inner end of valve stem 52 to insure further against retention of water in the bag 10, and consequent leakage around the pneumatic ring 26.

For venting or nighttime use the valve 34 is opened by slightly unscrewing the valve plug 41 to a position above the port 40, thus allowing air to pass through the bore 44, lateral discharge passage 46, port 40, chamber 43, and bore 54 to a tubular connection 1%, and long tube 24. If because of movement of the wearer while sleeping, or any other reason, there should be a change in elevation causing fluid to run from the reservoir 25 or tube 24 back into the bladder bag 10, the action of the float valve ball 50 when fluid reaches the valve chamber 48 will be such as to close the port 40 and prevent any undesired leakage. Freedom for movement of the user is provided by a single coiling of tubing 24 and the attachment of the coil to the bedding at one point, as illustrated in Fig. 4. It is preferable to use a flat piece of webbed belting (not shown) under the wearer to avoid tears in the bedding and the possibility of puncturing the rubber sheet customarily used.

The details and arrangement of the detachable connections for the belt 14 are shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. The relatively rotatable metal attaching ring 12 is formed with diametrically opposed tabs 56 having slotted apertures 57 extending crosswise thereof. Both tabs 56 are indicated in Fig. 2 and one of them is shown in detail in Fig. 1, it being understood that they are identical;

A buckle plate 58, preferably of stainless metal, is detachably engageable with each tab 56 by reason of an inturned hook 60 formed thereon for insertion in the respective slotted apertures 57. At its outer end the buckle plate 53 is formed with an inwardly directed belt receiving slot 62. A pivoted clamp 64 closes the outer end of the slot 62. Intermediate the length of the belt receiving slot 62 and transversely thereof is mounted a pivoted sleeve or rod 66 having a pair of sharply pointed tines 68 projecting laterally therefrom for cooperation with the clamping plate 64 in firmly securing the end portion of the belt 14 at any position required for the size adjustment necessary. Once the belt has been adjusted by securing of the respective ends to the oppositely disposed buckle means, the bladder bag it) can be easily and quickly separated therefrom by merely freeing the hooks 6% from the slotted apertures 57 of the tabs 56, 56.

When irrigation of the catheter wall and/ or the kidney at regular intervals is required in order to maintain a healthy condition, an irrigating apron device 7t as shown in Figs. 4 and 6 is provided. The irrigating device 70 includes the inflatable ring 26 adapted to extend around an opening for receiving the stoma S, and also the belt attaching ring 12 which is relatively rotatable in its position between the inflatable ring 26 and the adjacent face of the device. The apron part of the device '1' ti comprises an approximately rectangular sheet 72 of rubber, or the equivalent, with a surrounding side wall portion 74 of inturned U-shaped formation. The side portion 74 is preferably continuous except for a short opening at the lower edge of sheet 72 defining a transverse discharge edge 76.

The manner of using this irrigating device 7% is shown in Fig. 6 in which the user is lying on his side in bed and the device is supported in a downwardly extending manner by the belt 14. A pan P is placed on the bed alongside the user in a position to receive the discharge end of the irrigating device '78. To avoid the possibility of leakage when exchanging with the bladder bag 10, it is desirable to place a strip of ordinary wax paper W between the irrigating device m and the body, as shown. A gentle irrigation of the ureter wall is accomplished by means of a syringe device D connected with a sterilized length of catheter tubing 27 inserted in the stoma S as indicated. The drainage from such irrigation is permitted to flow freely down the apron device 7t! through discharge edge 76 and into a pan P. The side wall portion 74 of the apron device 70 effectively prevents any lateral spillage of the drainage fluid, and helps hold the catheter tube 27 out of the drainage fluid in pan P while refilling the syringe.

It will be seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the bladder bag 10 with its supporting belt 14 and inflatable sealing ring 26 may be used to maintain the catheter tube 27 in operative relation to the stoma S, the ureter wall indicated in Fig. 7, and the inside of the bag itself, in a way found to be safe, convenient, and comfortable, in cases where retention catheters are not useable. While hitherto reliance has been placed on unsanitary adhesive tape to bind the catheter tube 27 into the discharge position of Fig. 7, the irritation and other objections to such anchorage has been completely eliminated by the use of a gauze pad G and several lengths of dental floss F or equivalent waxed or non-absorbent type thread material. Two pieces of the thread or floss F are looped around the catheter and tied thereto with a square knot to prevent loosening. The pairs of ends of each piece of floss F are then tied with several knots approximately one-half inch apart, and the thus tied floss F is extended in opposite directions as shown in Fig. l. The knots will prevent the floss retaining units formed in this manner from slipping out from under the body engaging area of the inflatable ring 26, without materially effecting the sealing action of said inflatable ring. In this fashion the use of adhesive tape around the catheter or on the body of the user is eliminated. Generally upward directing of the protruding ends of the floss F as shown in Fig. 2 is preferred from the standpoint of support, access, avoidance of wick action, and prevention of disturbance of the seal of the ring 26 in the area where liquid is most likely to be present.

The supporting and retaining action of the floss F on the catheter tube 27 can be still further improved by the use of a small strip of prepared gauze G about one and one-half inches long and three-quarters inch wide formed with a small hole to one side of the center lengthwise, and disposed between the loop portions of the floss and the end area of the stoma S. As further indicated in Fig. l, the upper ends of the two floss lengths can be threaded through the upper end portion of the gauze G so as better to hold the gauze in place. The moisture absorbent function of the thus disposed gauze G is also beneficial, and protects stoma S from floss friction irritation.

A modified belt attaching ring 12a, formed as shown in Fig. 8, can be used to advantage in maintaining the opposite end portions of the floss lengths F in the required catheter retaining positions, either in the upright day use position of Fig. 2, or the night use position of Fig. 5 in which the bladder bag has been turned approximately 90 degrees relative to the ring. The modified ring 12a may be used in place of the ring 12 in the trough or V formation between the inflatable rubber ring 26 and the bladder bag 10, or in the irrigating apron device 70. The ring 12a differs from ring 12 in that its apertured tabs 56a are formed by striking out inwardly inclined flanges 56b that are adapted to engage the adjacent surface of the inflatable ring 26 and thus better hold it in relative position of angular adjustment. By also forming a plurality of spaced cleat or notch elements 560 on the upper peripheral portion of the ring 12a, provision is made for quick and positive securing for each pair of extending ends of floss F that are tied to the catheter tube 27. Three such elements 560 approximately 90 degrees apart are provided so that the approximately horizontal and vertical positions of the two pairs of ends of floss F may be securely held in either the day or night position of the bladder bag 10, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 respectively.

The use in combination of the bladder bag 10, the catheter 27, the inflatable body sealing ring 26 of the bag 10, and the protruding ends of floss lengths F binding the catheter and holding it in the required discharge position of Fig. 7 permit everyday use of the genito-urinary apparatus of this invention with comfort and security not hitherto possible.

The free, continuous drainage from the ureter wall through the catheter 27 to the lower portion of the capacious but relatively non-protruding bladder bag 10, and the relatively large unrestricted discharge opening from said bag provided by integral discharge conduit 16 and flexible tube 17 leading to the rigid drainage tube connection 19 of the leg supported reservoir bag 18, or connection 19a of the night tubing 24, are such as to permit venting of air from the reservoir bag 18 at all times and avoid any sound of liquid discharge.

The apparatus of this invention also facilitates bathing or the taking of a shower with a minimum of restrictions, since for this purpose the flexible end of discharge conduit 16 may be separated from the rigid tube 19 and bent over and held closed at the discharge end by means of a rubber band wrapped around the same, or by other commercially available clamping devices. With such an arrangement the wearer may move about freely for a reasonable time. After bathing, the bladder bag 10 can be dried and the supporting belt 14 replaced with a dry one.

From the construction of this apparatus it will also now be understood that Washing and deodorizing of the various parts can be accomplished in a very simple manner. In particular, the vent valve 34 can be easily demounted and cleaned.

Although numerous specific advantages of the genitourinary apparatus provided by this invention have been mentioned in the preceding description of construction and operation, the contribution made can best be summarized by stating that the apparatus makes it possible for the wearer to live a practically normal business and social life, to rest more comfortably at night, and by reason of the absence of all apparent and unnecessary projections and gadgets, to be physically and mentally at ease.

Since only a preferred embodiment of the apparatus has been described in detail, it will be understood that various modifications can be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principles of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongated bladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side opening at the top of one face and a small non-collapsible, free discharge conduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally secured around the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, a generally flat attaching ring of non-corrosive metal or the like encircling the outside of the large side opening and disposed between the bladder bag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, said attaching ring being formed with opposed belt connecting means and being relatively rotatable on the bladder bag, a non-collapsible vent conduit extending upwardly from the top end of the bladder bag, and a hand adjustable valve means at the outer end of the vent conduit for opening and closing the same.

2. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongated bladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side opening at the top of one face and a small non-collapsible, free discharge conduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally secured around the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, a generally fiat attaching ring of noncorrosive metal or the like encircling the outside of the large side opening and disposed between the bladder bag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, said attaching ring being formed with opposed belt connecting means and being relatively rotatable on the bladder bag, a flexible catheter tube having one end portion depending into the bladder bag, and having its other end portion extending outwardly through the large side opening of the bladder bag and being adapted for insertion into an abdominal stoma of the user, a non-collapsible vent conduit extending upwardly from the top end of the bladder bag, and a hand adjustable valve means at the outer end of the vent conduit for opening and closing the same.

3. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongated bladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side opening at the top of one face and a small non-collapsible, free discharge conduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally secured around the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, a flat attaching ring of non-corrosive metal or the like encircling the outside of the large side opening and disposed between the bladder bag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, said attaching ring being formed with opposed belt connecting means and being relatively rotatable on the bladder bag, a flexible catheter tube having one end portion depending into the bladder bag, and having its other end portion extending outwardly through the large side opening of the bladder bag and being adapted for insertion into a stoma of the user, a non-collapsible vent conduit extending upwardly from the extreme top end of the bladder bag, a hand adjustable valve means mounted in the outer end of the vent conduit for opening and closing the same, a detachable drainage reservoir having an inlet therein, and a short, rigid drainage tube connecting the free discharge conduit of the bladder bag with the inlet of the drainage reservoir.

4. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongated bladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side opening at the top of one face adapted freely to receive a free, depending end portion of a catheter tube, and having a small non-collapsible, free discharge conduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally secured around the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, a non-collapsible vent conduit extending upwardly from the top end of the bladder bag, and a hand adjustable vent valve mounted in the outer end portion of the vent conduit, said vent valve including a ported valve seat, a valve plug disposed outwardly of the valve seat adjustable to and from closing relation to the port of the valve seat and formed and arranged to provide discharge to atmosphere when not in closing relation, a valve chamber formed inwardly of the valve seat, and a float valve adapted to rise against and close the valve seat, said valve chamber being formed with a vent bore in open communication with the vent conduit.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which said vent valve also includes a flat baflie valve element in the form of a length of rubber tubing mounted over the vent bore end of the valve chamber.

6. The combination of claim 1 in which the generally flat attaching ring has apertured tabs in diametrically pposed positions; and including a hook member engageable with each tab aperture, each hook member being of plate formation with an inturned hook on one end, a belt receiving slot formation in the other end, a clamp pivoted to the ends of the slot formation and a pivoted rod formed with belt engaging tines extending across the midpart of the slot formation; and a flexible belt having its ends engageable by the tines and clamps of the respective hook members.

7. The combination of claim 1 in which the generally flat attaching ring has apertured tabs in diametrically opposed positions, an inwardly inclined flange within the aperture of each tab, and a plurality of spaced notch elements on its peripheral portion between the tabs for securing the ends of catheter retaining means extending outwardly from beneath the inflatable ring.

8. The combination of claim 1 in which the hand adjustable valve means includes a valve chamber with a valve element movable therein for entry of air into the bladder bag and prevention of liquid outwardly through the valve means when the valve means is open.

9. Genito-urinary apparatus comprising, in combination, a flat elongated bladder bag of rubber or the like having a large circular side opening at the top of one face and a small discharge conduit formed in its bottom end, an inflatable ring integrally secured around the large side opening on the outside of the bladder bag, an attaching ring encircling the outside of the large side opening and disposed between the bladder bag and the adjacent side of the inflatable ring, said attaching ring being formed to provide opposed belt connecting means, a flexible catheter tube having one end portion depending into the bottom part of the bladder bag, and having its other end portion extending outwardly through the large side opening of the bladder bag and being adapted for insertion into an abdominal stoma of the user, a piece of gauze of a size to fit within the inflatable ring and having a small opening therein through which the catheter tube passes, and lengths of thread tied tightly around the catheter tube on the surface of the gauze remote from the user, the end portions of said threads being adapted to extend outwardly beneath the inflatable ring for retention of the catheter tube while preserving the sealing relation of the inflatable ring against the abdomen of the user.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,677,641 Kinney July 17, 1928 2,122,121 Tillotson June 28, 1938 2,133,130 Buchstein Oct. 11, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 637,978 Great Britain May 31, 1950

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