Fluid collection and aspiration unit for management of urinary incontinence

Abstract

A flexible unit for collecting and transporting liquid to a collection point or to an area of use, and especially for facilitating management of urinary incontinence is provided which includes a flexible pad adapted to be positioned under an incontinent patient or worn under an undergarment. The pad is provided with an outer liquid permeable polymeric film layer, an outer liquid impermeable polymeric film layer and an intermediate cellular layer made up of a series of individual, spaced, thin wall, liquid impermeable polymeric cells. An aspiration assembly is connected to the pad for removing urine from the interior of the pad, which collects in the spaces between the individual cells. A disposable porous sheet, preferably comprising Dry-Weave® material, is releasably positioned over the outer permeable film layer of the pad. The pad may be sanitized and reused multiple times with only replacement of the Dry-Weave® sheet being required.

1 . A vapor and/or liquid collection or delivery unit comprising: 
 a thin flexible pad of greater width than thickness and of selected length has a liquid permeable first outer layer and a liquid impermeable second outer layer cooperating to form an interior space therebetween, the outer perimeter portions of the first and second layers being joined to present a fluid tight seal, and an intermediate cellular layer between the first and second layers, said cellular layer being defined by a series of spaced, side-by-side discrete liquid impermeable cellular components between the first and second layers, each of said cellular components containing entrapped fluid, which substantially maintains the shape of each cellular component, said cellular components collectively presenting inter-communicating liquid passages between the cellular components; and    a differential pressure device communicating with the interior space of the pad for introducing or removing vapor or liquid which passes through the permeable first outer layer and collects in the passages between the cellular structures.    
   
   
       2 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein each of said cellular components and the passages presented thereby extend from the second layer to the first layer.  
   
   
       3 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cellular components are made up of a series of individual, relatively thin wall, liquid impermeable, polymeric cells containing entrapped air.  
   
   
       4 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein is provided a liquid permeable porous sheet in overlying relationship to said first permeable outer layer.  
   
   
       5 . A unit as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said porous sheet is releasably affixed to said first permeable outer layer.  
   
   
       6 . A unit as set forth in  claim 5  wherein is provided a series of couplers releasably affixing the porous sheet to the perimeter of the pad.  
   
   
       7 . A unit as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each of said couplers comprises a snap fastener.  
   
   
       8 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pad is provided with a plurality of grommets in the interconnected perimeter portions of the first and second outer layers for receiving elongated elements for affixing the pad to supporting structure underlying a patient.  
   
   
       9 . A unit as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said porous sheet is resilient and has a normally innermost apertured polymeric film layer, and a normally outermost polymeric film layer provided with three-dimensional open ended liquid conveying capillary passages communicating with the passages of said innermost polymeric film layer, said passages being oriented to direct liquid deposited on the outermost polymeric film layer via the capillary passages therein to the innermost polymeric film layer for flow through the apertures of the innermost polymeric layer.  
   
   
       10 . A unit as set forth in  claim 9  wherein each of said capillary passages is of generally conical configuration with the smallest open end thereof directed toward said innermost polymeric film layer of the porous sheet.  
   
   
       11 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cellular layer is a bubble defining member.  
   
   
       12 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cellular layer has an apertured planar portion adjacent the inner face of the impermeable layer, and said discrete cellular components engage the inner face of said permeable layer, the apertures in said planar portion of the cellular layer being strategically located between proximal cellular components.  
   
   
       13 . A unit as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the height dimension of each of said cellular component between said first permeable outer layer and the second impermeable outer layer is less than the width and length dimension of each cellular component.  
   
   
       14 . A unit as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said cellular components are arranged in generally parallel rows, with the cellular components in each row being offset relative to the cellular components of each row on opposite sides thereof.  
   
   
       15 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein is provided a liquid conduit connected to said second liquid impermeable layer and communicating with said interior space between the first and second layers.  
   
   
       16 . A unit as set forth in  claim 15  wherein is provided a vacuum pump connected to said conduit.  
   
   
       17 . A unit as set forth in  claim 16  wherein is provided a liquid collection vessel coupled to the conduit between the vacuum pump and said flexible pad.  
   
   
       18 . A unit as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said vacuum pump has an input connected to the liquid collection vessel and an output, and a filter connected to the output of the vacuum pump.  
   
   
       19 . A unit as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pad is of rectangular configuration having a length dimension greater than the width dimension thereof and of a size to be worn by a patient suffering from incontinence beneath the patient's undergarment with the liquid permeable layer positioned against the patient's skin.  
   
   
       20 . A unit as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said pad is provided with a liquid permeable porous sheet in overlying relationship to said first permeable outer layer, and double sided sticky tape is provided for releasably securing the porous sheet to said first permeable outer layer of the pad.  
   
   
       21 . A unit as set forth in  claim 15  wherein is provided a pressure pump connected to said conduit.