Apparatus and methods for receiving discharged urine

Abstract

A system suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body of a person or animal may include an assembly having a fluid impermeable casing, a fluid permeable membrane, and a fluid permeable support. A reservoir is defined by the fluid permeable support. The fluid permeable membrane can define a cavity. The casing can define an opening such that the cavity is accessible via the opening. The assembly can also include an outlet in fluidic communication with the reservoir. The assembly can be arranged such that a user's penis can be disposed through the opening with the urethral opening disposed within the cavity and such that a fluid can flow into the body from the urethral opening of the user's penis, collect in the reservoir, and flow out of the outlet.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A fluid collection device, comprising:
 a fluid impermeable layer having a first portion and a second portion generally opposite to the first portion, the first portion of the fluid impermeable layer at least partially defining an opening sized and dimensioned to receive at least a head of a penis of a person, the fluid impermeable layer forming an interior region of the fluid collection device;   a fluid permeable membrane disposed in the interior region of the fluid collection device between the first portion and the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer;   an outlet in the fluid impermeable layer, the outlet being configured to enable fluid in the interior region of the fluid collection device to be transported away from the fluid collection device; and   a receptacle extending into the interior region of the fluid collection device from the opening and defined at least partially by the first portion of the fluid impermeable layer and the fluid permeable membrane, the receptacle being shaped to receive at least the head of the penis inserted through the opening.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is configured to draw fluid flowing from the head of the penis through the permeable membrane to the outlet when the penis disposed within the receptacle when the man is lying on his back. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is a void space between the first portion of the fluid impermeable layer and the fluid permeable membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , further comprising a chamber positioned in the interior region of the fluid collection device opposite to the receptacle such that the chamber is disposed between the fluid permeable membrane and the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid collection device of  claim 5 , wherein the chamber is void space positioned between the fluid permeable membrane and the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , further comprising an additional fluid permeable layer secured to the fluid impermeable layer opposite to the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid collection device of  claim 7 , wherein the additional fluid permeable layer includes polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid collection device  claim 2 , wherein the permeable membrane includes polyester. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , wherein the opening includes a first semicircular region and a second region more narrow than the first semicircular region. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer includes a concave portion. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , wherein the outlet includes a tube in fluid communication with the receptacle in the interior region of the fluid collection device and extending outward from the fluid impermeable layer. 
     
     
         13 . A fluid collection system, comprising:
 a fluid collection device including:
 a fluid impermeable layer having a first portion and a second portion generally opposite to the first portion, the first portion of the fluid impermeable layer at least partially defining an opening sized and dimensioned to receive at least a head of a penis of a person, the fluid impermeable layer forming an interior region of the fluid collection device; 
 a fluid permeable membrane disposed in the interior region of the fluid collection device between the first portion and the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer; 
 an outlet in the fluid impermeable layer, the outlet being configured to enable fluid in the interior region of the fluid collection device to be transported away from the fluid collection device; and 
 a receptacle extending into the interior region of the fluid collection device from the opening and defined at least partially by the first portion of the fluid impermeable layer and the fluid permeable membrane, the receptacle being shaped to receive at least the head of the penis inserted through the opening; and 
   a vacuum source fluidically coupled to the outlet.   
     
     
         14 . The fluid collection system of  claim 13 , further comprising a fluid receptacle fluidically coupled to the fluid outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid collection system of  claim 13 , wherein the receptacle is configured to draw fluid flowing from the head of the penis through the permeable membrane to the outlet when the penis disposed within the receptacle when the man is lying on his back. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid collection system of  claim 13 , further comprising a chamber positioned in the interior region of the fluid collection device opposite to the receptacle such that the chamber is disposed between the fluid permeable membrane and the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer, wherein the chamber is void space positioned between the fluid permeable membrane and the second portion of the fluid impermeable layer. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid collection system of  claim 13 , wherein the outlet includes a tube in fluid communication with the vacuum source and the receptacle in the interior region of the fluid collection device, the tube extending outward from the fluid impermeable layer. 
     
     
         18 . A fluid collection device, comprising:
 a fluid impermeable barrier having an opening extending therethrough, the opening being sized to receive at least a head of a penis of a person therethrough and into an interior region of the fluid collection device;   a fluid permeable material disposed in the interior region of the fluid collection device between the opening and a portion of the fluid impermeable barrier;   an outlet in the fluid impermeable layer, the outlet being configured to enable fluid in the interior region of the fluid collection device to be transported away from the fluid collection device; and   wherein the interior region of the fluid collection device is configured to draw fluid flowing from the head of the penis through the fluid permeable material to the outlet when the man is lying on his back and at least the head of the penis of the men is disposed at least partially in the interior region of the fluid collection device.   
     
     
         19 . The fluid collection device of  claim 18 , further comprising an additional fluid permeable material different than the fluid permeable material and secured to the fluid impermeable layer opposite to the opening. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid collection device of  claim 18 , wherein the opening includes a first semicircular region and a second region more narrow than the first semicircular region. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid collection device of  claim 18 , wherein the outlet includes a tube in fluid communication with the interior region of the fluid collection device and extending outward from the fluid impermeable layer.