US4276889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Urine specimen collecting device
Assignee: 1-UROHEALTH INC(CALIFORNIA)
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Filing: 1979-07-24
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Granted: 1981-07-07
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Expires: 1999-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A device for collecting a urine specimen, which is particularly adapted for females, is configured and adapted for use while the user is sitting on a toilet in the normal position for voiding. The device comprises a collector and a specimen container, preferably integrally assembled together. In use the device selectively collects the clean, contaminant-free mid-stream portion of urine in the container. The urine specimen container is releasably secured to the collector at a bleed-off conduit extending from a collection exit in a urine receiving chamber of the collector. This exit is positioned in the chamber above a urine bleed-off exit in the conduit adapted for receiving and discarding the first-voided portion of urine at a controlled rate. Means are provided for directing into the toilet all of the voided urine in excess of that which is retained in the specimen container, including the discarded first-voided portion. A suitable handle extends radially outward from the collector to facilitate holding the device in the preferred attitude for use. In one embodiment, a flow director is included to deflect the first-voided portion from entering the specimen container.
Inventors
- 👤 David H. Kuntz
- 👤 James A. Ingram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0045; A61B10/007; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A urine specimen collecting device for selectively collecting a mid-stream portion of voided urine, the device comprising in combination: an integral collector and specimen container, the collector having a first drain exit and a second transfer exit for different portions of the voided urine, the first exit being positioned near the bottom of the collector for bleeding off the first-voided urine, the second exit being positioned above the first exit for transferring urine following the first-voided urine to the specimen container; the collector including a bleed-off conduit extending between the first and second exits; the specimen container being toroidally-shaped and configured for releasable mounting on the bleed-off conduit in a position surrounding said conduit for receiving urine flowing through the second exit; a flexible lid sealingly mounted on the specimen container about the periphery thereof and having a central ring opening spaced from the container to define an opening adjacent the second exit for transferring a specimen of urine into the container; and overflow means coupled to the specimen container for transferring excess urine from the device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A urine specimen collecting device for selectively collecting a mid-stream portion of voided urine, the device comprising in combination: an integral collector and specimen container, the collector having a first drain exit and a second transfer exit for different portions of the voided urine, the first exit being positioned near the bottom of the collector for bleeding off the first-voided urine, the second exit being positioned above the first exit for transferring urine following the first-voided urine to the specimen container; the collector including a bleed-off conduit extending between the first and second exits; the specimen container being toroidally-shaped and configured for releasable mounting on the bleed-off conduit in a position surrounding said conduit for receiving urine flowing through the second exit; a flexible lid sealingly mounted on the specimen container about the periphery thereof and having a central ring opening spaced from the container to define an opening adjacent the second exit for transferring a specimen of urine into the container; and overflow means coupled to the specimen container for transferring excess urine from the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the collector is generally funnel-shaped with a cone-shaped portion constituting a receiving chamber and a downwardly depending tubular portion connected to the receiving chamber and constituting the bleed-off conduit, the bleed-off conduit being closed off at its lower end except for a bleed-off exit of limited opening size to limit the rate of urine flow therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the second exit comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows extending about the collector in the vicinity of the juncture between the bleed-off conduit and the receiving chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 3 further including means for diverting urine from the receiving chamber away from said windows until the bleed-off conduit is filled with the first-voided portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said means comprise a generally funnel-shaped diverter configured to be inserted in retained juxtaposition in the lower portion of the receiving chamber and extending downwardly into the bleed-off conduit to overlap said windows and divert urine therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said means further comprises a raised circumferential wall about the base of the receiving chamber and including retaining means for mating with corresponding means about the periphery of the diverter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the specimen container includes separate inner and outer circumferential walls defining a specimen storage space closed at the bottom and open at the top, the inner wall defining a hollow open space and having an inwardly directed, circumferential rim near the upper end of the inner wall for engaging a mating circumferential recess on the bleed-off conduit of the collector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the outer wall includes an outwardly extending circumferential rim near the upper end of the outer wall for engaging a mating circumferential recess in the inner surface of the lid about the periphery thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the inner wall is provided with a circumferential recess near the upper end of the wall for sealingly engaging a mating portion of the container lid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the lid is flexible and comprises a downwardly depending outer wall having a circumferential recess extending about the inner surface thereof for mating in sealing relationship with the corresponding circumferential rim of the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the lid further comprises an inner circumferential ring defining a central opening, said ring having an inwardly projecting circumferential rim for mating in sealing relationship with a corresponding circumferential recess extending about the inner wall of the container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The device of claim 10 wherein the collector further comprises a circumferentially extending, downwardly directed skirt configured to bear against the central portion of the lid upon the application of force upon the collector in the direction toward the container to deflect the inner portion of the lid into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 3 further including a solid wall portion extending between a pair of adjacent windows in the vicinity of the opening between the lid and container, the wall portion being recessed radially inwardly, the recessed portion extending downwardly along the bleed-off conduit to define, with said opening, an overflow passage for excess urine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 13 further comprising an outwardly directed, radially extending handle attached to the outer periphery of the collector adjacent the upper rim thereof, said handle and collector being symmetrically configured to facilitate use by either right-handed or left-handed users with equal convenience.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the recessed wall portion is selectively located in alignment with and on the same side of the device as the handle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising means extending along the outside of the bleed-off conduit for defining an overflow passage for excess urine overflowing the specimen container, said overflow means serving to direct said excess urine out of the device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said overflow means also provides means for releasing entrapped air from the specimen container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising support members appended to the bottom of the specimen container and wherein the bleed-off conduit of the collector terminates a predetermined distance above the support means sufficient to permit downward motion of the collector to the position at which the central ring opening of the lid engages the inner wall of the container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
84 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the specimen container includes separate inner and outer circumferential walls defining a specimen storage space closed at the bottom and open at the top, the inner wall defining a hollow open space for receiving a portion of the bleed-off conduit therein, and mating surface engaging means for selectively sealing the outer peripheral edge of the lid to the outer wall of the container and the central ring opening of the lid to the inner wall of the container.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-06 | 1985-01-05 | 1985-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-06 | 1989-01-05 | 1989-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-06 | 1993-01-05 | 1993-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |