AU479280B2 - Apparatus for measuring the duration ofa liquid discharge - Google Patents

Description

68. 899 /73

It is known that many urological problems can be diagnosed by analyzing information obtained during the natural

voiding of urine by patients. Various types of device are utilized to obtain data on the urine stream, such as total volume, average flow rate, force, velocity and configuration

of the stream.

However, most of these devices are not wholly reliable because they have required the presence of one or more observers

while the patient is voiding. Administration of such devices in this manner creates sufficient psychological difficulties for many of the patients to affect voiding. Consequently, if the patients void at all, the potentially erroneous data obtained may result in a false diagnosis and a loss of con- fidence in the device by the physician. A further complication arises from the fact that many of these devices are rather

bulky, and somewhat difficult to use.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for measuring the duration of a discharge of urine,

comprising a receptacle having an inlet adjacent its upper end

to receive the urine discharge, a cup-shaped pan below the inlet, a babble for directing into the pan the urine passing through the inlet, the pan having a hole extending through it at its lower end and an upper edge which permits overflow of urine from the pan, and a chamber in the receptable for collecting urine passing through the hole in the pan, the size

of the hole and the head of urine in the pan being such that

the height of the column of urine collected in the chamber is a measure of the duration of the urine discharge when

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68,89 9 /74 the apparatujs is held upright during the discharge.

Certain embodiments of the invention will now oe descr ze: cy ay of example wi th reference to the accompanrying =rawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, ill-_strating initiation of a discharge of urine intza tne device;

Fig. 3is a similar view illustrating a later stage of voicing;

Fig. 4is a similar view showing the apparatus after completion of the discharge and during the terminal stages off collection of urine;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, showing a valve opened;

Fig. 6is a perspective view of a second embodi-

ment; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a receptacle in the a~paratus of Fig. 6.

Figs. 1-5 show an apparatus 20 for measuring the time dujratic, of a urine discharge which includes a receptacle 22 anf a container 24 removably secured to the lower end of th-e receptacle. Alternatively, the container 24 may be made integral with the receptacle 22. Preferably, the receptacle and container are made from a transparent material, such as plastics material. ±flsiOC the receptacle 22 is an upright wall 32

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68.89 9 n4 which divides it into a chamber 34 between the wall 32 and a frcnt wall portion 28 and a compartment 38

between the wall 32 and a back wall portion 30. The recettacle 22 includes a tubular extension 42 constitut-

ing a down-v:ard continuation of the compartment 38.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the container 24 is

attached tc the extension 42 by pegs 80 engaging

apertures 82 in an upper tubular portion 84 of the

container 24 which surrounds the extension 42.

A cup-shaped pan 48 covers the upper end of the

ch-aber 3L and has a hole 50 -,.ich communicates with

the chamber 34. The pan 48 also has an upper edge 52

which projects into the compartment 38. A baffle 54 extends downwardly and inwardly from the back wall

portion 31 above the ccmpartment 38 and has a lower edge

56 disposed above the pan 48 and spaced by an opening 58

from the front wall portion 28.

The receptacle 22 is covered by a removable cap 43

carrying a funnel 44, having an inlet 45 to receive a liquid discharge, a tapered portion 46 and a lower

deper.ing portion 47 which directs the liquid discharge

onto the baffle 54 and is removably fitted into a hole

49 in the cap 43.

in use, the receptacle is positioned to receive a discharge of liqui L, sueh es a urine strcam-durg

vdrg through the inlet 45, and it operates during the initial stage of the liqud discharge L as illustra- ted in Fig. 2. The baffle 54 breaks the discharge by

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68, 8999 /7 reducing the force and velocity of the stream to prevent turbulenc e in the rest of the receptacle and directs the discharze over its lower edg-e 56 into the pan 48. The liquid which collects in the pan 48 passes through the hole 50 intc the chamber 34. Preferably, the pan 48 is relatively shallow, and the liquid passes through the hole 50 at a fairly constant rate, since the level of liquid collected in the pan does not vary to an appreci- able extent. Passage of licuid into the chamber 34 is facilitated by an air vent 59 adjacent the upper end of the chamber. Because the liquid discharged into the pan 48 collects faster than it passes through the hole the level of liquid in the pan quickly builds up and overflows over the up~er edge 52 of the pan into the ccmoartment 38, as shown in Fig. 3. Preferably, the diameter of the hole 50 of the pan 48 is relatively small so that overflow of the pan will occur shortly after initiation of the liquid discharge.- As soon as the pan 48 overflows, the liquid passes simultaneously into the chamber 34 and into the compartment 38. The liquid which overflows from the pan into the compartment 38 is collec- ted in the container 24. The overflow of liquid from the pan 48 into the Compartment 38 continues throughout the liquid discharge, but when the discharge stops the overflow of liquid from the pan soon discontinues, and the remainder of the liquid in the pan drains through the hole 50 into the chamber 34,

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68,8 9 9 [n4 as shown in FiZ. 4, un~til the pan is empty. However, so -ong as th-e licuid overflows from the pan 48 into the coz-nartment 3E', the pan retains a fixed head of' liquid, which exerts a constant pressure on liquid pass ing throug~h the hole 50 so that the liquid flows from he pan L.8 into the chamber 34 at a uniform rate. Consequently, an increase in the rate of flow of liquid discharge into the receptacle results in a corresponding increase in the rate of overflow of liquid from the pan 48 into the co:.o.artrnent 38 and does not affect the rate of flow of liquid through the hole 50 which remains urniform. Due to the relatively small flow capacity of the hole 50, the overflow condition of the pan may ccritinue until the discharge into the receptacle has terminated as illustrated in Fig. 4. After the discharge has been completed and the pan 43 has drained, the total time taken for the liquid discharge may be determined by the height of the column of licuid collected in the chamber 34, owing to the fact that the rate of liquid flow into the chamber 34 has been nearly constant during the total period of voiding. I.u-ring initiation of the liquid discharge, the head of liquid in the pan 48 rises from zero to its constant value during overflow of the pan into the compartment 38. Eowever, due to the shallowness of the pan and small size of the hole 50, this buildup of the liquid head occurs in a relatively short time, and the rate of flow

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68.89 9 m7 into the chamber 34 is therefore nearly constant. 'hen

the lizuii discontinues overflotfng into the compartment

3S at the termination of the discharge, a fixed volume

of licquiid drains into the chamber 34 and is compensated

for in the calibration of the chamber 34 described below.

The receptacle is calibrated by indicia 62, such

as in seconds, as shown in Fig. 2, to determine the

time period for the liquid discharge, and the height of

the licuid colutumn collected in the chamber 34 is

utilized to take a reading of time from the indicia 62.

Calibration of the chamber is facilitated when the

chamber has a uniform cross sectional area, since the

indicia 62 will then have a linear relationship.

The chamber 34 may be emptied by a valve 64

adjacent its lower end, and an exit tube 65 between the

valve 64 and the compartment 38. The valve illustrated

has a spherical body 66, a handle 68 and a passage

extending centrally through the body 66 and providing

communication between the chamber 34 and the interior 72

of the exit tube 65 wh.en the valve is open as shown in

Fig. 1. To close the valve 64, the handle 68 is turned,

in the direction indicated by the arrow shown in Fig. 1,

into a position at which the passage 70 no longer

communicates with the chamber 34 or the tube 65 as

shown in Fig. 2.

After a reading of time has been taken from the

indicia 62, the valve 64 is opened, as shown in Fig.

479.280

68, 8 99 n and liquid drains from the chamber 34 through the valve, the exit tube 65 and the lower end of the compartment 38 into the container 24, as indicated by the arrows. The venting of the chamber 34 to atmosohere through the vent 59 and the hole 50 facilitates drainage of the chamber. After drainage of the liquid from the chamber 34 into the container 24, the container retains the total volume of the liquid discharge. Accordingly, the total volume of the liquid discharge may be determined by graduated indicia 74 on the container 24, as shown in Fig. 1. Also, since the total volume of the liquid discharge may be determined by the indicia 74, and the time period for the liquid discharge has already been determined by the indicia 62, the average flow rate of the liquid discharge may readily be determined. The apparatus 2C is used by a patient with the valve 64 closed. Since the patient may use the apparatus without observation, unnatural voiding or failure to void "&hich normally occur from psychological difficulties when a patient voids under observation are prevented. After voiding, the patient merely summons the physician or nurse, who first determines the duration of the liquid discharge. The valve 64 is then opened to empty the chamber 34 into the container 24, and the total volume of the liquid discharge is next determined. Finally, the average flow rate of the liquid discharge may be determined by dividing the total volume by the duration of the discharge and the container 24 may be removed from

A479.280

68 89 9 n4 the urine if the receptacle 22 to ootain a sample of

desired. in Figs. 6 and 7 is The e=bodiment illustrated in connection with Figs. s_-ilar to that described is eliminated and alternative except that the valve As shown emptying the chamber. means are provided for 22, 2C includes a receptacle in Fig. 6, the apparatus

and a containr.er 24. 22 6 and 7, the receptacle As illustrated in Figs. 193, 191 and an upper section cons.sts of a lower section which 195a and 195b, respectively, having mating portions together. releasably hold the two-sections the .hen th-e liquid discharge has been completed,

by removing the upper section chamber 34 may be emptied liquid 191 and pouring out the 193 from the lower section chamber 34. v-ich has collected in the has collected in the chamber Since the liquid vwhich is container 24, the receptacle 3L does not pass to the Fig. 6, indicia 197, as shown in orovided with additional the chamber. of liquid collected in to indicate the volume liquid discharge may therefore The total volume of the the the volumes collected in be determined by adding 24, as indicated by the chamber 34 and the container

respective indicia 62 and 74.

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Claims (4)

68,899 /74 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. Apparatus for measuring the duration of a discharge of urine, comprising a receptacle having an inlet adjacent

its upper end to receive the urine discharge, a cup-shaped

pan below the inlet, a baffle for directing into the pan the

urine passing through the inlet, the pan having a hole extending through it at its lower end and an upper edge which permits overflow of urine from the pan, and a chamber

in the receptacle for collecting urine passing through the

hole in the pan, the size of the hole and the head of urine in the pan being such that the height of the column of

urine collected in the chamber is a measure of the duration of the urine discharge when the apparatus is held upright

during the discharge.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the inlet

is constituted by a funnel which directs the urine discharge

against the baffle.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the receptacle

includes a compartment to receive the overflow of urine from

the pan, and a valve adjacent the low er end of the chamber and operable to empty urine from the chamber through an exit tube disposed between the valve and the compartment.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the chamber

has an air vent for facilitating emptying of urine from it.

Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the receptacle consists of upper and lower sections which are detachably secured

to each other adjacent the upper end of the chamber and below

the pan to enable the upper section to be removed from the

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68,39 9 /74

lower section to permit of emptying of the urine collected in the chamber.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the receptacle includes an upright wall dividing it into the

chamber and a compartment below the overflow edge of the

pan.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, which includes

a container below the receptacle which communicates with the

compartment to collect urine overflowing from the pan into

the compartment.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as

described herein with reference to Figs. 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 of the

accompanying drawings.

DATED 30th November, 1976.

PHILLIPS ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK,

Attorneys for

THE KENDALL COM4PANY..

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68,899 /74

FIG. I

4

-56-

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68, 89 9 174

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68,89 9

FIG. 6 FIG. 7

195o

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