Automated collection and analysis of body fluids
A method for collecting and analyzing urine at the time it is released uses a urine collecting tube joined with a canister. Suction is produced in the collecting tube to join the tube with a penis or to the exterior surface of a female urethra orifice. Once suction is achieved the collecting tube stays in place by suction action. When urine flows into the urine collecting tube a sensor triggers a vacuum pump to produce a higher level of suction to flush the urine into the canister where a level sensor determines the quantity of urine received. Various sensors in the canister determine levels of non-urine partials such as occult blood, drugs, salt, and other substances. When urine is no longer detected within the urine tube, the vacuum pump is turned off and a low-level vacuum remains to assure interconnection with the urine tube.
1. A method of collecting and analyzing body fluids using a collector-analyzer apparatus, the method comprising:
enabling a proximal end of a flexible urine tube having internal ribs for engaging and holding a penis therein;
stretching a distal end of said urine tube around a rigid disc within a vented enclosure;
joining an air vent valve with said rigid disk for injecting air from said vented enclosure into said proximal end of said urine tube;
securing a proximal end of an interconnection tube by said rigid disk and into said distal end of said urine tube;
connecting a distal end of said interconnection tube with a canister for collecting said body fluids;
producing suction within said canister, said interconnection tube and said urine tube;
admitting air into said urine tube through said air vent valve to a controlled set point of suction;
sensing a presence of said body fluids in said urine tube by a fluid sensor engaged with said rigid disk; and
conducting said body fluids from said urine tube through said interconnection tube and into said canister.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein conducting said body fluids from said urine tube into said canister comprises:
opening a vacuum valve;
turning on a vacuum pump; and
flushing said body fluids into said canister.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
analyzing the body fluids within said canister to determine the presence of substances in said body fluids.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said substances include one or more of minerals, pathogens, drugs, compounds, or occult blood.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising determining a quantitative characteristic of at least one substance in said body fluids.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sensing when body fluids are no longer present in said urine tube said method further comprises:
closing said vacuum valve; and
closing down said vacuum pump.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
joining a penis with a proximal end of said urine tube;
sensing a vacuum level in said urine tube; and
admitting air into said urine tube to adjust said vacuum level therein.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing said body fluids in the canister using one or more sensors to determine a characteristic of a substance in said body fluids.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising signaling said computer with results of said analyzing.
10. A method of collecting and analyzing body fluids, the method comprising:
closing an air inlet valve and opening a vacuum valve;
starting a vacuum pump;
attaching a urine tube to one of a penis and a urethra by suction;
closing said vacuum valve;
stopping said vacuum pump;
detecting body fluids within said urine tube;
opening said vacuum valve;
starting said vacuum pump;
opening said air inlet valve;
collecting said body fluids;
closing said air inlet valve;
closing said vacuum valve; and
stopping said vacuum pump.
11. A method of collecting and analyzing body fluids using a collector- analyzer apparatus, the method comprising:
stretching a distal end of a urine tube for engaging a female urethra around a rigid disc within a vented enclosure;
joining an air vent valve with said rigid disk for injecting air from said vented enclosure into said proximal end of said urine tube;
securing a proximal end of an interconnection tube by said rigid disk and into said distal end of said urine tube;
connecting a distal end of said interconnection tube with a canister for collecting said body fluids;
producing suction within said canister, said interconnection tube and said urine tube;
admitting air into said urine tube through said air vent valve to a controlled set point of suction;
sensing a presence of said body fluids in said urine tube by a fluid sensor engaged with said rigid disk; and
conducting said body fluids from said urine tube through said interconnection tube and into said canister.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein conducting said body fluids from said urine tube into said canister comprises:
opening a vacuum valve;
turning on a vacuum pump; and
flushing said body fluids into said canister.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising analyzing the body fluids within said canister to determine the presence of at least one substance in said body fluids.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
joining a female urethra with a proximal end of said urine tube;
sensing a vacuum level in said urine tube; and
admitting air into said urine tube to adjust said vacuum level therein.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein said urine tube is flared for improved suction holding.
16. A method of collecting and analyzing body fluids, the method comprising:
closing an air inlet valve and opening a vacuum valve;
starting a vacuum pump;
attaching a urine tube to a female urethra by suction;
closing said vacuum valve;
stopping said vacuum pump;
detecting body fluids within said urine tube;
opening said vacuum valve;
starting said vacuum pump;
opening said air inlet valve;
collecting said body fluids;
closing said air inlet valve;
closing said vacuum valve; and
stopping said vacuum pump.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising analyzing the collected body fluids to determine the presence of at least one substance in said body fluids.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said at least one substance includes one or more of minerals, pathogens, drugs, compounds, or occult blood.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein said urine tube is flared for improved suction holding of the urethra.
20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising determining a quantitative characteristic of a substance in said body fluids.