Hands-Free Device for Collecting and Moving Urine
This patent describes a device that collects urine from a person using a receptacle and then uses a vacuum to pull the urine away through a tube, held in place by a curved part between the legs.
Original patent title: “Apparatus and methods for receiving discharged urine”
This patent describes a device that collects urine from a person using a receptacle and then uses a vacuum to pull the urine away through a tube, held in place by a curved part between the legs. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The device is designed to collect urine and transport it away from a person's body. It includes a container, called a receptacle, which has internal channels to guide urine to a collection area and then to a passage. A vacuum pump can connect to this passage, creating negative pressure to extract the urine from the device. To keep it in place, the device has a long, curved part, referred to as an elongate member, which fits between the user's thighs near the perineum. For example, a hospital patient recovering from surgery could use this device to continuously collect urine without needing to move or use a bedpan, as a small pump would draw the urine away.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover urine collection devices that rely solely on gravity for urine transport, as this device explicitly uses a vacuum pump and negative pressure.
- Does not cover devices for collecting bodily fluids other than urine, as the abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more → specifically refers to 'discharged urine'.
- Does not cover urine collection systems for animals, as the patent specifies 'the body of a person'.
- Does not cover devices secured to the user by adhesives, straps, or garments, as it specifies retention via an 'elongate member' positioned 'between the thighs'.
- Does not cover simple bedpans or urinals that only collect urine without actively transporting it away from the device.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is combining a vacuum system to actively pull urine away from the body with a unique, curved elongate member designed to comfortably hold the device in place between a person's thighs, ensuring discreet and continuous collection.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Hospital patient care
Home care for the elderly
Long-term care facilities
Personal care for individuals with mobility impairments
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology could significantly improve comfort and hygiene for individuals with limited mobility, such as hospital patients or the elderly. By enabling hands-free urine collection and removal, it reduces the need for frequent assistance and minimizes the risk of spills and skin irritation. This could enhance patient dignity and streamline caregiving processes in medical or home care settings.
Filed
December 16, 2020
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies in the medical device sector, particularly those focused on urological care and patient mobility solutions, are likely working on similar or related technologies. Manufacturers of incontinence products and home healthcare equipment would also be relevant players in this space, seeking to improve patient comfort and caregiver efficiency.
Market impact
If widely adopted, this technology could reduce the burden on caregivers and improve the quality of life for individuals requiring prolonged bed rest or with severe mobility issues. It could lead to the development of more discreet and user-friendly personal care devices, potentially shifting market demand away from traditional, less convenient urine collection methods.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The device is designed to collect urine and transport it away from a person's body. It includes a container, called a receptacle, which has internal channels to guide urine to a collection area and then to a passage. A vacuum pump can connect to this passage, creating negative pressure to extract the urine from the device. To keep it in place, the device has a long, curved part, referred to as an elongate member, which fits between the user's thighs near the perineum. For example, a hospital patient recovering from surgery could use this device to continuously collect urine without needing to move or use a bedpan, as a small pump would draw the urine away.
The clever bit
The clever part is combining a vacuum system to actively pull urine away from the body with a unique, curved elongate member designed to comfortably hold the device in place between a person's thighs, ensuring discreet and continuous collection.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover urine collection devices that rely solely on gravity for urine transport, as this device explicitly uses a vacuum pump and negative pressure.
- Does not cover devices for collecting bodily fluids other than urine, as the abstract specifically refers to 'discharged urine'.
- Does not cover urine collection systems for animals, as the patent specifies 'the body of a person'.
- Does not cover devices secured to the user by adhesives, straps, or garments, as it specifies retention via an 'elongate member' positioned 'between the thighs'.
- Does not cover simple bedpans or urinals that only collect urine without actively transporting it away from the device.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 14.2 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Hands-Free Device for Collecting and Moving Urine (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,063). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734063/apparatus-and-methods-for-receiving-discharged-urine
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hands-Free Device for Collecting and Moving Urine cover?
This patent describes a device that collects urine from a person using a receptacle and then uses a vacuum to pull the urine away through a tube, held in place by a curved part between the legs.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology could significantly improve comfort and hygiene for individuals with limited mobility, such as hospital patients or the elderly. By enabling hands-free urine collection and removal, it reduces the need for frequent assistance and minimizes the risk of spills and skin irritation. This could enhance patient dignity and streamline caregiving processes in medical or home care settings.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover urine collection devices that rely solely on gravity for urine transport, as this device explicitly uses a vacuum pump and negative pressure.
Patent monitoring