Adjustable drain loop for urine collection system

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for maintaining an adjustable loop in the drain tube of a urine collection and/or monitoring system. The clip, band or bands act to maintain the adjustable loop such that the adjustment in size of the loop created in the drain tube varies the effective length of the drain tube. Further disclosed is a method for preventing back pressure from developing in the drain tube of urine collection and/or monitoring system.

1 . A clip for forming a selectively adjustable loop in a drain tube, the clip comprising: 
 a base;    at least one pair of arms extending from the base, the arms forming an inner gripping surface configured to adjustably retain at least a first section of a drain tube in an adjacent relationship to a second section of the drain tube.    
   
   
       2 . The clip according to  claim 1 , further including a means for fastening the clip to a bed or bed sheets.  
   
   
       3 . A device for maintaining an adjustable loop in a drain tube of a urine collection system, the device comprising: 
 a base defining at least one recess for retaining first and second sections of a drain tube in an adjacent relationship to one another.    
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , further including a means for fastening the device to a bed or bed sheets.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the base defines two recesses for slidably retaining the first and second sections of the drain tube in adjacent relationship to one another.  
   
   
       6 . A drain tube for use with a urine collection system, the drain tube comprising: 
 a tube forming a loop wherein two sections of the tube are in an adjacent relationship to one another; and    a retaining device configured to adjustably retain the two sections of the tube in adjacent relationship to one another.    
   
   
       7 . The drain tube of  claim 6 , wherein the retaining device is selected from the group consisting of a clip, band, or multiple bands.  
   
   
       8 . The drain tube of  claim 6 , further including a means for fastening the loop to a bed or bed sheets.  
   
   
       9 . The drain tube of  claim 8 , wherein the means for fastening the loop is formed integral with the retaining device.  
   
   
       10 . A method of preventing back pressure from forming in a drain tube of a urine collection and/or monitoring system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a drain tube having an adjustable loop formed therein; and    positioning the adjustable loop horizontally above an inlet to the urine collection and/or monitoring device.