Systems for collecting biomaterial in a vessel

Abstract

A system for hands-free collection of biomaterials, such as urine, in a vessel disposed below a closable port, the vessel being sealable by an at least partially automated sealing mechanism, the sealed vessel being transferable to a storage area. In general terms this application is directed to a hands-free, biomaterial collection system that is it least partially automated. In one aspect, a biomaterial collection system comprises a biomaterial capture area including a port, a collection area disposed below the capture area, a vessel disposed in the collection area and aligned with the port, and a sealing mechanism disposed in the collection area for sealing the vessel.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for collection of biomaterial, comprising:
 a collection unit configured to be converted from a first configuration to a second configuration, the collection unit including a casing, a funnel, and a vessel,   wherein when the collection unit is in the first configuration the funnel and the vessel are contained entirely within the casing; and   wherein when the collection unit is in the second configuration:
 a first portion of the vessel is contained within the casing, a second portion of the vessel is positioned below the casing, and the vessel extends through a first opening defined by the casing and positioned at a bottom end of the casing; and 
 a first portion of the funnel is contained within the casing, a second portion of the funnel is positioned above the casing, and the funnel extends through a second opening defined by the casing and positioned at a top end of the casing. 
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 ,
 wherein the collection unit is configured to be converted from the first configuration to the second configuration with a pump; and   wherein the funnel is inflated by the pump when the collection unit is in the second configuration.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a pump configured to pump air into an interior of the casing to convert the collection unit from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a sealing mechanism for sealing the vessel following collection of biomaterial in the vessel. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein in the first configuration a top of the vessel abuts a bottom of the funnel. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the casing defines two discrete, unconnected air channels for channeling air into the funnel and the vessel, respectively. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the air channels includes a deflation valve. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the vessel comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein an interior surface of the vessel is coated with a material adapted to preserve urine. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the funnel comprises polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the funnel includes a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the vessel includes a plurality of graduated markings indicating volume increments. 
     
     
         33 . The system of any  claim 21 , wherein the vessel includes one or more test components adapted to indicate the presence of one or more chemicals in biomaterial collected in the vessel. 
     
     
         34 . The system of any  claim 21 , wherein the funnel includes an overflow spout positioned below a top of the funnel. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the casing includes an outward projection including an inflation valve. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein in the first configuration, the casing includes a top seal and a bottom seal. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the top seal and the bottom seal include an aluminum leaf. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the top seal and the bottom seal are configured to break when the collection unit is converted from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein in the second configuration the funnel extends through the top seal, the top seal being broken. 
     
     
         40 . A system for collection of biomaterial, comprising:
 a collection unit configured to be converted from a first configuration to a second configuration, the collection unit including a casing, a funnel, and a vessel, the collection unit defining a vertical axis extending through a top end of the casing and a bottom end of the casing,   wherein when the collection unit is in the first configuration the funnel and the vessel are contained entirely within the casing; and   wherein when the collection unit is in the second configuration:
 a first portion of the vessel is contained within the casing, a second portion of the vessel is positioned below the casing, and the vessel extends vertically through a first opening defined by the casing and positioned at a bottom end of the casing; 
 a first portion of the funnel is contained within the casing, a second portion of the funnel is positioned above the casing, and the funnel extends vertically through a second opening defined by the casing and positioned at a top end of the casing; and 
 a largest horizontal width of the second portion of the funnel is greater than a largest horizontal width of the second portion of the vessel.