Urination Device : Benefits, Side Effects and Uses

Urination devices are designed to pull urine away through a funnel or collect urine and pump it away to promote hygiene and easy living.

There are currently three main types of urination devices on the market – the basic urination device, the automatic urination device, and the female urination funnels. Automatic urination devices can come in both hand-held and wearable formats.

And this article aims to be a comparatively comprehensive statement on automatic urination devices.

What is the Urination Device?

Patients who suffer from urinary incontinence are often unable to make it to the toilet to relieve themselves. This includes people recovering from surgeries, paralyzed patients, and bed-ridden patients.

Before the invention of the urination device, these patients would have to opt for a temporary measure like an adult diaper – which can feel unhygienic and degrading.

Fortunately, advancements in technology have allowed for a far better solution – with automatic urination devices collecting and pumping urine away efficiently, hygienically, and discretely. This also removes the risk of soiled clothes and bedsheets, while removing some of the burden from caregivers.

You may also hear urination devices referred to as Urine Collection Systems, Urine Collection Devices, or Urine Suction Devices. Whatever the case, they are often made up of a collection container, tubing, a control host, a urine cup, and a fixed pair of underwear (the wearable format).

Benefits of the Urination Device

Safe to use: Urination devices are made with safety in mind. The materials used are safe for contact with human skin and pay special attention to hygiene.

Cost-effective: The average cost of a urination device is around $500. This makes them a far more cost-effective option than adult diapers, not to mention more sustainable. In fact, the cost of using adult diapers for just 12 months comes to roughly the same as a single urination device, which can be used for years and years.
Leak-proof: Most urination devices are designed to be completely leakproof. The edge of the urine collection cup is made to fit tightly against the skin to avoid any spillage. This means they can be used effectively in a range of positions – including lying down, sitting, in a wheelchair, and lying on your side.
Automatic urination devices also pump the urine away immediately once it is detected, further reducing the chances of leaks.
Comfortable: Urination devices are often designed to be worn for hours at a time, so they have to be comfortable. That’s why soft, high-quality material is used in cotton underwear, as well as any parts that come into contact with the human skin.
The devices are also designed to be lightweight, so they are comfortable to move around.
Trouble-free: When wearing an automatic urination device, users do not have to constantly get up to rush to the restroom, which can be especially dangerous in the night.
It also removes the risk of soiling clothing and bed sheets, while removing some of the burden from caregivers.
Pain-free: Modern urination devices are completely non-invasive. That means nothing needs to go inside the human body – like the urethra – to make them work.
Odor-free: Urination devices are designed to be airtight and pump the urine away as soon as it is detected to ensure there are no lingering smells.
Reliability: Producers of urination devices usually provide at least a one-year warranty. These products are made to last for years and customers can return them if they have any issues within the first 12 months. The longer the warranty, the more peace of mind.
Reusable: The biggest positive of a urination device is its reusability. The urine collection cups, tubes, and bottles can be washed and used over and over again.
Eco-friendly: Because these devices are reusable for so many years, they are far more eco-friendly than adult diapers – which can only be used once before being thrown in the trash.
Every discarded diaper is another load of polypropylene, plastic polymers and cotton which has to be burned or thrown in a landfill.

You may be asking yourself – are adult diapers no longer a viable option? Why should you turn to a machine instead of a tried-and-tested method people have used for decades?

It is not uncommon for people to resist against new inventions like the urination device – we see it time and time again. It can be a little daunting learning a new and unfamiliar process.

However, urination devices are more cost-effective than adult diapers, create less waste, are more hygienic, and are better for the environment. Not to mention the fact that a urination device is a little less embarrassing and degrading than an adult diaper.

With a urination device, the user no longer has to come into direct contact with the urine itself. They simply pass urine comfortably and it instantly gets pumped away for hygienic disposal. It also promotes convenience and safety, removing the need to get up in the middle of the night to find the toilet.

Side Effects of the Urination Device

While there are lots of positive benefits that come from using a urination device, there are a few side effects to keep an eye out for.

Less privacy: Adult diapers can be worn underneath clothing, but some of the urination device does have to be worn externally. Therefore, it is not completely invisible and private.
Initial discomfort: Some people may experience some initial discomfort as they get used to the urination device underwear and straps.
Potential leakage: Urination devices are designed to reduce the risk of leaking, but it can still happen if the device is not worn correctly or if the user moves in a certain way during the night.
Single Target User: The urination device is designed to help with urinary incontinence. However, there are other devices that are designed for more specific use cases which may be more helpful to certain users.
Residual urine: The urination device detects urine and sucks it away instantly into a collection bottle. However, there may be some small residual urine left behind in the urine cup/tube that may have to be cleaned away.
Airtight issue: Because the entire urethra of the user must be covered by the airtight urine cup, it may not feel breathable for long periods of time. Some users may experience discomfort if they have to wear the device all day.

Urination Device Use Cases:

When & Who Can It Be Used?

Urination devices can be used by absolutely anyone. There is no one reason why a person should or should not use a urination device.

They are designed to help everyone from paralyzed, bed-ridden patients to people who embark on regular long car journeys and may need a handheld urination device to relieve themselves.

Wearable urination devices are perfect for patients recovering from surgery, while handheld devices can also be an option. You can even take a handheld device on a camping trip to avoid needing to go outside into extreme weather.

Urinary incontinence is one of the most popular reasons to invest in a urination device, but there are also plenty of use cases revolving around sheer convenience and safety.

Where Can It Be Used?

The beauty of the urination device is that it can be used pretty much anywhere. Most devices with batteries can be charged and then used outdoors if needed.

Some can be easily used in a car or moving vehicle, while others must be placed on a sturdy, flat surface. It is always a good idea to consult the specific manufacturer to see what their device is designed for.

How Does the Urination Device Supposedly Work?

Every brand of urination device is different, but the core concept remains the same. The vast majority of urination devices work using something called negative pressure suction.

Once the urine is detected by a metal probe, the main host begins to pump the urine away using negative pressure. However, it is always a good idea to check with the manufacturer to see how their specific urination device operates.

Users should always operate their urination device according to the user manual provided by the manufacturer. This ensures you get optimum efficiency and a long-lasting product.