Fluid collection assembly including a customizable external support and related methods

A fluid collection system, comprising:

• a fluid collection device, including:
• a fluid impermeable barrier including an outer surface and an inner surface, the fluid impermeable barrier defining a chamber, at least one opening and a backside opposite the at least one opening, and a fluid outlet;
• a porous material disposed in the chamber;
• and
• an external support coupled to the outer surface of the fluid impermeable barrier, wherein the backside of the fluid impermeable barrier nests within the external support and the external support is complementary shaped with the backside of the fluid impermeable barrier, wherein the fluid impermeable barrier exhibits a first shape prior to shaping the external support and a second shape after shaping the external support, wherein the first shape is different than the second shape;
• a tube in fluid communication with the fluid collection device;
• a fluid collection container configured to receive fluid from the fluid collection device;
• and
• a vacuum source configured to pull an at least partial vacuum to draw the fluid from the fluid collection device through the tube into the fluid collection container.

A method to collect urine, the method comprising:

• positioning a fluid collection assembly that has been shaped from a first shape to a second shape that is different from the first shape adjacent to a female urethral opening, the fluid collection assembly including:
• a fluid impermeable barrier including an outer surface and an inner surface, the fluid impermeable barrier defining a chamber, at least one opening and a backside opposite the at least one opening, and a fluid outlet;
• a porous material disposed in the chamber;
• and
• a moldable external brace mounted to the at least one outer surface of the fluid impermeable barrier, wherein the backside of the fluid impermeable barrier nests within the moldable external brace and the moldable external brace is complementary shaped with the backside of the fluid impermeable barrier;
• receiving urine from the female urethral opening into the chamber of the fluid collection assembly;
• and
• applying suction with a vacuum source to draw the urine from the chamber via a tube and deposit the urine in a fluid storage container.