Fluid collection assembly including a tube having porous wicking material for improved fluid transport

A fluid collection system, comprising:

• a fluid impermeable barrier having a proximal end, a distal end, a fluid outlet located at least proximate to the proximal end or the distal end, and at least defining a chamber, an opening extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the opening configured to receive fluid from a urethra of a user;
• at least one porous material disposed in the chamber, the at least one porous material covering the opening at least proximate to the proximal end;
• a tube in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and defining an interior region, the tube including a first hydrophilic material exhibiting a porous structure configured to wick fluid into the tube without the assistance of a pump and further includes a second hydrophilic material including a plurality of non-porous fibers that extend parallel to a longitudinal axis along a length of the tube, wherein the tube includes a first portion and a second portion fluidly coupled to the first portion, wherein the porous structure disposed within the second portion includes a void gradient structure in which a void volume thereof increases from a low pore concentration to a high pore concentration along the longitudinal axis of the tube effective to facilitate fluid flow to increase from the low pore concentration to the high pore concentration during use, and wherein, in cross-section, the porous structure substantially fills the interior region of the first and second portion of the tube;
• and
• a fluid collection container coupled to the tube.

A method of using a system to collect bodily fluids from an individual, the method comprising:

• disposing a fluid collection system in operative relationship with a urethral opening of the individual, wherein the fluid collection system includes:
• a fluid impermeable barrier having a proximal end, a distal end, a fluid outlet located at least proximate to the proximal end or the distal end, and at least defining a chamber, an opening extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the opening configured to receive fluid from a urethra of a user;
• at least one porous material disposed in the chamber, the at least one porous material covering the opening at least proximate to the proximal end;
• a tube in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and defining an interior region, the tube including a hydrophilic material exhibiting a porous structure configured to wick fluid from the chamber and further includes a second hydrophilic material including a plurality of discrete non-porous fibers that extend parallel to a longitudinal axis along a length of the tube, wherein, in cross-section, the porous structure substantially fills the interior region of the first and second portion of the tube;
• and
• a fluid collection container coupled to the tube;
• receiving bodily fluid discharged from the individual through the at least one opening in the fluid impermeable barrier and into the chamber;
• withdrawing bodily fluid from the chamber via the tube, wherein fluid is drawn into the tube via capillary action and without the assistance of a pump, the tube including a first portion and a second portion fluidly coupled to the first portion, wherein the porous structure disposed within the second portion includes a void gradient structure in which a void volume thereof increases from a low pore concentration to a high pore concentration along the longitudinal axis of the tube effective to facilitate fluid flow to increase from the low pore concentration to the high pore concentration during use;
• and
• collecting the bodily fluid in the fluid collection container.