Fecal Collection Systems and Methods

A method of using a fecal collection system, comprising:

• positioning, using an applicator, a user interface at an anus of a user, wherein the user interface has a proximal side and a distal side, wherein the proximal side is configured to couple to skin of a user, wherein the user interface comprises an aperture extending through the proximal side and the distal side, wherein the applicator is coupled to the distal side of the user interface, wherein the applicator comprises an aperture extending through a proximal side and a distal side of the applicator, wherein the applicator further comprises:
• a central portion extending between a superior side of the applicator and an inferior side of the applicator, wherein the central portion includes the aperture of the applicator,
• a first lateral portion on a first lateral side of the central portion, and
• a second lateral portion on a second lateral side of the central portion,
• a plurality of fold lines about which the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion are configured to fold relative to the central portion,
• wherein a first subset of the plurality of fold lines are between the central portion and the first lateral portion,
• wherein a second subset of the plurality of fold lines are between the central portion and the second lateral portion,
• wherein, along a width extending between a first lateral side of the of the applicator and a second lateral side of the applicator, the first subset of the plurality of fold lines and the second subset of the plurality of fold lines are separated by a non-zero distance from each other, and
• wherein the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion are configured to move about the first subset of the plurality of fold lines and the second subset of the plurality of fold lines, respectively, to actuate the applicator between an extended state and a folded state,
• coupling the user interface to skin of the user by using the applicator, while the applicator in the folded state, to press the user interface against the skin of the user;
• and
• after coupling the user interface to the skin of the user, removing the applicator from the user interface.

A fecal collection system, comprising:

• a user interface having a proximal side and a distal side, wherein the proximal side is configured to couple to skin of a user, wherein the user interface comprises an aperture extending through the proximal side and the distal side;
• an applicator coupled to the distal side of the user interface, wherein the applicator comprises an aperture extending through a proximal side and a distal side of the applicator, wherein the aperture of the applicator overlaps with the aperture of the user interface;
• a drainage conduit extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to the distal side of the user interface, wherein the drainage conduit defines a lumen configured to guide feces from the proximal end to the distal end;
• and
• a collection reservoir coupled to the distal end of the drainage conduit,
• wherein the collection reservoir comprises a distal end, a proximal end, a first lateral side that extends between the distal end and the proximal end, and a second lateral side that extends between the distal end and the proximal end and is opposite the first lateral side, and
• wherein proximal end defines an aperture for receiving feces into the collection reservoir.