Self-inflating bedpan

A disposable, self-inflating bedpan comprising

• (a) a closed, generally ring-shaped, flexible and inflatable portion constructed from a fluid imprevious material to produce a curved, pan-shaped configuration when said portion is inflated, said ring-shaped portion enclosing and defining an interior area and having
• (i) a first end generally positioned under the sacrococcygeal area of a bedfast patient, and
• (ii) a second end generally positioned beneath and spanning any space between the upper leg areas of said bedfast patient,
• said material having an exterior surface area,
• (b) a fluid impervious flexible panel connected to said ring-shaped portion and spanning said interior area thereof such that when said ring-shaped portion is inflated a self-supporting fluid-tight reservoir having a continuous upstanding wall for collecting and retaining bodily excrement is formed,
• (c) manually activated means positioned adjacent said exterior surface of said material of said second end and outside of said interior area of said ring-shaped portion of said bedpan for producing gas for inflating said ring-shaped portion of said bedpan, said inflating means generally being positioned on said exterior surface of said second end such that
• said inflating means can be readily reached and manually activated by a medical attendant after said bedpan is positioned beneath said bedfast patient, and
• gas released when said inflating means is manually activated flows into said ring-shaped portion to inflate the same.