Device and method for the collection of a urine sample

A urinary catheter having a urine sample collector, comprising:

• a catheter tube having a funnel at one end thereof;
• an axially extending body comprising a portion of one of the catheter tube and the funnel and having a lumen defining a channel comprising a continuous flow path through which urine can flow;
• a generally radial opening in the axially extending body extending from a point in communication with the continuous flow path to a point externally of the axially extending body;
• a urine collector for receiving urine surrounding the generally radial opening externally of the axially extending body;
• and
• a member covering the generally radial opening in the axially extending body which permits urine to pass from the continuous flow path, through the generally radial opening, and into the urine collector only after the member has been in contact with urine that has passed through the continuous flow path for a period of time;
• whereby, the urine collector is only able to receive a urine sample which is not from an initial flow of urine at a location externally of the axially extending body.

A device for testing a urine sample, comprising:

• an axially extending body having a lumen defining a main channel comprising a continuous flow path through which urine can flow;
• at least one generally radial opening in the axially extending body extending from a point in communication with the continuous flow path to a point externally of the axially extending body;
• a urine collector for receiving urine surrounding the at least one generally radial opening externally of the axially extending body;
• and
• a member covering the at least one generally radial opening in the axially extending body which permits urine to pass from the continuous flow path comprising the main channel, through the at least one generally radial opening, and into the urine collector only after the member has been in contact with urine that has passed through the continuous flow path comprising the main channel for a period of time;
• whereby, the urine collector is only able to receive a urine sample which is not from an initial flow of urine at a location externally of the axially extending body.

A method for collecting a urine sample, comprising a plurality of steps including the steps of:

• providing an axially extending body having a channel defining a continuous flow path extending from a first end to a second end thereof and through which urine can flow;
• forming a generally radial opening in the axially extending body extending from a point in communication with the continuous flow path to a point externally of the axially extending body at a location intermediate the first and second ends thereof;
• locating a collector externally of the axially extending body so as to be associated with the generally radial opening for receiving urine;
• covering the generally radial opening in the axially extending body with a member which permits urine to pass from the continuous flow path defined by the channel, through the generally radial opening in the axially extending body, and into the collector only after the member has been in contact with urine that has passed through the continuous flow path defined by the channel for a period of time;
• and
• causing urine to flow through the continuous flow path defined by the channel for the period of time until the member permits urine to pass from the continuous flow path through the generally radial opening in the axially extending body into the collector;
• whereby, the collector is only capable of receiving a urine sample which is not from an initial flow of urine at a location externally of the axially extending body.