How MUDS came to be.
For any continent male.
The MUDS is designed to be used intermittently at each urination episode just like the traditional urinal. The difference is that the MUDS unit seats against the pubic area and drains directly into the container that can hold up to 2500ml. No more spilled urinals. No more nasty urinals sitting on your bedside table. No more spilling due to attempting to use with urine already in it. No more spilling on your floor or bed.
The actual receptacle for urinating into is very small in comparison to a urinal. It is a chamber within a chamber providing a backflow deterrent. The device is designed to seat against the pubic area, rather than just holding it in front of the pubic area to urinate.
The receiving unit is attached to flexible tubing and drains into a container that can be hung on the bed frame, wheelchair, chair, or can be set in the floor without spilling. The clear container (12″x8″x3″) holds up to 2500ml and has markings for measurement.
A holder is included which is designed to attach to the rail of the bed or the edge of a bedside table and includes a lid for covering the device when not in use. The holder provides a sanitary place to secure the MUDS device when not in use, keeping it off of bedside tables, where food and drink are kept.
There are orientation ridges to assist persons with decreased vision. It can be used in virtually any position and requires the use of only one hand. The orientation ridge facilitates use by males who cannot see their groin area whether related to visual deficits or obesity.
During testing, males who were continent, but unable to use a urinal or other product currently available, used the MUDS with great success and with little instruction required. Their attitudes and participation in their activites of daily living were improved when they could urinate independently.
M.U.D.S.,L.L.C. was started in 2004 as a L.L.C. with the intent of developing and producing the MUDS system. Jacquelin Vantroostenberghe is a Registered Nurse and the inventor and owner of the MUDS patent. Her son sustained an injury which resulted in a fracture requiring a body cast. He was unable to urinate into a traditional urinal due to the restrictions of the cast and being flat of his back. He was in pain with any movement and embarrassed that he had to have help with urinating.
It was impossible to place a urinal at the right angle without urine pouring back onto him. Jacque and the occupational therapists searched catalogs, medical supply stores and pharmacies without any success finding a alternative. His only alternative at that time was to urinate into a diaper.
And so, that is what inspired the development of the MUDS. Jacques’ son used a crude version with great success and was independent with all of his urination needs with the exception of needing someone to empty the container.
Hi, my name is Jacque Vantroostenberghe and I am a Mother, Daughter, Registered Nurse, and I am an inventor.
As a mother, there is nothing in this world that hurts more than when your child is hurting. My son suffered a terrible accident that resulted in a 3/4 body cast for over 8 weeks. I am fortunate and blessed that I had the knowledge and ability to help him during his recovery. My son was devastated to find himself using a diaper or depending on Mom, NaNa, Aunt Kathy, or his sister to aide with his toileting needs. So, I began developing what I now call, the MUDS. it was a lot of trial and error, but the system worked. My son was completely independent of urination with the exception of needing someone to empty the container. The MUDS became like my purse, we took it everywhere we went. My son was able to use the device in the Doctors office, public restroom, and even in the car. When he was out of the cast, he continued to use the MUDS, especially at night, until he no longer needed crutches.
As a Registered Nurse, I see every day in my personal, social, and work environment males who need the same thing that my son did. Not just the ability to urinate on their own, but the ability to do it in a sanitary, private, and convenient way.
My Dad was on a short trip and got stuck in Dallas traffic. He takes a “water pill” and when the urge calls, he has to go—–right now. He had to resort to using a plastic grocery bag and hope that it wouldn’t leak.
My father-in-law also takes “water pills”and has breathing difficulties. He tires easily and at times is very shaky–his hands from his medications to help him breathe, and his legs when he is feeling tired. He has to get up in the night to urinate and has almost fallen on multiple occasions.
This is just a hint of the males out there who need the MUDS to help keep them from falling, promote sanitation, aide in preventing unnecessary catheterizations, and the reason I invented the MUDS in the first place, to promote their self-esterem and preserve their dignity.
NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTION!