Chemo Flush Trapper

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/640,116, filed on Apr. 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application relates generally to a chemo flush trapper for mitigating chemotherapy-related vapors and odors that can emanate from waste product in a toilet.

Chemotherapeutic drugs pose a significant risk to healthcare workers. Exposure to these medications can result in acute health effects including nausea, rashes, hair loss, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, and cardiac toxicity. In addition, long-term exposure can lead to serious health effects such as cancer, organ toxicity, fertility issues, genetic damage, and congenital disabilities. It is important for healthcare workers to take necessary precautions to minimize their exposure to these hazardous drugs.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers a drug hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the following characteristics in humans or animals: carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, genotoxicity, or the structure and toxicity profiles of new drugs that mimic existing hazardous drugs. Moreover, USP General Chapter <800> sets standards for handling hazardous drugs, facility and engineering controls, procedures for deactivating and cleaning, spill control, and documentation. These standards apply to all healthcare personnel who receive, prepare, administer, transport, or otherwise come in contact with hazardous drugs and all the environments in which they are handled. In short, healthcare workers as well as other should avoid contact with the chemotherapeutics.

If a patient taking chemotherapeutics (“chemo”) uses a toilet, the patient's urine and/or feces (“chemo waste”) may contain chemo-related chemicals, medicaments, therapeutics, and/or the like, as a result of the patient's chemo treatment, which as noted can be harmful to those not undergoing chemo. Examples of these harmful chemotherapeutics include Alkylating agents, Antimetabolites, Anti-tumor antibiotics, Topoisomerase inhibitors, Mitotic inhibitors and Plant alkaloids. Furthermore, these chemo related chemicals and/or medicaments may go airborne as vapors when the patient uses a toilet (especially when the patient flushes). When airborne, healthcare workers or others may inadvertently breathe in these harmful chemo vapors.

The present disclosure provides a trap (also referred to herein as a “chemo flush trapper”) for chemo-related vapors that can emanate from waste product in a toilet.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a cover for a toilet bowl configured to cover an upper opening of the toilet bowl. The cover may include a first surface facing an interior of the toilet bowl and a second surface opposite the first surface. The cover may be configured to be removably attached to a portion of a toilet comprising the toilet bowl. The apparatus also includes a chemical composition layer coupled to the cover. The chemical composition layer may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The one or more chemicals may include at least activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate. The apparatus also includes an elastic element disposed along at least a portion of a periphery of the cover. The elastic element may be configured to removably affix the cover to an upper periphery of the toilet bowl.

In some embodiments, the cover may further include a first layer forming the first surface and a second layer forming the second surface, with the chemical composition layer being sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the cover further may include a fixing layer adhered to the chemical composition layer. The fixing layer may include an adhesive that holds the arrangement of the one or more chemicals in place.

Further yet, in some embodiments, the cover further may include a paper layer disposed at the second surface of the cover, the paper layer configured to absorb the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The chemical composition layer may be disposed between the paper layer and the interior of the toilet bowl.

Even further, in some embodiments, the cover further may include a plastic layer disposed at the first surface of the cover and exposed to the interior of the toilet bowl. The plastic layer may be disposed between the chemical composition layer and the interior of the toilet bowl.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the cover may be made of a deformable material configured to change its shape when moved to expose the upper opening of the toilet bowl.

Also, in some embodiments, the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layer may further include sodium polyacrylate.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the arrangement of the one or more chemicals may include a chemical mixture that is formed by the one or more chemicals being mixed together.

Further yet, in some embodiments, the arrangement of the one or more chemicals may include a plurality of distinct regions, each of which containing a particular one of the one or more chemicals. The plurality of distinct regions may extend laterally or longitudinally relative to the cover.

Even further, in some embodiments, the elastic element may be further configured to enable the cover to stretch over and seal the upper opening of the toilet bowl.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a detection strip disposed on the second surface of the cover, the detection strip configured to detect whether the chemical composition layer has been exposed to the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. Upon detection of the chemical composition layer having been exposed to the vapors, the detection strip may be further configured to provide a visual indication of the detection.

Also, in some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an adhesive element coupled to the cover and configured to removably attach the cover to the portion of the toilet.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, wherein the waste product may include one or more of urine and feces from a chemotherapy patient.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes a cover for a toilet bowl configured to cover an upper opening of the toilet bowl. The cover may include a first surface facing an interior of the toilet bowl and a second surface opposite the first surface. The cover may be configured to be removably attached to a portion of a toilet comprising the toilet bowl. The apparatus also includes a chemical composition layer coupled to the cover. The chemical composition layer may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl. The one or more chemicals may include at least activated charcoal and sodium bicarbonate. The apparatus also includes a detection strip disposed on the second surface of the cover. The detection strip may be configured to detect whether the chemical composition layer has been exposed to the vapors emanating from waste product inside the toilet bowl and, upon detection of the chemical composition layer having been exposed to the vapors, configured to provide a visual indication of the detection.

In some embodiments, the detection strip may include bromophenol blue.

It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. For example, “coupled” may mean that two or more elements do not contact each other but are indirectly joined together via another element or intermediate elements.

Referring now to embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a trap (also referred to herein as a “chemo flush trapper”) that reduces, limits, and/or eliminates harmful vapors that can emanate from a toilet (or the toilet bowl) when the toilet is used by patients undergoing chemotherapeutics (chemo). The waste product (i.e., urine and/or stool) of a patient undergoing chemotherapy can contain harmful chemotherapeutics, so the vapors (which are released from the toilet bowl containing the urine and/or stool) can also carry the harmful chemotherapeutics, especially when the toilet is flushed.

include a side view and a top view, respectively, of a toiletincluding a toilet bowlcontaining waste product. The toiletmay be any suitable toilet known in the art, including standard componentry such as a toilet bowlfor containing flush water and/or waste product (e.g., urine and/or feces), a rimsurrounding the toilet bowl, a tankfor holding flush water and an internal flushing assembly (not shown), and a rotatable seatthat may be moved into a sitting position atop the rimor a stowed position perpendicular to the rim. However, the configuration of the toiletmay vary. As shown, the toilet bowlincludes an upper opening (proximate the rim) that is uncovered, thus exposing the interior of the toilet bowl, and any contents therein, to the surrounding atmosphere.

Furthermore, as shown, the toilet bowlmay contain water contaminated by waste product(e.g., urine and/or feces) with vapors(e.g., gas, liquid, particles, fumes, odors, etc.) depicted by arrows emanating from the waste productoutwardly of the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, the waste productmay include one or more of urine and feces from a chemotherapy patient (“chemo waste”) which, as noted above, may include chemo vapors that are hazardous to humans, including healthcare workers. The present disclosure is not limited to chemo waste, however, as the embodiments discussed herein are applicable to waste product not containing chemo waste, as well.

include a side view and a top view, respectively, of an exemplary chemo flush trapper coupled to the toiletand covering the toilet bowlcontaining waste product. As shown, the chemo flush trapper is affixed to the toiletto prevent, limit, or reduce the harmful chemo vaporsfrom emanating from the toilet bowl.

The chemo flush trapper may include a coverconfigured to cover the upper opening of the toilet bowl. The covermay be configured with a proximal end (adjacent the tank) and a distal end (opposite the tank). The covermay also include a first surface facing the interior of the toilet bowl, in which the waste productresides, and a second surface opposite the first surface exposed to the surrounding atmosphere. The layering of the coveris illustrated in further detail in, which illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the chemo flush trapper.

Referring to, the coverof the chemo flush trapper may consist of multiple layers. For example, as shown, the covermay include a chemical composition layercomprising an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate the vaporsemanating from waste productinside the toilet bowl. The chemical composition of the chemical composition layerwill be described in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the chemical composition layermay be sandwiched between a first layer (e.g., plastic layer) which forms the first (inner) surface of the coverand a second layer (e.g., paper layer) which forms the second (outer) surface of the cover, as shown. Furthermore, the covermay include a fixing layeradhered to the chemical composition layer. According to some embodiments, the fixing layermay be a carrier which contains the chemical composition layerin place. For example, the fixing layermay comprise an adhesive that holds the arrangement of the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layerin place.

Additionally, the covermay include a plastic layerdisposed at the first (inner) surface of the coverand exposed to the interior of the toilet bowl. For example, the plastic layermay include a pad and/or a waterproof backing. As shown, the plastic layermay be disposed between the chemical composition layerand the interior of the toilet bowl.

The covermay further include a paper layerdisposed at the second (outer) surface of the cover. In some embodiments, the paper layermay be configured to absorb the vaporsemanating from waste productinside the toilet bowl. For example, the paper layermay include an absorbent paper material that helps absorb the emanating vapors. As shown, the chemical composition layermay be disposed between the paper layerand the interior of the toilet bowl. Moreover, the paper layerand the plastic layermay sandwich the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layerand its carrier, i.e., fixing layer, therebetween. By doing so, the inner and outer layers of the covermay provide a degree of protection for the chemicals of the chemical composition layer.

Furthermore, the paper and plastic layering enable the coverto be deformable such that it can change its shape when a user (e.g., a patient or a hospital worker) moves the coverto expose the upper opening of the toilet bowl(e.g., to use the toilet). For example,is a side view of the chemo flush trapper being moved to expose the toilet bowl. As shown, the covercan be rolled, folded, or otherwise deformably moved away from the rimof the toilet bowlto expose the upper opening of the toilet bowl, allowing the toiletto be used. For example, the covercan be removed from the rimof the toilet bowl, such as by folding or rolling the cover, and stowed near the rear of the toilet(i.e., adjacent the tank). This can be performed without fully removing the coverfrom the toilet, as the covermay remain attached to the toilet(e.g., via adhesive element) while it is stowed away. Once the coveris stowed and the upper opening of the toilet bowlis exposed, the user may optionally lower the seatonto the rimfor use, after which the covercan be pulled back over the upper opening of the toilet bowl, thereby regaining its original shape as illustrated in.

Referring again to, the second (outer) surface of the coveris shown facing outwardly, visible to patients or hospital workers, when the chemo flush trapper is positioned to seal the toilet bowl. As shown in, the chemo flush trapper may include a detection stripdisposed on the second surface of the cover. The detection stripmay be configured to detect whether the chemical composition layerhas been exposed to the vaporsemanating from waste productinside the toilet bowl. In some embodiments, upon detection of the chemical composition layerhaving been exposed to the vapors, the detection stripmay be further configured to provide a visual indication of the detection. For example, the detection stripmay be configured to change colors when the first surface of the cover, which faces the interior of toilet bowl, has been exposed to the harmful vapors, e.g., by detecting moisture, a pH change, etc. In this way, the detection stripcan indicate when it is time to change the chemo flush trapper with another (e.g., unused or new) chemo flush trapper.

In some embodiments, the detection stripmay be composed of a compound, such as bromophenol blue. Bromophenol blue is an acid-base indicator that changes colors (e.g., to blue) upon detecting moisture, a pH change, or the like, indicating that the chemical composition layerhas been exposed to the vapors. In such case, the bromophenol blue strip may be in contact with at least a portion of the one or more chemicals of the chemical composition layer, thus enabling the detection stripto change color (e.g., upon detecting moisture or a pH change) and signal that the chemo flush trapper should be replaced.

Furthermore, the detection stripmay be formed in various shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the detection stripmay be formed in the shape of a rectangle that extends longitudinally relative to the cover, as shown in. In other embodiments, for example, the detection stripmay be formed in the shape of a cross, a pound-sign, and so on. Varying the shape, size, and location of the detection striprelative to the covermay impact the detection sensitivity of the strip, as desired.

In addition, the chemo flush trapper may include an elastic elementdisposed along at least a portion of a periphery of the cover, as best shown in. The elastic elementmay be configured to removably affix the coverto an upper periphery of the toilet bowl(i.e., rim). In some embodiments, the elastic elementmay enable the coverto stretch over and at least partially seal a portion of the upper opening of the toilet bowl(at or just below the rim). For example, the elastic elementmay include an elastic garter, a rubber band, or other material allowing for the periphery of the coverto stretch.

Furthermore, during operation, the coverof the chemo flush trapper may be removably attached to a portion of the toilet. In some embodiments, the chemo flush trapper may include an adhesive elementthat is coupled to the coverand configured to removably attach the coverto a portion of the toilet, as shown in. Various adhesives may be utilized as the adhesive element, such as double-sided tape, glue, or any other suitable form of adhesive. For example, the adhesive elementmay be disposed on the first (inner) surface of the cover, at or near the proximal end of the cover(adjacent the tank). In some embodiments, the adhesive elementmay run along at least a portion of the periphery of the first surface of the cover. In this way, the adhesive elementmay be used to affix and/or seal the coverto the toilet.

Next,include isolated views of the first (inner) surface of the cover, each view showing an exemplary arrangement of one or more chemicals in the chemical composition layer. For the sake of demonstration, the plastic layerand fixing layerare omitted from view, so the chemical composition layermay be more easily shown. As noted above, the chemical composition layermay be coupled to the coverand may include an arrangement of one or more chemicals configured to mitigate the vaporsemanating from waste productinside the toilet bowl.

The one or more chemicals in the chemical composition layer, as well as the arrangement of the one or more chemicals, may vary. For example, in some embodiments, the one or more chemicals may include activated charcoal which is used to absorb gases, such as at the harmful vaporsemanating from the waste product. Activated charcoal physiochemical characteristics, such as its pore and surface chemistry, are the key characteristics that influence its adsorption capacity. The one or more chemicals may further include sodium bicarbonate which is used to absorb moisture (e.g., from the vapors) that might emanate from a flush. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance that reacts to neutralize acidic odors and can absorb moisture and neutralize and eliminate odors. Furthermore, the one or more chemicals may further include sodium polyacrylate which is used to absorb and retain moisture (e.g., from urine and/or splashing). Sodium polyacrylate, a superabsorbent polymer with water-binding properties, is often utilized in diapers, for example, for absorption of liquid.

Any one chemical or a combination of chemicals listed above may be utilized in the chemical composition layer. Additional chemicals not mentioned herein may be added as well to supplement any one or more of those listed above.

The arrangement of one or more chemicals in the chemical composition layermay also vary. For example, as shown in, the arrangement of one or more chemicals may include a chemical mixturethat is formed by the one or more chemicals being mixed together. When the chemicals are mixed together, as shown, substantially equal amounts of each chemical may be dispersed across the entire inner surface area of the coverin a uniform manner. This arrangement may ensure that each region of the coverhas roughly equivalent absorption capability. Furthermore, mixing all chemicals together may provide greater efficiency from a manufacturing perspective.

In another example, as shown in, the arrangement of one or more chemicals may include a plurality of distinct regions, each of which containing a particular one of the one or more chemicals. In this way, each chemical is disposed along the coverseparately of one another. For example, as shown, the arrangement of chemicals may include a first chemical(e.g., activated charcoal) and a second chemical(e.g., sodium bicarbonate) alternately arranged in a “stripe” pattern. One or more additional chemicals may be added to the stripe pattern, as well (e.g., sodium polyacrylate). In some embodiments, the distinct regionsmay extend longitudinally relative to the cover(as shown) or laterally (e.g., across) relative to the cover. However, the regions may be arranged in any other suitable manner in which the chemicals are separately disposed in distinct regions of the first surface of the cover.

In use, the chemo flush trapper may be deployed by unsealing the trapper (if applicable) to expose the adhesive element(e.g., double-sided tape which is on at least a portion of the cover) to affix or secure the coverto a portion of the toilet(or its rim), which is open to receive the waste product (e.g., urine and/or feces) of a user. The elastic element, which in some embodiments may be water resistant and/or slip resistant, may be secured around the rimto at least partially seal the upper opening of the bowland also secure the coverto the toilet. Next, the toilet seatmay be lowered over the cover, as shown in, for example, which is a top view of the chemo flush trapper, with the toilet seatpositioned above the cover. This may help ensure the coveris sealed (although the liddoes not need to be lowered), in conjunction with the elastic elementwhich affixes the coverto the toilet bowl, thus limiting the release of chemo vapors, urine, and water splash. The toiletcan be flushed with the chemo flush trapper in place.

Disclosed herein is a chemo flush trapper that is configured to cover a toilet, such that when the toilet is flushed the chemo flush trapper will adsorb and/or absorb some, if not all, of the hazardous chemo vapor, urine, and/or water splash. Adsorption is the process by which the solid (e.g., the activated charcoal powder) holds molecules of a gas, a liquid, or a solute as a thin film, and absorption is the process of taking in water or liquid (e.g., the absorbing paper and sodium bicarbonate). As noted, the activated charcoal adsorbs the gas state or vapor, while the absorbing paper with sodium bicarbonate absorbs the liquid state of urine with chemo waste. In this way, the chemo flush trapper is able to capture and limit the spread and exposure to chemo vapor and urine flush. Furthermore, because the disclosed chemo flush trapper is disposable and easily replaced, it is efficient for use in a hospital setting where production of chemo waste is frequent. In addition, the elastic periphery of the chemo flush trapper enables the cover to fit onto toilet bowls of varying sizes.

In some implementations, toilet use is exclusive to patients undergoing chemotherapy (inpatient or outpatient). When this is the case, the chemo flush trapper may be kept over the toilet bowl when not in use so the chemo vapor emanating from the bowl can be adsorbed and absorbed by the chemo flush trapper. The use of the chemo flush trapper may thus reduce and

Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. For example, the logic flows may include different and/or additional operations than shown without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.