Because the standard urine bag capacity of 1.5 liters was too small, I had to increase the capacity for the night version. I developed a practical solution that makes usage easier and maintains hygiene.
Night version
My supplier used to provide 1.5 liter bags. For daily use, the capacity of one bag is sufficient, but for overnight needs, it is not enough. So, one bag is connected to another, which doubles the capacity to 3 liters.
In the meantime, I received 2 liter bags, so in the photo below the total capacity is now 3.5 liters.
System ready for the night. The capacity is more than enough for a worry-free sleep.
The advantage of this system is that when the lower bag is full, it is simply detached from the upper bag and taken to the bathroom for emptying. During the day, only one bag is used, but it is always emptied through another bag connected to drain into the lower one and then taken to the bathroom for emptying. The upper bag always remains empty.
This completely avoids the hospital method of emptying bags into their drain containers. There are no odors or vapors escaping into the room, no accidental splashing or tipping over, and no spilling on the floor.
Completely clean and contactless.
A good thing about these Conveen bags is that the lower outlet is a piece of tubing into which any other bag can be connected to increase capacity.
Also, this bag design is important for me because of my electric valve for emptying the bag, which I connect in the same way when I am sitting in the wheelchair.
Bag holder
This bag holder is equipment from the same manufacturer as the bags – Coloplast. I ordered the holder many years ago from some American website.
I have never had the tube fold or any kind of failure.
A very important piece of equipment.
The holder keeps the bag taut and has guides for the tube, so the tube enters the bag at the perfect angle and does not allow bending, which could cause damage.
The little pins you see are for both smaller and larger bags, for daily and night use.
The most common cause of urine not flowing into the bag is a blockage at the bag’s inlet – caused by folding that stops urine flow.
Some bags come folded in the package and always tend to break at the joint where the tube enters the bag. That is why it is necessary to always straighten the bag by hand before connecting it for use.
Idea: Bag emptying holder in the bathroom
A parent or caregiver usually stands in the bathroom holding the bag while it empties. Emptying usually takes a minute or two, which is precious time to do something else at that moment. So we installed a towel holder. The bag tube is tied around one bar at a certain height so that it hangs low toward the toilet bowl, preventing splashing.
Install the towel holder near the toilet so that when folded out, it is above the bowl at a height of about 45 cm. When not in use, it folds flat against the wall.
A small detail that saves time holding the bag in the air and prevents inhaling vapors.
3D Printer on Standby
In case the holder breaks or gets lost, I can easily make the same holder using a 3D printer. I don’t have to order from abroad and wait weeks for a package.
Probably the best bag holder.
Extra Level of Security
Since I cannot bend over the bed to see how full the bag is, I installed a small WiFi camera so I can check the status at any time.
All these are small details that build on each other and have been working for years. Now it’s a well-established and complete system.
I hope some of these things will be useful to someone or give a new idea.
What is your system like for managing this, and how much attention do you pay to the details?
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