Abstract
This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the male products for urinary incontinence by examining the types and characteristics of those registered in KIPO (Korean Industrial Property Office). Additionally, the types and characteristics, especially for the cloth products and the pads, of male panties for urinary incontinence on the market are analyzed. Men in their 60s with minor symptoms were selected as the subjects to evaluate the wearability. The results are as follows. 11 male products for urinary incontinence, registered in KIPO, are structurally different from those for women by having a separate pocket mainly for absorption. There are one disposable type and 7 cloth types, and the cloth panties can be classified as either united or separable type depending on the detachability of pads from the panties. The types of the panties vary according to the position, shape, and size of the attached pads on normal male panties (boxer, briefs, drawers). The fabrics for the urinary incontinence are usually piled in 3 to 5 layers by having the most absorptive layer on the top, the next with deodorizing characteristics, and the bottom with the waterproof fabric as basics with some additional layers of antibiotic or breathable fabrics. From the wearability test, it has been determined that the panties are not distinguishable in external appearance and the fitness is also not a problem since the size varies as the normal panties. It has been evaluated that the fitness of the panties is an important factor since the pad should be worn in any form; the pad sewed in the middle of the panties was evaluated to be more wearable than having a long pad. In case of separable panties, when the pattern and fabric is similar to the functional panties and the options such as the thickness of the pads or detachability are given to the users, it tends to be more satisfactory.