An adjustable urinary catheter

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of medical device technology and discloses an adjustable urinary catheter, comprising a first chamber located at the end of the drainage cavity near the insertion head; a first adjustment unit for changing the radial dimension and / or internal pressure of the area where the first chamber is located to adjust the stiffness of the catheter tip; and a control channel for selectively applying a driving force from the outside to drive the first adjustment unit. This invention controls the stiffness of the catheter tip through the first adjustment unit and coordinates with the second adjustment unit to achieve tip angle deflection. It can dynamically adjust the stiffness and deflection angle of the catheter tip according to clinical needs, effectively improving the catheterization success rate for special patients such as those with benign prostatic hyperplasia and urethral stricture, and reducing complications such as urethral tears and false passage formation. Simultaneously, by incorporating a removable endoscope component, it further avoids the operational risks associated with blind insertion. This invention has a simple and compact structure, is easy to operate, can adapt to complex urethral anatomy, has a wider range of applications, and strong clinical applicability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a urinary catheter with adjustable function. Background Technology

[0002] Urinary catheters are commonly used medical devices for draining urine in clinical practice. For most routine patients, ordinary medical silicone urinary catheters can be used, and medical staff can complete the operation by blind insertion based on their experience, which is inexpensive.

[0003] However, for patients with conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture, urethral trauma, or anatomical abnormalities, the urethra may have non-physiological narrowing or abnormal curvature. Using conventional catheters, due to material limitations, results in low overall rigidity and a low insertion success rate. When attempting blind insertion, healthcare workers may struggle to locate the correct urethral passage, and an overly soft catheter may cause unexpected bending at the insertion tip, preventing passage through the urethral stricture and leading to insertion failure. Forced blind insertion can also cause serious complications such as urethral tears and false passage formation. Conversely, using an overly rigid catheter can increase patient discomfort during indwelling, affecting patient comfort. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adjustable catheter to solve the problems in the prior art, so as to enable the adjustment of the stiffness and angle of the insertion end according to the patient's condition during the insertion process to adapt to the urethral stricture and improve the patient's comfort.

[0005] This invention provides a urinary catheter with adjustable function, comprising: The catheter body has an inlet head at its front end and a drainage cavity inside; The first chamber is located at the end of the drainage cavity near the inlet head; A first adjustment unit, located within the first chamber, is used to change the radial dimension and / or internal pressure of the area where the first chamber is located, so as to adjust the stiffness of the catheter tip. A control channel is provided in the drainage cavity. One end of the control channel is connected to the first adjustment unit, and the other end extends to the outside of the catheter body. It is used to selectively apply driving force from the outside to drive the first adjustment unit.

[0006] In the urinary catheter with adjustable function as described above, preferably, the first adjusting unit includes at least one first balloon and a fluid medium, the input end of the first balloon is connected to the control channel, and the fluid medium is injected into or discharged from the first chamber through the control channel.

[0007] In the aforementioned adjustable catheter, preferably, a second chamber is further provided within the drainage cavity, and a second adjustment unit is provided within the second chamber, wherein: The second chamber is adjacent to the first chamber, and the second chamber is closer to the inlet head than the first chamber; A flexible area is formed at the connection between the second chamber and the first chamber; The second adjustment unit is used to apply an asymmetrical thrust to the sidewall of the catheter body so that the tip of the catheter body deflects at the flexible area. The control channel is also connected to the second adjustment unit and is used to selectively drive the second adjustment unit.

[0008] In the aforementioned adjustable catheter, preferably, the second adjustment unit includes a second balloon and a transmission component. The second balloon is connected to the control channel, one end of the transmission component is connected to the second balloon, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the second chamber. When the second balloon is driven to inflate, it pushes the transmission component against the inner wall of the second chamber, thereby applying the asymmetric thrust to the side wall of the catheter body.

[0009] In the urinary catheter with adjustable function described above, preferably, the control channel includes a connecting tube and an infusion capillary and / or a pneumatic capillary located within the connecting tube.

[0010] As described above, in a urinary catheter with adjustable function, preferably, the inlet head is made of transparent material, and the inlet head has a receiving cavity inside, the receiving cavity communicating with the drainage cavity. The urinary catheter also includes a removable endoscope component, the endoscope component including an auxiliary hose and a camera module disposed at the front end of the auxiliary hose, the auxiliary hose being able to be inserted into the receiving cavity through the drainage cavity.

[0011] As described above, in a urinary catheter with adjustable function, preferably, the camera module includes: A transparent cover is provided on the closed surface at the front end of the auxiliary hose; The connecting plate is fixed inside the transparent cover; A high-definition panoramic probe is installed on the side of the connecting plate facing the inlet; Multiple supplementary lights are mounted on the connecting plate and distributed circumferentially around the high-definition panoramic probe; A miniature transmitter, located on the back of the connecting plate, is electrically connected to the high-definition panoramic probe and is used for wireless communication with an external display. A miniature battery, located on the back of the connecting plate, is electrically connected to the high-definition panoramic probe, the fill light, and the miniature transmitter, respectively, for power supply.

[0012] In the aforementioned adjustable catheter, preferably, a flexible limiting ring is provided on the outer wall of the auxiliary tubing. The flexible limiting ring is elastic. The receiving cavity has an opening on the side facing the drainage cavity. The size of the opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the receiving cavity. The size of the flexible limiting ring is larger than the size of the opening. When the auxiliary tubing is inserted into the receiving cavity, the flexible limiting ring passes over the opening and abuts against the opening.

[0013] In the aforementioned adjustable catheter, preferably, the inlet head has at least one catheter port, and the auxiliary tubing has a drainage port corresponding to the catheter port.

[0014] In the aforementioned adjustable catheter, preferably, a third balloon is provided on the outer wall of the inlet head near the inlet, and a connecting tube is provided on the catheter body to communicate with the third balloon. The connecting tube extends to the outside of the catheter body and is used to inject a medium into the third balloon to inflate the third balloon.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention sets a first chamber and a second chamber at the front end of the catheter body in sequence. The first adjustment unit controls the hardness of the front end and the second adjustment unit works together to achieve the deflection of the front end angle. The hardness and deflection angle of the front end of the catheter can be dynamically adjusted according to clinical needs. During insertion, the hardness is increased to pass through the urethral stricture section smoothly, and the orientation is actively adjusted to adapt to abnormal urethral curvature. During indwelling, the flexibility is restored to ensure patient comfort. It effectively improves the catheterization success rate of special patients such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and urethral stricture, and reduces complications such as urethral tearing and false passage formation. Meanwhile, by setting up a pluggable endoscope component, real-time images of the inside of the urethra are obtained, enabling visualized and precise cannulation, further avoiding the operational risks caused by blind insertion. The present invention has a simple and compact structure, is easy to operate, can be adapted to complex urethral anatomy, has a wider range of applications, and is highly clinically practical. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an adjustable catheter provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of an adjustable catheter provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the adjustable catheter provided in an embodiment of the present invention after the adjustment angle. Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the inlet head provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the auxiliary hose provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the endoscopic component provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the endoscope assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention from another angle.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Catheter body; 100. Drainage cavity; 101. Catheter port; 11. Inlet tip; 110. Receiving cavity; 111. Opening; 12. Third balloon; 13. Connecting tube; 20. First chamber; 21. First airbag; 30. Second chamber; 31. Second airbag; 32. Transmission component; 40. Connecting tube; 41. Infusion capillary tube; 42. Gas delivery capillary tube; 50. Endoscopic assembly; 51. Auxiliary hose; 510. Flexible limiting ring; 511. Drainage port; 52. Camera module; 520. Transparent cover; 521. Connecting plate; 522. High-definition panoramic probe; 523. Fill light; 524. Miniature transmitter; 525. Miniature battery. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0019] See Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a urinary catheter with adjustable function, including a catheter body 10 and an insertion head 11 at its front end. The catheter body 10 is made of medical-grade silicone material, which has suitable flexibility and biocompatibility. The insertion head 11 is hemispherical or conical in shape, with a smooth front end for easy insertion into the urethra. The catheter body 10 has a drainage cavity 100 inside, extending along the axial direction of the catheter body 10. The insertion head 11 also has a urinary inlet 101, through which urine in the bladder enters the drainage cavity 100 and is led out to the outside of the body.

[0020] See Figure 1-3 As shown, to address the issue of insufficient rigidity in traditional urinary catheters, which can easily bend at the insertion end when passing through narrow or tortuous urethras, making it difficult to enter the correct channel and resulting in low insertion success rates, urethral tears, false passages, and other problems, this embodiment establishes a first chamber 20 inside the drainage cavity 100 near the insertion head 11. The first chamber 20 is a closed, independent space, not connected to the drainage cavity 100. The wall of the first chamber 20 can be formed from the wall material of the catheter body 10, possessing a certain degree of elastic deformation capability.

[0021] The first chamber 20 is equipped with a first adjustment unit, which adjusts the stiffness of the catheter tip by changing the radial dimension and / or internal pressure of the area where the first chamber 20 is located. The drainage cavity 100 is also equipped with a control channel, one end of which is connected to the first adjustment unit, and the other end extends to the outside of the catheter body 10. Through external control, the first adjustment unit can be selectively driven to increase the internal pressure or radial dimension of the first chamber 20, compressing the wall of the first chamber 20, thus tightening the catheter tip, increasing overall stiffness, allowing the insertion tip to pass smoothly through the urethral stricture, accurately locating the correct urethra, and improving the success rate of catheterization. After successful catheterization, the first adjustment unit restores the pressure and radial dimension of the first chamber 20, allowing the catheter tip to regain its original appropriate flexibility, reducing urethral irritation during indwelling, and improving patient comfort.

[0022] See Figure 2-3 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first adjustment unit includes at least one first airbag 21 and a fluid medium. The input end of the first airbag 21 is connected to a control channel, and the fluid medium is injected into or discharged from the first chamber 20 through the control channel. Specifically, two first airbags 21 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the catheter within the first chamber 20. The control channel includes a connecting tube 40, an infusion capillary tube 41, and an air infusion capillary tube 42. The connecting tube 40 is fixed to the outer wall of the catheter body 10 and communicates with the drainage cavity 100. One end of the infusion capillary tube 41 is connected to the first chamber 20, and the other end extends through the connecting tube 40 to the outside of the catheter body 10 and is connected to an external injection device for injecting a fluid medium into the first chamber 20 to increase the rigidity of the first chamber 20. One end of the air delivery tube 42 is connected to the two first air bags 21 respectively, and the other end extends to the outside of the catheter body 10 through the connecting tube 40 and is connected to an external inflation device, such as a miniature air pump, for inflating the two first air bags 21.

[0023] During use, when the catheter tip encounters a urethral stricture requiring increased rigidity, medical personnel inject a high-viscosity solution, such as medical gel, into the first chamber 20 via an external injection device through an infusion capillary 41. Simultaneously, they inflate the two first balloons 21 via an external inflation device through an inflation capillary 42. The injected gel fills the internal space of the first chamber 20. The inflated balloons 21, working in conjunction with the gel, increase the radial dimension and internal pressure of the area within the first chamber 20, significantly enhancing the rigidity of that area. Once the catheter is successfully inserted into the bladder, medical personnel can remove the gel from the first chamber 20 using an external device and simultaneously release the gas from the first balloons 21, restoring the catheter tip to its initial soft state and reducing irritation and damage to the urethra during indwelling. It should be noted that the fluid medium is not limited to medical gel; it can also be saline, high-viscosity lubricants, or other fluids with appropriate viscosity. The number of first balloons 21 is not limited to two; it can be one, three, or more, as long as the goal of increased rigidity is achieved.

[0024] See Figure 2-3 As shown, for special patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture, urethral trauma, anatomical abnormalities, etc., the urethra not only has stricture, but is also often accompanied by abnormal curvature, channel deviation, and other problems. Conventional catheters cannot be turned, and medical staff can only blindly try and force insertion, which can easily cause complications such as urethral tearing, mucosal damage, and false passage formation. Therefore, in some embodiments of this application, a second chamber 30 is also provided within the drainage cavity 100. The second chamber 30 is also a closed and independent space, and it is not connected to either the drainage cavity 100 or the first chamber 20. The second chamber 30 is closer to the insertion head 11 than the first chamber 20. The second chamber 30 is arranged adjacent to the first chamber 20, so the connection between the second chamber 30 and the first chamber 20 has high flexibility due to the thinner material, forming a flexible area.

[0025] The second chamber 30 houses a second adjustment unit, which can apply an asymmetric thrust to the side wall of the catheter body 10, causing the tip of the catheter body 10 to deflect at an angle in the flexible area. The control channel is also connected to the second adjustment unit for selectively driving it. Medical personnel can operate it externally through the control channel to actively adjust the orientation of the tip, precisely aligning it with the correct urethral passage, avoiding blind insertion and reducing extensive compression and friction on the urethral wall. This reduces the risk of urethral mucosal damage, bleeding, tearing, and false passage formation, resulting in higher safety and further improving the success rate of catheterization in special patients. Simultaneously, the second adjustment unit can work in conjunction with the first adjustment unit. In complex cases involving both urethral stricture and urethral curvature, it can both harden the catheter tip to pass through the narrowed segment and steer it to avoid obstruction and find the correct path, broadening its applicability.

[0026] See Figure 2-3As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the second adjustment unit includes a second airbag 31 and a transmission member 32. The input end of the second airbag 31 is connected to the air delivery tube 42, meaning that the two first airbags 21 and the second airbag 31 can share the same air delivery tube 42. The transmission member 32 is made of an elastic or rubber component to form a linkage structure. One end of the transmission member 32 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the second airbag 31, and the other end is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the second chamber 30. The extension direction of the transmission member 32 is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the catheter body 10. When the first airbag 21 is inflated to harden the tip of the catheter, it continues to be inflated through the air delivery tube 42, and gas simultaneously enters the second airbag 31. Since the area of ​​the first chamber 20 has hardened at this time, the expansion of the second airbag 31 will push the transmission member 32, and the transmission member 32 will apply a lateral thrust to the inner wall of the second chamber 30. The lateral thrust is concentrated on one side of the tube wall, causing the front end of the catheter body 10 to deflect at an angle with the flexible area at the connection between the first chamber 20 and the second chamber 30 as the fulcrum.

[0027] Through a linkage mechanism of hardening followed by bending, the catheter tip can controllably change direction and pass smoothly when encountering bends or narrow sections of the urethra. When it is necessary to restore the straight tube state, the gas in the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 31 is released through an external device, the transmission component 32 no longer applies thrust, and the catheter tip restores its straightness by its own elasticity.

[0028] It should be noted that after passing through the curved section, the tube regains its straightness and flexibility simultaneously, so the air delivery tube 42 can connect to both the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 31. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the air delivery tube 42 can be branched to connect to both the first airbag 21 and the second airbag 31, with micro-valve mounted on each branch to allow for independent control of both airbags, thus separating stiffness adjustment from angle adjustment and making operation more flexible.

[0029] Furthermore, the specific structure of the control channel has been described in the above embodiments. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting tube 40 is a three-way structure or a bundled interface, internally accommodating both the infusion capillary 41 and the gas infusion capillary 42. Both the infusion capillary 41 and the gas infusion capillary 42 are small-diameter flexible tubes made of medical-grade silicone or TPU material, possessing good flexibility and pressure resistance. They can maintain the patency of their own lumens, will not be squeezed and sealed by the gel or the inflated first and second balloons 21 and 31, and can bend and deform along with the catheter body 10 without affecting the normal insertion operation of the catheter. At the port of the connecting tube 40, the infusion capillary 41 and the gas infusion capillary 42 are each provided with independent interfaces for quick connection with external injection and inflation devices. In another embodiment, the infusion capillary 41 and the gas infusion capillary 42 can also be combined into a multi-lumen tube, wherein different lumens are used to deliver liquids and gases respectively, to simplify the structure and reduce the tube diameter, which is not limited here.

[0030] See Figure 4 As shown, to further improve the success rate of catheterization and enable medical staff to completely avoid blind insertion and quickly locate the accurate urethra, in this embodiment, the inlet head 11 is made of transparent material and has an internal receiving cavity 110 that communicates with the drainage cavity 100. The catheter also includes a removable endoscope assembly 50, which includes an auxiliary hose 51 and a camera module 52 located at the front end of the auxiliary hose 51. The auxiliary hose 51 is made of transparent medical soft silicone, and its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the catheter body 10, so that the auxiliary hose 51 can be inserted into the receiving cavity 110 through the drainage cavity 100.

[0031] See Figure 5-7 As shown, the camera module 52 includes a transparent cover 520, a connecting plate 521, a high-definition panoramic probe 522, a miniature transmitter 524, and a miniature electromagnet. Specifically, the front end of the auxiliary tubing 51 is a closed surface, and the transparent cover 520 is connected to this closed surface. The transparent cover 520 is hemispherical or plano-convex, made of transparent medical silicone, and is integrally formed or sealed to the wall of the auxiliary tubing 51. The connecting plate 521 is located inside the transparent cover 520, and the high-definition panoramic probe 522 is located on the side of the connecting plate 521 facing the direction of advancement of the inlet head 11. The high-definition panoramic probe 522 is a miniature camera with a wide-angle lens, which can provide a wide field of view in the narrow space of the urethra. Around the circumference of the high-definition panoramic probe 522, multiple supplementary lights 523 are fixed on the connecting plate 521. The supplementary lights 523 are miniature LED beads, used to provide illumination in the urethra where light is insufficient.

[0032] See Figure 7As shown, the miniature transmitter 524 and miniature battery 525 are located on the side of the connecting plate 521 facing away from the forward direction of the inlet head 11. The miniature battery 525 is a rechargeable button battery or a miniature lithium battery, which is electrically connected to the high-definition panoramic probe 522, the supplementary light 523, and the miniature transmitter 524 respectively, for power supply. The image signal output terminal of the high-definition panoramic probe 522 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the miniature transmitter 524. The miniature transmitter 524 is connected to an external display via wireless communication to transmit real-time images to medical personnel.

[0033] In another embodiment, the miniature transmitter 524 can also adopt a wired transmission method, that is, a signal line is run inside the auxiliary hose 51, one end of the signal line is connected to the high-definition panoramic probe 522, and the other end extends to the rear end of the auxiliary hose 51 and is provided with an external interface for wired connection with an external display. This is not limited here.

[0034] See Figure 4-5 and Figure 7 As shown, a flexible limiting ring 510 is further provided on the outer wall of the auxiliary tubing 51. The flexible limiting ring 510 is an annular protrusion made of medical silicone rubber and is elastic. The receiving cavity 110 has an opening 111 on the side facing the drainage cavity 100. The size of the opening 111 is smaller than the inner diameter of the receiving cavity 110, and the size of the flexible limiting ring 510 is larger than the size of the opening 111. When the auxiliary tubing 51 is not inserted, the flexible limiting ring 510 is in a naturally relaxed state. When the auxiliary tubing 51 is inserted into the receiving cavity 110 through the drainage cavity 100, the opening 111 squeezes the flexible limiting ring 510 to contract it, thereby allowing the auxiliary tubing 51 to enter smoothly. When the front end of the auxiliary tubing 51 is fully inserted into the receiving cavity 110, the flexible limiting ring 510 passes over the opening 111, breaks free from its constraint, and resumes its elastic expansion, abutting against the end face of the opening 111, thereby positioning the front end of the auxiliary tubing 51 within the receiving cavity 110.

[0035] It should be noted that the auxiliary tubing 51 comes into direct contact with urine during catheterization and is a disposable sterile consumable, to be discarded entirely after use. The camera module 52 is fully enclosed and sealed at the front end of the auxiliary tubing 51, and does not come into contact with urine. The camera module 52 and the auxiliary tubing 51 are detachably connected. Before use, the camera module 52 is inserted into the front end of the auxiliary tubing 51. After use, the camera module 52 is removed and sterilized separately for future use. The auxiliary tubing 51 is discarded as a disposable component, thus ensuring hygiene and safety in clinical use.

[0036] In routine catheterization procedures, due to cost considerations or the need for ease of operation, the endoscope component 50 may not be used. Medical staff can adjust the stiffness and curvature of the catheter tip using the first and second adjustment units based on experience. Only in cases with difficult insertion, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or urethral stricture, is the auxiliary tubing 51 inserted, activating the visual guidance function. After inserting the auxiliary tubing 51, the internal urethral condition can be observed in real time via an external monitor. Combined with the stiffness and angle adjustment functions, the catheter tip can be precisely guided into the bladder. After successful insertion, the auxiliary tubing 51 can be withdrawn, leaving only the catheter body 10 for drainage.

[0037] See Figure 4-5 As shown, urine flows out from the catheter port 101 through the drainage cavity 100, but the auxiliary tubing 51 may block the catheter port 101. Therefore, the auxiliary tubing 51 is provided with a drainage port 511 corresponding to the catheter port 101, so that urine can also enter the auxiliary tubing 51 through the drainage port 511 and be led out to the outside, ensuring that the catheterization function is not affected. One or more catheter ports 101 can be provided, distributed circumferentially along the inlet head 11 to increase the urine drainage efficiency and prevent drainage obstruction when the catheter port 101 is blocked.

[0038] See Figure 1 As shown, a third balloon 12 is also provided on the outer wall of the inlet side of the catheter head 11. A connecting tube 13 communicating with the third balloon 12 is provided on the catheter body 10. The connecting tube 13 extends to the outside of the catheter body 10 and is used to inject a medium into the third balloon 12 to inflate it. After the catheter is successfully inserted into the bladder, medical personnel inject saline or air into the third balloon 12 through the connecting tube 13 using an external injection device, causing the third balloon 12 to inflate. The outer wall of the inflated third balloon 12 adheres to the inner wall of the bladder, thereby fixing the catheter in place and preventing it from dislodging during indwelling. It should be noted that the endoscope assembly 50 should be removed after the catheter is fixed in the body to avoid the resistance between the flexible limiting ring 510 and the end face of the opening 111 causing the catheter to dislodge during withdrawal. When it is necessary to remove the catheter from the patient's body, the medium in the third balloon 12 is withdrawn using an external device, causing the third balloon 12 to contract, allowing for easy removal. One-way valves can be installed on the infusion capillary tube 41, the gas infusion capillary tube 42, and the connecting capillary tube 13 to prevent the injected medium from flowing back.

[0039] In this embodiment, the catheter body 10, insertion head 11, auxiliary tubing 51, first balloon 21, second balloon 31, infusion tubing 41, air infusion tubing 42, connecting tubing 13, and transparent cap 520 are all made of medical-grade silicone or medical-grade silicone rubber. Medical-grade silicone has good biocompatibility, flexibility, and chemical stability, and can be left in the human body for a long time without causing obvious immune rejection. Meanwhile, the insertion head 11 and auxiliary tubing 51 are both made of transparent material, which facilitates medical personnel to check for foreign objects or air bubbles inside the tube before operation, and also helps to observe the situation inside the tube during insertion.

[0040] Based on the above embodiments, the working principle of the adjustable urinary catheter of the present invention is as follows: The auxiliary tubing 51 is inserted into the receiving cavity 110 through the drainage cavity 100. Once the tip of the auxiliary tubing 51 is in place, the flexible limiting ring 510 expands elastically and abuts against the end face of the opening 111, thus limiting the position of the auxiliary tubing 51. At this time, the camera module 52 is located inside the receiving cavity 110, and can capture images through the transparent inlet head 11. The camera module 52 is connected to an external display via wireless communication, allowing the operator to observe the internal condition of the urethra in real time on the display.

[0041] Apply a suitable amount of lubricant to the tip of the inlet head 11 and the front end of the catheter body 10 to reduce resistance during insertion. Align with the urethral opening and slowly advance the catheter. When the catheter tip encounters a urethral stricture or bend, and the resistance increases significantly, the operator injects a high-viscosity solution such as medical gel into the first chamber 20 through the infusion capillary 41, and inflates the first balloon 21 as needed through the air infusion capillary 42. The injected gel fills the internal space of the first chamber 20. The inflated first balloon 21, working in conjunction with the gel, increases the radial dimension and internal pressure of the area containing the first chamber 20, significantly enhancing the hardness of this area. The operator can control the injection volume and inflation volume according to the resistance to achieve hardness adjustment; the greater the resistance, the more fluid is injected. After passing through a stricture, the injection volume can be appropriately reduced to decrease hardness.

[0042] If a bend is encountered during catheterization, inflation continues, and the air delivery tube 42 simultaneously inflates the second balloon 31. Since the area of ​​the first chamber 20 has hardened at this time, the inflation of the second balloon 31 pushes the transmission component 32 to exert a lateral thrust on the inner wall of the second chamber 30. This thrust is concentrated on one side of the tube wall, causing the catheter tip to deflect at an angle, using the flexible area at the connection between the first chamber 20 and the second chamber 30 as a fulcrum. The operator can adjust the deflection angle by controlling the inflation volume and appropriately rotate the catheter to change the direction of the bend. Through the above operations, the hardness and angle of the catheter tip can be adjusted synchronously to adapt to the narrowing and tortuous shape of the urethra, allowing the insertion head 11 to pass smoothly through difficult sections.

[0043] Once the camera module 52 or the operator's tactile assessment confirms that the insertion head 11 has entered the bladder, the gel in the first chamber 20 is extracted via an external device through the infusion tube 41, while simultaneously the gas in the first balloon 21 and the second balloon 31 is released via the gas infusion tube 42. The tip of the catheter is then returned to its initial soft and straight state to reduce irritation and damage to the urethra during indwelling.

[0044] Physiological saline or air is injected into the third balloon 12 through the connecting thin tube 13 via an external injection device, causing the third balloon 12 to inflate. The inflated third balloon 12 adheres to the inner wall of the bladder, securing the catheter within the bladder and preventing dislodgement. At this point, the operator can pull the auxiliary tubing 51 out of the catheter body 10. The flexible restraining ring 510 is compressed and contracts during the withdrawal process, allowing the auxiliary tubing 51 to exit smoothly.

[0045] It should be noted that the angle deflection depends on the pre-enhancement of the anterior rigidity. Therefore, during operation, rigidity should be enhanced first, followed by bending, or rigidity and bending should be performed simultaneously. The injection volume and inflation volume should be adjusted in real time according to the patient's specific condition. Excessive injection volume may lead to excessive rigidity and damage to the urethra, while insufficient injection volume will not be able to effectively pass through the narrowed segment. When using, gradually increase the volume in small increments and observe the changes in propulsion resistance.

[0046] The above description, based on the embodiments shown in the figures, details the structure, features, and effects of the present invention. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of implementation shown in the figures. Any changes made in accordance with the concept of the present invention, or equivalent embodiments modified to have equivalent changes, that do not exceed the spirit covered by the specification and figures, should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A urinary catheter with adjustable function, characterized in that, include: The catheter body has an inlet head at its front end and a drainage cavity inside; The first chamber is located at the end of the drainage cavity near the inlet head; A first adjustment unit, located within the first chamber, is used to change the radial dimension and / or internal pressure of the area where the first chamber is located, so as to adjust the stiffness of the catheter tip. A control channel is provided in the drainage cavity. One end of the control channel is connected to the first adjustment unit, and the other end extends to the outside of the catheter body. It is used to selectively apply driving force from the outside to drive the first adjustment unit.

2. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first adjustment unit includes at least one first airbag and a fluid medium. The input end of the first airbag is connected to the control channel, and the fluid medium is injected into or discharged from the first chamber through the control channel.

3. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage cavity is further provided with a second chamber, and the second chamber is provided with a second adjustment unit, wherein: The second chamber is adjacent to the first chamber, and the second chamber is closer to the inlet head than the first chamber; A flexible area is formed at the connection between the second chamber and the first chamber; The second adjustment unit is used to apply an asymmetrical thrust to the sidewall of the catheter body so that the tip of the catheter body deflects at the flexible area. The control channel is also connected to the second adjustment unit and is used to selectively drive the second adjustment unit.

4. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second adjustment unit includes a second airbag and a transmission component. The second airbag is connected to the control channel. One end of the transmission component is connected to the second airbag, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the second chamber. When the second airbag is driven to inflate, it pushes the transmission component against the inner wall of the second chamber, thereby applying the asymmetric thrust to the side wall of the catheter body.

5. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control channel includes a connecting tube and a fluid delivery capillary and / or a gas delivery capillary located within the connecting tube.

6. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet head is made of transparent material and has a receiving cavity inside. The receiving cavity is connected to the drainage cavity. The catheter also includes a removable endoscope component. The endoscope component includes an auxiliary hose and a camera module located at the front end of the auxiliary hose. The auxiliary hose can be inserted into the receiving cavity through the drainage cavity.

7. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The camera module includes: A transparent cover is provided on the closed surface at the front end of the auxiliary hose; The connecting plate is fixed inside the transparent cover; A high-definition panoramic probe is installed on the side of the connecting plate facing the inlet; Multiple supplementary lights are mounted on the connecting plate and distributed circumferentially around the high-definition panoramic probe; A miniature transmitter, located on the back of the connecting plate, is electrically connected to the high-definition panoramic probe and is used for wireless communication with an external display. A miniature battery, located on the back of the connecting plate, is electrically connected to the high-definition panoramic probe, the fill light, and the miniature transmitter, respectively, for power supply.

8. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer wall of the auxiliary hose is provided with a flexible limiting ring. The flexible limiting ring is elastic. The receiving cavity has an opening on the side facing the drainage cavity. The size of the opening is smaller than the inner diameter of the receiving cavity. The size of the flexible limiting ring is larger than the size of the opening. When the auxiliary hose is inserted into the receiving cavity, the flexible limiting ring passes over the opening and abuts against the opening.

9. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inlet head has at least one catheter port, and the auxiliary tubing has a drainage port corresponding to the catheter port.

10. The urinary catheter with adjustable function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet head has a third balloon on its outer wall near the inlet. The catheter body has a connecting tube that communicates with the third balloon. The connecting tube extends to the outside of the catheter body and is used to inject a medium into the third balloon to inflate it.

Images