Glow-in-the-dark catheter products

Abstract

Catheter products, including urethral catheters, that incorporate materials that glow in the dark. More specifically, urethral catheters equipped with insertion aids and associated materials that glow in the dark.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 504,349, filed May 25, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to urinary catheter products. More specifically, this disclosure relates to intermittent urinary catheter products having materials that glow in the dark associated with the products.

Background Art

[0003] Intermittent catheterization is a good option for many users with various urological conditions. With the advent of intermittent urinary catheters, individuals with urological problems can conveniently insert a catheter themselves to void urine from their individual bladders.

[0004] Individuals with urinary incontinence insert a catheter themselves several times a day. For an individual to insert a catheter themselves, it may be necessary to insert the catheter themselves under low light conditions, such as at night. Under such low light conditions, it may be difficult for the user to see the catheter.

[0005] Additionally, catheters are typically prepared in a sterile environment and provided with instructions regarding safe handling, but inserting a catheter oneself under low light conditions can cause the user to mishandle the catheter. The catheter can become contaminated during use and can introduce bacteria into the urethra.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a catheter designed for use under low light conditions and methods of making and using it.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] There are several embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention that can be realized separately or together in the subject matter claimed below. These embodiments may be used alone or in combination with other embodiments of the subject matter described herein, and the joint description of these embodiments is not intended to preclude the use of these embodiments separately, nor to claim such embodiments separately or in combinations other than those defined in the claims appended herein.

[0008] In one embodiment, a urethral catheter product is provided. The urethral catheter product includes a catheter tube having a proximal insertion end and a distal discharge end. The urethral catheter product also includes an insertion aid. The insertion aid includes a material that glows in the dark. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of an embodiment of a urethral catheter in the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of another embodiment of the urethral catheter in this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A more detailed description of the devices provided in this disclosure is set forth below. The following descriptions of the specific devices are intended to be illustrative and not intended to cover all possible variations or applications. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limiting and should be understood to include variations or embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive of.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 show embodiments of the urethral catheter product 10. The embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 may include substantially similar features. The same reference numerals are used to indicate similar feature parts in each embodiment.

[0012] The urethral catheter product 10 may be an intermittent urethral catheter. The urethral catheter product 10 includes a catheter tube 12 having a proximal insertion end 14 (shown in Figure 2) and a distal end 16. The catheter tube 12 also includes an outer surface 18 and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a lumen extending from the proximal insertion end 14 to the distal end 16.

[0013] In some embodiments, the outer surface 18 of the urethral catheter tube may include a hydrophilic polymer surface or coating. The hydrophilic polymer surface or coating may be configured to absorb a hydration medium to make the catheter tube 12 slippery to facilitate insertion into the urethra. In other embodiments, a gel lubricant may be applied to the outer surface 18 of the catheter tube to facilitate insertion.

[0014] Additionally, the proximal insertion end 14 of the catheter tube includes at least one opening 20 (shown in Figure 2) for receiving urine. In embodiments, the catheter tube includes two or more openings 20. At least one opening 20 is in fluid communication with the catheter tube lumen. In embodiments, the at least one opening 20 for receiving urine may be at least one small hole. The at least one opening 20 for receiving urine may vary in shape, size, and position without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] Furthermore, the distal end 16 of the catheter tube includes a drainage opening for draining urine from the lumen. In embodiments, the distal end 16 of the catheter tube includes a drainage member 22. The drainage member 22 is in fluid communication with the catheter tube lumen. The drainage member 22 may be, for example, a funnel (shown in Figure 2) or a drainage member connector for connection to a drainage bag 24 (shown in Figure 1), but is not limited thereto. Other drainage members known in the art may be used without departing the scope of this disclosure.

[0016] The urethral catheter product 10 may include an insertion aid 30 and a connector 26. The connector 26 can connect the insertion aid 30 to the catheter product 10. The connector 26 includes a proximal end 27 and a distal end 28. In embodiments, the proximal end 27 is connected to the insertion aid 30. The distal end 28 may be connected to the distal end of the catheter product. For example, the connector 26 may be connected to the catheter tube 12 or to the drainage member 22. The connector 26 may be attached to the insertion aid 30 and the distal end 16 of the catheter tube by, for example, welding, adhesive, or any other preferred method.

[0017] In some embodiments, the connector 26 may be a foldable sleeve. For example, the sleeve may be a protective or shielding sleeve. The sleeve may have a distal end connected to the distal end of the catheter product 10 at the distal end 16 of the catheter tube, or the sleeve may be connected to the discharge member 22. The sleeve may have a proximal end connected to the proximal end of the catheter product 10 at an insertion aid. The sleeve may define an internal compartment in which the catheter tube 12 is located. In some embodiments, the sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the catheter tube 12. In other embodiments, the sleeve extends along the length of the catheter tube 12 and around it.

[0018] The sleeve may be made of a flexible material that is vapor-permeable or vapor-impermeable depending on the desired use and packaging. The material of the sleeve may also be liquid-impermeable or liquid-permeable. The sleeve may be made of a variety of thin flexible polymer film materials, such as polyethylene, plasticized PVC, or polypropylene, but elastomer film materials, such as polyurethane, and especially elastomer hydrogel materials may be preferred. In some embodiments, the sleeve may contain a hydration medium.

[0019] In another embodiment, the connector 26 may be at least one cord, for example, at least one ribbon or string. The proximal end of the cord may be connected to the insertion aid 30, and the distal end of the cord may be connected to the distal end of the catheter product 10. For example, the distal end of the cord may be connected to the catheter tube 12 or to the discharge member 22. The number of cords may vary without departing from the scope of disclosure.

[0020] The insertion aid 30 may include a proximal insertion tip 32 and a distal gripping portion 34. In some embodiments, the insertion aid 30 includes an intermediate flange 36 located between the proximal insertion tip 32 and the distal gripping portion 34. During use, the intermediate flange 36 may come into contact with the user around the urethral opening and may function as a retainer to restrict the insertion of the insertion tip 32 into the urethra. Additionally, the insertion aid 30 includes an inner surface (not shown) defining a lumen extending through the insertion tip 32 and the distal gripping portion 34. The insertion aid lumen is configured to receive the catheter tube 12 through it.

[0021] The insertion aid 30 can be connected to the catheter tube 12 by a connector 26. For example, the proximal end 27 of the connector can be attached to the distal gripping portion 34 of the insertion aid. In some embodiments, the connector can be attached to an intermediate flange 36 or an insertion tip 32.

[0022] The proximal insertion tip 32 may be configured to be openable. For example, the insertion tip 32 may be opened by advancing the catheter tube 12 through it. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the insertion tip 32 may include one or more slits 33 defining one or more flexible petals 35. The petals 35 may move from a substantially closed configuration to an open configuration, bend, and / or be elastically deform as the catheter tube is advanced through it. In another embodiment, the insertion tip 32 may include a ruptureable proximal end.

[0023] The gripping portion 34 includes an opening for receiving the catheter tube 12. The gripping portion 34 may include an outer surface that is textured to assist the user in gripping the insertion aid 30 or to visualize where to grip the insertion aid 30.

[0024] The urinary catheter product 10 may also optionally include a cap 38 (shown in FIG. 2). The cap 38 includes a cavity configured to receive at least the insertion tip 32 of the insertion aid 30. The cap 38 may be attached to the insertion aid 30, for example, but not limited to, via friction fit. For example, the cap 38 may be attachable to the intermediate flange 36.

[0025] Furthermore, the urinary catheter product 10 includes a material 40 that glows in the dark. The material 40 that glows in the dark can assist the user in viewing the urinary catheter product 10 under low light conditions, such as in the dark. The material 40 that glows in the dark can illuminate specific features or portions of the urinary catheter product 10. In some embodiments, the material 40 that glows in the dark may include autofluorescent and / or bioluminescent chemicals. For example, the material 40 that glows in the dark may include firefly luciferin, coelenterazine, dinoflagellate luciferin, valgulin, bacterial luciferin, sea pansy luciferin, green fluorescent protein (GFP), aequorin, sea cucumber luciferin, and Gaussia luciferase. Other autofluorescent or bioluminescent chemicals may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] The light-emitting material 40 in the dark can be associated with the urinary catheter product 10. For example, the light-emitting material 40 in the dark can be a light-emitting strip, tritium beads or fibers, and / or an optical fiber cable. Other light-emitting materials in the dark can be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the light-emitting material 40 in the dark can be attached to the urinary catheter product 10 via, for example, but not limited to, an adhesive, welding or any other suitable means. In other embodiments, the light-emitting material 40 in the dark can be incorporated into the urinary catheter product 10. For example, a light-emitting material in the dark, such as a light-emitting strip, tritium beads or fibers, and / or an optical fiber cable can be incorporated into the urinary catheter product 10. For example, the portion of the urinary catheter product 10 containing the light-emitting material in the dark can be molded around the material. In other embodiments, the urinary catheter product portion can be heated and / or melted, and the light-emitting material in the dark can be pressed onto the portion of the urinary catheter product. In another example, self-fluorescent and / or bioluminescent chemicals can be incorporated into the polymer matrix of a part of the urinary catheter product 10, such as the insertion aid 30, the discharge member 22, the connector 26, and / or the catheter tube 12. The light-emitting material 40 in the dark can have any color, brightness level and / or light-emitting pattern. The light-emitting pattern can be of any shape and size. In some embodiments, the light-emitting pattern can be an arrow, a polygon or a circular shape, a character, a word, a number, etc.

[0027] In an embodiment, the urinary catheter product 10 can include a combination of the light-emitting materials in the dark described herein.

[0028] In embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 may be associated with the entire insertion aid 30 or a portion of the insertion aid 30. In other words, at least a portion of the insertion aid 30 includes the glow-in-the-dark material 40. For example, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 may be associated with the distal gripping portion 34, the insertion tip 32, and / or the intermediate flange 36. In an alternative embodiment, only the gripping portion 34 includes the glow-in-the-dark material 40. If two or more portions of the insertion aid 30 (e.g., the gripping portion 34, the insertion tip 32, and / or the intermediate flange 36) are associated with the glow-in-the-dark material 40, each portion may be configured to glow in a different color and / or a different shape or pattern of light. For example, if both the gripping portion 34 and the insertion tip 32 are associated with the glow-in-the-dark material 40, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 associated with the gripping portion 34 may be configured to glow in a different color than the glow-in-the-dark material 40 associated with the insertion tip 32. In some embodiments, the luminescent material 40 associated with the gripping portion 34 may be configured to have a first luminescent pattern different from the luminescent pattern of the luminescent material 40 associated with the insertion tip 32. This allows the user to see the entire insertion aid 30 in low-light conditions, or this may function as a visualization of which part of the insertion aid 30 the user should grip.

[0029] The luminescent material 40 associated with the insertion aid 30 may be any or a combination of the luminescent materials 40 described herein from among the luminescent materials known in the art. For example, the luminescent material 40 associated with the insertion aid 30 may be at least one luminescent strip. The luminescent strip may be located on the gripping portion 34, the insertion tip 32, and / or the intermediate flange 36. The luminescent strip may vary in shape and size without departing from the scope of disclosure. For example, the luminescent strip may be sized to cover all or part of the insertion aid (e.g., the gripping portion 34, the insertion tip 32, and / or the intermediate flange 36). In some embodiments, the luminescent strip may be wrapped around the outer surface of the insertion aid 30.

[0030] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the discharge member 22 may include a glow-in-the-dark material 40. The glow-in-the-dark material 40 associated with the discharge member 22 may be any or a combination of other glow-in-the-dark materials known in the art that are described herein. For example, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 associated with the discharge member 22 may be at least one glow-in-the-dark strip and / or glow-in-the-dark material embedded in or incorporated into the polymer of the discharge member. The glow-in-the-dark strip may vary in shape and size without departing from the scope of disclosure. For example, the glow-in-the-dark strip may be sized to cover all or part of the discharge member 22. In embodiments, the glow-in-the-dark strip may be wrapped around the outer surface of the discharge member 22 to form a desired glow-in-the-dark pattern, such as the shapes described above.

[0031] In some embodiments, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 may be associated with the insertion aid 30, the discharge member 22, and / or the connector 26 of the urethral catheter product 10. In embodiments where an optional cap 38 (shown in Figure 2) is present, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 may also be associated with the cap 38. In some embodiments, the catheter tube 12 may include the glow-in-the-dark material 40. In embodiments, when two or more parts of the urethral catheter product 10 (e.g., the insertion aid 30, the discharge member 22, and / or the connector 26) include the glow-in-the-dark material 40, each part may be configured to glow in a different color and / or pattern. For example, if the insertion aid 30 and the discharge member 22 include the glow-in-the-dark material 40, the glow-in-the-dark material 40 associated with the insertion aid 30 may be configured to glow in a different color and / or pattern than the glow-in-the-dark material 40 associated with the discharge member 22. By configuring different parts of the urethral catheter product 10 to light up in different colors and / or patterns, the user can be provided with an indication of which part of the urethral catheter product 10 to grasp / handle.

[0032] To use the urethral catheter product 10, the user can grasp the distal gripping portion 34 of the insertion aid 30 and insert the insertion tip 32 into the urethra. In embodiments where the connector 26 includes a sleeve, the user can then grasp the catheter tube 12 through the sleeve and advance the catheter tube 12 through the insertion aid 30. In embodiments without a sleeve, the user can grasp the discharge member 22 to advance the catheter tube 12 through the insertion aid 30. The catheter tube 12 can be advanced into and through the urethra until at least one opening 20 enters the bladder.

[0033] It is understood that the embodiments and examples described above are for the purpose of illustrating some of the application forms of the principle of the subject matter of the present invention. Numerous modifications, including combinations of the features individually disclosed herein or claimed herein, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For these reasons, the scope is not limited to those described above, but is set forth in the following claims, and it is understood that the claims may cover features including combinations of the features individually disclosed herein or claimed herein.

Claims

1. A catheter tube comprising a proximal insertion end and a distal discharge end, Insertion aids containing materials that glow in the dark and Products including urethral catheters.

2. The urethral catheter product according to claim 1, wherein the insertion aid includes a proximal insertion tip and a distal gripping portion.

3. The urethral catheter product according to claim 2, further comprising a flange between the proximal insertion tip and the distal gripping portion of the insertion aid.

4. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the material that glows in the dark includes an autofluorescent and / or bioluminescent chemical substance.

5. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the material that glows in the dark is associated with the distal gripping portion.

6. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the material that glows in the dark is associated with the proximal insertion tip.

7. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the luminescent material in the dark is associated with the proximal insertion tip and the distal gripping portion, and the luminescent material of the proximal insertion tip glows in a different color and / or pattern than the luminescent material of the distal gripping portion.

8. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the material that glows in the dark is incorporated into the insertion aid.

9. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the material that glows in the dark is attached to the insertion aid.

10. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material that glows in the dark is at least one strip that glows in the dark.

11. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material that glows in the dark is tritium beads or fibers.

12. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material that glows in the dark is an optical fiber cable.

13. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a connector for connecting the insertion aid to the distal discharge end of the catheter tube.

14. The urethral catheter product according to claim 13, wherein the connector is a foldable sleeve that defines a compartment including at least a portion of the catheter tube, the sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the sleeve being attached to the distal discharge end of the catheter tube, and the proximal end of the sleeve being attached to the insertion aid.

15. The urethral catheter product according to claim 13, wherein the connector is at least one ribbon or at least one string.

16. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the connector is made of a material that glows in the dark.

17. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the distal discharge end of the catheter tube includes a funnel.

18. The urethral catheter product according to claim 17, wherein the funnel contains a material that glows in the dark.

19. The urethral catheter product according to claim 18, wherein the luminescent material of the funnel glows in a different color and / or pattern than the luminescent material of the insertion aid.

20. The urethral catheter product according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the urethral catheter product includes a cap.

21. The urethral catheter product according to claim 20, wherein the cap contains a material that glows in the dark.

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