Urethral Catheter Package

Abstract

The urinary catheter package 100 includes a container 120 containing a urinary catheter 110 and a lubricant 140. The urinary catheter includes a catheter tube 122 and an outlet lumen extending through the urinary catheter, the outlet lumen fluidly connecting a plurality of eyelets at the distal end of the catheter tube to an opening at the proximal end of the urinary catheter. The container includes a catheter section 122, a lubricant section 124 located at the distal end of the container, and a separator 126 located between the catheter section and the lubricant section. The catheter section is configured to hold the urinary catheter, and the lubricant section is configured to hold the lubricant. The separator is configured to separate the lubricant located in the lubricant section from the urinary catheter located in the catheter section until broken by a user.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a urinary catheter package. [Background technology]

[0002] Users of urinary catheters, such as intermittent catheters, insert the catheter themselves 4-6 times per day. In the United States, an estimated 67% of such users purchase urinary catheters that are not pre-lubricated. These users carry a tube or container of lubricant to lubricate the urinary catheter prior to catheter insertion. To make catheter insertion quicker or simpler, users may omit aseptic technique during catheter insertion. For example, lubricant from a non-sterile multi-use lubricant container may be used, or lubricant may be applied with bare hands. Such methods introduce the possibility of contamination, which may lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Although users may believe that occasional UTIs are normal and unavoidable, reducing the possibility of contamination up front can reduce the chance of a systemic infection or other problem developing later. Furthermore, applying lubricant by hand can result in uneven lubrication, leading to friction and urethral irritation. In some cases, users may not apply lubricant because the procedure is tedious or time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Disclosed herein is a urinary catheter package and method that overcomes the above-mentioned problems. Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a urinary catheter package including a urinary catheter and a container including a urinary catheter and a lubricant for the urinary catheter. The urinary catheter includes a catheter tube and a drainage lumen extending through the urinary catheter. The drainage lumen fluidly connects a plurality of eyelets at a distal end of the catheter tube to an opening at a proximal end of the urinary catheter. The container includes a catheter section, a lubricant section located at a distal end of the container, and a separator located between the catheter section and the lubricant section. The catheter section is configured to hold the urinary catheter. The lubricant section is configured to hold the lubricant. The separator is configured to separate the lubricant located within the lubricant section from the urinary catheter located within the catheter section until broken by a user.

[0004] In some embodiments, the container includes a tapered outlet at a distal end of the container, the tapered outlet being located opposite the catheter section across the lubricant section.

[0005] In some embodiments, the container includes a first peelable seal covering a long side of the tapered outlet, the first peelable seal configured to form an opening of the tapered outlet when the first peelable seal is peeled away from the tapered outlet in a proximal direction of the container by a user.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first peelable seal includes a set of one or more indicators printed on the first peelable seal, the set of indicators configured to guide a user in determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet when peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet.

[0007] In some embodiments, the size of the tapered outlet opening defines the amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the tapered outlet opening.

[0008] In some embodiments, the separator is a pierceable membrane configured to be pierced by the tip of the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section into the lubricant section of the container.

[0009] In some embodiments, the separator is a rupturable membrane that is configured to rupture due to pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container. In some embodiments, the separator is a pressed seal formed between the long sides of the container, the pressed seal attached to a pull tab configured to open the pressed seal when removed from the pressed seal by a user.

[0010] In some embodiments, the container is configured to double as a handle when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container, allowing a user to manipulate the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

[0011] In some embodiments, the container includes a second peelable seal covering the proximal end of the container, the second peelable seal configured to form an opening in the proximal end of the container when the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container in a distal direction of the container by a user.

[0012] In some embodiments, the container is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter when the distal end of the catheter tube is placed beyond the distal end of the container and the second peelable seal is peeled away from the distal end of the container.

[0013] Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a urinary catheter package including a urinary catheter, a lubricant package for the urinary catheter, and a container including the urinary catheter and the lubricant package. The urinary catheter includes a catheter tube, a funnel attached to a proximal end of the catheter tube, a plurality of eyelets at a distal end of the catheter tube, and an exhaust lumen extending through the urinary catheter. The exhaust lumen fluidly connects the plurality of eyelets to an opening at the proximal end of the funnel. The lubricant package is configured to facilitate insertion of the urinary catheter into a user's urethra. The container includes a main section configured to hold the urinary catheter and the lubricant package. The container also includes a tapered outlet at a distal end of the container. The lubricant package is disposed in the main section between the urinary catheter and the tapered outlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the container includes a first peelable seal covering a long side of the tapered outlet, the first peelable seal configured to form an opening of the tapered outlet when the first peelable seal is peeled away from the tapered outlet in a proximal direction of the container by a user.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first peelable seal includes a set of one or more indicators printed on the first peelable seal, the set of indicators configured to guide a user in determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet when peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the size of the tapered outlet opening defines the amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as the user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the main section of the container, through the released lubricant and out the tapered outlet opening.

[0017] In some embodiments, the lubricant package is configured to burst and release the lubricant by pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container surrounding the lubricant package.

[0018] In some embodiments, the container is configured to double as a handle when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container, allowing a user to manipulate the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

[0019] In some embodiments, the container includes a second peelable seal covering the proximal end of the container, the second peelable seal configured to form an opening in the proximal end of the container when the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container in a distal direction of the container by a user.

[0020] In some embodiments, the container is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container and the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container.

[0021] Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a container for a urinary catheter package, the container including a catheter section, a lubricant section located at a distal end of the container, a separator located between the catheter section and the lubricant section, and a tapered outlet located at the distal end of the container. The catheter section is configured to hold a urinary catheter. The lubricant section is configured to hold a lubricant for lubricating at least a distal end of a catheter tube of the urinary catheter. The separator is configured to separate the lubricant section from the catheter section until broken by a user. The tapered outlet is located on an opposite side of the catheter section from the lubricant section.

[0022] In some embodiments, the container includes a first peelable seal covering a long side of the tapered outlet, the first peelable seal configured to form an opening of the tapered outlet when the first peelable seal is peeled away from the tapered outlet in a proximal direction of the container.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first peelable seal includes a set of one or more indicators printed on the first peelable seal, the set of indicators configured to guide a user in determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet when peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet.

[0024] In some embodiments, the size of the tapered outlet opening defines the amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the tapered outlet opening.

[0025] In some embodiments, the separator is a pierceable membrane configured to be pierced by the tip of the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section into the lubricant section of the container.

[0026] In some embodiments, the separator is a rupturable membrane that is configured to rupture due to pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container. In some embodiments, the separator is a pressed seal formed between the long sides of the container, the pressed seal attached to a pull tab configured to open the pressed seal when removed from the pressed seal by a user.

[0027] In some embodiments, the container is configured to double as a handle when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container, allowing a user to manipulate the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

[0028] In some embodiments, the container includes a second peelable seal covering the proximal end of the container, the second peelable seal configured to form an opening in the proximal end of the container when the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container in a distal direction of the container by a user.

[0029] In some embodiments, the container is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container and the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container.

[0030] Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, is a method for a urinary catheter package, the method including an obtaining step of obtaining a urinary catheter package. The urinary catheter package includes a urinary catheter located in a catheter section of a container and a lubricant located in a lubricant section of the container. The method also includes a first peeling step of peeling a first peelable seal from a tapered outlet located at a distal end of the container. The first peeling step forms an opening of the tapered outlet. The method also includes a breaking step of breaking a separator separating the lubricant located in the lubricant section from the urinary catheter located in the catheter section. The method also includes a first advancing step of advancing a distal end of a catheter tube of the urinary catheter from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out of the opening of the tapered outlet.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first peeling step includes peeling the first peelable seal to one indicator of a set of one or more indicators printed on the first peelable seal, and thus the first peeling step includes determining a size of the opening of the tapered outlet during the first peeling step in response to the indicator.

[0032] In some embodiments, sizing the opening of the tapered outlet defines the amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube during the first advancement step. In some embodiments, the breaking step includes penetrating the penetrable membrane with the tip of the catheter tube during the first advancing step.

[0033] In some embodiments, the rupturing step includes rupturing the rupturable membrane by applying pressure to a short side of the container prior to the first advancing step. In some embodiments, the breaking step includes removing from the pressed seal a pull tab attached to a pressed seal formed between the long sides of the container prior to the first advancing step.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method further comprises an inserting step of inserting the distal end of the catheter tube into the urethral meatus. The method also comprises a second advancing step of advancing the distal end of the catheter tube into the bladder until urine is observed.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method further includes a handling step of handling the proximal end of the urinary catheter with the distal end of the container during the second advancing step, the container doubles as a handle during the handling step, allowing the user to manipulate the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method further comprises a draining step of draining urine through an opening at the proximal end of the container, the container doubles as a drainage extension tube that is fluidly connected to the bladder through a drainage lumen of the catheter tube that extends from the multiple eyelets at the distal end of the catheter tube to an opening at the proximal end of the urinary catheter.

[0037] In some embodiments, the method further includes a second peeling step of peeling a second peelable seal from the proximal end of the container, the second peeling step including forming an opening in the proximal end of the container.

[0038] These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and following description, which describe in more detail certain embodiments of such concepts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a urinary catheter package according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the proximal end of the urinary catheter package of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a simplified diagram of a urinary catheter package having a first alternative separator according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram of a urinary catheter package having a second alternative separator according to some embodiments. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a simplified diagram of an alternative urinary catheter package according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a container of a urinary catheter package that doubles as a drainage extension tube for a urinary catheter according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Before some specific embodiments are disclosed in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein may have features that can be easily separated from the specific embodiment and can be combined or substituted in any way with any of the other several embodiments disclosed herein.

[0041] With respect to the terms used herein, it should also be understood that the terms are intended to describe certain particular embodiments, and that the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a group of features or steps, and do not provide sequentiality or numerical limitations. For example, the "first," "second," and "third" features or steps need not appear in that order, nor need a particular embodiment that includes such features or steps be limited to those three features or steps. Designations such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," and similar terms are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, a particular fixed position, orientation, direction, etc. Rather, such designations are used to reflect, for example, a relative position, orientation, direction, etc. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0042] For example, references to the "proximal," "proximal portion," or "proximal end" of a catheter disclosed herein include the portion of the catheter that is intended to be located near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be located near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be located near the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. The proximal portion, end, or length of a catheter may include the proximal end of the catheter. However, the proximal portion, end, or length of a catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the proximal portion, end, or length of a catheter is not the terminal portion, or length of the catheter.

[0043] For example, references to the "distal," "distal portion," or "distal end" of a catheter disclosed herein include the portion of the catheter that is intended to be located near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "distal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be located near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "distal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be located near or within the patient when the catheter is used on a patient. The distal portion, end, or length of a catheter may include the distal end of the catheter. However, the distal portion, end, or length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context suggests otherwise, the distal portion, end, or length of a catheter is not the terminal portion, or length of the catheter.

[0044] Unless defined otherwise, all technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0045] Urethral Catheter Package FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a urinary catheter package 100 according to some embodiments. FIG 2 shows a detailed view of the proximal end of the urinary catheter package 100 of FIG 1.

[0046] As shown, the urinary catheter package 100 includes a urinary catheter 110 and a container 120. The container 120 includes the urinary catheter 110 and a urinary catheter lubricant 140, for example, to facilitate insertion of the urinary catheter 100 into a user's urethra.

[0047] The urinary catheter 110 (e.g., an intermittent catheter) includes a catheter tube 112, a funnel 114 attached to a proximal end of the catheter tube 112, a number of eyelets 116 at a distal end of the catheter tube 112, and an exhaust lumen 118 extending through the urinary catheter 110. The exhaust lumen 118 fluidly connects the number of eyelets 116 to an opening at the proximal end of the funnel 114. Although the urinary catheter 110 may be covered with a lubricious coating or a coating that becomes lubricious in the presence of water vapor or liquid water, the urinary catheter package 100 is generally designed to include a urinary catheter 110 without such a coating.

[0048] Container 120 (e.g., a form-fill-seal (FFS) bag) includes a catheter section 122, a lubricant section 124 located at a distal end of container 120, a separator 126 located between catheter section 122 and lubricant section 124, a tapered outlet 128 located at the distal end of container 120, a first peelable seal 130 covering a long side of tapered outlet 128, and a second peelable seal 132 covering a proximal end of the container.

[0049] The catheter section 122 is configured to hold the urinary catheter 110. The lubricant section 124 is configured to hold a lubricant 140 . The separator 126 is configured to separate the lubricant 140 located in the lubricant section 124 from the urinary catheter 100 located in the catheter section 122 until the separator 126 is broken by the user.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the separator 126 may be a pierceable membrane 127 configured to be pierced by a tip located at the distal end of the catheter tube 112 as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube 112 distally from the catheter section 122 to the lubricant section 124 of the container 120.

[0051] First and second alternatives for the pierceable membrane 127 as the separator 126 are shown below. FIG. 3 shows a simplified diagram of a urinary catheter package 100 having a pressed seal 327 as a separator 126, according to some embodiments.

[0052] As shown, the pressed seal 327 may be formed between the long sides of the container 120, but in other embodiments, the pressed seal 327 may be formed between the short sides of the container 120. The pressed seal 327 is attached to at least one pull tab 329, which is configured to open the pressed seal 327 when removed from the pressed seal 327 by a user. When the urinary catheter package 100 has two pull tabs, the two pull tabs may be located on opposite sides (e.g., opposite long sides or opposite short sides) of the container 120 such that they oppose each other when pulled.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram of a urinary catheter package 100 having a rupturable membrane 427 as a separator 126, according to some embodiments. As shown, the rupturable membrane 427 may be configured to rupture by pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container 120 (e.g., by squeezing between a thumb and one or more opposing fingers), although in other embodiments, the rupturable membrane 427 may be configured to rupture by pressure applied by a user to a long side of the container 120. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the lubricant section 124 is configured to be relatively wide at a middle portion of the lubricant section 124 and relatively narrow at a proximal end of the lubricant section 124 with a shoulder therebetween. The proximal end of the lubricant section 124 may also have a relatively sharp proximal end corresponding to a thinner and more fragile portion of the rupturable membrane 427. Such dimensions of the lubricant section 124 direct a portion of the lubricant 140 toward the distal end of the catheter section 122 of the container 120 when the rupturable membrane 427 is ruptured by a user.

[0054] A tapered outlet 128 is located on the opposite side of the lubricant section 124 from the catheter section 122 . The first peelable seal 130 is configured to form an opening of the tapered outlet 128 when the first peelable seal 130 is peeled away from the tapered outlet 128 in a proximal direction of the container by a user.

[0055] The first peelable seal 130 includes a set of one or more indicators 132 printed on the first peelable seal 130. The set of indicators 132 are configured to guide a user to consistently determine a desired size of the opening of the tapered outlet 128 when peeling the first peelable seal 130 from the tapered outlet 128. The size of the opening of the tapered outlet 128 defines the amount of lubricant 140 that lubricates the catheter tube 112 as the user advances the distal end of the catheter tube 112 distally from the catheter section 122 of the container 120, through the lubricant section 124, and out the opening of the tapered outlet 128.

[0056] Advantageously, the container 120 is configured to double as a handle or grip when the distal end of the catheter tube 112 is disposed at or beyond the distal end of the container 120. The handle allows a user to handle the urinary catheter 110 without touching or contaminating the catheter tube 112, thereby maintaining sterile technique and minimizing the chance of UTIs (see, e.g., FIG. 6 which suggests how a user can use the container 120 as a handle or grip).

[0057] The container 120 includes a second peelable seal 132 covering a proximal end of the container 120. The second peelable seal 132 is configured to form an opening at the proximal end of the container 120 when the second peelable seal 132 is peeled away from the proximal end of the container 120 in a distal direction of the container 120 by a user. Once formed, the opening at the proximal end of the container 120 allows a user to use the container 120 as a drainage extension tube.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a container 120 of a urinary catheter package 100 that doubles as a drainage extension tube for a urinary catheter 110, according to some embodiments. As shown, when the distal end of the catheter tube 112 is placed at or beyond the distal end of the container 120 and the second peelable seal 132 is peeled away from the distal end of the container 120 to form an opening at the proximal end of the container 120, the container 120 is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter 110. Such a drainage extension tube is useful for individuals who have difficulty getting close enough to a toilet or urinal to drain urine directly from the proximal end of the urinary catheter 110 or its funnel 114. Indeed, FIG. 6 illustrates how a wheelchair-bound individual might use the urinary catheter package 100.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a simplified diagram of an alternative urinary catheter package 500 according to some embodiments. As shown, the urinary catheter package 500 includes a urinary catheter 110, a lubricant package 540 for the urinary catheter 110, and a container 520 containing the urinary catheter 110 and the lubricant package 540.

[0060] The container 520 may be substantially similar or identical to the container 120 of the urinary catheter package 100, except for the catheter section 122, the lubricant section 124, and the separator 126 located between the catheter section 122 and the lubricant section 124. Instead of the above sections and the separator 126 located therebetween, the container 520 includes a main section 522 configured to hold the urinary catheter 110 and the lubricant package 540. In the urinary catheter package 500, the lubricant package 540 is disposed in the main section 522 located between the urinary catheter 110 and the tapered outlet 128 to function as described above to lubricate the catheter tube 112 as the user advances the urinary catheter 110 distally out of the tapered outlet 128 of the container 120.

[0061] Like the rupturable membrane 427 of the container 120 that separates the lubricant 140 in the lubricant section 124 from the urinary catheter 110 in the catheter section 122, the lubricant package 540 is configured to be ruptured by pressure applied by a user (e.g., by squeezing between a thumb and one or more opposing fingers) to a long or short side of the container 520 to release the lubricant 140 from the lubricant package 540. The lubricant package 540 can be a thin-walled bag or a soft-sided bottle with a rupturable membrane at its end. A soft-sided bottle is advantageous in that it can act as a handle or grip as the catheter tube 112 passes through it.

[0062] It should be appreciated that the lubricant package 540 differs from the separator 126, or in this case, the rupturable membrane 427, in that the lubricant package 540 is added to the container 520 along with the urinary catheter 110 to form the urinary catheter package 500. In contrast, the separator 126 is entirely incorporated within the container 120.

[0063] method The methods of the urinary catheter package 100,500 include methods of using the urinary catheter package 100.

[0064] A method of using the urinary catheter package 100 includes obtaining the urinary catheter package 100. As described above, the urinary catheter package 100 includes a urinary catheter 110 located within the catheter section 122 of the container 120 and a lubricant 140 located within the lubricant section 124 of the container 120.

[0065] The method also includes a first peeling step of peeling the first peelable seal 130 from the tapered outlet 128 located at the distal end of the container 120 (e.g., toward the proximal direction of the container 120) to form an opening of the tapered outlet 128. The first peeling step includes peeling the first peelable seal 130 up to one indicator of a set of one or more indicators 132 printed on the first peelable seal 130. Thus, the first peeling step includes determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet 128 during the first peeling step according to the indicator. Determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet 128 defines the amount of lubricant 140 that lubricates the catheter tube 112 during the first advancement step described below.

[0066] The method also includes a breaking step of breaking the separator 126 that separates the lubricant 140 located in the lubricant section 124 from the urinary catheter 110 located in the catheter section 122. The breaking step can vary, as the separator 126 can be a pierceable membrane 127, a pressed seal 327, or a rupturable membrane 427. For example, the breaking step can include piercing the pierceable membrane 127 by the tip of the catheter tube 112 during the first advancement step described below. In another example, the breaking step can include removing a pull tab 329 attached to the pressed seal 327 formed between the long or short sides of the container 120 from the pressed seal 327 before the first advancement step described below. In yet another example, the breaking step can include rupturing the rupturable membrane 427 by applying pressure to the long or short sides of the container 120 before the first advancement step described below.

[0067] The method also includes a first advancement step of advancing the distal end of the catheter tube 112 of the urinary catheter 110 from the catheter section 122 of the container 120 through the lubricant section 124 and out the opening of the tapered outlet 128.

[0068] The method may further include an insertion step of inserting the distal end of the catheter tube 112 into the urethral meatus of the user. The method may further include a second advancement step of advancing the distal end of the catheter tube 112 into the user's bladder until urine is observed.

[0069] The method may further include a handling step of handling the proximal end of the urinary catheter 110 with the distal end of the container 120 during the second advancement step. As described above, the container 120 doubles as a handle or grip during the handling step, allowing the user to manipulate the urinary catheter 110 without touching or contaminating the catheter tube 112. The handling step maintains sterile technique and minimizes the chance of UTIs (see, e.g., FIG. 6, which suggests how a user may use the container 120 during the handling step).

[0070] The method may further include a second peel step of peeling the second peelable seal 132 from the proximal end of the container 120 (e.g., toward the distal end of the container 120). The second peel step includes forming an opening in the proximal end of the container 120.

[0071] The method may further include a draining step of draining urine through an opening at the proximal end of the container 120 using the container 120 as a drainage extension tube as described above (see FIG. 6 showing the draining step with the container 120 as a drainage extension tube). The drainage extension tube is fluidly connected to the bladder through a drainage lumen of the catheter tube 112, which extends from the multiple eyelets 116 at the distal end of the catheter tube 112 to an opening at the proximal end of the urinary catheter 110 or its funnel 114.

[0072] Although some specific embodiments are disclosed herein, and the specific embodiments are disclosed in some detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional improvements and / or modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the broader aspects encompass these improvements and / or modifications as well. Thus, one may depart from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. 1. A urinary catheter comprising: A catheter tube; a drainage lumen extending through the urinary catheter and fluidly connecting a plurality of eyelets at a distal end of the catheter tube to an opening at a proximal end of the urinary catheter; a container containing the urinary catheter and a lubricant for the urinary catheter, The container comprises: a catheter section configured to hold the urinary catheter; and a lubricant section located at a distal end of the container configured to hold the lubricant for the urinary catheter; a separator configured to separate the lubricant located in the lubricant section from the urinary catheter located in the catheter section until broken by a user; a tapered outlet located at the distal end of the container; a first peelable seal covering a long side of the tapered outlet; the tapered outlet is located on an opposite side of the lubricant section from the catheter section; the first peelable seal is configured to form an opening for the tapered outlet when the first peelable seal is peeled away from the tapered outlet in a proximal direction of the container by a user; the first peelable seal includes a set of one or more indicators printed thereon; A urinary catheter package, wherein the set of indicators are configured to guide a user in determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet when peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet.

2. 2. The urinary catheter package of claim 1, wherein a size of the opening of the tapered outlet defines an amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out of the opening of the tapered outlet.

3. 3. The urinary catheter package of claim 1, wherein the separator is a pierceable membrane configured to be pierced by a tip of the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section into the lubricant section of the container.

4. The urinary catheter package of claim 1 or 2, wherein the separator is a rupturable membrane configured to be ruptured by pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container.

5. the separator is a pressed seal formed between the long sides of the container; 3. The urinary catheter package of claim 1, wherein the pressed seal is attached to a pull tab configured to open the pressed seal when removed from the pressed seal by a user.

6. the container is configured to double as a handle when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container; The urinary catheter package of claim 1 , wherein the handle allows a user to handle the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

7. the container further includes a second peelable seal covering a proximal end of the container; 7. The urinary catheter package of claim 1, wherein the second peelable seal is configured to form an opening at the proximal end of the container when the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container in a distal direction of the container by a user.

8. 8. The urinary catheter package of claim 7, wherein the container is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container and the second peelable seal is peeled away from the distal end of the container.

9. 1. A urinary catheter comprising: A catheter tube; a funnel attached to a proximal end of the catheter tube; a plurality of eyelets located at a distal end of the catheter tube; a drainage lumen extending through the urinary catheter and fluidly connecting the plurality of eyelets to an opening at a proximal end of the funnel; and a container containing the urinary catheter and a package of a lubricant configured to facilitate insertion of the urinary catheter into a user's urethra, The container comprises: a main section configured to hold the urinary catheter and the lubricant package; a tapered outlet located at a distal end of the container; a first peelable seal covering a long side of the tapered outlet; the lubricant package is disposed in the main section between the urinary catheter and the tapered outlet; the first peelable seal is configured to form an opening for the tapered outlet when the first peelable seal is peeled away from the tapered outlet in a proximal direction of the container by a user; the first peelable seal includes a set of one or more indicators printed thereon; A urinary catheter package, wherein the set of indicators are configured to guide a user in determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet when peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet.

10. 10. The urinary catheter package of claim 9, wherein a size of the opening of the tapered outlet defines an amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the main section of the container, through the released lubricant, and out of the opening of the tapered outlet.

11. 11. The urinary catheter package of claim 9 or 10, wherein the lubricant package is configured to burst and release lubricant by pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container around the lubricant package.

12. the container is configured to double as a handle when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container; 12. The urinary catheter package of claim 9, wherein the handle allows a user to handle the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

13. the container further includes a second peelable seal covering a proximal end of the container; 13. The urinary catheter package of claim 9, wherein the second peelable seal is configured to form an opening at the proximal end of the container when the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container by a user in a distal direction of the container.

14. 14. The urinary catheter package of claim 13, wherein the container is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container and the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container.

15. A container for a urinary catheter package, comprising: a catheter section configured to hold a urinary catheter; and a lubricant section located at a distal end of the container configured to hold a lubricant for lubricating at least a distal end of a catheter tube of the urinary catheter; a separator configured to separate the lubricant section from the catheter section until broken by a user; a tapered outlet located at the distal end of the container; a first peelable seal covering a long side of the tapered outlet; the tapered outlet is located on an opposite side of the lubricant section from the catheter section; the first peelable seal is configured to form an opening for the tapered outlet when peeled away from the tapered outlet in a proximal direction of the container; the first peelable seal includes a set of one or more indicators printed thereon; A container, wherein the set of indicators are configured to guide a user in determining a size of the opening of the tapered spout when peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered spout.

16. 16. The container of claim 15, wherein a size of the opening in the tapered outlet defines an amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the opening in the tapered outlet.

17. 17. The container of claim 15 or 16, wherein the separator is a pierceable membrane configured to be pierced by a tip of the catheter tube as a user advances the distal end of the catheter tube distally from the catheter section into the lubricant section of the container.

18. 17. The container of claim 15 or 16, wherein the separator is a rupturable membrane configured to rupture by pressure applied by a user to a short side of the container.

19. the separator is a pressed seal formed between the long sides of the container; 17. The container of claim 15 or 16, wherein the pressed seal is attached to a pull tab configured to open the pressed seal when removed from the pressed seal by a user.

20. the container is configured to double as a handle when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container; 20. The container of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the handle allows a user to handle the urinary catheter without touching or contaminating the catheter tube.

21. the container further includes a second peelable seal covering a proximal end of the container; 21. The container of any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the second peelable seal is configured to form an opening at the proximal end of the container when the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container in a distal direction of the container by a user.

22. 22. The container of claim 21, wherein the container is configured to double as a drainage extension tube for the urinary catheter when the distal end of the catheter tube is positioned beyond the distal end of the container and the second peelable seal is peeled away from the proximal end of the container.

23. 1. A method for packaging a urinary catheter, comprising: obtaining the urinary catheter package, the urinary catheter package including a urinary catheter located in a catheter section of a container and a lubricant located in a lubricant section of the container; peeling a first peelable seal from a tapered outlet located at a distal end of the container, thereby forming an opening for the tapered outlet; breaking a separator separating the lubricant located in the lubricant section from the urinary catheter located in the catheter section; advancing a distal end of a catheter tube of the urinary catheter from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the opening of the tapered outlet; peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet includes peeling the first peelable seal to one indicator of a set of one or more indicators printed on the first peelable seal; whereby, upon peeling the first peelable seal from the tapered outlet, a size of the opening of the tapered outlet is determined in response to the indicator.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein determining the size of the opening of the tapered outlet defines an amount of lubricant that lubricates the catheter tube as the distal end of the catheter tube advances from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the opening of the tapered outlet.

25. 25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the step of breaching the separator comprises piercing a pierceable membrane with a tip of the catheter tube as the distal end of the catheter tube is advanced from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the opening of the tapered outlet.

26. 25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the step of rupturing the separator comprises rupturing a rupturable membrane by pressure applied to a short side of the container prior to advancing the distal end of the catheter tube from the catheter section of the container, through the lubricant section, and out the opening of the tapered outlet.

27. 25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the step of breaking the separator includes removing a pull tab attached to a pressed seal formed between long sides of the container from the pressed seal prior to advancing the distal end of the catheter tube from the catheter section, through the lubricant section of the container, and out the opening of the tapered outlet.

Images