Indwelling Bladder Catheter With Central Cystoscope Lumen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cystoscopy procedures require multiple device insertions, increasing the risk of urethral and bladder damage, and urinary tract infections, due to the need for separate urinary access and drainage systems, which are cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A 4-Way indwelling catheter with a balloon for stabilization, a central lumen for cystoscope insertion, and ports for fluid inflow and outflow, allowing for continuous bladder drainage and visualization without removing the catheter, reducing the need for multiple device insertions and minimizing trauma and infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate urinary access and drainage systems are used for cystoscopy, then urinary drainage function is achieved, but the risk of urethral and bladder damage and urinary tract infections increases due to multiple device insertions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (urinary drainage, cystoscopy access, and balloon stabilization) into a single integrated catheter system. The catheter includes a drainage lumen for urine evacuation, a cystoscope insertion port for visualization, and a balloon inflation lumen for securing the catheter in the bladder, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing insertion trauma
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it functions as a drainage catheter for continuous urine evacuation, as an access sheath for cystoscopic visualization, and as a retention device through balloon inflation. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate interventions needed and minimizes urethral instrumentation
2Productivity
If traditional rigid cystoscopy systems are used, then bladder visualization is achieved, but the procedure becomes cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming requiring assembly and sterilization of reusable equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a flexible elongate tubular body that allows dynamic adaptation to anatomical structures, replacing the rigid metal system. This flexibility enables easier navigation through the urethra and bladder while maintaining the ability to support cystoscopic instrumentation, reducing procedural complexity and time
Solution Approach 2:
The cystoscope is inserted through the lumen of the catheter, with the catheter acting as an outer sheath that contains and guides the inner cystoscope. This nested configuration eliminates the need for separate assembly of rigid components and simplifies the procedural workflow
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous urinary access, drainage, and visualization during cystoscopy, reducing procedural complexity, trauma, and infection risk, while maintaining patient comfort and reducing costs by minimizing equipment and time requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable balloon near the distal end of the catheter, the balloon transformable from an unexpanded and an expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of cannulating a body orifice such as a bladder are disclosed. An indwelling bladder catheter having reduced trauma risk can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible elongate tubular body therebetween, the distal end having at least one distal port in fluid communication with a lumen extending within the tubular body, the distal end further having a distal tip comprising a blunt shape; a first proximal port for at least one of fluid inflow or outflow, the first proximal port in fluid communication with the lumen extending within the tubular body; an inflatable balloon near the distal end of the catheter, the balloon transformable from an unexpanded to an expanded configuration, wherein the balloon in its expanded configuration comprises a low profile oblong shape suitable for anchoring within a human bladder; and a second proximal port balloon inflation, in fluid connection with the balloon.