Catheter Applicator with Internal Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intermittent urinary catheters are prone to contamination during handling, leading to urinary tract infections due to direct contact with the insertable portion, which existing solutions do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A urinary catheter assembly with an applicator that includes a body with a lumen and projections to grip and handle the catheter without direct contact, allowing for secure attachment and movement along the catheter shaft, preventing unintentional dislodgment and facilitating contamination-free insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user directly handles the insertable portion of the catheter during removal and insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination and infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
An applicator acts as an intermediary tool between the user's hand and the catheter's insertable portion. The applicator includes a body with a lumen through which the catheter shaft passes, and at least one projection disposed within the lumen that contacts the catheter shaft to prevent unintentional dislodgment. This allows the user to grip and manipulate the catheter assembly without directly touching the sterile insertable portion, thereby maintaining ease of operation while eliminating contamination risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an applicator is added to grip and handle the catheter, then the contamination risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is segmented into distinct functional components: a body portion that provides the gripping interface, a lumen that guides and protects the catheter shaft, and projections that secure the catheter in place. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design simple and intuitive. The modular nature of the segmentation reduces complexity by making the device easier to manufacture, assemble, and understand.
3Reliability
If the applicator is made secure to prevent dislodgment, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation may be reduced due to tighter gripping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator employs local quality by placing projections at specific locations within the lumen where they contact the catheter shaft. These projections are strategically positioned to provide maximum securing force with minimum interference to the user's gripping action. The projections create localized engagement points that reliably prevent dislodgment during insertion while maintaining overall ease of operation through ergonomic body design and appropriate sizing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
An applicator 16 for gripping a urinary catheter. The applicator includes a body 30 having a proximal end 32, a distal end 34 and a lumen 38 extending therethrough for receiving a catheter. The body includes at least one projection 44 disposed within the lumen which contacts the catheter shaft to resist movement of the body along the catheter shaft.