Reusable Catheter Case With Hydration Fluid Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for reusable urinary catheters that can be effectively sterilized and used multiple times, addressing challenges related to storage, transport, and sterilization to reduce waste from disposable catheters.
Innovation Solution
A reusable catheter product with a case containing a hydration fluid as a sterilization medium, which includes a hydrophilic coating and flexible middle section, allowing for repeated sterilization and use, and features like grooves, ridges, and grips for ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable catheters are used, then sterility and ease of use are ensured, but waste generation increases and environmental burden rises
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a hydrophilic coating that changes its properties when exposed to hydration fluid, transforming from a dry state to a lubricated, sterile state ready for use. This parameter change allows the catheter to be reused multiple times while maintaining sterility through chemical transformation rather than disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the disposable concept by making the catheter reusable through integration with a sterilization system. The catheter itself becomes a durable component that undergoes rapid sterilization cycles, eliminating the need for single-use disposal while maintaining the reliability advantages of disposable products
2Loss of substance
If reusable catheters are used, then waste is reduced, but sterilization complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the catheter stores within the case, the case contains hydration fluid for sterilization, and the system provides both storage and sterilization functions simultaneously. This merging reduces the complexity of separate sterilization equipment while enabling reusable catheter functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter case system provides self-service sterilization through the hydration fluid that automatically sterilizes the catheter when inserted into the case. The system serves itself by containing all necessary sterilization components (hydration fluid, sealed environment) within the portable case, eliminating the need for external sterilization facilities
3Ease of operation
If a hydrophilic coating is applied to the catheter, then insertion ease is improved, but additional manufacturing steps and cost are required
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic coating is applied during the catheter manufacturing process as a preliminary step before the catheter is put into service. This preliminary action ensures the coating is already in place when the catheter is packaged and sterilized, eliminating the need for additional coating steps at the point of use and simplifying the overall manufacturing 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
The solution provides a sterile and reusable catheter that can be safely used multiple times, reducing waste and improving user convenience through effective sterilization and handling.
Implementation Method 1
The catheter includes a hydrophilic coating. The hydration fluid includes a sterilization medium. The materials include but are not limited to PVC plastics and high density polyethylene (HDPE).
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Reusable catheter products (10) are provided for storing, transporting, and sterilizing reusable urinary catheters. The products include a case (12) comprising a proximal section (30), a middle section (40), and a distal section (32). The case includes a cavity (16) configured to receive a catheter (14); the cavity includes a hydration fluid (18). The catheter comprises a distal end, a proximal end and a tubular section therebetween and includes a hydrophilic coating. When the catheter is inserted into the case, the hydration fluid sterilizes and lubricates the catheter.