Intermittent Catheter Assembly for Controlled Wetting and Dry Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters face issues with inadequate wetting of the catheter tube due to exposure to moisture, leading to difficulty in handling and potential trauma or infection, especially during self-catheterization, and insufficient wetting agent volume in packaging results in incomplete wetting, particularly affecting the tip end.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with an external housing and cap that allows for controlled application of a wetting agent to the catheter tube, featuring a sealed storage chamber and a movable insert that aligns with sealing surfaces to ensure adequate wetting, and a two-step deployment mechanism for priming and removal, maintaining sterility and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter is submerged in wetting agent within the packaging, then the catheter tube is adequately wetted prior to use, but other components such as gripper element or funnel become wetted making it difficult to hold and direct the catheter tube
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into separate compartments: one for the catheter tube and another for the wetting agent. This segmentation ensures that only the catheter tube contacts the wetting agent during use, while other components like the gripper element and funnel remain dry and easily handleable.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary to deliver the wetting agent from the packaging to the catheter tube at the point of use. This intermediary system prevents direct contact between the wetting agent and other catheter components, solving the handling difficulty problem.
2Reliability
If the catheter is submerged in wetting agent within the packaging, then the catheter tube is adequately wetted prior to use, but the shelf-life of the catheter is reduced due to long-term exposure of components to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into separate compartments: one for the catheter tube and another for the wetting agent. This segmentation ensures that only the catheter tube contacts the wetting agent during use, while other components like the gripper element and funnel remain dry and easily handleable.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tube is pre-coated with a hydrophilic substance during manufacturing, which enables it to absorb and retain the wetting agent when applied during use. This preliminary preparation ensures adequate wetting without requiring prolonged exposure to moisture, thereby preserving shelf-life.
3Ease of operation
If a rupturable container or sachet is used to release wetting agent, then the wetting agent can be applied prior to use, but the wetting agent may come into contact with other components of the catheter and the catheter tube may not be fully wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into separate compartments: one for the catheter tube and another for the wetting agent. This segmentation ensures that only the catheter tube contacts the wetting agent during use, while other components like the gripper element and funnel remain dry and easily handleable.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary to deliver the wetting agent from the packaging to the catheter tube at the point of use. This intermediary system prevents direct contact between the wetting agent and other catheter components, solving the handling difficulty problem.
4Volume of stationary object
If the amount of wetting agent contained in the packaging is limited due to packaging constraints, then the packaging size is reduced, but the catheter tube may not be fully wetted especially where the catheter is near the end of its shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting agent formulation is modified by adding a hydrophilic substance that enhances its absorption characteristics. This parameter change allows the wetting agent to be more effective at lower volumes, ensuring complete wetting of the catheter tube even when the packaging volume is constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tube is pre-coated with a hydrophilic substance during manufacturing, which enables it to absorb and retain the wetting agent when applied during use. This preliminary preparation ensures adequate wetting without requiring prolonged exposure to moisture, thereby preserving shelf-life.
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
Ensures consistent and complete wetting of the catheter tube, reducing the risk of trauma and infection, while minimizing packaging size and preserving shelf life by preventing evaporation and leakage of the wetting agent.
Implementation Method 1
the catheter tube itself comprises, is integrated with or is coated with a hydrophilic component (e.g. a hydrophilic polymer) which serves to reduce friction further upon application of the wetting agent
Data Source
AI summary
An intermittent catheter, preferably a female intermittent catheter, is provided in an assembly. The assembly may include a cap which may be attachable to the base of the assembly in use, and/or a seal which misaligns with sealing surfaces of a chamber wall and a moveable insert in use. It may have a two-step deployment, and/or a sheath that pulls out a storage chamber. Internal and external housing may define the storage chamber. The housing may have a filling aperture and/or the storage chamber may comprise an insert configured to move axially in response to rotation.