Intermittent Catheter Inserter Tip for Controlled Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face issues with inconsistent wetting of the catheter tube, leading to user discomfort, increased risk of trauma and infection, and reduced shelf-life due to exposure to moisture, particularly in self-catheterization scenarios, and insufficient wetting agents in packaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a movable inserter tip that opens a wetting agent storage chamber upon removal of the cap, providing clear feedback and ensuring complete wetting of the catheter tube in a single action, using a mechanism that includes a deformable aperture and projections to limit inserter tip movement and ensure proper deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter is submerged in wetting agent within packaging, then the catheter tube is adequately wetted prior to use, but other components (gripper element, funnel) become wetted making it difficult to hold and direct the catheter tube
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is segmented into separate functional zones: a wetting agent reservoir and a dry storage area for the catheter components. The catheter tube is positioned to contact only the wetting agent through controlled pathways, while other components remain in the dry zone, preventing unwanted wetting and maintaining ease of handling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the packaging are assigned different moisture characteristics. The catheter tube surface is designed with local quality features that allow selective wetting - portions requiring lubrication are exposed to wetting agent while other portions remain dry to maintain grip and handling properties.
2Reliability
If the catheter is submerged in wetting agent within 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 designed to perform preliminary wetting action only when needed - the wetting agent is contained in a sealed reservoir that remains closed during storage. The catheter tube contacts the wetting agent through pre-designed pathways only at the point of use, ensuring adequate wetting without prolonged exposure that would reduce shelf-life.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane or thin film barrier separates the wetting agent reservoir from the catheter components during storage. This barrier allows controlled interaction when needed while maintaining complete separation during shelf storage, preserving both wetting effectiveness and product longevity.
3Quantity of substance
If a rupturable container is used to release wetting agent, then the wetting agent can be supplied to the catheter, but the catheter tube may not be fully wetted or wetted at all prior to use
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging incorporates feedback mechanisms such as visual indicators or tactile features that confirm the wetting agent reservoir has been properly activated and the catheter tube has been adequately wetted. This feedback ensures users can verify successful wetting before use, eliminating the uncertainty associated with rupturable containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging design enables the catheter tube to self-wet through controlled capillary action or gravity-driven flow paths that automatically deliver the wetting agent to the catheter surface without requiring user intervention to rupture containers or manually apply the agent, ensuring consistent and complete wetting.
4Ease of operation
If the packaging requires user dexterity to burst the container, then the wetting agent can be released, but there is no feedback to ensure wetting has occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging includes clear feedback indicators such as color-changing elements, pop-up features, or audible signals that immediately inform the user when the wetting agent has been successfully released and the catheter tube is properly wetted. This eliminates the information loss and provides confidence that wetting has occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical action of bursting a container is replaced with a simpler activation mechanism such as breaking a sealed barrier, pressing a release tab, or opening a flap that automatically initiates the wetting process. This substitution reduces the dexterity requirement while maintaining reliable wetting agent delivery and providing clear feedback.
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 user discomfort and infection risk while maintaining shelf-life, with mechanical feedback indicating successful wetting and preventing premature contact with wetting agents during storage.
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
A catheter assembly having an external housing and an inserter tip, wherein the external housing comprises a deformable aperture through which the inserter tip extends from an interior of the external housing to an exterior of the external housing, wherein the inserter tip is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, and the inserter tip comprises one or more projections of greater dimensions than the aperture wherein after deployment the aperture may restrict movement of the one or more projections into the interior of the external housing.