Sanitary Catheter Drain Device with Valved Antimicrobial Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter drain devices lack a valved cap that allows for periodic drainage without disengaging the catheter tube, and they do not effectively prevent infection through the catheter.
Innovation Solution
A catheter drain device with a drain valve coupled to the catheter tube, allowing for selective fluid passage, and a cap with an antimicrobial pad to cover the outlet, preventing contamination and infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a urine collection bag is attached to a person for drainage, then fluid drainage is achieved, but the device must be detached for emptying which increases loss of time and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The drain valve incorporates a movable plug that can transition between blocking and open positions, allowing dynamic control of fluid flow. This enables the user to open the valve for drainage and automatically closes it when not in use, eliminating the need to detach the entire device for emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is segmented from the main catheter assembly by introducing a separate drain valve with an independently controllable plug. This allows the drainage operation to be performed independently without affecting the main catheter connection to the patient.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter outlet is left open for drainage, then fluid passage is enabled, but bacterial contamination and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
An antimicrobial pad is pre-installed within the drain valve assembly, positioned to contact the catheter outlet. This preliminary protective measure is in place before any drainage occurs, providing continuous antimicrobial protection without interfering with the drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial pad serves as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the catheter interior. It provides antimicrobial protection while allowing fluid to pass through, mediating between the need for open drainage and the need to prevent contamination.
3Reliability
If a cap is added to cover the drain valve outlet, then infection prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap function is merged with the existing drain valve assembly. The antimicrobial pad is integrated into the valve structure, and the cap serves dual purposes: closing the outlet and providing a mounting surface for the pad, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling fluid flow via the plug, providing antimicrobial protection via the integrated pad, and sealing the outlet via the cap. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary catheter drain device includes a catheter tube having an insertion end configured for insertion into a user to establish fluid communication with a bladder of the user. A drain valve coupled to an open end of the catheter tube. The drain valve has a closed position preventing fluid passage through the drain valve and an open position permitting fluid passage from the open end of the catheter tube through the drain valve. A cap is couplable to the drain valve such that the cap covers an outlet of the drain valve.