Elastic Reinforcement in Urinary Catheter Coiled Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urinary catheter assemblies are cumbersome, difficult to handle, and prone to kinking when stored in a curled state, especially for longer catheters, which complicates reinsertion and storage, particularly for users with reduced dexterity.

Innovation Solution

A urinary catheter assembly featuring a tubular shaft with an elastic reinforcement element that maintains the catheter in a curled storage state and uncurls when removed, allowing for compact packaging and preventing kinking, made cost-efficiently using conventional materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the catheter is stored in a curled state to reduce package size, then the assembly becomes more compact and easier to carry, but the catheter may remain deformed and kinked when removed from the package

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage sizeVSAvoidcatheter straightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating an elastic reinforcement element within the catheter shaft that pre-counters the curling deformation. This reinforcement element maintains the catheter in a straight configuration during storage in the curled state, preventing permanent deformation and ensuring the catheter returns to its proper shape upon removal from the package.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Length of moving object

If the catheter is made longer to accommodate male users, then the insertable length is sufficient, but the package becomes larger and more cumbersome to carry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter lengthVSAvoidpackage size

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the nested doll principle by allowing the long catheter to be coiled and nested within a compact receptacle. The catheter is stored in a curled configuration that fits within a small package volume, while the elastic reinforcement element ensures the catheter maintains its structural integrity and straightness during storage and upon removal, enabling long catheters to be portably packaged without excessive package size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If the catheter is stored in a curled state, then the package volume is reduced, but the catheter may kink and distort during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage volumeVSAvoidcatheter integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the catheter shaft material with an elastic reinforcement element. This composite construction provides both the flexibility needed for curling storage and the structural support to prevent kinking and distortion, maintaining catheter integrity during compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Shape

If a reinforcement element is added to prevent kinking, then the catheter maintains its shape better, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter straightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing the elastic reinforcement element only within the shaft portion of the catheter where structural support is needed, rather than throughout the entire catheter. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary shape maintenance while minimizing the amount of additional material and manufacturing complexity required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 assembly is highly compact, easy to handle, and maintains a straight shape after long-term storage, reducing manufacturing costs and user discomfort during insertion, while being discreet and convenient for daily use.

Implementation Method 1

wherein said reinforcement element is arranged to provide a force to uncurl the catheter when removed from said receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2946803B1Reinforced urinary catheter

Publication Date: 2019.07.03 DENTSPLY IH AB

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AI summary

A urinary catheter assembly to be arranged in a curled disposition is disclosed. The assembly comprises a urinary catheter 1 having a tubular shaft 3 extending between a insertable end and a discharge end, wherein said tubular shaft is provided with an elastic reinforcement element 7 having an extension in the axial direction of the tubular shaft; and a receptacl 10 arranged to accommodate and maintain the urinary catheter in a curled storage state, in which the tubular shaft of the catheter is arranged in at least one coil. The reinforcement element is arranged to provide a force to uncurl the catheter when removed from said receptacle.