Catheter External Flow Paths for Urethral Flushing and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intermittent catheters (CICs) lead to a high urinary tract infection (UTI) rate due to bacteria being pushed into the bladder during insertion and struggle with complete bladder voiding due to inaccurate positioning and suction of soft tissue into the drainage eye.
Innovation Solution
Design of CICs with external flow paths that allow urine to flow naturally through the urethra, flushing bacteria away and facilitating complete bladder emptying by positioning the drainage eyes to communicate with the internal lumen, and varying rib lengths and thicknesses for increased rigidity and ease of insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional CICs with internal lumens are used, then the catheter structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but bacteria are pushed into the bladder during insertion and urine does not flush the urethra, leading to high UTI rates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional segments: a distal portion with external flow paths for urethral flushing, and a proximal portion with internal lumens for urine collection. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions - the external paths flush bacteria from the urethra while the internal lumens collect urine, thereby reducing UTI risk while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The external flow paths act as an intermediary mechanism between the catheter and the urethral wall. These paths allow urine to flow along the external surface of the catheter, creating a flushing action that removes bacteria from the urethra without requiring direct contact between the catheter and the urethral tissue, thus reducing UTI risk
2Device complexity
If conventional CICs with single drainage eyes are used, then the catheter structure is simple, but accurate positioning in the bladder is difficult and soft tissue gets sucked into the drainage eye, preventing complete voiding
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple drainage eyes distributed along the catheter rather than a single drainage eye. This allows urine to enter through multiple points, reducing the likelihood that soft tissue will block all drainage paths. The multiple entry points increase the probability that at least some drainage eyes remain patent for complete bladder emptying
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage eyes are positioned at different locations and orientations along the catheter, effectively adding spatial distribution as a new dimension to the drainage function. This three-dimensional arrangement of drainage points ensures that regardless of catheter positioning, urine can enter through at least some of the drainage eyes, preventing complete obstruction by soft tissue
3Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible for ease of insertion, then insertion is easier, but rigidity is reduced making positioning and drainage less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations: the distal portion is more flexible to facilitate insertion through the urethra, while the proximal portion maintains greater rigidity for effective positioning and drainage. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the catheter to be easy to insert while still providing the structural support needed for functional effectiveness
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
Reduces the risk of UTIs by flushing bacteria and ensures complete bladder emptying by mimicking natural urine flow, while improved design enhances insertion rigidity and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
external flow paths that allow urine to flow naturally through the urethra, flushing bacteria away
Implementation Method 2
positioning the drainage eyes to communicate with the internal lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter is provided with a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a plurality of drainage eyes disposed at a junction between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The distal portion includes a tip, a plurality of elongated ribs, and a plurality of external flow paths. The proximal portion includes an internal lumen and a proximal end. The plurality of drainage eyes communicate with the plurality of external flow paths and the internal lumen.