Urinary Catheter Tip Flexibility via Patterned Drainage Holes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intermittent urinary catheters with flexible tips require additional material and are longer due to the placement of drainage holes further back from the tip, resulting in a less efficient insertion process.

Innovation Solution

The catheter shaft's proximal insertion end portion includes a plurality of drainage holes in a pattern positioned close to the terminal end, enhancing flexibility and allowing for a shorter insertion length by distributing the holes along the shaft in various configurations such as columns and rows, or varying sizes and shapes, to facilitate easier navigation through the urethra.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If drainage holes are positioned further back from the tip to create a flexible insertion tip, then flexibility of the proximal insertion end portion is improved, but the catheter length increases and additional material is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of proximal insertion end portionVSAvoidcatheter length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter shaft is segmented into distinct regions: a proximal insertion end portion with drainage holes positioned close to the terminal end, and a distal portion. This segmentation allows the proximal end to be optimized for flexibility while the distal end maintains structural integrity, eliminating the need for extended catheter length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage holes are strategically positioned in the proximal insertion end portion close to the terminal end, creating localized flexibility where needed for urethral navigation, while the rest of the catheter maintains its structural properties for proper positioning and drainage function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If drainage holes are positioned further back from the tip, then flexibility of the proximal insertion end portion is improved, but the catheter requires additional material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of proximal insertion end portionVSAvoidmaterial required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the catheter into functional regions and concentrating drainage holes in the proximal insertion end portion, the design eliminates the need for extended catheter length and additional material that would be required if holes were positioned further back.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage holes are concentrated in the proximal insertion end portion where flexibility is needed, allowing the catheter to achieve the required flexibility without extending the overall length or using additional material in other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the proximal insertion end portion is made flexible by thinning the neck region, then ease of insertion is improved, but the drainage holes must be positioned further back reducing drainage efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidurine drainage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is segmented into a proximal insertion end portion with drainage holes and a distal drainage end portion. This segmentation allows the drainage holes to be positioned optimally in the proximal end for both flexibility and drainage efficiency, rather than being forced further back.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage holes are positioned in the proximal insertion end portion where local flexibility is needed for insertion, eliminating the trade-off between insertion ease and drainage efficiency that occurs when holes must be positioned further back.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240123181A1Urinary catheter with patterned drainage holes to provide tip flexibility

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED

AI summary

Urinary catheters (100) that have drainage holes (112) that impart a desired flexibility to the proximal insertion end portion of the catheter.