Catheter Sampling-Port Fastening for Aseptic Urine Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variation in urine sampling practices, including where the sample is taken, how the area is cleaned, what device is used, and how the sample is transferred, leads to increased contamination risk and false-positive urine cultures, affecting CAUTI diagnoses and antibiotic treatments.
Innovation Solution
A urine-sampling system with complementary fastening means, such as threads and lock rings, ensures proper mating of the sampling-port access device and urine-sampling port for aseptic urine sampling, reducing contamination risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a urine-sampling system with complementary fastening means is used, then mechanical integrity and fluid-seal integrity are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric threading configurations where the sampling port and sampling device have complementary but non-identical thread patterns (e.g., different pitch, diameter, or hand). This asymmetry ensures that only the correct sampling device can be properly connected to the sampling port, preventing misconnection and enhancing mechanical integrity without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If proper mating of sampling device and port is ensured through complementary fastening means, then contamination risk is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric thread design provides a tactile and visual cue that guides proper alignment and connection of the sampling device to the port. The complementary asymmetric fastening means ensures that only the correct orientation will allow the threads to engage, reducing contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive connection rather than requiring complex alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If complementary fastening means with specific thread patterns are implemented, then aseptic sampling is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies asymmetric thread patterns (such as different pitch, diameter, or hand) that can be manufactured using standard threading processes. The asymmetric design provides built-in verification of proper connection, ensuring aseptic sampling while relying on well-established manufacturing capabilities rather than requiring ultra-precise tolerances or specialized manufacturing techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A urine-sampling system for aseptic urine sampling includes a catheter assembly and a sampling-port access device. The catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter, drainage tubing, and a connector fluidly connecting the urinary catheter to the drainage tubing. The connector includes a urine-sampling port. The sampling-port access device includes a tip at an end of a barrel configured to fluidly connect the sampling-port access device to the urine-sampling port of the catheter assembly. Each of the tip of the sampling-port access device and the urine-sampling port has a complementary fastening means for—fastening to the other of the tip of the sampling-port access device and the urine-sampling port. Each of the complementary fastening means ensures proper mating of the tip of the sampling-port access device and the urine-sampling port for aseptic urine sampling. In addition to various urine-sampling systems such as the foregoing, methods of use are also disclosed.