Catheter Self-Locating Device With Segmented Balloon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter designs face issues with urine stagnation due to the placement of drainage holes, leading to bacterial infections and limescale formation, and manufacturing challenges arise from complex structures like dual diametral chambers causing pressure imbalances and assembly difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A catheter structure featuring a flexible tube with an adjustable self-locating device, including a diametral chamber connected via a duct for controlled inflation, and an elongated drainage hole extending between the chamber's surfaces for effective urine drainage and secure positioning within the cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drainage holes are positioned near the end of the flexible tube, then drainage function is provided, but urine stagnation occurs in the zone between the hole and the balloon bottom surface
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple functional zones: the first drainage hole positioned above the balloon for primary drainage, and the second drainage hole positioned below the balloon for secondary drainage. This segmentation eliminates urine stagnation by providing multiple drainage pathways that cover the entire catheter length, preventing the formation of stagnant zones between a single hole and the balloon.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If two separate diametral chambers are used instead of a balloon, then urine stagnation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases and pressure imbalance occurs between chambers
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate diametral chambers are merged into a single balloon structure that surrounds the flexible tube. The balloon is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, each capable of independent inflation through separate ducts. This merging approach maintains the urine stagnation prevention function while simplifying the overall structure and eliminating pressure imbalance issues associated with separate chambers.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single channel supplies inflation fluid to the second chamber, then assembly is simplified, but pressure imbalance occurs due to local losses and small diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation fluid supply system is segmented into two independent ducts: one duct supplies the upper portion of the balloon, and another duct supplies the lower portion. This segmentation ensures equal pressure distribution to both portions of the balloon, eliminating the pressure imbalance that would occur with a single small-diameter channel while maintaining assembly simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If the balloon is positioned to rest on the inner surface of the cavity, then self-location is achieved, but urine stagnation occurs above the balloon
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is segmented into an upper portion and a lower portion with independent inflation capability. The lower portion rests on the inner surface of the cavity to achieve self-location, while the upper portion extends above the balloon to provide drainage function. This segmentation allows the balloon to simultaneously achieve self-location and prevent urine stagnation above it.
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
Ensures complete and efficient drainage while simplifying manufacturing and maintaining correct positioning, reducing the risk of infections and limescale damage, and facilitating easy assembly with balanced pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The diametral chamber 22 is connected to means for supplying and controlled discharging of a pressurised fluid (indicated schematically in Figure 2 by the number 26) via a duct 28
Implementation Method 2
The diametral chamber 22 is connected to means for supplying and controlled discharging of the pressurised fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A catheter structure equipped with an adjustable self -locating device comprises a flexible tube (116) which has one end (118) intended to be introduced into the cavity to be evacuated and provided with a hole (120). A duct (128) associated with the flexible tube connects a diametral chamber to means for supplying and controlled discharging of a pressurised fluid. The diametral chamber consists of a circular rim portion concentric with the flexible tube and defined by a membrane (124) which forms a single surface zone of said flexible tube without diametral chamber, in which said hole is formed.