Urinary Catheter Package Spiral Storage and Retraction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic urinary catheters are difficult to collapse for discreet disposal after use, and they often require additional preparation for use due to the need for lubrication, which can be inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A urinary catheter kit with a flared end and a package featuring inward protrusions that prevent the catheter from being pushed back into the package until a specific force is applied, allowing the flared end to fold and facilitate easy retraction, while a hydrophilic coating and liquid swelling medium maintain the catheter in a ready-to-use state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the catheter is designed to be telescopic for compact storage, then the storage volume is reduced, but the catheter becomes difficult to collapse for discreet disposal after use
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with a telescopic structure where the catheter body can be collapsed back into the package housing, similar to a nested doll configuration. The catheter stores within the package cavity when not in use, achieving compact storage while maintaining the ability to be collapsed for discreet disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter package incorporates a dynamic sealing mechanism that adapts based on the catheter's state. During insertion, the seal remains flexible to allow catheter removal. After use, the seal can be activated to lock the catheter in its collapsed state within the package, preventing accidental re-extension and enabling discreet disposal.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter requires lubrication preparation for use, then the insertion comfort is improved, but the preparation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-coated with a hydrophilic substance during manufacturing that activates upon contact with body fluids. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for separate lubrication steps by the user, as the catheter automatically becomes lubricated when inserted into the urethra, reducing preparation time while maintaining insertion comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter material undergoes a parameter change in its surface properties when exposed to moisture. The hydrophilic coating transitions from a dry, non-lubricated state to a hydrated, low-friction state upon contact with body fluids or saliva, providing automatic lubrication without requiring additional preparation time.
3Ease of operation
If the package allows easy catheter removal for use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the catheter can be accidentally pushed back into the package
Solution Approach 1:
The package seal is designed with dynamic characteristics that provide different resistance levels during catheter insertion and removal. During removal, the seal remains flexible to allow easy catheter extraction. After removal, the seal can be activated to create a locking mechanism that prevents the catheter from being accidentally pushed back into the package, ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The package opening mechanism is segmented into distinct functional zones: a removal zone that allows easy catheter extraction, and a retention zone that prevents accidental re-insertion. This segmentation is achieved through asymmetric seal design where one direction of movement is facilitated while the opposite direction is restricted after use.
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 solution allows for discreet disposal of the catheter by preventing collapse until intended, reduces preparation needs through a pre-hydrated state, and provides a safety mechanism to prevent over-insertion force, ensuring user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
If the pushing force exceeds a predetermined level, the flared end will be adapted to fold around itself so it faces in the opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic coating and liquid swelling medium maintain the catheter in a ready-to-use state
Data Source
AI summary
A package configured for storing and dispensing a tubular section of a urinary catheter includes a wall forming a spiral pattern on an interior surface of the package, a cavity, an outlet, a channel connecting the outlet and the cavity, and a by-pass flow path connected with the outlet. The spiral pattern extends from a central region of the package to an outer periphery of the package, with the spiral pattern of the wall forming a spiral space located between the wall and an adjacent section of the wall. The cavity is formed in the outer periphery of the package. The outlet is formed in the outer periphery of the package separate from the cavity.