Urinary Catheter Template with Funnel-Shaped Absorbent Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urinary catheter templates for men are complex to manufacture and use, leading to increased costs and difficulties in hygiene maintenance, with urine leakage and infection risks remaining unaddressed effectively.

Innovation Solution

A template featuring a sector-shaped absorbent material with a liquid-tight layer and adhesive elements, designed to form a funnel around the catheter, with an additional adhesive element on the radius for easy attachment and removal, allowing for simple, cost-effective production and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex template design is used to prevent urine leakage, then urine collection effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveurine collection effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The template is divided into distinct functional segments: a circular sector-shaped absorbent element, a liquid-tight layer, and adhesive elements positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process and reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The template utilizes a circular sector shape that can be rolled into a funnel configuration, transitioning from a two-dimensional flat pattern to a three-dimensional functional structure. This dimensional transformation enables effective urine collection while maintaining simple manufacturing from flat materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If adhesive elements are added to secure the template, then attachment reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive elements are integrated directly into the template structure during manufacturing, combining the attachment function with the absorbent element. This merging approach ensures reliable attachment while avoiding additional separate components that would increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive elements are positioned at specific local areas where attachment is needed, rather than covering the entire template. This localized approach provides sufficient attachment reliability while minimizing material usage and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the template is designed for easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but attachment strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidattachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive elements are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to provide strong attachment during use but enable easy removal when needed. This dynamic property balances the conflicting requirements of strong attachment and ease of removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The template is designed as a disposable item with adhesive elements that prioritize ease of removal over permanent attachment. This approach accepts that the template will be replaced regularly, making easy removal a more important characteristic than permanent attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 template provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution that minimizes urine leakage and infection risks by efficiently collecting urine and ensuring quick replacement, thus improving hygiene and usability.

Implementation Method 1

a flat pad made of a fluid-absorbing material is arranged on the outer part of the catheter tube to prevent infection. The pad absorbs urine that leaks from the outside of the catheter.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one adhesive element for attaching the element in a position of use and for attaching the element in its position of use to the urinary catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

an element made of absorbent material and a liquid-tight layer on one side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid barrier: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP3908236B1Template for use in urinary catheter for men
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 RUDOLF HEINTEL GMBH
  • EP3908236B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3908236B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a collector means (1) for use with a urine catheter (2) for a man, comprising an element (3) made of absorbent material (4) and a fluid-tight layer (5) on one side, and at least one adhesive element (6) for fastening the element (3) in a use position and for fastening the element (3) in its use position on the urine catheter (2). According to the invention, the element (3) made of absorbent material (4) is in the form of a circle sector and, for its use position, can be rolled up to form a funnel and can be fixed in position using the at least one adhesive element (6), and at least one additional adhesive element (7) is arranged on a radius (r) of the circle sector for fastening to the urine catheter (2), which additional adhesive element (7) has an adhesive-free end (8).