Intermittent Catheter Inserter Tip for Controlled Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter packaging systems often result in inadequate wetting of the catheter tube, leading to difficulties in handling and increased risk of trauma and infection during self-catheterization, and may reduce the catheter's shelf-life due to exposure to moisture.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a wetting agent storage chamber sealed by an inserter tip that moves between retracted and deployed positions, allowing controlled release of the wetting agent upon cap removal, providing clear feedback and ensuring consistent wetting of the catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the catheter is pre-wetted by submerging it in wetting agent within packaging, then the catheter tube is adequately wetted prior to use, but other components of the catheter become wetted making it difficult to hold and direct, and the shelf-life is reduced due to long-term exposure to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting agent is extracted from general contact with the catheter components and is instead delivered only to the catheter tube through a dedicated wetting device. This selective delivery mechanism prevents other components from becoming wetted while ensuring adequate wetting of the tube surface.
Solution Approach 2:
A wetting device acts as an intermediary between the wetting agent and the catheter components. This intermediary structure controls the distribution of wetting agent, allowing it to contact only the catheter tube surface that requires wetting for ease of insertion.
2Ease of operation
If a rupturable container is used to release wetting agent, then the catheter can be wetted at point of use, but the catheter tube may not be fully wetted and the system requires dexterity with no feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting device incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide the user with sensory information about the wetting process. This may include visual indicators showing wetting progress or tactile feedback confirming adequate wetting, eliminating the uncertainty present in rupturable container systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wetting device is designed to deliver the wetting agent in a controlled sequence, ensuring the catheter tube is thoroughly wetted before use. The device structure guides the wetting agent along the entire length of the tube surface, preventing incomplete wetting that can occur with simple rupture containers.
3Volume of stationary object
If the packaging contains limited wetting agent due to packaging constraints, then the packaging size is reduced, but the catheter tube may not be fully wetted especially near end of shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting device is designed to deliver the wetting agent continuously along the catheter tube surface, ensuring complete coverage even with limited agent volume. The continuous delivery mechanism maximizes the effectiveness of the wetting agent, allowing full wetting with smaller quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The wetting device concentrates the wetting agent precisely where it is needed on the catheter tube surface. This localized delivery approach ensures efficient use of the wetting agent, achieving complete wetting of the tube while minimizing the total volume required in the packaging.
4Volume of stationary object
If wetting agent volume is insufficient, then the packaging size is reduced, but the tip end of the catheter may not be wetted which is critical for preventing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting device is designed to prioritize wetting of the catheter tip end before other portions. The device structure guides the wetting agent to first contact and thoroughly wet the tip end, ensuring this critical area is adequately prepared before insertion, even when total agent volume is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The wetting device provides concentrated delivery of wetting agent to the tip end region of the catheter. This localized prioritization ensures the most critical area for injury prevention receives sufficient wetting agent, reducing trauma risk while maintaining compact packaging.
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 consistent wetting of the catheter tube prior to use, reducing the risk of trauma and infection while maintaining shelf-life and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the catheter tube itself comprises, is integrated with or is coated with a hydrophilic component (e.g. a hydrophilic polymer) which serves to reduce friction further upon application of the wetting agent
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(a)~5(c)
AI summary
A catheter assembly (1) comprising an external housing (10) and an inserter tip (15), wherein the external housing (10) comprises a deformable aperture (42) through which the inserter tip (15) extends from an interior of the external housing to an exterior of the external housing, wherein the inserter tip (15) is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position; and the inserter tip (15) comprises one or more projections (23) of greater dimensions than the aperture (42) wherein after deployment the aperture (42) may restrict movement of the one or more projections (23) into the interior of the external housing.