Catheter-Connected Urine Analysis Device with Siphon and Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine analysis devices are labor-intensive, require manual sampling, and cannot continuously monitor renal activity, posing risks during sample transport and necessitating constant laboratory availability, especially for intensive-care patients.
Innovation Solution
A compact device connected to a patient's catheter for automatic and continuous monitoring of urine physical-chemical characteristics, using a siphon for urine collection, a pump for non-diluted analysis, and electronic control for timed measurements with high sensitivity electrodes, allowing for real-time analysis without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual sampling and laboratory analysis are used, then chemical analysis of urine can be performed, but continuous monitoring is impossible and labor-intensive interventions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service automated urine analysis by connecting directly to the catheter, automatically collecting samples via siphon, and performing electrochemical measurements without requiring health worker intervention for sampling or sample preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with an automated system combining siphon-based liquid transfer and electrochemical sensing, eliminating the need for health workers to manually collect and transport urine samples
2Reliability
If manual sampling and transport to laboratory are used, then chemical analysis can be performed, but risks are introduced during sample transport
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis function is extracted from the centralized laboratory and placed directly at the patient's bedside through a compact device that performs electrochemical measurements locally, eliminating the need to transport samples to the laboratory
Solution Approach 2:
The device acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the analysis function, providing a localized measurement system that processes urine samples at the point of collection without requiring transport to a separate laboratory facility
3Productivity
If centralized laboratory analysis is used, then chemical analysis can be performed, but constant laboratory availability is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from centralized laboratory-based analysis to distributed bedside analysis, moving the measurement capability to a different spatial and operational dimension that enables continuous monitoring without requiring laboratory infrastructure
4Ease of operation
If urine sample is diluted before analysis, then electrochemical measurement can be performed, but the analysis process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service automated sample handling where the siphon system automatically transfers urine to the measurement cell without requiring manual dilution or preparation steps, simplifying the operation while maintaining measurement capability
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
Enables continuous, automatic monitoring of urine quantity and physical-chemical characteristics, reducing labor and risks, providing reliable and timely data for patient care without encumbering the patient's environment.
Implementation Method 1
The means for feeding a pre-established quantity of urine comprise a siphon
Implementation Method 2
a pump for non-diluted analysis
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical measurement cell... effect the desired measurements (for example pH, sodium, potassium, chloride and ammonium ions)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the analysis of urine designed to be connected in series to a catheter (12) of a patient's urine, comprises: means (14) for analyzing a sample of urine, means (13, 19) for feeding a pre-established quantity of urine coming from the catheter to said analysis means, and automatic control means (21) for controlling the feeding of the pre-established quantity of urine to the analysis means through said means for feeding, and for activating the analysis of the urine through said urine analysis means when the pre-established quantity of urine is supplied thereto.