Catheter Wetting Mechanism with Stopper Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face issues with inadequate lubrication, exposure of non-tube components to wetting fluid, and increased infection risk due to premature contact with moisture, particularly during self-catheterization.
Innovation Solution
A wetting mechanism that requires a positive action to unlock the catheter tube, using a stopper to control the movement and fluid release, ensuring the tube is adequately lubricated only at the point of use, reducing exposure to moisture, and providing a gripping element for handling and insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter is submerged in wetting fluid within packaging, then the catheter tube is adequately wetted prior to use, but other components such as gripper element or funnel become wetted making it difficult to hold and direct the catheter tube
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments: a wetting mechanism containing wetting fluid, a stopper for controlling fluid release, and the catheter tube. This segmentation allows the wetting fluid to be applied only to the catheter tube at the point of use, while keeping other components dry and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The wetting fluid is prepared in advance within the wetting mechanism, but its release is controlled by the stopper. The catheter tube is positioned to receive the fluid only when the stopper is removed, ensuring preliminary preparation without premature application that would wet other components.
2Reliability
If the catheter is submerged in wetting fluid, then the catheter tube is wetted, but the shelf-life of the catheter is reduced due to long-term exposure of components to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The wetting fluid is isolated in a separate wetting mechanism compartmented from the rest of the catheter components. This segmentation prevents long-term exposure of the catheter tube and other components to moisture, preserving shelf-life while enabling wetting at the point of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The wetting fluid is extracted from continuous contact with catheter components and contained within a sealed wetting mechanism. The fluid is only released when needed through stopper removal, preventing premature degradation and extending the catheter's usable life.
3Ease of operation
If a rupturable container or sachet is used to release wetting fluid, then the fluid can be released upon user action, but the catheter tube may not be fully wetted or wetted at all prior to use
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wetting fluid and the catheter tube. It controls the release of fluid in a controlled manner, ensuring that the catheter tube is properly positioned and fully wetted before use, rather than relying on unpredictable rupturable containers.
4Ease of operation
If the catheter tube is exposed upon opening of packaging, then the catheter is ready for use, but the infection risk increases due to premature exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tube is segmented from the wetting mechanism, allowing the tube to remain protected during storage while the wetting fluid is contained in a sealed compartment. The tube is only exposed and wetted simultaneously at the point of use, minimizing infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tube is prepared for use by positioning it within the wetting mechanism, but the actual wetting and exposure occur only when the stopper is removed. This preliminary positioning without premature wetting reduces infection risk while ensuring readiness at the moment of 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
Ensures complete lubrication of the catheter tube before use, minimizes contamination risk, and extends shelf-life by controlling fluid exposure, enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface of the catheter tube is typically wetted using a wetting fluid prior to insertion by the user
Implementation Method 2
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 fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The invention relates to a wetting mechanism 20 for wetting a tube 12 of a catheter 10. The wetting mechanism 20 includes a housing 16 positioned initially at or proximal to the tip end 13 of the catheter tube 12. The housing 16 comprises a wetting chamber 23 into which at least a portion of the catheter tube 12 is able to be introduced and be moved therethrough to wet the catheter tube 12 in use. The wetting mechanism 20 includes a stopper 26 which is moveable between a first and second positions to prevent or allow the tip end 13 of the catheter tube 12 to be moved through the wetting chamber 23. The stopper is tubular and defines a channel to allow passage of the catheter through the channel.