Closed Urine Specimen Collection System with One-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for obtaining urine specimens from patients with indwelling catheters are hazardous due to the use of syringes, which can cause accidental needle sticks and infections, and they fail to ensure specimen sterility for laboratory procedures.
Innovation Solution
A closed specimen collection system comprising a port tube with a one-way valve, a collection tube with a shaped nozzle, and a specimen container with a piston and actuating rod, allowing for sterile urine collection without syringes, featuring a latching mechanism and seals to ensure sterility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If syringes are used to obtain urine specimens from indwelling catheters, then specimens can be collected, but healthcare workers are exposed to accidental needle sticks and infections
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the syringe component from the specimen collection process. Instead of using a syringe to withdraw urine, the system uses a collection vial that attaches directly to the catheter port, allowing urine to flow passively into the vial through gravity and pressure differential, thereby removing the hazardous needle and syringe mechanism entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a intermediary collection vial system that mediates between the catheter and the specimen collection process. The vial acts as a safe intermediate container that receives urine without requiring needle penetration, and includes a transfer mechanism that allows safe transfer of the specimen to the laboratory without exposing healthcare workers to contaminated needles
2Ease of operation
If a rubber membrane is used on the catheter port for specimen withdrawal, then specimens can be obtained, but the membrane may become contaminated and compromise specimen sterility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable components including the collection vial and its cap assembly. The cap with its membrane filter is designed for single-use only, eliminating the risk of contamination from repeated use. Each new specimen collection uses a fresh disposable unit, ensuring sterility is maintained without requiring sterilization of reusable components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible membrane filter in the cap assembly that allows urine to pass through while blocking contaminants. The membrane is integrated into a flexible cap structure that maintains sterility during the collection process and can be sealed to preserve specimen integrity until transfer to the laboratory
3Reliability
If a closed system is used to prevent contamination, then specimen sterility is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the specimen collection system into distinct functional modules: the catheter port, the collection vial with screw cap, the membrane filter, and the transfer mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity. The modular design makes the closed system easier to assemble, use, and dispose of compared to a fully integrated complex system
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 system prevents contamination and infection, is safer for healthcare workers, and provides a reliable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use method for obtaining sterile urine specimens, addressing the limitations of prior art by eliminating the need for syringes and ensuring specimen sterility.
Implementation Method 1
The port tube has a one-way valve located adjacent the second end
Implementation Method 2
The second end is formed to fit sealably with a shaped nozzle
Implementation Method 3
A piston is provided. The piston fits closely within the hollow body and is attached to an actuating rod. When the port tube is connected to the collection tube, the collection tube is connected to the specimen container and the actuating rod is moved away from the front end of the container, urine will flow into the specimen container in a sterile condition
Data Source
AI summary
A closed specimen collection system includes a port tube that is rotatably attached to tubing of a urinary drainage system attached to an indwelling urinary catheter. The port tube has a one-way valve located adjacent one end formed to fit sealably with a shaped nozzle. A collection has a proximal end and a distal end with a shaped nozzle at the proximal end adapted to fit sealably into the port tube adjacent the one-way valve. A specimen container has a hollow body, a back end and a front end with a sealable aperture sized and shaped to attach to the distal end of the collection tube. A piston fits closely within the hollow body and is attached to an actuating rod. When the actuating rod is moved away from the front end of the container, urine will flow into the specimen container through the collection tube in a sterile condition.