Collapsible Urinary Catheter Container with Pivotable Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing a urinary catheter and fluid collecting bag within packaging material is difficult for users with low dexterity and low motor skills, as existing packaging designs do not facilitate easy opening or closing, making it challenging for them to use the catheter effectively.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible container designed to transition from a closed to an open configuration, featuring pivotable panels and adhesively bonded sections that can be easily opened by applying pulling forces, allowing users to retrieve and return the catheter, while maintaining sterility and preventing fluid leakage, with pull tabs for user convenience and a tamper-evident mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid packaging is used to maintain sterility and prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for users with low dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple panels (front panel, back panel, side panels) that can be independently pivoted. This segmentation allows the container to transition from a closed sterile state to an open accessible state through simple panel movements, making it easier for users with low dexterity to open while maintaining reliability when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic collapsible structure with pivotable panels. The container can change configuration between closed (for sterility) and open (for accessibility) states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining sterility and enabling easy operation
2Ease of operation
If a collapsible panel structure is used to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into the panel structure itself - the panels serve as both structural components and operational interfaces. The pivotable panels combine the functions of container walls, opening mechanisms, and closure systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure itself provides the opening and closing mechanisms through its pivotable panels. The panels are designed to be naturally pivotable without requiring external latches, hinges, or complex mechanisms - the structure itself enables easy operation while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If adhesive bonding is used to secure panels in closed configuration, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in opening
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding is segmented into specific bonding sections rather than continuous bonding. This allows the panels to be securely attached in the closed configuration for reliability, while providing specific opening points where the adhesive can be overcome with minimal force to pivot the panels open
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive bonding is designed to provide sufficient holding force to maintain closure reliability under normal conditions, but is positioned and configured to be easily overcome by the opening action of pivoting the panels. The adhesive provides preliminary secure bonding that can be readily reversed by simple user action
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 container enables users with low dexterity and motor skills to easily access and use urinary catheters by simplifying the opening and closing process, ensuring sterility and preventing fluid leakage, thus improving usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The container includes a number of adhesively bonded sections of one or more of the first and second side panels or first and second end panels, where the adhesively bonded sections are configured to secure the container in the first closed configuration
Implementation Method 2
the bottom panel, the first and second side panels, and the first and second end panels each include a hydrophobic inside surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a urinary catheter assembly including a package container that is transitionable between an expanded open configuration and collapsed closed configuration having the catheter and a bag enclosed therein. The container is transitioned from the closed configuration to the open configuration in one motion by the user pulling tabs in opposite directions. The container may be sterilized along with the catheter, may define a sterile barrier and may include a tamper evident mechanism. The container is securable in the closed configuration enclosing the catheter therein before and after use of the catheter. The catheter assembly may also include a urine collection bag enclosed within the container.