Compact Intermittent Urinary Catheter with Elastic Package Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermittent catheters are cumbersome and difficult to assemble, especially for patients with limited dexterity, and often require separate drainage tubes, making them inconvenient for mobile use.
Innovation Solution
A compact, pre-assembled intermittent urinary catheter packaged in an elastic form that can be easily expanded to full length for use, with one end of the package removing the other end, and the package itself serving as a drainage tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If catheters are packaged in full longitudinal length, then they are ready for immediate use, but they occupy considerable storage and transport space
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is nested within the package structure itself, with the package walls forming a receiving chamber that contains the catheter in its full longitudinal length. This allows the catheter to be stored in a compact form while maintaining readiness for immediate use upon opening the package.
Solution Approach 2:
The package transitions from a compact folded or coiled state to a fully extended state during use. This dimensional transformation allows the same package to occupy minimal storage space while providing full longitudinal length when needed for catheter insertion and drainage.
2Volume of moving object
If catheters are provided in short sections to be assembled, then storage space is reduced, but assembly becomes difficult for users with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-assembled in its full longitudinal length before packaging. The package is prepared in advance with a receiving chamber that accommodates the complete catheter, eliminating the need for users to perform assembly operations during use.
3Reliability
If separate drainage tubes are required, then catheter functionality is complete, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The package structure is merged with the drainage tube function. The package walls themselves form the receiving chamber that serves as the drainage pathway, eliminating the need for a separate drainage tube component.
Solution Approach 2:
The package serves multiple functions: it protects the catheter during storage, provides a sterile barrier, and acts as the drainage tube during use. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the 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 solution provides a convenient, space-efficient, and easy-to-use intermittent catheter system that can be easily carried and assembled, reducing the complexity of use and storage, while allowing the package to function as a drainage tube.
Implementation Method 1
a longitudinally compacted preferably elastic package
Data Source
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AI summary
A compact packaged intermittent urinary catheter having a longitudinally elongated intermittent urinary catheter (10) retained within a longitudinally compacted elastic package (20). A method of using the catheter wherein at least a portion of the package is used as a drainage tube for the catheter.