Compact Catheter Assembly with Hygienic Sheath

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Solution Overview

Problem

Urinary catheters are often bulky, difficult to handle hygienically, and socially embarrassing, leading to issues with storage, transport, and frequent use due to their conspicuous nature, which can result in urinary tract infections and medical complications.

Innovation Solution

A compact urinary catheter assembly that can be stored in a coiled or helical shape, featuring a hygienic sheath for reduced contact and a flexible tubing system with integrated lubrication and sanitary wipes, allowing for discreet and hygienic use, easy retraction, and convenient packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the catheter is packaged in an elongated form, then it is easy to insert and use, but it becomes cumbersome for storage and transport and is readily apparent to others

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertion and useVSAvoidstorage and transport bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is placed inside a flexible enclosure that can be coiled or helically arranged, with the catheter nested within the enclosure structure. This allows the elongated catheter to be compacted within a smaller volume while remaining accessible for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible enclosure transitions from a compact coiled state for storage to an extended state during use. The enclosure can be uncoiled or unfolded to provide the necessary length for catheter insertion while maintaining a compact form when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the catheter is pre-lubricated with water activated coating, then insertion into the urethra is easier, but users must deal with packaging fluid which complicates handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidhandling complexity due to packaging fluid

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication function is extracted from the packaging fluid system and integrated directly onto the catheter surface as a pre-applied coating. This eliminates the need for separate packaging fluid while maintaining the lubrication benefit for easier insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is pre-coated with lubricating substance during manufacturing, so the lubrication is already in place before use. This preliminary application eliminates the need for additional lubrication steps or packaging fluid handling by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If users handle the catheter directly with their hands, then the catheter can be easily manipulated, but this creates hygiene risks and possibility of urinary tract infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidhygiene risk and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A hygienic sheath or barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the user's hands and the catheter. This sheath allows manipulation of the catheter while preventing direct contact that could transfer contaminants, thus maintaining ease of use while reducing infection risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the catheter is made conspicuous and easy to use, then patients can use it frequently, but it causes social embarrassment due to visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency of useVSAvoidsocial acceptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter and its enclosure are designed with flexible, thin-walled construction that allows them to be compactly coiled and concealed within clothing or carried discreetly. The flexible enclosure can be made opaque or in neutral colors to reduce visibility while maintaining ease of access for frequent use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2714543B1Compact catheter assembly

Publication Date: 2019.07.03 COMPACTCATH

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A-1

AI summary

Packaging including a coiled and optionally prelubricated catheter ( 104 ), its distal end insertable into the urethra, a slidable hygienic sheath ( 103 ), a proximal catheter end for voiding urine from the distal end through the assembly to the proximal end. Mutually rotatable elements providing for withdrawal of the catheter from its coiled state to an extended state, and retraction of the catheter back to its coiled state. Methods of extending the catheter, inserting it into the urethra, and voiding urine through the catheter, without requiring complete removal from the catheter packaging. A kit including automatic extrusion of the catheter's distal end upon package opening, and a water pouch for hydrophilic lubrication, and sanitary wipes for reducing the likelihood of infection. A catheter within a flexible and optionally coiled tube, a slidable hygienic sheath covering a catheter's distal end that can move along the length of the catheter during insertion. A catheter package including an internal spiral wall.