External Catheter Layout for Simultaneous Urine and Feces Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheters fail to efficiently collect both urine and feces from a user, particularly in cases of diarrhea, as they lack features for facilitating the entry and removal of feces via suction.

Innovation Solution

A catheter design with a collection tube having an aperture positioned under the urethra and holes under the anus, utilizing separate chambers and transfer tubes for urine and feces, with suction applied to each chamber to facilitate simultaneous collection and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional catheter design is used, then urine collection is possible, but feces collection is not facilitated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to collect both urine and fecesVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into distinct functional zones: an anterior aperture for urine collection and a posterior aperture with multiple holes for feces collection. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a single integrated catheter structure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the catheter have different structural characteristics: the anterior end has a single aperture suited for urine flow, while the posterior end has multiple holes suited for feces intake. This local differentiation enables the catheter to handle both urine and feces effectively without requiring separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If suction is applied to remove fluids, then removal efficiency is improved, but risk of fluid ejection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid removal efficiencyVSAvoidfluid ejection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter acts as an intermediary conduit between the body and the suction source. By providing a controlled pathway through which fluids must pass, it prevents direct ejection of fluids while still allowing efficient removal through suction, thus mediating between productivity and safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively collects and removes both urine and feces from a user, enhancing hygiene and convenience by using a resiliently compressible material that conforms to the body and separate suction sources for each waste type.

Implementation Method 1

The urine transfer tube is configured to be in fluid communication with a urine suction source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12616604B2External catheter apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 ROBINSON JOHN

AI summary

An external catheter apparatus for collecting urine and feces from a user includes a collection tube which defines an interior space in the collection tube. The collection tube further defines an aperture for facilitating the passage of urine into the collection tube and a plurality of holes for facilitating the passage of fluid feces into the collection tube. Transfer tubes are in fluid communication with the collection tube such that the urine and feces may be drawn away from the collection tube via suction on the transfer tubes.