Flip-Cap Catheter Package Sealing Against Side-Load Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter packages are not economical, reliable, easy to use, and maintain sterility, especially for users with limited dexterity, and often fail to withstand the forces of carrying containers like handbags.
Innovation Solution
A catheter package with a hollow tube and a cap connected by a hinge, featuring a seal that maintains sterility and can be easily opened and reclosed, with a case insert supporting the O-ring to resist distortion and side loads, allowing easy access to the catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sealed package is used to maintain sterility, then the catheter remains sterile, but the package is difficult to open and reclose for users with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The package is divided into a case and a cap that can be separated. The cap can be removed from the case to open the package and reattached to reclose it, providing an intuitive and easy-to-operate mechanism for users with limited dexterity while maintaining sterility through the seal between the cap and case
Solution Approach 2:
A seal acts as an intermediary element between the cap and case, forming a barrier that maintains sterility when engaged. The seal allows the package to be opened and reclosed while reliably maintaining the sterile environment inside the case
2Volume of moving object
If a compact package design is used for discreet carrying, then the package is easy to carry in purses or pouches, but it may break open prematurely under compression forces
Solution Approach 1:
The case is designed with a curved, substantially spherical external shape, which distributes compression forces uniformly across the surface. This geometric feature allows the compact package to withstand the forces of being carried in handbags or pouches without breaking open, while maintaining its compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The seal serves as a mediator that strengthens the connection between the cap and case, preventing the package from breaking open under compression forces while allowing the package to remain compact for discreet carrying
3Ease of operation
If the cap is made removable for easy opening, then the package is easy to access, but the cap may become misplaced during use
Solution Approach 1:
The package is segmented into a removable cap and case, allowing the cap to be easily removed for access and then reattached for reclosing. This segmentation provides intuitive operation while the cap's ability to be reattached prevents it from becoming misplaced
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary that facilitates the connection between the cap and case. When the cap is reattached to the case, the seal engages to secure the cap in place, preventing it from becoming misplaced while allowing easy removal and reattachment
4Reliability
If a hinge connection is used for the cap, then the cap remains attached and cannot be misplaced, but the hinge may interfere with catheter extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection is extracted or removed from the design. Instead of using a hinge, the cap is made completely removable from the case, allowing unobstructed access to the catheter for easy extraction while still providing attachment capability through reattachment of the cap to the case
Data Source
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AI summary
A package for a medical device such as an intermittent catheter has a case which is closed at one end and open at the other end. A cap is connected to the case by a hinge to permit selectable movement of the cap between an open position, wherein access is provided to the open end of the case, and a closed position, wherein the cap prevents access to the open end of the case. A seal is connected to one of the cap and case. The seal is engageable with the other of the cap and case when the cap is closed to form a barrier that maintains a sterile environment inside the package. The seal can be repeatedly made and broken whenever the user closes or opens the cap, respectively. The case includes a pair of slots at the open end. A pair of latches are formed in the cap. The latches fit into the slots to prevent lateral forces from distorting the cap when the cap is closed.