Foldable Catheter Package with Slit Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter assemblies for urinary catheters are cumbersome, difficult to handle, and costly to produce, especially for longer catheters, and often result in shape deformation due to material rigidity, making them inconvenient for users with reduced dexterity and requiring more space for storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with an elongate package that includes an insert opening for temporarily folding the catheter, allowing for a compact state without significant shape deformation, which can be easily released for use, and is cost-efficient to produce, featuring a slit opening and resealable design for easy handling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the catheter is made longer to accommodate male users (at least 200-350 mm insertable length), then the catheter can extend through the urethra sufficiently, but the assembly becomes much longer and more cumbersome to store, transport and handle
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is placed inside a tube that can be folded and inserted into itself, creating a nested configuration. The tube is folded back on itself and the end is inserted through a slit opening in the package, allowing the long catheter to be contained in a compact form factor that fits in a pocket while maintaining full length for male users
2Volume of moving object
If the package is made smaller to be portable and discreet, then it can be carried easily in a pocket, but it becomes difficult to re-insert the catheter through the resealable opening without touching the insertable part
Solution Approach 1:
The tube serves as an intermediary tool that allows the user to hold and manipulate the catheter without directly touching the insertable tip. The user holds the tube rather than the catheter itself, and the catheter slides through the tube during insertion, preventing contamination and making re-insertion easier in the compact package
3Volume of moving object
If the catheter is stored in a curved disposition to reduce size, then the package becomes more compact, but the catheter may remain curved when withdrawn and cause discomfort during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-positioned in a straight configuration within the tube before use. The tube itself is folded for compact storage, but the catheter inside remains straight and ready for insertion, eliminating the need to manually straighten it when removed from the package
4Adaptability or versatility
If a resealable opening is provided for re-insertion, then the package can be re-closed after use, but closing the resealable opening in a sufficiently sealed manner becomes difficult for users with reduced dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The tube and slit opening configuration allows the package to be sealed by simply inserting the tube end through the slit and allowing it to hold itself in place, eliminating the need for complex sealing mechanisms that would be difficult for users with reduced dexterity to operate
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 enables a compact and cost-effective catheter assembly that maintains the catheter in a straight disposition, reducing handling difficulties for users with reduced dexterity and minimizing storage space, while allowing for easy reinsertion and resealing, thus improving user convenience and product usability.
Implementation Method 1
a catheter having a hydrophilic surface coating, wherein the assembly also includes a wetting fluid for activation of the hydrophilic surface coating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising a catheter (1) and an elongate package (3) accommodating said catheter in a closed condition. The package is provided with an insert opening (102) arranged to releasably receive an end of the elongate package in the closed condition, thereby temporarily retaining said closed package in a folded disposition in which also the catheter is folded.