Hydro-block Air Vent Condom Catheter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current condom catheters fail to securely attach to the penis during physical activity, allow urine to accumulate and cause skin irritation, urinary tract infections, and other complications due to inadequate air ventilation and improper fitting, leading to issues like maceration, ischemia, and penile edema.

Innovation Solution

The Hydro-block Air Vent Condom Catheter incorporates a proprietary air vent that allows air to enter while preventing urine from escaping except through the distal end, combined with inflatable rings for secure attachment, eliminating the need for adhesives and enhancing comfort and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If condom catheters are designed to securely attach during physical activity, then attachment reliability improves, but air ventilation is blocked causing urine accumulation and skin complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidurine accumulation and skin complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces air vents with hydrophobic membranes that allow air molecules to pass through while blocking urine molecules. The hydrophobic material creates selective permeability based on molecular properties, enabling ventilation without fluid leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The air vent combines hydrophobic membrane material with hydrophilic coating or structure. This composite approach allows the material to selectively interact with different substances (air vs. urine) based on their chemical properties, achieving both ventilation and fluid barrier functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If adhesive materials are used to secure the catheter, then attachment reliability improves, but skin irritation and damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidskin irritation and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive component entirely from the design. Instead of using adhesive materials that cause skin damage, the invention relies on mechanical retention through the inflatable ring and body contouring to achieve secure attachment without chemical adhesives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable ring acts as an intermediary mechanism between the catheter and the patient's body. It provides the necessary retention force through gentle compression and mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for direct adhesive contact with the skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the catheter is designed to allow air flow for ventilation, then urine drainage improves, but attachment security during activity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine drainage efficiencyVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter has different properties in different locations: the air vent area has porous hydrophobic material for ventilation, while the attachment areas have smooth hydrophilic surfaces for secure fitting. This local differentiation allows both functions to coexist without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design ensures complete urine drainage away from the skin, reducing skin ulcers, urinary tract infections, and other complications, while maintaining secure attachment during activity, and can be used with pump drainage systems for effective urine management.

Implementation Method 1

a proprietary air vent that allows air to flow into the condom catheter while blocking the urine from exiting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

combined with inflatable rings for secure attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

allowing air to flow into the condom catheter while blocking the urine from exiting except through the distal end drain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9788992B2Hydro-block air vent condom catheter and method of use

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 HARVIE MARK R

AI summary

This invention is a device that utilizes hydro-block venting material in various condom catheter configurations to permit adequate airflow into the catheter thereby permitting efficient and complete drainage of urine away from the user following urination by means od gravity, siphoning or pumping. In one embodiment the condom that fits on the penis is itself made of hydro-block venting material. In another embodiment the hydro-block material is placed on the proximal end of a storage bag. In yet another embodiment a retro-fit assembly containing the hydro-block venting material can be retrofitted for use with any condom catheter. Both adhesive and inflatable rings are disclosed as attachment means to secure the condom catheter to the user and prevent leakage.