Modified Foley Catheter With Air-Lock Detection for Urine Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Foley catheters suffer from residual urine volume due to air locks, leading to inaccurate urine output measurements and potential errors in fluid status and renal function assessment, necessitating a more precise and automated solution for bladder drainage and parameter analysis.
Innovation Solution
A modified Foley catheter with integrated sensors for intra-abdominal pressure sensing, air lock detection and removal, and additional urine parameter analysis, including oxygen tension, conductance, and specific gravity, coupled with a controller for automated urine output measurement and medical treatment device control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional Foley catheter is used for bladder drainage, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but residual urine volume remains high due to air locks causing inaccurate urine output measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single catheter system: drainage lumen for urine flow, pressure sensing lumen for detecting air locks, and integrated control logic. This merging allows the system to automatically detect and resolve air lock conditions without adding separate complex devices, thereby improving measurement accuracy while controlling overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring pressure within the drainage lumen to detect air lock conditions. When an air lock is detected through pressure anomalies, the system automatically responds by manipulating the drainage tube to clear the blockage, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accurate urine output measurement
2Productivity
If manual manipulation of the drainage tube is performed to clear air locks, then air locks can be removed, but the process is repetitive, time-consuming, and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting air locks through integrated pressure sensing and autonomously manipulating the drainage tube to clear blockages. This eliminates the need for repeated manual intervention by nursing staff, significantly reducing time loss and improving productivity in urine output monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated control system that uses pressure sensing data to trigger drainage tube manipulation. This substitution transforms a labor-intensive, imprecise manual process into an automated, data-driven system that operates continuously without time loss
3Measurement precision
If the drainage tube is manipulated frequently to clear air locks, then urine flow can be maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to disruption of the drainage system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring pressure conditions to detect air lock formation before it significantly impacts urine flow. By intervening early through automated drainage tube manipulation, the system maintains stable drainage conditions and prevents disruptions that would compromise measurement precision
4Reliability
If traditional Foley catheters are used, then the design is simple and well-established, but residual urine volume exceeds 50mL leading to erroneous measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from integrated pressure sensing to continuously monitor drainage conditions and automatically detect air locks. This real-time feedback enables the system to respond immediately to conditions that would otherwise cause residual urine accumulation, ensuring reliable measurements by maintaining complete bladder emptying
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
Enhances the accuracy of urine output measurement, reduces air locks, and enables real-time monitoring of vital patient parameters, facilitating improved renal function assessment and automated adjustment of medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
A pump in fluid communication with the drainage tube and configured to apply a negative pressure to the drainage tube
Implementation Method 2
A valve configured for unidirectional flow and in fluid communication with the drainage tube
Implementation Method 3
integrated sensors for intra-abdominal pressure sensing, air lock detection and removal, and additional urine parameter analysis, including oxygen tension, conductance, and specific gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for draining and analyzing bodily fluids and assessing health are described and generally comprise a drainage tube in fluid communication with at least one opening near or at a distal end of a catheter, a pump in fluid communication with the drainage tube and configured to apply a negative pressure to the drainage tube, and a valve configured for unidirectional flow and in fluid communication with the drainage tube. A controller is configured to actuate the pump to apply the negative pressure for clearing an airlock and to monitor a urine output from the patient over a first predetermined period of time above a urine output threshold and over a second predetermined period of time below the urine output threshold. The controller may determine a risk of acute kidney injury if the urine output below the urine output threshold exceeds the second predetermined period of time.