Reusable Urinary Catheter Case With Hydration Fluid Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread adoption of reusable urinary catheters is hindered by challenges related to storage, transport, and sterilization, necessitating a need for effective sterilization methods and reusable catheter products.
Innovation Solution
A reusable catheter product with a case containing a hydration fluid as a sterilization medium, which allows the catheter to be repeatedly inserted and removed, ensuring sterility through a hydrophilic coating and antibacterial components, and includes features like flexible sections, grips, and UV sterilization for multiple uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable catheters are used, then sterility is ensured, but waste is generated and environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a hydrophilic coating that changes its properties when exposed to hydration fluid, transforming from a dry state to a lubricated, sterile state. This parameter change allows the catheter to achieve sterility through chemical/physical transformation rather than single-use disposal, reducing waste while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter package contains hydration fluid that automatically sterilizes and lubricates the catheter when the user opens the package and the fluid contacts the catheter. This self-service sterilization eliminates the need for external sterilization processes and enables safe reuse without increasing waste
2Loss of substance
If reusable catheters are used, then waste is reduced, but sterilization challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-coated with hydrophilic material and pre-packaged with hydration fluid containing sterilization agents. This preliminary preparation ensures that sterilization occurs automatically upon first use, eliminating the need for complex external sterilization processes and reducing device complexity for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic coating acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the hydration fluid, facilitating the transfer of sterilization properties. The coating absorbs the hydration fluid and distributes sterilization agents uniformly across the catheter surface, simplifying the sterilization process
3Loss of substance
If reusable catheters are used, then cost is reduced, but storage and transport challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is nested within a compact package containing hydration fluid in a collapsible reservoir. The flexible middle section of the package allows it to be compressed and stored efficiently. This nested configuration reduces storage space requirements and simplifies transport while maintaining the reusability benefit
4Ease of operation
If hydrophilic coating is applied, then lubrication is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic coating is applied during the catheter manufacturing process using established coating techniques. The coating parameters (thickness, composition) are optimized to provide adequate lubrication without requiring complex multi-layer structures, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving ease of operation
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 the catheter to be safely reused multiple times, reducing waste and ensuring sterility through effective sterilization methods, including antibacterial materials and UV irradiation, thus addressing the challenges of storage and transport.
Implementation Method 1
The reusable catheter includes a hydrophilic coating. The case also includes a hydration fluid contained within the cavity.
Implementation Method 2
The hydration fluid includes a sterilization medium. The product allows the catheter to be repeatedly inserted and removed from the case, and yields a sterile and re-usable catheter.
Implementation Method 3
includes features like flexible sections, grips, and UV sterilization for multiple uses
Data Source
AI summary
Reusable catheter products are provided for storing, transporting, and sterilizing reusable urinary catheters. The products include a case comprising a proximal section, a middle section, and a distal section. The case includes a cavity configured to receive a catheter; the cavity includes a hydration fluid. The catheter comprises a distal end, a proximal end and a tubular section therebetween and includes a hydrophilic coating. When the catheter is inserted into the case, the hydration fluid sterilizes and lubricates the catheter.