Single-Opening Catheter Design for Urethral Trauma Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional urinary catheters with eyelets cause trauma to the urethra, lead to infections, and suffer from slow drainage due to turbulent fluid forces and clogging issues.

Innovation Solution

A catheter design featuring a single entrance opening at the first end without eyelets, with a structurally strong annular sidewall that allows for faster urine drainage and reduced friction, using various geometric configurations such as tapered openings, channels, and dimples to enhance flow rates and prevent clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If eyelets are formed in the catheter body sidewall to facilitate insertion, then insertion is easier, but trauma to the urethra occurs and infections are caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidurethra trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the eyelets from the catheter body sidewall entirely, extracting the harmful element that causes urethra trauma while maintaining the catheter's insertion function through a different structural approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of forming openings in the sidewall as in conventional catheters, the invention inverts the approach by creating a single larger opening at the distal end of the catheter, reversing the traditional location and configuration of the intake aperture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If eyelets are formed in the catheter body sidewall, then fluid intake is enabled, but turbulent fluid forces cause slow drainage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine intakeVSAvoiddrainage rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional eyelet configuration by placing a single larger opening at the distal end instead of multiple small eyelets in the sidewall, which reduces turbulence and improves drainage velocity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional sidewall opening configuration to a three-dimensional distal end opening that aligns with the longitudinal axis, optimizing fluid flow dynamics and reducing turbulent forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If eyelets are formed in the catheter body sidewall, then urine intake is facilitated, but clogging with mucus or debris occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine intakeVSAvoidclogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional approach by positioning the opening at the distal end rather than in the sidewall, which prevents mucus and debris from adhering to the opening edges and causes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the opening configuration, using a single larger aperture at the distal end with specific dimensional relationships that prevent clogging while maintaining adequate urine intake

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a single entrance opening is used instead of multiple eyelets, then trauma and clogging are reduced, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurethra traumaVSAvoidcatheter body strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional design by placing the opening at the distal end rather than in the sidewall, which maintains structural integrity while eliminating trauma-causing edges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating the opening function at the distal end while maintaining the continuity and strength of the sidewall structure throughout the catheter body

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

The design facilitates faster and more efficient urine drainage, reduces the risk of trauma and infections, and prevents clogging, allowing for complete bladder emptying without the issues associated with eyelet-based catheters.

Implementation Method 1

the eyelet formed in the catheter body sidewall causes turbulent fluid forces within the catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 2

friction forces created by the urine flow contacting the inner surface of the catheter decreases the fluid flow or drainage rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3100758B1Intermittent urinary catheter

Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ZCATH LLC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B

AI summary

A catheter (30C) has an entrance opening (38) defined by the first end of a catheter body and non-circular inner surface in cross section. The entrance opening intersects a longitudinal axis extending longitudinally through the center of a lumen adapted to drain urine from a bladder. The non-circular inner surface can have dimples, channels, or grooves, all of which decrease frictional fluid forces against the inner surface as the urine drains. The catheter is free of any eyelets formed in the side wall of the catheter body. The catheter further includes a plurality of distinct longitudinally extending convex outer surfaces (60) and may have an enlarged head.