Customized Urethral Catheter Insertion Alignment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Female patients face difficulties in locating and inserting urinary catheters due to the physically challenging task of finding the urethral orifice and accommodating the small diameter of the catheter.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for forming a urinary catheter insertion alignment device that involves spreading the labia, applying an impression material around the urethral orifice, allowing it to harden, and creating a customized alignment device that conforms to the vaginal anatomy, facilitating the precise positioning and insertion of an intermittent urinary catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard intermittent catheter is used for urinary drainage, then the bladder can be emptied effectively, but female patients experience difficulty locating the urethral orifice and inserting the catheter due to the small diameter and anatomical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alignment device as an intermediary tool that facilitates catheter insertion. This device includes a positioning element with a urethral orifice locator and a guide element that works together to mediate the insertion process, making it easier for female patients to locate the urethral orifice and insert the catheter without requiring surgical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment device adds a spatial dimension to the insertion process by providing a guide element with a specific trajectory that leads from the external genitalia to the urethral orifice. This dimensional guidance structure helps patients navigate the insertion path in three-dimensional space, overcoming the anatomical challenges of locating and accessing the urethral opening
2Ease of operation
If suprapubic catheter surgery is performed to avoid urethral insertion difficulties, then catheter insertion becomes easier, but the patient undergoes unnecessary surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment device enables female patients to perform self-catheterization independently without requiring surgical intervention or medical professional assistance for each insertion. The device provides self-guiding features that allow the patient to locate and insert the catheter themselves, eliminating the need for complex surgical procedures while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment device is designed with pre-formed anatomical contours and guidance structures that are created before use. The positioning element and guide element are pre-configured to match female urethral anatomy, allowing patients to benefit from pre-prepared alignment features without undergoing surgical modification or complex preparation procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A urinary catheter insertion alignment device for use by a female patient is disclosed. The urinary catheter insertion alignment device is molded to the patient's vaginal anatomy using impression material while an intermittent urinary catheter is inserted into the urethral orifice. Once the urinary catheter insertion alignment device has hardened, the intermittent urinary catheter is removed therefrom. Thereafter, the urinary catheter insertion alignment device may be fitted to the vaginal anatomy by the patient, which positions the passageway therethrough (formerly occupied by the urinary catheter in place during the molding operation) directly over the urethral orifice. The patient may then easily insert an intermittent urinary catheter (of a size smaller than that used during the molding operation) through the passageway, into the urethral orifice, and into the bladder for drainage of the bladder.