Urethral Cup Catheter Design for Vacuum-Assisted Urine Collection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urination devices such as bed pans and urinary catheters are uncomfortable, prone to spills, and can cause urinary tract infections, while existing female external catheters do not effectively utilize vacuum systems for urine collection.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection device with a urethral cup, comprising a funnel, body, and fluid permeable structure, which uses a vacuum system to collect urine through a chamber and conduit, with a funnel designed to fit over the urethral opening and be secured by the labia, and a permeable structure to facilitate fluid transport via gravity and vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bed pans are used for urine collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but discomfort and hygiene issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a funnel portion for receiving urine at the urethral opening, a body portion for collection, and a fluid permeable structure for controlled transport. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining comfort and hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid permeable structure acts as an intermediary between the collection chamber and the drainage system, allowing controlled fluid transport while maintaining a barrier that prevents direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, thereby improving hygiene.
2Reliability
If urinary catheters are used for urine collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but discomfort and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter-free design segments the collection function from the body, using an external funnel and collection body that does not require insertion into the urethra, thereby eliminating discomfort and infection risk associated with traditional catheters.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid permeable structure serves as an intermediary that enables urine collection without direct catheter insertion, allowing fluid transport while maintaining a protective barrier between the external environment and the urinary tract.
3Reliability
If conventional external catheters are used, then urine collection is possible, but vacuum system effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid permeable structure utilizes porous material properties to facilitate efficient fluid transport from the collection chamber to the drainage system, enhancing the effectiveness of the vacuum system by providing optimal flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates a vacuum system that uses pneumatic pressure differentials to actively draw urine through the fluid permeable structure and into the collection bag, significantly improving urine removal efficiency compared to passive collection methods.
4Reliability
If bed pans are used for urine collection, then fluid collection is achieved, but spills occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid permeable structure acts as an intermediary control mechanism that regulates fluid flow from the collection chamber, preventing uncontrolled spills while maintaining reliable urine collection through controlled drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum-driven pneumatic system provides controlled fluid removal, preventing spills by maintaining negative pressure that actively draws urine into the collection bag rather than allowing uncontrolled flow or overflow.
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 device provides effective, comfortable, and hygienic urine collection by securing the funnel in place and using a vacuum system to efficiently remove urine, reducing the risk of spills and infections.
Implementation Method 1
a permeable structure to facilitate fluid transport via gravity and vacuum
Implementation Method 2
using a vacuum system to collect urine through a chamber and conduit
Implementation Method 3
The fluid permeable structure is positioned within the chamber of the elongated body and fills at least a portion of the chamber between the opening and the chamber outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to fluid collection devices having a urethral cup, and related systems and methods. A fluid collection device includes a funnel, a body, a chamber outlet, and a fluid permeable structure. The funnel has a mouth with an outer periphery and narrows to a base defining an opening. The body includes a proximal end region and a distal end region distal to the funnel, and defines a chamber in fluid communication with the opening at the base of the funnel and extending from the opening beyond the outer periphery of the mouth of the funnel to the distal end region. The chamber outlet is in fluid communication with the chamber and positioned at the distal end region of the body. The fluid permeable structure is positioned within the chamber of the elongated body, and fills at least a portion of the chamber between the opening and the chamber outlet.