Urinary Catheter Anchoring Body Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinary catheters, such as Foley catheters, pose challenges due to the need for frequent insertion and removal, potential for infections, and discomfort caused by the constant presence of the catheter, as well as the risk of bladder infections and urethral irritation, especially in users with bladder deficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A urinary catheter design featuring a catheter body with a resilient anchoring body that can transition from a compact state for easy insertion to an expanded state for anchoring within the bladder, and a pull member or torsion wire for transluminal manipulation and removal, allowing the catheter to be worn internally and reducing external exposure, thus minimizing irritation and infection risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a conventional Foley catheter is used with an inflatable balloon for anchoring, then the catheter can be indwelled for repeated use, but the constant presence in the urethra causes irritation and increases infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a resilient anchoring body that can dynamically change its transverse dimension between a compressed state for insertion and an expanded state for anchoring. This dynamic transformation allows the catheter to be fully received in the bladder cavity when expanded, removing it from the urethra and eliminating constant irritation while maintaining indwelling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring body transforms from a slender longitudinal configuration during insertion to a transversely expanded configuration for anchoring. This dimensional change enables the catheter to anchor within the bladder cavity without requiring a long shaft to span the urethra, thereby removing the source of urethral irritation while maintaining secure positioning
2Length of moving object
If the catheter body is made long enough to span the urethra and bladder, then it can provide drainage function, but it cannot be fully received in the bladder cavity to minimize urethral presence
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring body's ability to dynamically compress into a slender state allows the catheter body to be fully received in the bladder cavity during insertion, then expand to anchor securely, eliminating the need for a long shaft to span the urethra and thereby minimizing urethral irritation
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter separates the anchoring function from the drainage function, with the anchoring body serving as a distinct component that can be compressed for insertion and then expanded to anchor, allowing the drainage shaft to be short and fully contained in the bladder cavity
3Ease of operation
If the anchoring body is made resilient and self-expanding, then insertion is simplified, but control over expansion timing becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion device applies preliminary compressive force to counteract the resilient expansion tendency of the anchoring body during insertion, keeping it in a compressed state. Once positioned, the constraining force is released, allowing the anchoring body to expand automatically, thereby simplifying insertion while maintaining control over expansion timing
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion device acts as an intermediary that temporarily constrains the resilient anchoring body in a compressed state during insertion, then releases it to allow controlled expansion. This intermediary mechanism enables both simplified insertion and controlled expansion timing without requiring complex active control systems
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
This design enables user-friendly, self-administered catheterization with reduced risk of infections and discomfort, as the catheter remains within the bladder most of the time, minimizing urethral irritation and allowing for easy, sterile operation with minimal external components.
Implementation Method 1
the anchoring body is resilient and able and adapted to transform from a compressed first state which allows an easy transluminal introduction to an expanded second state in which it anchors the catheter body in the body cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid catheter, in particular a urinary catheter, includes a catheter shaft part (21) with a longitudinal liquid channel extending between a proximal and distal side thereof, and an anchoring body (22). The catheter body is intended to be received fully internally in a body cavity, such as in particular the urine bladder (50), and to drain the bladder from inside via the urethra (51). The catheter body has a length to span a distance between the bladder and a closure point (35) of the sphincter urethrae. An operating member (24,25) is connected durably to the catheter body to enable a user to carry the catheter body transluminally out of the bladder past the closure point. An insertion device for the catheter includes an insertion sleeve which can be carried transluminally as far as the urine bladder and from which the catheter body can be carried into the bladder.