Ready-to-Use Urinary Catheter With Collapsible Sleeve Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter assemblies with hydrophilic coatings face issues of liquid spillage during storage and use due to loose lubricity enhancing liquids, leading to messes and potential staining.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a collapsible sleeve containing a hydrophilic catheter and lubricity enhancing liquid, featuring anti-leak elements such as caps, introducers, and absorbent materials to prevent leakage, along with venting mechanisms to manage pressure during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lubricity enhancing liquid is provided loose within the package or in a sachet, then the hydrophilic coating can be activated, but liquid spillage occurs upon opening the package
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is nested within a collapsible sleeve that contains the lubricity enhancing liquid. The sleeve acts as a containment structure that prevents spillage while allowing the catheter to be accessed and used. The liquid is nested within the sleeve's compartment, separated from the external environment until activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricity enhancing liquid is pre-positioned within the collapsible sleeve in a contained state during storage and distribution. The sleeve maintains the liquid in a sealed compartment before use, preventing premature activation or spillage. The user activates the coating by manipulating the catheter to allow the liquid to contact the hydrophilic surface at the appropriate time.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the liquid is contained within a collapsible sleeve, then liquid spillage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible sleeve is constructed from flexible material that can be collapsed during insertion and then expands or maintains its shape to contain the liquid. The flexible shell provides containment while allowing the device to remain relatively simple in structure. The sleeve's flexibility enables it to conform to the catheter shaft without requiring rigid supporting structures.
3Reliability
If anti-leak elements are added to the introducer and cap, then liquid leakage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An anti-leak element acts as an intermediary component between the introducer and the cap, or within the cap structure itself. This intermediate element provides the leakage prevention function without requiring complete redesign of the introducer or cap. The anti-leak element can be a separate component that is easily integrated into the existing assembly.
4Ease of operation
If the sleeve is made collapsible to facilitate insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but structural stability during storage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve transitions from a stable, contained state during storage to a collapsible state during insertion. The dynamic structure allows the sleeve to maintain its shape and contain the liquid securely during storage, then collapse or deform to facilitate catheter insertion. After insertion, the sleeve can expand or maintain its collapsed state as appropriate for the application.
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
Reduces the risk of liquid spillage and enhances user convenience by maintaining a sealed environment for the lubricity enhancing liquid, minimizing mess and discomfort during catheter insertion.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrophilic coatings become the preferred method of providing lubricious surfaces because of their high lubricity and ease of use. Hydrophilic coatings become slippery or lubricous when wetted with a wetting fluid, such as saline or water.
Implementation Method 2
Hydrophilic coatings become slippery or lubricous when wetted with a wetting fluid, such as saline or water. The wetted lubricous hydrophilic coating eases insertion and removal of the device
Data Source
AI summary
Catheter assemblies including a catheter and a liquid.