Urinary Catheter with Endoscope Lumen for Non-Urologist Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinary catheter insertion requires a urologist and involves complex procedures with cystoscopes, limiting accessibility for installation by other healthcare professionals.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system comprising an endoscope and a catheter where the endoscope is inserted into the catheter's lumen, allowing for urinary catheter placement without a urologist, featuring a disposable design and an inflatable balloon for secure positioning, enabling single-use applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional cystoscope and guide wire method is used for urinary catheter insertion, then the catheter can be positioned accurately in the bladder, but the procedure requires a specialized urologist and complex equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the endoscope and catheter into a single integrated system where the catheter is received within the endoscope's insertion tube. This merging eliminates the need for separate guide wire procedures and allows non-urologists to perform catheter insertion using the combined device as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope serves multiple functions: it provides visual guidance for catheter insertion, acts as the delivery mechanism for the catheter, and enables non-specialized healthcare professionals to perform the procedure. The catheter system is designed to be universally applicable without requiring specialized urological expertise or equipment.
2Productivity
If a reusable catheter system with cystoscope is used, then accurate positioning is achieved, but disinfection cycles are required between uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes a disposable catheter system that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for time-consuming disinfection cycles between patients. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon for secure positioning and is designed to be used once and then disposed of, improving productivity by removing sterilization wait times.
3Reliability
If a simple catheter without visual guidance is used, then the procedure is simpler, but accurate positioning in the bladder cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is nested within the endoscope's insertion tube, with the catheter's elongate body received inside the endoscope. This nested configuration allows the endoscope to provide visual guidance for accurate bladder positioning while the catheter remains protected and guided throughout the insertion process, ensuring reliable placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope acts as an intermediary device that provides visual feedback and guidance during catheter insertion. The operator can view the insertion process through the endoscope's camera and use the visual information to ensure accurate catheter positioning in the bladder, while the catheter itself remains the primary functional element for urine drainage.
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
Facilitates urinary catheter installation by non-urologists with enhanced accessibility and simplifies the process, eliminating the need for cystoscope use and disinfection cycles, ensuring secure and efficient catheter placement.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable balloon for secure positioning
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to catheters, and more particularly, to urinary catheters that can be used with an endoscope as well as a catheter system comprising a catheter and an endoscope, wherein the endoscope is disposed in the lumen of the catheter. In one instance, a catheter system includes an endoscope and a catheter. The endoscope has an insertion tube sized and shaped to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient. The catheter includes an elongate body having an axis and proximal and distal end portions space apart from one another along the axis. The elongate body is sized and shaped to be received in the body lumen. The elongate body defines a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end portions. The lumen is sized and shaped to receive the insertion tube of the endoscope.