Urine Collection Bag Assembly With One-Way Valve Against Backflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Catheter-related urinary tract infections are common due to urine backflow from collection bags, which is a primary cause of healthcare-related infections, increasing morbidity and hospital costs.

Innovation Solution

A urine collection bag assembly with a one-way flow control valve and a sampling valve, preventing urine backflow into the bladder and featuring antibacterial coatings and a bacterial monitoring wick to detect contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the urine collection bag is raised above the bladder level for convenient positioning and drainage, then urine drainage flow is improved, but urine backflow into the bladder occurs causing urinary tract infections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine drainage flowVSAvoidurine backflow and urinary tract infection

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A one-way flow control valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the collection bag and the catheter. This valve allows urine to flow from the bladder through the catheter into the collection bag while preventing reverse flow back into the bladder, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling drainage and preventing backflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful backflow function is extracted and isolated by placing the one-way valve at a specific location in the fluid path. The valve separates the forward drainage flow from the reverse backflow, allowing the collection bag to be positioned above the bladder without causing infection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a one-way flow control valve is added to prevent urine backflow, then urinary tract infection risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurinary tract infection preventionVSAvoidvalve mechanism and tubing connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The one-way flow control valve is designed as a disposable component that is discarded with the collection bag after use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and maintenance of the valve mechanism, reducing operational complexity while maintaining infection prevention functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The one-way valve is positioned at a specific critical location in the fluid path where backflow occurs, rather than distributing complexity throughout the entire system. This localized approach prevents infection at the most vulnerable point with minimal added complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the collection bag is made larger to reduce frequency of replacement, then productivity is improved, but urine backflow risk increases due to longer exposure time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection bag usage durationVSAvoidurine backflow and bacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The one-way flow control valve serves as a continuous protective intermediary that remains effective throughout the entire collection bag usage period, allowing extended duration without increasing backflow risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve changes the flow dynamics parameter by allowing forward flow while blocking reverse flow, enabling the collection bag to be used for longer periods without compromising patient safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 urinary tract infections by preventing urine backflow and enabling early detection of contamination, thereby improving patient health and reducing treatment costs.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way flow control valve at the inlet... the one-way flow control valve includes an inlet opening which connects via a length of flexible tubing to a urinary catheter and an outlet opening that drains into the urine collection bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOne-way flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS20260021287A1Urine Collection Bag Assembly

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 MITTS CHERYL A

AI summary

An improved urine collection bag assembly is presented. The improved urine collection bag assembly of the present invention features a one-way flow control valve to prevent the backflow of urine into a urinary catheter and subsequently, into a patient's bladder. The improved urine collection bag also features at a bacterial monitoring wick, an air vent, and a sampling port among other features. In an exemplary embodiment, the one-way flow control valve is a duckbill style valve and the sampling valve is a slider style valve.